U.S. patent application number 11/291280 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for wick holder.
Invention is credited to Chris A. Kubicek.
Application Number | 20060084021 11/291280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37781840 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060084021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kubicek; Chris A. |
April 20, 2006 |
Wick holder
Abstract
In one aspect of the present invention, a wick holder adapted to
hold a wick extending upwardly from a pool of liquefied fuel is
provided. In one embodiment, a flame on the wick does not directly
engage the pool of liquefied fuel. The wick holder includes a base
portion that forms a capillary space with a capillary pedestal. A
wick retainer is disposed above the base portion and retains the
wick over the base portion. One or more openings through the base
portion and an opening in the wick retainer disposed over the base
portion provides a path for liquefied fuel to flow from the
capillary space to the wick via the holes in the base portion,
across a top of the base portion, and through the opening in the
wick receiver.
Inventors: |
Kubicek; Chris A.; (East
Troy, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
1525 HOWE STREET
RACINE
WI
53403-2236
US
|
Family ID: |
37781840 |
Appl. No.: |
11/291280 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11123461 |
May 6, 2005 |
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11291280 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
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10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
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11123461 |
May 6, 2005 |
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10938434 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
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10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
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11124313 |
May 6, 2005 |
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11291280 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
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10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
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11124313 |
May 6, 2005 |
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10938434 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
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10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
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11123372 |
May 6, 2005 |
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11291280 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
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10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
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11123372 |
May 6, 2005 |
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10938434 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
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10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
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10938453 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
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10938434 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23D 3/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/291 |
International
Class: |
F23D 3/16 20060101
F23D003/16 |
Claims
1. A wick holder, comprising: a base portion defining a cavity on a
first side thereof; a wick retainer disposed on a second side of
the base portion opposite the first side; an opening through the
base portion between the first side and the second side; and a fuel
aperture disposed on the second side of the base portion, wherein
the fuel aperture is adjacent to the base portion, and wherein the
fuel aperture is spaced from the opening.
2. The wick holder of claim 1 further comprising a second aperture
defined at an end of the wick retainer distal from the base
portion, wherein the second aperture is adapted to allow a portion
of a wick to extend therethrough for carrying a flame thereon.
3. The wick holder of claim 1, wherein a liquefied fuel travels
over a portion of the second side of the base portion between the
opening and the fuel aperture when a flame is disposed on a wick
received by the wick retainer.
4. The wick holder of claim 3, wherein the base portion comprises a
capillary skirt, the capillary skirt at least partly defining the
cavity.
5. The wick holder of claim 4, wherein the wick retainer comprises
a retainer sleeve.
6. The wick holder of claim 5, wherein the fuel aperture is at
least partly defined between the base portion and the retainer
sleeve.
7. The wick holder of claim 5, wherein the fuel aperture is
disposed through a sidewall of the retainer sleeve.
8. The wick holder of claim 5 further comprising an indentation in
a sidewall of the retainer sleeve.
9. The wick holder of claim 4, wherein the base portion comprises a
top plate, and the capillary skirt depends from the top plate.
10. The wick holder of claim 9, wherein the opening is defined
through the top plate.
11. The wick holder of claim 10 further comprising a heat fin
extending from the second side of the base portion.
12. The wick holder of claim 11, wherein the heat fin is attached
to the top plate and supports the wick retainer.
13. A wick holder, comprising: a base portion adapted to form a
capillary space above a capillary pedestal; a wick receiver
disposed above the base portion and adapted to retain a wick; an
opening through the base portion adapted to provide fluid
communication between the capillary space and a top side of the
base portion; and a fuel aperture defined at least partly by the
wick receiver, the fuel aperture disposed above and adjacent to the
base portion spaced from the opening; wherein the fuel aperture is
adapted to be in fluid communication with the capillary space; and
wherein the wick holder is adapted to hold a portion of the wick
above a pool of liquefied fuel surrounding the capillary
pedestal.
14. The wick holder of claim 13, wherein the base portion comprises
a top wall and a capillary skirt depending downwardly from the top
wall, and wherein the opening is disposed through the top wall.
15. The wick holder of claim 14 further comprising a heat fin
extending upwardly from the top wall, wherein the heat fin carries
the wick receiver.
16. The wick holder of claim 15, wherein the fuel aperture is
defined between the top wall and the wick receiver.
17. The wick holder of claim 16, wherein the wick receiver
comprises a tubular retainer sleeve.
18. A wick assembly comprising a wick and a wick holder, the wick
holder comprising: a base portion; a heat fin extending upwardly
from a top side of the base portion; a wick receiver disposed above
the top side of the base portion; the wick carried by the wick
receiver with the wick disposed above the base portion; a fluid
path defined through the base portion, the fluid path extending
between a supply area of liquefied fuel below the base portion and
the top side of the base portion; and a second fluid path extending
from the wick and disposed above the base portion; wherein the
first fluid path is spaced from the second fluid path, and the
first fluid path and the second fluid path provide fluid
communication between the supply area and the wick.
