Candle

Abstract

A candle having a wick embedded therein or attached thereto wherein the wick has a memory or self-movement characteristic during burning of the candle enabling disposition of the wick within the candle in many different arrangements.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Candles, as first known to man, were made from crude cylinders of wax or solid fatty matter rolled around a vegetable fiber or twisted cloth which formed the wick. While the origin of the first candle, as distinct from early torches or lamps which have Old Testament origin, is not specifically known, early writings indicate that the Romans knew of and used the candle. It was not until the Middle Ages; however, that the candle was used to any great degree. The candle was used as one primary source of light from the Middle Ages until the development of the oil lamp which occurred in the 18th century, the oil lamp itself being replaced by the modern electric light in the late 19th century. During the periods of the candles' great use, the making of candles was an important duty of most housekeepers. Today, modern candle making facilities produce candles of various shapes, sizes and colors as compared with the limited designs that could be produced by manual processes.

From the first use of candles up to the present time, candles have always been burned vertically. If, for some reason, a standard candle is placed on its side or the wick, when the candle is erect, falls over, the candle's flame may be extinguished. This is due to the wick falling in or being covered by the liquid wax which causes the flame to be "drowned." While a standard candle will burn if held or supported at an angle from the vertical as is known, the liquid wax from the burning candle uncontrollably pours therefrom causing an unwanted mess. Standard candles have, by necessity, burned vertically, that is, from the top to the bottom.

It is an object of the invention to provide a candle which burns in a manner not heretofore possible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a candle which can burn in one or more various directions or paths which are arranged in a preselected pattern either during manufacture of the candle or thereafter by the ultimate user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a candle wherein the burning wick is constantly maintained in the desired predetermined attitude.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a candle which can be made in many new and unusual designs and forms in conjunction with complementarily shaped candle holders, if desired.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are attained by the provision of a candle which includes a wick which moves as the candle is burned. The candle may include one or more wicks which are arranged in predetermined directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a candle construed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the candle illustrated in FIG. 1 and depicting in phantom lines the manner in which the wick can move during buring of the candle;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a wick element in the shape of a spiral prior to being embedded in a candle;

FIGS. 4 - 6 are side elevational views, partly in section, showing burning of the candle at three separate stages of its burning cycle;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another form of candle which illustrates in dotted lines a plurality of wicks embedded in the candle;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 -- 8 of FIG. 7 and illustrating one manner of holding the wicks relative to the candle;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of yet another form of candle which includes a pair of wicks, shown in dotted lines, which are arranged to burn in opposite directions as well as cross each other's path during burning;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of candle illustrated in FIG. 9 and showing a manner in which the wicks can be designed to cross each other's path as the candle is burned;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of yet another form of candle which is configured in a spiral form;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the spirally formed candle shown in FIG. 11 and also showing the possibility of embedding the spirally formed wick in an inverted frusto-conically shaped candle;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a circular form of candle depicting the use of a plurality of circularly arranged wicks embedded therein;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the circular candle form depicted in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a cross-shaped candle having a plurality of wicks embedded therein which represents yet another form of candle coming within the purview of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a diamond shaped candle having a plurality of wicks embedded therein representing still yet another form of candle design;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an interfitting spirally shaped candle which is mounted in a candle holder;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of still another candle design wherein a plurality of wicks are arranged in step-like fashion illustrated in dotted lines;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a Christmas tree shaped candle holder having a plurality of channel shaped sections at various levels each containing circular candles constructed on the lines of FIGS. 13 - 14;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view depicting a cake-shaped candle having a plurality of wicks in dotted lines which are arranged to burn at different levels and in both horizontal and vertical paths, and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a crescent-shaped candle design within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is characterized by a new and different form of candle which permits movement of the wick as the candle is burned. It thus distinguishes from standard candles which permit burning of the wick only after wax has been consumed to expose subsequent sections of the wick for further burning. As is known, standard candles burn only in a vertical or slightly off vertical direction from top to bottom. The candle of the present invention; however, can burn in one or more different directions as arranged in a preselected pattern either during manufacture or thereafter by the ultimate user. In the discussion that is to follow, it will be understood that the unique candle of the present invention thus generally distinguishes from standard candle designs developed many centuries ago and still in common use today.

