Abstract:
A device for containing, transforming or otherwise communicating a message intended to predict a future event, particularly the gender of a pregnant mother&#39;s baby, is disclosed. A method of building a composite candle is also disclosed. The invention also pertains to a method whereby the device or the contents or message of the device are selected by a third party based upon submitted information in regard to the mother and pregnancy. The information utilized in the selection of the message device may be furnished by any means, including the Internet or Internet website. The invention includes a method of selecting a candle containing a message predictive of the gender of a pregnant mother&#39;s child, based upon selected information. The message can be communicated by lighting the candle at an event such as a baby shower.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to a changeable or consumable device and method for device selection. More specifically, the invention pertains to a device such as a candle that changes appearance or reveals objects placed within the interior as the candle is burned.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Numerous devices are known as means to obtain a prediction of future events. Examples include a board with the alphabet and other symbols and a planchette that is thought, when touched with the fingers, to move so as to spell telepathic messages, e.g., Ouija™ boards and tarot cards. Devices are also known for creating events of chance or unpredictability. Examples include playing cards and dice.  
         [0005]     Various methods and compositions of candles are known, including the methods and compositions taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,544,302 and 6,551,365 issued to Berger et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,694 issued to Bell, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,501 issued to Pappas et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,337 issued to Friars et al.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention generally relates to candle containing, transforming or otherwise communicating a message intended to be a talisman or predictor of the gender of pregnant mother&#39;s baby. The invention also pertains to a method whereby the message of the candle is selected by a third party based upon information submitted by the mother, friend or family.  
         [0007]     The information used can utilize the date of the mother birth and date of pregnancy conception. The date information can be supplied as specified days of month and year of the 12-month calendar. The date information can be converted into another calendar system, such as the Chinese calendar system. The selection criteria can utilize an algorithm, whether deemed to be based upon folklore, scientific principals or upon physical data.  
         [0008]     The information utilized in the selection of the candle is may be furnished by any means, including but not limited to the Internet or via an Internet website. The provider of the information need not be informed of the substance of the message to be conveyed by the candle. The message can be communicated by lighting the candle at an event such as a baby shower.  
         [0009]     The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The scope of the invention however, is not limited to this description. Other benefits of the invention will also become apparent to those skilled in the art and such advantages and benefits are included within the scope of this invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. These drawings, together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the baby gender message candle subject of one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of the candle as it may be supplied in a container (partially cut away) and prior to igniting the candle.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective cross sectional view of the candle showing the placement of the second inner candle and the shared wick of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the candle after having been lit for sufficient time for the second inner candle communicating the message to be observed.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a container that may be used for holding the gender message candle of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates an information and candle selection flow chart utilized in one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 6-6C  illustrate sequential steps of building a baby gender message candle of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a candle predictive of twin births and gender.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a candle predictive of triplets and gender. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0020]     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. The above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the subject invention and additional modes, advantages and particulars of this invention will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0021]     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a candle is built inside of a material that does not combust (or melt) in the heat of a normal candle flame, i.e., a “non-combustible container” such as a glass jar. However, the invention can be practiced without a container. The container serves multiple functions, including as a non-combustible holder for the candle while lit. The container also serves as a mold for the forming of the first outer candle. The container also can serve as a display container and a protective shipping container.  
         [0022]     In addition to glass, the container may be constructed of other materials, such as ceramic, metal, polymer or polymer composite material. The container may have a cover. The container may also serve as a jar, tin or similar container after the candle is used and the wax is consumed. The container may be a decorative object and can convey or communicate a commemorative message regarding the mother, baby or the event.  
         [0023]     In the following description of the baby gender message candle embodiment of the invention, the term consumable material is used to describe combustible wax or paraffin. In the preferred embodiment, a second candle is contained with the first candle. The second candle will be of a different property that the first candle. Further in building the candle, the, second candle will be hidden within the first candle in a manner that this second candle will become visible only after a portion of the first outer candle is used and the wax is melted and burned. The inner candle will communicate the message of the baby&#39;s (or babies&#39;) gender. Other messages may also be communicated. This inner candle may be termed the communication or message component.  
