U.S. patent application number 14/569992 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-26 for precision cutting tool for cutting or trimming pillar candles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brian L. Giles, Richard Wheeler Munson. Invention is credited to Brian L. Giles, Richard Wheeler Munson.
Application Number | 20150336284 14/569992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54555420 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150336284 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Munson; Richard Wheeler ; et
al. |
November 26, 2015 |
PRECISION CUTTING TOOL FOR CUTTING OR TRIMMING PILLAR CANDLES
Abstract
A precision cutting tool for removing the excess wax wall of a
pillar styled candle includes a ring configured to encircle the
candle and a handle extending from the ring. The handle includes an
extendible and retractable cutting element. The cutting element may
be extended into the circle defined by the interior circumference
of the ring in a gradual manner. The tool includes a recess for the
cutting element to be retained when the tool is not in use. The
interior of the handle includes a cutting element mover configured
to cause linear movement of the cutting element into and partially
out of the recess. When the mover is actuated in a direction that
results in movement of the cutting element out of the recess, the
cutting element extends partially into the candle located in the
interior circle established by the ring. The candle or the tool may
then be rotated to cause ending into the candle wall until the
excess wax wall can be removed.
Inventors: |
Munson; Richard Wheeler;
(South Bristol, ME) ; Giles; Brian L.; (Edgecomb,
ME) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Munson; Richard Wheeler
Giles; Brian L. |
South Bristol
Edgecomb |
ME
ME |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54555420 |
Appl. No.: |
14/569992 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61997074 |
May 21, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
30/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26D 3/169 20130101;
B23D 21/04 20130101; C11C 5/028 20130101; B23D 21/08 20130101; B26D
1/14 20130101; B26D 3/166 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B26D 3/16 20060101
B26D003/16 |
Claims
1. A precision cutting tool for cutting waste wax from a pillar
styled candle, the precision cutting tool comprising: a continuous
ring section; a handle section irremovably coupled to the ring
section; a knob coupled to the handle section; and a transition
section between the ring section and the handle section, wherein
the transition section includes a cutting element therein, wherein
the cutting element includes a substantially centered portal,
wherein the ring section is configured to be placed around a pillar
styled candle and the handle section includes an actuator, wherein
the actuator includes a blade holder connected to the cutting
element; wherein the blade holder includes: a blade holder head
with a portal for retaining a retaining pin; and a holder body with
an advancing cavity for retaining a drive shaft therein, wherein
the drive shaft includes a main body and is engaged with a thrust
spool that includes a blade holder flange coupled to the blade
holder and a knob flange coupled to the knob; wherein the cutting
element is coupled to the blade holder head when the retaining pin
is positioned through the portal of the blade holder and the portal
of the cutting element, wherein the main body of the drive shaft is
threaded, wherein a the drive shaft is connected to the knob
through the thrust spool such that linear movement of the blade
holder along the drive shaft is produced when the knob is
rotated.
2. The precision cutting tool of claim 1 wherein the drive shaft is
threaded for two-direction rotation.
3. The precision cutting tool of claim 2 wherein the drive shaft is
a 3/8-12 LH Acme screw.
4. (canceled)
5. The precision cutting tool of claim 1 wherein the thrust spool
is rotated by an advancing screw.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a nonprovisional and claims the
priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/997,074 filed May 21 2014, entitled "Precision Cutting Tool for
Cutting/Trimming Pillar Style Candles" of the same named inventors.
The entire content of that provisional application is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to cutting tools. More
specifically, the present invention relates to tools that can be
used to cut candle wax. Still more specifically, the present
invention relates to tools for cutting the excess waste of excess
walls of pillar styled candles that have been used.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] The present invention resolves a problem that has plagued
man for thousands of years. What to do with candles that have been
used and for which perimeter walls remain while the candle wick is
recessed within those walls, thereby diminishing effectiveness? The
invented product is a precision cutting tool for use in safely
trimming/cutting away the excess waste paraffin wax walls that
surround the burned down core of pillar styled candles.
[0006] Pillar styled candles (primarily 2 7/16.sup.th in to
27/8.sup.th-in diameter at the base) differ from dinner styled
candles (primarily 1-in in diameter and 12-18-in in height) in that
their larger diameter provides stability and therefore lessens the
fire hazard characteristic of the less stable 1-in dinner styled
candle. They are more conveniently able to stand alone without a
broader supporting base. In addition to greater stability, the
larger-diameter pillar styled candles have more wax material
between their perimeters and their essentially centered wick(s).
That extra wax material that is a characteristic of pillar styled
candles provides more fuel to enable longer duration of burning
time for the generating of ambient light, heat, and aroma (when
fragrance is added).
