U.S. patent application number 10/648656 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for device and method for extinguishing a candle flame.
Invention is credited to Krause, Arthur K., Lim, Walter K..
Application Number | 20050048428 10/648656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34216782 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050048428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lim, Walter K. ; et
al. |
March 3, 2005 |
Device and method for extinguishing a candle flame
Abstract
A device for extinguishing a candle flame, in which a small
quantity of water is discharged under pressure as an aerosolized,
conically shaped, filled spray of small water droplets directed
against the flame to extinguish it and prevent burning and smoking
of the wick of the candle. The quantity of water discharged in each
dispensing cycle is only up to about 1 ml, and preferably no more
than about 0.50 ml in finger pumps, with 0.080 ml being the
preferred quantity. The water droplets have a size ranging from
about one micron to about one thousand microns, distributed over a
steep bell curve, and in a preferred embodiment average only about
sixty-five to seventy microns. The device can be a finger pump, or
a trigger-actuated dispenser, or a pressurized aerosol dispenser,
in which the water is discharged through an orifice having a
diameter of only 0.10 to 0.25 inch. Carbon dioxide can be used as a
propellant gas, and can be discharged with the water to facilitate
extinguishment of the flame. A carbon block having CO.sub.2
adsorbed therein may be placed in the aerosol container to replace
CO.sub.2 depleted through use, to thereby maintain a desired
pressure in the container. A surfactant may be added to produce a
light foaming of the discharged water.
Inventors: |
Lim, Walter K.; (Rancho
Santa Fe, CA) ; Krause, Arthur K.; (Winnetka,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dennis H. Lambert & Associates
7000 View Park Drive
Burke
VA
22015
US
|
Family ID: |
34216782 |
Appl. No.: |
10/648656 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/145 |
International
Class: |
F23Q 025/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for extinguishing a candle flame, comprising: a
container for holding a quantity of water; means associated with
the container for discharging under pressure during a dispensing
cycle only up to about 1.0 ml of the water as an aerosolized,
fog-like spray of water droplets having a size of from about 1.0 to
about 1000 microns distributed over a steep bell curve, and
dispersed in a filled conical spray pattern insufficient to wet a
surrounding surface, but sufficient to encompass the flame of a
candle to extinguish the flame when the device is held in spaced
relationship to the candle flame and without requiring contact
between the device and the candle or the candle flame.
2. previously cancelled
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the quantity of water
discharged in each dispensing cycle is only about 0.50 ml.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the quantity of water
discharged in each dispensing cycle is only about 0.08 ml.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the size of the water
droplets averages from about 65 microns to about 70 microns
6. previously cancelled.
7. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the means associated
with the container comprises a finger pump
8-17. previously cancelled
18. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein: the means associated
with the container comprises a finger pump dispenser having an
actuator button with a 0.012-inch mechanical break up insert to
produce said droplet size and full conical spray pattern.
19-24. previously cancelled
25. A device for extinguishing a candle flame, comprising: a
container holding a quantity of non-flammable fluid; discharge
means associated with the container for discharging under pressure
during a dispensing cycle a short burst of the fluid sufficient to
extinguish the flame and prevent smoking of the candle when the
discharge means is held in spaced relationship to the candle,
without requiring contact between the device and the candle or the
candle flame.
26. A device as claimed in claim 25, wherein: the fluid comprises
water, and a quantity of the water is discharged during a
dispensing cycle sufficient only to extinguish the candle flame but
insufficient to wet a surrounding surface.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to devices and methods for
extinguishing candles, and more particularly to devices and methods
that utilize a fine aqueous mist to extinguish the candle
flame.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Devices for snuffing out candles have been known for
hundreds of years. These devices essentially comprise an elongate
handle with a cup or bell-shaped housing on one end that is placed
over the candle flame to deprive it of oxygen and snuff out the
flame.
