US20140287370A1

US20140287370A1 - Candle Wick Kit and Methods of Using the Same

Info

Publication number: US20140287370A1
Application number: US14/285,212
Authority: US
Inventors: Amy Keller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-25
Filing date: 2014-05-22
Publication date: 2014-09-25
Also published as: US20140087317A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kit, specifically a candle wick kit and methods of using the same. More specifically, the present invention comprises a kit including a number of components to utilize a candle after a wick inside the candle becomes unusable. For example, the present invention comprises one or more boring tools for creating a borehole through a quantity of candle wax, and one or more lengths of wick, one of which may fit within the borehole created by the boring tool. Thus, a candle having an unusable wick may be provided with a replacement wick for continued utilization of the candle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

BACKGROUND

It is, of course, generally known to utilize candles to create a light source, for providing a source of an aroma, and/or for creating an airborne chemical, such as a pesticide or other like chemical for warding off insects. Indeed, candles have been used for centuries, if not millennia, for these purposes, but mostly as a light source.
A candle generally consists of two main parts: 1) a fuel source, such as a hardened wax or other similar material; and 2) a wick that may be disposed within the fuel source and extend, generally, from and above the fuel source. Upon utilization of the candle, the wick is typically ignited and burns. During burning of the wick, capillary action generated by the heat of the burning wick may draw the fuel source to the wick for burning with the wick. Typically, when a hardened wax is used, the heat source typically causes the hardened wax to melt and be drawn toward the wick. In other words, as the wick burns down, the candle wax typically melts and is consumed by the fire of the burning wick.
In many cases, however, a wick may become unusable in a candle. For example, a wick that burns too rapidly may burn down to the surface of the candle wax, or even below the surface of the candle wax, making ignition of the wick difficult if not impossible. Moreover, as a wick burns, it may become brittle, and may break, causing the remainder of the wick to become difficult to access and, consequently, difficult if not impossible to ignite and be utilized. In other cases, the wax may melt too rapidly or extensively, causing the melted wax to cover the wick and extinguish the flame, causing the wick to become unusable.
A need exists, therefore, for a kit and methods of using the same that allows for the utilization of a candle when the wick disposed within the candle becomes difficult or impossible to utilize. Moreover, a need exists for a kit and methods of using the same that acts to extend a wick that may be covered by the wax of a candle or otherwise may extend insufficiently above the wax to be usable.
In addition, a need exists for a kit and methods of using the same that provides a tool for creating a bore or passage for the disposition of a length of a wick therewithin. Further, a need exists for a kit and methods of using the same that provides a plurality of wick lengths for utilizing within a candle in place of or as an extension of a wick that may be insufficiently exposed to be usable.
Still further, a need exists for a kit and methods of using the same having a plurality of lengths of wick that may be utilized in candles of varying sizes. Moreover, a need exists for a kit and methods of using the same that provide one or more lengths of wick, wherein the wick may be either bendable and/or flexible, or may be rigid to more adequately be pushed within the wax of a candle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a kit, specifically a candle wick kit and methods of using the same. More specifically, the present invention comprises a kit including a number of components to utilize a candle after a wick inside the candle becomes unusable. For example, the present invention comprises one or more boring tools for creating a borehole through a quantity of candle wax, and one or more lengths of wick, at least one of which may fit within the borehole created by the boring tool. Thus, a candle having an unusable wick may be provided with a replacement wick for continued utilization of the candle.
To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a kit is provided. The kit comprises a boring tool and at least one length of a wick, wherein the boring tool is utilized to bore through an amount of wax to provide a borehole, and the length of the wick is disposed within the borehole within the amount of wax.
Moreover, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a kit is provided. The method comprises providing a boring tool and at least one length of a wick, providing a candle having an amount of wax, boring a borehole within the amount of wax, and pushing the length of the wick within the borehole, a portion of which extending above the amount of wax for ignition of the same.
It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a kit and methods of using the same that allows for the utilization of a candle when the wick disposed within the candle becomes difficult or impossible to utilize.
Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a kit and methods of using the same that extend a wick that may be covered by the wax of a candle or otherwise may extend insufficiently above the wax to be usable.
In addition, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a kit and methods of using the same that provides a tool for creating a bore or passage for the disposition of a length of a wick therewithin.
Further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a kit and methods of using the same that provides a plurality of wick lengths for utilizing within a candle in place of or as an extension of a wick that may be insufficiently exposed to be usable.
Still further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a kit and methods of using the same having a plurality of lengths of wick that may be utilized in candles of varying sizes.
Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a kit and methods of using the same that provides one or more lengths of wick, wherein the wicks may be bendable and/or flexible, or rigid to more adequately be pushed within the wax of a candle.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present embodiments, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art candle having a quantity of wax and a wick disposed therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a candle having an insufficient wick that fails to extend sufficiently above the quantity of wax of the candle to be usable.