[0007] The thick paraffin walls of the pillar styled candles are
the source of the historic problem associated with their use. While
the thicker walls (relative to the walls of the dinner styled
candles) provide additional fuel to produce a candle that lasts
longer than the dinner styled candles, there is a point of
diminishing return when the added thickness becomes a liability
rather than an advantage. Specifically, unlike the dinner styled
candles, the pillar styled candle has, however, a historical
problem that has frustrated candle enthusiasts ever since the
pillar style was originated. The problem develops when the as the
wick is burning and is consuming the fuel embodied in the
paraffin/wax. As the wick (which may be one or more wicks in these
types of candles, burns, the wax underneath it melts and the wick
retreats deeper and deeper down into the burned out "core" or
"crater" candle, resulting in a 360-degree perimeter "wall of
paraffin/wax waste" around the burning wick. That perimeter wall of
waste does ant contribute to the fuel burned. Instead, it does
block or otherwise shark the light of the burning wick, more so as
the wick retreats deeper into the center of the candle.
[0008] A personal safety problem is also created when a person
attempts to relight the wick when it is deep in the crater of the
burned down candle. When extending a match down into the center of
the annulus formed by the used candle with its perimeter wall of
waste, the heat and flame from the match rapidly travels an the
match and may burn the user's finger tips.
[0009] These two primary limitations associated with the use of
pillar styled candles limit their value. First, a candle lighted at
an important point in time, such as during a power outage, may not
be as effective at lighting a darkened area as desired. Second, a
person may be reluctant to use such an candle to avoid being burned
by a match extending into the candle center. Therefore, a person
may purchase a pillar styled candle having a certain amount of fuel
in the form of wax but can only recover a portion of the investment
in that candle when the wick extends far enough into the candle
center to render it useless to that user. In other words, the
return on investment in the candle is not as good as it could be
due to the formation of the wall of waste.
[0010] What is needed is a device to improve the return on
investment in a pillar styled candle. Further, what is needed is
such a device that is convenient to use and effective for its
intended purpose. It is desirable to have a device that extends the
effective life of a pillar styled candle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device
to improve the return on investment in a pillar styled candle. It
is also an object of the present invention to provide such a device
that is convenient to use and effective for its intended purpose.
The present invention is configured as a device that can be used to
extend the effective life of a pillar styled candle.
[0012] These and other objects are achieved with the present
invention, which is a precision cutting tool for pillar styled
candles. The precision cutting tool extends the life of a pillar
styled candle, which has uses including, but not limited to,
aesthetic, ceremonial, economic and ecological purposes, by
enabling the removal of the waste wall of such candles. It is
recognized that people in many households reach for pillar styled
candles when their electricity supply fails. The invention assists
these people by enabling them to cut away the wall of wax waste,
thereby ensuring a brighter light when the candle is in use. In
addition, the life of that brighter light is extended while at the
same time the concern of finger burn when lighting occurs is
eliminated.
[0013] Prior attempts to solve the wall waste problem appear to be
unsuited for commercialization. That is, they are either too costly
or too complex for consumers to use on such a relatively simple
household item such as a candle. As a result, people widely
continue to suffer through the limits of pillar styled candles
previously described. To reach the enormous worldwide market and
solve the problems noted, it was necessary to develop the precision
cutting tool of the present invention. The venerable cooper pipe
cutter was the source of inspiration.
[0014] To reach the price point needed for mass production
potential, it was necessary to keep the present invention simple.
It also had to be as uncomplicated to operate as possible for a
wide range of users. Durability and safety were paramount while
staying focused on a consumer price range needed to attract the
average home owner, candle enthusiast and commercial end user via
traditional distributor and consumer retailer consumer outlets
ranging from gift shops to maintenance wholesalers and mass
merchandiser entities.
[0015] Pillar candles that can stand upright without the need of a
supporting base/stand receptacle must be trimmed to cut away and
remove the excess paraffin/wax walls in order to maintain the
intended usefulness and maximize the owner's investment. The tool,
which may also be referred to herein from time to time as the
device, comprises a ring configured to encircle a pillar styled
candle, and a handle extending from the ring. The handle includes
an extendible and retractable cutting element. The cutting element
may be extended into the circle defined by the interior
circumference of the ring in a gradual manner. The area of the tool
where the handle and the ring interface includes a recess for the
cutting element to be retained when the tool is not in use. The
interior of the handle includes a cutting element mover configured
to cause linear movement of the cutting element into and partially
out of the recess. When the mover is actuated in a direction that
results in movement of the cutting element out of the recess, the
cutting element extends partially into the interior circle
established by the ring.
