U.S. patent application number 10/300695 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-15 for candle having a planar wick and a method of making it.
Invention is credited to Decker, DayNa.
Application Number | 20040009447 10/300695 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30117982 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040009447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Decker, DayNa |
January 15, 2004 |
Candle having a planar wick and a method of making it
Abstract
A candle is provided having a body of a meltable fuel and a
planar wick. When lit, the candle provides a unique flame
formation, usable in a variety of decorative applications. The wick
can be configured to evenly deplete the meltable fuel, while
allowing for candles having relatively large and unique body
configurations. Optionally, the body of candle and/or the wick may
include scented oil to promote the release of fragrance upon
heating and the wick may comprise wood, thereby providing an
acoustic contribution to ambiance, improved combustion that
generates less soot than conventional candles.
Inventors: |
Decker, DayNa; (Studio City,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP
333 SOUTH HOPE STREET
48TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90071-1448
US
|
Family ID: |
30117982 |
Appl. No.: |
10/300695 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60331898 |
Nov 19, 2001 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/288 ;
431/289; 431/325 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23D 14/18 20130101;
F23D 14/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/288 ;
431/289; 431/325 |
International
Class: |
F23D 003/16; F23D
003/18 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A candle comprising: a body formed of a meltable fuel; and a
planar wick disposed in the body and having an upper end extending
beyond an upper surface of the body.
2. A candle as defined in claim 1, wherein the wick is configured
in a selected decorative shape as viewed from above.
3. A candle as defined in claim 1, wherein the planar wick is
formed of unwoven, fibrous material.
4. A candle as defined in claim 1, wherein the wick is sized
relative to the body to correlate the wick's burn rate with the
material of the body, thereby providing an even depletion of the
meltable fuel.
5. A candle as defined in claim 1, wherein the planar wick
comprises wood.
6. A candle as defined in claim 5, wherein the wood is selected
from a group consisting of poplar, cherry, maple, wenge, oak,
rosewood, and bamboo.
7. A candle as defined in claim 6, further comprising a wick
holder.
8. A candle as defined in claim 7, wherein the wick holder includes
a base and a support for receiving the wick extending from the
base.
8. A candle as defined in claim 6, further comprising a container
having the body disposed therein.
9. A candle comprising: a body formed of a meltable fuel; and a
planar wick disposed in the body and having an upper end extending
beyond an upper surface of the body; wherein the wick is formed
essentially of wood selected from a group consisting of poplar,
cherry, maple, wenge, oak, rosewood, and bamboo.
10. A candle as defined in claim 9, wherein the body of candle
and/or the wick include scented oil.
11. A candle as defined in claim 9, further comprising a wick
holder having a base and a support for receiving the wick extending
from the base.
12. A candle as defined in claim 9, wherein the wood has a moisture
content of less than about six percent.
13. A method of making a candle, comprising combining a planar wick
and a body of meltable fuel such that the planar wick extends
beyond an upper surface of the body.
14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the combining step
includes maintaining the wick in a set position and dispensing the
meltable fuel material about the wick in a non-solid form and
having the meltable fuel solidify.
15. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the planar wick
comprises wood.
16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the wood is selected
from a group consisting of poplar, cherry, maple, wenge, oak,
rosewood, and bamboo.
17. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein the wick set upon a
wick holder.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/331,898, filed Nov. 19, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to illuminating
devices and, more particularly, to candles.
[0003] Candles have long been used to enhance ambiance by
illumination and aromatic release. Conventional candles have a wick
surrounded by wax, paraffin, or the like; and the wick typically is
configured as a cord of fibers, such as cotton threads, braided in
a rope-like configuration. When lit, the candle forms a teardrop
flame extending from an upper portion of the wick, i.e., the wick
tip. Heat generated by the flame causes the wax surrounding the
wick tip to melt. The melted wax is drawn up the wick through
capillary action, feeding the flame. The wax may include scented
oil to promote the release of fragrance upon heating.
[0004] Although such candles have been generally effective, current
configurations are deficient in some respects. For example, since
conventional wick are not rigid, additional manipulation can be
required during candle assembly and, when lit, the wick tip may
droop into the melted wax. Then, when the flame is extinguished,
the wax hardens, burying the wick tip. To reignite the candle, the
user first must dig out the wick tip, which can be messy and
otherwise bothersome.
[0005] In applications such as pillar candles, conventional wicks
may unevenly deplete the wax, melting the wax adjacent to the wick
while leaving wax along the periphery, thereby creating a "tunnel
effect." The unused wax around the periphery often sags, which can
be unsightly. Moreover, some candles, particularly those
incorporating scented oil in the wax, can be relatively expensive.
Thus, inefficient use is undesirable.
[0006] Yet another deficiency of conventional candles relates to
their contributions to ambiance. Although they do enhance ambiance,
their contribution is limited to illumination and, sometimes,
aromatic release. Also, the teardrop flame resulting from the
wick's rope-like configuration can produce undesirable shadowing
and otherwise limit decorative appeal. Conventional candles do not
provide an acoustic contribution to ambiance.
[0007] Yet another deficiency relates to combustion of conventional
wicks, e.g., cotton wicks. Typically, such wick suffer from
incomplete combustion. More particularly, the wick of a partially
depleted candle often will have a formation at the upper end of the
wick, i.e., carbon capping or mushroom cap, resulting from
incomplete combustion of the wick. Also, conventional wicks will
retain heat and after the flame has been extinguished. As a result
of the carbon capping and the heat retention, such wicks often soot
excessively and can be a safety and health hazard.
