Abstract:
A lightable wick dispenser has a body and a cavity. A spool of wick is rotatably located in the body cavity and retained therein by a spool retainer. A portion of the spool is accessible from the exterior of the body. The body has an extinguisher plate and extinguisher slide that moves over the extinguisher plate, and away from the extinguisher plate. Wick extends from the spool to the extinguisher plate. The extinguisher slide extinguishes the wick and covers the sooty wick end.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/980,279, filed Apr. 16, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to devices that dispense wicks or strings that are capable of being lit. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Pipe and cigar smokers use a variety of tools to light their smoking articles. For example, matches and lighters are commonly used. 
         [0004]    In addition to these prior art items, smokers also use wicks as an element to hold the flame for lighting purposes. The wick is typically a waxed natural fiber. 
         [0005]    In the prior art, smokers have wound a length of wick about a lighter. However, this arrangement suffers from a variety of problems. For example, the wick tends to become unwound when the lighter is not in use. Also, once the end of the wick is extinguished, it has soot. When not in use, the lighter and wound wick is typically located in a pocket of the user. The sooted end tends to blacken the clothing and finger of the user. 
         [0006]    Another prior art device is a lighter having a spool of wick located at the bottom end of the lighter. The wick is pulled up alongside of the lighter. With these prior art devices, the amount of wick that can be stored is a relatively short length and therefore must be replenished frequently. Still another prior art device is a spool of wick having a center cavity for receiving a lighter. This spool of wick can be difficult to use and to maintain the wick in a wound condition. The wick tends to unwind fairly easily. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A lightable wick dispenser comprises a body having at least first and second sides, the body having a cavity with an opening in the first side. A spool for the wick is located in the cavity and rotatable therein, the body having a wick passage from the cavity to an opening on the second side, a portion in the spool exposed from the exterior of the body. An extinguisher slide is coupled to the body, the extinguisher slide moveable between a lit position and an extinguish position, wherein in the lit position, the opening for the wick passage is uncovered and in the extinguish position, the opening for the wick passage is covered by the extinguisher slide. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, an extinguisher plate is located between the extinguisher slide and the body when the extinguisher plate is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher plate extending from the wick passage opening for a distance. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the extinguisher slider has a side that faces the extinguisher plate when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher slide side comprises a groove for receiving a length of the wick when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position. 
         [0010]    In still another aspect, the first and second sides are opposite one another. 
         [0011]    In still another aspect, a spool retainer is removability coupled to the first side of the body, wherein the spool retainer can be removed from the body to allow the spool to be removed from or placed into the cavity. 
         [0012]    In still another aspect, an extinguisher plate is located between the extinguisher slide and the body when the extinguisher plate is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher plate extending from the wick passage opening for a distance. The extinguisher slider has a side that faces the extinguisher plate when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position, the extinguisher slide side comprises a groove for receiving a length of the wick when the extinguisher slide is in the extinguish position. The first and second sides are opposite one another. A spool retainer is removability coupled to the first side of the body, wherein the spool retainer can be removed from the body to allow the spool to be removed from or placed into the cavity. 
         [0013]    In still another aspect, the body further comprises third and fourth sides that are opposite each other, the body having a length that is between the third and fourth sides and a height that is between the first and second sides, the length being greater than the height, the body having a width of the first, second, third, and fourth sides, the width being less than the height. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the dispenser, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, shown with the extinguishing slide in the open position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a right end view (using the orientation of  FIG. 2 ) of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the base block. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the base block of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the base block of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a side slide. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the side slide of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an edge view of the side slide of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the spool. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is an edge view of the spool. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the extinguisher slide. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is an end view of the extinguisher slide. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the spool retainer. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is an end view of the spool retainer. 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the spool retainer. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows the dispenser  11  in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The dispenser holds a large quantity of wick  13  that can be pulled (or pushed) from the dispenser for use. Once the end of the wick  13  is lit, the dispenser is easily held by the user. The wick is extinguished by moving an extinguishing slide  15  over the wick. The extinguishing slide also covers the burned wick end so that the user&#39;s clothes or fingers are not soiled with soot. 
