DISPENSER FOR LIGHTABLE WICK

Abstract

A lightable wick dispenser has a body and a cavity. A spool of wick is rotatably located in the body cavity and retained therein by a spool retainer. A portion of the spool is accessible from the exterior of the body. The body has an extinguisher plate and extinguisher slide that moves over the extinguisher plate, and away from the extinguisher plate. Wick extends from the spool to the extinguisher plate. The extinguisher slide extinguishes the wick and covers the sooty wick end.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices that dispense wicks or strings that are capable of being lit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pipe and cigar smokers use a variety of tools to light their smoking articles. For example, matches and lighters are commonly used.

In addition to these prior art items, smokers also use wicks as an element to hold the flame for lighting purposes. The wick is typically a waxed natural fiber.

In the prior art, smokers have wound a length of wick about a lighter. However, this arrangement suffers from a variety of problems. For example, the wick tends to become unwound when the lighter is not in use. Also, once the end of the wick is extinguished, it has soot. When not in use, the lighter and wound wick is typically located in a pocket of the user. The sooted end tends to blacken the clothing and finger of the user.

Another prior art device is a lighter having a spool of wick located at the bottom end of the lighter. The wick is pulled up alongside of the lighter. With these prior art devices, the amount of wick that can be stored is a relatively short length and therefore must be replenished frequently. Still another prior art device is a spool of wick having a center cavity for receiving a lighter. This spool of wick can be difficult to use and to maintain the wick in a wound condition. The wick tends to unwind fairly easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lightable wick dispenser comprises a body having at least first and second sides, the body having a cavity with an opening in the first side. A spool for the wick is located in the cavity and rotatable therein, the body having a wick passage from the cavity to an opening on the second side, a portion in the spool exposed from the exterior of the body. An extinguisher slide is coupled to the body, the extinguisher slide moveable between a lit position and an extinguish position, wherein in the lit position, the opening for the wick passage is uncovered and in the extinguish position, the opening for the wick passage is covered by the extinguisher slide.

In one aspect, an extinguisher plate is located between the extinguisher slide and the body when the extinguisher plate is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher plate extending from the wick passage opening for a distance.

In another aspect, the extinguisher slider has a side that faces the extinguisher plate when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher slide side comprises a groove for receiving a length of the wick when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position.

In still another aspect, the first and second sides are opposite one another.

In still another aspect, a spool retainer is removability coupled to the first side of the body, wherein the spool retainer can be removed from the body to allow the spool to be removed from or placed into the cavity.

In still another aspect, an extinguisher plate is located between the extinguisher slide and the body when the extinguisher plate is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher plate extending from the wick passage opening for a distance. The extinguisher slider has a side that faces the extinguisher plate when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher slide side comprises a groove for receiving a length of the wick when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position. The first and second sides are opposite one another. A spool retainer is removability coupled to the first side of the body, wherein the spool retainer can be removed from the body to allow the spool to be removed from or placed into the cavity.

In still another aspect, the body further comprises third and fourth sides that are opposite each other, the body having a length that is between the third and fourth sides and a height that is between the first and second sides, the length being greater than the height, the body having a width of the first, second, third, and fourth sides, the width being less than the height.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, shown with the extinguishing slide in the open position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right end view (using the orientation of FIG. 2) of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the base block.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the base block of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the base block of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a side slide.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the side slide of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an edge view of the side slide of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the spool.

FIG. 12 is an edge view of the spool.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the extinguisher slide.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the extinguisher slide.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the spool retainer.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the spool retainer.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the spool retainer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the dispenser 11 in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The dispenser holds a large quantity of wick 13 that can be pulled (or pushed) from the dispenser for use. Once the end of the wick 13 is lit, the dispenser is easily held by the user. The wick is extinguished by moving an extinguishing slide 15 over the wick. The extinguishing slide also covers the burned wick end so that the user's clothes or fingers are not soiled with soot.

The wick 13 is wound about a spool 17 contained in the dispenser 11. As the wick is pulled out, the spool 17 revolves inside of the dispenser. A portion 19 of the spool is exposed so that the user can rewind the wick back onto the spool. Also, the spool can be removed and replaced for refilling.

The various components of the dispenser will now be discussed. The dispenser 11 has a base block 21, side slides 23, 23′, an extinguisher slide 15, an extinguisher plate 25, a spool 17 and a spool retainer 27.

The base block 21, or body, is shown in FIGS. 1-7. The block 21 is generally rectangular. Referring to the orientation shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, which is how the dispenser is typically oriented during use, the base block 21 has a top edge 29, a bottom edge 31, two side edges 33 and two sides 35 that extend between the top, bottom and side edges. The extinguisher slide 15 is slidingly coupled to the top edge 29, the spool retainer 27 is slidingly coupled to the bottom edge 31 and the side slides 23, 23′ are coupled to the side edges 33. The base block 21 has an interior cavity 37 for holding the spool 17. The cavity 37 has an opening 39 along the bottom edge to allow the spool to be replaced. The cavity 37 has slots 41 extending from the opening 39 inwardly; the slots receive pins 43 or an axle on the spool 17 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). An opening or passage 45 extends from the cavity 37 through the top wall 47 to the top edge 29. The passage 45 is for the wick.

The top, bottom and side edges 29, 31, 33 are provided with rails 49 to allow the corresponding pieces to slide thereon (see FIGS. 5-7). Rails allow the corresponding pieces to move in a sliding configuration, but not to be pulled off. In the preferred embodiment, these rails 49 are dovetails. For example, the top and bottom edges are provided with male dovetails, while the side edges are provided with female dovetails. However, the edges can be provided with either male or female dovetails. The corresponding slides are provided with female or male dovetails. The dovetails 49 along the top and side edges 29, 33 extend the length of the respective edges. On the bottom edge 31, the dovetail is interrupted by the opening 39 into the cavity 37.

A side slide 23 is shown in FIGS. 8-10. The slide 23 is equipped with a corresponding rail 49 or dovetail so as to fit onto one of the side edges 33 of the base block 21. In the preferred embodiment, only one side slide 23 need slide on the base block. The other side slide 23′, which is substantially similar to the one side 23, can be permanently coupled the base block 21, such as by an adhesive. The side slide 23, and the extinguishing slide 15, can be provided with a depression 51 for a finger hold, to allow for better grip on the respective slide.

The extinguisher plate 25 (See FIGS. 1 and 3) is a plate that is located along a portion of the length of the top edge 29. The plate is made of metal or some other non-flammable material (at the temperature of a burning wick). The plate can be coupled to the base block 21 by tabs 53 or teeth which are formed in the edges of the plate and then bent down to engage the base block material as the plate is pressed in place. Alternatively, the plate 25 can be nailed in place. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the base block 21 has a recess 52 for receiving the extinguisher plate 25. The plate has a hole 55 that is aligned with the passage 45. This end of the plate, with the hole, is bent downward into the base block, so as to minimize interference with the extinguisher slide 15.

The extinguisher slide 15 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The extinguisher slide 15 has corresponding dovetails 49 to slide on the top end 29 dovetails 49 of the base block 21. The extinguisher slide 15 is about one-half the length of the top edge 29. Thus, the extinguisher slide can move or slide between a lit position (shown in FIG. 1 and in solid lines in FIGS. 2 and 3) and an extinguished position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2). When the extinguisher slide 15 is in the lit position, the wick can be lit and remain so. When the extinguisher slide 15 is in the extinguished position, the slide covers the lit end of the wick to extinguish the wick. The slide 15 may be provided with an interior longitudinal channel 57 to accommodate the wick as the slide is moved into the extinguishing position.

The spool retainer 27 is shown FIGS. 15-17. The spool retainer 27 is the same length as the bottom edge 31 of the base block. The spool retainer has a central opening 59 that corresponds to the cavity 37 in the base block. The spool retainer has dovetails in its end portions 61, about the central opening 59.

The dispenser can be made with a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the hub 63 of the spool 17 has a hole 65 located therethrough, with a countersink at least one end. The wick is inserted through the hole and a knot tied and then seated into the countersink, before winding the wick about the hub and the spool.

To assemble the dispenser 11, the spool 17, containing a length of wick 13, is obtained. The wick may be made of a variety of materials. One such material is hemp with a wax (such as beeswax) coating. The spool 17 is inserted into the cavity 37, with the wick 13 extending through the passage 45 and the hole 55 in the extinguisher plate 25. The pins 43 of the spools are located in the slots 41 of the cavity. The spool 17 can be inserted in the cavity 37 a sufficient distance so that the spool retainer 27 can be copied to the base block 21. The spool retainer 27 is coupled to the base block 21 by engaging the respective dovetails 49 and sliding the spool retainer 27 onto the base block. One of the side slides 23′ is already in place; the other is not yet on the base block. The spool retainer 27 contacts the one side slide 23′ as a stop. The spool retainer 27 closes the slots 41 and prevents the egress of the spool 17 from the cavity. The extinguishing slide 15 is then slid on to the top edge and the remaining side slide 23 is then slid on to the remaining side edge. The spool retainer 27 is captured and movement prevented by the two side slides 23, 23′. Likewise, the movable side slide 23 is prevented from movement by the spool retainer 27 and the extinguishing slide 15 (See FIG. 2). The extinguishing slide is free to move between the lit position and the extinguishing position.

