U.S. patent application number 11/717218 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for disposable, floating, flame heated wax melting plate for confined and unconfined conventional candles and attachment method for use in candle making.
Invention is credited to Steve B. Kitt.
Application Number | 20080227043 11/717218 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39763062 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080227043 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kitt; Steve B. |
September 18, 2008 |
Disposable, floating, flame heated wax melting plate for confined
and unconfined conventional candles and attachment method for use
in candle making
Abstract
A disposable floating flame heated candle following melting
plate for melting the wasted solid wax in confined and unconfined
conventional candles to a liquid form sufficient to cause the wax
to flow back to the candle flame for consumption, wherein the
improved plate is a single plate structure capable of floating,
plate structure having an attaching method for use in the candle
making process and attaches itself to a candle when marketed
separate from its fuel source or candle.
Inventors: |
Kitt; Steve B.; (Ogden,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVE B. KITT
1245 26th ST
Ogden
UT
84401
US
|
Family ID: |
39763062 |
Appl. No.: |
11/717218 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23D 3/26 20130101; F23D
3/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/292 |
International
Class: |
F23D 3/16 20060101
F23D003/16 |
Claims
1. A candle following solid wax melting plate comprising, (a) One
heat conductive melting plate, and (b) a centrally located hole
through plate for receiving of a conventional candle wick, and (c)
extension arms extending into the centrally located wick receiving
hole, wherein the plate, the wick receiving hole and the extension
arms form a one part melting plate for conventional candles.
1. (canceled)
2. A candle following solid wax melting plate comprising, (a) One
heat conductive melting plate, and (b) a centrally located hole
through plate for receiving of a conventional candle wick, and (c)
Extension arms extending into the centrally located wick receiving
hole, wherein the plate, the wick receiving hole and the extension
arms form a one part melting plate for conventional candles.
2. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heat
conductive plate has been bent, formed, molded or the like in
manufacture to provide an air pocket or pockets of air in various
shapes therein and or throughout the plate as desired for
completely enclosing and trapping pockets of air between the bottom
of the plate and a solid wax to form a float for floating of said
plate.
3. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the melting
plate is turned down on its outer diameter for guiding the
plate.
4. (canceled)
5. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein completely
enclosed pockets of air are formed around and in proximity to the
wick receiving hole causing only the center of the plate to float
and allowing the outer diameter of the plate to sink into the
melted wax as it is heated.
6. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the use of
the heat conductive plate is interchangeable between conventional
confined and unconfined solid wax candles.
7. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heat
conductive plate is used in conventional confined and unconfined
candles in the process of candle making.
8. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plate is
a floating plate bent, formed or molded downward on its outer
diameter providing an attaching means to confined and unconfined
conventional candles.
9. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the melting
plate outside diameter is smaller in diameter than the outside
diameter of the conventional confined and unconfined candle it is
to be used on or in.
10. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plate
is a flat plate bent upward around the wick receiving hole, the
upward bend in close proximity to the candle flame, the plate being
a submergible floating plate.
11. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plate
is made of a thin heat conductive material making it
disposable.
12. A candle following solid wax melting plate comprising, (a) One
heat conductive melting plate, and (b) air pockets formed in plate
for trapping air between the plate and the wax, and (c) a centrally
located hole through plate for receiving of a conventional candle
wick, wherein the plate, the wick receiving hole and the air
pockets form a plurality of floating means for floating the
plate.
13. (canceled)
14. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the
melting plate outside diameter is smaller in diameter than the
outside diameter of the conventional confined or unconfined candle
that it is to be placed on.
15. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the
melting plate is turned down on its outer diameter for guiding the
plate.
16. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the plate
is made of aluminum, the plate being disposable.
17. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein completely
enclosed pockets of air are formed around and in proximity to said
wick hole causing only the center of the plate to float and
allowing the outer diameter of the plate to sink into the melted
wax as it is heated.
18. The melting plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the centrally
located wick receiving hole has extension arms therethrough to its
center for making contact with the candle flame, conducting heat
therefrom to heat the plate.
19. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the heat
conductive plate is used in conventional confined and unconfined
candles in the candle making process.
20. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the plate
is bent, formed or molded downward on its outer diameter providing
an attaching means to confined and unconfined conventional
candles.
21. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the use of
the heat conductive plate is interchangeable between conventional
confined and unconfined solid wax candles.
22. (canceled)
23. A disposable candle following solid wax melting plate
comprising, (a) One heat conducting melting plate, and (b) a
centrally located hole through the plate for receiving of a
conventional candle wick, wherein the plate and the wick receiving
hole form a one part wax melting plate for conventional
candles.
24. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 23 wherein the plate
is formed of thin aluminum capable of holding the shape it is
manufactured in.
25. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 23 wherein the plate
is turned down on its outer diameter for support by the partially
solidified wax under it.
26. The wax melting plate as claimed in claim 23 wherein the plate
is turned down on it's outer diameter creating an attaching means
to the wax in conventional candles.
27. A process for attaching a candle following solid wax melting
plate to conventional confined and unconfined candles comprising
the steps; (a) providing a candle making mold for unconfined
candles or a container for confined candles in which a wick is
centrally inserted and held vertical by a temporary means, and (b)
filling the container to the point at which it is desired to
install the melting plate with a solid wax fuel such as paraffin
that has been heated to a liquid form, and (c) allowing the wax to
partially solidify, then (d) placing the melting plate on the
candle by placing the wick receiving hole over the candles wick
centering the wick in the center of the wick receiving hole, and
(e) allowing the wax to harden, whereby the candle and the melting
plate will be attached.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to flame heated candle wax
melting plates which follow confined and unconfined conventional
candles downwardly during there burning and possesses superior
qualities to enable the single plate to float, heat quickly, retain
and distribute said heat at a greater distance from the the candle
flame and is interchangeable between unconfined and confined
conventional candles and more particularly to disposable floating
flame heated solid wax melting plates formed in manufacture having
only one part and a method of attaching the plate to the candle in
the candle building process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Flame heated melting plates or apparatus candle wax melting
devices for following the melting of the candle downwardly have
long been used for melting to a liquid, that wax furthest from the
candle flame that otherwise would not be melted by the flame, to a
liquid form sufficient enough to cause flow of the liquid wax back
to the candle wick for burning by the flame, thereby consuming this
wax which would otherwise be wasted. Traditionally this is
accomplished in many ways. The prior art shows entire candle
assembles designed for melting the wax contained therein, multiple
part apparatus melting plates designed for confined candles, single
plate candle followers designed for unconfined candles, many
specialty designs for one or the other of these two types of
conventional candles. These multiple part apparatus plates and
specialty designed lamps are expensive both in setup to produce and
material cost. They further limit commercial potential in that
they're designed to be used in just one lamp or on just one type
candle. There further limited in commercial potential by not being
disposable, wherein they can be sold again to the same user. They
are further limited in commercial potential in that many final
users or consumers prefer disposal, wherein they wouldn't want to
waste time chasing down special wicks and trying to find a local
retailer who carries special wax cubes or the like needed for their
specialty lamp. They are further limited in commercial potential in
that they are not designed to be sold to the final consumer
separate from their fuel source. Problems exist in keeping the
multiple apparatus plates hot in cooler environments that need to
be addressed as will be noted in the prior art patent review that
follows. Many of the prior art in their attempt to melt the wax
under or around their melting apparatus to a liquid form sufficient
to cause the wasted wax in the candle to flow back to the wick and
thereby be burnt by the candle flame have in effect accomplished
the exact opposite of their intended goal, that being a product
that the expense thereof doesn't out weigh the benefits obtained by
its use. Design and structure changes need to be made so one plate
can accomplish the goals set forth above in floating melting plates
and further be used on or in the two most sold candles in the
world, the conventional confined and unconfined candles.
