US20040018464A1 - Candle wick extender - Google Patents
Candle wick extender Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040018464A1 US20040018464A1 US10/202,763 US20276302A US2004018464A1 US 20040018464 A1 US20040018464 A1 US 20040018464A1 US 20276302 A US20276302 A US 20276302A US 2004018464 A1 US2004018464 A1 US 2004018464A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wick
- candle
- extender
- support member
- accordance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D3/00—Burners using capillary action
- F23D3/02—Wick burners
- F23D3/18—Details of wick burners
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D3/00—Burners using capillary action
- F23D3/02—Wick burners
- F23D3/16—Wick burners using candles
Definitions
- This invention relates to candles, in general, and to wicks which are placed on a candle to extend the use of candles when the candle's existing wick is too short, in particular.
- candles have been used to provide a flame that emanates light. In recent times, candles are utilized not for primary lighting, but for artistic, aesthetic, and mood setting purposes. In many instances, the candles also provide pleasing aromas. In other applications, the candles are utilized to vaporize insect repellents.
- present-day candles utilize one or more wicks generally situated in the center of the candle. Once ignited, the wick or wicks begins to burn and to heat the wax that surrounds the wick, which forms a molten wax pool. As the wax proximate to the wick melts, it is absorbed by the wick, and is drawn by capillary action into the flame where it is vaporized and burned into constituent combustion products. As the wax in the wick proximate to the flame burns away, more wax is drawn into the wick and up to the flame. As wax from the molten pool surrounding the wick is burned off, the flame moves down the wick. As the flame moves down the wick, it melts the surrounding wax, which flows into the molten pool.
- candles when candles are extinguished and re-ignited, they are left to burn for a period of time that is long enough so that a single well forms within the candle well or chimney. In less than ideal situations, and as is often the case with large diameter candle products, the candle is extinguished, re-ignited, and re-extinguished without regard to whether it has burned for the proper period of time so that only the single, primary well develops.
- a much more general problem inherent in most candles is that a wick will burn to the bottom or along one side of the candle such that approximately eighty percent (80%) of the candle wax has not melted. The remaining wax cannot be used since there is no longer a wick to burn it.
- a wick extender for use with a candle having a wick that terminates at or proximate the top surface of the candle wax.
- a wick extender in accordance with the invention comprises a rigid support and a wick. The support member and the wick are affixed to each other. The support member is insertable into a candle proximate the candle's wick and supports the wick proximate to said candle wick to effectively extend the length of the candle wick.
- the support is threaded through a portion of said wick.
- a wax layer affixes said wick to said support.
- the support member comprises a combustible material that does not produce toxic by-products when heated or burned.
- the combustible material comprises wood.
- the support member comprises metal.
- the metal support member may be in an inverted U-shape.
- the wick includes a first portion extending above the support member, and the support member includes a portion extending below the wick for insertion into a candle.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art candle to which the invention may be advantageously applied;
- FIG. 2 is cross section of the candle of FIG. 1, taken along lines 1 - 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a device in accordance with the principles of the invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a candle taken in cross-section and into which the device of FIG. 3 is inserted
- FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second device in accordance with the principles of the invention.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 a representative candle 1 is shown to which the devices of the invention may be advantageously applied.
- Candle 1 includes a wick 2 .
- Candle 1 has been used and a recess or well 3 has been formed in candle 1 .
- Wick 2 for any one of a number of reasons terminates at or just below the wax surface 4 of recess or well 3 . With wick 2 so positioned, it is impossible to light candle 1 without digging out the area around wick 2 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates a first wick extender 300 in accordance with the principles of the invention.
- Wick extender 300 includes a support member 301 which carries a wick 302 .
- Wick 302 is a wax coated wick of the same type utilized in candles.
- Support member 301 is threaded through wick 302 and further secured to support member 301 by a wax coating.
- Support member 301 in the preferred embodiment is made of wood and to assure that burning of the wick extender does not introduce any toxicity into the environment.
- Support member 301 is in the general shape of one half of a toothpick.
- Wick 302 includes a portion 303 that extends above support member 301 .
- Wick support member 301 includes a portion 305 that extends below wick 302 .
- the top portions 303 is approximately 1 ⁇ 2 inch, as is the length of portion 305 .
- wick extender 300 is pressed into candle 1 .
- Support member 301 is rigid enough so that it will press into the wax of candle 1 .
- Support member 301 is inserted into candle 1 such that wick 302 is proximate wick 2 of candle 1 , as shown in FIG. 4.
- wick 302 acts as an extension of wick 2 such that as wax is consumed, eventually wick 2 will be exposed to a length that will permit candle 1 to be snuffed out and relit.
