Wick Setter Tool for Rapid Candle Wick Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional candle wick setting is a slow and difficult manual process that requires high dexterity and becomes increasingly time-consuming as the number of wicks increases, making it inefficient for candle makers.
Innovation Solution
A wick setter with a proximal portion, elongated shaft, and distal portion, featuring a wick tab holder that applies a holding force using magnetic, compressive, or adhesive means, allowing for quick and user-friendly wick setting by translating a downward force through the shaft to release the wick tab onto the container base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual wick setting is used, then the process is simple and requires basic tools, but the productivity is low and the process becomes increasingly time-consuming as the number of wicks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wick tab is pre-attached to the wick before insertion into the container. The wick setter device pre-positionsthe wick tab holder at the correct depth and location, so that when the device is pressed down, the wick tab is already in the correct position for adhesive application, eliminating the need for manual positioning during the setting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick setter device acts as an intermediary tool that holds the wick tab in a predetermined position and applies controlled downward force. This intermediary device transfers the setting action from manual hand placement to a mechanical pressing motion, enabling faster and more consistent wick setting across multiple wicks.
2Ease of operation
If manual wick setting is used, then no special equipment is needed, but the ease of operation decreases due to high dexterity requirements and limited space within the container
Solution Approach 1:
The wick setter device is segmented into distinct functional components: a handle for applying downward force, a shaft for force transmission, and a wick tab holder for positioning the wick tab. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall device relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually placing the wick tab into the container and then pressing it down, the invention inverts the sequence by first holding the wick tab in the correct position with the wick tab holder, then applying downward force through the shaft and handle. This reversal of the traditional manual process simplifies the operation by eliminating the need for precise manual positioning.
3Reliability
If the holding force on the wick tab is strong, then the wick tab remains securely positioned during setting, but the adhesive force must be even stronger to overcome the holding force and secure the wick tab to the base
Solution Approach 1:
The wick tab holder uses a magnetic field to provide a controllable holding force that can be adjusted by changing the magnetic strength or the distance between the magnet and the wick tab. This parameter change allows the holding force to be optimized for each specific application, ensuring secure positioning without requiring excessively strong adhesive forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces a purely mechanical holding system (such as a clamp or grip) with a magnetic field-based holding system. The magnetic field provides a distributed, uniform holding force that secures the wick tab in position without requiring complex mechanical structures, and the force can be easily adjusted by changing magnetic parameters rather than mechanical geometry.
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
Enables rapid and precise setting of multiple wicks in a desired pattern, reducing manual labor and increasing efficiency in candle making by using an adhesive force to secure the wick tab to the container base, overcoming the holding force and allowing for easy removal of the setter.
Implementation Method 1
The holding force may include at least one of a magnetic, compressive, pneumatic, adhesive, etc. force
Implementation Method 2
The at least one wick tab holder may be configured to apply an appropriate amount of holding force such that when the wick tab is placed upon the base of a container and the adhesive on the underside of the wick tab makes contact with the base, the adhesive force created between the underside of the wick tab and the base of the container counteracts and overcomes the holding force applied by the wick tab holder upon the wick tab
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods are provided for rapid and user-friendly manual setting of wicks into container candles. The apparatuses of embodiments include a wick setter that includes a proximal portion configured to receive a downward force. The wick setter also includes an elongated shaft coupled to the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated shaft is configured to translate the downward force from the proximal portion onto a distal portion of the wick setter. The distal portion includes at least one wick tab holder disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The wick tab holder includes a loop configured to engage a corresponding wick tab laterally with respect to the corresponding wick tab. The wick tab holder is also configured to apply a holding force onto the corresponding wick tab for holding the corresponding wick tab attached to the wick tab holder.