Sheet Candle Wick Structure for Stable Low-Smoke Burning
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improvements in safety, performance, and aesthetic characteristics of candle wicks and candles employing such wicks, as existing wicks do not adequately address issues of stability, burn time, smoke/flaring, and decorative possibilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of a wick comprising a sheet of wick material with specific dimensions and configurations, including varying width and height, cut outs, and the use of colorants and printed subject matter, which can be prepared through die cutting or laser cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional braided wicks are used, then the wick can provide basic capillary action, but the candle produces excessive smoke and carbon deposit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite wick structure combining a planar wood core with a cylindrical cotton binder surrounding it. The wood core provides controlled combustion and reduced soot, while the cotton binder maintains structural integrity and capillary action. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to eliminate smoke and carbon deposit while maintaining burn efficiency.
2Productivity
If planar wicks are used, then capillary flow and functional surface area are improved, but the wick lacks structural stability
Solution Approach 1:
The planar wood core is wrapped with a cylindrical cotton binder that provides structural support and stability. The wood core maintains the planar geometry for optimal capillary flow, while the cotton binding material prevents deformation and maintains structural integrity during combustion. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between improved capillary flow and structural stability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the wick width is increased to improve burn time, then the burn duration increases, but the flame height becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The wick features variable width along its length, with the width being greatest at the bottom portion where it contacts the fuel source, and tapering toward the top. This local variation in geometry allows the bottom portion to sustain longer burn time while the narrower top portion maintains controlled flame height. The differentiated structure resolves the contradiction between extended burn duration and excessive flame height.
4Productivity
If the wick is made from multiple fiber types to improve performance characteristics, then burn efficiency improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wick combines wood and cotton in a structured composite where the planar wood core is wrapped by cylindrical cotton binding material. This composite construction achieves superior burn efficiency through the complementary properties of wood (controlled combustion, reduced soot) and cotton (structural support, capillary action). While the composite structure does increase manufacturing complexity compared to single-material wicks, the patent establishes a systematic production method that makes the complex structure manufacturable.
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
The proposed wick design enhances safety by improving burn stability and reducing smoke, while also offering improved performance in terms of burn time and efficiency, and provides aesthetic enhancements such as colored flames and visible patterns.
Implementation Method 1
A candle wick works by capillary action, conveying (or 'wicking') molten fuel to the flame
Data Source
AI summary
A wick includes a sheet of wick material. The wick has a height dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension. The height dimension and the width dimension are greater than the thickness dimension. The height dimension extends from the top of the wick to the bottom of the wick as the wick is oriented when provided in a candle. The width dimension and the thickness dimension are perpendicular to the height dimension. The sheet of wick material may be dyed, provided with a visible pattern and/or provided with a plurality of cut-out portions.