FIG. 3 illustrates a kit having a boring tool and a plurality of wicks disposed therein, in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a candle having an insufficient wick with a boring tool disposed therein for forming a borehole, in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a candle having an insufficient wick with a borehole therein formed by the boring tool for disposing a replacement wick therein, in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a candle having an insufficient wick having a replacement wick within the borehole made by the boring tool, in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a kit, specifically a candle wick kit and methods of using the same. More specifically, the present invention comprises a kit including a number of components to utilize a candle after a wick inside the candle becomes unusable. For example, the present invention comprises one or more boring tools for creating a borehole through a quantity of candle wax, and one or more lengths of wick, one of which may fit within the borehole created by the boring tool. Thus, a candle having an unusable wick may be provided with a replacement wick for continued utilization of the candle.
Now referring to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, FIG. 1 illustrates a standard candle 10. In generally, the standard candle 10 may include an amount of wax 12 and a wick 14 disposed within the amount of wax 12, a portion 16 of which extending outside of the amount of wax 12 for lighting of the same. Although candles may come in many sizes and shapes, a typical candle, demonstrated by the candle 10, has a generally cylindrical shape formed by the amount of wax with the wick disposed through, generally, the center of the amount of wax to draw the melted wax as a fuel when the wick has been lit. When the wick is lit, the flame melts the surrounding wax around the wick, and through capillary movement of the wax, the melted wax gets drawn to the flame and burns, providing a fuel source for the flame, allowing it to be burn longer and brighter than merely burning the wick alone.
However, in many cases, the wick may be unusable if the portion 16 becomes either covered by hardened wax, if the portion 16 of the wick 14 breaks off or burns too low, or for any other reason. FIG. 2 illustrates the candle 10 with the amount of wax 12 and the wick 14, missing the portion 16 of the wick 14 that extends outside and above the amount of wax 12. As shown, after burning of a candle, a well 18 typically forms in the candle as the wax melts and is consumed by a flame. Thus, utilizing the candle 10 may be very difficult or impossible, as the wick 14 may generally be inaccessible to a user of the candle 10.
FIG. 3 illustrates a kit 20 in an embodiment of the present invention including a plurality of elements, including a boring tool 22 and a plurality of wicks 24. The boring tool 22 may be an extended and rigid tool that allows a user to press the boring tool 22 into an amount of wax to form a borehole or passageway, as shown in more detail with respect to FIGS. 4-6. The boring tool is preferably made from a material having sufficient strength to be pressed into an amount of wax, such as wood, metal, rigid plastic or other like material. The boring tool 22 may be a generally cylindrical and pointed tool allowing a pointy end 26 to be pressed into an amount of wax. However, the boring tool 22 may be any shape, size and strength to create the borehole within an amount of wax when pressed thereinto as apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. A pad (not shown) may be disposed on an end of the boring tool 22 for placing a finger or thumb to aid in the pressing the boring tool 22 within an amount of wax, without causing discomfort to the fingers or thumb of a user. It should be noted that although the kit 20, as shown in FIG. 3, illustrates a single boring tool, the present invention contemplates that a plurality of boring tools may be contained within the kit 20. The boring tools may also be of different sizes for handling the creation of boreholes through candles of varying size. Moreover, because wax forming a candle may have varying hardnesses, boring tools of varying materials and/or strengths may be necessary to handle each type of wax encountered by a user.
The plurality of wicks 24 may include wicks of varying sizes as well as varying degrees of rigidity. Specifically, wicks 28 may be generally rigid and of a certain length, allowing the wicks to be placed within a relatively large candle. Alternatively or in addition, a plurality of wicks 30 may be provided that are relatively rigid and be of a shorter length than the wicks 28 to be utilized in candles of relatively smaller size. The rigidity of the wicks 28, 30 may aid in the pressing of the wick within a borehole formed in the wax by the boring tool 22.
Alternatively or in addition, the kit 20 may include a plurality of relatively lengthy bendable and/or flexible wicks 32, having less rigidity than the wicks 28, 30, to be utilized in a borehole formed by the boring tool 22. Alternatively or in addition, the kit 20 may include a plurality of shorter bendable and/or flexible wicks 34, also having less rigidity than the wicks 28, 30, to be utilized in a borehole formed by the boring tool 22. The difference in rigidity may influence the rate of burning and the brightness of the wick as it burns when lit. Thus, having the option of utilizing a rigid wick or a bendable wick, as described herein, may influence the size and brightness of a flame produced by the burning of the wick within the amount of wax.
Of course, the present invention may include any number of wicks, having varying sizes, and varying degrees of rigidity. However, the thickness of the wicks within the kit 20 should be of a sufficient size to work well within an amount of wax, but also be thin enough to be easily placed within a borehole formed by the boring tool.
FIGS. 4-6 illustrate, in pictorial form, a method of using the kit 20 of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates the candle 10, having the wick 14 without the portion 16 that extends above the amount of wax 12. The boring tool 22 may be pressed within the amount of wax to form a borehole 40, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Generally, FIG. 4 shows the boring tool 22 pressed within, generally, the center of the amount of wax, within the well 18 formed by the use of the candle. Generally, the borehole 40 is formed by the boring tool 22 near the wick 14, so that a replacement wick 42 (as illustrated in FIG. 6) may be usable in the same or a similar fashion as the wick 14. Alternatively, the borehole 40, or a plurality of boreholes (not shown) may be disposed within the candle 10 for a plurality of wicks, which may be placed anywhere within the amount of wax for disposing wicks therein.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the replacement wick 42 may be disposed within the borehole 40, a portion 44 of which may extend above and outside the amount of wax 12. The portion 44 of the wick 42 extending outside the amount of wax 12 may be lit by a user, and the candle 10 may be usable as normal. It should be noted that the borehole 40 should be long enough to fully dispose a wick therein, or to a sufficient length as desired by a user. The wick utilized may be selected based on its size. If too long, a cutting tool (not shown) may be utilized to cut the wick so that the preferred size of the portion 44 of the wick 42 that extends above the amount of wax 12 is utilized.
It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