19. The wick assembly of claim 18, wherein the base portion
comprises a capillary skirt extending downwardly from an outer
periphery of a top wall, the capillary skirt and the top wall at
least partly defining the supply area of liquefied fuel, wherein
the first fluid path comprises an opening through the top wall, and
the second fluid path comprises a lateral opening defined by a
portion of the wick receiver.
20. The wick assembly of claim 19 further comprising a second heat
fin extending upwardly from the top side of the base portion and
spaced from the first heat fin, the wick receiver comprising a
barrel spaced above the top wall and carried by the first heat fin
and the second heat fin, and the barrel comprising and indentation
to retain the wick.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 11/123,461, 11/124,313, and 11/123,372, each
of which was filed May 6, 2005, and each of which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/978,744, filed Nov. 1, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/938,434, filed Sep. 10, 2004.
This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/938,453, filed Sep. 10, 2004.
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a wick holder for holding a
wick in a candle assembly.
[0006] 2. Description of the Background of the Invention
[0007] It is know in the candle art to have a wick holder for
holding a wick in a predetermined position within a wax fuel charge
or within a liquid fuel charge of a candle, a lamp, or other
similar open flame lighting device. In one candle, a wick holder is
spool-shaped and has a tubular barrel and radial heat fins
extending transversely from opposite ends of the barrel. The barrel
has open top and bottom ends and a wick disposed through the top
end. The wick and wick holder assembly are disposed within a wax
fuel charge, such that one set of heat fins is disposed at a bottom
end of the fuel charge and the other set of heat fins is disposed
near a top end of the fuel charge with the wick extending upwardly
through the top end of the fuel charge. The wick holder is formed
of heat transmissive material, such as metal, and the wick has a
heat transmissive core so that heat from a flame on the wick is
transferred downwardly through the core to the wick holder so as to
melt the wax as the flame burns. Holes through the sidewall of the
barrel disposed between the fins allow melted wax to flow from
outside the barrel into the wick and subsequently up to the
flame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect of the invention, a wick holder includes a
base portion defining a cavity on a first side thereof, a wick
retainer disposed on a second side of the base portion opposite the
first side, an opening through the base portion between the first
side and the second side, and a fuel aperture disposed on the
second side of the base portion. The fuel aperture is adjacent to
the base portion, and the fuel aperture is spaced from the
opening.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, a wick holder includes a
base portion adapted to form a capillary space above a capillary
pedestal and a wick receiver disposed above the base portion and
adapted to retain a wick. An opening through the base portion is
adapted to provide fluid communication between the capillary space
and a top side of the base portion. A fuel aperture is defined at
least partly by the wick receiver. The fuel aperture is disposed
above and adjacent to the base portion spaced from the opening. The
fuel aperture is adapted to be in fluid communication with the
capillary space, and the wick holder is adapted to hold a portion
of the wick above a pool of liquefied fuel surrounding the
capillary pedestal.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the invention, a wick assembly
includes a wick and a wick holder. The wick holder includes a base
portion, a heat fin extending upwardly from a top side of the base
portion, and a wick receiver disposed above the top side of the
base portion. The wick is carried by the wick receiver with the
wick disposed above the base portion. A fluid path is defined
through the base portion. The fluid path extends between a supply
area of liquefied fuel below the base portion and the top side of
the base portion. A second fluid path extends from the wick and is
disposed above the base portion. The first fluid path is spaced
from the second fluid path, and the first fluid path and the second
fluid path provide fluid communication between the supply area and
the wick.
[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a candle assembly
according to one aspect of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of a wick holder shown
in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel element along the
line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view generally transverse to
line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with the candle assembly in assembled form;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view along the
line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of a wick holder and a
portion of a melting plate according to another aspect of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of still another wick holder
according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wick
holder shown in FIG. 7 in a similar view as shown in FIG. 5;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a simplified partial cross-sectional view of a
melting plate candle showing a capillary pedestal and locking wick
holder with fins according to a further aspect of the invention;
and
[0021] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a wick holder according to
yet another aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a candle assembly 100 includes a
support base 102, a melting plate 104, a wick holder 106, a wick
108, and a fuel element 110. The support base 102 carries the
melting plate 104, which is generally saucer shaped, and includes a
centrally disposed capillary pedestal 112. Optional decorative
etchings 114 are disposed on an upper exposed surface of the
melting plate 104 to provide enhanced attractiveness or visual
information. The wick holder 106 includes a base portion 116 that
fits over the capillary pedestal 112, a wick retainer sleeve in the
shape of an elongate cylindrical tube, or barrel 118, and heat
conductive elements, such as fins 120. The barrel 118 receives the
wick 108 therein such that the wick extends from the base portion
116 with a portion of the wick exposed above the barrel. The fuel
element 110 is disposed over and around the wick holder 106 and
includes a duct or slot 122 through which the wick 108 extends. The
slot 122 has a width w.sub.1 sufficient to allow the wick 108 to
extend through the slot and a length l.sub.1 sufficient to accept
at least a portion of the fins 120 therethrough. In one embodiment,
the fuel element 110 has a mass of wax approximately 15 grams, and
the melting plate candle 100 may burn continuously for about 3 to
31/2 hours on a single fuel element, such as the wax fuel element
110, before the fuel is completely consumed.
