US20040241603A1

US20040241603A1 - Multi-function candle accessory combining a venting chassis and candle holder

Info

Publication number: US20040241603A1
Application number: US10/445,999
Authority: US
Inventors: Tod Papai
Original assignee: Smith Mountain Properties LLC
Current assignee: Smith Mountain Properties LLC
Priority date: 2003-05-27
Filing date: 2003-05-27
Publication date: 2004-12-02

Abstract

A candle accessory is discosed that combines the functions of a venting device for containerized candles to improve the combustion efficiency and a candle holder for tapered, pillar, tea light and votive candles. The candle accessory consists of a ceramic venting chassis that includes an integral flat plate, an annular skirt, and a chimney. The chimney design of the venting chassis acts as an exhaust vent for containerized candles and as a candle holder for tapered, pillar, votive and tea light candles. The chimney extends around a central exhaust opening or vent in the chassis. The chimney has six vertical ribs that are used to support the base of conventional tapered candles. The chimney also includes an annular rim that forms a seat for supporting a tea light, votive and/or pillar candle. The venting chassis also includes three mounting feet that space the plate vertically above the brim of the candle vessel to allow inlet air flow into the candle vessel. When seated atop a jar candle, the skirt extends downward into the mouth of the candle vessel. The skirt has six longitudinal furrows that form six air flow inlet channels or vents. The furrows columnate the inlet air flow into distinct columns of air and the skirt directs the inlet air flow downward along the sidewalls of the candle vessel, which facilitates laminar air flow within a containerized candle to improve combustion.

Description

This invention relates to a candle accessory that combines a venting chassis for containerized candles to improve combustion efficiency and a candle holder for tapered, pillar, votive and tea light candles.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Candles of all types, from traditional tapered (stick) and pillar to tea light and votive candles, continue to be popular home decorations. Candle accessories are also popular home decorations. Decorative candle holders are used to accent traditional candles. Candle holders for tapered and pillar candles are constructed of various materials in various shapes, style and configurations and are often adorned with elaborate decoration. Likewise, holders for votive and tea light candles come in many shapes, styles and genres.

Scented containerized candles, such as apothecary jar candles (jar candles), have become popular and have developed their own accessories. In particular, venting plates and chassis for jar candles have become a popular and necessary candle accessory. Jar candles are prone to smoke due to the lack of sufficient air flow within the candle vessel. The venting plate or chassis sits atop the jar candle while it burns and is used to improve combustion in jar candles by facilitating laminar air flow within the candle vessel. The popularity of venting plates and chassis for jar candles is also enhanced by the fact that the plates and chassis can be decorated with surface ornamentation and three dimensional reliefs.

Heretofore, no candle accessory has combined the function of a candle holder for tapered, pillar, votive and tea light candles with the venting function of a venting plate or chassis for jar candles. In the candle accessory industry, a multi-function candle accessory that doubles as a candle holder and venting device is highly desirable especially if it can be readily adorned and decorated. Combining the two separate functions would allow the candle accessory to be used with multiple candles in multiple decorative settings; thereby enhancing the ranges of the accessory's decorative possibilities.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The candle accessory of this invention combines the functions of a venting device for containerized candles to improve the combustion efficiency and a candle holder for tapered, pillar, tea light and votive candles. The candle accessory consists of a ceramic venting chassis that includes an integral flat plate, an annular skirt, and a chimney. The chimney design of the venting chassis acts as an exhaust vent for containerized candles and as a candle holder for tapered, pillar, votive and tea light candles. The chimney extends around a central exhaust opening or vent in the chassis. The chimney has six vertical ribs that are used to support the base of conventional tapered candles. The chimney also includes an annular rim that forms a seat for supporting a tea light, votive and/or pillar candle. The venting chassis also includes three mounting feet that space the plate vertically above the brim of the candle vessel to allow inlet air flow into the candle vessel. When seated atop a jar candle, the skirt extends downward into the mouth of the jar candle. The skirt has six longitudinal furrows that form six air flow inlet channels or vents. The furrows columnate the inlet air flow into distinct columns of air and the skirt directs the inlet air flow downward along the sidewalls of the candle vessel, which facilitates laminar air flow within a containerized candle to improve combustion. The ceramic construction of the venting chassis allows it to be adorned with surface decorations, decorative covers, ornamental poly resin reliefs and other ornamentation as desired.

