U.S. patent application number 09/925893 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for venting cover for a containerized candle.
Invention is credited to Papai, Tod A..
Application Number | 20020031739 09/925893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26842243 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020031739 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Papai, Tod A. |
March 14, 2002 |
Venting cover for a containerized candle
Abstract
A venting cover for a containerized candle that stabilizes the
combustion flame and improves the efficiency of the combustion of
containerized candles is disclosed. The venting cover of this
invention is a flat disc, which is seated over the mouth of the
container or jar. The venting cover has an annular flange around
its periphery, a central exhaust vent and six oblong inlet vents
spaced radially from the exhaust vent around the periphery of the
venting cover. The venting cover creates a concentric laminar air
flow within the interior of the jar, which stabilizes the flame and
improves the efficiency of the combustion.
Inventors: |
Papai, Tod A.; (LaPorte,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
R. Tracy Crump
P.O. Box 604
New Carlisle
IN
46552
US
|
Family ID: |
26842243 |
Appl. No.: |
09/925893 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09925893 |
Aug 9, 2001 |
|
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09575447 |
May 22, 2000 |
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60144683 |
Jul 20, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 35/00 20130101;
F21V 31/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/291 |
International
Class: |
F23D 003/16 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A venting apparatus used with an apothecary jar candle, which
includes a vessel having a cylindrical body and a open circular
mouth, a fuel source disposed within the body and burnt in the
flame, and a wick extending from the fuel source, and is
dimensioned such that the vessel body has a diameter approximately
four inches across had a height between three inched to six inches
tall, and the open mouth has a diameter approximately three inches
across, the apparatus for improving the stability and efficiency of
the combustion flame of the candle and comprising: a flat circular
body dimensioned to seat atop the mouth of the vessel, the body
having a central exhaust vent through which combustion exhaust
exits the vessel, and a plurality of peripheral inlet vents spaced
around and radially from the exhaust vent through which ambient air
is drawn into the vessel, the exhaust vent and the intake vents are
spaced apart from each other sufficiently to facilitate separated
concentric laminar air flows of exhaust and ambient air within the
candle vessel to ensure that sufficient ambient air is drawn to the
base of the flame when the candle burns, the exhaust vent has a
cross-sectional area and the inlet vents have a cross sectional
areas, such that the ratio between the cross sectional area of the
exhaust vent and the aggregate cross sectional area of the
plurality of inlet vents is greater than 0.870 and less than
1.310.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exhaust vent has a cross
sectional area greater than 0.700 square inches and less than 0.900
square inches.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of inlet vents
have an aggregate cross sectional area greater than 0.600 square
inches and less than 0.950 square inches.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of inlet vents is
six.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of inlet
vents has a geometric center, the exhaust vent has a geometric
center, the geometric center of each of the plurality of inlet
vents is spaced from the geometric center of the exhaust vent at
least 1.00 inch.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exhaust vent directly
overlies the flame of the containerized candle when the cover is
seated atop the candle vessel and the containerized candle
burns.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intake vents channel the
flow of ambient air to converge radially at the base of the candle
flame when the containerized candle burns.
8. An apparatus used with an apothecary jar candle, which includes
a vessel having a cylindrical body and a open circular mouth, a
fuel source disposed within the body and burnt in the flame, and a
wick extending from the fuel source, and is dimensioned such that
the vessel body has a diameter approximately four inches across had
a height between three inched to six inches tall, and the open
mouth has a diameter approximately three inches across, the
apparatus for improving the stability and efficiency of the
combustion flame of the candle and comprising: a flat circular body
dimensioned to seat atop the mouth of the vessel, the body having a
central exhaust vent through which combustion exhaust exits the
vessel, and a plurality of peripheral inlet vents spaced around and
radially from the exhaust vent through which ambient air is drawn
into the vessel, the exhaust vent and the intake vents are spaced
apart from each other so as to create an annular band of relatively
still air within the candle vessel and to facilitate concentric
laminar air flow of exhaust air and inlet air separated by the band
of still air, which ensures that sufficient ambient air is drawn to
the base of the flame when the candle burns, the exhaust vent has a
cross-sectional area and the inlet vents have a cross sectional
areas, such that the ratio between the cross sectional area of the
exhaust vent and the aggregate cross sectional area of the
plurality of inlet vents is greater than 0.870 and less than
1.310.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the annular band of relatively
still air constitutes means for physically insulating the exhaust
air from the inlet air.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the exhaust vent has a cross
sectional area greater than 0.700 square inches and less than 0.900
square inches.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of inlet vents
is six.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of inlet vents
have an aggregate cross sectional area greater than 0.600 square
inches and less than 0.950 square inches.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of the plurality of inlet
vents has a geometric center, the exhaust vent has a geometric
center, the geometric center of each of the plurality of inlet
vents is spaced from the geometric center of the exhaust vent at
least 1.00 inch.
