Apparatuses and methods for fast manual candle wick setting

Apparatuses and methods are provided for rapid and user-friendly manual setting of wicks into container candles. The apparatuses of embodiments include a wick setter that includes a proximal portion configured to receive a downward force. The wick setter also includes an elongated shaft coupled to the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated shaft is configured to translate the downward force from the proximal portion onto a distal portion of the wick setter. The distal portion includes at least one wick tab holder disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The wick tab holder includes a loop configured to engage a corresponding wick tab laterally with respect to the corresponding wick tab. The wick tab holder is also configured to apply a holding force onto the corresponding wick tab for holding the corresponding wick tab attached to the wick tab holder.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to candle wick setters, and more particularly to a candle wick setter with a fast wick setter holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Candle making has been around for a long time, and has been and is practiced by a variety of people for a variety of purposes, from hobbyist to craftsmen, and from small commercial operations to large commercial enterprises. In every case, however, the process is similar: at least one wick is set onto a base of a container and wax is then poured into the container.

In traditional candle making, setting the wick onto the base of the container generally entails a manual operation. In most cases, the wick is first inserted into a wick tab. For example,FIG. 1shows wick110inserted onto wick tab120. Wick tab120provides support and purchase for the wick so that the wick stays in place when the wax is eventually poured. In this traditional operation, the wick is then set onto the container by manually inserting the wick tab into the container and placing the wick tab onto the base at the appropriate location. Once the wick is set, wax can be poured into the container. However, the manual process of setting the wick can be slow and difficult because it requires manually setting every wick individually onto the container. The process requires high levels of dexterity and hand-eye coordination, and due to the limited space within the container, the process can be unforgiving. Additionally, as the number of wicks per container increases, the manual wick setting process only takes longer and longer. Having to manually set a large number of wicks per container would be a hindrance to any candle maker.

Some solutions have been proposed for addressing the problem with manual wick setting. One existing solution is shown in wick setter200ofFIG. 2. Wick setter200includes tube210, push handle220, and tube holder230. In this solution, the wick is fed into tube210, along with the wick tab, and tube holder320is set onto the container opening. Push handle230is then pushed down, which causes the tube to be lowered thereby setting the wick onto the base of the container. However, this solution is awkward, as it requires feeding the wick through the distal end of tube220, which creates a delay in the manual process that increases as multiple wicks are used.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to apparatuses and methods which provide for quick and user-friendly manual setting of wicks onto container candles. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the wick setter of embodiments may include a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an elongated shaft coupling the proximal portion to the distal portion. In aspects, the distal portion may include at least one wick tab holder. The at least one wick tab holder may be configured to hold a wick tab within the wick tab holder in an aligned position by application of a holding force. The at least one wick tab holder may include an open-loop holder adapted to apply the holding force to the wick tab, without applying any force upon the wick itself. The holding force may include at least one of a magnetic, compressive, pneumatic, adhesive, etc. force. The elongated shaft may couple the distal portion and the proximal portion, and may define a longitudinal axis. The proximal portion may include a handle adapted to accept a downward force in a direction toward the distal portion, and which force is translated via the elongated shaft onto the distal portion.

