EP0354249A1

EP0354249A1 - Containment structure for candles, night-lights and the like

Info

Publication number: EP0354249A1
Application number: EP88112372A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo Favaro
Original assignee: CERERIA ERMINI SpA
Current assignee: CERERIA ERMINI SpA
Priority date: 1988-07-29
Filing date: 1988-07-29
Publication date: 1990-02-14

Abstract

The containment structure (1) comprises a cylindrical body (3) having a plurality of slots (5) formed in a lateral surface (4) thereof. An annular ridge (6), adapted for supporting the perimetral edge (7) of a bottom (8), is formed internally proximate to one end (13) of the body (3). The lateral surface (4) of the body (3) is covered by a coloured semi-transparent film (10) and a removable cover (11), having a hole (12) formed therein, is associable with the end of the body (3) opposite the annular ridge (6). A seat (9) for supporting an incandescent member such as a candle (2) is defined on the bottom (8).

Description

The present invention relates to a containment structure for candles, night-lights and the like.
Currently, products such as candles, night-lights and similar incandescent members are arranged in containers, which are usually of cylindrical shape and made of coloured semi-transparent plastic material.
The disadvantage observable in such known types of containers resides in the fact that, due to the particular materials employed, the containers may ignite, thereby developing toxic gases, constituting a danger as well as a source of environment pollution.
Another disadvantage observable in such known types of containers resides in the fact that they are not ecologically valid, since the plastic material of which they are manufactured, usually polythene or polyvinylchloride, does not degrade in the course of time.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a containment structure for candles, night-lights, and the like which, besides allowing the candle and/or the night-light to burn in optimum conditions, diffusing a soft light, is non-polluting for the environment and therefore ecologically acceptable.
Within the scope of the above described aim, another object is to provide an invention which is structurally simple, has modest costs and which can be carried out with known plant and machines.
This aim and this object, as well as others which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a containment structure for candles, night-lights and the like, characterized in that it comprises at least one cover, at least one bottom, and at least one central body defining at least one seat, said seat being adapted for accommodating at least one incandescent member, said central body having formed therein at least one lateral slot, said bottom and said cover being associated with said body, said seat being partially closeable, a semitransparent film being externally associated with said central body, said central body, said bottom, said cover and said film being manufactured in biodegradable and/or recyclable material.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of the containment structure;
figure 2 is a view taken along a middle sectional plane longitudinal to said structure;
figure 3 is a view taken along the sectional plane III-III of figure 2;
figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the central body and the film associable therewith;
figure 5 is a view, similar to figure 2, of a different embodiment;
figure 6 is a perspective view of a containment structure according to another aspect of the invention.

With reference to the above described figures, the containment structure for candles and/or night-lights 2, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a preferably but not necessarily cylindrical central body 3.
Said central body 3 is advantageously manufactured in cardboard or more generally in biodegradable and/or recyclable material such as, e.g. aluminum.
At the lateral surface 4 of said central body 3, a slot or a plurality of slots 5, shorter in length than the longitudinal extension of said central body 3, is formed parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof.
In the particular illustrated embodiment, an annular ridge 6 for supporting the perimetral edge 7 of a circular bottom 8 is arranged internally at one end of the central body 3. Alternatively, the bottom 8 may be attached by gluing or stapled to the lower end of the body 3.
Said bottom, which defines a seat 9 for the light or incandescent member 2, is also preferably manufactured in biodegradable and/or recoverable material.
A semitransparent film 10, preferably chromatically red, is associated with the lateral surface 4, externally to the central body 3, and covers said body entirely. The film 10 is advantageously constituted by cellophane and rigidly associated with the body by means of an adhesive, such as a vinyl - based adhesive, or animal glue applied hot.
The body 3 furthermore has, on the end opposite to the annular ridge 6, a removable cover 11 having an axial hole 12.
Said film and said cover are also manufactured in biodegradable and/or recyclable material.
The bottom 8, for example, may be manufactured in aluminum and rigidly associated with the lower end 13 of the central body 3 as illustrated in figure 5.
According to another aspect of the invention illustrated in figure 6, a containment structure is provided which comprises means for protecting said film 10. As known, a candle burning in a containment structure produces paraffin oil, or the like melted waste product, which, in its liquid state, rises between the candle and the inner body 3, e.g. by capillary action, thus impregnating the body 3 and causing discoloration of the film 10.
Expediently, the means for protecting the film 10 comprise at least one protective film 15, attached, for instance by means of a suitable adhesive, to the body 3. The protective film 15 is advantageously constituted by an aluminum foil 15 interposed between the outer surface of the inner body 3 and the inner surface of the film 10. Thus, the coloured film 10 may be attached to the protective film 15 by means of adhesive. The film 15 advantageously has formed therein a plurality of slots 16 corresponding to the slots 5 formed in the body 3.
This structural arrangement has the advantage that, even though paraffin oil may become impregnated into the central body 3, such oil does not come into contact with the film 10 since it remains blocked by the protective film 15 of aluminum foil 15, which may have a thickness dimension of just a few microns.
Consequently, the film 10 may be made of transparent material while the interposed protective aluminum foil 15 may be coloured, e.g. by painting.
The use of a protective foil 15 also permits the containment structure to be reused.
The use of the containment structure therefore allows to burn the incandescent member contained therein in safe conditions, i.e. without said candle and/or night-light producing noxious gases, since, if they become ignited, they do not disperse toxic gases into the environment, and once the night-light is exhausted they do not increase the degradation of the environment, since they are biodegradable or in any case recyclable with economically acceptable costs.
It has this been observed that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, as a containment structure for candles and/or night-lights, which is non-polluting for the environment and therefore ecologically acceptable, has been provided.
Furthermore, the presence of the film 9 and the slots 5 allows the diffusion of a soft light, as in known containers, without the previously mentioned disadvantages.
Naturally the dimensions of the components of the containment structure may be the most pertinent according to the specific requirements; thus the slots may have any shape and be in any number.
Thus, for example, the central body 3 may have a polygonal-plan shape.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. Containment structure for candles, night-lights and the like, characterized in that it comprises at least one cover, at least one bottom and at least one central body defining at least one seat, said seat being adapted for accommodating at least one incandescent member, said central body having formed therein at least one lateral slot, said bottom and said cover being associated with said body, said seat being partially closeable, a semitransparent film being externally associated with said central body, said central body, said bottom, said cover and said film being manufactured in biodegradable and/or recyclable material.

2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said central body, provided in biodegradable and/or recoverable material, has, at its lateral surface, a plurality of slots.

3. Structure according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said slots are provided longitudinally to said central body, are equally spaced from one another and have a shorter length than the longitudinal extension of said central body.

4. Structure according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that an annular ridge for supporting the perimetral edge of a circular-plan bottom which defines a seat for said candles and/or night-lights inside said central body is internally coupled to an end of said central body.

5. Structure according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that externally to said central body there is associated, at its lateral surface, a semitransparent film covering said central body.

6. Structure according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that said central body has, on the opposite side to said bottom, a removable cover having an axial hole.

7. Structure according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said bottom is rigidly coupled to one end of said central body.

8. Structure according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said central body, said bottom, said cover and said annular ridge are provided in cardboard and/or metal.

9. Structure according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said film is provided in transparent paper and/or similar materials.