- wick extender 300 is shown with a portion of wick 302 below surface 4 of candle 1 . The positioning of wick extender 300 is not critical so long as wick 302 is at or below surface 4 and is proximate wick 2 .
- FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the invention.
- Wick extender 500 includes a support member 501 which carries a wick 502 .
- Wick 502 is a wax coated wick of the same type utilized in candles.
- Support member 501 is threaded through wick 502 .
- Wick 502 is affixed to support member 501 by a wax coating 504 .
- Support member 501 in the preferred embodiment is made of metal wire that is sufficiently rigid to be inserted into the wax of candle 1 . The metal is selected to assure that heat produced by burning of wick 502 or candle wick 2 does not introduce any toxicity into the environment.
- Support member 501 is in the general shape of an inverted “U”.
- Wick 502 includes a portion 503 that extends above support member 501 .
- Wick support member 501 includes a portion 505 that extends below wick 502 .
- wick extender 500 is pressed into candle 1 in the same manner as wick extender 300 is inserted into candle 1 .
- Support member 501 is rigid enough so that it will press into the wax of candle 1 .
- Support member 501 is inserted into candle 1 such that wick 502 is proximate wick 2 of candle 1 .
- wick 502 acts as an extension of wick 2 such that as wax is consumed, eventually wick 2 will be exposed to a length that will permit candle 1 to be snuffed out and relit.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Fats And Perfumes (AREA)
Abstract
A wick extender is provided that may be used with candles that have such short wicks that the candles are not easily lightable. The wick extender includes a wick affixed to a rigid support member.
Description
- This invention relates to candles, in general, and to wicks which are placed on a candle to extend the use of candles when the candle's existing wick is too short, in particular.
- For centuries, candles have been used to provide a flame that emanates light. In recent times, candles are utilized not for primary lighting, but for artistic, aesthetic, and mood setting purposes. In many instances, the candles also provide pleasing aromas. In other applications, the candles are utilized to vaporize insect repellents.
- Typically, present-day candles utilize one or more wicks generally situated in the center of the candle. Once ignited, the wick or wicks begins to burn and to heat the wax that surrounds the wick, which forms a molten wax pool. As the wax proximate to the wick melts, it is absorbed by the wick, and is drawn by capillary action into the flame where it is vaporized and burned into constituent combustion products. As the wax in the wick proximate to the flame burns away, more wax is drawn into the wick and up to the flame. As wax from the molten pool surrounding the wick is burned off, the flame moves down the wick. As the flame moves down the wick, it melts the surrounding wax, which flows into the molten pool. This process continues, and over time, in candles that have a large enough outside diameter, a recess develops within a wall, in the case of a single wick candle, or walls, in the case of multi-wick candles, that are formed by the portion of the candle that is not burned away by the flame. In turn, the level of the molten pool of wax moves lower into the recess that forms within the candle. The recess that forms within the candle and which is surrounded by the remaining walls is termed the primary well.
- Ideally, when candles are extinguished and re-ignited, they are left to burn for a period of time that is long enough so that a single well forms within the candle well or chimney. In less than ideal situations, and as is often the case with large diameter candle products, the candle is extinguished, re-ignited, and re-extinguished without regard to whether it has burned for the proper period of time so that only the single, primary well develops.
- When a flame on an ignited wick is smothered, the wick may drown itself in the candle wax that has melted around it while the wick was lit. The next time the candle is to be used, the molten candle wax will have hardened over the wick and in order to use the candle, the wick will have to be found and “dug out” of the hardened wax. Another problem that may arise after an ignited wick is smothered is that the wick may continue to burn down into the candle wax such that the end of the wick will be deep within the candle wax and not be able to be lit the next time the candle is to be used. A much more general problem inherent in most candles is that a wick will burn to the bottom or along one side of the candle such that approximately eighty percent (80%) of the candle wax has not melted. The remaining wax cannot be used since there is no longer a wick to burn it.
- In accordance with the principles of the invention, a wick extender for use with a candle having a wick that terminates at or proximate the top surface of the candle wax is provided. A wick extender in accordance with the invention comprises a rigid support and a wick. The support member and the wick are affixed to each other. The support member is insertable into a candle proximate the candle's wick and supports the wick proximate to said candle wick to effectively extend the length of the candle wick.
- In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the support is threaded through a portion of said wick. A wax layer affixes said wick to said support.
- In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the support member comprises a combustible material that does not produce toxic by-products when heated or burned.
- In one embodiment of the invention, the combustible material comprises wood.
- In another embodiment of the invention, the support member comprises metal. The metal support member may be in an inverted U-shape.
- In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the wick includes a first portion extending above the support member, and the support member includes a portion extending below the wick for insertion into a candle.