Claims

1. A kit for inserting a wick into a candle, the kit comprising:

a first boring tool having a first shape, a first end, a second end, and a length between the first end and the second end, wherein the first boring tool is utilized to bore through an amount of wax to provide a borehole without being heated; and

a first length of wick having a first shape, wherein the first length of wick is disposed within the borehole within the amount of wax.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first boring tool is rigid.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first boring tool is made from material selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and fiberglass.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first boring tool is cylindrical.

5. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first end of the first boring tool is padded.

6. The kit of claim 1 wherein the second end of the first boring tool is pointed.

7. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first length of wick is rigid.

8. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first length of wick is flexible.

9. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first length of wick extends above the amount of wax for ignition of the first length of wick.

10. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a cutting tool for cutting the at least one length of wick to a desired length.

11. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a second boring tool having a second shape.

12. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a second length of wick having a second shape.

13. A method of inserting and using a wick in a candle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a kit comprising a first boring tool having a first shape, and a first length of wick;

providing a first candle having an amount of wax;

boring a first borehole with the first boring tool within the amount of wax within the first candle without heating the first boring tool; and

inserting the first length of wick within the borehole, a portion of which extends above the amount of wax for ignition of the first length of wick.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

providing a cutting tool; and

cutting the first length of wick to a desired length.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

providing a second length of wick;

boring a second borehole with the first boring tool within the amount of wax within the first candle without heating the first boring tool; and

inserting the second length of wick within the borehole, a portion of which extends above the amount of wax for ignition of the second length of wick.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

providing a second length of wick;

providing a second candle having an amount of wax;

boring a second borehole with the first boring tool within the amount of wax within the second candle without heating the first boring tool; and

inserting the second length of wick within the second borehole, a portion of which extends above the amount of wax for ignition of the second length of wick.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

providing a second boring tool having a second shape; and

boring a second borehole with the second boring tool within the amount of wax within the first candle without heating the second boring tool, wherein the second borehole and the first borehole have different shapes.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

providing an igniter; and

igniting the first length of wick.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

providing an igniter;

igniting the first length of wick; and

igniting the second length of wick.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

providing an igniter;

igniting the first length of wick; and

igniting the second length of wick.