Figured-Grain Wooden Wick Structure for Controlled, Low-Soot Burning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wooden wicks for candles burn at high temperatures, posing safety risks and are aesthetically unappealing due to soot formation and potential burns from direct contact.

Innovation Solution

A wooden wick comprising a strip of wood with figured grain and a booster member, adhered using natural adhesives, optimized for burning in natural wax, with controlled grain patterns to enhance burn quality and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single piece of wood is used as a wick, then the wick structure is simple, but the burning temperature becomes too high causing safety risks and soot formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewick structureVSAvoidburning temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wick is divided into multiple wooden strips (typically 3-5 strips) arranged parallel to each other, rather than using a single solid piece of wood. This segmentation reduces the overall burning temperature while maintaining structural integrity, preventing the harmful effects of excessive heat and soot formation that occur with single-piece wooden wicks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a single piece of wood is used as a wick, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the aesthetic appeal deteriorates due to soot formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidsoot formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By using multiple thin wooden strips instead of one thick piece, the design achieves cleaner burning with reduced soot formation, thereby improving aesthetic appeal while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple through standardized strip preparation and arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single piece of wood is used as a wick, then the wick design is simple, but safety risks increase due to high burning temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewick designVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of the wick into multiple strips creates gaps between the strips that allow for better air circulation and more efficient combustion, resulting in lower burning temperatures and improved safety without significantly complicating the overall wick design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Shape

If figured grain wood is used, then visual appeal is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain patternVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The figured grain characteristic is applied locally to the surface of the wooden strips, allowing the natural beauty of the grain patterns to be showcased in the visible areas of the candle wick, while the manufacturing process remains relatively straightforward by using naturally figured grain wood strips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250257285A1Candle having a wooden wick with figured grain

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 DELCOTTO MELYNDA S

AI summary

A wooden wick comprising a strip of wood. Such wick further includes a wood booster member connected to the strip of wood. At least the strip of wood or the booster member comprises a grain, wherein the grain is figured.