         [0024]     The candle of the preferred embodiment can be considered as a composite of two or more candle components sharing one or more wicks. It may be a first outer candle component covering all or a portion of a least one second inner candle component. In the preferred embodiment, the outer candle component has a lower melting point than the inner component.  
         [0025]     It will be appreciated that the communication component of the invention is not limited to a candle, but can be any other object that will become viable only after the outer consumable material is used. The communication component is not required to be combustible. It may be a non combustible object containing written text, or be a object of a discernable shape. It other embodiments, the message component may be the absence of any object within the consumable material. In a simple embodiment, the message is a “yes-no” and is communicated by the presence or absence of an object. In another embodiment, multiple participants can utilize separate consumable materials, of which only one will contain an object. In this embodiment, the invention will be similar to “drawing straws.” 
         [0026]     The communication component may also be an object of value, such as a coin or ring. It will be appreciated that the invention includes multiple variations and embodiments.  
         [0027]     In the preferred embodiment, the invention is used to communicate to an expectant mother the gender of her baby. In one variation of this embodiment, the inner second candle may be of a pink or blue color, commonly associated with female and male. The outer first candle may be a neutral color that is opaque and thereby concealing the color of the second candle. In a variation of the preferred embodiment, the first and second candles share a common wick and thereby facilitate the continued use of the device after the message has been disclosed. The outer candle component may alternatively be of a known material that, with heated by the candle flame, has reduced opacity, and thereby revealing the inner communication or messaging component. In yet another embodiment an inner candle component is the messaging component and comprise a selectively and changeable color component that, when heated by the candle flame, changes to a differing color. In the preferred embodiment, as described herein, the material changes to either a pink or blue color. Materials that have color changing properties are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,335, issued to IS Gary Friar and Marjorie McManus. Although the color change may be reversible, it is not required for the present invention.  
         [0028]     The invention also includes a candle containing two or three inner candles or message objects. The outer candle may have a single or multiple wick for the number of inner candles.  
         [0029]     The invention also includes a method of making or building the candle. It will be appreciated that the device can have multiple components. These components can include the outer first candle, the inner second candle, and the container. It will also be appreciated that there may be multiple and differing inner candles. Each candle, either the first or second or any combination thereof, may be of differing material. The differing materials are described or illustrated herein as having differing properties. As already mentioned, one such property may be color. Also the properties of candle composition may be varied such that the melting temperature or rate of combustion of the candle materials differs. This discernable difference can be the mode of communication. Another property useful in communicating the message is the use of materials that change color or become translucent with a change of temperature. The inner material may be of a discernable shape and the shape, when revealed, communicates the message.  
         [0030]     The invention also includes a method of whereby the expectant mother, or friend, relative or co-worker of the expectant mother can have a predictive message device, such as but not limited to a message candle, made for an individual and the gender of the baby predicated by various methods or algorithms. In the preferred embodiment, the expectant mother, friend, etc., inputs information to the candle maker or seller via the Internet, telephone or other means. In the preferred embodiment, the information includes the date of birth or age of the expectant mother (“Mom To Be™”) as well as the date of conception or delivery due date. When only the delivery due date is known, the date of conception, if needed, may be extrapolated. In such circumstances, it may be useful to evaluate prior deliveries of the mother.  
         [0031]     In the preferred embodiment, device maker inputs the mother&#39;s date of birth and the date of conception into an algorithm based upon or utilizing a the Chinese calendar and known charts to select the gender of the baby. Charts or other sources utilizing this information, e.g., Chinese baby selection charts, are known and available on the Internet and other sources. The selected or predicted gender may, but is not required to be communicated to the customer. In this manner, the predicted gender can be maintained as a surprise, revealed only by the use of the device. The predicted gender can be revealed by lighting and burning the candle at a baby shower or similar event.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1  illustrates a candle of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The candle  400  is illustrated as having a cylindrical shape. It may, however be of a different shape. The candle includes a wick  300 . As will be described below, the candle  400  contains and inner component, i.e., the communication component (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, the communication component is a inner second candle. The communication component is not visible or discernable from the top  410  or side  405  or bottom  420  of the candle. Also illustrated is the center axis  603  of the candle.  