The wick tab may include an underside which may include an adhesive adapted to attach the wick tab to the base of a container upon the underside making contact with the base of the container. The at least one wick tab holder may be configured to apply an appropriate amount of holding force such that when the wick tab is placed upon the base of a container and the adhesive on the underside of the wick tab makes contact with the base, the adhesive force created between the underside of the wick tab and the base of the container counteracts and overcomes the holding force applied by the wick tab holder upon the wick tab, thereby releasing the wick tab from the wick tab holder and setting the wick onto the container.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the wick setter of embodiments may operate to set the wick onto the base of a container by holding at least one wick tab, configured to at least partially contain the wick, using the at least one wick tab holder in the distal portion of the wick setter described above. The distal portion of the wick setter may be inserted into the container and may be positioned such that the at least one wick tab holder is aligned to the proper installation location within the base of the container. A downward force may be applied using the handle of the proximal portion, which is translated via the elongated shaft onto the at least one wick tab holder of the distal portion. The application of the downward force upon the handle causes the adhesive on the underside of the at least one wick tab being held by the at least one wick tab holder to attach the wick tab to the base of the container with a particular adhesive force. As noted above, the at least one wick tab holder is configured to apply an appropriate amount of holding force such that particular adhesive force between the at least one wick tab and the base of the container overcomes the holding force. Because the holding force is overcome by the adhesive force, the at least one wick tab is released from the at least one wick tab holder and is thereby set upon the base of the container. The wick setter may be removed from the container and the wick tab at least partially containing the wick remains within the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 3Aillustrates an example of a wick setter system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Wick setter300of the illustrated embodiment may be configured for quick and user-friendly setting of wicks onto container candles. Wick setter300may include proximal portion310, elongated shaft320, and distal portion330. The different components of wick setter300cooperatively operate to provide the functions and features discussed herein.

Proximal portion310may include handle311. Handle311may be configured to accept an application of a downward force acted upon wick setter300. For example, in some implementations, handle311may comprise a pad, such as a palm or finger pad, adapted to receive contact from a user of wick setter300. The user may make contact with handle311and apply a downward force during operation, as will be described in more detail below. In aspects, handle311may be aligned with longitudinal axis350defined by the elongated shaft. Alignment of handle311with longitudinal axis350facilitates translation of the downward force from handle311to the elongated shaft, as will be described in more detail below.

It should be noted that although handle311is described and illustrated as a pad herein, other configurations of the handle are also envisioned. Some implementations of wick setter300may forego handle311and instead, may accept the application of the downward force upon the elongated shaft directly. For example, rather than a user applying a downward force upon handle311, the user may apply the downward force directly upon elongated shaft320.

In some aspects, proximal portion310may also include finger holder313. Finger holder313may be adapted to accept a finger of a user and to provide another stability point for the application of the downward force upon handle311. In that sense, finger holder313may provide stabilization to wick setter300during operation so that when the user applies the downward force upon handle311, wick setter300may maintain a stable position as the wick tabs are attached to the base of the container. Although as illustrated finger holder313is shown as a loop, in some aspects, finger holder313may be configured as a curve, or simply as a point, tab, protrusion, or any other means for providing another point of contact with wick setter300for the user.

Proximal portion310may include, in some implementations, spring element312. Spring element312may be configured to couple handle311to elongated shaft320via finger holder313. Spring element may comprise a curvature in the material laid out between handle311and finger holder313, which creates a spring element. The size of the curvature may be determined by the different factors such as the length of wick setter300, the materials used, the types of adhesive used for the wick tab, the amount of force required to attach the wick tab to the base of the container, etc. In other aspects, spring element312may comprise an actual spring, or may comprise any other mechanism adapted to provide a spring action between handle311and elongated shaft320.

In some aspects, spring element312may be configured to control the application and translation of the downward force upon wick setter300. The amount of spring action provided by spring element312may be adapted to absorb the downward force and then release an element of the downward force appropriate for attaching the wick tab to the base of the container, without causing an excessive amount of downward force to be translated to the wick tab holders. Because of the spring action, the downward force is controlled.

Wick setter300may also include elongated shaft320. Elongated shaft320may be coupled to proximal portion310on one end, and may be coupled to distal portion330on the other end. Elongated shaft320may define longitudinal axis350and may be configured to provide structural support for wick setter300. Elongated shaft350may also be configured to translate the downward force applied upon proximal portion310to distal portion330. In particular, elongated shaft may translate the downward force from handle311to wick tab holders331.

In some aspects, the length of the elongated shaft may be determined by operational requirements. It is noted that too long a length may cause issues with precision during operation and may cause the elongated shaft to be weak and susceptible to breakage and/or bending upon the application of the downward force. On the other hand, too short a length may interfere during operation as the wick tab holders may not be able to make contact with the base of the container. The inventor has observed that acceptable results may be obtained when the elongated shaft is no greater than 20% of the height of the container in which the wick is to be set. Of course, it will be appreciated that no greater than 20% is merely an example of a length for the elongated shaft and should not be construed in any way to be limiting. As such, any other length that meets the above discussed requirements is envisioned and will be considered covered by the present disclosure.