[0023] As seen in FIG. 2, the base portion 116 of the wick holder
106 includes an end plate 124 encompassed by a generally conical
base skirt 126, and an upper portion including the barrel 118
extending upwardly from the end plate 124 and the fins 120
extending from the barrel and end plate. The base portion 116 is
adapted to fit closely over and around the capillary pedestal 112
such that the barrel 118 is maintained in an upright, or
substantially vertical, orientation when placed on the capillary
pedestal. The base skirt 126 includes indentations or spacers 128,
and holes 130 extend through the end plate 124. Ferromagnetic
structures, such as steel rivets 132 or magnets 180 (shown in FIG.
5), are secured to the base portion 116, such as through the holes
130, so that the wick holder 106 may be releasably secured over the
capillary pedestal 112 by magnetic forces. The barrel 118 is sized
to receive the wick 108 with either a close fit or interference fit
so as to retain the wick therein and define an opening 134 in the
end plate 124 such that the wick can extend through the end plate.
The fins 120 extend laterally outwardly on opposite sides of the
barrel 118 and extend upwardly above the barrel. In one embodiment,
the fins 120 are shaped to simulate a flame outline. In other
embodiments, the fins 120 may have square, circular, oval,
triangular, or other non-geometric shapes, and in still other
embodiments, the fins 120 may have insulated areas (not shown) as
described more fully in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/939,039, filed Sep. 10, 2004, and incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. The fins 120 are relatively thin strips
of heat conductive material, such as metal, for transmitting heat
from a flame burning on the wick 108 outwardly toward the fuel
element 110. In one embodiment, the wick holder 106 is formed from
a single sheet of aluminum that is cut and folded about a fold 136
and thereby forming a capillary space 138 between two sides 140 and
142 and channels or gaps 144 in the base skirt 126. In other
embodiments, the wick holder 106 may be formed by other methods
from other heat resistant materials, such as ceramic, other metals,
heat resistant plastics, etc. If the wick holder 106 is formed of a
ferromagnetic material, such as steel, the steel rivets 132 may
optionally be omitted. The two sides 140 and 142 are secured
together by any convenient means, such as with rivets 146 through
holes 148 in the heat fins 120, welds, clips, heat resistant
adhesives, etc. The gaps 144 and the holes 130 allow melted fuel
material from the fuel element 110, to drip or seep underneath the
base skirt 126, and the capillary space 138 allows melted fuel
material to traverse up the fins 120 by capillary action and
thereby provide a source of fuel material in non-consumable wick
areas 150. An example of such capillary action is described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/938,453.
[0024] As seen in detail in FIG. 3, the fuel element 110 includes a
body 152 of fuel material and has an upper surface 154 and a lower
surface 156. The fuel element 110 in one embodiment is shaped as a
wax puck and in other embodiments may have other shapes and/or
include other meltable or flowable fuel materials, such as paraffin
or animal fat, having a solid or semi-solid state or otherwise
maintainable in a fixed form at room temperature. The lower surface
156 of the fuel element 110 defines a cavity 158 having an upper
cavity wall 160 shaped to conform to the base portion 116 of the
wick holder 106. The slot 122 extends from the upper surface 154 to
the upper cavity wall 160 and has a width w.sub.1 at the upper
surface that is smaller than a width w.sub.2 at the cavity wall.
The width w.sub.1 is adapted to prevent melted wax from the fuel
element 110 from falling or trickling down the slot 122 without
engaging the wick 108, or put another way, the width w.sub.1 is
narrow enough to ensure that melted fuel material from near the
upper portion of the slot 122 will engage the wick 108 as it falls
or trickles down the slot. In one embodiment, the width w.sub.1 is
not more than approximately 0.02'' (0.5 mm) larger than a diameter
of the wick at an upper end of the slot 122. In another embodiment,
the width w.sub.1 is approximately the same as a diameter of the
wick 108. In yet another embodiment, the width w.sub.1 is less than
a width of the wick 108 so that an interference fit exists between
the wick and the body 152 at the upper end of the slot 122. In a
further embodiment, the width w.sub.1 is less than or equal to
approximately 0.12 inches (3 mm), and the wick 108 has a diameter
of approximately 0.1 inches (2.5 mm). In yet a further embodiment
(not shown), the slot 122 may have a width that is initially more
than approximately 0.02 inches (0.5 mm) larger than a diameter of
the wick 108 to allow for easy insertion of the wick 108 and wick
holder 106 into the slot 122, and the slot is filled subsequently
with additional fuel material in a second manufacturing step so
that the width w.sub.1 is less than approximately 0.02 inches (0.5
mm) larger than the diameter of the wick.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the support base 102 carries the melting
plate 104 within an upper chamber 162, which is generally
bowl-shaped. The melting plate 104 in one embodiment is secured to
a sidewall 164 of the upper chamber 162 with adhesive 166 thereby
providing an empty air space 168 between the melting plate and an
intermediate wall 170 of the support base 102. The air space 168
provides additional insulation between the melting plate and the
support base 102 to reduce heat loss through the melting plate to
the support base. In another embodiment (not shown) the melting
plate 104 is adjacent to the intermediate wall 170 with adhesive
166 placed therebetween such that no air space 168 is disposed
between melting plate and the intermediate wall. Of course, other
arrangements and support configurations for the melting plate 104
are also suitable for supporting the melting plate 104.