- The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawing figures in which like reference designations are utilized to identify like elements, and in which:
- FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art candle to which the invention may be advantageously applied;
- FIG. 2 is cross section of the candle of FIG. 1, taken along lines1-1;
- FIG. 3 is a device in accordance with the principles of the invention;
- FIG. 4 illustrates a candle taken in cross-section and into which the device of FIG. 3 is inserted; and
- FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second device in accordance with the principles of the invention.
- Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a
representative candle 1 is shown to which the devices of the invention may be advantageously applied. Candle 1 includes awick 2.Candle 1 has been used and a recess or well 3 has been formed incandle 1.Wick 2 for any one of a number of reasons terminates at or just below the wax surface 4 of recess or well 3. Withwick 2 so positioned, it is impossible to lightcandle 1 without digging out the area aroundwick 2. - FIG. 3 illustrates a
first wick extender 300 in accordance with the principles of the invention.Wick extender 300 includes asupport member 301 which carries awick 302.Wick 302 is a wax coated wick of the same type utilized in candles.Support member 301 is threaded throughwick 302 and further secured to supportmember 301 by a wax coating.Support member 301 in the preferred embodiment is made of wood and to assure that burning of the wick extender does not introduce any toxicity into the environment.Support member 301 is in the general shape of one half of a toothpick.Wick 302 includes aportion 303 that extends abovesupport member 301.Wick support member 301 includes aportion 305 that extends belowwick 302. In the illustrative embodiment, thetop portions 303 is approximately ½ inch, as is the length ofportion 305. - To utilize
wick extender 300 in a candle such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,wick extender 300 is pressed intocandle 1.Support member 301 is rigid enough so that it will press into the wax ofcandle 1.Support member 301 is inserted intocandle 1 such thatwick 302 isproximate wick 2 ofcandle 1, as shown in FIG. 4. Aswick 302 is burned, it acts as an extension ofwick 2 such that as wax is consumed, eventuallywick 2 will be exposed to a length that will permitcandle 1 to be snuffed out and relit. It should be noted thatwick extender 300 is shown with a portion ofwick 302 below surface 4 ofcandle 1. The positioning ofwick extender 300 is not critical so long aswick 302 is at or below surface 4 and isproximate wick 2. - FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the invention.
Wick extender 500 includes asupport member 501 which carries awick 502.Wick 502 is a wax coated wick of the same type utilized in candles.Support member 501 is threaded throughwick 502.Wick 502 is affixed to supportmember 501 by awax coating 504.Support member 501 in the preferred embodiment is made of metal wire that is sufficiently rigid to be inserted into the wax ofcandle 1. The metal is selected to assure that heat produced by burning ofwick 502 orcandle wick 2 does not introduce any toxicity into the environment.Support member 501 is in the general shape of an inverted “U”.Wick 502 includes aportion 503 that extends abovesupport member 501.Wick support member 501 includes aportion 505 that extends belowwick 502. - To utilize
wick extender 500 in a candle such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,wick extender 500 is pressed intocandle 1 in the same manner aswick extender 300 is inserted intocandle 1.Support member 501 is rigid enough so that it will press into the wax ofcandle 1.Support member 501 is inserted intocandle 1 such thatwick 502 isproximate wick 2 ofcandle 1. Aswick 502 is burned, it acts as an extension ofwick 2 such that as wax is consumed, eventually wick 2 will be exposed to a length that will permitcandle 1 to be snuffed out and relit. - Although the invention has been shown and described in terms of two embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Different materials may be substituted for those employed in the illustrative embodiments, for example. In addition, other support shapes may be substituted for the U-shape shown. For example, a straight rigid wire may be utilized.
- It is not intended that the invention be limited in scope to only the embodiments shown. It is intended that the invention be limited in scope only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
Claims (14)
1. A candle wick extender, for use with a candle having a wick that terminates at or proximate the top surface of the candle's wax, comprising:
a rigid support member;
a wick;
said wick being affixed to said support member;
whereby said support member is insertable into said candle proximate said candle wick and supports said wick proximate to said candle wick to effectively extend the length of said candle wick.
2. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said support member comprises a combustible material.
3. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said combustible material does not produce toxic by-products when heated or burned.
4. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 2 , wherein:
said combustible material comprises wood.
5. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said support member does not produce toxic by-products when heated.
6. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said support member comprises metal.
7. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 6 , wherein:
said support member is in an inverted U-shape.
8. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 6 , wherein:
said support member is in an inverted U-shape.
9. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said wick includes a first portion extending above said stake.
10. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 9 , wherein:
said support member includes a portion extending below said wick for insertion into said candle.
11. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said support member includes a portion extending below said wick for insertion into said candle.
12. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said support is threaded through a portion of said wick.
13. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 12 , comprising:
wax affixing said wick to said support.
14. A candle wick extender in accordance with claim 1 , comprising:
wax affixing said wick to said support.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/202,763 US6688880B1 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2002-07-25 | Candle wick extender |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/202,763 US6688880B1 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2002-07-25 | Candle wick extender |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040018464A1 true US20040018464A1 (en) | 2004-01-29 |
US6688880B1 US6688880B1 (en) | 2004-02-10 |
Family
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US10/202,763 Expired - Fee Related US6688880B1 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2002-07-25 | Candle wick extender |
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US (1) | US6688880B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140287370A1 (en) * | 2012-09-25 | 2014-09-25 | Amy Keller | Candle Wick Kit and Methods of Using the Same |
Families Citing this family (20)
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US7524187B2 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2009-04-28 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Wick holder locking mechanism |
US20060057525A1 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2006-03-16 | Adair Joel E | Heat exchange method for melting plate candle |
US7247017B2 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2007-07-24 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Melting plate candles |
US7318724B2 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2008-01-15 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Wick holder and wick assembly for candle assembly |
US7229280B2 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2007-06-12 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Wick holder magnetic retention means |
US7497685B2 (en) * | 2005-07-20 | 2009-03-03 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Wick-holder assembly |
US7922482B2 (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2011-04-12 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Candle and wick holder therefor |
US7467944B2 (en) * | 2004-02-17 | 2008-12-23 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Candle assembly including a fuel element and a wick holder |
US7731492B2 (en) | 2004-09-10 | 2010-06-08 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Fuel charge for melting plate candle assembly and method of supplying liquefied fuel to a wick |
US7287978B2 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2007-10-30 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Candle holder with improved air flow |
US7654822B2 (en) * | 2005-07-15 | 2010-02-02 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Candle assembly including a fuel element with a locating recess and a melting plate with a locating protrusion |
US20060093980A1 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2006-05-04 | Kubicek Chris A | Candleholder with a melting plate alignment feature |
US7607915B2 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2009-10-27 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Heat exchange method for melting plate candle |
US20060093979A1 (en) * | 2004-11-01 | 2006-05-04 | Varanasi Padma P | Container candle |
US7665986B1 (en) * | 2005-11-07 | 2010-02-23 | Sang Ho Park | System and method of repairing a wax candle having a diminished wick |
US7744367B1 (en) | 2006-03-22 | 2010-06-29 | Robert Kudyba | Candle-maintenance tool |
US20080190376A1 (en) * | 2007-02-14 | 2008-08-14 | Matsumoto Evan I | Self cleaning pet fur stripping comb |
US8573967B2 (en) | 2010-10-01 | 2013-11-05 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Candle assembly and fuel element therefor |
US10295177B2 (en) | 2016-04-18 | 2019-05-21 | Thomas Delattre | Candle wick extractor |
US12060993B2 (en) * | 2020-03-30 | 2024-08-13 | James P Janniello | Floating wick |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US816790A (en) * | 1905-07-06 | 1906-04-03 | Giuseppe Genovese | Candle-wick. |
US1505092A (en) * | 1921-10-06 | 1924-08-19 | Henry J Grupe | Candle making |
US2189412A (en) * | 1938-12-06 | 1940-02-06 | Arnone Vincent | Candlewick |
US2246346A (en) * | 1940-05-14 | 1941-06-17 | Columbia Wax Products Co | Illuminating device |
US3428409A (en) * | 1966-09-06 | 1969-02-18 | James R Summers | Rigid wick,rigid core-wick and rigidized candle |
US3462235A (en) * | 1966-09-21 | 1969-08-19 | James R Summers | Rigid candle wick and rigid candle device |
US3466135A (en) * | 1968-04-26 | 1969-09-09 | James R Summers | Candle maintaining devices |
FR2283217A1 (en) * | 1974-07-23 | 1976-03-26 | Simon Pierre | Interchangeable wick for rechargeable candles and night-lights - with bevelled edge to facilitate lighting |
US4424018A (en) * | 1981-09-14 | 1984-01-03 | Lowther Sr Roy E | Flexible firelighter |
US4790747A (en) | 1982-10-21 | 1988-12-13 | Nuwick, Inc. | Consumable candle wick and method of making a consumable candle wick |
US6270340B1 (en) | 2000-03-10 | 2001-08-07 | Al Lepp | Reusable candle wick |
-
2002
- 2002-07-25 US US10/202,763 patent/US6688880B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140287370A1 (en) * | 2012-09-25 | 2014-09-25 | Amy Keller | Candle Wick Kit and Methods of Using the Same |
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US6688880B1 (en) | 2004-02-10 |
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