U.S. patent application number 10/867193 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for venting chassis for a jar candle having a turbine for rotating ornamentation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Papai Enterprises, LLC.. Invention is credited to Papai, Tod A..
Application Number | 20050277076 10/867193 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35460962 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050277076 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Papai, Tod A. |
December 15, 2005 |
Venting chassis for a jar candle having a turbine for rotating
ornamentation
Abstract
The venting chassis includes a radial turbine and a ceramic base
and elevated ornamentation platform. The ornamentation platform has
a flat top, upon which the ornamentation is mounted and a plurality
of legs, which support the platform above the base. The base has a
central opening through which exhaust airflow is vented from the
candle interior. The base includes a plurality of feet, which
support the base above the brim of the jar candle, and an annular
skirt, which extends into the mouth of the jar candle. The feet
create an air gap between the base and the brim through which inlet
air flow can enter the jar candle. The annular skirt acts as a
baffle to channel and direct inlet air flow along the sides of the
jar candle. The turbine is sandwiched between the base and
ornamentation platform and rotates on an axle post mounted to the
base. Animated ornamentation is mounted to a turbine hub, which
protrudes up through a central opening in the ornamentation plate
allowing the ornamentation to rotate with the turbine above the
platform.
Inventors: |
Papai, Tod A.; (New
Carlisle, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
R. TRACY CRUMP
P.O. BOX 604
32790 DUNN ROAD
NEW CARLISLE
IN
46552
US
|
Assignee: |
Papai Enterprises, LLC.
|
Family ID: |
35460962 |
Appl. No.: |
10/867193 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/125 ;
431/289; 431/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23D 3/16 20130101; F23L
17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/125 ;
431/289; 431/291 |
International
Class: |
F23D 003/16 |
Claims
1. A venting chassis used with a containerized candle, where the
containerized candle includes a fuel source burnt in the flame, a
wick and a vessel having sidewalls, which defines an interior
thereof for enclosing the wick and fuel source and that terminate
in an annular brim, which defines an open mouth, the venting
chassis comprising: a base; a platform; and a turbine, the base
shaped and dimensioned to sit atop the containerized candle over
the mouth and having an exhaust opening therein for venting exhaust
airflow therethrough when the containerized candle is burnt, the
platform seated over the base, the turbine operatively mounted
between the base and the platform, whereby exhaust air flow venting
through the exhaust vent in the base rotates the turbine when the
containerized candle is burnt.
2. The venting chassis of claim 1 wherein the base includes a
plurality of feet for spacing the chassis above the brim so as to
allow inlet air flow between the base and the brim into the vessel
interior.
3. The venting chassis of claim 1 wherein the base includes an
annular baffle for directing inlet airflow downward along vessel
sidewalls and for separating the inlet airflow from the exhaust
airflow when the containerized candle is burnt.
4. The venting chassis of claim 1 wherein the base includes a strut
traversing the exhaust opening and an axle post mounted to the
strut, the turbine mounted to the axle post for axial rotation
about the axle post.
5. The venting chassis of claim 1 wherein the platform has a
through bore therein, the turbine has an elongated hub extending
axially from the turbine and protruding through the platform
bore.
6. (canceled)
7. The venting plate of claim 1 and ornamentation mounted to the
turbine, whereby rotation of the turbine rotates the
ornamentation.
8. The venting plate of claim 1 wherein the platform includes a
plurality of legs extending downward from the platform to support
and space the platform above the base.
9. The venting chassis of claim 1 and ornamentation supported above
the platform.
10. The venting chassis of claim 9 wherein the platform
constituting a thermal shield for the ornamentation for protecting
the ornamentation from thermal energy emitted when the
containerized candle burns.
11. The venting chassis of claim 1 wherein the turbine discharges
the exhaust airflow radially between the base and the platform when
the containerized candle is burnt.
