1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a device for removing excess wax from the perimeter of a candle.
2. The Prior Art
Conventionally, a candle is a source of light. It has a cylindrical shape and burns with an open flame. Commonly, candles consist of tallow, spermaceti, bees' wax or paraffin wax, with an embedded wick that draws the fuel up by capillary action. Generally, the burning properties of such candles do not achieve the desired ideal. Ideally, a candle should burn continuously and steadily with a large luminous flame. The wax of the body of the candle should be melted to such an extent by the flame as to form a molten dish of wax and gradually melt down the entire candle, so that a perimeter wall, or shoulder, does not form. In pillar and wide taper candles, the molten dish of wax frequently does not extend to the outer surface of the candle, and the candle develops shoulders. The shoulders interfere with burning of the candle. As the shoulders develop, the candle may stop burning, the owner is burned reaching into the candle to light it, and matches may accumulate in the wax, giving the candle an untidy appearance. In an effort to use the candle, the owner may attempt to remove the excess wax with a sharp knife, which is dangerous and often leaves the candle misshapen.
What is needed is an easy, safe way to remove the shoulders from candles and produce an attractive, usable candle.
A manufacture for melting wax shoulders from candles is a receptacle having a top, bottom and sides. Connected to the sides of the receptacle are a spout and at least one handle. The top of the receptacle has a recessed area having walls and a central conical area, which has a central hole and at least one hole lateral thereto. Also disclosed is a method of melting a shoulder off the top of a candle, which has the steps of providing a candle with excess wax in the form of shoulders, providing a conical surface with at least one hole to drain wax, heating the conical surface to a temperature sufficient to melt the candle; and placing the top of the candle in contact with the heated conical surface until at least a portion of the shoulders have melted.
The candle re-topper kettle was developed for people to re-top previously burned pillar and taper candles and make them usable and attractive again.
A preferred embodiment shown in
The spout 20 is shown as being tapered. The spout may be any shape that permits it to efficiently drain melted wax and hot water from the kettle.
The handles 30 are comprised of supports 80 which are welded (not shown) to the side of the kettle. It is understood that the handles also can be bolted or riveted to the side of the kettle. As shown, the handle is attached to the supports by means of metal head screws 90. The handles are made of non-burnable, non-conductive materials including, but not limited to, porcelain, painted wood, composite or comparable material. Two handles are not required; the supports may be joined in a hinge to a single handle, as shown in U.S. Des. 373,500. In such a configuration, the kettle can be carried with the handle up, and the handle is pushed to the side to melt the shoulders of wax off a candle.
In
The recessed area 100 has the central hole 40 and laterally spaced holes 50, 60 and 70. In this embodiment, central hole 40 has a diameter of ¼ inch (0.6 cm), lateral holes 50 and 60 have diameters of 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) and lateral hole 70 has a diameter of 3/32 inch (2.4 mm). The diameters and locations of the holes can be varied but must accommodate prompt drainage of the melted wax.
The receptacle or kettle can be made of a variety of metals including, but not limited to, stainless steel, enamel coated metals, comparable alloys, ceramic and other materials. The preferred thickness is 16 gauge; however, other thicknesses will work.
Many options are available with respect to the shape of the body and with respect to the design of cover and handles adapted to be used in association with a wax melting receptacle.
In another embodiment, a controlled heating element can be incorporated into the bottom surface of the receptacle, thus obviating the need to place the receptacle on a stove. Preferably, there is an on-off switch and a thermostat set so that the recessed area maintains enough heat to melt typical candles.
The candle re-topper kettle was developed to enable people to re-top previously burned pillar and taper candles which have grown shoulders and to make the candles usable and attractive again. The basic operation of this invention allows an individual to fill the kettle with water, heat the water, place a candle upside down into the inverted recessed cone and hold the candle thusly until the desired shape is reached. Excess wax melts and falls into the kettle and mixes with hot water. Both water and wax are discarded by pouring out the spout.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
D119507 | von Bilkau | Mar 1940 | S |
D119776 | von Bilkau | Apr 1940 | S |
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2680963 | Churchill | Jun 1954 | A |
3844706 | Tsaras | Oct 1974 | A |
D237012 | Steinhart | Sep 1975 | S |
D239569 | Eker | Apr 1976 | S |
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Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2 067 739 | Jul 1981 | GB |