14. An apparatus used with an apothecary jar candle, which includes
a vessel having a cylindrical body and a open circular mouth, a
fuel source disposed within the body and burnt in the flame, and a
wick extending from the fuel source, and is dimensioned such that
the vessel body has a diameter approximately four inches across had
a height between three inched to six inches tall, and the open
mouth has a diameter approximately three inches across, the
apparatus for improving the stability and efficiency of the
combustion flame of the candle and comprising: a flat circular body
dimensioned to seat atop the mouth of the vessel, the body having a
central exhaust vent through which combustion exhaust exits the
vessel, the exhaust vent has a geometric center and a cross
sectional area greater than 0.700 square inches and less than 0.900
square inches, and ix peripheral inlet vents spaced around and
radially from the exhaust vent through which ambient air is drawn
into the vessel, each of the six inlet vents has a geometric
center, the six inlet vents also have an aggregate cross sectional
area greater than 0.600 square inches and less than 0.950 square
inches, wherein the ratio between the cross sectional area of the
exhaust vent and the aggregate cross sectional area of the
plurality of inlet vents is greater than 0.870 and less than 1.310,
and the exhaust vent and the six intake vents are sufficiently
spaced apart from each other with the geometric centers of each of
the six inlet vents are at least 1.00 inch from the geometric
center of the exhaust vent, so as to facilitate separated
concentric laminar air flows of exhaust and ambient air within the
candle vessel to ensure that sufficient ambient air is drawn to the
base of the flame when the candle burns.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent
application, Ser. No. 09/575,447, filed on May 22, 2000, which
claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No.
60/144,683, filed Jul. 20, 1999. This invention relates to
decorative containerized candles, and particularly to a cover for a
containerized candle which improves the candle's combustion and
eliminates candle smoke.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Containerized candles have been well known for hundreds of
years. Candles were first placed in containers as an improvement
over conventional candle sticks. When a candle burns, the heat
generated by the flame melts a layer of the wax around the flame,
which is drawn up by the wick to feed the flame. Much of the candle
wax, which fuels the candle flame, melts and runs down the body of
conventional candle sticks, which not only reduces the longevity of
the candle, but also detracts from the appearance of the candle.
Containerized candle have the tallow or wax and wick contained in a
transparent or translucent vessel, such as a glass apothecary jar.
Containerized candles enclose the wax within the vessel, which
prevents the loss of wax from run off and allows for a more
decorative presentation. Containerized candles in glass apothecary
jars have become increasingly popular, and are general referred to
as apothecary jar candles.
[0003] One drawback of containerized candles is the efficiency of
their combustion. It is well known that the flame in a candle is a
diffusion combustion flame. The flame is a reaction front (or wave)
in a gaseous medium into which the reactants flow and out of which
the products flow. Diffusion flames occur when fuel and oxidizer
mix and burn simultaneously. In a candle, the candle wax is
consumed as a fuel and the oxidizer is oxygen from the atmosphere
drawn in a convection stream toward the base of the flame. The
candle wax is melted and vaporized by the heat of the flame and
emerges as a steady stream of vapor from the wick. The candle wax
is rich in hydrocarbons, which are consumed in the exothermic
reaction of the flame. Hot incandescent carbon particles in the
flame make it appear yellow. If sufficient ambient air is not drawn
to the base of the flame to oxidize the carbon particles in later
stages of combustion, the flame will be smoky, and the exhaust will
contain dark carbon residue, smoke. Consequently, providing a
sufficient air flow is critical for a clean or smokeless
combustion.