[0026] In one embodiment of the fuel element 110, the slot 122 has
a length l.sub.1 in the upper surface 154 that is longer than a
length l.sub.2 in the lower surface 156. The length l.sub.1 is
shorter than a largest width w.sub.f of the fins 120 and the length
l.sub.2 is longer than the largest width w.sub.f of the heat fins.
Such a configuration of the slot lengths l.sub.1 and l.sub.2 in
relation to the width w.sub.f, in addition to the slot widths
w.sub.1 and w.sub.2 as described herein above, facilitates
inserting the wick holder 106 fully into the slot from the lower
surface 156. Such configuration of the slot 122 and cavity 158 may
also prevent the slot from fully receiving the wick holder if the
fins 120 are inserted into the slot through the upper surface 154
rather than through the lower surface 156, thereby preventing or
discouraging improper assembly of the fuel element 110 and the wick
holder 106.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a portion of the melting plate
104, capillary pedestal 112, wick holder 106, fuel element 110, and
wick 108 are shown assembled and ready for use or initial ignition
by a user. In one embodiment, the capillary pedestal 112 includes
an inclined sidewall 172 having an annular groove 174 extending
therearound in a medial position between a floor 176 of the melting
plate 104 and a top wall 178 of the capillary pedestal. A magnet
180 is secured to an underside of the top wall 166 with an adhesive
182. In another embodiment, the magnet 180 may be disposed on an
upper side of the top wall 178 or at another location sufficient to
attract the wick holder 106. The spacers 128 are adapted to seat in
the annular groove 174 to provide a capillary space 184 between the
base skirt 126 and the inclined sidewall 172. The capillary space
184 is sized to facilitate capillary movement of melted or liquid
fuel material (not shown) toward the wick 108. The spacers 128 also
help retain the wick holder 106 on the capillary pedestal 112 by
seating in the annular groove 174. In addition, the steel rivet 132
in the wick holder 106 is attracted to the magnet 180 when placed
over the capillary pedestal 112 and thereby prevents the wick
holder from accidentally falling or slipping off of the capillary
pedestal. When placed on an underside of the end plate 124, the
steel rivets 132 also act as spacers to help maintain the capillary
space 184. In another embodiment, one or more magnets 186 may be
secured to the end plate 124 by any convenient means, such as with
an adhesive or by a rivet, in order to maintain the wick clip 106
in position on the capillary pedestal 112. The cavity wall 160 of
the fuel element 110 is shaped to fit around the base skirt 126 and
barrel 118 of the wick holder 106 and rest on the floor 176 of the
melting plate 104 in order to minimize open space 188 between the
fuel element and the wick 108, the wick holder 106, and the melting
plate floor 176. Optimizing and/or minimizing the open space 188
increases the likelihood of having melted fuel material (not shown)
being fed directly to the wick 108 rather than falling downwardly
to the floor 176 or accumulating in the open space and thereby
potentially starving the wick of liquid or melted fuel material
while burning. However, as the melted fuel material accumulates
about the base of the capillary pedestal 112, whether due to
melting from the melting plate 104 or from direct melting by a
flame 109 disposed on the wick 108, the melted fuel material is
drawn upwardly along the capillary space 184 by capillary action
toward non-consumable wick areas 150 while the candle is burning.
The wick 108 in one embodiment extends through the open end 134 of
the barrel 118 to touch or nearly touch the top wall 178 of the
capillary pedestal 112 so that liquid fuel material drawn up the
capillary space 184 will engage the wick 108 and be drawn upwardly
therein for eventual burning by a flame burning on the wick. The
wick barrel 118 has an inside diameter sufficient to receive the
wick 108. The inside diameter of the barrel 118 may be larger,
smaller, or the same as the diameter of the wick and may be uniform
or have different diameters along a length thereof. In one
embodiment, the inside diameter of the barrel 118 is larger than
the diameter of the wick 108 so that the wick may be easily
inserted into the barrel. In another embodiment, the inside
diameter of the barrel 118 is uniform and approximately 0.012''
(0.3 mm) larger than the diameter of the wick 108. In yet other
embodiments, the inside diameter of the barrel 118 is the same size
as or smaller than the wick 108. Melted fuel material can seep into
the capillary space 184 through the weep holes 130 and thereby
prime or facilitate capillary action upward through the capillary
space 184. Melted fuel material may also be drawn upwardly in the
capillary space 138 between opposing sides 140, 142 of the fins 120
and drawn to the non-combustible wick areas 150 where the melted
fuel material is vaporized and ignited by a flame disposed on the
wick 108.