[0003] The present invention is directed to solve the above
described problems wherein the present melting plates are made from
a high heat conducting aluminum material or the like constructed or
formed to contain desirable novel features in the single plate
construction that are inexpensive and disposable. The plate being
thinly constructed is easily and quickly heated by the limited heat
provided by the candle flame. By quickly getting this heat through
the plate to the wax for melting less heat is lost to the
surrounding air, unlike a thicker plate in which it is harder to
heat up more mass and looses its conductive heat to the surrounding
air before it reaches the outer diameter of the plate. In larger
diameter plates the plates are provided with extension arms which
are cut from the wick receiving hole or molded into the plate if
the aluminum is melted and pored into the mold. The extension arms
are adjustable to make contact with the candle flame and provide
needed conductive heat to the plate especially in larger diameter
plates and in cooler environments such as outdoors or at night. The
plate in most cases is provided with enclosed air pockets or
cavities formed in manufacture within the single plate for floating
of the plate by using the bottom of the plate and the wax surface
to completely trap air in air pockets formed in the plate. The
plate is provided with an outer diameter attaching means wherein in
larger diameter plates the attaching means is wider in width and
sinks into the wax wherein it is insulated from the surrounding wax
by the wax covering it, making larger diameter plates easier heat
and keep at a melting temperature. The plate is provided with an
attaching means formed into the plate for attaching the plate to
candles in the process of making candles. The plate attaching means
formed so as the plate attaches itself to an existing candle
marketed separate from the plate.
[0004] Many objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent herein.
[0005] When the term `unconfined conventional candle` is used
herein it generically includes candles containing a vertical wick
surrounded and supported by a solid wax fuel or paraffin.
[0006] When the term `confined conventional candle` is used herein
it generically includes candles containing a vertical wick
surrounded by a solid wax fuel or paraffin contained in ajar,
vessel or can etc.
Description of Related Art
[0007] A list of relevant prior art references is provided. I
hereby incorporate-by-specified reference the following prior art
patents in entirety.
Prior Art Patents Review
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 977,567 M. H. Sterling Dec. 6, 1910--CANDLE
PROTECTOR--Sterling shows a protector plate containing two disks
forming an air chamber between for the purpose of reflecting heat
away from the candle wax. Note (1) that Sterling protector plate
contains two disks. (2) That it is not a plate for conducting heat
from the flame to the wax for melting said wax, but the opposite, a
plate to reflect the heat away from the wax. (3) That the inventor
shows drawings wherein his protector plate sits on top unconfined
candle and further makes on claim for use on confined candles.
Sterling makes no claims to disposable.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,688 M. D. Sobelson May 5, 1965--Sobelson
shows a floating one-piece wick holder for use on oil lamps only.
It is not a solid wax melting plate and in fact claims an annular
body portion of oil fuel for dissipating heat from the wick member
when lit.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,121,316 R. A. Wilson Etal Feb. 18,
1964--Etal shows a non-combustible wick holder having a flame
heated melting plate containing more than one part for use on
blocks of wax containing no wick. This device contains many costly
parts and is made for use in confined candles only and further is
not made for use on or in confined or unconfined conventional
candles having their own wick. Etal makes no claim to
disposable.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 1,184,511 H. J. Bourgeois May 23,
1916--Bourgeois shows an oil lamp containing many parts. Also
contains a floating wick holder, which is designed to float on oil.
The lamp assemble does not melt solid wax and the float is confined
to the lamp it is sold in. Bourgeois makes no claim to
disposable.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,753 Lee Dec. 7, 1975--Lee shows Flame
Heated Wax Burner containing a vessel, heat conducting plates, wax,
wick, etc., all combined as a unit. This invention contains many
costly parts and is designed to replace the conventional contained
candle, therefor is irrelevant to either or confined or unconfined
conventional candles. Lee makes no claim to disposable.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,397 Neugart Mar. 22, 1977 and U.S. Pat.
No. 4,234,303 Nov. 18, 1980. Neugart shows in his first patent a
floating flame heated melting device consisting of a two part plate
assembly containing a wick adapted to float on molten wax
containing no wick. It is noted that these designs utilize more
than one part. It is further noted that the inventor had trouble
keeping the plate hot, therefore the second patent. Neugart's
problem with keeping his plate hot is crucial to an understanding
of melting plates.
[0014] Generally accepted and manufactured larger diameter candles
are those 2'' to 5'' in diameter. The flame provided from most
conventional candles is a very limited heat source for heating of
such large diameter melting plates. Therefore it is necessary that
the plate make substantial contact with the flame and transfer or
conduct this heat quickly into the wax as is provided by the
extension arms in the present invention. Second heat always seeks
the easiest escape to a cooler surrounding, in a floating apparatus
such as Neugart's the addition of a second plate for completing an
enclosed float in effect put a insulating plate between the heated
air chamber of the float and the wax allowing the heat contained in
the plate and air chamber to mostly escape through the top plate
instead of the wax. The present invention eliminates this problem
by creating a completely enclosed air chamber between a single
plate and the wax surface. Thirdly it is very difficult to heat a
larger mass of metal such as two plates than it is to heat a single
plate to a temperature sufficient to melt wax from such a limited
heat source such as the candle flame. The present invention
eliminates this problem by providing a thin disposable plate made
preferable of inexpensive aluminum. Fourthly, the present invention
provides a means for attaching the plate to the candle, however in
larger diameter plates the attaching means serves a second purpose
wherein it sinks into the wax surface being insulated from the
surrounding air making the plate easier to heat at its furthest
distance from the candles flame.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 2,231,656 F. Bormann Feb. 11, 1941 and U.S.