The rate of burning of standard candles has been controlled by the size of the candle and wick, its shape, and the type of wax including added hardening agents. As is known, a candle of a small cylindrical shape, such as a cake candle, will burn quite fast since the wax from the liquid pool readily flows over the side of the candle permitting exposure of the wick for subsequent burning of the candle. It will also be apparent that the type of wax including hardening and smell inhibiting agents can affect the rate at which a candle burns. The impreciseness of the above factors has made it difficult to regulate the time in which it takes to burn a candle. Also, the inherent limitations in the top to bottom burning of standard candles has limited the form of candle design.

In order to understand the structural and functional differences of the candle of the present invention from standard candle designs, a specific description of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 21 of the drawings will now be given.

According to the present invention, there is provided in the first illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 - 6, a candle 10 which is generally horizontally arranged and has a rectangular shape. The specific composition of the candle wax is not important insofar as the present invention is concerned, it being understood that any of the wax compositions presently used for standard candles may also be used with the candle of the present invention. The candle 10 also includes a wick 12 which is embedded in the candle and has one end 14 which may project through the top surface 16 of the rectangularly shaped candle 10 to permit exposure of the end 14 for lighting purposes. A well or depression 18 extends down from the top surface 16 of the candle in the immediate vicinity of the end 14 of the wick 12 to facilitate the collection of candle wax during burning. The well is not essential, however, since the candle will form its own well when lit as will become apparent. It will be further understood that the size and shape of the candle 10 and the surface through which the end 14 of the wick 12 projects may be varied to suit the particulars desired.

The wick 12 comprises a memory or self-movement wick which moves as the candle is burned. The wick 12 must therefore be constructed in a manner which will permit it to return to its initial state as the candle is burned.

In the prior art standard form of candle, two main types of wicks are utilized. One, of course, is the regular cotton or string wick. The other wick, to overcome limpness and possible incorrect straightness in casting the candle, has a low temperature wire in the center of the cotton or string wick portion. This type of wick is commonly known as a wire wick. Either type of wick can be used in constructing the memory or self-movement wick 12. The memory or self-movement wick 12 can be produced by making the wire from the wire wick type of wick with spring wire characteristics enabling the wick to develop an initial coil condition as is represented by FIG. 3 of the drawings. The memory or self-movement wick 12 can also be produced by telescoping or associating either the string or wire wick within a hollow plastic tube or U-shaped configuration which is preformed with memory characteristics. One preferred example of a plastic material which provides the desired memory characteristic is polyethylene. In addition to its memory capability, this plastic material is capable of being consumed in the flame of the candle along with the string or wire wick. Other types of memory or self-movement wicks can be utilized with the candle of the present invention.

In order to understand how the memory or self-movement wick 12 moves in a predetermined path during burning of the candle 10, reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 4-6 of the drawings. FIG. 2 of the drawings represents burning of the candle at various stages which are individually shown in FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings.

After the candle 10 is lit by applying a match or lighter to the exposed end 14 of the wick 12, the candle is ignited and starts to burn as is illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. As the burning wick 12 wants to coil, it will burn an oval pool of wax as the heat from the flame melts more wax in the direction of the wick. The coiling wick 12 is released by the liquid pool of wax that is formed by the heat of the flame thereby exposing more wick for burning of the candle. The burning of the candle from the initially lighted state is represented by the phantom illustrations in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 5-6 of the drawings. In these figures, a cross sectional representation of a generally elliptically shaped depression in the candle 10 is depicted. This depression is formed by the burning memory wick 12 as it moves in its predetermined path during burning of the candle. The liquid wax that remains behind the moving wick will solidify as at 21 as best seen in FIGS. 5-6, for the purpose of leaving covered any other wicks that may still be in position below the burning wick.

It will be noted in comparing FIGS. 4-6, for example, that as the burning wick 12 moves through various stages, the end 14 of the wick is maintained in a predetermined attitude. This is due to the combination of a tendency of the wick 12 wanting to coil and the wick being restrained in that coiling movement until the solid wax immediately ahead of the wick 12 is melted. As movement of the wick occurs, the wick itself is consumed by the flame thus causing a disposition of the remaining end 14 of the wick 12 in the desired predetermined attitude for burning.