[0028] Turning now to FIG. 6, another wick holder 200 and melting
plate 202 are shown that are similar to the wick holder 106 and
melting plate 104 shown in FIGS. 1-5, except that a capillary
pedestal 204 includes a smooth inclined sidewall 206 without the
annular groove 174. The wick holder 200 also does not include the
spacers 128 in the base skirt 126. A capillary space (not shown),
similar to 184, is maintained between the base skirt 126 and the
sidewall 206 by steel rivets 132 protruding below an end wall, such
as 124, of a base portion 116 of the wick holder 200. In this
embodiment, the wick holder 200 is maintained on the capillary
pedestal 204 substantially by the attraction between the steel
rivets 132 and the magnet 180 (shown in FIG. 5) in the capillary
pedestal and any weight of the fuel element 110.
[0029] In FIGS. 7 and 8, a wick holder 300 of another embodiment
for use in a candle assembly, such as 100, is similar to the wick
holder 106 (or 200) except that the wick holder 300 also includes a
medial portion of the barrel 118 having a cross-sectional area that
is less than a cross-sectional area of any other portion of the
wick barrel. An indentation 302 in a sidewall 304 of the barrel 118
defines a constricted portion 306 of the barrel disposed
intermediate opposite open ends 308 and 310 of the barrel and
having a cross-sectional area less than any other portion of the
barrel. The wick 108 extends through the barrel 118 such that a
portion or end of the wick adapted to absorb fuel material 311
(when in a melted or otherwise fluid state) extends downwardly
through the end 310 and another portion or end of the wick adapted
for ignition extends upwardly through end 308. The constricted
portion 306 reduces an effective wick cross-sectional area, and
thereby may reduce or restrict a capillary fluid flow capacity of
the wick between the first open end 308 and the second open end
310. The restricted flow capacity, and subsequently reduced volume
flow rate, of the fluid fuel material 311 up the wick 108 from the
end 310 toward a flame region above the end 308, in turn may reduce
the fuel material burn rate and extend the life of the fuel element
110. Because the constricted portion 306 having a larger
cross-sectional area allows a faster volume flow rate, or increased
capillary fluid flow capacity, than a constricted portion having a
smaller cross-sectional area, the capillary fluid flow capacity of
the wick 108 may be substantially reduced by reducing the
cross-sectional area of the constricted portion. Such a
constriction on the flow rate of the fluid fuel material 311
upwardly along the wick 108 past the constricted portion 306 is
enhanced when the sidewall 304 is substantially liquid impervious
(e.g., does not allow the fluid fuel material to pass therethrough
to the wick 108), which thereby restricts the flow of the fluid
fuel material into the wick through the end 310 located in the end
plate 124 or above the end 308 of the barrel 118. The indentation
302 may also help maintain the wick 108 in a predetermined position
within the barrel 118 such that, for example, an end portion of the
wick extends through or to the end 310 in order to prevent the wick
from being pulled out of the barrel and thus potentially losing
contact with the flow of the fluid fuel material 311 toward the
wick through the capillary space 184 and weep holes 130.
[0030] Other variations and embodiments of the candle assembly and
wick holder 300 described in detail herein are also specifically
contemplated. For example, in one embodiment, the barrel 118 may
take the form of a sleeve having a cylindrical shape or a tubular
shape having other cross-sectional areas and shapes (not shown). In
another embodiment, the constricted portion 306 in the barrel 118
is formed by an inner annular ridge (not shown), which may be
formed by indenting or crimping the sidewall 304 entirely around
the wick barrel 118 or by an inner annular shoulder (not shown)
disposed on an inner surface of the sidewall 304. The constricted
portion 306 in another embodiment may be formed by a single
indentation 302 or by a plurality of indentations, which may be
either in opposing relationship or offset from each other. In
another embodiment (not shown) the barrel 118 may have the form of
a wick casing that is not generally tubular, but rather includes a
longitudinally curved sidewall that encases a portion of the wick
108 and has first and second openings in the sidewall through which
the wick extends.