         [0033]      FIG. 1A  illustrates the preferred embodiment wherein the candle  400  is contained with a container  600  having a bottom  620 , inner bottom surface  602 , inner side surface  605  and open top  615  surrounded by the top edge  610  of the container and exposing the top surface  410  of the candle  400 . The container  650  is made of non-combustible material  600  such as glass. The glass may be clear and may also be used for other purposes after the candle is burned or removed. The candle wick  300  extends from above the top  410  of the candle to at or near the closed inside bottom  620  section of the container. There may also be a lid or cover (not shown) for the container.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the outer first candle  400  contains an inner second candle  200  (also sometimes described as inner candle component). Although the inner second candle  200  is shown to be cylindrically shaped, it is not required to be of this shape. The inner candle has a bottom  220 , at least one side  205  and a top  210 . The wick  300  extends from above the top  410  of the first candle  400  through the top  210  of the second candle  200  and extends through the bottom  220  of the second candle to at or near the bottom  420  of the first candle. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wick  300  also constitutes the axis of orientation of both the first  400  and second  200  candles. This axis of orientation is illustrated in  FIG. 1  discussed above.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  illustrates the invention after the candle wick  300  has been lit and the combustible material, e.g., wax or paraffin, of the outer first candle  400  consumed or used, i.e., melted or burned away by the heat of the flame  500  fueled at least in part by the combustible material. The consumption of the outer first candle consumable material has lowered the top surface  410  of the first candle sufficient to reveal the top surface  210  of the inner candle  200 . The properties of the first and second candles differ in a discernable or visual manner so that the predictive message, gender of the baby, is communicated. The outer candle, in the preferred embodiment has a lower melting temperature than the inner candle. This facilitates the separate candle components to be visibly distinct. In the preferred embodiment, the inner  200  candle is either pink or blue. In an alternate embodiment, the heat of the candle flame now in proximity to the top  210  of the inner candle may cause at least a portion of the inner candle  200  to change to either a pink or blue color.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates the empty container  600  used in the preferred embodiment. The container serves as the candle mold.  FIG. 4  illustrates the container having a cylindrical shape. However other shapes can be used. The container illustrated has cylindrically shaped side  605  and a closed bottom  620 . The top of the container is open or may have a removeable covering, thereby “openable” and the top  610  of the container side is shown.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates the method of the preferred embodiment wherein the customer, e.g. the expectant mother, friend, relative, co-worker, etc., contacts an Internet web site. Information inputted by the customer can include address, shipping, delivery information, as well as payment information such as credit card information. The address, delivery or shipping or pickup information or date may be used to convey the device, such as the messaging candle or Mom-To-Be™ candle of the subject invention by the candle maker or seller. In conjunction with the invention, various other goods or services may be provided via an Internet site.  
         [0038]     To obtain the messaging candle predictive of the expectant mother&#39;s baby, the customer is asked for the mother&#39;s birth date  1 , if the information is supplied, the customer is then prompted to input the date of conception  2  or alternatively, the delivery date or “due date”  3 . In the preferred embodiment, the gender of the baby is calculated or selected  4 . It will be appreciated that various predictive methods or algorithm may be used for the selection. It will also be appreciated that predictions may be derived for other events using differing and various criteria and information similarly inputted via a similar Internet site.  
         [0039]     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the customer can be prompted whether he/she wants to know the predicted or calculated gender  5 . If the customer chooses to be informed of the predicted gender, he/she will be asked to provide an address  6 , e.g., an email address for receiving the information, or alternatively, may be informed at that time. The customer is also prompted  7  to provide a delivery address for the candle. If required information can not be supplied, the customer may be directed  8  to other options, e.g., gift store screen  9  or a store “check out” or store screen or exit  10  the Internet site.  
         [0040]     While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method of making the messaging candle. A container  650  is comprised of a material  600  that is not thermoplastic or combustible at the temperature of the making process. The inside surface  602  of closed bottom  620  of the container  650  is first filled with a portion of consumable material  400 , i.e., the combustible paraffin or wax of the outer first candle. The wax, having thermoplastic properties (melting and reduced viscosity at elevated temperature and gelling into a solid phase at lowered temperatures), may be heated and poured (vector arrow  900 ) into open top  615  of the container. Alternatively, a quantity of the thermoplastic consumable material can be placed in the container and the container and contents then heated above the gel temperature of the material. This alternate method may provide facilitate a batch making process for the beginning steps of the device building.  