12. The venting chassis of claim 1 and a deflector part mounted
below the turbine for directing the exhaust airflow onto the
turbine.
13. A venting chassis used with a candle, the venting chassis
comprising: a base; a platform: and a turbine, the base shaped and
dimensioned to cover the candle for venting exhaust airflow
therethrough when the candle is burnt, the platform seated over the
base, the turbine operatively mounted between the base and the
platform, whereby exhaust air flow venting through the exhaust vent
in the base rotates the turbine when the candle is burnt.
14. The venting chassis of claim 13 wherein the base includes a
plurality of feet for spacing the chassis above the candle so as to
allow inlet air flow between the base and the candle.
15. (canceled)
16. The venting chassis of claim 13 wherein the base includes a
strut transversing the exhaust opening and an axle post mounted to
the strut, the turbine mounted to the axle post for axial rotation
about the axle post.
17. The venting chassis of claim 13 wherein plate the platform has
a through bore therein, the turbine has an elongated hub extending
axially from the turbine and protruding through the platform
bore.
18. (canceled)
19. The venting chassis of claim 13 and ornamentation mounted to
the turbine, whereby rotation of the turbine rotates the
ornamentation.
20. The venting chassis of claim 13 wherein the platform includes a
plurality of legs extending downward from the platform to support
and space the platform above the base.
21. The venting chassis of claim of 13 and ornamentation supported
above the platform.
22. The venting chassis of claim 21 wherein the platform
constituting a thermal shield for the ornamentation for protecting
the ornamentation from thermal energy emitted when the candle
burns.
23. The venting chassis of claim 13 wherein the turbine discharges
the exhaust airflow radially between the base and the platform when
the candle is burnt.
24. The venting chassis of claim 13 and a deflector part mounted
below the turbine for directing the exhaust airflow onto the
turbine.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a venting chassis used atop jar
candles, and in particular a venting chassis having an internal
turbine for moving ornamentation supported by the chassis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Those skilled in the art have long known that the convection
airflow from a candle flame can drive small turbines. Small
turbines and fans have been mounted to candles above the candle
flame within the exhaust airflow stream, which simply spin or
animate small ornamentation. While principally decorative in
nature, candle powered turbines can be used to drive a wide range
of animated candle ornamentation.
[0003] Also well known in the art are venting chassis that sit atop
jar (containerized) candles. Venting chassis, such as the ones
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,585,510, 6,589,047, and 6,663,384,
facilitate laminar air flow within the jar interiors as the candle
burns, which improves combustion and reduces soot. These venting
chassis provide a substructure for decorative ornamentation, as
well as, the venting function. The venting chassis allow the
ornamentation to remain on the jar candle as it burns adding to the
aesthetic appearance of the jar candle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The venting chassis of this invention is used with jar
candles for facilitating laminar air flow within the jar candle to
improve combustion and reduce soot, but also incorporate an
internal turbine, which is used to animate decorative elements of
the ornamentation mounted atop the chassis. The venting chassis
includes a radial turbine and a ceramic base and elevated
ornamentation platform. The ornamentation platform has a flat top,
upon which the ornamentation is mounted and a plurality of legs,
which support the platform above the base. The base has a central
opening through which exhaust airflow is vented from the candle
interior. The base includes a plurality of feet, which support the
base above the brim of the jar candle, and an annular skirt, which
extends into the mouth of the jar candle. The feet create an air
gap between the base and the brim through which inlet air flow can
enter the jar candle. The annular skirt acts as a baffle to channel
and direct inlet air flow along the sides of the jar candle the
turbine is sandwiched between the base and ornamentation platform
and rotates on an axle post mounted to the base. Different pieces
of ornamentation are mounted to a turbine hub, which protrudes up
through a central opening in the ornamentation plate. These
ornamentation pieces will then rotate with turbine as a convection
flow rises through the exhuast opening in the base and is
discharged radially through the turbine vanes between the base and
ornamentation platform.