[0003] In spite of their effectiveness in snuffing out the flame,
conventional candle snuffers fail to prevent the candle from
smoking after the flame is extinguished. This smoke is produced as
a result of burning of the wick. During the time a candle flame
burns, the liquefied tallow or wax material of the candle is drawn
upwardly through the wick, and it is this liquefied material that
burns. When the flame is extinguished with conventional candle
snuffers, the wick itself burns and smolders for a short period of
time, producing undesirable smoke and soot and damaging and
shortening the life of the wick. Conventional candle snuffers are
not operable to reduce the temperature of the wick sufficiently to
prevent it from burning and smoldering for a short period of time
after the flame is extinguished.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,581 to Harrison addresses this problem
by combining a conventional candle snuffer with means for producing
a mist of water to suppress the production and dispersion of smoke
from the wick. According to the disclosure in this patent, the
candle snuffer is operative to work as a conventional snuffer, as
well as to impart a scrubber-type function, namely, extinguish a
candle flame while removing or otherwise preventing smoke from
entering and dispersing into the surrounding atmosphere (column 3,
lines 58-62). The quantity of water discharged upon operation of
the pump, and the pressure and droplet size of the mist are not
disclosed. Thus, it is not clear whether the quantity and nature of
the mist produced by this device would be capable of extinguishing
the candle flame if the snuffer were not used, or if the quantity
and nature of the mist might be capable of wetting and damaging
furniture or other materials adjacent the candle, or for that
matter, whether the device disclosed in this patent is operative to
completely prevent burning of the wick after the flame is
extinguished. Further, the device disclosed in this patent has some
of the same disadvantages as conventional candle snuffers, e.g.,
molten wax from the candle may adhere to the snuffer when it is
used.
[0005] Accordingly, there is need for a simple and inexpensive
device and method that utilizes an aqueous mist to extinguish a
candle flame and prevent burning of the candle wick after the flame
is extinguished, without wetting and potentially damaging adjacent
furniture or other accessories, and without necessitating contact
between the device and the candle.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention comprises a device and method that
utilizes an aqueous mist to extinguish a candle flame and prevent
burning of the candle wick after the flame is extinguished, thereby
avoiding the production of smoke and prolonging the life of the
wick.
[0007] The device of the invention produces a spray of aerosolized
water that is directed against the flame and wick of a burning
candle to extinguish the flame and cool the wick without saturating
it, and without requiring contact or near contact with the candle.
The spray has a predetermined spray pattern and droplet size and is
at a predetermined pressure to extinguish the candle flame and
prevent burning of the wick without causing wetting and potential
damage to adjacent furniture and accessories, and without
saturating the wick with water.
[0008] A finger pump, trigger sprayer, pressurized aerosol
dispenser, or other apparatus may be used to produce the spray, in
which the water droplets have a size distribution from about one up
to about one thousand microns, with a very steep bell curve. For
extinguishing candles typically found in the home, the average
droplet size preferably is from about sixty-five to about seventy
microns.
[0009] Further, in a preferred construction the device dispenses a
metered quantity of water sufficient just to extinguish the flame
and prevent burning of the wick. Finger pumps, for instance, may be
constructed to dispense only up to 0.50 ml with each dispensing
cycle, although just 0.08 ml of water is preferred. Similarly,
trigger sprayers may be constructed to dispense only up to about
0.50 ml of water in each dispensing cycle.
[0010] Additionally, the device of the invention is constructed to
produce a conical spray pattern that is filled (not hollow in the
center) and has a diameter of approximately two to three inches at
a distance of about four or five inches from the spray nozzle. This
spray pattern results in concentration of spray over a limited
central area at a limited range, whereby the amount of over spray
is minimized and the amount of spray directed against the flame and
wick is maximized.
[0011] To produce the desired spray pattern, an orifice size of
from 0.10 to 0.25 inch preferably is used in a mechanical break up
nozzle to produce a full spray. In mechanically pressurized
devices, e.g., finger operated pumps, a 0.012 inch mechanical break
up insert may be placed in a Santos button, available from
Precision Valve Corporation of Yonkers, N.Y. Pressurized aerosol
dispensers used in the invention are designed to produce a pressure
of from about 25 to about 100 psig, and use a 0.013-inch MBST
actuator, also by Precision Valve.
