The disclosed technology relates generally to candles and oil lamps, and more particularly to an interface used between a smaller, candle-holding receptacle (or oil lamp) and a larger, supporting candlestick, candelabra or other candle holder.
Candles and oil lamps are still commonly used today in religious ceremonies, or to provide accent or emergency lighting. Candles are typically formed of a solid cylindrical block of wax, with an embedded wick which is ignited to provide light. Similarly, oil lamps use a hollow receptacle filled with liquid fuel, with a wick extending therefrom. Candles and oil lamps are typically placed into a candle holder or chandelier for decoration and other purposes.
A common problem associated with a wax candle placed in a candle holder is the residue of melted wax. As the wick burns, excess melted wax often drips down and attaches itself to the sides of the candle. The wax may drip and harden on the candle holder, the buildup of which may be unsightly and obstructive. In addition, the re-hardening wax may fall onto surrounding surfaces and objects. To alleviate this problem, candles are often placed in small, candle-holding receptacles, which are often disposable. The candle-holding receptacles are made to hold the candles and catch any dripping wax. These candle-holding receptacles are then placed in larger, candlesticks or candelabras which are designed to hold both the candle and receptacle. However, this poses another problem, as the candle and its receptacle may not sit securely within the supporting candlestick or candelabra, and are prone to being accidentally knocked out of the supporting candlestick or candelabra, or otherwise falling out, causing a fire.
Oil lamps may alleviate the problem of unwanted dripping excess wax. However, many oil lamps are not shaped to properly sit in a traditional candle holder because these lamps typically are formed of a rigid outer body which may not fit securely in a candle holder. Therefore, as a candle replacement, oil lamps may not be suitable because they do not fit properly within a candle holder. If the oil lamps are not secured within the candle holder, a possible hazard exists, in that the lamp is susceptible to falling out of the holder and causing a fire. Thus, there is a need in the art for a candle or oil lamp holder interface which securely holds a candle-holding receptacle or an oil lamp in a traditional candle holder.
Therefore, it is an object of the disclosed technology to provide a candle and oil lamp holder interface for securing a candle-holding receptacle or oil lamp within a recess of a candle holder.
In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a candle holder interface is provided. The candle holder interface employs a substantially circular male end having an outer radius shorter than that of a radius of the candle holder. A substantially circular female end is disposed on a side opposite the male end, having an inner radius greater than that of a terminal receptacle adapted for being mated at a mating surface of the female end. A “female end” is defined as any extremity or end portion of the candle holder interface into which a corresponding male end or other insertable portion of an object may be received. A “male end” is inversely related to the “female end” in that it is defined as any extremity or other portion of an object which is insertable into a receiving female end, recess, or candle holder.
Further, a circular flange is situated between, and forming a unitary body with, the male end and the female end, wherein the circular flange has an outer radius greater than that of the outer radius of the male end and the outer radius of the female end. A “flange” is defined as a flat, horizontal lip extending circumferentially around an exterior of the candle holder interface and generally occupying a single horizontally disposed plane. A “terminal receptacle” is defined as any narrow or tapered insertable base which is disposed on a terminal end of a receptacle of a light producing object, such as a candle-holding receptacle or oil lamp. The terminal end of the object is the bottom end with respect to the force of gravity.
In a further embodiment of the disclosed candle holder interface, the mating surface of the female end has an outer lip extending above a generally flat and substantially circular female end. The outer lip is pressed tightly against the underside of an oil lamp, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, thus forming a tight seal around the underside of the oil lamp. This prevents oil from spilling into the female end of candle holder interface, which would prevent it from holding the oil lamp securely. The “female mating surface” is defined as the lowermost surface of the female end which will abut a corresponding male mating surface when mated. Still further, the mating end may be flexible, and also may frictionally engage with the terminal receptacle forming a continuous or nearly continuous (defined as “at least 80% in contact with”) outer surface between the outer lip and the terminal receptacle. The terminal receptacle may be an oil lamp having a male connecting end and a cylindrical oil housing, wherein, further, the male end frictionally engages with the female end of the candle holder interface, such that the cylindrical oil housing abuts an entire circumference of the outer lip of the candle holder interface. It should be understood that the terms “candle holder interface” and “oil holder interface” are used interchangeably in this document.
In still a further embodiment of the disclosed candle holder interface, the bottom surface of the circular flange and/or the male end of the candle holder interface may be at least partially coated with a pliable adhesive filler, forming fixed and removable engagement with the candle holder into which the candle holder interface is placed. Further, a portal may extend through the circular male end, the female end, and the outer lip. “Portal”, for purposes of this specification, is defined as a hollow void extending at least partially through said candle holder interface between the male end and the female end.
In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method is used for holding a candle-holding receptacle. A first step of the method is carried out by receiving a base of the candle-holding receptacle into a substantially circular female end of a candle holder interface. The substantially circular female end may be on a side of the interface opposite a substantially circular male end on the candle holder interface. Further, the interface may have a circular flange situated between, and forming a unitary body with, the female end and the male end. The circular flange may have an outer radius greater than that of an outer radius of the male end and an outer radius of the female end.
A next step of the method may be carried out by inserting the male end of the candle holder interface into a candle holder such that the bottom surface of the flange with the adhesive abuts a rim of the candle holder. A “rim of the candle holder” is defined as the uppermost portion of the candle holder having a circular shape and defining a circular void therein. A further step may be provided of partially coating a bottom surface of the circular flange and/or the male end of the candle holder interface with a pliable adhesive filler. The adhesive may be pre-applied before shipping the product or applied by a user just before use. This step may be carried out before the step of inserting the male end of the candle holder interface into the candle holder. The female end may have spaced-apart projections disposed near a top portion thereof for frictionally holding the base of the candle-holding receptacle or oil lamp in place.
It should be understood that the use of “and/or” is defined inclusively such that the term “a and/or b” should be read to include the sets: “a and b,” “a or b,” “a,” “b.” Further details are set forth in the detailed description below. It should further be understood that, for purposes of this specification, “substantially” is defined as, “what an ordinary observer would consider it to be” or “within a 5% tolerance level of being so.” Thus, for example, “substantially circular” is defined as “what an ordinary observer would consider to be a circle” or “within 5% of a true circle.” When a term is modified by “substantially,” it is defined as being “within a tolerance level accepted within the art.” For example, a “flat” base is accepted as “flat” if an ordinary person skilled in the art of candle holders would consider it to be so.
Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to devices and/or methods for securely engaging a candle-holding receptacle or oil lamp within a candle holder. The devices and/or methods may employ a candle holder interface which is formed of a unitary body having male and female ends, with a flange there-between. The male end is adapted to be inserted into a candle holder. The female end is adapted to receive a candle-holding receptacle or oil lamp. The interface securely holds the candle-holding receptacle or oil lamp within the candle holder and/or catches any excess oil that drips from the burning portion of the wick.
Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view of the following description of the figures.
While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, systems, and devices described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the disclosed technology.