GB2498337A - A heater for plural receptacles - Google Patents

Abstract

A heater, more particularly a massage oil heater, comprises a body portion 10 having a plurality of heating recesses18 upon which receptacles 20 can be positioned. Each of the heating recesses 18 can be set to a predetermined temperature, independently from the other recesses, by using control panel 14. The amount of time each receptacle has been heated for may be monitored, and an indicator, such as a light source (22, fig.2), may indicate when the oil is heated to the required temperature or for the required time e.g. by changing the colour of light emitted. The receptacles 20 may key into the recesses 18 so that the heater may not be activated if the receptacle is not present.

Description

An imnroved heater

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a heater, and more especially to a massage oil heater.

Background to the Invention

Massage oils are best used when warm in order to assist with reducing friction between the massager and the client. As the oil is heated its flowability increases, thereby making the massage more effective and comfortable. Additionally, scented oils may only release their scent to full effect upon warming. Therefore, by heating the oil before it is applied, the scent is released as soon as it is used. Furthermore, the warm sensation is considered by many to aid relaxation.

More than one oil may be used during a single massage and the optimum temperature of the oils may vary according to its properties. Therefore, heating them all to the same temperature can be detrimental to the overall massage experience.

Many massages take place in darkened rooms where it can be difficult to see clearly, which can lead to massage oil being knocked over. Additionally, labels can be difficult to read in the poor light levels, thus increasing the risk of the wrong oil being used.

Often, oil is heated using candles or massage candles are used, both of which require naked flames, which can bc knocked over, especially in a darkened room. Furthermore, using candles to heat oil provides the user with very little control over the temperature of the oil, which can lead to burns.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a heater comprising a body portion having a plurality of heating members upon which receptacles can be positioned, wherein each of the heating members can be set to a predetermined temperature, independently from the other members.

By having a plurality of independently controllable heating members, multiple receptacles can be heated at once to different temperatures and/or for different times, as required.

This allows for heating of liquids in situations where the contents of the receptacles are required at different times; for example during a massage where different oils are required at different times andior temperatures. Additionally, by acting as a holder for the receptacles, the risk of the receptacles being knocked over is reduced, especially in low light levels.

Preferably, at least one timer is provided to monitor the amount of time that a receptacle is positioned on each heating member. This allows a user to set a predetermined time and be reminded when the time is finished, either via a light indicator or an audible indicator.

At the end of the pre-set time, the heating member may then be retained at the same temperature to keep the receptacle warm.

It is advantageous that the heating member is in the form of a heating recess into which a receptacle can be located. By creating a recess, or sunken region, in which the receptacle can be located, the receptacle can be centred on the heating member, thus improving efficiency, and the likelihood of the receptacle being knocked over is reduced, especially when used in low lighting levels.

It is preferable that the heating members are provided with at least one indicator to indicate when the receptacle is heated to the desired temperature and/or for the required timc. The indicator can serve as a reminder to the user, thereby reducing the risk of the user forgetting about the oil. Additionally, it can be used to indicate when the substance being heated is ready for use. This is particularly useful in massage situations where it can indicate when the massage can begin as the oil is sufficiently heated to flow befter and/or release and scent contained therein.

it is particularly advantageous that the heating members are each provided with a light emitting diode in their base to act as an indicator. Alternatively, the light emitting diode may be positioned in the side of the recess. In a massage situation, by having an LED shining into the receptacle the oil can be clearly identified in low light levels, especially where the type of oil can be indicated by the colour of the LED, which may be set my a control panel. Additionally, the LED can change colour when the substance has been heated for the conect time and/or to the conect temperature for use. When used in a massage situation, and where the receptacle is translucent, the LED is visible through the receptacle and the oil, thereby giving a clear indicator without disturbing the massage.

The user can also readily tell which heating recess contains a receptacle and which is empty. Additionally, where the heating member has been turned off but is still hot, the, or a further, LED can remain on to indicate that the heater is still hot; a capacitor or battery can be used to provide the necessary energy to power the LED. Again, these features may be especially advantageous in darkened rooms, in which, although suitable for providing a relaxing environment, it may prove difficult to see the location of the oil and/or tell if the oil is at the desired temperature.

In one embodiment, the heater is provided with a trigger mechanism, or switch, so that heating member is prevented from activating unless a receptacle is positioned thereupon.

By using a switch mechanism in combination with a receptacle, a user is prevented from wasting electricity by not having a receptacle on the heating clement. Thc trigger mechanism may be attached to the outside of the receptacle -either on the circumference or on the base -or the shape of the receptacle may key' into the heater to provide a trigger. Additionally, or ahernatively, a pressure sensor may be provided in the base of the recess to determine when a receptacle is in place. Alternatively, a light source and sensor may be used to determine when a receptacle is in place.

The invention extends to heating system comprising a heater as defined herein and a plurality of receptacles for use with the heater. By providing a heater with a plurality of receptacles together, a user can begin ILsing the heater immediately. Additionally, massage oils could be provided in, or with, the receptacles.

Advantageously, the receptacles are constructed so as to be complementary with the heating member. By using receptacles that are complementary with the heater, the efficiency of the heater is improved as air gaps between the receptacle and the heating member are reduced.

In a preferred construction, the heater is a massage oil heater. In such an application, the heater reduces the risk of massage oil being knocked over in low light and can assist with making the massage experience more enjoyable for the client.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a heater according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the heater of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a view of a sectional view of the heater of Figure 1 in use.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Figures 1 to 3 show a heater 10 comprising a base portion 12, central control panel 14 and a top portion 16. The top portion 16 has a plurality of circular heating recesses 18 along its length.

Each heating recess 18 is adapted to accept a heating receptacle 20 therein and at the base ofeach heating receptacle is a convex light source 22. The light source 22 is in the form of light emitting diodes.

A plurality of translucent, or transparent, vessels 24 are provided, each shaped to fit within the heating recesses 18 with its upper end protruding so that it can easily be picked up. The vessels 24 sit within the recesses 18 and have a concave bottom end 26 in order to engage the light source 22 at the bottom of each heating receptacle 20. The vessels are provided with lids 25 that are simple to remove using one hand.

When in use, the heater 10 is turned on and the vessels 24 are placed in the heating recesses 18. The control panel 24 is then used to set the desired temperature and/or time for each heating recesses 18 in order to heat the receptacle therein. The light source 22 within each recess 18 is activated and emits light of a first colour. When the vessels 24 have bccn hcatcd to thc rcquircd tcmpcraturc, or for the rcquircd amount of time, thc colour of the light source 22 changes, providing a visual indicator of when the oil is ready to be used. Because light can pass through the vessels 24, the colour of the light emitting diode in the light source 22 can be seen through the vessel 24 and oil therein. The oil in the vessels 24 is then kept at the required temperature until they are removed from the heater 10. When the vessel 24 is removed from the recess 18, heat is no longer applied to that recess 18.

The control panel 14 allows for independent control of each heating recess 18. Therefore, whilst one recess may heat the oil to 35°C, another can heat a different vial of oil to 30°C.

Alternatively, they may both heat the oils to the same temperature but for different lengths of time. This is particularly advantageous when the second oil is required later in the massage than the first oil. The oil is heated and ready to be used, rather than using cold oil or having to stop in order to heat more oil.

Using vessels in the heater reduces the risk of oil being spilled or knocked over because the vessels are supported and more stable when held in the heater than they would be placed on a surface.

When the vessels are removed from the recesses, the heater may automatically stop heating that particular recess. This may be achieved by making the vessels key into the recesses, for example thc vessels being providcd with a protrusion on its outcr surfacc that keys into the heater such that when they protrusion isn't present, the recess cannot be heated. Alternatively, the keying may occur in the base portion of the vessel. A flirther alternative is to use a pressure sensor within the base of the recess.

The heater may be portable and so may be battery powered and/or powered using a DC power supply in an automobile, either in addition to mains/battery power, or in place thcreof. Where thc hcatcr is powered by batteries, conncction to a mains supply and/or a DC supply may charge to battery.

Although the heater has been described with five heating members, other numbers of heating members are possible, for example a two member heater. Likewise, the heater may bc in a diffcrcnt form from a straight bar, for example it may havc a substantially triangular shape with three or more heating members arranged accordingly.

Thc hcater may bc provided with an over-sized footprint in order to increase its stability.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base of the heater may be weighted.

The heater may be also be used for melting epilatory wax for use in waxing or for heating other liquids in preparation for use.

The heater may be provided with a lid to cover the top of the heater, or caps to cover the recesses. This protects the heating elements and reduces the risk of dirt and other deposits congregating on the heater and/or heating elements.

Claims (3)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A heater comprising a body portion having a plurality of heating members upon which receptacles can be positioned, wherein each of the heating members can be set to a predetermined temperature, independently from the other members.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A heater according to claim 1, wherein at least one timer is provided to monitor the amount of time that a receptacle is positioned on each heating member.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A heater according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the heating members are in the form of a heating recess into which a receptacle can be located.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A heater according to claim 3, wherein the heating members are provided with at least one indicator to indicate when the oil is heated to the desired temperature and/or for the required time.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A heater according to claim 4, wherein the heating members are each provided with a light emitting diode to act as an indicator.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A heater according to any preceding claim, wherein the heater is provided with a trigger mechanism so that heating member is prevented from activating unless a receptacle is positioned thereupon.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A heating system comprising a heater as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 and a plurality of receptacles for use with the heater.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the receptacles are constructed so as to be complementary with the heating member.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A massage oil heater in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A heater substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or drawings.Amendmenats to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A massage oil heater comprising a body portion having a plurality of heating recesses, into which vessels can be positioned, each recess comprising a heating member S and wherein each of the heating members can be set to a predetermined temperature, independently from the other members, wherein the heating recesses are each provided with a light emitting diode at the base of the recess and contained therein.
2. 2. A heater according to claim 1, wherein at least one timer is provided to monitor the amount of time that a vessel is positioned on each heating member.
3. 3. A heater according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heater is provided with a trigger mechanism in each recess so that the hating member is prevented from activating unless a vessel is positioned ii1 the corresponding recess. -IS I4. A heater according to any one of claims ito 3, wherein the light emitting diode indicatcs when the vessel is heated to the desired temperature and/or for the required time.5. A heater according to claim 4, wherein the light emitting diode acts as the indicator of the:predetermined temperature being reached.6. A heater according to any preceding claim 5, wherein the indicator light emitting diode changes colour when the predetermined temperature has been reached.7. A heating system comprising a heater as defined in any one of claims 1 toO and a * . ** plurality of vessels for use with the heater: 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the vessels are constructed so as to be * * * complementary-with the heating recess.. -. 30.9. A heater substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or drawings.-</claim-text>