Patent Application
20140057219
The present invention generally concerns candle systems, and more particularly, representative and exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems, devices, and methods relating to a wick system that is configured to provide heat to a product, wherein the product simultaneously operates as a fuel for the candle.
In general, candle systems comprise a fuel source and a wick. The wick is coupled to the fuel source in some manner that provides fuel for the wick to burn, which in turn provides heat and light. Generally, the fuel source is a solid paraffin wax or a liquid lamp oil. Through capillary action or proximate placement, these fuels provide the source for the wick to burn.
To provide for a more aesthetically pleasing candle system, candles comprising wick systems that “float” in a liquid medium have witnessed great popularity. Moreover, candle systems that provide therapeutic qualities, e.g. aromatherapy, have also witnessed great popularity. As such, an aesthetically pleasing, floating wick system that burns and provides heat in a manner that overcomes the limitations of prior art floating wick systems is disclosed.
In various representative aspects, the present invention comprises a candle system that comprises a wick system, which floats in a liquid fuel for the candle, and the wick system is configured to conduct heat to the candle's liquid fuel. The liquid fuel comprises a substantially organic material and in addition to functioning as the fuel for the wick system, the organic material may be used, in one example, as a therapeutic skin medicament, but in other embodiments the organic material may be used as a food condiment or an aromatherapy composition for inhalation.
In an embodiment, systems and methods for a candle fuel heating system may generally comprise, a vessel to contain a quantity of a liquid fuel, and a wick system configured to float upon the quantity of the liquid fuel and to transfer heat to the liquid fuel, wherein the wick system may comprise a wick and a wick holder. The wick may comprise a first wick material configured to support a flame from a combustion, and the wick may comprise a second wick material, proximate to the first wick material, and configured to absorb combustion products from the combustion. The wick may further comprise a metallic sleeve to support the first and second wick material, as well as conduct heat from the flame to the liquid fuel. The wick holder may be configured to support the wick, such that at least a portion of the wick may be immersed in the quantity of the liquid fuel.
In yet a further embodiment, the metallic sleeve may be configured to support at least the first wick material in an upright position, the metallic sleeve having an upper portion
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.
Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The present invention may be described herein in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present invention may employ various wicks and wick holders, e.g., compound wicks, refractory wicks, heat conductive wicks, decorative wicks, buoyant wick holders, glass wick holders, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with any number of environments for using a candle system, and the system described is merely one exemplary application for the invention. Further, the present invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for burning a candle, heating a product, providing therapeutic environmental settings, and the like.
Various representative implementations of the present invention may be applied to any system for operating a candle system and/or heating a candle fuel. Certain representative implementations may include, for example: providing heat and light, providing a decorative, aesthetically pleasing object, heating a product, providing therapy, etc. Systems and methods for heating a candle fuel may operate in conjunction with a candle fuel heating system 100. Referring now to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise the vessel 110 to contain a quantity of the liquid fuel 120. The vessel 110 may comprise any configuration to adequately, but more importantly, safely contain the quantity of the liquid fuel 120. In one embodiment, the vessel 110 may comprise a clear glass configuration, such that the light from the flame 160 illuminates the entirety of the candle fuel heating system 100 to provide for a superior, aesthetically pleasing object. In an embodiment, the clear vessel 110, comprising a clear liquid fuel 120 and a clear wick system 130, promotes a unique, “fire floating on water” appearance. In other embodiments, the vessel 10 may comprise colored glass, frosted glass, opaque or semi-opaque glass, etched glass, mosaic glass, etc. In yet other embodiments, the vessel 110 may comprise materials other than glass, for example, synthetic materials, polymeric materials, natural materials, and/or combinations thereof. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the candle fuel heating system 100 may comprise a liquid fuel 120 that may combust when ignited to provide the flame 160 via the wick 140. In an embodiment, the liquid fuel 120 comprises an all natural organic oil that can operate not only as a fuel, but also as a usable consumer product. For example, the liquid fuel 120 may comprise of a fractured coconut oil. The coconut oil is combustible, yet it may also be used as a skin medicament, i.e. a moisturizer. Thus, as the candle system 100 operates, the coconut oil is heated and a user can dip into the oil to use, for example, on their skin. In another embodiment, the liquid fuel 120 may comprise enriched olive oil, wherein the heated olive oil may be used as a food condiment. The present invention is not limited by these examples, and any other embodiment that may benefit from heated natural oil or other materials is contemplated by this disclosure.