[0012] A pressurized aerosol dispenser according to the invention
may use air, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, or other suitable gas
as the propellant. Carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) is particularly
suitable, because as an inert gas it tends to deprive the flame of
oxygen and extinguish the flame even in the absence of water. Thus,
when CO.sub.2 is sprayed from the dispenser it can be effective in
helping to extinguish the flame, while the water sprayed from the
dispenser can be effective both in extinguishing the flame and in
cooling the wick to prevent it from burning and smoking when the
flame is extinguished.
[0013] An aerosol dispenser that sprays a mixture of CO.sub.2 and
water can be designed to produce a light, fog-like mist containing
very small droplets and bubbles and that is particularly effective
as a flame extinguisher. A surfactant can be added to the product
to enhance this effect by causing a very light foaming action. A
small quantity of the foam can lightly cover the wick to assist in
preventing burning and smoking of the wick after the flame is
extinguished.
[0014] Further, the water used in the sprayer of the invention can
be de-ionized and/or de-mineralized to minimize spotting or other
damage to surfaces of furniture, accessories, and the like that may
be contacted by the spray.
[0015] The sprayers used in the various forms of the invention can
be of simple, economical construction, and can utilize conventional
sprayers, e.g., a Precision Valve Corporation P4-1 pump modified as
necessary to incorporate the inventive features discussed
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The foregoing as well as other objects and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts
throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view depicting a candle
being extinguished with a finger pump type sprayer according to the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of a trigger-actuated
sprayer according to the invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of a pressurized aerosol
dispenser according to the invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view of a
pressurized aerosol dispenser according to the invention, wherein a
CO.sub.2 propellant is used to pressurize and dispense the water,
and a carbon material block in which a quantity of CO.sub.2 has
been adsorbed is placed in the container to replenish the CO.sub.2
and maintain a desired pressure in the container as the product is
used.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, depicting a
modification in which a quantity of gas adsorbent material is
contained in a pouch to store a quantity of CO.sub.2 that is
released to maintain pressure in the container as product is
depleted.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, a first form of the invention is
indicated generally at 10, wherein a finger pump type dispenser 11
is used to pressurize and dispense water as a fine mist or spray 12
onto the flame F and wick W of a candle C to extinguish the flame
and cool the wick to prevent burning of the wick and the
concomitant production of smoke. The dispenser 11 may comprise an
economical conventional design, modified to incorporate the
inventive features therein, i.e., a mechanical break up nozzle to
produce an aerosolized, conically shaped full spray of water having
a diameter of about 2-3 inches at a distance of about 4-5 inches
from the nozzle, and very small droplets having a size range of
from about 1 micron up to about 1,000 microns, distributed over a
very steep bell curve. Preferably, the average droplet size is in
the range of from about 65 to about 70 microns.
[0023] To produce the desired spray pattern and preferred droplet
size distribution, a 0.012-inch mechanical break up insert 13 is
placed in a Santos button 14, both available from Precision Valve
Corporation of Yonkers, N.Y. The pump 11 shown in FIG. 1 may
comprise this type of pump.
[0024] A metered quantity of water sufficient just to extinguish
the flame and prevent burning and smoking of the wick may be
sprayed by the dispenser. One suitable pump is the 0.08 ml dosage
P4-1 pump, available from Precision Valve Corporation. The pump 11
shown in FIG. 1 may comprise this type of pump.
[0025] Details of the insert, button and dosage pump are not
provided herein since those elements can be readily identified and
obtained from Precision Valve Corporation to practice the invention
as described herein. In this regard, it should be understood that
suitable equivalent structures also may be available from other
sources.
[0026] In use, the sprayer of the invention is held a suitable
distance from the flame, e.g., about 4 or 5 inches, and the pump
depressed to direct an aerosolized spray of water against the flame
and the wick to extinguish the flame and to cool the wick to
prevent burning and smoking of it. The characteristics of the spray
are such that it substantially dissipates before it can strike the
surface of furniture or other accessory adjacent the candle.
