초록 ▼

An apparatus for melting paraffin wax is provided. It includes an integral plastic inner tub attached to an integral aluminum plate holder, each of which has a flat bottom and a sloped wall. A positive temperature coefficient heating element is attached to the flat bottom of the aluminum plate holde

An apparatus for melting paraffin wax is provided. It includes an integral plastic inner tub attached to an integral aluminum plate holder, each of which has a flat bottom and a sloped wall. A positive temperature coefficient heating element is attached to the flat bottom of the aluminum plate holder for self regulating to a preset temperature by autonomously varying the positive temperature coefficient heating element electrical resistance in response to the temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element thereby varying a power dissipation of the positive temperature coefficient heating element in order to maintain the positive temperature coefficient heating element at the preset temperature. Heat from the positive temperature coefficient heating element is transferred from the integral aluminum plate holder to the integral plastic inner tub via the flat bottoms and the sloped walls thereby melting any wax inside the integral plastic inner tub. The electrical resistance of the positive temperature coefficient heating element decreases in response to the temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element decreasing thereby increasing the power dissipation and the temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element. The electrical resistance of the positive temperature coefficient heating element also increases in response to the temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element increasing thereby decreasing the power dissipation and the temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for melting paraffin wax comprising:an integral plastic inner tub comprising:a first flat bottom having a first periphery;a first sloped wall extending upward from the first periphery forming an open top having a second periphery; andfirst attachment points attached to the flat botto

1. An apparatus for melting paraffin wax comprising:an integral plastic inner tub comprising:a first flat bottom having a first periphery;a first sloped wall extending upward from the first periphery forming an open top having a second periphery; andfirst attachment points attached to the flat bottom;an integral aluminum plate holder comprising:a second flat bottom having a third periphery;a second sloped wall extending upward from the third periphery and adapted so that the first sloped wall fits within the second sloped wall; andsecond attachment points attached to the second flat bottom;wherein the second attachment points are removably attached to the first attachment points; anda positive temperature coefficient heating element coupled to the second bottom for providing self regulation to a preset temperature, the positive temperature coefficient heating element autonomously varying an positive temperature coefficient heating element electrical resistance in response to a temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element thereby varying a power dissipation of the positive temperature coefficient heating element in order to maintain the positive temperature coefficient heating element at the preset temperature;wherein heat from the positive temperature coefficient heating element is transferred from the integral aluminum plate holder to the integral plastic inner tub via the first and second flat bottoms and first and second sloped walls thereby melting any wax inside said integral plastic inner tub; andthe first sloped wall comprises an integral first alignment key;the second sloped wall comprises an integral second alignment key for aligning the integral aluminum plate holder with the integral plastic inner tub;a support mounted to the integral aluminum plate holder and aligned with the integral first and second alignment keys; anda variable thermostat for setting the preset temperature mounted to the support and coupled to the positive temperature coefficient heating element. 2. The apparatus for melting paraffin wax of claim 1 wherein:the electrical resistance of the positive temperature coefficient heating element decreases in response to a temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element decreasing thereby increasing the power dissipation and the temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element; andthe electrical resistance of the positive temperature coefficient heating element increases in response to the temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element increasing thereby decreasing the power dissipation and the temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the positive temperature coefficient heating element further comprises:an aluminum case;two electrodes connected to the positive temperature coefficient heating element;an insulated high temperature resistant sheet wrapped around the positive temperature coefficient heating element; andwherein the wrapped positive temperature coefficient heating element is inserted into the aluminum case from which the two electrodes protrude. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:a power source; anda variable thermostat for setting the preset temperature coupled between the power source and the positive temperature coefficient heating element. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the variable thermostat for setting the preset temperature comprises a variable resistor. 6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a maximum temperature on-off switch mounted to the second bottom for sensing the temperature and coupled between the variable thermostat and the power source for preventing the temperature from exceeding a maximum temperature by decoupling the power source from the variable thermostat when the temperature exceeds the maximum temperature. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the maximum temperature is approximately 85 degrees cen tigrade. 8. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a power on indicator light coupled to the power source for indicating that power is applied to the apparatus for melting paraffin wax. 9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a positive temperature coefficient heating element on indicator light coupled in parallel to the positive temperature coefficient heating element for indicating that power is applied to the positive temperature coefficient heating element. 10. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a fuse between the power source and the maximum temperature on-off switch. 11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:a plastic external tub mounted to the aluminum plate holder;a plastic stand mounted to the plastic external tub;a plastic grate removably placed within the integral plastic inner tub; anda plastic lid removably placed over open top of the integral plastic inner tub. 12. The apparatus for melting paraffin wax of claim 1 wherein:the integral plastic inner tub further comprises a flaired lip extending outward and downward from the second periphery.