[0005] Accordingly, an advantage of the venting chassis of this
invention is that it incorporates an internal turbine for animating
decorative pieces of the ornamentation mounted atop the venting
chassis.
[0006] Another advantage is that the venting chassis provides
multiple heat shields for the ornamentation.
[0007] Another advantage is that the venting chassis encloses the
spinning turbine between the base and ornamentation plate, which
provides a safer more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
[0008] Other advantages will become apparent upon a reading of the
following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A preferred embodiment of the invention has been depicted
for illustrative purposes only wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the venting chassis and
oramentation seated atop a jar candle;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the venting chassis and
ornamentation seated atop a jar candle;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the venting chassis,
ornamentation and jar candle;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the base of the venting
chassis of this invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the base of the venting
chassis of this invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the base of the venting chassis
of this invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the ornamentation
platform of the venting chassis of this invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the ornamentation platform
of the venting chassis of this invention; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the ornamentation platform of
the venting chassis of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] 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 best explain the invention
so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings.
[0020] The venting chassis of this invention is designated in the
figures as reference numeral 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3,
venting chassis 10 sits atop a containerized Oar) candle, which is
designated generally as reference numeral 2. Jar candle 2 includes
transparent vessel or jar 4 filled with a quantity of wax and a
cloth or porous wick. As shown, jar 4 has sidewalls 6 and an inset
cylindrical brim around the open mouth 9. The inset between brim 8
and sidewalls 6 form an inner shoulder 7.
[0021] Venting chassis 10 provides a functional substructure for
supporting decorative ornamentation and for facilitating laminar
air flow within the jar candle to improve combustion and reduce
soot. Typically, the ornamentation, designated generally as
reference numeral 12, takes the form of a molded relief, which can
be painted or otherwise adorned. Ideally, the relief is molded from
a poly resin material or ceramic, although any material may be
used. Poly resin reliefs are preferable due to their durability and
easy of production. The relief is molded and formed into
aesthetically pleasing shapes and configurations and bonded to the
top surface of venting chassis using any suitable heat resistant
adhesive.
[0022] Venting chassis 10 includes: a chassis base 20; an elevated
ornamentation platform 30; and a turbine 40. Base 20 and platform
30 are generally constructed from any thermal insulating material,
such as ceramic, glass, or a heat resistant plastic. Ideally, these
materials, glass, ceramic and plastics are easily formed and
molded. Although, glass, ceramic and plastics are highly desirable
construction materials, the base and platform may also be
constructed from any other suitable material or materials without
deviating from the principal teachings of this invention. The base
and platform materials are selected to provide sufficient thermal
insular properties to shield any ornamentation mounted atop the
chassis from the maximum heat generated by a conventional
apothecary jar candle when the flame is at its closest proximity to
the venting chassis atop the jar candle.
[0023] Base 20 is shaped to sit atop the candle over jar candle 2.
Base 20 has a central opening 21 through which exhaust airflow is
vented from the candle interior. Base 20 has an arched strut 22
that extends diametrically across opening 21. The top of base 20
has a plurality of recesses 23 and a raised annular flange 24.
Three feet 26 extend from the bottom of base 20. Feet 26 support
the base above jar brim 8 and create an air gap 27 between base 20
and jar brim 8 through which ambient air enters jar candle 2. An
inset annular skirt 28 extends from the bottom of base 20. Skirt 28
acts as a baffle to channel and direct inlet air flow along jar
sidewall 6. As shown in FIG. 2, skirt 28 extends down into jar
mouth 9 below shoulder 7. The sidewalls of skirt 28 have a six of
depressions, which form six inlet air chutes 29, through which the
inlet airflow is venting downward into jar candle 2. Platform 30 is
a flat disc or plate, upon which ornamentation 12 is mounted.
