Abstract:
The present invention relates to vessel design that enhances candle performance by separating the inlet air from the active scent while accelerating the active scent. The chimney-like assembly accelerates active scent flow, thus propelling active scent faster and further from the candle. The separation of inlet air from active scent produces an efficient laminar flame with minimal flame movement and flickering, thus reducing the soot potential.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/442,419, filed on Feb. 14, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to candle vessel designs and more particularly to candle vessel designs that enhance the performance of a filled container candle during use. 
         [0003]    There are many designs of conventional container-type candles. Many container candles consist of a jar with wax, a wick and a cover. The main function of the containers is to hold wax or some combustible fuel in a static defined dimension. In essence, current container candles function only as a container. 
         [0004]    Burn control accessories, however, have been added as a separate component to container candles for the purpose of controlling the flame and for providing improved scent distribution. U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,962 describes a venting plate that is used with apothecary candles to improve combustion efficiency. U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,047 describes the improvement in a candle&#39;s combustion and the elimination of smoke by use of a venting plate having a channeled baffle or skirt. U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,772 relates to containerized candles with burn control covers utilizing air intake vents. 
         [0005]    The prior art candles described above included improvements that address burn control and improved scent distribution by use of an extraneous cover, lid or plate placed on an existing container, such as an apothecary jar. These designs present some significant disadvantages. One disadvantage is that of piece separation. In order to achieve the claimed benefits the end-user must place the cover, lid, or plate on the container candle. If the cover, lid or plate is misplaced, lost, or broken the intended burn enhancement features would not be realized. 
         [0006]    Another disadvantage to these prior art candles is that of heat retention in the cover, lid or plate during use. Since the cover, lid or plate is a separate component, the end-user may desire or find it necessary to remove the cover, lid or plate either during use or after he or she finishes using the candle. Such action may put the end-user in harms way as burns to the skin may occur. 
         [0007]    Most improvements made to candles currently on the market are made for aesthetic purposes. Very few improvements have been made to container candles for the purpose of enhancing candle performance. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a container candle insert that is one finished piece providing both stable and efficient burning and accelerated scent delivery. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A candle container design of the present invention enhances performance of the candle during burning by separating the inlet air from the active scent while accelerating the active scent. As part of the container candle manufacturing process a chimney-like assembly is attached to the container creating a finished container candle. In one embodiment the chimney-like assembly is a cylindrical assembly and in another embodiment the chimney-like assembly is a frusto-conical assembly. The chimney-like assembly is a multi-functional part of the container candle that provides two features: 1) separation of inlet air from the active scent released by the container candle, and 2) accelerated delivery of active scent from the container candle. The chimney-like insert part of the assembly improves burn control by stabilizing the candle flame. This function is accomplished by separating inlet air and active scent. In conventional candle containers these two opposing flows interfere with each other causing flame disruption and subsequently inefficient combustion. The chimney-like insert is positioned in a central position on the top of the container with the top extending higher than the brim of the container and the bottom extending some distance into the container&#39;s neck. The top and bottom diameters of the chimney-like insert are always more narrow than the container&#39;s neck so that an air gap is created between the two. In some embodiments, as part of the container candle manufacturing process, an integrated ring assembly is permanently attached to the container creating a finished container. In other embodiments, the integrated ring is attached to the vessel by one or more contact points during the container candle manufacturing process. In the embodiment utilizing the cylindrical insert, a heat reflection ring is attached inside the air diverter cylinder. The open diameter of the heat reflection ring is adequate for candle lighting. The bottom of the ring may be flat or curved and may or may not contain a reflective surface treatment. The heat reflection ring&#39;s function is to reflect thermal radiation back into the candle fuel creating faster and more complete melting. Faster and more complete melting is desired in scented candles as this facilitates the diffusion of fragrance into the atmosphere (known as active scent). The air gap allows for adequate laminar inlet air supply to the candle flame providing for more stable and efficient burning. In the embodiment utilizing the frusto-conical insert, the end of the frusto-conical insert with the larger diameter is positioned in the container&#39;s neck to facilitate air flow downward and to the inside wall of the container creating a laminar inlet air flow. The chimney-like insert is attached to a connector ring by three seat flanges positioned 120 degrees apart and the connector ring is attached to the vessel&#39;s brim by a u-channel. The advantageous geometry of the frusto-conical insert with the larger diameter of the insert positioned into the vessel&#39;s neck creates an accelerated flow of active scent by virtue of the Venturi Effect. Accelerated active scent is desired as this feature propels scent faster and further from the lit candle, thus achieving improved fragrancing performance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top view of one embodiment of the ring assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the ring assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the finished container candle with the ring assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2  inserted therein 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the finished container candle shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the finished container candle shown in  FIG. 3  with a representation of the air and scent flow therein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is perspective view of another embodiment of the container candle of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of the frusto-conical assembly inserted in the container candle shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the operational aspect of the finished container candle according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , a container candle  10  of the present invention includes a container  12 , which can be of any shape with an opening at the top of the container. Typically, container  12  would be made of glass, but container  12  could also be made of other non-combustible materials. A chimney-like cylindrical ring assembly  9 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is inserted in the container  12 . The ring assembly  9  includes an air diverter cylinder  1 , a heat reflection ring  2 , and contact points  3 . 
