Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11C—FATTY ACIDS FROM FATS, OILS OR WAXES; CANDLES; FATS, OILS OR FATTY ACIDS BY CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF FATS, OILS, OR FATTY ACIDS OBTAINED THEREFROM
  • C11C5/00—Candles
  • C11C5/006—Candles wicks, related accessories

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a candle with a self-extinguishing wick which by itself ceases to burn in the final phase of candle burning.
• EP 1 792 971 discloses a candle with a self-extinguishing wick the lower section of which is clamped in a cylindrical holder made of deformable material.
• the wick holder comprises two - one placed above the other - partially overlapping and permanently connected portions.
• the upper, fixing portion of the holder is made of metal, preferably copper.
• the lower portion of the holder is made of a polymeric material, preferably polypropylene, has a front cavity open towards the bottom of the candle and acts as a protective sustainer, wherein the cavity is filled with plastically deformable material, preferably paraffin or wax. From the bottom, the both sections of the holder are embedded in the properly matching candle seat.
• the fixation area for the wick in the metal holder is extended upwards outside the limits of the sustainer, and therefore in the final stage of wick burning this exposed portion of the holder becomes very hot. Consequently, the sustainer and paraffin surrounding the wick are exposed to substantial heat which can result in deformation or melting of the sustainer, and in a second aspect, in melting and liquefaction of paraffin surrounding the wick fixation area. As a result, the sustainer with the wick holder lose their stability and are subject to undesired tilting.
• the wick - instead of extinguishing - absorbs the liquid paraffin which fuels the flame and may cause flashover.
• WO 03/016443 A shows a wick holder of a non-combustible polymeric material, having a bore into which the wick is inserted, and which allows extinction of the candle flame on the wick when the flame and fuel level reach the wick holder.
• the disadvantage is that the higher position of the wick alone does not induce sufficient safety for the candle, so that for example a burning without a surrounding container carries an unacceptable risk.
• EP 1 054 054 A shows a candle on a plate (display) with a wick holder having a substantially open edge to allow penetration of the bottom end of the wick through the base of the holder such that the distance between the bottom end of the wick and the plate is minimal.
• This grants for an optimization of the candle performance and achieves as completely as possible wax composition.
• a disadvantage is that the safety is not guaranteed if the candle should operate without a plate, nor does this setup guarantee extinction of the candle flame in due time.
• a candle with a self-extinguishing wick, the lower section of which is clamped in a cylindrical holder made of deformable material, wherein the wick holder is at least partially surrounded by a protective sustainer made of a high temperature resistant polymeric material and embedded from the bottom in the matching candle seat, according to the invention is characterized in that the whole wick holder is placed inside the protective sustainer.
• the protective sustainer has a cylindrical profile and at the bottom it is terminated in a radial flat flange tightly fitting the candle bottom. Such flat flange ensures sufficient stability to the protective sustainer.
• the upper portion of the protective sustainer has a cylindrical profile, whereas its lower portion has a profile similar to a cone with a front cavity.
• the holder has an outwardly projecting rim with a conical profile.
• the wick holder is made of metal, which provides a stable fixation of the lower section of the wick.
• the holder sustainer is made of a polymeric material resistant to high temperature, such as polycarbonate or modified polyamide.
• wax or paraffin surrounding the fixation area of the wick is not subject to melting since the metal wick holder is effectively insulated from it by means of a protective sustainer made of a high temperature-resistant polymeric material.
• the upper portion of the protective sustainer extends beyond the top portion of the wick holder.
• the portion of the wick which extends above the cylindrical wick holder will be shielded only by the upper portion of the protective sustainer so that the flame is kept at a sufficient distance from the wick holder in final stages of wick burning.
• the extending portion of the sustainer enhances insulation of the wick holder, and effectively prevents, in a first aspect, heating of the holder, thereby avoiding deformation and melting of the polymeric sustainer, and in a second aspect, melting and liquefaction of neighbouring wax or paraffin.
• the extending portion of the sustainer averts undesired tilting of the sustainer and wick holder, and also prevents the wick from absorbing liquid wax or paraffin which fuels the flame.
• the tightly shielded wick goes out by itself since paraffin is no longer supplied to it.
• the extending portion of the sustainer substantially increases the safety during the final stages of wick burning.
• the wick is held substantially above the candle bottom within the sustainer by the wick holder.
• the wick is held above the candle bottom by the wick holder such that the wick does not contact the candle bottom. In this way, the risk of fuelling the wick by capillary effect in the situation that liquid paraffin or wax would be leaked and transported to the sustainer, is reduced.
• the inventors have found that an optimal efficacy of a self-extinguishing wick in a candle according to the present invention is strongly dependent on certain dimensions. More in particular, the inventors have tested and determined several dimensional values of components such that an optimal efficacy of a candle with self-extinguishing wick according to the invention is guaranteed.
• the extending portion of the sustainer extends for 10-60%, more preferably 20-50% and most preferably for 30-40% of the length of the wick holder beyond the top portion of the wick holder.
• the sustainer extends for at least 2 mm beyond the top portion of the wick holder.
• the total length of the sustainer is at least 20% larger than the length of the wick holder. More preferably, the total length of the sustainer is between 20% and 250%, more preferably between 30% and 240%, more preferably between 40% and 230%, and most preferably between 50% and 220% larger than the total length of the wick holder.
• a metal cylindrical wick holder with a length of 6-10 mm is tightly enclosed by a polymeric sustainer with a total length of 9-35 mm.
• the sustainer comprises a cone-like lower portion with a front cavity, and an upper portion which extends for 1-8 mm, more preferably for 1.5-6 mm, and most preferably for 2-5 mm, such as 3 mm beyond the top portion of the wick holder.
• both the protective sustainer and wick holder have an essentially cylindrical profile, more preferably, the lower portion of the sustainer radially expands towards the bottom of the protective sustainer, for instance either conically or as a flat flange.
• the upper portion of the protective sustainer has preferably an outer diameter of 3-10 mm, more preferably 4-8 mm and most preferably 5-7 mm.
• the bottom of the lower portion of the protective sustainer can have an outer diameter of 7-15 mm, preferably 8-12 mm, and most preferably 9-11 mm.
• the protective sustainer may comprise walls having a thickness of 0.5-2 mm, and more preferably 1-1.5 mm.
• the inventors have found that at least some of the disclosed dimensions are essential for the optimal efficacy of the self-extinguishing wick of a candle of the present invention.
• Embodiments according to the present invention comprise the feature that the protective sustainer extends beyond the top portion of the wick holder.
• Fig. 1 shows a vertical cross section of the candle with a self-extinguishing wick according to the present invention
• Fig. 2 shows an enlarged sectional view of the lower part of the candle according to Fig. 1.
• Figs. 3 and 4 show a variation of the candle depicted in figs. 1 and 2.
• Fig. 3 shows a vertical cross section of an embodiment of a candle wherein the lower portion of the wick is held in an elevated position by the wick holder, as compared to the wick of the candle illustrated in figs. 1 and 2.
• Fig. 4 shows an enlarged sectional view of the lower part of the candle according to Fig. 3.
• Fig. 5 shows a vertical cross section of an embodiment of a self-extinguishing candle according to the present invention
• fig . 6 shows an enlarged sectional view of the lower part of the candle according to fig 5.
• Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a variation of the candle depicted in figs. 5 and 6. More in particular, fig. 7 shows a vertical cross section of an embodiment of a self-extinguishing candle wherein the lower section of the wick is held at an elevated position by the wick holder, as compared to the wick of the candle illustrated in figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8 shows an enlarged sectional view of the lower part of the candle according to fig. 7.
• Fig. 9 illustrates (a) an embodiment of a sustainer enclosing a wick holder, (b) a vertical cross section of the embodiment, and (c) a top view of the embodiment.
• Fig. 10 shows (a) another embodiment of a sustainer enclosing a wick holder, (b) a vertical cross section of the embodiment, and (c) a top view of the embodiment.
• a candle 12 according to the invention has a self-extinguishing wick 1 the lower section 2 of which is clamped in a cylindrical holder 3 in the form of an easily deformable metal tube, made preferably of copper, zinc coated if necessary.
• the wick 1 holder 3 has an outwardly projecting rim 4 with a conical profile and it is positioned entirely inside a protective sustainer 5 made of a high temperature-resistant polymeric material, preferably modified polyamide or polycarbonate. From the bottom, the sustainer 5 with the tightly fitting holder 3 are embedded in the properly matching candle seat 6 that is formed in the candle bottom 7.
• a protective sustainer 5 made of a high temperature-resistant polymeric material, preferably modified polyamide or polycarbonate.
• the upper portion 5a of the sustainer 5 has a cylindrical profile, whereas its lower portion 5b has a profile similar to a cone with a front cavity 9.