The rate of burning of candle 10, as compared with the standard form, can be controlled with a greater degree of accuracy. This results, in part, from the ability to determine the rate of burning from the tightness of the coil or memory imparted to the wick 12. Through suitable empirical tests, the actual rate of burning of candles can be determined and used in candle design such as where it may be desired to burn different wicks at different rates. This will also become better understood in the embodiments to be described below. In the burning of the candle 10, it is to be noted that the elliptical pocket or depression 20 which is formed as the candle is burned also serves to collect or catch the molten wax which is not consumed during burning. As a result, a candle which is cast in a sufficient width to allow pooling of the wax within the confines thereof during burning, acts as its own holder. This permits the outer surfaces of the candle to be decorated, thus obviating the need for a candle holder. This is yet another advantage that is not achieved by standard candles.

The wick 12 can be embedded or attached to the candle 10 during manufacture or alternatively, the candle 10 and wick 12 can be associated in a preselected pattern by the ultimate user who may desire burning of the candle in a particular design for special occasions, e.g., a numerical pattern to represent a person's age.

In the description of the embodiments that is to follow similar numerals with alphabetical suffixes used in sequence will be applied to parts similar to the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment.

In FIGS. 7-8 of the drawings, there is shown a similarly shaped rectangular candle 10a having two memory wicks 12a embedded therein. The pair of wicks 12a are arranged in parallel relationship with opposite ends 14a exposed for lighting. In this embodiment, the parallel portions of the wicks 12a are secured to the candle 10a by a staple-like fastener 22 which traps the wicks 12a in a depression 24 formed in the bottom or lower surface 26 of the candle 10a. It will be apparent that other types of methods may be employed for securing or otherwise embedding the wicks 12a relative to the candle 10a. When each of the ends 14a are lit, the flames from the burning and moving wicks 12a will pass each other as they burn from one end of the candle to the other.

In addition to burning in opposite directions and passing each other, the wicks 12b of the candle 10b in the FIGS. 9-10 embodiment are also designed to cross over and move from the front or rear and the top or bottom, as the case may be. This may be achieved by the use of a through passageway 28 formed in the candle 10b as best illustrated in FIG. 10 which will permit the wicks 12b to change positions after the cross over and move from either the front or rear and the upper or lower level or path of the candle 10b, as the case may be. It is to be understood that the passageway 28, while useful, is not necessarily required in cross over wick configurations since the wicks will cross each other's paths in any case.

The FIGS. 11-12 embodiment illustrate a candle 10c can be designed to burn in a spiral path. Specifically, the candle 10c is formed in a spiral arrangement, such that the candle 10c will burn from top to bottom in a spiral path.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 13-14, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the candles are generally the same with the exception that the wicks follow paths which are determined by the geometrical design of the candles. Specifically, the circular candle of FIGS. 13-14 has a plurality of arcuate wicks 12d embedded in the candle 10d. In the illustrated design, each of the arcuate wicks 12d will burn approximately one quadrant of the circle. Four arcuate wicks 12d are provided in the illustrated embodiment and are arranged to burn in the same direction. It will be apparent that different directions may be desired for an adjacent or opposite wick 12d. Further, it will be apparent that a circular candle 10d can be designed with a plurality of concentric arcuately shaped wicks 12d which could be arranged to burn in any preselected pattern that is desired.

In the FIG. 15 embodiment, the candle 10e is in the shape of a cross suggesting the possibility of utilizing the candle for religious occasions. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two wicks 12e which have a right-angle shape. Each of the wicks 12e are provided at opposite ends with exposed end portions 14e to enable all four legs of the cross to be lit at one time. The two flames from each right-angularly shaped wick 12e will meet above and below the central portion of the cross-shaped candle 10e when the candle has been completely burned. It will, of course, be apparent that the wicks 12e can be designed in a cross-shaped candle so that the wicks burn from the center of the cross outward to each of the legs. It will be further apparent that the cross is symbolic of only one religious denomination; other religious symbols such as the Star of David may be designed and utilized with equal facility.

The FIG. 16 embodiment shows a diamond shaped candle 10f with four memory wicks 12f arranged as illustrated.

An entirely different form of candle is illustrated in the FIG. 17 embodiment. The candle 10g in this embodiment includes a spirally arranged wick 12g which is supported within a bowl or holder. As the wick 12g burns in its spiral path, it will provide a three dimensional setting during burning. The holder or bowl 29 may collect any liquid wax which subsequently solidifies at the bottom of the holder or bowl.