Pat. No. 2,349,072 May 16, 1944 F. Bormann. Bormanns patents are
designed for slow burning unconfined candles made of beeswax having
a thin wick, therefore only for unconfined specialty candles.
Bormann partially traps radiant heat between the bottom of his
plate and the wax surface for melting of the wax. The present
invention entirely traps a unit of air between the plate and the
wax surface for floating of the plate. To the inventors knowledge
using the wax surface as the bottom plate to complete the making of
a completely enclosed float is a new useful principal in melting
plates. Both of Bormann's patents are candle followers for use on
unconfined conventional candles. Both followers are made of glass,
for making the flame visible, for partially tapping radiant heat
between the wax and underside of follower and for providing a drip
edge to retain the pool of wax on top of the candle from running
off the top of the unconfined candle and being wasted. However
Bormanns patents have the following disadvantages that the present
melting plate overcomes. Bormann's followers are design for only
unconfined conventional candles. They are designed with a drip edge
to fit over the outside diameter of an unconfined conventional
candle, further limiting their use on both types of conventional
candles, confined and unconfined. Glass is heavy, if sat on the top
surface of the wax it would quickly sink into the wax loosing its
ability to trap the much needed radiant heat between the underside
of the glass and the wax surface and would no longer function.
Glass is used by Bormann in substantial quantity in his second
patent for larger diameter unconfined candles having not only a
long drip edge and longer follower running vertical down the
outside of the candle but also a high central portion higher than
the wick for not only trapping radiant heat but also controlling
and limiting the size of the flame, thereby creating a more costly
and less disposable part. Bormann uses glass due to its poor heat
retention qualities limiting the use of direct heat attainable from
the flame to be conducted therefrom into a conductive plate such as
aluminum and into the surrounding wax. Bormann makes no claims to
any material other than glass for his followers. He makes no claims
to disposable. He makes no claims to use of his followers other
than on unconfined candles and preferably on unconfined candles
being made of beeswax and containing a thin wick. He makes no
claims to a follower that sits on the top of the candle, wherein
the outside diameter of the melting apparatus is smaller in
diameter than the outside diameter of the candle it is to be used
on.
[0016] Looking back on conventional unconfined and confined candles
we find that they have changed very little over the past hundreds
of years. The reason for this is because wax and wicks are
relatively inexpensive and the candle maker can still realize a
profit from producing these candles. The present invention adds a
very inexpensive melting plate for consuming the wasted wax in
these candles, adding very little additional expense to the
manufacture of these candles and very little expense to the final
user, wherein the benefit obtained from the plate greatly outweighs
the cost of the plate.
[0017] Heretofor no known candle solid wax melting device has
permitted the burning of the wasted wax in, [0018] (a) a one part
plate constructed of a heat conductive material for both unconfined
and confined conventional candles. [0019] (b) a one part plate
construction made of a heat conductive material. [0020] (c) a one
part melting plate constructed of a heat conductive material having
a centrally located wick receiving hole therethrough, wherein
adjustable heat conductive extension arms are formed in and are a
part of said plate, arms extending into said wick receiving hole in
close proximity to the candle flame or making contact with the
flame. [0021] (d) a disposable one part melting plate constructed
of a heat conductive material. [0022] (e) a floating plate
constructed of a heat conductive material such as aluminum, copper
or the like, consisting of one piece, wherein cavities or pockets
for containing a unit of air are formed therein to create a
entirely enclosed float in said plate once the plate is placed on
or in the candle wax. [0023] (f) a floating one part plate
constructed of a heat conductive material wherein the outside
diameter of the plate is smaller in diameter than the outside
diameter of both the confined and unconfined candles it is to be
used on. [0024] (g) a floating one part plate constructed of a heat
conductive material being an attaching means or having an attaching
means formed therein, wherein the plate can be attached to either a
unconfined or confine conventional candle in the process of making
the candle or attaches itself to any candle it is used on when
marketed separate of the candle. [0025] (h) a floating one part
plate constructed of a heat conductive material having an attaching
means (for plates marketed separate from their fuel source), formed
in said plate, wherein the plate is placed on the candle, the wick
of the candle is lit producing a flame that heats the plate, heated
attaching means sinking into the liquefied wax surface thereby
attaching itself to the candle. [0026] (i) a floating one part
plate constructed of a heat conductive material having an attaching
means used in a candle manufacturing process, wherein the wick is
installed in candle mold, hot liquid wax is poured around the wick
up to the finished top surface of the candle at which point the
plate wick-receiving hole is placed over the wick, centrally
aligned with the wick and the plate left floating on the wax
surface as the wax cools and hardens.