[0031] In another aspect of the present invention, which is shown
in FIG. 8 but which is also applicable to any combination of any of
the wick holders and any of the capillary pedestals described
herein, the capillary space 184 defines a volume, or capillary well
350, between the base portion 116 of the wick holder 300 and the
capillary pedestal 204. The capillary well 350 has dimensions that
are preselected to promote a successful sustained relight of the
wick 108 after a pool 352 (shown in dashed lines) of the fuel
material 311 (such as wax or other meltable fuel) has been formed
in melting plate 202 around the peripheral skirt 126 and capillary
pedestal 204 and then allowed to solidify. During a sustained burn,
a fluid portion of the fuel material 311 from the pool 352 is drawn
into the capillary well 350 and up to the wick 108 by capillary
action to feed a flame 354 at wick 108. If the flame 354 is
extinguished prior to consuming the entire fuel element 110, the
pool 352 of fuel material 311 solidifies and extends across the
bottom of the melting plate 202, through the capillary well 350,
and into the wick 108. In one embodiment, when the wick 108 is
re-lit after the pool 352 of fuel material 311 has solidified, the
capillary space 184 is dimensioned such that a fluid supply of the
fuel material is quickly formed and available in the capillary well
350 to feed the flame 354 via the wick 108 until the fuel material
surrounding the peripheral skirt 126 has melted sufficiently to
provide a supply of liquefied fuel material to replace the fuel
material in the capillary well. For example, if the capillary space
184 is dimensioned too small, there may not be enough fuel material
in the capillary well 350 to sustain the flame 354 on the wick 108
during a sustained relight before the pool 352 of fuel material 311
surrounding the peripheral skirt 126 has melted enough to provide
additional liquefied fuel to the wick 108. Also, for example, if
the capillary space 184 is too large, heat transfer through the
solidified fuel material 311 in the capillary well 350 may be too
slow to melt enough of the fuel material therein to provide
liquefied fuel to the wick 108 before fuel material in the wick is
burned. Under either circumstance, the flame 354 may run out of
fuel and extinguish prior to melting a sufficient amount of the
fuel material 311 in the pool 352 to begin or sustain substantially
continuous capillary movement of the fluid fuel material from
outside of the capillary space 184, into the capillary well 350,
and up the wick 108 to feed the flame 354. Therefore, to assist in
a successful sustained relight of the wick 108 in one embodiment,
the capillary well 350 has a volume not less than a volume
sufficient to provide an amount of melted fuel to the relit wick
108 until a sufficient amount of liquefied fuel is formed from the
pool 352 of solidified fuel material 311 adjacent to or surrounding
the peripheral skirt 126 to continuously feed the flame 354 by
capillary action through the capillary space 184. In another
embodiment, the volume of the capillary well 350 is not more than a
volume able to allow heat from the flame 354 to melt the solidified
fuel material 311 disposed in the capillary space 184 sufficiently
rapidly to feed the flame 354 after solidified fuel material 311
carried in the wick is burned.
[0032] In a further embodiment, a successful relight can be
achieved if the volume of the capillary well 350 is proportional to
a thermal mass of an entire candle assembly, such as 100, in order
to provide a sufficient source of melted fuel to the wick until the
pool 352 of solidified wax has melted sufficiently to provide an
adequate flow of fuel to the wick 108 to maintain a sustained burn
of the flame 354. The thermal mass of the candle assembly 100 is a
measure of the amount of energy needed to change the temperature of
the entire melting plate candle by a measured amount and is equal
to the sum of the products of the mass of each portion of the
candle assembly multiplied by the specific heat of that portion.
Illustratively, a successful relight may be achieved when the ratio
of the volume of the capillary well 350 to the thermal mass of the
entire candle assembly is between about 0.00006 cubic inches per
calorie per degree centigrade (hereinafter, in.sup.3/cal/.degree.
C.) (1 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.) and about 0.0006
in.sup.3/cal/.degree. C. (10 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.), or between
about 0.0001 in.sup.3/cal/.degree. C. (2 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.)
and about 0.0004 in.sup.3/cal/.degree. C. (6 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree.
C.), or between about 0.00018 in.sup.3/cal/.degree. C. (3
mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.) and about 0.00024 in.sup.3/cal/.degree.
C. (4 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.). Accordingly, in one embodiment,
the thermal mass of the candle assembly is between about 135
cal/.degree. C. and about 10 cal/.degree. C., or between about 75
cal/.degree. C. and about 40 cal/.degree. C., or between about 61
cal/.degree. C. and about 50 cal/.degree. C., and the volume of the
capillary well 350 is between about 0.006 in.sup.3 (100 mm.sup.3)
and about 0.03 in.sup.3 (500 mm.sup.3), or between about 0.009
in.sup.3 (150 mm.sup.3) and about 0.018 in.sup.3 (300 mm.sup.3), or
about 0.012 in.sup.3 (200 mm.sup.3).