It should be noted that candle systems, in general, do not use natural organic oils as fuels because combustion products, such as carbon, can quickly build up and clog the wick material, thereby preventing the candle from operating effectively. As discussed further below, the present invention overcomes this limitation such that the benefits of using natural oils that are both combustible and/or consumable may be used.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the liquid fuel 120 may comprise other combustible materials other than natural oils, for example, kerosene, lamp oil, etc. Moreover, exemplary embodiments may comprise other combustible, consumable materials other than a natural oil. Although not necessary, many of the natural oils are preferred over typical candle fuels because of the high flash point of the natural oils. Because of the nature of the candle systems described, which rely upon a bath of fuel oil for the wick system to float, a fuel having a low flash point may be hazardous, e.g. the entire bath surface could ignite. By using the natural oils that have a substantially higher flash point, such hazard is avoided.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with continued reference to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, and as best seen by the
In an embodiment and in addition to the aesthetic appeal, the substantially horizontal wick 140 may also provide for a more efficient manner to heat the liquid fuel 120, i.e. a greater quantity of flame may be supported to heat the liquid fuel 120.
Among various embodiments, the first wick material 242 may comprise any material that can act in a wicking manner to supply the liquid fuel 120 to promote the combustion and the flame 160. In an embodiment, the first wick material 242 may comprise a non-flammable and/or heat conducting ceramic fiber material, for example, a TaoFibre® Ceramic Fiber Paper, but other materials, for example refractory materials such as, alumina, silica, zirconia, magnesia, combinations thereof, and the like may be used. Although non-flammable, the ceramic fiber material, through capillary action, was found to adequately support the combustion and the flame 160.
In accordance with an embodiment, the first wick material 242 as well as the second wick material 244 described below, because of their fibrous nature are at least partially porous such that liquid additives could be added to the materials. For example, an aromatherapy or air freshener could be added and as the wick burns, the additives would be released into the surrounding environment.
The following Summary Table I illustrates compositions of various other grades of exemplary ceramic fiber materials that may be used. Other candle systems in the prior art have attempted to use such ceramic fibers, but have achieved only limited success. Using these ceramic fiber materials as candle wicks, the fibers can become clogged with a build-up of carbon from the combustion. To overcome this limitation, the present invention may further comprise the second wick material 244.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wick 140 may comprise the second wick material 244, which may be suitably coupled to or positioned proximate to the first wick material 242. The second wick material may function as a combustion by-product sink for components of the combustion, for example, carbon. As mentioned briefly, wicking materials such as the ceramic fibrous types discussed are generally not used as wicks for candle systems. They have a tendency to clog with combustion by-products thereby limiting their effective operation because of carbon build-up. To alleviate this, the present invention comprises a material to absorb the by-products, which greatly enhances the operational use of the ceramic fiber wick. In one example, the second wick material 244 may comprise a high alpha cellulose material, but almost any material that can be sacrificially coupled to or positioned proximate to the first wick material 242 to absorb combustion by-products, may be used. Other paper examples may comprise blotting type paper, bond paper, construction paper, cotton paper, woven and/or coated paper, and the like. It should be appreciated that the second wick material 244, by absorbing combustion products, further promotes the clean, clear look of the system 100, i.e. the second wick material 244 may substantially prevent or deter carbon and/or other by-products from leaching into the liquid fuel 120, thereby clouding the liquid fuel 120.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wick 140 may comprise the sleeve 246. In some embodiments, the first wick material 242 as well as the second wick material 244, may comprise of a rigid configuration, but in some embodiments, the first and second wick materials may comprise less rigid or flaccid configurations and therefore, rely upon the sleeve 246 for support The sleeve 246 may be configured to support the first wick material 242 and/or the second wick material 244. The sleeve 246 may comprise substantially parallel plates that fasten together to sandwich the first and second wick materials together, as more completely shown by
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 246 may also deter the transmission, i.e. leakage, of combustion by-products into the liquid fuel 120, wherein transmission of the by-products into the liquid fuel 120 would cloud the aesthetically pleasing, clear, fuel oil bath. Whereas the second wick material 244 described above may prevent by-products from clogging the first wick material 242, the sleeve 256, by substantially encasing the first and second wick materials, may prevent the by-product absorbing second wick material 244 from allowing any absorbed by-products from leaching into the bath of the liquid fuel 120.