[0027] A variation of the invention is indicated generally at 15 in
FIG. 2, wherein an economical conventional trigger actuated
dispenser 16 is modified to incorporate a 0.012 mechanical breakup
insert 13 and a metering chamber (not shown) having a small volume,
e.g., up to about 1.0 ml. This form of the invention operates to
produce a high-pressure spray with very small water droplets,
essentially as described above in connection with the FIG. 1
embodiment, and to avoid duplication is not further described
herein.
[0028] A third variation of the invention is indicated generally at
20 in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this form of the invention, a pressurized
aerosol dispenser 21 is used to produce the aerosolized spray for
extinguishing the candle flame and preventing burning and smoking
of the wick. The dispenser 21 may be of economical conventional
construction modified to produce the spray characteristics
discussed above in relation to FIG. 1, e.g., an aluminum container
22 (CCL Industries) having a 1 inch aerosol valve 23 with a 0.013
inch orifice (0.013-inch MBST actuator by Precision Valve
Corporation), a 0.010 inch vapor tap, a 0.060 inch body orifice, a
dip tube 24 of appropriate length, and a pressure in the container
of 25 to 100 psig.
[0029] Air can be used as the propellant in the pressurized aerosol
dispenser 21, but it is preferable to use any suitable inert gas
that does not support combustion, e.g., argon, nitrogen, or carbon
dioxide.
[0030] Carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) is shown being used in the aerosol
dispenser in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a
cohesive block or body 30 of gas adsorbent material in which a
quantity of CO.sub.2 has been adsorbed by exposure to a pressurized
atmosphere of CO.sub.2 is placed in the container. Although the
block 30 is shown as having a disc shape, it should be understood
that the body can have any desired operable shape.
[0031] In the FIG. 5 embodiments, a quantity of the gas adsorbent
material is contained in a pouch or membrane 31 that is permeable
to the gas.
[0032] The gas adsorbent material in either form of the invention
may comprise granular activated carbon (GAC), Zeolite, or other gas
adsorbent material or compound. One suitable material comprises a
synthetic form of Zeolite known as MOLSIV (molecular sieve) type
13X-A, available from UOP in Alabama. Another synthetic form
available from UOP is referred to as M5D5 13X 10.times.20.
[0033] A quantity of water 32 is introduced into the container, and
CO.sub.2 (or argon, nitrogen or other suitable gas) is then pumped
into the container to fill the remaining space, whereby the water
occupies 2% to 50%, by volume, of the space, and the gas occupies
the remaining space, i.e., 98% to 50%, by volume. As the product
(water) is depleted from a conventional aerosol dispenser, there is
a reduction of the pressure in the container. However, as the water
is depleted and the pressure decreases in the invention, additional
CO.sub.2 is released from the gas adsorbent material, e.g., the
block of carbon 30 or the pouch 31, to restore the volume of gas
and thus maintain the pressure in the container. The amount of
CO.sub.2 adsorbed in the gas adsorbent material is sufficient to
maintain the desired pressure in the container until all the
product (water) is depleted.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, a small portion of the CO.sub.2
is discharged through the vapor tap in the aerosol valve and mixes
with the water to generate a very fine bubbling reaction, producing
a fog-like discharge of water and CO.sub.2 consisting of very small
droplets and bubbles that is very effective in extinguishing the
flame.
[0035] A surfactant may be added to the water to enhance this
effect and cause a very light foaming action. In this variation, a
minute quantity of the foam would adhere to or very lightly coat
the wick to enhance the action of the spray in avoiding burning and
smoking of the wick after the flame is extinguished.
[0036] The water in all forms of the invention may be de-ionized
and/or de-mineralized to minimize or avoid spotting or other damage
to surfaces that might be contacted by the water when it is used to
extinguish a candle flame.
[0037] Although particular embodiments of the invention are
illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood
that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention
without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as
defined by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *