GB2624728A

GB2624728A - Candle device

Info

Publication number: GB2624728A
Application number: GB2305353.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keung Lo Wing
Original assignee: Gianthope Arts Product Huizhou Co Ltd
Current assignee: Gianthope Arts Product Huizhou Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-18
Filing date: 2023-04-12
Publication date: 2024-05-29
Also published as: GB202305353D0

Abstract

The candle device 101 comprises a first container 105 inside a second container 111, and a circuit 127 with a sensor 117 and a power supply (e.g., battery 131). In use, the sensor senses electromagnetic radiation from a flame of a lit candle 103 inside the first container and generates a signal activating an output of the circuit. The sensor may be angled downwardly and may an infrared sensor, e.g. a passive infrared sensor (PIR), optionally comprising a single pyroelectric element, a Fresnel lens and/or an infrared filter. The output of the circuit may activate an LED strip 115. The first container may comprise a hole 119 in a side wall thereof to receive the sensor, and/or a recess 129 in an underside thereof, optionally containing the circuit and power source. There may be an annulus between the first and second containers, optionally filled with gel 113 and/or containing the LED strip.

Description

Candle Device The present invention relates to a candle device, more particularly but not exclusively, to a candle device where the candle is housed within a container. Candles which are housed within containers are known and are advantageous over naked candles as the container inhibits melted wax from spilling into the area surrounding the candle, after the candle has been lit. Such containers are typically manufactured from glass.

In more recent times, improvements have been made to candles and their containers in which to create attractive products and enhance the effect a candle has on the user.

One such improvement relates to a candle housed within a container, which in turn is housed within a secondary larger container. The candle and its container are suspended in a gel within the secondary container. Within the gel, an arrangement of LEDs are embedded, which are connected to circuitry within the secondary container.

The circuitry extends into the candle and is connected to an optical fibre which runs substantially vertical and parallel to the wick of the candle. Wien the end of the wick is ignited and the candle has been lit, the light from the flame is incident on the end of the optical fibre. This incident light acts as a signal and travels down the length of the optical fibre and activates a component in the circuitry so as to turn on the arrangement of LEDs.

The end result is that the LEDs are illuminated when the wick has been lit and a flicker of the candle flame is transmitted through the circuitry so as to cause a corresponding flicker in the LEDs, which are visible to the user through the secondary container. This creates a very pleasing aesthetic for the user as the effects of the candle flame are magnified.

However, this arrangement has some limitations. Namely visible light from the environment which surrounds the candle, e.g., light from ceiling lights in the room the candle resides in, can often inadvertently activate the circuitry via the optical fibre and turn the LEDs on. Visible light is in the wavelength range of approximately 380nm to approximately 700nm of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Unfortunately, such inadvertent activations of the circuitry are at a time when the user does not wish the candle to be in use and the result is that charge stored in the battery which powers the LEDs is being used as a time when the user does not intend for it to do so. The result is that the battery of such a candle device can run -2 -out quite quickly and either needs to be replaced by the user or if the battery is not replaceable, an entire new candle device needs to be purchased. Both incurring extra costs for the user and creating waste.

There is therefore a need to solve this wasteful and costly problem. The present invention attempts, at least in its preferred embodiment, to provide such a solution.

The present invention provides a candle device comprising a first container having a candle therein, wherein the first container resides within a second container, the candle device further comprising a circuit having a sensor and a power supply, the arrangement being such that, in use, when the candle is lit, the sensor upon directly sensing electromagnetic radiation from the flame of the lit candle, is able to generate a signal which activates an output signal by the circuit.

Optionally the sensor is an infrared sensor. This may inhibit unwanted an inadvertent activation of the device as a result from background electromagnetic radiation in the environment surrounding the device.

Optionally the infrared sensor is a passive infrared sensor (PI R sensor).

Optionally the sensor, in use, is angled downwardly. This may inhibit the sensor from detecting background electromagnetic radiation in the environment surrounding the device and so inhibits unwanted and inadvertent activation of the device.

Optionally the first container is provided with a hole in its side and which a portion of the sensor protrudes therethrough into the first container. This may facilitate the sensor being able to focus and be directed towards the wick and when in use, the flame. This could allow the wiring and circuitry to reside outside of the first container.

Optionally the sensor comprises a single pyroelectric element. It may be that the sensor comprises a plurality of pyroelectric elements. In particular it may be that the sensor comprises two pyroelectric elements. In particular it may be that the sensor comprises four pyroelectric elements.

Optionally the sensor comprises a Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens may focus the infrared radiation from the flame of the candle, when in use, onto the pyroelectric element. This could be advantageous as the flame moves relative to the sensor over time as the candle burns down. The Fresnel lens may increase the visibility area for the sensor. -3 -

Optionally the sensor comprises an infrared filter. The infrared filter may filter out electromagnetic radiation which is not in the wavelength range from approximately 780nm to approximately 1mm. Therefore the infrared filter may only permit electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from approximately 780nm to approximately 1mm to be incident on the pyroelectric element. It could be that the infrared filter may only permit electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from approximately 750nm to approximately 1.1mm to be incident on the pyroelectric element.

Optionally the output signal generated by the circuit activates a LED strip, which is connected thereto. Optionally LED strip is fashioned into a shape. It could be that the LED strip is fashioned into a heart shape. It may be that the LED strip is fashioned into a star shape. It could be that the LED strip is fashioned into a circle shape. It may be that the LED strip is fashioned into a triangle shape. It could be that the LED strip is fashioned into a square shape. It may be that the LED strip is fashioned into a rectangle shape. It could be that the LED strip is fashioned into a diamond shape. It may be that the LED strip is fashioned into a pentagon shape. It could be that the LED strip is fashioned into a hexagon shape.

Optionally the circuit comprises a printed circuit board. It may be that components of the circuit are mounted on the printed circuit board.

Optionally a recess is provided in the underside of the first container. It may be that the recess is closable with a lid.

Optionally at least one of the printed circuit board and power source reside in the recess. It may be that both of the printed circuit board and power source reside in the recess.

Optionally the power source is a battery. It may be that the battery is a lithium battery. It could be that the battery is an alkaline battery. It may be that the power source is a mains supply power source.

Optionally an annulus is provided between the first container and the second container.

Optionally the annulus is filled with gel. It may be that decoration material is suspended in the gel. It could be that such decoration material is glitter.

Optionally the LED strip resides within the annulus. It may be that the LED strip is suspended in the annulus and secured in place. -4 -

Optionally the first container, the second container and the gel are clear. This may allow the user to see the flame of the candle through the first container, second container and gel when in use.

Optionally, the wick of the candle is secured to a base via a sleeve.

Optionally the base is positioned on the inside surface of the bottom of the first container. It may be that that the base is positioned at a central location of the inside surface of the bottom of the first container. -5 -

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a candle device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is side view in cross section of the candle device as shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of a component of the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 -6 -Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a candle device 101 comprising a candle 103 situated in a first container 105. The candle 103 comprises a wax portion 107 substantially cylindrical in shape and a wick 109 which protrudes from the wax portion 107 at a substantially central location of the upper surface thereof The candle 103 in the first container 105 is positioned substantially centrally within a second container 111, such that an annulus is formed between the first container 105 and the second container 111. The annulus contains a gel 113, which inhibits the first container 105 from moving relative to the second container 111.

An LED strip 115 is provided in the gel 113, in the annulus, which in turn holds the LED strip 115 in place. The first container 105 is transparent, the gel 113 is transparent and the second container 111 is transparent. The effect of this is that the candle 103 and the LED strip 115 can all be seen by a user through the second container 111.

The LED strip 115 is an arrangement of LEDs which can be fashioned into a desirable shape, e.g. a star, before being positioned in the gel 113 during manufacture.

The candle device 101 further comprises an infrared sensor 117 positioned at an upper end of the first container 105 and facing inward towards the wick 109.

The infrared sensor 117 is angled downwardly at approximately 45 degrees from the side of the first container 105.

As shown better in Figure 2, the infrared sensor 117 is positioned so that a portion of the infrared sensor 117 protrudes through a hole 119 through the first container 105 at an upper end thereof. The arrangement allows the infrared sensor 117 to be directed downwardly towairds the wick 109.

A wire 121 runs from the infrared sensor 117 down the outside of the first container 105 to the lower end thereof. The wire 121 extends underneath the first container 105, so that the wire 121 runs between the lower surface 123 of the bottom of the first container 105 and the upper surface 125 of the bottom of the second container 111. The wire 121 is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 127 so that the infrared sensor 117 is in electrical communication with the PCB 127.

The PCB 127 resides within a recess 129 in the lower surface 123 of the first container 105. A battery 131 is connected to the PCB so as to power the electrical components thereon. The battery 131 also resides within the recess 129. -7 -

A wire 133 is connected to the PCB and runs away therefrom, extending underneath the first container 105, so that the wire 133 runs between the lower surface 123 of the bottom of the first container 105 and the upper surface 125 of the bottom of the second container 111. The wire 133 is connected to the LED strip 115 so that the LED strip 115 is in electrical communication with the PCB 127.

Furthermore, a base 135 secured with a sleeve 137 is provided, so that the proximal end of the wick 109 resides in the sleeve and is thereby secured to the base 135. Upon manufacture of the candle 103, the base 135 (with the proximal end of the wick secured thereto) is secured to the upper surface 139 of the bottom of the first container 105 at a substantially central location. The distal end of the wick 109 is secured at a position directly above the base 135, so that the wick is substantially straight and aligned substantially vertical. Liquid wax is poured into the first container 105 and covers the base 135. The wax fills a major portion container 105 so that the level resides a short distance below the distal end of the wick 109. The liquid wax dries leaving a solid wax portion 107 in the first container 105, with the wick 109 embedded substantially centrally through it.

In use, the user lights the exposed portion of the wick 109 above the wax portion 107, so that the wick 109 burns with a flame in a conventional way. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the flame and is incident on the infrared sensor 117. The flame emits electromagnetic radiation in both the visible light range as well as the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The infrared sensor 117 detects electromagnetic radiation emitted by the flame, in the infrared region of the spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation in the infrared region has wavelengths between approximately 780 nm and approximately 1mm.

As shown in Figure 3, the infrared sensor 117 is a passive infrared sensor (PIR), which comprises at least one pyroelectric element 141, a Fresnel lens 143, a housing 145 and an infrared filter 147. In use, infrared radiation from the flame of the lit wick 109 is incident on the pyroelectric element 141 after passing through the Fresnel lens 143 and the infrared filter 147. The pyroelectric element 141 detects an increase in temperature due to the infrared radiation and generates a corresponding voltage signal, which is transmitted to the PCB 127, via the wire 121.

This signal triggers the components on the PCB 127 to activate an output signal, which in turn activates and illuminates the LED strip 115, powered by the battery 131. Such a component on the PCB 127 to facilitate this is a transistor. -8 -

The result of this arrangement is that while the wick 109 is lit, infrared radiation is constantly incident on the infrared sensor 117, causing it to generate a constant signal, which keeps the PCB 127 generating the output signal and so the LED strip 115 stays illuminated. As soon as the user extinguishes the flame and the wick 109 is no longer lit, there will not be the sufficient infrared radiation (over background radiation) incident on the infrared sensor 117 in order to for it generate its signal voltage and so this signal will stop. Therefore, the PCB 127 will stop generating the output signal and the LED strip 115 will turn off and no longer be illuminated.

The infrared sensor 117 is configured so that the threshold for incident infrared radiation is such that when the wick 109 is lit, any variations in incident infrared radiation on the infrared sensor 117, e.g. due to the flame flickering, will not affect the voltage signal generated by the infrared sensor enough to disrupt the output signal generated by the PCB 127. I.e. when the wick 109 is lit, there will always be sufficient signal strength from the infrared sensor 117 to activate the output signal of the PCB 127 so that the LED strip 115 remains steadily illuminated during this time. The flickering effect of the flame on the wick 109 will not be transmitted through to the LED strip 115.

As the wick 109 burns down over time and the wax portion 107 reduces in size, the Fresnel lens 143 focuses the incident radiation infrared from the flame onto pyroelectric element 141.

The Fresnel lens 143 widens the source area for incident infrared radiation on the infrared sensor 117. This is useful as the flame will move relative to the infrared sensor 117 over time, as the wick 109 burns down. This advantage of the Fresnel lens 143 is balanced by the fad that the infrared sensor 117 is angled downwardly toward the wick 109, into the first container 105. This inhibits unwanted infrared radiation from the environment surrounding the candle device 101 inadvertently activating the circuitry and turning on the LED strip 115 when the wick 109 has not been lit.

Furthermore, the infrared filter 147, filters out electromagnetic radiation other than in the infrared region, in order to inhibit the pyroelectric element 141 from being inadvertently heated by electromagnetic radiation other than infrared radiation, e.g. visible or UV light from the environment surrounding the candle device 101. -9 -

In particular, the infrared sensor 117 has part number: 301PM04D1-1 and is of the JSW brand. It operates in the 750nm to 1.1mm wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation.

The first container 105 and the second container 111 are manufactured from glass. The wick 109 is manufactured from cotton. The gel 113 is manufactured from a mixture of 70% styrene and 30% butadiene.

It will be noted that in the preferred embodiment, unlike the prior art, no fibre optic cable is used. However, a fibre optic cable could be used if needed.

Various modifications could be made to the candle device, for example, the LED strip could be replaced with a motor and fan arrangement, such that the output signal from PCB activates the motor and fan arrangement, which would be powered by the battery. This arrangement could blow air into an enclosed chamber within the candle device. This may facilitate airflow incident on fake snow, e.g. giving the effect of it snowing within the enclosed chamber.

It could be that the LED strip is replaced with a motor which when activated moves an object, for example a model merry-go-round.

It may be that the LED strip is replaced with a string of LEDs, such that the output signal from PCB activates the string of LEDs which would be powered by the battery.

It could be that the LED strip is replaced with a speaker and a memory component, such that the output signal from PCB activates the speaker which would be powered by the battery, resulting in the playing of music or a message stored on the memory component.

It may be that the PCB is configured to vary the output signal it generates.

This may control the LED strip, for example, instead of the LED strip being simply illuminated, it could be that the LED strip is flashing on and off or pulsating on and off.

It could be that an alternative sensor is used, for example a photodiode.

It may be that the first container is removeable from within the second container. This may allow the user to access the PCB and battery that resides in the recess at the lower portion of the first container. This could allow the user to replace the battery of PCB if necessary.

101 Candle device 103 Candle First container 107 Wax portion 109 Wick 111 Second container 113 Gel LED strip 117 Infrared sensor 119 Hole 121 Wire 123 Lower surface Upper surface 127 PCB 129 Recess 131 Battery 133 Wire 135 Base 137 Sleeve 139 Upper surface 141 Pyroelectric element 143 Fresnel lens Housing 147 Infrared filter -10 -

Claims

Claims: 1 A candle device comprising a first container having a candle therein, wherein the first container resides within a second container, the candle device further comprising a circuit having a sensor and a power supply, the arrangement being such that, in use, when the candle is lit, the sensor upon directly sensing electromagnetic radiation from the flame of the lit candle, is able to generate a signal which activates an output signal by the circuit.
2. A candle device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor.
3. A candle device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the infrared sensor is a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor).
4 A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sensor, in use, is angled downwardly.
A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first container is provided with a hole in its side and which a portion of the sensor protrudes therethrough into the first container.
6. A candle device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a single pyroelectric element.
7. A candle device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the sensor comprises a Fresnel lens.
8. A candle device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 7, wherein the sensor comprises an infrared filter.
9. A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the output signal generated by the circuit activates a LED strip, which is connected thereto.
10. A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the circuit comprises a printed circuit board.
-12 - 11. A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a recess is provided in the underside of the first container.
12. A candle device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein at least one of the printed circuit board and power source reside in the recess.
13. A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the power source is a battery.
14. A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an annulus is provided between the first container and the second container.
15. A candle device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the annulus is filled with gel.
16. A candle device as claimed in Claims 9 and 14, wherein the LED strip resides within the annulus.
17. A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first container, the second container and the gel are clear.
18. A candle device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wick of the candle is secured to a base via a sleeve.
19. A candle device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the base is positioned on the inside surface of the bottom of the first container.
20. A candle device as claimed in Claim 9 or 16, wherein the LED strip is fashioned into a shape.