Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S13/00—Non-electric lighting devices or systems employing a point-like light source; Non-electric lighting devices or systems employing a light source of unspecified shape
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V35/00—Candle holders

Definitions

• the present invention relates to candles, particularly candles for use in spring loaded candle cartridges.
• Candles which bum in spring loaded cartridges are known.
• Such cartridges generally comprise a tubular body which houses a spring biased platform and has an aperture at its upper end.
• a candle is seated on the platform and is thereby forced upward so that the upper end of the candle and wick it supports extend through the aperture.
• the aperture has a smaller diameter than the candle so that the candle is not forced through the aperture.
• the top portion of the cartridge body is generally separable from the rest of the body, as a cap, to facilitate insertion and removal of candles.
• a molten pool of wax may be formed around the wick too quickly for it to be consumed by the burning wick and thus wax can spill out of the cartridge through the aperture or extinguish the flame entirely.
• This problem occurs particularly with larger diameter candles.
• Another problem experienced with conventional cartridge candles is that molten wax can run down the side of the candle which when hardened can make it difficult to remove an old candle, or insert a new candle without first having to clean the cartridge out. This is particularly a problem when a candle reaches its end and most of the remaining wax is melted and which may then ran down the inside of the cartridge. As the wax hardens it can cause the spring and cartridge cap to stick, making it difficult for the cartridge to be opened.
• candles which are designed to self extinguish before all the wax is melted.
• a short length of the bottom end of the wick is impregnated with a nonflammable chemical, and in another the bottom of the wick is pinched in an aluminium sheath.
• the wax around the bottom of the wick can soften to such an extent that the wick may fall over and the candle continue to bum, melting remaining wax and resulting in spillage of melted wax.
• heat softened wax can be extruded over the non-flammable portion of the wick under the force of the spring so that the candle continues to bum and melt the remaining wax.
• a cap for a candle adapted for use in combination with a spring loaded candle cartridge
• the candle cap comprising a generally cylindrical body defining top and bottom apertures, and an internal annular flange extending radially inwards of the body between the top and bottom apertures, the cap being dimensioned relative to a candle with which it is intended to be used so that in use the cap may be fitted over the top of the candle such that the annular flange seats on a top surface of the candle with the wick extending through the annular flange.
• the flange is preferably provided with one or more (typically three or four) slots extending radially from the innermost edge of the flange.
• the cap is preferably a "loose" fit on the candle such that in use the cap offers minimal resistance to movement of the candle up through a cartridge.
• the flange may be fabricated from any suitable material, including a plastics material, but preferably at least a portion of the flange comprises a conductive material which in use disipates heat energy absorbed from the candle flame. This prevents heat becoming concentrated and thus prevents wax immediately below the flange from melting and causing pooling.
• the flange could for example be fabricated from a metal.
• At least a portion of the upper surface of the flange comprises a reflective material which in use reflects heat energy (and preferably a substantial amount of the heat energy) radiated by the candle flame. This also prevents the wax immediately below the flange from melting and forming a pool which might either snuff out the flame or cause spillage.
• the flange could for example be fabricated from a metal with a polished surface, such as polished aluminium.
• the diameter of the top aperture of the cap is preferably relatively large compared with the internal diameter of the annular flange to allow reflected heat radiation to escape from the cap.
• the internal diameter of the annular flange is preferably sufficiently large to expose a portion of wax surrounding the wick to be melted by the heat of the flame to feed the wick.
• An upper portion of the cap body above the flange may be inwardly tapered such that the top aperture has a smaller diameter than the bottom aperture.
• At least the reflective portion of the upper surface of the flange is fabricated from a reflective metal foil.
• the flange is fabricated from a metal foil.
• the flange and cap body may be formed as separable components.
• the cap body may be fabricated from thin plastics material (for example by a vacuum forming process) and the flange could be a metal thin foil "washer".
• Such a cap may be very lightweight (too lightweight for instance to function as a standard candle follower).
• the cap body is provided with an outer radially extending circumferential lip which in use forms a seal with the cartridge.
• the lip may for instance be provided at the bottom edge of the cap.
• the candle may be formed such that prior to initial burning the candle body comprises an upper reduced diameter portion surrounded by an annular shoulder, the cap being fitted over the top of the candle such that the annular flange of the cap seats on said shoulder around said reduced diameter portion of the candle body.
• the candle is wrapped in a thin plastics film which overlaps at least a part of the cap thereby holding the cap in position on the candle, and wherein in use as the candle bums the plastics film forms a collapsible container for containing the candle body as it is consumed.
• the candle is provided with self-extinguishing means for ensuring the candle flame extinguishers before all wax has been consumed.
• a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a spring loaded candle cartridge and a candle and cap in accordance with the first and second aspect of the invention.