[0004] Heretofore, providing sufficient air flow to the base of the
flame in a containerized candle has been a problem. While the
vessel prevents the run off of melted wax and contains the thermal
energy to melt more wax near the wick, the container limits and
obstructs the air flow to the flame, which is needed for the
combustion process. Ambient air must simultaneously be drawn
downward into the container while hot exhaust vents out of the
container. Hot exhaust from the flame rises upward in a convection
flow, which creates a negative pressure to draw cool ambient air
into the interior toward the base of the flame. Passing through the
mouth of the container, the proximity of the opposing exhaust and
intake air flows create turbulence within the container interior.
The turbulence within the container increases proportionately to
proximity between the exhaust and intake air flows, as well as, the
temperature and velocity differentials of the air flows. The
turbulent air flow within the container restricts and retards flow
of the ambient air to the base of the flame. Consequently, the
combustion in containerized candles often produces smoke.
Turbulence within the container also destabilizes the flame, and
can even extinguish it. The instability of the flame is evidenced
by the flicker of the flame, which is common in containerized
candles.
[0005] In addition, "tunneling" has been a problem for large
diameter candles whether containerized or not. The thermal energy
released in the combustion of conventional candle waxes can only
melt a thin layer of wax with a limited cross-sectional area.
Consequently, "tunneling" occurs when the cross-sectional area of
the solid candle wax is much greater than the cross-sectional area
of the melted candle wax around the flame. As the melted candle wax
is consumed by the flame, the flame descends down into a
cylindrical cavity or "tunnel" within the solid candle wax.
Eventually the flame becomes encircled within this "tunnel" of
candle wax. The quantity of solid candle wax which forms the tunnel
walls is lost to the candle as a fuel source, simply due to the
inability of the flame to melt the remote solid wax.
[0006] Since the candle wax and flame are enclosed, containerized
candles can have slightly greater diameters than conventional stick
candles. The glass enclosure partially insulates the thermal energy
from the combustion so that more solid wax can be melted.
Nevertheless, the thermal energy released in the combustion of
conventional candle waxes still limits the maximum diameter of
single wick containerized candles to approximately three inches. As
the diameter of containerized candles begins to exceed three inches
tunneling begins to become a problem. With air flow within the
container already inherently restricted, tunneling can prematurely
limit the life of a containerized candle. Furthermore, the in flow
of ambient air to the base of the flame can become so constricted
by the tunneling effect within a containerized candle that the
flame extinguishes for lack of oxidation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The containerized candle venting cover of this invention
stabilizes the combustion flame and improves the efficiency of the
combustion of conventional containerized candles. The venting cover
reduces turbulence in containerized candles by facilitating
separated concentric laminar air flow within the candle container.
The concentric laminar air flow inside the candle container enables
sufficient ambient air flow directly to the base of the flame so
that the flame burns more efficiently, i.e., brighter, hotter and
with reduced smoke.
[0008] The venting cover of this invention can be used with any
conventional containerized candle, but is ideally suited for use
with conventional three inch apothecary jar candles. The venting
cover of this invention is a flat disc, which is seated over the
mouth of the container or jar. The venting cover has an annular
flange around its periphery, a central exhaust vent and six oblong
inlet vents spaced radially from the exhaust vent around the
periphery of the venting cover. The venting cover creates a
concentric laminar air flow within the interior of the jar, which
stabilizes the flame and improves the efficiency of the combustion.
The upward convection flow of the hot exhaust air from the flame
exits the jar directly through the exhaust vent in the venting
cover. The negative pressure inside the jar created by the
convection flow of the exhaust air draws cool ambient air into the
jar through the six inlet vents. This intake air flow circulates
concentrically downward along the inside of the jar wall and
converges toward the wick at the base of the flame.
[0009] The venting cover restricts the volume and velocity of the
airflow that exits and enters the interior of the jar. The
orientation of the exhaust vent and the surrounding six inlet vents
provides concentric laminar airflow within the jar, which
stabilizes the flame and permits sufficient air flow directly to
the base of the flame. The exhaust vent is positioned directly
above the candle flame, which focuses the convection draft of
exhaust air directly upwards, thereby reducing the diffusion of the
exhaust flow inside the jar. The six intake vents are spaced
radially from the exhaust vent to separate the exhaust and intake
air flows. The separation of the opposing air flows reduces
turbulence within the interior of the jar, which leads to cleaner,
more efficient combustion.
