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

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 165,512, filed Jun. 24, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] 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 [0003] 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. [0004] Since the use of a candle requires an open flame, safety precau...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a self-extinguishing candle that does not require external mechanical devices and is free from zones of extinguishing agent. The candle has separate combustion zones separated by a non-combustion zone, which is either within the wick or at the end of the wick. The wick can have multiple combustion and non-combustion zones. The non-combustion zones allow for easy and rapid production using conventional equipment and current candle-making techniques. The non-combustion zones can be removed or re-lighted to re-ignite the candle. The technical effects of the invention include improved safety, ease of use, and efficient production."

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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