• the wick 1 holder 3 is basically placed in the upper portion 5a of the sustainer 5, whereas the lower section 2 of the wick 1 reaches the candle bottom 7.
• figs. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment wherein the lower portion 2 of the wick is clamped above the candle bottom 7 by the wick holder 3, thereby defining a cavity 9 in the sustainer 5.
• Such feature allows reducing the risk of fuelling the wick 1 by capillary effect in the situation that liquid paraffin or wax would be leaked and transported to the sustainer 5.
• the sustainer 5 has a cylindrical profile and at the bottom it is terminated in a radially spread-out, flat flange 8 tightly fitting the candle bottom 7.
• the wick 1 reaches to the bottom 7 of the candle 12.
• Figs. 7 and 8 show an embodiment of a self-extinguishing candle wherein the sustainer 5 has a cylindrical profile and at the bottom it is terminated in a radially spread-out, flat flange 8 tightly fitting the candle bottom 7.
• the wick 1 is clamped in an elevated position by the wick holder 3, and does not reach to the bottom 7 of the candle 12, thereby providing a cavity 9 in the sustainer 5. This prevents that the wick 1 would be fuelled by capillary effect in the situation when liquid paraffin or wax would be leaked and transported to the sustainer 5.
• Figs. 9 and 10 are detailed illustrations of preferred embodiments of the sustainer 5 and wick holder 3 as shown in figs. 1 to 4, and figs. 5 to 8, respectively.
• Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment according to the present invention, wherein the upper portion 5a of the sustainer 5 has a cylindrical profile, and the lower portion 5b of the sustainer 5 has a conical profile comprising a front cavity.
• Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein the upper portion 5a of the sustainer 5 has a cylindrical profile of which the lower portion terminates at the bottom in a radially flat flange 8. In both embodiments of figs.
• the upper portion 5a of the sustainer 5 extends beyond the top portion 11 of the wick holder 3, this extending portion 10 of the sustainer 5 enhances insulation of the wick holder 3, thereby preventing heating of the holder 3 which could result in deformation and melting of the sustainer 5, and melting and liquefaction of neighbouring candle material which may serve as fuel.
• the uppermost or extending portion 10 of the sustainer 5 guarantees in this way a more reliable, safe and efficient extinction of the candle flame in final stages of wick 1 burning.
• Figs. 9 and 10 furthermore illustrate the total length a of the protective sustainer 5, the length b of the extending portion 10 of the protective sustainer 5, and the length c of the wick holder 3 placed inside the protective sustainer 5.
• the outer di and inner c diameter of the upper portion 5a of the protective sustainer 5, and the outer cb and inner d 4 diameter of the lower portion 5b of the protective sustainer 5 are indicated in fig. 9 and fig. 10.
• the efficacy of a self-extinguishing candle according to the present invention was evaluated by a comparative experiment.
• the candles of all groups comprised paraffin as burning fuel, and showed equal dimensions.
• the sustainer and wick holder of the candles of different groups showed equal dimensions, such that the position of the top portion of the wick holder relative to the sustainer was the sole difference between the candles of different groups.
• the wicks of all tested candles contacted the bottom of the candles.
• Candles according to the present invention comprised a sustainer which extends beyond the top portion of the wick holder, whereas candles from control group 1 comprised a wick holder of which the top portion extended above the sustainer, and control group 2 showed candles wherein the top portion of the wick holder is equally leveled with the top portion of the sustainer.
• Groups of 20 candles were compared with regard to (i) occurrence of flashover; (ii) occurrence of leakage of liquid paraffin; (iii) occurrence of effective self-extinction; (iv) occurrence of deformation or melting of sustainer; and, (v) tilting of the sustainer after self-extinction of the candle
• candles according to the present invention show a substantial increase in the occurrence of safe self-extinction due to the decrease in the occurrence of flashover and leakage during burning of the candle.
• candles according to the present invention show a reduced occurrence of deformation of melting of the sustainer and a decrease in the average tilting of the sustainer, thereby reducing the risk of flashover or leakage.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Fats And Perfumes (AREA)
• Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=58632978

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2016
  • 2016-04-26 PL PL416987A patent/PL416987A1/pl unknown
• 2017
  • 2017-04-24 WO PCT/EP2017/059657 patent/WO2017186641A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2017-04-24 EP EP17719562.5A patent/EP3448972A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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