[0010] Accordingly, an advantage of this invention is that the
venting cover stabilizes the combustion flame and improves the
efficiency of the combustion of conventional containerized
candles.
[0011] Another advantage is that the venting cover reduces the
smoke produced in the combustion process of containerized
candles.
[0012] Another advantage is that the venting cover reduces
turbulence in containerized candles by facilitating separated
concentric laminar air flow within the candle container, which
enables sufficient ambient air flow directly to the base of the
flame.
[0013] Another advantage is that the apparatus improves the
efficiency of the containerized candle without detracting from the
decorative appearance of the candle.
[0014] Another advantage is that the apparatus can be used on any
large mouthed containerized candle.
[0015] Other advantages will become apparent upon a reading of the
following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The preferred embodiments of the invention have been
depicted for illustrative purposes only wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a containerized candle and
the apparatus of this invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the containerized candle
and the apparatus of this invention showing the flow of air through
the apparatus; and
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to
be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form
disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the invention so
that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a conventional containerized candle 2 and the
venting cover 20 of this invention. As shown, candle 2 includes a
quantity of wax 4, and a single cloth wick 6 contained inside a
transparent or translucent glass jar or vessel 10. Wax 4 is
employed in candle 2 as a fuel source and may take any natural
unctuous, viscous or solid heat sensitive compound consisting
essentially of high molecular weight hydrocarbons or esters of
fatty acids. Candle wax 4 fills the bottom portion of jar 10 which
defines an open upper interior 17 within the jar 4. Wick 6 is
seated within solid wax at the center of jar 4. When candle 2 is
burning, the heat from the frame 8 creates a thin layer of melted
candle wax 5 across the top of the solid candle wax 4, which is
drawn up wick 6 to feed the flame.
[0022] Although suitable for use with any conventional
containerized candle, venting cover 20 is specifically designed and
ideally suited for use with "three inch" apothecary jar candles,
such as the ones manufactured by Yankee Candle, Co. of South
Deerfield, Mass. As shown, jar 10 has a bottom 11 and cylindrical
sidewall 12 which converge to form an annular rim 14 at its mouth
15. The descriptive term "3 inch" refers the diameter of the jar's
mouth. In the candle industry, apothecary jars typically conform to
certain basic dimensional standards to insure use with automated
filling systems. While varying in height 3-6 inches, the typical
apothecary jar varies very little, only a few tenths of an inch, in
the diameters of the body and mouth. The standard apothecary jar
has a cylindrical body with a diameter of approximately 4.0 inches
(diameters typically vary between 4.25-3.75 inches) and a mouth
having approximately a three inch diameter (diameters typically
vary between 2.85-3.15 inches). Although candle 2 is illustrated as
using a typical cylindrical apothecary jar, the teaching of this
invention may be readily applied to containerized candles of
various shapes and dimensions without deviating from the scope of
the invention. The size of the jar or container and the dimensions
of its mouth may vary, as well as, its shape within the scope of
this invention.