Wick setter300may also include distal portion330. Distal portion330may include at least one wick tab holder331. Wick tab holder331may be configured to apply a holding force to a wick tab to be set into a container candle. The application of the holding force may be performed using at least one of magnetic, adhesive, compressive, mechanical, etc. means. For example, wick tab holder331may be constructed from a magnetic material, may be embedded with a magnet, may be constructed from a non-magnetic material but coated with a magnetic coating, and/or may be constructed from a non-magnetic material but may then be magnetized. In this example, the force provided by the magnetic force may be sufficient to retain and hold a wick tab within wick tab holder331. In another example, wick tab holder331may include an adhesive adapted to provide an adhesive force sufficient to retain and hold a wick tab within wick tab holder331. In yet another example, wick tab holder331may be configured to provide a compressive force upon a wick tab, e.g., by means of compressing the loop of wick tab holder331, wherein the compressive force is sufficient to retain and hold a wick tab within wick tab holder331. In a further example, a mechanical retainer may be included such that the mechanical retainer provides a mechanism for retaining and holding a wick tab within wick tab holder331. For example, a c-clip, a breakaway washer, etc. may be used to hold the wick tab within wick tab holder331. The c-clip, breakaway washer, etc., may be adapted so that the c-clip, breakaway washer, etc. breaks away when the wick tab is attached to the base of the container and an upward force is applied to wick setter300to remove wick setter300.

In some aspects, wick tab holder331may be configured for rapid engagement with the wick tab. For example, wick tab holder may be configured to have a shape and size that facilitates rapid engagement. In some implementations, wick tab holder331may have an open-loop configuration, as shown inFIGS. 3A-Cand4A-B. The open-loop configuration may be adapted as a c-curve, which includes an open portion of wick tab holder's loop. The size of the c-curve may be based on the size and shape of a wick tab, or the portion of the wick tab to make contact with wick tab holder331. For example, the c-curve configuration of wick tab holder331may allow for fast engagement by merely engaging the wick tab through the opening of the c-curve. As such, the engagement is fast without the need to feed the wick through the wick tab holder's loop. Once engaged, the holding force provided by wick tab holder331retains and holds the wick tab in place.

It should be noted that the above discussion with respect to an open-loop configuration of the wick tab holder is not intended to be limiting to this disclosure in any way. As such, other configurations of wick tab holder331are envisioned that may not be open-loop. For example, a closed-loop configuration may also be suitable, where appropriate.

Wick tab holder331may also be configured to hold the wick tabs in alignment during setting. By holding the wick tabs in place within the loop of wick tab holder331, the alignment of the wick tab with respect to wick setter300, and with respect to the container, is maintained. In some aspects, distal portion330may include a plurality of wick tab holders. In these implementations, each wick tab holds an individual wick tab. The wick tabs may be desired to be set in a particular pattern within the container. In this case, the plurality of wick tab holders may be arranged in distal portion330such that the arrangement corresponds to the desired pattern within the container. As each wick tab holder331of the plurality of wick tab holders is able to retain and hold a corresponding wick tab in alignment, the desired pattern may be achieved within the container in a simple, fast, and user-friendly manner.

In some embodiments, distal portion330including wick tab holder331may be detachably coupled to elongated shaft320. In these embodiments, distal portion330may be interchangeable between different configurations of wick tab holders. For example, one configuration of distal portion330may include two wick tab holders, as shown inFIG. 3A, while another configuration of distal portion330may include three wick tab holders, as shown inFIG. 3B, and while yet another configuration of distal portion330may include four wick tab holders, as shown inFIG. 3C. As desired by the user, or as necessary due to operational requirements, one configuration of distal portion330may be decoupled from elongated shaft320and another configuration may be then coupled to elongated shaft320. In that sense, wick setter300may be selectively configured to meet operational needs.