[0027] Reviewing disposable as related to the prior art, products
designed and build 30 years ago, quality and long lasting where
word's inventors and manufacturers wanted associated with their
products. Today we live in a world full of disposable products in
fact a large portion of manufactures are seeking disposable
products. Disposable products can be sold over and over again to
the same customer. The customer benefits for many reasons, the
product is less expensive; no need to waste time and money trying
to get it repaired it's less expensive to buy a new one. I get the
same benefits from the disposal one as I do from the more expensive
one and on and on. These benefits are sought after by both
manufacturer and the final user and are interpreted to a product as
having commercial potential. Disposable is accepted in today's
world. It is the nature of the inventor to seek out desirable
objects and advantages of their inventions and to further broaden
their patents and claims wherever possible. An inventor seeing
disposable as a desirable advantage would certainly make claim to
such a desirable feature. To the present inventors knowledge there
is no known prior art inventor having a one part melting plate that
has claimed disposable, as related to the classification the
present invention falls in.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention may be summarized as directed to a
solid wax melting apparatus adapted to be used on, in or attached
to conventional unconfined and confined candles for the purpose of
melting the wasted wax in candles to a liquid form sufficient to
cause flow of said wax back to the candle wick for burning by the
candle flame, said plate following the melting candle downwardly as
the wax is consumed.
[0029] The following are novel objects and advantages of the
present invention. [0030] (a) To provide an economical or low cost
solid wax heat conductive melting plate consisting of one part
having a centrally located wick receiving hole therethrough. [0031]
(b) To provide a one part heat conductive solid wax melting plate
that can be used on or in either an unconfined conventional candle
or a confined conventional candle. [0032] (c) To provide a one part
heat conductive solid wax melting plate having a centrally located
wick receiving hole therethrough that is smaller in its outside
diameter than the outside diameter of the conventional unconfined
or confined candle it is to be used on or in, wherein one size
plate can be used on a variety of different sized unconfined and
confined conventional candles. [0033] (d) To provide a one part
heat conductive solid wax melting plate having a centrally located
wick receiving hole therethrough, wherein the plate is disposable,
preferably made of a high heat conductive aluminum for use on or in
unconfined and confined conventional candles. [0034] (e) To provide
a completely enclosed float by forming or molding a one part plate
from heat conductive material to create cavities or pockets therein
for air to be trapped between the plate and wax surface for
floating of the plate. [0035] (f) To provide a one part heat
conductive solid wax melting plate, wherein the plate is installed
in the unconfined or confined conventional candle in the process of
making the candle. [0036] (g) To provide a one part heat conductive
solid wax melting plate being an attaching means to unconfined and
confined conventional candles, wherein the plate is a permanent
part of the candle and in which future developments such as
reflector lights, safety devices etc. can be attached to the plate.