         [0032]    The wick  13  is wound about a spool  17  contained in the dispenser  11 . As the wick is pulled out, the spool  17  revolves inside of the dispenser. A portion  19  of the spool is exposed so that the user can rewind the wick back onto the spool. Also, the spool can be removed and replaced for refilling. 
         [0033]    The various components of the dispenser will now be discussed. The dispenser  11  has a base block  21 , side slides  23 ,  23 ′, an extinguisher slide  15 , an extinguisher plate  25 , a spool  17  and a spool retainer  27 . 
         [0034]    The base block  21 , or body, is shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . The block  21  is generally rectangular. Referring to the orientation shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 , which is how the dispenser is typically oriented during use, the base block  21  has a top edge  29 , a bottom edge  31 , two side edges  33  and two sides  35  that extend between the top, bottom and side edges. The extinguisher slide  15  is slidingly coupled to the top edge  29 , the spool retainer  27  is slidingly coupled to the bottom edge  31  and the side slides  23 ,  23 ′ are coupled to the side edges  33 . The base block  21  has an interior cavity  37  for holding the spool  17 . The cavity  37  has an opening  39  along the bottom edge to allow the spool to be replaced. The cavity  37  has slots  41  extending from the opening  39  inwardly; the slots receive pins  43  or an axle on the spool  17  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). An opening or passage  45  extends from the cavity  37  through the top wall  47  to the top edge  29 . The passage  45  is for the wick. 
         [0035]    The top, bottom and side edges  29 ,  31 ,  33  are provided with rails  49  to allow the corresponding pieces to slide thereon (see  FIGS. 5-7 ). Rails allow the corresponding pieces to move in a sliding configuration, but not to be pulled off. In the preferred embodiment, these rails  49  are dovetails. For example, the top and bottom edges are provided with male dovetails, while the side edges are provided with female dovetails. However, the edges can be provided with either male or female dovetails. The corresponding slides are provided with female or male dovetails. The dovetails  49  along the top and side edges  29 ,  33  extend the length of the respective edges. On the bottom edge  31 , the dovetail is interrupted by the opening  39  into the cavity  37 . 
         [0036]    A side slide  23  is shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . The slide  23  is equipped with a corresponding rail  49  or dovetail so as to fit onto one of the side edges  33  of the base block  21 . In the preferred embodiment, only one side slide  23  need slide on the base block. The other side slide  23 ′, which is substantially similar to the one side  23 , can be permanently coupled the base block  21 , such as by an adhesive. The side slide  23 , and the extinguishing slide  15 , can be provided with a depression  51  for a finger hold, to allow for better grip on the respective slide. 
         [0037]    The extinguisher plate  25  (See  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) is a plate that is located along a portion of the length of the top edge  29 . The plate is made of metal or some other non-flammable material (at the temperature of a burning wick). The plate can be coupled to the base block  21  by tabs  53  or teeth which are formed in the edges of the plate and then bent down to engage the base block material as the plate is pressed in place. Alternatively, the plate  25  can be nailed in place. As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the base block  21  has a recess  52  for receiving the extinguisher plate  25 . The plate has a hole  55  that is aligned with the passage  45 . This end of the plate, with the hole, is bent downward into the base block, so as to minimize interference with the extinguisher slide  15 . 
         [0038]    The extinguisher slide  15  is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The extinguisher slide  15  has corresponding dovetails  49  to slide on the top end  29  dovetails  49  of the base block  21 . The extinguisher slide  15  is about one-half the length of the top edge  29 . Thus, the extinguisher slide can move or slide between a lit position (shown in  FIG. 1  and in solid lines in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and an extinguished position (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 2 ). When the extinguisher slide  15  is in the lit position, the wick can be lit and remain so. When the extinguisher slide  15  is in the extinguished position, the slide covers the lit end of the wick to extinguish the wick. The slide  15  may be provided with an interior longitudinal channel  57  to accommodate the wick as the slide is moved into the extinguishing position. 
         [0039]    The spool retainer  27  is shown  FIGS. 15-17 . The spool retainer  27  is the same length as the bottom edge  31  of the base block. The spool retainer has a central opening  59  that corresponds to the cavity  37  in the base block. The spool retainer has dovetails in its end portions  61 , about the central opening  59 . 