In some aspects, distal portion330may be detachably coupled to elongated shaft320by means of a fastener. The fastener may be magnetic, friction-based, or a pin, among various options. In some aspects, distal portion330may be coupled to elongated shaft320by inserting end of distal portion330into, or over, the shaft of elongated shaft320.

In alternative aspects, wick tab holders331of distal portion330may be removable from distal portion330. In these aspects, the configuration of distal portion330may be modified by attaching or detaching wick tab holders from distal portion330. For example, while on a two wick tab holder configuration, wick holder300may be modified to a four wick tab holder configuration by adding two more wick tab holders to distal portion330. It is noted that the addition of the two wick tab holders may require relocating the existing two wick tab holders to maintain symmetry and alignment of the wick tab holders in distal portion330. In some aspects, wick tab holders331may be detachably coupled to distal portion330by means of a magnetic, adhesive, or mechanical fastener.

The various components of wick setter300may be constructed of various materials. For example, the various components of wick setter discussed above may be constructed of metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), plastic, or other synthetic material, etc. In some aspects, different components may be made of different materials. For example, handle311may be made of plastic, while the rest of wick setter300may be made of metal. In these cases, the material chosen for a particular component may be determined by operational and/or manufacturing requirements.

What follows is a discussion of exemplary operations with respect to a wick setter implemented in accordance with the present disclosure, with respect to wick setter300illustrated inFIGS. 3A-Cand4A-B. It will be appreciated that the operations discussed herein are for illustration purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way whatsoever.

As noted above, the wick setter of embodiments may be configured for rapid and user-friendly manual setting of a wick onto a base of a container. Exemplary operations may begin by a user determining a desired pattern for arranging at least one wick within a container candle. The user may select a particular configuration for a distal portion of a wick setter that corresponds to the desired arrangement. For example, a user may determine a desired pattern of two wicks in a container candle disposed ninety degrees from each other, as in the two-wick arrangement shown inFIG. 3A. The user may then select the two-wick arrangement illustrated inFIG. 3A.

A wick may then be at least partially inserted into each of two wick tabs. An adhesive tab may then be placed upon the underside of each of the two wick tabs, the underside being the side of the wick tabs that will make contact with the base of the container. Each of the two wick tabs may then be engaged with a corresponding one of wick tab holders331, as shown inFIG. 4A. The engagement may include attaching the wick tab by feeding the wick through the open portion of the c-curve of the wick tab holder, and ensuring that the holding force provided by the wick tab holder is applied to the wick tab. For example, wick tab410containing wick411may be engaged with wick tab holder311by feeding wick tab410and/or wick411through the open portion of the open loop of wick tab holder311and ensuring that the holding force provided by wick tab holder311retains, holds, and maintains wick tab410in place.

Exemplary operations may continue by guiding wick setter300into container450. The user may insert a finger, such as an index finger, into finger holder313and may position another finger, such as a thumb, onto handle pad311. The natural grasp formed by the position of the hand upon the proximal portion of wick setter300may provide additional stability and support during the insertion of wick setter300into container450.

The wick setter300may be inserted into container450until the underside of wick tabs410make contact with the base of container450. A downward force is then applied onto handle311, while finger index313provides an additional point of stability for ensuring that the downward force does not cause wick setter300to lose stability. The downward force may be along a longitudinal axis defined by elongated shaft320. Additionally, the downward force is controlled by the spring action of spring element312.

The downward force is translated, via spring element312and elongated shaft320, onto wick tab holders311. The downward force causes the adhesive on the underside of wick tabs410to become attached to the base of container450. The adhesive is configured such that the adhesive force provided by the adhesion is greater than the holding force provided by wick tab holders311. Wick setter300is then pulled upward, which causes the holding force provided by wick tab holders311to be overcome by the adhesive force of the underside of wick tabs410and the wick tabs are released from wick tab holders311while remaining attached to the base of container350. Wick setter300may then be removed from container450and wick tabs410at least partially containing wicks411remain within container450, as shown inFIG. 4B.