[0037] (h) To provide a one part solid wax melting plate, wherein
adjustable heat conductive extension arms are die-cut, formed,
molded or the like into and are part of the plate, extending into
the centrally located wick receiving hole in close proximity or
making direct contact with the candle flame wherein the heat
conductive extension arms provide the extra intense heat to the
plate necessary to quickly heat the plate to the outside diameter
of the plate where it is most needed. [0038] (i) To provide a
product that can be marketed to the final user separate from it's
solid wax or paraffin fuel source or to the manufacturer of candles
or both. [0039] (j) To provide a one part melting plate capable of
consuming the wasted wax in a large variety of unconfined and
confined conventional candles. [0040] (k) To provide a heat
conductive melting plate wherein the outer diameter attaching means
is wider in plates made for larger confined and unconfined
conventional candles, this attaching means sinking into the wax
when the plate is heated, wherein the heated wax covering over said
attaching means acts as an insulator limiting heat loss to the
surrounding air making the plate easier to keep hot at greater
distance from the limited heat source of the candles flame.
[0041] Within the scope of the present invention the single melting
plate designs encompass all of the above mentioned objects and
advantages and further allows the plate to be made in more than one
size, with or without heat conducting extension arms which would be
dependent on the diameter of the plate. The heat conductive
adjustable extension arms can be cut, formed, molded or the like in
manufacture in any design and shaped as desired. The plate itself
can be manufactured to have cavities or pockets formed therein for
trapping of air between the wax and the plate in any configuration,
shape or anywhere therein. The plate can be shaped having a drip
edge or a turned down edge for guiding or following the candle
downwardly as the flame consumes the wax. The plate can be turned
down around the wick-receiving hole for ease of lighting the wick.
The plate can be made of any heat conductive material such as
aluminum, copper, or the like. The plate can be floated on the wax
surface, semi-floated wherein some part of the plate is submerged,
as in floating the center of the plate and allowing the outer
diameter of the plate to sink into the wax where it would be
insulated on it's outer diameter from the surrounding air and
therefor be easier to keep hot or partially or completely
submerged. The plate is designed with a preferable attaching means
provided for attaching the plate to confined and unconfined
conventional candles in the process or manufacture of making
candles, however the plate sinks into the liquid wax approximately
3/16'' automatically attaching itself to candles marketed separate
from the plate.
[0042] The plate can be designed for ease of packaging such as
stackable, foldable etc. or even collapsible. In a disposable thin
heat conducting plate the plate would encompass prior art plates
that fit over the outside diameter of an unconfined conventional
candle.
[0043] The inventor finds that a simple top of the wax flat light
weight melting plate containing a centrally located wick receiving
hole somewhat functions in small diameter candles, however it is
limited in its function and is not preferred, therefore I do not
wish to be limited in the scope of my invention by such an aspect
herein.
[0044] To attain these objects and such further objects as may
appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out; reference is made to
the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] A fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the
following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawing, wherein:
[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating conductor plate
that is preferred for larger diameter confined and unconfined
conventional candles. The conductor plate contains an aperture
portion 17 for trapping of air between the wax and the underside of
the aperture portion 17 for floating of the plate. Conductor plate
portion 19 is a bent upwardly portion of said plate, it is bent
vertically upward and bent slightly inwardly and upwardly forming a
dome shape around the wick receiving hole 15, conductor plate
portion 19 acts to absorb radiant heat as well as support the heat
conductive extension arms. The wick receiving hole 15 is a round
hole 11/4'' in diameter, extension arms 12 are cut out of the wick
receiving hole 15 as the wick receiving hole 15 is being formed.
The aperture portion 17 is dome shaped at its top and is bent down
vertically on it's inner and outer edges which are approximately
3/8'' apart horizontal, forming the air pocket 24 FIG. 3. The outer
edge of the aperture portion 17 forming a guild for following the
flame downwardly as the candle is consumed. Bending the outer edge
of the vertical aperture portion 17 at its bottom 90 degrees to
horizontal provides an attaching means 22. The attaching means
portion 22 sinks into the wax whether placed on the candle and
melted into the wax or placed on the already liquid wax in the
candle making process.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1. The extension arms 12 in
this drawing are turned up at the center creating a small diameter
opening through the plate for lining up the plate with the wick 10
of the candle when the plate is used in the candle making
process.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 2, wherein the attaching means
portion 22 is enlarged for use on larger diameter candles.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a floating conductor plate
that is preferred for smaller diameter confined and unconfined
conventional candles. This plate consists of an aperture member 17,
a conductor plate member 19, an attaching means portion 22 and a
smaller diameter wick-receiving hole 15 than that shown in FIG. 1.
The extension arms 12 shown in FIG. 1 are not used in this
plate.
[0051] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional representation of a melting
plate of a differing configuration.