         [0040]    The dispenser can be made with a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, etc. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the hub  63  of the spool  17  has a hole  65  located therethrough, with a countersink at least one end. The wick is inserted through the hole and a knot tied and then seated into the countersink, before winding the wick about the hub and the spool. 
         [0042]    To assemble the dispenser  11 , the spool  17 , containing a length of wick  13 , is obtained. The wick may be made of a variety of materials. One such material is hemp with a wax (such as beeswax) coating. The spool  17  is inserted into the cavity  37 , with the wick  13  extending through the passage  45  and the hole  55  in the extinguisher plate  25 . The pins  43  of the spools are located in the slots  41  of the cavity. The spool  17  can be inserted in the cavity  37  a sufficient distance so that the spool retainer  27  can be copied to the base block  21 . The spool retainer  27  is coupled to the base block  21  by engaging the respective dovetails  49  and sliding the spool retainer  27  onto the base block. One of the side slides  23 ′ is already in place; the other is not yet on the base block. The spool retainer  27  contacts the one side slide  23 ′ as a stop. The spool retainer  27  closes the slots  41  and prevents the egress of the spool  17  from the cavity. The extinguishing slide  15  is then slid on to the top edge and the remaining side slide  23  is then slid on to the remaining side edge. The spool retainer  27  is captured and movement prevented by the two side slides  23 ,  23 ′. Likewise, the movable side slide  23  is prevented from movement by the spool retainer  27  and the extinguishing slide  15  (See  FIG. 2 ). The extinguishing slide is free to move between the lit position and the extinguishing position. 
         [0043]    A portion  19  of the spool  17  protrudes out beyond the spool retainer  27  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). This exposed portion allows a user to rotate the spool to rewind the wick thereon. 
         [0044]    The dispenser is now ready for use. To use, with the extinguishing slide  15  in the lit position, a length of width  13  is pulled out; the spool  17  turns inside of the cavity  37  as the wick is pulled out. The end of the wick is lit with a match, lighter, etc., and the flame used. To extinguish the wick, the extinguishing slide  15  is slid into the extinguished position. The lit end of the wick is located between the extinguishing plate  25  and the extinguishing slide  15 . Deprived of air, the flame goes out on the wick. The end of the wick may be left covered by the extinguishing slide  15 . If the wick is too long, before or after being extinguished, the user rotates the spool by way of the exposed portion  19  to rewind a portion of the wick. To advance the wick so that a longer length is available for lighting, the user rotates the spool. Thus, the user need not touch the sooted end of the wick. The size of the passage  45  is such that the wick can be easily pushed or pulled therethrough. 
         [0045]    The spool  17  holds several feet (for example five to ten feet) of wick. When the last of the wick is used, the spool  17  is easily replaced. The extinguishing slide  15  is slid to the extinguishing position and the side slide  23  is slide off of the base block. This allows the removal of the spool retainer  27 , wherein the spool can be removed from the cavity. A fresh spool is then replaced in the cavity, with the wick being threaded through the passage  45  and hole  55  of the extinguishing plate. The dispenser is then reassembled. 
         [0046]    The dispenser has a length located between slides  23  and  23 ′, a height located between slides  15  and  27  and a width, which is the width of the slides  23 ,  23 ′,  15 ,  27 . The length of the dispenser is greater than the height. The width of the dispenser is less than the height. Thus, the dispenser forms a generally rectangular shape. The wick  13  is dispensed in the direction of the length. The spool  17  rotates about an axis that is parallel to the dispenser width. The extinguisher slide  15  moves along the length of the dispenser. All of these orientations make the dispenser easy for a user to grasp and use. The user grasps the dispenser in one hand, contacting the dispenser across its width. The dispenser is generally oriented so that the wick is up and the spool is down. With one hand, the user can slide the extinguisher slide  15  back to expose the wick. Fingers on that same hand can be used to rotate the spool to advance the wick. When the wick is ready to be extinguished, the user can use the thumb to advance the extinguisher slide  15 . 
         [0047]    The foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.