Flame-resistant sheet with candle wick support

Abstract

A freestanding candle has a flame-resistant sheet adhered to a wick support and to a fuel body in a location proximate to the lower end of a wick. The sheet reduces the risk of fire hazards that arise during the later stages of candle burning, which are characterized by a thin candle floor and a pool of liquid fuel surrounding the wick support. The wick support is made longer and sealingly adhered to the sheet to further reduce the risk of fire hazards. The structural combination of the wick support, the sealant, and the sheet facilitates even burning during the life of the candle and self-extinguishment of the flame at the end stage of burning.

Description

(e) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] This invention relates generally to candles, and more specifically to a structure that reduces some fire hazards associated with burning a freestanding candle.[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art[0004] The information contained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,850 to Pappas is incorporated herein by reference.[0005] A candle is one or more combustible wicks supported by a material that constitutes a fuel, which is solid, semi-solid, or quasi-rigid at room temperature, 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees Celsius); it can also contain additives which are used for color, odor, stability, or to modify the burning characteristics; the combined function of which is to sustain a light-producing flame. A candle is freestanding if it is capable of standing upright on its own without requiring a support such as a container or a candle holder. The freestanding candle bums a fuel and has...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0016] A sheet composed of a flame-resistant material is contacted to a fuel-impervious wick support, and joined to a freestanding candle in proximity to a lower end of a wick. The wick support has a seal that prevents the liquid fuel from reaching the flame by capillary action through the lower end of the wick.

Problems solved by technology

Freestanding candles often have a wick support to hold the wick, so that the wick does not fall over and ashes properly in the later stages of its operative life.

If the escaped fuel subsequently combusts, then the heat can ignite the fuel-soaked surroundings, and a candle fire results.

Other fire hazards that involve the formation of the pool of liquid fuel and the peripheral wall may arise as the freestanding candle bums.

Factors that can disrupt the ability of the peripheral wall to contain the pool of liquid fuel include air drafts and placement of the candle in a non-vertical position, as well as a tipped wick support.

An air draft can cause the flame to lean, which in turn causes the heat from the flame to melt one area of the peripheral wall more than another area.

In all situations the heat from the flame can melt a passage through the peripheral wall, which compromises the structural integrity necessary to contain the pool of liquid fuel.

If the peripheral wall is not integral, then certain fire hazards arise.

Additionally, the draining of liquid fuel from the candle interior results in a sudden decrease in the pool depth.

The result is a dangerously large flame that can melt through the candle floor and large areas of the peripheral wall.

An additional fire hazard arises due to the sudden draining of liquid fuel from the candle interior.

However, after spreading downwardly due to the sudden draining of liquid fuel from the candle interior, the candle soon returns to normal burning conditions, and the flame becomes smaller at a new point on the wick.

Often a top portion of the wick remains partially-combusted and outside of the smaller flame, because the top portion was unable to spend enough time in the oxidizing part of the flame prior to the pool draining.

But, now the wick may completely ash at the new point on the wick by the smaller flame, so the top portion can lose support and fall into the pool.

Subsequent combustion of the top portion may result in a dangerously large flame that can burn through the candle floor.

A similar fire hazard arises when combustible materials accumulate in the pool of liquid fuel.

These materials may be ignited by the candle flame, producing a secondary wick that can supplement the flaming wick and make a dangerously large flame.

Heat from the flame can melt the candle floor and the peripheral wall, so surrounding objects and surfaces may become exposed to the flame.

The liquid fuel may combust, thereby igniting the carbon balls, which become secondary wicks.

Another fire hazard during the later stages of the operative life of the candle may arise when the pool of liquid fuel becomes shallow.

The high temperature can ignite vaporized fuel, and a container holding the candle may break violently due to uneven stress on the container caused by the build-up of excessive heat.

If the candle has no container, then in the later stages of burning the candle, the excessive heat can melt through the sides and bottom of the candle.

The fuel can ignite and combust the fuel-soaked surroundings, and a candle fire results.

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