[0052] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional representation of a submergible
configuration.
[0053] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a preferred submergible
melting plate in the candle making process. The conductor plate is
created as shown in FIG. 1 having a aperture portion 17 for
trapping air between the liquid wax and the underside of the
aperture portion 17, a conductor plate portion 19, centrally
located wick receiving hole 15, extension arms portion 12 and
attaching means portion 22. Two changes are made in this plate that
are not shown in FIG. 1. The conductor plate portion 19 is extended
by 3/8'' for submerging of the plate and for allowing the top of
the conductor plate portion 19 to remain in position to absorb
radiant heat from the candle flame and carry the extension arms
portion 12 at the right height for making contact with the candle
flame. The aperture portion 17 is shallower in depth and width
thereby creating a smaller air pocket 24 FIG. 3, allowing the plate
to remain submerged but also have some buoyancy.
[0054] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the melting plate of
FIG. 1. The melting plate is shown on a confined 26 conventional
candle before the candle is lit.
[0055] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the melting plate of
FIG. 1. The melting plate is shown on an unconfined 28 conventional
candle once the candle has been lit and the plate heats melting the
attaching means portion 22 into the wax 30 or partially sinking and
attaching itself to the candle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0056] The above-described drawings show the preferred melting
plates that are versatile and interchangeable to both confined and
unconfined conventional candles. The processes used to make the
plate, such as die-cutting, bending or molding is well known in the
manufacturing field of like products. Therefor the plate is made as
shown in the drawings. The drawings are scaled drawings showing the
exact dimensions of the preferred melting plates. The plate is
formed from a heat conductive material such as aluminum having a
centrally located wick receiving hole therethrough. The inventor
has made and used the invention in various forms and finds it
functions and operates very well in structures shown herein.
[0057] Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate
like portions throughout the different views, one such plate the
preferred floating plate in FIG. 1 completely surrounds the wick
receiving hole 15, an attaching means portion 22 bent in the outer
diameter of the plate 90 degrees off the outer vertical upward wall
of the aperture portion 17, the 90 degree bend to form the
attaching means portion 22 on the outer aperture portion wall is
1/8'' longer at its vertical descent than the inner wall of the
aperture portion 17 at its vertical descent. The aperture portion
17 is bent in a dome shape at the top of the outer wall portion of
the aperture, inward toward the wick receiving hole 15, to continue
vertically down parallel with the outer aperture wall portion and
ending its vertical descent at 1/8'' above the wax surface creating
within the aperture portion a completely enclosed air pocket for
floating of the plate once the plate is melted into the top wax
surface of a candle 1/8'' or more or is placed on the liquid wax
surface in the candle making process thereby sinking slightly
deeper than 1/8'' into the wax surface. The plate being bent
vertically upward and inward from the inner aperture wall an
additional 1/2'' forming the conductor plate portion 19 surrounding
the wick receiving hole, conductor plate portion 19 acting to
collect radiant heat from the candles flame and support the
extension arms portion 12 that are cut into and left attached to
the conductor plate portion 19 when the wick receiving hole 15 is
cut and removed from around the extension arms 12. It should be
noted herein that air is compressible, therefor the floating plate
will somewhat sink into the liquid wax when the air trapped between
the aperture portion 17 and the wax surface is compressed by the
weight of the plate, therein affixing itself to the candle by the
attaching means. The attaching means portion is a preferable
feature but is not necessary for the plate to attach itself to the
candle, wherein the plate sinks into the liquid wax surface as the
air in the aperture portion 17 is compress as above described and
attaches itself to the candle without the attaching means portion
22 being formed in the plate. Further the attaching means portion
22 shown in FIG. 4 is enlarged or wider in larger diameter plates
providing the advantage of keeping the plate hot at greater
distance from the candle flame whereby the attaching means is
insulated from the surround air by the melted wax covering it once
it sinks into the wax.
[0058] The above plate is used in the following two ways. (a) The
plate is marketed to the consumer separate from the candle it is to
be used on, wherein the consumer purchases a candle and the desired
melting plate for the candle of his choosing, the plates wick
receiving hole is placed over the candles wick 10 centering the
wick 10 in the center of the wick receiving hole 15. The extension
arms 12 being bent prior in manufacture to be in contact with the
flame of the candle once the candle is lit. The candle is then lit,
the extension arms conduct intense heat to the melting plate, the
plate melts to a liquid form approximately 3/8'' of the top surface
of the candle wax, wherein the plate slowly sinks approximately
1/4'' into the wax trapping air in the aperture portion 17 between
the underside of the aperture portion 17 and the liquid wax. When
the candle flame is extinguished the candle cools and hardens
wherein the air trapped in the aperture portion 17 remains
trapped.
