Method for improving the delivery of volatiles from a buring candle and a system for the same

Abstract

The invention provides a system and a method for improving the delivery of volatiles by providing a stabilized generally laminar gas flow adjacent a volatile-containing molten pool, ensuring an enlarged molten pool by close regulation of thermal transfer between a monolithic mass and the surrounding atmosphere, and minimizing volatile loss through unregulated thermal gradients.

Description

PRIORITY [0001] This application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 384,906 filed Mar. 8, 2004, presently allowed, and PCT / US04 / 06964 filed Mar. 8, 2004, presently pending, the contents of each are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for improving and regulating the delivery of volatiles from a burning candle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system used to improve the delivery of volatiles from a burning candle while both minimizing volatile loss through thermal breakdown and increasing or controlling a molten pool size [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Fragrances, aromas, pesticides, and even anti-microbial compounds are commonly dispersed, into the atmosphere for a wide variety of reasons. Fragrances and aromas are used to improve the ‘feel’ or ‘mood’ of a location, and are often used to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a system and method for improving the delivery of volatiles from a burning candle by creating a laminar air flow that prevents volatile loss through unregulated thermal gradients. This is achieved by providing a chimney with a top and bottom opening, and a plurality of air inlets on the outer surface of the candle, which creates a stable laminar air flow that draws the volatiles away from the wick and out the top opening. The system also includes a recess to prevent movement of the chimney and a method for releasing a volatile by providing a plurality of air inlets and inner openings to create closed pathways or open channels for the volatile to escape. The invention improves the delivery of volatiles from a burning candle by enlarging the molten pool of volatiles and minimizing volatile loss through unregulated thermal gradients."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, each of the current systems has detriments.

As one example, aerosol canisters are a common way to deliver an aromatic or insecticide volatile, but the delivery time period is very short, the delivery range is necessarily narrow, and the volatiles delivered do not remain airborne and almost immediately stick to a surface.

Additionally, aerosol canisters require repeated manual application to even attempt a continuous delivery stream of the selected volatile.

Unfortunately, while this type of system may be used for long-duration volatile delivery, the system is not readily portable, must remain connected to an electrical source, and requires custom-made and non-interchangeable volatile sources.

Unfortunately, this type of system is similarly tied to an electrical source, is often very expensive, heavy, and requires a constant supply of expensive porous filters.

In other words, air flows A2, A1 are not efficiently harnessed to aid volatile movement away from candle flame 13 and are not effectively harnessed to distribute any volatiles that survive.

As noted above, conventional candle systems have many disadvantages that result in the unsatisfactory delivery of the volatiles, most commonly selected fragrances or aromas.

The principal disadvantages of the presently known candle systems are unregulated volatile distribution and unpredictable volatile combustion, namely that a large percentage of the volatiles pass through the 2000° C. flame and are thermally broken down into smaller molecules and substances.

Many of these smaller molecules are either harmful to others or have no fragrance or aroma value.

A secondary cause of this unregulated combustion is the formation of irregular molten pools, many of which can only release the volatile compounds immediately adjacent to or directly into the flame, causing an even greater percentage of thermal breakdown.

As a result of the multiple disadvantages inherent with conventional delivery candle systems, manufacturers have been forced to respond by (1) improving the thermal resistance of the active volatiles placed in the base material, (2) increasing the concentration of volatile components within the base material to an expensive and unnecessarily high level, (3) selecting volatile compounds which have non-harmful combustion components, (4) changing or limiting desirable volatile (fragrance) components requiring while increase in secondary non-desirable and expensive volatile components, (5) changing the wax base material to a more expensive substance, (6) changing the wick material to a more expensive one having a lower temperature of combustion, and (7) placing hoods above the wick in attempts to minimize wick flare-ups and re-radiate heat downward to minimize irregular molten pool shapes.

Unfortunately, available commercial candle based systems are only positioned to protect the candle flame from being blown out or for pleasing decoration or design purposes.

Many candle hoods substantially decrease volatile performance because of inadequate design and use.

Consequently, volatiles that escape from the molten pool are forced into a narrow cone containing the hot combustion gasses, and are thermally consumed.

Volatiles that do escape the hot combustion gasses experience the additional turbulence resulting from the pressure gradient between the wide bottom and narrow top openings of the hood.

Consequently, this design is not interchangeable with multiple candles from differing manufacturers, is difficult to operate accurately, and does not adequately protect the burning wick from air disturbances.

Aromatic systems, similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,710, are expensive, require electrical power, and operate by warming a base wax.

This type of aromatic system requires volatile compounds which are different from those conventionally used in candle systems, require expensive scientific review of each new volatile compounds, cannot be easily transported during use, and further requires a flameless heat source to operate effectively.

The Lee system further minimizes performance volatile distribution by trapping the volatiles and combustion gasses below a bowl (and cup) thus creating a positive downward pressure and increased turbulence to further minimize volatile distribution.

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