A portion 19 of the spool 17 protrudes out beyond the spool retainer 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). This exposed portion allows a user to rotate the spool to rewind the wick thereon.

The dispenser is now ready for use. To use, with the extinguishing slide 15 in the lit position, a length of width 13 is pulled out; the spool 17 turns inside of the cavity 37 as the wick is pulled out. The end of the wick is lit with a match, lighter, etc., and the flame used. To extinguish the wick, the extinguishing slide 15 is slid into the extinguished position. The lit end of the wick is located between the extinguishing plate 25 and the extinguishing slide 15. Deprived of air, the flame goes out on the wick. The end of the wick may be left covered by the extinguishing slide 15. If the wick is too long, before or after being extinguished, the user rotates the spool by way of the exposed portion 19 to rewind a portion of the wick. To advance the wick so that a longer length is available for lighting, the user rotates the spool. Thus, the user need not touch the sooted end of the wick. The size of the passage 45 is such that the wick can be easily pushed or pulled therethrough.

The spool 17 holds several feet (for example five to ten feet) of wick. When the last of the wick is used, the spool 17 is easily replaced. The extinguishing slide 15 is slid to the extinguishing position and the side slide 23 is slide off of the base block. This allows the removal of the spool retainer 27, wherein the spool can be removed from the cavity. A fresh spool is then replaced in the cavity, with the wick being threaded through the passage 45 and hole 55 of the extinguishing plate. The dispenser is then reassembled.

The dispenser has a length located between slides 23 and 23′, a height located between slides 15 and 27 and a width, which is the width of the slides 23, 23′, 15, 27. The length of the dispenser is greater than the height. The width of the dispenser is less than the height. Thus, the dispenser forms a generally rectangular shape. The wick 13 is dispensed in the direction of the length. The spool 17 rotates about an axis that is parallel to the dispenser width. The extinguisher slide 15 moves along the length of the dispenser. All of these orientations make the dispenser easy for a user to grasp and use. The user grasps the dispenser in one hand, contacting the dispenser across its width. The dispenser is generally oriented so that the wick is up and the spool is down. With one hand, the user can slide the extinguisher slide 15 back to expose the wick. Fingers on that same hand can be used to rotate the spool to advance the wick. When the wick is ready to be extinguished, the user can use the thumb to advance the extinguisher slide 15.

The foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A lightable wick dispenser, comprising: a) A body having at least first and second sides, the body having a cavity with an opening in the first side;b) A spool for the wick located in the cavity and rotatable therein, the body having a wick passage from the cavity to an opening on the second side, a portion in the spool exposed from the exterior of the body;c) An extinguisher slide coupled to the body, the extinguisher slide moveable between a lit position and an extinguish position, wherein in the lit position, the opening for the wick passage is uncovered and in the extinguish position, the opening for the wick passage is covered by the extinguisher slide.

2. The lightable wick dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an extinguisher plate located between the extinguisher slide and the body when the extinguisher plate is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher plate extending from the wick passage opening for a distance.

3. The lightable wick dispenser of claim 2, wherein the extinguisher slider has a side that faces the extinguisher plate when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher slide side comprises a groove for receiving a length of the wick when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position.

4. The lightable wick dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides are opposite one another.

5. The lightable wick dispenser of claim 4, further comprising a spool retainer removability coupled to the first side of the body, wherein the spool retainer can be removed from the body to allow the spool to be removed from or placed into the cavity.

6. The lightable wick dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a) An extinguisher plate located between the extinguisher slide and the body when the extinguisher plate is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher plate extending from the wick passage opening for a distance;b) The extinguisher slider has a side that faces the extinguisher plate when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher slide side comprises a groove for receiving a length of the wick when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position;c) The first and second sides are opposite one another;d) A spool retainer removability coupled to the first side of the body, wherein the spool retainer can be removed from the body to allow the spool to be removed from or placed into the cavity.

7. The lightable wick dispenser of claim 6, wherein the body further comprises third and fourth sides that are opposite each other, the body having a length that is between the third and fourth sides and a height that is between the first and second sides, the length being greater than the height, the body having a width of the first, second, third, and fourth sides, the width being less than the height.