(b) The plate is marketed to the candle maker or manufacturer of
candles, wherein the following steps for a candle following solid
wax melting plate method for attaching said plate to confined and
unconfined conventional candles are: [0059] (a) providing a candle
making mold for unconfined candles or a container for confined
candles in which a wick is centrally inserted and held vertical by
a temporary means, and [0060] (b) filling the container to the
point at which it is desired to install the melting plate with a
solid wax fuel such as paraffin that has been heated to a liquid
form, and [0061] (c) allowing the wax to partially solidify, then
[0062] (d) placing the melting plate on the candle by placing the
wick receiving hole over the candles wick centering the wick in the
center of the wick receiving hole, and [0063] (e) allowing the wax
to harden, whereby the candle and the melting plate will be
attached.
[0064] The above described single heat conductive melting plate can
be constructed in a floating plate such as shown in FIG. 1 and in a
semi-floating or completely submergible floating plate all of which
are attachable to the in the candle making process or when melted
into the wax surface when used by the final consumer. The
construction of these plates made of a heat conductive material
range from being a flat heat conductive plate with a wick-receiving
hole centrally located therein, to a plate having the floating
means above described and a wick-receiving hole, to a disposable
plate having a floating means, wick-receiving hole, attaching means
portion and extension arms 12 extending into the wick receiving
hole and having a turned down edge for guiding or following the
candle downward as the wax is consumed by the candles flame.
[0065] A preferable disposable semi-floating candle following solid
wax melting plate is created by making the aperture portion 17
smaller thereby containing less air, extending the vertical outer
wall of the aperture portion 17 deeper into the wax surface and
widening the attaching means portion shown in FIG. 4.
[0066] In a preferable disposable melting plate it would be made of
a thin aluminum capable of holding the shape it is manufactured
in.
[0067] The extension arms portion 12 add an exceptional preferred
heat conductive means for heating of the plate in larger diameter
candles by making substantial contact with the candle flame,
wherein other prior art apparatus devices make very limited contact
with the flame of the candle. Extension arms are not necessary in
small diameter candles wherein conductive and radiant heat are
obtained from the candle flame for heating of the plate by the
conductor plate portion 19 in combination with the existing pool of
liquid wax surrounding and heated by the candle flame.
[0068] The creation of a completely enclosed float by trapping of
air between the underside of the aperture portion 17 and the wax 30
surface is a new novel and preferred structure and feature in
floating, semi floating and submergible floating flame heated
candle followers for use on and in confined and unconfined
conventional candles.
[0069] A process of using a submerged melting plate in the making
of both confined and unconfined candles is described and shown in
the drawing FIG. 7. The drawing shows a confined 26 candle in which
the wick 10 has been installed and liquid wax has been poured
around the wick to within approximately 1/2'' of the top finished
surface of the candle, the liquid wax cools to a slightly
solidified state at which point the plate is placed over the wick
10 and the wick is aligned with the center of the wick receiving
hole 15, the pouring of the wax is continued and poured over the
top of the aperture portion 17 to the finished top surface of the
candle. In use the extension arms are arranged by the user in close
proximity to the candle wick, the wick is ignited wherein the plate
extension arms 12 make direct contact with the candle flame
conducting intense heat to the plate which quickly melts to a
liquid form the top 3/8'' to 1/2'' of the wax surface, the plate is
stabilized by the partially solidified wax under it and partially
floats due to the air pocket 24 contained in the aperture portion
17, the liquid wax on top of the aperture portion 17 holding the
plate by its weight from surfacing, the plate extension arms 12
retaining the proper relationship between the wax surface and the
candle flame as the melting of the underlying wax and the
consumption of the wax by the candle flame continues
downwardly.
[0070] Since changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure
without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved,
it is intended that all matter contained in the above description
and depicted in the accompanying drawings be construed in an
illustrative and not a limiting sense.
* * * * *