Abstract:
A candle tin ( 10 ) includes a cup shaped holder ( 12 ) in which a candle ( 14 ) is placed. A cover or cap ( 20 ) fits over the top of the tin. The cover is readily removable and when removed is used as a base upon which the candle tin rests. The tin nests in the cover or rests upon the cover depending upon the particular cover construction. When the holder is set upon the cover, a gap between the cover an holder allows air to freely circulate about the tin to dispel heat generated by the candle&#39;s burning. Also, the cover provides a heat sink which absorbs heat from the holder created by the burning candle. This keeps a surface upon which the candle tin is placed from scorching and being discolored due to the heat. Various constructions of the cover and holder are disclosed by which the holder nests in or fits on the cover.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to candle holders, and more particularly, to a candle tin having a removable cover which further acts as a base for the candle tin. 
     Candle tins comprise a cup shaped holder in which a candle wax is poured about a wick material to form a candle. Currently, the tins are made of a sheet metal. As the candle burns, the sheet metal gets hot. This is particularly so when the candle nears the bottom of the tin as it burns out. Unless the tin is placed on a tile or other heat resistant material, the surface upon which the tin is set will be damaged by the heat. Wooden and painted surfaces are particularly susceptible to heat damage; although other type surfaces can be damaged as well. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of a candle tin having a removable cover which is used as a base for the tin so to prevent heat generated by the burning candle to scorch a surface on which the tin is set; 
     the provision of such a candle tin in which the cover, when used as a base allows air circulation around and beneath the tin so to dissipate heat created by the candle burning; 
     the provision of such a candle tin which nests in the cover when the cover is used as a base; 
     the provision of such a candle tin in which the cover, in one embodiment is perforated about its circumference to further facilitate air flow about the candle tin and heat dissipation; 
     the provision of such a candle tin in which the cover is inverted for use as the base, the side of the cover abutting the underside of the tin has a projection formed thereon, and the bottom of the tin has a recess formed therein conforming in size and shape to that of the projection so to facilitate setting the tin on the base; and, 
     the provision of such a candle tin which is decorative and functional, and which provides an attractive, low cost adornment to a room. 
     In accordance with the invention, generally stated, a candle tin includes a cup shaped generally circular or rectangular holder in which a candle is placed. A cover or cap fits over the top of the tin. The cover is readily removable and when removed is used as a base upon which the candle tin rests. The tin nests in the cover which is formed so that air freely circulates about the tin to dispel heat generated by the candle&#39;s burning. This keeps the surface upon which the candle tin is placed from scorching and being discolored due to the heat. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a first embodiment of a candle tin of the present invention in which FIG. 1A illustrates the candle tin with a cover in place, FIG. 1B the candle tin with the cover removed and used as a base, and FIG. 1C an enlarged view of a portion of the tin illustrating how the candle tin rests upon the cover; 
     FIGS. 1D-1F illustrate various constructions of a foot formed in a bottom surface of the candle tin; 
     FIGS. 2A-2C are similar views for a second embodiment of the candle tin; 
     FIGS. 3A-3C are similar views for a third embodiment of the candle tin in which the cover in perforated; 
     FIG. 4A illustrates another embodiment of the candle tin in which the cover is removed and used as a base, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion of the tin illustrating how the tin rests upon the cover; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are views similar to those of FIGS. 4A and 4B for another embodiment of the candle tin; 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B are views similar to those of FIGS. 2A-2C for another embodiment of the candle tin; 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B are views similar to those of FIGS. 4A and 4B for another embodiment of the candle tin; and, 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B are views similar to those of FIGS. 4A and 4B for another embodiment of the candle tin. 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, a candle tin of the present invention is indicated generally  10  in FIG.  1 A. The candle tin includes a hollow, cup shaped base  12  which is shown in FIG. 1A as being generally round; although the base can also be generally rectangular, star shaped, or another preferred shape. A candle  14  is fitted into a space defined by a sidewall  16  of the base and a wick  18  protrudes outwardly from the top of the candle. The candle can be placed in the base, or formed in the base by pouring candle wax into the base. 