[0016] When the precision cutting tool of the present invention is
positioned so that a pillar styled candle is located within the
interior of the ring, it can be used to cut away excess waste wall
of the candle. Specifically the ring of the tool is sized so that
its inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the
candle. The user may select where along the height of the candle
the tool is aligned. In use, it may be positioned at or slightly
above the height of the candle's wick. When the cutting element
mover is actuated to extend the cutting element out of the tool
recess, it engages the outer diameter of the candle. The mover may
be further actuated so that the cutting element thus into the
candle wall a selectable distance. The tool handle is then moved
while the candle is maintained in position. During the course of
that movement, the cutting element cuts into the candle wall around
the entire perimeter of the candle, thereby cutting into the candle
for the selectable distance. The mover may be further actuated to
extend the cutting element further into the candle wall and the
tool rotated again. This action cuts further into the candle wall.
These steps of mover actuation for the purpose of cutting element
extension and rotation of the wall may be repeated as often as is
necessary until such time as the cutting element extends completely
through the waste wall of the candle and cut completely through the
wall around the entire candle perimeter. The excess wall of wax may
then be removed, resulting in a candle of shorter height and with a
readily accessible wick. The cutting element mover may be actuated
in the reverse direction to cause linear retraction of the cutting
element into the recess.
[0017] The precision cutting tool used in the manner described
provides an effective means for removing excess wax wall of pillar
styled candles. The location of the cutting element with respect to
the handle employed to cause rotational movement of the tool
maximizes safe usage. The cutting element may be a disk with
cutting teeth or a sharp razor edge but is not limited to being
round. If the disk includes cutting teeth, they may be fine or
course dependent on the desired quality of the candle wall cut.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become
more readily apparent upon review of the following detailed
description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the precision cutting tool of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view of the precision cutting tool of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional plan view of the precision
cutting tool showing the cutting element and actuation system.
[0021] FIG. 4 is at cross sectional side view of the precision
cutting tool showing the cutting element and actuation system.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the precision cutting tool showing
the cutting element extended into the interior space of the
ring.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional side view of the cutting
element holder of the precision cutting tool.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional side view of the two-way
nut of the precision cutting tool.
[0025] FIG. 8A is a side view of the thrust spool of the precision
cutting tool and FIG. 8B is a cross sectional side view of the
thrust spool.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of the knob of the
handle of the precision cutting tool.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a side view of the drive shaft of the precision
cutting tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] A precision cutting tool 10 of the present invention is
shown in FIGS. 1-5. The tool 10 includes an upper housing 12 and a
lower housing 14 removably connected together with one or more
attachment components such as screws 13 that may be recessed into
the respective housings 12 and 14. The tool 10 includes a ring
section 16 and a handle section 18. The tool may be fabricated as
two pieces, as shown, or it may be fabricated as a unitary
structure. The upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 may be
fabricated of a material such as a nonmetallic material. It may
also be fabricated of a metallic material although it is desirable
to its weight, reduce corrosion possibilities and minimize cost.
The upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 may be fabricated of
Delrin.TM., for example. The upper housing 12 and the lower housing
14 when combined together establish the ring section 16 that
transitions through transition section 20 to the handle section
18.
[0029] Each of the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14
includes a cavity 22A and 22B, respectively, in the handle section
18 and the transition section 20. The cavities 22A and 22B are
arranged to form a cutting element recess 24 and an actuator recess
26 when the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 are joined
together. The cutting element recess 24 is configured to retain a
cutting element 28 therein and the actuator recess 26 is configured
to retain an actuator 30 therein. The cutting element 28 and the
actuator 30 may be fabricated separately from the fabrication of
the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14.
[0030] The tool 10 further includes a knob 32 that is coupled to
the actuator 30 and is thereby connected to the upper housing 12
and the lower housing 14 of the tool 10. The knob may be fabricated
of a metallic material or a nonmetallic material. It may be
knurled, as shown, to provide added gripping surface when used to
extend or retract the cutting element 28 from and into the cutting
element recess 24.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6-10, the cutting element
28 and the actuator 30 provide the mechanism for cutting the waste
wall of a candle when the candle is positioned in interior space 33
of the ring section 16. Specifically, the cutting element 28 is a
disk having a sharpened edge 34 and a portal 36 fur retaining a
retaining pin 38 therein. The cutting element 28 may also have a
serrated edge. The actuator 30 includes a blade holder 40 that
includes portal 42 of blade holder head 44, which is also arranged
for retaining the retaining pin 38 therein. When the retaining pin
38 is positioned through the portal 36 of the cutting element 28
and through the portal 42 of the blade bolder 40, the cutting
element 28 is removably connected 10 the actuator 30. The retaining
pin 38 may be removed from the portals 36 and 42 when the cutting
element 28 is to be removed and sharpened or replaced.
