GB2411950A

GB2411950A - Self-Extinguishing Device for Candles

Info

Publication number: GB2411950A
Application number: GB0405372A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Leslie Collyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-10
Filing date: 2004-03-10
Publication date: 2005-09-14
Also published as: GB0405372D0

Abstract

An extinguishing device 4 suitable for a wax candle 1 such that the wick cannot draw up the molten wax. The device forms a barrier between a lighted candle wick 2 and its well of molten wax. The device may be a metal tube placed around the wick, and may be held in place by crimping or pinching onto the wick 5. The crimp or pinch may prevent molten wax from being drawn up from the bottom of the extinguishing device. The crimp or pinch may be 5mm from the device top, and the device may have a diameter determined by the wick dimensions which permits the wick to be threaded therethrough. The device may be positioned at any point along the wick, and may have a length of approximately 10% of the overall length of the candle.

Description

241 1 950 elf-Extinguishin device for candles This invention relates to a

self-extinguishing device for candles if left unattended or forgotten about.

The dangers are if the candle is forgotten or left to burn to the end, the remaining bottom section can melt into a pool of molten wax. This molten wax now becomes an increased fire hazard the hotter the molten wax becomes. This molten wax can drip down onto someone or something like furniture / carpet. This molten wax has the potential to damage the furniture / carpet or even worse start a fire.

This invention will reduce this concern if the candle is left or forgotten. The invention is that as the candle burns down to the end it will automatically extinguish itself and go out safely.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an extinguishing device that will extinguish a candle automatically if the candle is not being attended or has been forgotten.

The extinguishing device may act to stop the molten wax being drawn up the wick and extinguishing the flame safely.

The extinguishing device may act to stop the vaporizations process of the paraffin wax and extinguish the flame safely.

The extinguishing device may act to stop the capillary action of the wick by constricting the wick.

The extinguishing device may comprise of any position along the length of the candle wick.

The extinguishing device may comprise of metal, heatproof material, or a combination of both.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a candle comprising an extinguishing device according to the first aspect of the invention.

Details of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a sectional view of a portion of a conventional candle; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a candle according to the second aspect of the invention, containing a distinguishing device according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the candle of figure 2 containing the distinguishing device, and Figure 4 is a sectional view of the extinguishing device of figures 2 and 3.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a top portion of a conventional candle, Item 1 is the candle wax in its solid form in the shape of a standard candle.

Item 2 is the candle wick that runs through the centre of the candle.

Item 3 is the molten wax The conventional candle comprises of a wick and paraffin wax. It works by means of a candle wick 2 being lit. The paraffin wax starts to melt around the wick from the heat of the flame. This produces a small well of molten wax as shown at item 3. This molten wax is then drawn up the wick by capillary action. As the molten wax travels up the wick it is heated further until it vapourises. This vapour is now the fuel to keep the candle alight.

Figures 2 and 3 shows the candle according to the invention and has the same components as a conventional candle i.e. paraffin wax I and a wick 2, with the addition of the extinguishing device 4 which has been crimped 5. The extinguishing device 4 comprises of a tube of metal that is threaded around the wick 2 and then crimped 5 into place. The extinguishing device 4 may be Placed at any position along the wick of the candle to determine where the candle will be extinguished.

As the wax burns down the extinguishing device 4 is exposed slowly as shown in Figure 3. When the wax burns down past the rim 6 of the extinguishing device, the wick 2 is unable to draw up molten wax due to the presence of the device forming a barrier between the well of molten wax and the wick. The candle then extinguishes through lack of fuel.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the extinguishing device 4 in details in which is shown, threaded around the wick 2 and then crimped 5 into position. Figure 4 shows how the crimping 5 constricts the wick 2 and prevents any molten wax from traveling up the extinguishing device.

Claims

Claims 1. According to a first aspect of the invention the extinguishing

device forms a barrier between a wick that is aflame and a well of molten wax, so that the wick cannot draw up molten wax.
2. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim I, in which, the barrier is formed by a tubular extinguishing device placed around the wick.
3. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extinguishing device is held in place by being crimped to the wick.
4. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extinguishing device is held in place by walls of the metal tubular extinguishing device being pinched onto the wick.
5. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extinguishing device has a length of 10% of the overall length of the candle, but must have a minimum length of 25mm.
6. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extinguishing device has a diameter, which is determined by the wick being used that can only just be threaded through the extinguishing device.
7. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extmgushmg device is crimped or pinched into position 5mm from the top of the device.
8. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the crimp or pinch prevents the molten wax from being drawn up from the bottom of the exhngushng device.
9. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extinguishing device is made from metal.
10. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extinguishing device is made from a heatproof material.
11. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extinguishing device is made from a combination of metal and heatproof materials.
12. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which the extinguishing device can be positioned anywhere along the length of the wick.
13. A device that will extinguish a candle automatically according to claim 1, in which a candle comprising an extinguishing device constructed and arranged substantially as described with rcfcrencc to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings figures 2, 3 and 4.