     The candle tin further includes a cover  20  which fits over the top of base  12 . Cover  20  covers the open end of base  12  when the candle is not lit, and is removed prior to lighting the candle. The cover is slightly larger in size than the base for a sidewall  22  of the cover to slide over sidewall  16  of the base to enclose the candle. The diameter of cover  20  is uniform throughout the height of the cover. The lower end of cover  20  has a circumferentially extending, upturned or curled edge  24 . A rib  26  is sometimes formed on base  12  and extends circumferentially about the base a distance d below the top of the base. Distance d generally corresponds to the height of cover  20  so lower edge  24  of the cover fits against the upper portion of rib  26  when the cover is in place. 
     Cover  20  has a circular projection  28  formed in its upper end  30 . A correspondingly sized recess  32  is formed in a bottom surface  34  of base  12 . Radially outwardly of this recess are circumferentially extending protrusions such as feet  36  which project or extend from bottom surface  34 . As shown in FIGS. 1D-1F, the feet can comprise a continuous foot  36   a  (FIG.  1 D); or they may comprise a series of spaced feet each of which is either conical in shape  36   b  (FIG.  1 E), or subtends a small arc  36   c  (FIG.  1 F). Regardless, the foot or feet rest upon a surface on which the candle tin is set. As previously noted, when the candle burns, the base of the candle tin gets hot and the heat transferred through the base and feet can burn or scorch the surface. In accordance with the invention, cover  20 , once removed from the candle tin, is used as the base for the unit. This is as shown in FIG.  1 B. Lower edge  24  of the cover is placed on the surface, and the foot or feet  36  of base  12  are placed upon upper end  30  of the cover. Recess  32  of base  12  is placed over projection  28  on the top surface of the cover to center the base on the cover. An air gap is formed between the base and cover and air flow through the gap helps direct heat away from the candle tin. Further, the cover acts as a heat sink with regard to heat transferred from base  12  to the cover. Although heat is transferred from base  12  to the cover, the amount of heat is small and any temperature to which cover  20  is elevated is much less than that which would cause damage to the surface on which the candle tin is placed. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, a second embodiment of the candle tin of the present invention is indicated generally  40 . Again, the candle tin includes a hollow, cup shaped base  42  in which a candle  44  fits into the space defined by a sidewall  46  of the base. A wick  48  protrudes outwardly from the top of the candle. A cover  50  fits over the top of base  42 , the cover being slightly larger in size than the base for a sidewall  52  of the cover to fit over sidewall  46  of the base and enclose candle  44 . Again, the diameter of the sidewall is uniform throughout the height of the cover. The lower end of cover  50  has a circumferentially extending, upturned or curled edge  54 . A rib (optional)  56  formed on base  42  extends circumferentially about the base a distance generally corresponding to the height of cover  50  so lower edge  54  of the cover fits against the upper portion of rib  56  when the cover is in place. 
     Base  42  has a plurality of spaced bosses  58  projecting outwardly from the lower extent of sidewall  46 . The number and spacing of these bosses may vary. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C, there are three bosses (only two of which are shown in the drawings) located 120° apart. 
     Again in accordance with the invention, cover  50 , once removed from the candle tin, provides a base for the unit. This is as shown in FIG.  2 B. Whereas in the previous embodiment, the lower edge of the cover was placed on the surface and the feet or foot portion of the base rested upon the top surface of the cover; now, cover  50  is inverted so its top surface  60  rests upon the surface on which the candle tin is set. The bottom surface  62  of base  42  is now lowered into the cavity formed by cover  50  until the bosses  58  bear against edge  54  of the cover. With a three or more point contact between the base and cover, the resulting unit is stable and will not tip. As shown in FIG. 2C, an air gap is again formed between the base and cover and air flow through the gap helps direct heat away from the candle tin. Heat is transferred from base  42  to cover  50 , but the base provides such a large heat sink, that the temperature of the cover will rise only slightly, and not enough to damage a surface on which the candle tin is placed. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a candle tin embodiment similar to that first described is shown. This embodiment is indicated generally  70  and includes a cup shaped base  72  in which a candle  74  is fitted into the space defined by a sidewall  76  of the base with a wick  78  protruding outwardly from the top of the candle. As with the first described embodiment, a cover  80  fits over the top of base  72 , the cover having a sidewall  82  and an upturned curled edge  84  which fits against the upper portion of a rib  86  on the base when the cover is in place. 
     Cover  80  has a circular projection  88  formed in its upper end  90 , and a correspondingly sized recess  92  is formed in a bottom surface  94  of base  72 . Accordingly, when the cover is removed and set on a surface, base  72  nests on the cover with recess  92  fitting onto projection  88  of the cover. Cover  80  has a plurality of perforations  96  formed in it, the perforations being formed in circular bands extending about the cover, including the curled edge portion of the cover. These perforations allow air to freely flow through the cover and convey heat from the candle tin away from the cover, again preventing scorching of the surface. 