Another type of candle holder design is illustrated in FIG. 19 of the drawing. The holder 30 in this embodiment is in the the shape of a Christmas tree and is provided with a plurality of channel-shaped rings which are arranged at different levels. Each of the channel-shaped rings 32 are complimentarily configured to receive a circular candle 10i generally of the type depicted in FIGS. 13-14 of the drawings. Since each of the circular candles 10i are at different levels, the candles 10i are of different sizes to permit reception within the complementary shaped channel 32 of the Christmas tree shaped holder 30. The wicks 12i will move in an arcuate path much in the same way that the wicks travel in the FIGS. 13-14 embodiment. It will be apparent that other geometrical designs are possible such as a spirally shaped candle mounted on a Christmas tree holder or other designs which may be appropriate for holidays and special occasions.

A further illustrated embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 20 of the drawing. The candle 10k is in the shape of a layer or tiered cake design with each of the wicks 12k, below the top layer or tier, arranged to move both in a vertical and then in a horizontal path during burning.

The last illustrated embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 21 of the drawings. In that figure, a crescent-shaped columnar candle 10l is illustrated with the wick 12l extending transversely relative thereto in the vicinity of the bottom of the candle. During burning of the candle, the lit wick causes melting of the wax in an arcuate path above the wick to produce the crescent shaped design that is illustrated. The wax that is melted produces a weeping or falling effect which can produce an unusual aesthetic effect, particularly when viewed from the non-melted or rounded side of the candle, since it will provide a glowing or illuminated appearance together with weeping or falling effect resulting from the melted wax that falls along the crescent-shaped interior of the candle. The candle 10l may be produced with a preformed crescent-shaped interior or may be formed in an initial columnar shape, as shown in the dotted lines in FIG. 21, which develops the crescent-shaped interior as the candle is burned. The base 34 of the candle 10l is preferably designed to collect flowing melted wax within the confines thereof.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the design possibilities for various shapes of candles is virtually limitless due to the capability of burning candles in one or more paths or directions at the same or different levels. Further, the rate of burning candles can be much more accurately controlled than was heretofore obtainable. As a result, the candle of the present invention opens up new horizons in the field of candle illumination.

Claims

I claim:

1. A candle having a memory wick which moves along a predetermined horizontal path as the candle is burned.

2. A candle having at least one wick associated therewith which is capable of self-movement in a predetermined path at least part of which is horizontal as the candle is burned.

3. The candle as defined in claim 2 wherein said predetermined path is spirally arranged.

4. The candle as defined in claim 2 wherein said wick comprises a memory wick which tends to coil when released by the burning candle.

5. The candle as defined in claim 4 wherein the wick is formed at least partially from a plastic material.

6. The candle as defined in claim 4 wherein the wick comprises a burnable wick member associated with a plastic element.

7. The candle as defined in claim 4 wherein the wick comprises a spring wire telescoped within an elongated tubular cotton element.

8. The candle as defined in claim 2 wherein said wick is configured, arranged and dimensioned relative to said candle in order to maintain the end of said wick to be burned in an upright position as the candle is burned and said wick moves along its predetermined path.

9. The candle as defined in claim 2 including a plurality of wicks which burn in various directions.

10. The candle as defined in claim 9 wherein at least one pair of wicks also crosses each other's path during burning.

11. The candle as defined in claim 2 including a plurality of wicks at least one of which burns toward at least one other wick.

12. The candle as defined in claim 2 including a plurality of wicks which burn at different levels.

13. The candle as defined in claim 2 including at least one wick which burns in a spiral direction.

14. A plurality of candles as defined in claim 2 each being separately mounted in a candle holder at different levels.

15. The candle as defined in claim 2 wherein the candle has a predetermined height sufficient to enable a wick extending transverse to the height of the candle to burn the wax of the candle in the vicinity of and above the wick.

16. A candle having a memory wick which is arranged to move along a predetermined horizontal path, the end of said wick being maintained in an upright position as the candle is burned.

17. A candle as set forth in claim 16 in combination with a complementarily shaped holder.

18. The combination as defined in claim 17 including a holder having a plurality of channel-shaped sections each containing a complementarily shaped candle therein.