[0008] It should, therefore, be appreciated there is a need for a
candle having improved combustion, that provides a unique flame
formation, that has a wick that remains rigid throughout its use,
and that makes an acoustic contribution to ambiance. The present
invention fulfills these needs as well as others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a candle having a body of a
meltable fuel and a planar wick. The wick, when lit, the candle
provides a unique flame formation, usable in a variety of
decorative applications. The wick can be configured to evenly
deplete the meltable fuel, while allowing for candles having
relatively large and unique body configurations. Optionally, the
body of candle and/or the wick may include scented oil to promote
the release of fragrance upon heating and the wick may comprise
wood, thereby providing an acoustic contribution to ambiance,
improved combustion that generates less soot than conventional
candles.
[0010] In a detailed aspect of a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the wick is formed of wood selected from a group
consisting of poplar, cherry, maple, wenge, oak, rosewood, and
bamboo. Preferably, the wood has a moisture content of less than
about six percent.
[0011] In another detailed aspect of a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the candle further includes a wick holder having a base
and a support for receiving the wick. Optionally, the wick holder
is configured to hold a wood wick upright independent of the body.
In a method of manufacture, a wood wick supported by a wick holder
is positioned within a mold and, thereafter, material of the body
is poured into the mold. Once the material sets, the candle can be
removed from the mold.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention
should become apparent from the following description of the
preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of
the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the following drawing
figures:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
candle in accordance with the present invention, the candle having
a planar wick.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view taken along line A-A of the
candle of FIG. 1, the candle having a wick holder.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the wick holder of the candle of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred
embodiment of a candle in accordance with the invention, depicting
a body having zones of different melting points.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of a candle in accordance with the invention, depicting a body
having an asymmetric configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] With reference to the illustrative drawings, and
particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a candle 10 having a body 12
of a meltable fuel and a planar wick 14. When lit, the candle
provides a unique flame formation usable in a variety of decorative
applications. Optionally, the body of candle and/or the wick may
include scented oil to promote the release of fragrance upon
heating and can be configured to provide an acoustic contribution
to ambiance.
[0020] The material and thickness of the wick 14 are selected to
promote the candle's functionality as well as the candle's
contributions to ambiance. In a presently preferred embodiment, the
wick is made of wood and, when lit, provides a pleasant crackling
sound and burns more thoroughly with less sooting as compared to
conventional wicks. Processed wood materials such as particleboard
and fiberboard may also be used. Overall, woods having relatively
straight, condensed grains and without checking make effective
wicks. In contrast to traditional wick, which require periodic
trimming, maintenance of wood wicks can be performed without need
of any tools. Rather, burned edges of a wood wick can be removed by
hand.
[0021] Empirical testing has shown that woods such as poplar,
cherry, maple, wenge, oak, rosewood, and bamboo, are effective with
both paraffin-based and vegetable oil-based waxes, and are
effective when used in conjunction with waxes having a melting
point between 125 degrees and 140 degrees. For example, a wick
formed of poplar or cherry wood having a thickness between
{fraction (1/42)} inches and 1/8 inches used in a body of a
vegetable oil-based wax provides an even burn and a pleasant
crackling sound. Both poplar and cherry wicks burn well in
paraffin-based and vegetable oil-based waxes. Testing has also
shown some woods are not as effective, e.g, walnut, ash, birch,
pearwood, sapele, pommele, zebrawood, lacewood, mahogany, pine,
teak, ebony, and various burls. Wood woods having a moisture level
of less than about six percent have been found to be particularly
effective.
[0022] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the wick 14 is generally
straight, as viewed from above the candle and is relatively thin
and pliable. In other embodiment, the wick may be configured in
various shapes, bent or straight, as desired. For instance, the
wick can be configured, in any decorative shape as viewed from the
top, e.g., an arc, circle, square, triangle, heart, and any
alphanumeric shape. Also, the size and shape of the wick is
configured to provide even depletion of the meltable material
throughout the life of the candle, even for unique body
configurations (see FIG. 5). For example, the wick of a
pillar-shaped candle is sized to create a pool of wax that reaches
within 1/2 inch from the edge of the body. Beneficially, the planar
wick allows for a larger candle that depletes evenly. Each candle
can have one or more wicks 12 configured in the shape of a sheet.
Optionally, the wick can be soaked in scented oil to promote the
release of fragrance
[0023] With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the candle 10 further
includes a wick holder 16 that aids both in the manufacture and use
of the candle. The wick holder has a base 18 and a support 20 for
receiving the wick. The wick holder can be configured to hold a
wood wick upright independent of the body 12. In this embodiment,
the base has a width W.sub.1 of about 0.75 inches and the support
has a width W.sub.2 of about 0.64 inches. The support defines a
spacing 22 of about 0.04 inches for receiving the wick. In a method
of manufacture, a wood wick supported by a wick holder is
positioned within a mold and, thereafter, material of the body is
poured into the mold. Once the material sets, the candle can be
removed from the mold.
[0024] With reference now to FIG. 4, the body 12 may be formed to
have regions with different melting points. In this embodiment, the
body has an inner core 22 of first melting point and an outer core
24 of a second melting point. The inner core melting point may be
in the region of 200-240 degrees Fahrenheit, and the external
region melting point may be between 120-160 degrees Fahrenheit.
This may avoid the external appearance of cracks in the candle. In
a preferred embodiment, the inner core has a width W of at least
1.5 inches to ensure that the heat of the wick 12 does not promote
the fast melting of the external region 14. The external region may
have a thickness of at least 1 inch.
[0025] It should be appreciated from the foregoing description that
the present invention provides a candle usable in a variety of
decorative applications that has a unique flame formation.
Optionally, the candle may include scented oil to promote the
release of fragrance upon heating and the wick can be made of wood
to provide an acoustic contribution to ambiance when lit.
[0026] The foregoing detailed description of the present invention
is provided for the purposes of illustration and is not intended to
be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise
embodiment disclosed. Accordingly, the scope of the present
invention is defined by the following claims.
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