     In FIGS. 4A and 4B, an embodiment  100  of the candle tin includes a base  102  with a candle  104  fitted in the space defined by a sidewall  106  of the base. A wick  108  protrudes outwardly from the top of the candle. A cover  110  which fits over the top of base  102  is shown in FIG. 4A positioned beneath the base. A cover sidewall  112  fits over sidewall  106  of the base to enclose the candle and a curled lower edge  114  of the cover bears against a rib  116  of base  102  when the cover is placed over the base. When used as shown in FIG. 4A, edge  114  of the cover rests on the surface upon which the candle tin is set. Upwardly projecting nibs  118  extend from a top surface  120  of cover  110 . Indentations  122  are formed in the bottom  124  of base  102  and the base is oriented so the nibs fit into these indentations to form a stable platform for the candle tin. There are a series of these spaced nibs, preferably three spaced equidistantly apart from each other. As with the other embodiments, the height of the nibs creates an air gap between the base and cover so to reduce the amount of heat transfer to the cover and prevent scorching the surface on which the candle tin rests. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a variation indicated generally  100 ′ of the just described embodiment  100  of the candle tin. Now, nibs or feet  126  extend from bottom surface  128  of base  102 ′. Indentations  130  are formed in top surface  132  of cover  110 ′ and the feet are received in these indentations. Again there are preferably three feet  126  spaced equidistantly apart extending from surface  128  of base  102 ′. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the indentations are square not rounded such as the indentations  122  shown in FIG.  4 B. 
     Similarly, FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a variation indicated generally  40 ′ of the candle tin embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. Now, sidewall  52 ′ of cover  50 ′ is not uniform in diameter throughout the height of the cover as with the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C. Rather, cover  50 ′ has a lower end section  52   a  which is greater in diameter than the upper portion of the sidewall. Bosses  58 ′ protruding from sidewall  46 ′ of candle tin base  46 ′ bear against this lower end section of cover  50 ′ to seat the base onto the cover. 
     Another variation of the embodiment  40  is indicated generally  40 ″ in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In this embodiment sidewall  52 ″ of cover  50 ″ is straightwalled from the top of the cover to immediately above edge  54 ″ at the base of the cover. As best shown in FIG. 7B, the sidewall of the cover angles slightly outwardly immediately above edge  54 ″ forming an angled or sloping surface against which a boss  58 ″ protruding from the side of base  42 ″ of the candle tin bears. 
     Finally, referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an embodiment of the candle tin indicated generally  140  in the drawings includes a cup shaped base  142  in which a candle  144  is fitted into the space defined by a sidewall  146  of the base with a wick  148  protruding outwardly from the top of the candle. A cover  150  fits over the top of base  142 , the cover having a sidewall  152  and an upturned curled edge  154  which fits against the upper portion of a rib  156  on the base when the cover is in place. Cover  150  has a circular projection  158  formed in its upper surface  160 . A correspondingly sized recess  162  is formed in a bottom surface  164  of base  142 . Projection  158  has a flat base section  166  and a sloping sidewall  168 . Spaced about the projection and protruding from the sidewall  168  are hemispherically shaped bosses  170 . These hemispheres support surface  164  of base  142  so the base is raised above the upper surface of cover  150 . Again this allows air to circulate between the base and cover and helps prevent scorching the surface on which the candle tin is placed. 
     What has been described is various embodiments of a candle tin which has a cover that normally fits over and closes a base in which a candle is formed or placed. The cover covers the open end of the base when the candle is not lit, and is removed when the candle is to be lit. When the cover is removed, it is placed on the surface supporting the candle tin. The cover can be placed face down or inverted depending upon the particular embodiment. The cover now supports the base of the candle tin and various constructions of the base and cover which facilitate this have been described. While the cover and base can have various colorations and decorative motifs incorporated in their construction or applied to their exterior surfaces, the function of the various constructions is to reduce heat transfer from the base to the cover so a surface upon which the candle tin is placed is not damaged. This is done by enabling air to flow about the base and cover or between them, as well providing a cover which comprises a large heat sink that absorbs the relatively small amount of heat which is transferred between the base and cover. 
     In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. 
     As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.