An advantage of the venting chassis of this invention is that it combines the function of a venting device for a containerized candle to improve combustion efficiency and the function of a candle holder for tapered, pillar, votive and tea light candles.

Another advantage is that the venting chassis when used atop a containerized candle improves candle combustion by facilitating laminar air flow within the containerized candle.

Another advantage is that the venting chassis can function as a stable and decorative candle holder for a wide variety of candles.

Another advantage is that the venting chassis can be ornamented with surface decorations, dome coverings, or elaborate three dimensional reliefs.

Other advantages will become apparent upon a reading of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention have been depicted for illustrative purposes only wherein: [0011]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the venting chassis of this invention seated atop a conventional apothecary jar candle; [0012]
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the venting chassis of this invention seated atop an apothecary jar candle and supporting a conventional tapered candle; [0013]
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the venting chassis of this invention seated atop an apothecary jar candle and supporting a conventional tea light candle; [0014]
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the venting chassis of this invention; [0015]
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the venting chassis of this invention; [0016]
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the venting chassis of this invention; [0017]
FIG. 7 is a side plan view of the venting chassis of this invention; [0018]
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the venting chassis of this invention; [0019]
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the venting chassis of this invention; [0020]
FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the venting chassis of this invention seated atop an apothecary jar candle and supporting a conventional tapered candle and a decorative dome covering; and [0021]
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the venting chassis of this invention seated atop an apothecary jar candle and supporting a conventional tea light candle and an ornamental three dimensional poly resin relief.[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. [0023]
The venting chassis of this invention can be used as a traditional candle holder for conventional tapered candles and tea light candles, as well as, a venting device for containerized candles, which are frequently and most commonly known as apothecary or simply jar candles. In the figures, the venting chassis of this invention is designated generally as [0024] reference numeral 10. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the various uses of venting chassis 10 of this invention. FIG. 1 illustrates venting chassis 10 used as a venting device for a jar candle (designated general as reference numeral 30) to improve the combustion. Jar candle 30 includes a transparent or translucent glass jar or vessel 32 that contains a quantity of wax 34, and one or more cloth or porous wicks 36. Vessel 32 has cylindrical sidewalls that terminate in a brim forming an open circular mouth. The size and shape of vessel 32 of the jar candles may vary, as well as, its shape within the scope of this invention. FIGS. 2 illustrates venting chassis 10 seated atop jar candle 30, but used as a candle holder for conventional tapered or stick candles (designated generally as reference numeral 40). Tapered candle 40 has an obelisk shaped upper body 42 and a tapered conical base 44 formed of dipped or molded wax and a central wick 46. FIG. 3 illustrates venting chassis 10 seated atop jar candle 30, but used as a candle holder for conventional tea light candles (designated generally as reference numeral 50). Tea light candle 50 consists of a small metal cup 52 filled with scented or unscented wax 54 and central wick 56. One skilled in the art will note that the venting chassis could also be used to support other types of candles, including but not limited to pillar and votive candles, without deviating from the teachings of this invention.
[0025] Venting chassis 10 is constructed of a ceramic material or other material that can be readily formed into a rigid body with thermal insulating properties and is shaped to conform to the shape and configuration of the particular style of containerized candle on which it is used. As best shown in FIGS. 4-9, venting chassis 10 is formed to integrally include a flat disc or plate 12, an annular skirt 14 extending from the bottom surface of the plate, and a chimney 20 extending from the top surface of the plate. As shown, plate 12 is a flat circular disc, but may be conical or domed as aesthetically desired. Plate 12 is at least 0.125 inches thick, which is generally sufficient for the ceramic material to thermally insulate any ornamentation adorning the venting chassis from the flame of a conventional jar candle.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, [0026] venting chassis 10 sits atop of a jar candle 30 supported by three mounting feet 18, which spaces the bottom surface of plate 12 above the brim of vessel 32. Mounting feet 18 extend outward radially from skirt 14 on the bottom surface of plate 12 at equally spaced locations. The vertical spacing between venting chassis 10 and the brim of candle vessel 32 constitutes an annular inlet opening or vent 11 around the periphery of the mouth through which inlet air can enter the interior of jar candle 30. As shown in FIG. 1, feet 18 space the bottom surface of plate 12 above the brim of the candle vessel 32 at least 0.125 of an inch. This spacing provides a cross sectional area sufficient for inlet air flow into the candle interior to maintain efficient combustion in conventional apothecary jar candles.
[0027] Skirt 14 extends at least 0.600 inches from the bottom surface of plate 12. Skirt 14 has six longitudinal furrows, which form six air flow inlet channels or vents 15. When seated atop jar candle 30, skirt 14 extends downward into the mouth of candle vessel 32 and is seated within the mouth, so that inlet air only passes through channels 15. The inlet channels 15 columnate the inlet air flow into distinct columns of air that converge toward the flame. Columnating the air flow increases the velocity of the inlet air flow through the candle interior, which promotes improved scent flow from jar candle 30.
[0028] Chimney 20 extends around a central exhaust opening or vent 21 in plate 12. While illustrated as a circular opening, exhaust vent 21 may take any shape or configuration without deviating from the teachings of this invention. Typically, the cross sectional area of the exhaust vent 21 is approximately 0.785 square inches (roughly a circular opening having a 1.00 inch diameter), but may range between 0.700-0.900 square inches. This cross sectional area is generally ideal for venting exhaust air from the combustion of conventional four inch diameter apothecaryjar candles. Chimney 20 extends at least 0.500 inches above the top surface of plate 12. The walls of chimney 20 have a thickness of at least 0.125 inches to insulate any ornamentation that may adorn the venting chassis from the exhaust air. Chimney 20 has six vertical ribs 22 that are used to support conventional tapered candles. Ribs 22 protrude radially from the inner chimney wall. Each rib 22 has an inner face 23 that tapers toward the base of the chimney. Chimney 20 also includes an annular rim 24 that forms a seat 26 for supporting a tea light, votive or pillar candle. One skilled in the art will note that ribs 22 and rim can be configured and modified to accept and securely support candles of any type, style, shape or dimension without deviating from the teachings of this invention.