[0023] As shown, venting cover 20 has a flat disc shaped body 22
formed from a sheet of metal, such as galvanized steel, brass, or
pewter. Alternatively, the venting cover may be formed of a ceramic
or heat resistant plastic material. As best shown in FIG. 3, cover
body 22 has a circular central exhaust opening or vent 25 and six
oblong inlet vents 27. Cover body 22 includes an annular flange 24
around its periphery. As shown, venting cover 20 is seated atop
container mouth 15. As shown in FIG. 2, venting cover 20 is
dimensioned so that the inner face of flange 24 abuts the outer
edge of the jar rim 14, which helps securely seat the venting cover
atop container mouth 15. With venting cover 20 seated atop jar 10,
exhaust vent 25 is positioned directly above wick 6 and flame 8 and
inlet vents 27 are positioned adjacent rim 14. Inlet vents 27 are
spaced radially from exhaust vent 25 around the periphery of the
venting cover. As shown in FIG. 1, inlet vents 27 are shaped as
oblong slots, but may be shaped in any geometric configuration for
aesthetic purposes. Likewise, exhaust vent 25 may be shaped in any
desirable configurations, without deviating from the teaching of
this invention. Although six inlet vents 27 are illustrated in the
figures, any number of inlet vents may be employed, provided that
they are equally spaced along the periphery of the venting
cover.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates how venting cover 20 creates a concentric
laminar air flow within interior 17 of jar 10, which stabilizes the
flame and improves the efficiency of the combustion. As shown,
exhaust vent 25 is positioned directly above flame 8. The thermal
energy generated from flame 8 creates an upward convection flow of
hot exhaust air 30, which exits interior 17 through exhaust vent
25. Positioning the exhaust vent directly above the candle flame
focuses the convection draft of exhaust air directly upwards, which
reduces diffusion of the exhaust flow and its thermal energy. The
negative pressure within interior 17 created by exhaust air flow 30
draws an intake air flow 40 of cool ambient air into jar 10 through
inlet vents 27. Intake air flow 40 circulates concentrically
downward along the inside of the jar wall and converges toward wick
6 at the base of flame 8. Intake air flow 40 provides the oxidants
for the combustion process. As shown in FIG. 2, the orientation of
the exhaust vent and the surrounding six inlet vents provides
concentric laminar air flow within the jar, which stabilizes the
flame and permits sufficient air flow directly to the base of the
flame. The six intake vents are spaced radially from the exhaust
vent to separate the exhaust and intake airs flows. The opposing
air flows through the vents are separated enough that an annular
band of relative dead air (separation zone) 50 is created between
exhaust and intake air flows above and below the venting cover.
While air inside separation zone 50 does circulate in an eddy type
flow, it circulates at a relatively lower velocity compared to the
main stream of exhaust and intake airflows. Consequently, the air
in the separation zones isolates the opposing air flows thereby
reducing the turbulence caused by the direct mixing of the opposed
exhaust and intake air flows. The separation of the opposing air
flows reduces turbulence within the interior of the jar, which
leads to a cleaner combustion process. The laminar air flow to the
base of the flame provides sufficient oxidants to completely burn
the candle wax in the combustion eliminating the carbon residue
(smoke) in the exhaust. With the venting cover channeling the
airflow within the jar, the candle has a cleaner more efficient
combustion, which means it burns hotter, brighter and longer than
without the venting cover.
[0025] The science of fluid mechanics has demonstrated that the
character of air flow depends on four variables: fluid density,
fluid viscosity, diameter of the flow channel, and the average
velocity of fluid flow. Fluid flows with high velocity and low
viscosity tend to be turbulent and flows with low velocity and high
viscosity tend to be laminar. As fluid velocity increases, laminar
flow changes to turbulent flow. In addition, the physical
dimensions of the flow channel are also critical to predicting the
flow characteristic. Larger flow channels tend to create turbulent
flow. Narrower flow channels tend to create laminar flow. Since
fluid density and viscosity are relatively constant within
containerized candles, the characteristic of the air flow within a
containerized candle is generally a product of air flow velocities
and the dimensions of the container. Consequently, venting cover 20
must be dimensioned specific to the particular containerized candle
in order to facilitate laminar air flow. The exhaust and inlet
vents must be sized and positioned to insure sufficient air flows
through the venting cover and at velocities low enough to maintain
laminar air flow characteristics within the containerized candle
and high enough so that the inlet air flow has inertial force to
reach the base of the flame.
[0026] It should be noted that venting cover 20 as illustrated is
designed for use specifically with conventional three inch
apothecary jar candles, such as the ones manufactured by Yankee
Candle, Co. of South Deerfield, Mass. Venting cover 20 is sized to
seat atop the open mouth of conventional three inch candle jars,
which dictates that the diameter of venting cover 20 is slightly
greater than three inches. More importantly, the thermodynamic
characteristics and physical dimensions of conventional three inch
apothecary jar candles require that venting cover 20 maintains
certain dimensional relationships in order to facilitate laminar
air flows. These dimensional relationships are generally consistent
among conventional three inch apothecary jar candles regardless of
height, which typically ranges between three and six inches.