• the cap body is shaped to conform to the inner shape of the candle cartridge top.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration of a candle cap in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of a candle fitted with the candle cap of Fig. 1 in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section showing the candle and cap of Fig. 2 fitted in a spring loaded candle cartridge prior to initial lighting;
• Fig. 4 illustrates the candle and cartridge of Fig. 3 after partial burning of the candle;
• Fig. 5 shows the candle and cartridge of Figs. 3 and 4 after the candle has self extinguished
• Fig. 6 shows a modification of a part of the candle cap of Fig. 1.
• the candle cap in accordance with the present invention comprises a generally cylindrical body having a lower cylindrical portion 1 and an upper tapered portion 2.
• the body portion 1 defines a lower opening 3 and the tapered body portion 2 defines an upper opening 4 which is smaller in diameter than the lower opening 3.
• the rim of the lower body portion 1 terminates in a radially outward extending circumferential lip 5.
• the cap body may conveniently be fabricated from a thin flexible plastics material, for instance by a process of vacuum forming.
• the cap body supports an internal annular flange 6 which extends radially inwards from the region of the body between lower body portion 1 and the tapered body 2 portion 2.
• the annular flange 6 has a central aperture 7 which is smaller in diameter than the upper opening 4 of the cap body.
• the flange 6 is fabricated from a reflective metal foil (i.e. is a foil "washer") and is separable from the cap body.
• the separable flange 6 has an outer diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the lower body portion 1 and may be maintained in position simply by jamming it within the cap body, retaining tension being provided by the resilience of the materials).
• the particular cap illustrated in Fig. 1 is designed for use with a candle 8 and spring loaded cartridge 9 illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5.
• the candle 8 comprises a cylindrical wax body 10 which supports a wick 11 (which extends along the axis of the body 10 and emerges from its upper end).
• the upper end of the candle 8 is formed with a reduced diameter central portion 12 from which the wick 11 extends, and which is surrounded by an annular shoulder 13 defined by the upper surface of the candle body 10.
• a short length of the bottom of the wick 11 is enclosed within a short and relatively small diameter plastics tube 14.
• the plastic tube 14 is non-flammable and has a very low thermal conductivity.
• the bottom of the candle body 10 is supported on a thin card base 15.
• the candle cap in accordance with the present invention sits loosely on top of the candle body 10, with the flange 6 seated on the annular shoulder 13 such that the reduced diameter portion 12 of the candle 8 passes through the flange aperture 7.
• the candle body 10, base 15, and candle cap are wrapped in a thin film 16 of plastics material (for instance by a "shrink-wrapping" process).
• the plastics film wraps around the base 15 of the candle 8 and terminates part way along the tapered portion 2 of the cap body.
• the plastics film 16 thus serves both to encase the candle body 10 and also to hold the candle cap in position (the cap being only a loose fit around the top of the candle 8).
• the spring loaded cartridge 9 comprises a hollow cylindrical metal body 17 which has open top and bottom ends.
• the bottom end of the cartridge body 17 defines a radially inwardly extending annular flange 18 which provides a seating for one end of a coil spring 19.
• the opposite end of the coil spring 19 supports a circular metal platform 20 of a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the cartridge body 17.
• the top end of the cartridge body 17 is closed by a removable cap 21 which slides over the upper end of the body 17.
• the cap 21 is provided with an inverted L shaped slot 22, the horizontal portion of which is slightly indented, which receives a stud 23 supported by the body 17.
• the upper end of the cap 21 tapers towards a central opening 24 which has a diameter less than that of the cartridge body 17 and the candle body 10. Candle cartridges of this type are well known.
• the candle 8 is inserted through the upper end of the cartridge body 17, with the cartridge cap 21 removed, and forced inwards against the action of the spring 19 so that it is seated on the platform 20.
• the cartridge cap 21 is then replaced over the upper end of the cartridge body 17 to retain the candle 8 within the cartridge (the candle cap being "trapped" between the candle 8 and the cartridge cap 21).
• the candle cap is also dimensioned to suite the configuration of the cartridge.
• the diameter of the cylindrical portion 1 of the candle cap body corresponds to the internal diameter of the cartridge cap 21, and the tapered portion 2 of the candle cap body corresponds in shape to the taper of the cartridge cap 21.
• the candle 8 is dimensioned so that it is a relatively loose fit within the cartridge. Making the candle body 11 a loose fit within both the cartridge body 17 and the candle cap helps ensure that movement of the candle up through the cartridge 9 is progressive.
• the reduced diameter central portion 12 of the candle 8 protrudes through the opening 24 in the cartridge cap 21.
• a cavity 25 is formed within the tapered portion 2 of the candle cap between the upper surface of the flange 6 and the opening 24.