[0033] For example, the thermal mass of an embodiment of a candle
assembly, such as 100, includes the support base 102, the melting
plate 202, and the wick holder 300 having a combined thermal mass
of about 50 cal/.degree. C. and the fuel element 110 of
approximately 0.53 oz. (15 g) of wax having a thermal mass of about
10.5 cal/.degree. C. before being burned. The capillary pedestal
204 has a generally frustoconical shape with a height h1 between
about 0.39 inches (10 mm) and about 0.04 inches (1 mm), or about
0.2 inches (5 mm), a bottom radius .PHI.1 between about 1.18 inches
(30 mm) and about 0.39 inches (10 mm), or about 0.83 inches (21
mm), and a top radius .PHI.2 between about 0.04 inches (1 mm) and
about 0.79 inches (20 mm), or about 0.43 inches (11 mm). The base
116 has a frustoconical shape generally complementary to the
capillary pedestal with the peripheral skirt 126 having an upper
diameter .PHI.3 of between about 0.08 inches (2 mm) and about 0.83
inches (21 mm), or between about 0.43 inches (11 mm) and about 0.55
inches (14 mm), or about 0.51 inches (13 mm); a bottom diameter
.PHI.4 between about 1.22 inches (31 mm) and about 0.43 inches (11
mm), or about 0.79 inches (20 mm) and about 0.91 inches (23 mm), or
about 0.87 inches (22 mm); a height h2 between about 0.43 inches
(11 mm) and about 0.08 inches (2 mm), or between about 0.28 inches
(7 mm) and about 0.16 inches (4 mm), or about 0.2 inches (5 mm);
and a height h3 of the rivets 132 from the end plate 124 of between
about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm) and about 0.04 inches (1 mm), or
between about 0.03 inches (0.8 mm) and about 0.02 inches (0.5 mm),
or about 0.02 inches (0.6 mm). In another embodiment, the capillary
pedestal 204 has a height h1 about 0.18 inches (4.7 mm), a bottom
radius .PHI.1 about 0.81 inches (20.5 mm), a top radius .PHI.2
about 0.44 inches (11.1 mm), and the base 126 has a skirt 126
having an upper diameter .PHI.3 about 0.5 inches (12.6 mm), a
bottom diameter .PHI.4 about 0.85 inches (21.6 mm), and a height h2
about 0.2 inches (5.05 mm). When the base 116 is placed on top of
the capillary pedestal 204, the end plate 124 is a perpendicular
distance of about 0.03 inches (0.65 mm) from a top wall 178 of the
capillary pedestal, and the peripheral skirt 126 is perpendicular
distance of about 0.02 inches (0.38 mm) from the sidewall 206,
which defines a capillary well 350 having a volume of approximately
0.012 in.sup.3 (200 mm.sup.3).
[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of a melting plate 400
comprising a concave base 402, and having a raised pedestal or
protrusion 404 located near the center thereof. The pedestal is
shaped so as to engage the legs or skirt 406 of a wick holder 408.
The wick holder 408 has a central retention mechanism, such as a
body 410, which holds a wick 412, and heat fins 414 located so as
to absorb heat from a flame upon the wick mounted in the wick
holder, and to permit flow of the heat from the flame to the base
402 of the melting plate 400. The legs or skirt 406 of the wick
holder fit in close proximity to the sides 416 of the pedestal 404
and engage an undercut 418 in a side surface of the pedestal by
means of shoulder 420 in such a manner as to resist removal
therefrom. The legs or skirt 406 and a base 422 of the wick holder
408 and the sides 416 and top 424 of the pedestal 404 are in close
proximity, so as to permit maximum heat exchange when a flame is
disposed on the wick 412, and so as to create a capillary gap 426
resulting in a capillary flow of melted wax from the bottom of the
melting plate to the top of the pedestal 424. The bottom 422 of the
wick holder is thus in close proximity to the top 424 of the
pedestal 404, promoting a rapid and even flow of liquefied fuel to
the wick 412, but held in position so as to contact the fuel by the
wick holder. Although the embodiment is illustrated in terms of a
melting plate candle, it may be equally as effective in the context
of a candle jar, tea light, or votive holder.
[0035] In FIG. 10, another wick holder 500 according to the present
invention is adapted for use with a candle assembly similar to 100
having a capillary pedestal (not shown) so as to create a capillary
space between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal through
which liquefied fuel (not shown), such as oil or melted wax, may be
drawn from a pool, upwardly between the capillary pedestal and the
wick holder, toward a wick 502, which is disposed above the
capillary pedestal. The wick holder 500 is generally similar to
other wick holders described herein, such as the wick holder 106,
the wick holder 200, the wick holder 300, and the wick holder 408,
except that capillary flow of the liquefied fuel to the wick 502 is
diverted across a portion of the wick holder and laterally through
a side aperture, or fuel feed opening 504, into the wick above the
top of a base portion 506 rather than flowing directly into the
bottom end of the wick through a hole in the bottom or base portion
as generally shown in the other embodiments disclosed herein. In
general, the base portion 506 of the wick holder 500 defines a
bottom cavity (not shown) on an opposite side of the base portion
from a wick receiver 508. The bottom cavity is shaped so as to
conform closely about a capillary pedestal, such as the capillary
pedestal 204, 112, or 404, in order to promote the upward capillary
flow of the liquefied fuel. In this particular embodiment, the base
portion 506 has a top wall or top plate 510 and a generally
frustoconical capillary skirt 512 depending downwardly from an
outer periphery thereof, which, together, define the bottom cavity.