Chassis Functions

FIG. 1 illustrates venting [0029] chassis 10 used with jar candle 30 to improve the efficiency of combustion. As shown, the venting chassis 10 sits atop of candle 30 supported by mounting feet 18 with skirt 14 extending downward into the mouth of the vessel and plate 12 spaced above the brim of the vessel. Exhaust vent 21 is positioned directly above the candle flame. Thermal energy generated from the flame creates an upward convection flow of hot exhaust air, which exits the candle interior through exhaust vent 21. Positioning the exhaust vent directly above the candle flame focuses the convection draft of exhaust air flow directly upwards, which reduces diffusion of the exhaust flow and its thermal energy. The negative pressure within the candle interior created by exhaust air flow draws an inlet air flow of cool ambient air underneath plate 12 between the plate and the vessel brim and through inlet channels 15. Inlet channels 15 columnate the inlet air flow into distinct columns of air and skirt 14 redirects the inlet air flow downward along the vessel sidewalls, which converges at the base of the candle flame. Skirt 14 acts as a baffle to separate the opposing air flows (inlet and exhaust) to reduce turbulence within the interior of the vessel and stabilize the flame, which leads to a cleaner combustion process and reduced carbon residue (smoke) in the exhaust.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate venting [0030] chassis 10 seated atop jar candle 30, but not used as a venting device, but as a candle holder for a tapered 40 or a tea light candle 50. While illustrated atop jar candle 30, venting chassis 10 may be removed from jar candle 30 and still be used as a stand alone candle holder. FIG. 2 illustrates venting chassis 10 supporting a tapered candle 40. Tapered candle 40 is seated inside chimney 20 with the candle base held between the tapered inner face of ribs 22. FIG. 3 illustrates venting chassis 10 supporting a tea light candle 50. Tea light candle 50 is seated atop chimney 20 with the candle held by rim 24. While FIGS. 2 and 3 show venting chassis 10 used to support a tapered candle and tea light candle, venting chassis 10 can be used as a candle holder for other types of candles, such as pillar and votive candles within the teachings of this invention.