         [0019]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a finished container candle  10  with the integrated ring assembly  9  inserted therein. The design of this container candle  10  enhances performance of the candle during burning by controlling the flame and reflecting heat. The ring assembly  9  is connected to the finished container  10  by one or more contact points  3  that are secured to the container by an adhesive. The ring assembly  9  is sized and positioned to allow the formation of an air gap  4 . In a preferred embodiment the ring assembly  9  is made of glass, but other materials that are capable of withstanding heat from the candle flame can also be used. The finished container  10  contains candle fuel  8  (typically a wax) and a wick  11  (the candle may contain more than one wick). The container  12  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  contains a vessel neck  5  with a diameter less than the vessel wall  7  connected by the vessel shoulder  6 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates the operation of the container candle  10 . During candle burning, inlet air  13  travels between the air diverter cylinder  1  and the vessel neck  5  through the air gap  4  where it moves over the candle fuel  8  (or melted wax pool). Part of the inlet air  13  traveling through air gap  4  is used to support combustion required to keep the candle flame  16  on wick  11  burning. Heat generated by the candle flame  16  liberates scent held in the candle fuel  8  (or melted wax pool). Scent, heat, air, and by-products of combustion exit through the inside opening of air diverter cylinder  1 . During burning heat radiates outward, in the form of thermal radiation, from the candle flame  16  in all directions. The heat reflection ring  2 , which is secured to the glass insert by an adhesive, reflects a certain percentage of this thermal radiation  14  back into the candle fuel  8  thereby facilitating faster and more complete melting. In a preferred embodiment the ring  2  includes a reflective coating to enhance the heat reflection. 
         [0021]    The container candle  30  shown in  FIG. 6  includes a container  32  and a frusto-conical insert assembly  34 . The connector ring  36  of the assembly  34  is connected to the finished container  32  by the connector ring u-channel  38  and is sized and positioned to allow the formation of an air gap  40 . The finished container  32  contains candle fuel  42  (typically a wax) and a wick  44  (the candle may contain more than one wick). The finished container depicted includes a container neck  46  with a diameter less than the container wall  48  connected by the vessel shoulder  50 . 
         [0022]    The frusto-conical assembly  34 , shown most clearly in  FIG. 7 , includes a frusto-conical insert  35 , and connector ring  36 . The frusto-conical insert  35  is attached to the connector ring  36  by three connector ring seat flanges  52 . The frusto-conical insert bottom  54  connects to each connector ring seat flange  52  by compression fit and sits on top of the seat flange edge  56 . The seat flange pressure indention  58  provides adequate pressure to hold in place the frusto-conical insert  35 . The connector ring skirt  60  extends downward into the vessel neck  46  in the finished container candle  30 . The connector ring  36  is attached to the finished container  32  by the connector ring u-channel  38 . The connector ring  36  may be made out of a variety of heat resistant materials and may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The connector ring may  36  can also be smooth, have relief or contain design elements. 
         [0023]    The frusto-conical assembly  34  may be attached to the container  32  in a variety of ways (i.e. fused, adhesives, chemical treatments, or mechanical fittings). The frusto-conical insert  35  may be made out of a variety of heat resistant materials and may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The frusto-conical insert  35  can also be smooth, have relief or contain design elements. The frusto-conical insert  35  may also be inverted with the smaller diameter position positioned in the container&#39;s neck. 
         [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates the operation of the container candle  30  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . During candle burning, inlet air  62  travels between the frusto-conical inert  35  and the connector ring  36  through the air gap  40  where it moves over the candle fuel  42  (or melted wax pool). Part of the inlet air  62  is used to support combustion required to keep the candle flame  66  on wick  44  burning. Heat generated by the candle flame  66  liberates scent held in the candle fuel  42  (or melted wax pool) and creates active scent  68 . Active scent  68 , heat, air, and by-products of combustion exit through the top opening through frusto-conical insert  35 . This container candle enhances performance during burning by separating the inlet air  62  from the active scent  68  while accelerating the active scent  68 . 
         [0025]    While the foregoing invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments, various alterations and modification will occur to those skilled in the art. All such alterations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.