[0032] The blade holder 40 of the actuator 30 further includes a
holder body 46 with an advancing cavity 48 for retaining therein a
drive shaft 50. The drive shaft 50 includes a threaded main body 52
and a retaining stud 54 extending from the main body 52. The
advancing cavity 48 of the holder body 46 further includes a
threaded portal 56 for retaining thereto a nut 58 that is engaged
with the drive shaft 50 so that when the drive shaft 50 is rotated
clockwise or counter clockwise, the holder body 46 also moves
forward or backward at the same time. That action cause the cutting
element 28 to move into and out of the cutting element recess 24.
FIG. 5 shows the cutting element 28 extended from the cutting
element recess 24.
[0033] The retaining stud 54 of the drive shaft 50 includes portal
60 for removably placing therein pin 62 used to join the drive
shaft 50 to a thrust spool 64 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The thrust
spool 64 includes a drive shaft portal 66 for passing the pin 62
through the thrust spool 64 and the stud 54 of the drive shaft 50
to on those two components together. The thrust spool 64 also
includes a blade holder flange 68, a recessed body 70 and a knob
flange 72. The blade holder flange 68 includes the drive shaft
portal 66. The recessed body 70 of the thrust spool 64 is arranged
to be held in position between the upper member 12 and the lower
member 14 of the tool 10 at retaining shoulders 74 and 76 when the
upper member 12 and the lower member 14 are joined together.
[0034] The knob flange 72 includes shoulder 78 and head 80. The
shoulder 78 and the head 80 of the thrust spool 64 are arranged to
fit in first cavity 82 and second cavity 84, respectively, of knob
32 as shown in FIG. 9. The first cavity 82 and the second cavity 84
are sized so that the knob 32 may be rotated without engaging and
causing movement of the thrust spool 64. That is, the first cavity
82 and the second cavity 84 establish spaces for the knob flange 72
to be recessed. The knob 32 further includes advancing screw shaft
86 for retaining therein advancing screw 88. The advancing screw 88
is coupled to the thrust spool 64 so that clockwise or
counterclockwise rotation of the knob 32 causes corresponding
rotation of the thrust spool 64 either clockwise or
counterclockwise. Since the stud 54 of the drive shaft 50 is
engaged with the thrust spool 64, it too rotates either clockwise
or counterclockwise. That rotation of the drive shaft 50 causes
linear movement of the blade holder 40 and, thereby, linear
movement of the cutting element 28 into and out of the cutting
element recess 24, dependent upon the rotation. The drive shaft 50
is fabricated with as two-way screw mechanism, as is the nut 58. A
suitable component for the threaded drive shaft 50 is a 3/8-12 LH.
2-start Acme screw threading. A suitable component for the nut 58
is as 3/8-12 LH 2-start Acme nut.
[0035] The ring section 16 is sized to be large enough to pass over
and retain in the interior space 33 as pillar styled candle. When
at user wishes to use the tool 10 on a pillar styled candle having
a waste wall, the user places the candle within the interior space
33 and adjusts the cutting element 28 by turning the knob 32
thereby actuating the drive shaft 50, nut 58 in its assembly with
the holder body 46 and riding on the drive shaft 50, drives the
cutting element 28 forward so that the cutting element 28 makes the
needed contact with the waste paraffin wall of the partially used
candle. Once the cutting element 28 has made contact with the
exterior surface of the candle, the knob is rotated in the same
direction as previously so as to force the cutting element 28 into
the waste paraffin wall. The depth of that initial insertion may be
about 1/4-inch but is not limited thereto. The user then firmly
takes hold of the handle section 18 while simultaneously gripping
the pillar candle that is being trimmed/cut. The user then rotates
the candle completely within the tool 10 so that the candle wall
has as cut through its entire outer perimeter. Once having gone one
full turn around with the candle, the user again turns the knob 32
to drive the cutting element 28 another approximately 1/4-inch
further into the waste wall of the candle. The rotation of the
candle fully within the tool 10 may than be repeated. The process
may be repeated with further extension of the cutting element 28 by
rotation of the knob 32 in the event the waste wall is not fully
removed from the base of the candle. It is to be noted that the
tool 10 instead could be rotated and the candle maintained in a
stationary position.
[0036] Caution should always be used when using the tool 10 to make
certain that any flame of the candle is completely extinguished and
no hot wax remains before the cutting process is initiated. Caution
with the tool 10 should also be kept in mind by fully recessing the
cutting element 28 within the cutting element recess 24 by rotating
the knob 32 in the opposite direction of the direction used to
extend the cutting element 28 into the interior space 33 whenever
the tool 10 is not in use. That reversal of movement of the cutting
element 28 may aid in cleaning any wax from the cutting element 28
as it recedes into the recess 24.
[0037] While this invention has been described with respect to
particular examples of certain components, it will be apparent to
those of skill in the art that alternatives, modifications and
variations may be created without deviating from the invention as
expressly described and claimed by the following claims.
Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set
forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various
changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
* * * * *