When placed in an operative position on a capillary pedestal, the
capillary skirt 512 is disposed around the sidewall of the
capillary pedestal, and the top plate 510 is disposed above a flat
top end of the capillary pedestal thereby forming the capillary
space. The base portion 506, in other embodiments, may have
different shapes according to the shape of the capillary pedestal.
The top plate 510 and the capillary skirt 512 are generally formed
of a sheet of metal that is liquid impervious except for one or
more openings, such as holes 514 through the top plate and/or a gap
516 along a seam of the wick holder 500. The holes 514 are disposed
generally around an outer circumferential portion of the top plate
510. Heat fins 518 extend upwardly from the top plate 510 and carry
the wick receiver 508, which in this embodiment is a generally
cylindrical barrel, therebetween for holding the wick 502 therein.
The wick receiver 508 is generally disposed over a central portion
of the top plate 510 such that the wick 502 extends downwardly
through a lower open end 520 and rests on top of the central
portion of the top plate disposed radially between and spaced from
the holes 514. A portion of the wick 502 for carrying a flame
thereon extends upwardly through an upper open end 522 of the wick
receiver 508, which is distal from the base portion 506. An
indentation 524 in the wick receiver 508 serves to help retain the
wick 502 therein and may also serve to control the rate of
capillary flow upwardly along the wick as described above in
relation to the indentations 302 in the wick holder 300. Unlike the
previously described wick holders, the area of the top plate 510
directly beneath a bottom end 526 of the wick 502 is not open to
the capillary space under the base portion 506.
[0036] In operation, the wick holder 500 is disposed on a capillary
pedestal in a melting plate candle assembly (similarly as described
with regard to the melting plate candle 100) such that when a flame
is burning at a top end of the wick 502, liquefied fuel, such as
melted wax, from a fuel element is drawn upwardly toward the wick
to feed the flame even when a level of the liquefied fuel drops
below the elevation of the top plate 510 and the bottom end 526 of
the wick. The fuel feed opening 504 is in fluid communication with
the capillary space via the holes 514. In the present embodiment,
the liquefied fuel is drawn upwardly from underneath the capillary
skirt 512, through the capillary space between the base portion 506
and the capillary pedestal, and through the holes 514 and possibly
the gap 516, across the top of the top plate 510, and laterally
into the wick 502 through the fuel feed opening 504. As shown in
FIG. 10, the fuel feed opening 504 is defined between the top plate
510 and the bottom end 520 of the cylindrical barrel; however, the
fuel feed opening 504 may take the form of any opening adjacent to
the base portion 506 that is sufficient to allow the liquefied fuel
to be drawn laterally into the wick 502 above the base portion. For
example, the fuel feed opening 504 may include one or more slits or
small holes through the sidewall(s) of the wick receiver 508, which
would draw liquefied fuel across the top of the top plate 510 and
laterally into the wick 502. The lateral fuel flow into the wick
502 through the fuel feed opening 504 is sustained by the capillary
forces of the wick 502 and attractive forces of the liquefied fuel
so as to draw the liquefied fuel from the holes 514 across the top
plate 510, through the fuel feed opening, and into the wick. In
other embodiments, the lateral fuel feed opening 504 may also be
combined with a hole (not shown) in the top plate directly
underneath the bottom end 526 of the wick 502, which may be formed
by, for example, the gap 516 extending across the top plate 510 or
any other form of opening. Other features of the various wick
holders described herein may also be combined with the wick holder
500 and vice-versa.
[0037] The invention having been described in an illustrative
manner, it is understood that the terminology used is intended to
be in the nature of description rather than of limitation. The
various components of the various melting plate candle assemblies
described herein may be packaged as an assembled unit, as an
unassembled kit including all or a portion of the components, as
individual components, and in any combination thereof. Different
and various combinations of the above-mentioned components of the
various melting plate candle assemblies can also be used in the
apparatuses, methods, kits, and combinations herein described.
Other variations, modifications, and equivalents of the present
invention possible in light of the above teachings are specifically
included within the scope of the impending claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0038] A wick holder, according to the present invention, may be
used to hold a wick in a predetermined location relative to a fuel
element. In one particular application, the wick holder of the
present invention may be used with a melting plate candle assembly
as generally described herein to maintain a flame on the wick at a
height above the level of a liquefied pool of fuel so as to prevent
or at least minimize the risk of flash over in the pool of
liquefied fuel. Other uses and benefits of the wick holder of the
present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0039] Numerous modifications to the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing
description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as
illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling
those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach
the best mode of carrying out same. All patents and patent
applications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their
entireties. The exclusive rights to all modifications that come
within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
* * * * *