Venting cover 20 has particular dimensional relationships relating
to the cross sectional areas of the exhaust vent 25 and inlet vents
27, which is critical to the operation of venting cover 20 for
conventional three inch apothecary jar candles. The cross-sectional
area of the exhaust vent and the aggregate cross-sectional area of
the inlet vents is approximately 0.785 square inches (roughly a
circular opening having a 1.0 inch diameter), but may range between
0.700-0.900 square inches. This range of the cross sectional area
insures optimal exhaust venting with conventional three inch
apothecary candles. The aggregate cross sectional area of inlet
vents 27 is between 0.600-0.950 square inches. This range of
aggregate cross sectional area insures optimal inlet flow with
conventional three inch apothecary candles.
[0027] It should be further noted that regardless of size and
dimensions of the jar candle or venting cover, the cross-sectional
area of the exhaust vent 25 is approximately equal to the aggregate
cross-sectional area of the inlet vents 27. A one to one ratio
insures that equal volumes of exhaust gas and inlet air pass
through venting cover 20 at approximately equal velocities.
Although a one to one ratio is typically optimal, venting cover 20
can maintain laminar air flows within conventional three inch
apothecary jar candles of heights between 3-6 inches for an
efficient combustion with ratios of cross sectional area of exhaust
vent 25 to the inlet vents ranging between 0.870-1.310. Although
the number of inlets can vary with only slight effect, six radially
spaced inlets are optimal for clean combustion in conventional
three inch apothecary jar candles. With six inlets, the cross
sectional area of each inlet vent 27 ranges 0.100-0.158 square
inches. The horizontal radial distance between the exhaust and
intake should be as great as possible, but a minimum of one inch
should separate the geometric centers of the exhaust and each of
the inlet vents. This spacing is based on the geometric centers of
the inlet and exhaust vents, since the air flow through the vent
tends to concentrate at the centers regardless of the shape of the
respective vent.
[0028] One skilled in the art will note several advantages that the
venting cover provides to the combustion process and the operation
of the containerized candle. The venting cover restricts and
controls the inlet and exhaust air flows into and out of the
interior of the jar. The exhaust vent and the intake vents are
spaced apart from each other sufficiently to facilitate separated
concentric laminar air flows of exhaust and ambient air within the
candle vessel to ensure that sufficient ambient air is drawn to the
base of the flame. The spacing of the inlet and exhaust openings is
critical to maintain separated laminar flow, while the inlet flow
has sufficient downward velocity to generate the inertia force to
carry the inlet flow to the base of the flame. The spacing creates
an annular zone of relative still or dead air. This band of dead
air acts as a physical insulator between the inlet and exhaust air
flows to reduce the turbulence caused by the direct mixing of the
opposed exhaust and intake air flows. Since the inlet air flow
velocity must be sufficient to maintain an inertia force to carry
the flow to the base of the flame, the opposed inlet and exhaust
air flows must be physically separated and insulated to maintain
laminar flow within the container. The ratio of the cross-sectional
areas of the inlet and exhaust opening is used to maintain the
inertia force and the radial spacing is used to maintain laminar
flow.
[0029] One skilled in the art will note that while dimensioned for
use with three inch apothecary jar candles, the venting cover of
this invention can be dimensioned to facilitate laminar air flows
in containerized candles of various types, sizes and dimensions.
The venting cover also may be configured in various colors and
styles to match the candle and decorative tastes without materially
affecting its function. Consequently, the exhaust and inlet vents
may take a variety of decorative configurations and shapes without
deviating from the basic teachings of this invention. In addition,
the venting cover of this invention when used properly with a
containerized candle presents no fire or safety hazards. Although
the venting cover may be constructed of metal, which is generally a
good conductor of thermal energy, the operation of the venting
cover generally ensures that the venting cover does not becomes too
hot to touch. Any convection heating caused by the hot exhaust
exiting through the exhaust vent is countered by the convection
cooling created by the cool air drawn through the inlet vents.
Consequently, the venting cover never becomes hot to the touch and
is therefore not a safety hazard. As long as the hand is not placed
directly over the hot exhaust coming through the exhaust vent, the
venting cover can be removed by hand during use without injury.
[0030] It is understood that the above description does not limit
the invention to the details given, but may be modified within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *