Candle Base Non-Combustible Plate Air Gap Fire Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Candles pose a fire hazard when the flame reaches the base, as unburned combustible material separates the flame from the base, leading to rapid temperature increases and potential ignition of the surface on which the candle is placed.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method where a flat non-combustible element is integrated into the candle base during the pressure solidification process, forming a profiled element that creates an air gap between the wick and the surface, preventing direct thermal contact and reducing the risk of fire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a candle is made with combustible material only, then the candle structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the base can ignite when the flame reaches it, creating a fire hazard

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire safetyVSAvoidcandle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The candle base is constructed as a composite structure combining combustible material (candle body) with a non-combustible plate (aluminum or fire-resistant material). This composite design allows the candle to maintain its burning function while the non-combustible base prevents ignition of the surface, resolving the fire safety issue without significantly complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

A protrusion is created on the non-combustible base plate that extends upward into the candle body, creating a three-dimensional structural feature. This protrusion serves multiple functions: it prevents direct contact between the wick and base surface, creates an air gap for cooling, and maintains the fire safety benefit while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the wick is allowed to burn down to the base, then the candle burns completely, but the temperature at the base increases rapidly causing potential ignition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecandle burning durationVSAvoidthermal hazard to surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The non-combustible plate acts as an intermediary barrier between the burning wick and the surface. It absorbs and dissipates heat, preventing direct thermal transfer to the surface even when the wick burns down to the base level, thus eliminating the thermal hazard while allowing complete burning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-combustible base plate is installed beforehand to provide thermal protection before any burning occurs. The protrusion structure further enhances this by creating an air gap that acts as a thermal buffer, cushioning against heat transfer to the surface throughout the entire burning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a non-combustible plate is added to the candle base, then fire safety is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire safetyVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The non-combustible plate and the candle body are manufactured and assembled as an integrated unit. The plate is positioned at the base and the combustible material is molded around it in a single operation, combining two components into one manufacturing step and simplifying the overall production process despite adding a safety feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method strengthens the connection between combustible and non-combustible materials, effectively preventing the candle base from igniting by maintaining an air gap and reducing the risk of overheating, thus ensuring safer candle use.

Implementation Method 1

a press punch is inserted into the press seat at a pressure of 20 bar to 300 bar and a candle of the combustible material with the wick inside the combustible material is formed under pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

at least one soaked wick arranged in a guide is inserted into at least one hydraulic press seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic press: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3653690B1The method of manufacturing a combustible candle
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 MUELLER FAB SWIEC SPOKA AKCYJNA
  • EP3653690B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3653690B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The method of manufacturing a combustible candle consists in that a candle wick (6) is soaked in combustible material (7) and arranged in a guide (5) is inserted into a hydraulic press seat (1). The press seat (1) is then filled with the shredded combustible material (7), and then a press punch (9) is inserted into the press seat (1) at a pressure of 20 bar to 300 bar and a candle (13) of the combustible material (7) with the wick (6) is formed. Then the formed candle (13) is removed from the press seat. After filling the press seat (1) with the combustible material (7) and before inserting the punch (9) into the press seat, a flat element (8) of non-combustible material with a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.75 mm is placed on the surface of the combustible material (7). In the same pressure forming operation of the candle at least one embossment (11) into the interior of the candle (13) is formed in said flat element (8) of non-combustible material using the punch (9). The flat element (8) of non-combustible material is a metal plate, wherein the press punch (9) cooperating with the plate comprises on the working surface at least one central embossment (10) towards the interior of the candle.