• the length of the wick 11 and candle portion 12 extending from the opening 24 is just sufficient to enable the candle 8 to be properly lit.
• Fig. 4 illustrates the configuration once the candle has been partially consumed and the wax of the candle portion 12 is burnt away.
• the candle 8 is continually forced up the cartridge 9 by the action of the spring 19.
• the flange 6 is strong enough to prevent the candle from being extruded up through the openings 4 and 24 in the candle cap and cartridge cap 21 respectively. This also ensures that the base of the exposed wick 10 is always below the level of the opening 24 in the cartridge cap 21 so that any molten wax around the wick is unlikely to be spilt from the cartridge 9.
• the metal foil flange 6 reflects a substantial portion of the heat energy produced by the candle flame. Moreover because the foil flange 6 is conductive and any heat energy absorbed by the flange is dissipated over a large surface area, and not concentrated in any particular area. The wax immediately below the flange 6 therefore remains relatively cool. The overall effect is to prevent wax melting more quickly than it can be consumed which could otherwise result in a relatively large pool of wax forming which might either spill from the opening 24 in the cartridge cap 21 or snuff out the flame.
• the flange 6 also prevents the build up of an annular rim of wax around the edge of the candle 8, and this, in combination with the candle being a loose fit within the candle cap, ensures that movement of the candle up through the cartridge is progressive (there being no sudden "jump" in the movement of the candle as the rim collapses as occurs with the prior art). As the candle bums a shallow well may be formed around the wick 11 in the area defined by the flange aperture 7, but this is not sufficient to cause problems.
• the candle cap prevents softened or molten wax contacting and hardening on the inner surface of the cartridge cap 21. Should any wax be spilt between the candle cap and the cartridge cap 21 (which is unlikely given the close fit between the two) it will be prevented from dripping down the length of the cartridge by the outer lip 5 of the candle cap which forms an effective seal with the cartridge cap 21.
• the plastics wrapping 16 which overlaps the candle cap will continue to contain the candle body 10. That is, the wrapping 16 essentially provides a collapsible container such that the candle body 10 is at all times encased within the wrapping 16 and isolated from the cartridge 9.
• the candle will continue to bum in this manner until the flame reaches the non-flammable plastics tube 14. Subject to the ambient conditions within the candle, and the dimensions of the tube 14, the candle will then extinguish in one of two ways. Either the flame will continue to bum until it has exhausted the supply of liquid wax within the tube 14 or the flame will be snuffed out before consuming the wax in the tube 14 by lack of air supply to the base of the flame. In either case the flame will extinguish leaving a solid slug of wax which will be encased by the candle cap and the plastics wrapping 16 (which wraps around the card base disc 15).
• the modified flange 25 is again fabricated from a metal foil but is modified in two independent ways: firstly it is dished (i.e. conical), to encourage centralised extrusion of the candle wax around the wick (a candle is shown in chain-dot in Fig.6), and secondly it is provided with three slots 26 which extend inwardly from the inner aperture of the flange 25.
• the latter modification is particularly significant. It has been found that with some candle/cartridge combinations a sudden release of melted wax can occasionally occur when a point is reached at which the spring pressure overcomes friction between the candle wax and the retaining surface or surfaces.
• the illustrated embodiment of the modified washer is shown to have three slots 26, it will be appreciated that more or less slots could be included. For instance a single slot may have a beneficial effect. Similarly, more than three slots could be provided, for instance four slots could be provided at equal spaced locations around the circumference of the flange 25. Furthermore, the size (both width and length) of the slots may be varied from that illustrated.
• the dished shape of the flange 25 is to accommodate a particular shape of candle and could be varied to suit other candle shapes.
• the flat flange 6 may be modified by a provision of slots as described above.
• the candle cap alone could be used to advantageous effect without, for instance, the plastic wrapping 16 or the self extinguishing feature.
• the body of the cap could be made from any suitable alternative material, such as a metal foil.
• the flange could be made from altemative materials such as a plastics material provided with a reflective surface coating.
• the body and flange could be formed from the same material and be constracted as a single component rather than being separable.
• the exact shape of the cap can be varied to suit different candles and cartridges.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
• Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)
• Fats And Perfumes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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ID=10819835

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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• 1997
  • 1997-10-01 GB GBGB9720735.1A patent/GB9720735D0/en not_active Ceased
• 1998
  • 1998-10-01 EP EP98945421A patent/EP1025391B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-10-01 WO PCT/GB1998/002956 patent/WO1999017055A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-10-01 DE DE69810344T patent/DE69810344T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-10-01 AT AT98945421T patent/ATE230090T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-10-01 AU AU92749/98A patent/AU9274998A/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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