Ornamentation

FIGS. 10 and 11 also illustrate venting [0031] chassis 10 supporting a decorative dome covering 60 and three dimensional relief 62, respectively. Dome covering 60 of FIG. 10 is typically constructed of a leaded glass or ceramic, which is colored, painted or otherwise ornamented to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the candles and chassis. Dome cover 60 simply sits atop the venting chassis, but can also be permanently bonded to the chassis as desired. The three dimensional relief 62 of FIG. 11 is typically constructed of a molded poly resin, which is bonded to the venting chassis. The poly resin relief can be molded into any pleasing shape, pattern or figurine and painted. While bonded to the venting chassis, the function of relief 62 is purely aesthetic and does not contribute directly to the operational function of the chassis. Relief 62 is configured so that it does not obstruct the flow of exhaust air through the exhaust vent and bonded to venting chassis 10.

Advantages

One skilled in the art will note several advantages of the venting chassis of this invention. The venting chassis is a multi-functioned candle accessory for all types of candles. The venting chassis can be used as a venting device for improving the combustion of containerized candles and as a candle holder for other types of candles, including tapered, pillar, tea light and votive candles. Used as a venting device atop a containerized candle, the venting chassis improves candle combustion by facilitating laminar air flow within the containerized candle. Used as a candle holder, the venting chassis provides a stable and decorative base for a wide variety of candles. The venting chassis can be used as a venting device atop a containerized candle then used as a traditional candle holder for a tapered candle without any modification. The venting chassis can be used as a candle holder by itself or while sitting atop a containerized candle. The venting chassis can be ornamented with surface decorations, dome coverings, or elaborate three dimensional reliefs. The ceramic construction allows the venting chassis to be adorned with heat sensitive poly resin ornamentation. [0032]
It is understood that the above description does not limit the invention to the details given, but may be modified within the scope of the following claims. [0033]

Claims

I claim:

1. An apparatus used with one or more of a containerized candle, a tapered candle, a pillar candle, votive candle and a tea light candle, where the containerized candle includes a fuel source burnt in the flame, a wick and a vessel, which defines an interior thereof for enclosing the wick and fuel source and has an open mouth, and where the vessel includes sidewalls that terminate in a brim at the open mouth of the vessel, the apparatus comprising:

a chassis used with the containerized candle for facilitating laminar air flow within the vessel interior to improve the stability and efficiency of the combustion flame of the containerized candle and used with one of the tapered candle, the pillar candle, votive candle and tea light candle for supporting the one of the tapered candle, the pillar candle, votive candle and tea light candle,

the chassis includes a flat plate shaped and dimensioned to cover the open mouth of the vessel and extend over the brim, the plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and also having an exhaust vent therein for venting a flow of exhaust air from the vessel interior, a plurality of feet extending downward from the bottom surface of the plate for spacing the plate above the brim when the venting apparatus is seated atop the vessel to permit a flow of inlet air between the top and the vessel brim,

an annular skirt extending downward from the top between the plurality of feet and the exhaust vent so as to extend partially downward into the open mouth of the vessel and to seat adjacent the brim of the vessel when the apparatus is seated atop the vessel for directing the flow of inlet air downward along the sidewalls of the vessel and for separating the flow of inlet air from the flow of exhaust air;

a chimney extending from the top surface of the plate around the exhaust vent for venting exhaust air from a containerized candle and for defining a seat therein in which one of the tapered candle, pillar candle, votive candle and tea light candle is supported.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chimney includes a tubular side wall and a plurality of vertically oriented ribs protruding radially inward from the chimney side wall, the ribs constituting the seat for supporting the tapered candle within the chimney.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the ribs has a tapered inner face.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chimney includes an annular rim constituting the seat for supporting one of the pillar candle, votive candle and tea light candles.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the skirt having a plurality of longitudinal inlet channels radially spaced along the periphery of the baffle so as to form inlet openings through which inlet air may enter the vessel interior, the plurality of channels constituting means for columnating the flow of inlet air into a plurality of distinct and radially spaced and separated air flow columns within the vessel interior.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 and a decorative ornamentation mounted to the top surface of the plate around the chimney.