         [0042]     In the candle wick  300  may be placed in a substantially centered location into the top surface  410  of the viscous wax  400  covering the inside surface  602  of the closed bottom  620  of the container and a portion of the inside surface  605  of the container side  611 . The wick will extend above the top surface  410  of the wax that will form the outer first candle. The wick may extend above the open top portion  615  and top  610  side wall  611  of the container. It will be appreciated that this extended length may facilitate the building of the device as described in the following paragraphs.  
         [0043]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a method for inserting the inner second candle  200 . The second candle as illustrated has a cylindrical shape with a radius less than the radius of the interior cylindrical shape of the container. The inner second candle  200  has a top surface  210 , at least one side  205  and a bottom surface  220 . The second candle  200  can be formed in a separate stage in a manner that provides a substantially central annulus (not shown) that extends along the approximate axial orientation of the cylinder shape and than can receive the portion of the candle wick  300  extending above the top surface  410  of the wax covering the container bottom. It will be appreciated that the manner of forming the second candle and the method of building the first and second candle may vary in ways familiar to persons skilled in the art. For example, the inner candle can contain a wick having sufficient length to extend above the added layer of the first outer candle.  
         [0044]     The bottom  220  of the second candle  200  is placed on the top surface  410  of the consumable material, e.g. gelled (solid phase) or highly viscous wax of the first candle component  400 , covering the inside bottom surface  602  of the closed bottom  620  of the container  650 . It will be appreciated that the container  650  may serve as a mold forming the bottom  420  and sides ( 405  in  FIG. 1 ) outer first candle that will cover the inner second candle  200  as will be shown in the following paragraphs. The other elements of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 6A, 6B  and  6 C are the same as elements in  FIG. 6  and described above.  
         [0045]     It will be appreciated that the inner second candle may have differing properties, e.g. color, melting temperature, hardness composition, etc. that the outer first candle. Either one or both of the first or second candles may contain other objects. These objects may be non combustible, such as glittering metal flakes, glass or ceramic objects or may be aromatic fragrances. In the preferred embodiment of the invention used to predict the gender of the expectant mothers baby, the candle may have an aromatic baby powder fragrance that is emitted when the candle is lit.  
         [0046]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the continued building steps of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Additional melted liquid phase wax forming the outer first candle may be poured through the open top  615  into the container  650  as shown by vector arrow  900 . In an alternate method, the second candle may be covered with a non thermo plastic material or material that melts only at temperature higher that than the melt temperature of the outer candle material. The alternate method may allow pieces of the outer wax to be placed in the container, already partially filed with the outer candle wax and the inner second candle, while in a solid phase, and then heating the container and contents to a temperature to melt the outer first candle wax.  
         [0047]     The addition of outer first candle  400  wax ( FIG. 6C ) raises the level of the top surface  410  and continues covering or filling the space between the inner candle side  205  and the side  605  of the container  650 . As additional material forming the outer candle  400  is added, the top  410  will rise above the top  210  of the inner second candle  200 . The top surface, of course will not rise above the top  610  of the container  600  sides and a portion of the wick  300  will remain exposed above the top  410  surface.  
         [0048]     The device can be remove from the container for separate use or retained and conveyed to the customer in the container. The shape and size of the container can be varied. The container described herein may be a reusable mold, a reusable decorative container or a disposable material such as a peel away mold. It can be used only for the safe utilization of the candle or retained for decorative purposes.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the invention wherein there are multiple inner candles  200 A  200 B  200 C within the outer candle  400  material. There are also multiple wicks  300 A  300 B  300 C. This embodiment can be utilized when multiple births are expected. The candles can be made to order or purchased with an existing predictive configuration.  
         [0050]     If not otherwise stated herein, it may be assumed that all components and or processes describe herein may, if appropriate, be considered to be interchangeable with similar components or processes, unless an express indication is made to the contrary. Terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not for the purpose of limitation. Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that numerous modifications, alterations and changes can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except it may be limited to the claims. All change which comes within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.