Abstract:
A candlewick for use in a candle system includes two or more wicks which are intertwined and at least one binding member, such as a generally non-wicking yarn, which holds the wicks intertwined. The binding member decomposes in response to heat generated by a single flame fueled by the wicks so that the wicks separate from each other to define a pair of wick ends which fuel the single flame.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the filing benefit of pending U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/379,426, filed May 10, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to candle systems and, more particularly, to a candlewick for use in such candle systems for efficiently burning candle fuels.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    When a candle is burning, a problem of sooting occurs when the flame of the candle is incapable of efficiently burning the fuel that is being supplied to the flame via the wick. Soot is generally understood to be the remains of carbon particles that have not been completely decomposed (burned) within the candle flame as the candle burns. Soot has three directions it can go in a candle system. First, it can be fully combusted and burned off. Second, it can be released into the atmosphere as smoke. Lastly, it can attach itself to the candlewick and grow into a carbon head.  
           [0004]    Soot in the form of smoke is typically associated with having a candlewick that is too large such that the flame is incapable of completely burning “all” of the fuel being supplied via the wick. This problem is usually remedied by using a smaller wick which will provide less fuel to the flame and thus prevent a candle from smoking. However, smaller flames produce less heat which is oftentimes necessary to completely oxidize carbon particles from the wick to prevent carbon heading. Therefore, the optimum solution is to find a wick that can supply the correct amount of fuel to the flame so that there is neither smoking nor carbon head formation as the candle burns.  
           [0005]    Proper sizing of the wick for a particular candle application has been the preferred solution for centuries. Recently, however, the introduction and popularity of various natural and cleaner burning candle fuels, as well as the introduction of oversized and oddly shaped candles (opposed to the traditional cylinder shapes) has presented the need for vastly more sophisticated candlewick systems.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a candlewick for use in a candle system which burns efficiently without producing undesirable smoke or forming a carbon head in a variety of candle system applications.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks of candlewicks and candle systems heretofore known. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
           [0008]    In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a candlewick is provided which is particularly designed to burn efficiently in a candle system without producing undesirable smoke and carbon heading. Rather than simply adjusting the size of the wick (larger or smaller) to accommodate the flame&#39;s ability to consume the fuel supplied by the candle, the candlewick of the present invention is designed to change the physical shape of the flame to thereby find provide maximum burning efficiency.  
           [0009]    To this end, and in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the candlewick comprises two or more discrete wicks which are braided, weaved, twisted or otherwise intertwined together so that the wicks are intertwined along their respective entire lengths. A binding member, such as one or more yarns of polypropylene or other generally non-wicking and non-toxic material, is intertwined with the wicks in one embodiment so that the wicks are bound together by the yarn and thereby prevented from uncoiling or unraveling before being incorporated into a candle system.  
           [0010]    When the candlewick of the present invention is ignited, the heat generated by the flame melts or burns away the polypropylene yarns that are binding the wicks together. The individual wicks, which are no longer bound together, naturally unravel or uncoil away from each other generally at or slightly above the surface of the candle as the candlewick burns so that the ends of the wicks separate and spread apart. The single flame, which is now fed by two (or more) discrete wicks, is shaped by the unraveled or uncoiled ends of the wicks and the wick composition to produce an enlarged flame and flame base which are larger than the flame and flame base generated by a conventional single candlewick end of conventional candlewick systems. By having the particular wick construction and wick composition of the present invention define the size and shape of the enlarged flame, more oxygen is drawn into the flame, thereby providing for a larger heated burning chamber within the flame itself and reducing the generation of undesirable smoke and soot from the flame.  
           [0011]    The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.  
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a candlewick in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an exemplary candle burning the candlewick illustrated in FIG. 1,  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a color photograph showing the candlewick illustrated in FIG. 1; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a color photograph similar to FIG. 3 showing additional detail of the candlewick illustrated in FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    With reference to FIGS.  1 - 4 , a candlewick  10  is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As will be described in greater detail below, candlewick  10  is particularly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention to burn efficiently without producing undesirable smoke or forming a carbon head for a variety of candle applications.  
         [0019]    Referring now to FIG. 1, this new construction is obtained by braiding, weaving, twisting or otherwise intertwining two or more discrete wicks  12   a ,  12   b  together (two shown) so that the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  are intertwined along their entire respective lengths. As used herein, the terms “intertwined” and “intertwining” are intended to refer to the braiding, twisting, weaving, or otherwise close association of the two or more discrete wicks along their entire respective lengths.  
         [0020]    In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  are twisted in a spiral pattern around each other, although other intertwined patterns of the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art are possible as well without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  may comprise one or more filaments of rayon, linen, cotton, cellulose, a mixture thereof, or any other conventional wick material, and each wick  12   a ,  12   b  is constructed in a conventional manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0021]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, one or more polypropylene or other generally non-wicking and non-toxic yarns  14  (FIGS. 1, 3 and  4 ) are intertwined with the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  in a conventional intertwining manner used by candle makers in the manufacture of candlewicks from two or more wicks so that the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  are bound together by the yarns  14  and thereby prevented from uncoiling or unraveling before being incorporated into a candle system. In this final intertwined configuration of the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  and the yarns  14 , the candlewick  10  is prepared to be incorporated into a candle system to wick the fuel provided by the candle system as it burns during use.  
         [0022]    It is contemplated that the yarns  14  may be intertwined with the wicks  12   a,    12   b  as shown, and/or may be wrapped about the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  to bind the wicks together. It is also contemplated that yarns  14  may comprise a single filament or multiple filaments of material that are adapted to melt or burn away through heat generated by a candle flame, without the yarns  14  themselves generating undesirable smoke or soot, to thereby permit the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  to unravel or uncoil in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The candlewick  10  of the present invention may be used in a variety of candle systems including, without limitation, pillar candles, taper candles, jar candles, fragrance candles as well as candles that are oversized and oddly shaped.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the candlewick  10  is shown extending from an exemplary candle  16 . When the candlewick  10  is ignited, the heat generated by the flame  18  decomposes, i.e., melts or burns away the polypropylene yarns  14  that are binding the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  together. The individual wicks  12   a ,  12   b , which are no longer bound together, naturally unravel or uncoil away from each other generally at or slightly above the surface  20  of the candle  16  as the candlewick  10  burns so that the ends of the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  separate and spread apart as shown in FIG. 2. The single flame  18 , which is now fed by two (or more) discrete wicks  12   a ,  12   b  in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is shaped by the unraveled or uncoiled ends of the wicks  12   a ,  12   b  and the wick composition to produce an enlarged flame  18  and flame base  22  which are larger than the flame and flame base  22  generated by a conventional single candlewick end of conventional candlewick systems.  
         [0024]    The candlewick  10  of the present invention is especially effective in candle systems where expanding the flame base is desired to achieve a larger wax pool without adding extra fuel drawing power to the wick. By having the particular wick construction and wick composition of the present invention define the size and shape of the enlarged flame  18 , more oxygen is drawn into the flame  18 , thereby providing for a larger heated burning chamber within the flame itself and reducing the generation of undesirable smoke and soot from flame. This oxygenation of the flame  18  assists in decomposing or completely burning the slower drawing viscous waxes without the reduction of flame size. The increased oxygenation provided by the enlarged flame  18  also assists in decomposing higher levels of dyes and fragrances in candles without producing the unusually large carbon heads associated with these types of candles.  
         [0025]    While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of Applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.