In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 246 may also control how far from the surface of the liquid fuel 120 the combustion occurs, i.e. how high above the bath surface the flame burns. As mentioned briefly, the present invention provides for the appearance of a “floating flame.” In an embodiment, by adjusting the dimensions of the sleeve 256, the flame can be configured to burn at varying heights above the surface of the liquid fuel 120 bath.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with reference to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the wick 140 may comprise of a disposable type wick that may be disposable after a certain duration, for example, after 8-12 hours of use. In some embodiments, only particular elements of the wick 140 may be disposable. For example, instead of replacing the entire wick 140 and/or wick holder 150, a user may merely replace the first wick material 242 and/or the second wick material 244 that have become saturated with combustion by-products, worn from use, and the like.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the wick system 130 may comprise the wick holder 150. As exemplary illustrated by
In an embodiment, the floats 472 may comprise air filled chambers comprising a fixed and/or an adjustable volume to provide buoyancy for the frame 470 yet also allow the wick 146 to be at least partially immersed in the liquid fuel 120.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame 470 may also be configured to provide spacing from a side wall of the vessel 110, thereby preventing the flame 160 from excessively heating any side wall of the vessel 110 as the frame 470 floats about. As can be seen by the configuration of the frame 470 in
With continued reference to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the frame 470 may comprise a clear borosilicate glass material that complements the aesthetics of the entire candle fuel heating system 100. In other embodiments, other configurations of frame 470 comprising other materials may be used. For example, instead of the floats 472 comprising air filled chambers, the floats may comprise buoyant materials, such as wood, cork, etc. Also, instead of the frame 470 comprising clear borosilicate glass, the frame 470 may comprise a plexi-glass frame, a wood frame, and the like. Moreover, other frame constructions and/or configurations may be used.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the candle fuel heating system 100 may comprise complementary elements that can accentuate any therapeutic qualities the system 100 may provide. In one embodiment, the wick 140 may further comprise a crucible 380,
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with reference to
In one embodiment, sleeve 546 may comprise substantially parallel sidewalls, which can be best seen in
Continuing with this exemplary embodiment, sidewalls 685 and 686 may be flared outwardly along a top portion of sleeve 546, as shown by element 548 of
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, candle 500 may also comprise at least one clip, such as clip 560, which may be pivotably secured, as shown by direction arrow 562, at either end of sleeve 546 and rotatable about a pin 561. Pin 561 comprises an axis normal to sleeve 546 sidewalls 685 and 686 so that clip 560 may maintain an ignited flame between or to one side of the clip, and/or to further secure planar wick 542 within sleeve 546. In an exemplary embodiment, candle 500 may also comprise at least one sleeve support, such as supports 550 and/or 552 to support sleeve 546, but in other embodiments supports 550 and/or 552 by comprise a buoyant structure such that candle 500 may float.
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, candle 500 may comprise not only the elements and/or features described, but other elements and/or features described with respect to the exemplary embodiment of candle fuel heating system 100 as well.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of a candle fuel heating system 100, a method for using a candle fuel heating system 100 may comprise: filling a vessel with a quantity of a liquid fuel; placing a wick system upon a surface of the liquid fuel; lighting a wick from the wick system to initiate a combustion to produce a flame; and heating the quantity of the liquid fuel by the wick system.
In an exemplary embodiment and similar to the system components described, the wick system may be configured to float upon the liquid fuel and to transfer heat to the liquid fuel wherein, the wick system comprises a wick and a wick holder. The wick may comprises a first wick material configured to support the flame from the combustion, and the wick may comprise a second wick material suitably coupled or proximate to the first wick material and configured to absorb combustion products from the combustion. In an embodiment, the wick holder may be configured to support the wick, such that at least a first portion of the wick is immersed in the quantity of the liquid fuel, and at least a second portion of the wick resides above a surface of the quantity of the liquid fuel. The candle fuel heating method is not limited in this regard, and other methods are contemplated by this disclosure. Although a particular order of actions is disclosed, these actions can be performed in other temporal sequences. For example, two or more actions can be performed sequentially, concurrently, or simultaneously.
Additional examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the candle fuel heating system and method is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the candle fuel heating system and method and is not intended to be limiting. For example, in one embodiment, the candle fuel heating system may comprise one or more features of
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.
For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.
Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.
As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
This continuation-in-part application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/410,169, filed Mar. 24, 2009, which claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/070,695, filed Mar. 24, 2008; and incorporates the disclosure of those applications by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61070695 | Mar 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12410169 | Mar 2009 | US |
| Child | 13866527 | US |