Platform 30 has a plurality of legs 32, which extend from the
bottom of the platform. Platform legs 32 are seated in recess 23 in
the top of base 20 and abut against flange 24, which ensures that
the platform does not move atop the base. Platform 30 also has a
central bore 31.
[0024] Turbine 40 is illustrated as a radial turbine, but any type
or configuration of turbine and fan, including but not limited to
axial turbines and fans, may be employed within the teachings of
this invention. Generally, turbine 40 is stamped from a single
piece of thin, lightweight, resilient sheet metal, although the
turbine may be constructed from any lightweight, resilient
non-metal material. As shown, turbine 40 includes a flat top 42 and
a plurality of vanes 42 formed in its annular sidewall. Turbine 40
also includes a hollow cylindrical axle hub 46. Axle hub 46 is
press fit through a center axial bore in top 42. As shown, turbine
hub 46 rotates axially atop an axle post 50 vertically mounted to
strut 22. Axle post 50 has an elongated tip 52, upon which axle hub
46 sits and a threaded end 54, which extends through a bore in
strut 22 and is secured by nut 56. Also, a flared deflector 58 is
secured to threaded end 54 of axle post 50 between the strut 22 and
nut 56. Flared deflector 58 directs the exhaust air outward
radially to the periphery of turbine 40 to generate increase
torque. While illustrated as a positioned axially under the turbine
and configured to radially direct exhaust airflow, deflector 58 may
be positioned and configured in any manner to enhance the operation
of turbine 40. Axle hub 46 protrudes through bore 31 in platform
30. As shown, a piece of ornamentation 14 (a snowman as illustrated
in FIGS. 1-3) is mounted directly to axle hub 46 so that
ornamentation piece 14 will turn with the rotation of turbine
40.
Operation
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal energy from the candle flame
creates a convection airflow, which powers turbine 40 to animate
ornamentation piece 14. The rising exhaust airflow passes through
opening 8, and is vented radially around deflector 58. Turbine 40
then discharges the exhaust air radially through vanes 44, which
turn the turbine about axle post 50. The rising hot exhaust airflow
creates a negative pressure within jar candle 2 that draws cool
inlet airflow into the interior of the jar candle. Inlet airflow
passes through the gap between base 20 and jar brim 8 and down
through inlet air chutes 29. Skirt 28 directs the inlet airflow
downward along jar sidewalls 6. Skirt 28 also physically separates
the opposing inlet airflow and exhaust airflow to reduce turbulence
within the interior of jar candle 2 and stabilize the flame, which
leads to a cleaner combustion process and reduced carbon residue
(smoke) in the exhaust.
Advantages
[0026] One skilled in the art will note several advantages of the
venting chassis of this invention. The turbine is used to animate
ornamentation atop the chassis. Integrating the turbine within the
structure of the venting chassis provides a stylish, compact low
profile design. The turbine is located close to the flame, which
maximizes the power generated by the turbine from the convection
airflow and gives the chassis a lower center of gravity, which
prevents the chassis from being accidently toppled from the jar
candle. The spinning turbine is enclosed between the base and
ornamentation plate, which prevents damage to the vanes, but also
limits user access to the moving vanes, which may be a safety
concern. Although, one turbine is shown, the chassis can be fitted
with multiple coaxial turbines that can be configured to animate
multiple ornamentation elements. In addition, gears, linkages,
pulleys and other mechanical components can be operatively used
with the turbine to create more complicated ornamentation
animation.
[0027] The chassis design provides multiple heat shields for the
ornamentation. The deflector acts as the first heat shield by
dispersing the exhaust airflow radially to the edges of the
turbine. The turbine body itself acts as a second heat shield.
Since the exhaust air is discharged radially, the hot exhaust air
does not vent directly onto the ornamentation plate, which may
cause localized hot spots in the ceramic, which can damage or melt
the thermoplastic ornamentation. The elevated ornamentation plate
provides a third heat shield, which insulates the decorative
ornamentation.
[0028] 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.
* * * * *