Electrically heated wax spatula using a diode as the heating element

Claim 1

An electrically heated spatula for working temperature sensitive material, said spatula being connectable to a source of electrical power, said spatula comprising in combination: (a) a handle, a hollow sleeve extending from said handle and secured thereto at one end; (b) a diode unit supported within the other end of said sleeve, said diode unit comprising in combination: i. a diode electrically adapted to be connected to the source of electrical power for generating heat in response to the received electrical power, said diode including a stud extending therefrom; ii. apertured metallic plate means penetrably receiving said stud to effect a mounting for said diode; and iii. a metallic cylinder affixed to said plate means and extending therefrom to shroud said diode in a non-contacting relationship to minimize heat transfer by conduction from said diode to other than said stud, said cylinder being mountable within said other end of said sleeve with said stud extending outwardly from the end of said sleeve, said plate means and said cylinder being electrically conductive, and electrically connected; and iv. said diode including an anode terminal disposed interior of said cylinder; v. said diode including a cathode terminal electrically connected to said stud; (c) a tip for applying heat to the temperature sensitive material, said tip being removably mounted upon said stud for receiving heat from said diode through said stud; and (d) first and second conductors extending from the source of electrical power, said first conductor being electrically connected to said anode terminal and said second conductor being electrically connected to said cylinder.