Wick Extinguishing, Dispensing and Storing Device

Abstract

A device for dispensing and automatically extinguishing pre-waxed hemp wick is described. The invention includes a main body, consisting of an area that may readily be gripped by a user and another area to store a length of pre-waxed wick. The user pulls or unwinds a length of wick from the storage area, and pushes the wick at the point where it should be extinguished into a notch cut into a sufficiently flame-retardant material located at the top of the main body. The notch is in width slightly smaller than standard pre-waxed hemp wick, therefore securely holding the wick and causing the burning wick to automatically extinguish by removing air from the combustion process when the flame reaches the notch. A recess located directly under the notch allows for easy retrieval of the next portion of wick to be burned.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDescription of the Prior Art[0004]Wick has been used for centuries to provide a dependable flame. Commonly made out of cotton or hemp, wick can be found in candles, lanterns, heaters, and many such devices which require a source of flame. While modern lighters and matches have mostly replaced the wick in everyday life, using pre-waxed wick is experiencing a resurgence in popularity for reasons related to health, environmental, cost and lifestyle benefits, such as pre-waxed wick's attractiveness for outdoor use.[0005]Using pre-waxed wick, often made with natural hemp cord and bees-wax, is a natural alternative to butane lighters and matches. It preserves the flavor of fine tobacco and reduces harmful exposure...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a lighted wick holder that can be comfortably and securely held in the hand or stand on its own. It allows the user to select the length of wick to be burned by removing a desired portion from the wick storage area and securing that portion of wick into the extinguishing notch. When the flame has burned through the desired portion of wick and reaches the extinguishing notch, air is removed from the combustion process and the lighted wick is automatically snuffed. The extinguished wick-end remains lodged in the extinguishing notch, and a recess located directly under the extinguishing notch allows for easy retrieval of the wick for the next use. The device's ability to safely and automatically extinguish a flame does not diminish with repeated use as no moving parts are involved in the dispensing and extinguishing processes. Furthermore, the invention provides an easy method of dispensing a desired portion of wick.

Problems solved by technology

While this method offers some convenience, wrapping a tank of flammable liquid with a product designed to easily ignite and remain burning, such as pre-waxed wick, can result in a hazardous fire.

While these devices have some inherent flame-retardant qualities, they do not address the lack of a flame barrier between the lighted wick and the stored wick.

Simple distraction can lead to wasting wick or causing a potentially hazardous fire.

Another safety issue with storing and transporting pre-waxed wick wrapped around a device of convenience, such as a lighter or smoking pipe, is that a length of wick is often stored in the same area designated to be grasped by the user's hand.

The hazard in this method is that the wax embedded into and coating the pre-waxed wick allows the lighted wick to continue to burn, possibly into the user's hand, and the embers of a just-extinguished wick-end can continue to glow hot while still exposed to the air.

Also, pre-waxed wick is rough and sticky, making it somewhat uncomfortable to the touch.

Manually snuffing out a flame can be an awkward and dangerous maneuver: using water requires a water source to be located nearby; using one's fingers can possibly cause a burn; using one of the many devices available for snuffing out a candle decreases the convenience of burning hemp wick by requiring the use of a secondary tool not included with the dispensing device.

Further issues arise for those persons who have been hampered with physical impairments, such as impaired manual grip-strength and dexterity.

Some may find it difficult to securely hold the thin strand of lighted wick without a dispensing device which can be held securely in the hand.

Some may also find it difficult to bring their fingers precisely together in order to snuff the lighted wick.

However, those devices which extinguish a lighted wick by removing air from the combustion process either rely on moving parts, require some level of mechanical or human interaction after the wick has been lighted, or do not address the need for a user to easily and exactly select the length of wick to be burned and then automatically extinguished.

But, the manner of extinguishing does not occur automatically and requires a certain level of manual dexterity to properly position the snuffer around the burning wick.

However, this device relies on moving parts to secure the section of candle into the apparatus.

Moving parts can break or wear down with use, reducing the device's ability to securely hold and extinguish the burning candle.

However, the length of the appliance is predetermined and the user cannot exactly select the length of wick to be burned before lighting the candle.

While this device is a successful wick storing, dispensing and lighting device, those people hampered with impairments to the use of their hands may find it difficult to turn the small wheel in order to dispense the next portion of wick intended to be burned, and refill the small chamber within the device with wick.

Even those with average manual dexterity may find it difficult to grasp the charred wick-end securely enough to pull out the next portion of wick.

Also, touching the charred wick-end leaves black soot on the fingers.

However, this decreases the level of convenience of the dispensing device, necessitating the use of a secondary tool not included with the dispensing device.

However, the same problems arise as with the aforementioned Quickwicks holder, in that one method of retrieving the next portion of wick intended to be burned necessitates pulling up the charred wick-end from the top.

While the glass top may allow for pushing up more wick from the bottom of the hole, this method requires repeated re-threading of the wick into the hole in the top which may be difficult for those with impairments to the use of their hands.

However, the tension in the outer arms can diminish with repeated use, decreasing the effectiveness of the tip's ability to securely hold and extinguish the lighted wick.

Also, threading the wick into the tip of the device may be difficult for those with impairments to the use of their hands.

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