Self-extinguishing candle

Abstract

A self-extinguishing candle is provided which, in a preferred configuration, comprises a candle having a wick with a series of alternating combustion and non-combustion zones. In use, the wick will burn through the combustion zone, and will be extinguished on reaching the non-combustion zone. The non-combustion zone is preferably provided by a physical or chemical means, and the candle can be re-lit by removal of the non-combustion means. A safer candle is provided that will self-extinguish on a regular basis.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of candles, and in particular, relates to a candle which is capable of extinguishing itself automatically. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Candles have been known for centuries and typically comprise a wick surrounded by a solid core of a combustible material which acts as a fuel. On heating by the flame of the candle, the combustible material in the area surrounding the burning wick is liquified so as to provide fluid material to the wick in order to support combustion. As the fuel is consumed, a portion of the wick is burnt so that the wick height above the candle remains relatively constant as the candle burns. [0003] Since the use of a candle requires an open flame, safety precautions are required in order that the burning flame is monitored. However, frequently, a candle is lit and then left unsupervised for hours until the solid fuel is consumed, or until the user remembers to attend to the candle. [00...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a self-extinguishing candle which is free from having zones of extinguishing agent located within the solid fuel component of the candle.

[0015] It is a still further advantage of the present invention to provide a self-extinguishing candle which is easily and rapidly produced using conventional equipment and current candle-making techniques.

[0016] The advantages set out hereinabove, as well as other objects and goals inherent thereto, are at least partially or fully provided by the self-extinguishing candle of the present invention, as set out herein below.

[0017] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a self-extinguishing candle comprising a wick, and a fuel material which surrounds said wick, characterized in that said candle has at least two separate combustion zones separated by a non-combustion zone wherein said candle is extinguished, and wherein said non-combustion zones is provided by a non-combustion zone within said wick, or by termination of said wick within said candle.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the wick includes the non-combustion zone. According, the present invention also provides a self-extinguishing candle, as hereinabove described, wherein said wick has at least two separate combustion zones along its length, and said combustion zones on said wick are separated by a non-combustion zone on said wick.

[0019] As a result, the candle can burn the wick in a first combustion zone, but on reaching the non-combustion zone, the candle is extinguished. However, the candle can be re-lit by removing the non-combustion zone of the wick, or by re-lighting the wick at a point beyond the non-combustion zone. Preferably, the wick has a plurality of combustion and non-combustion zones.

Problems solved by technology

However, frequently, a candle is lit and then left unsupervised for hours until the solid fuel is consumed, or until the user remembers to attend to the candle.

This not only wastes the candle fuel, but can cause several obvious safety hazards.

This detracts from the aesthetic appearances of a candle, and can be limited in utility if, for example a larger candle is used than that for which the timer mechanism is designed.

For example, the nature of the solid fuel, the diameter of the candle, and even the composition of the wick material itself can affect the burn rate of a candle and can make estimation of the candle burn time difficult.

While this approach provides a candle with a controllable self-extinguishing feature that does not require the use of outside mechanical devices, its production can be difficult in order to provide a series of zones within the solid material that contain the extinguishing material.

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