Patent Publication Number: US-2023151300-A1

Title: Wooden wicks including a booster for a candle and method of making

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/802,468, filed Jul. 17, 2015, entitled Wooden Wicks Including a Booster for a Candle and Method of Making, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/296,629 filed Nov. 15, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/002,819 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,694) filed Apr. 29, 2014 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/871,264, filed Dec. 21, 2006, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, in general, to wicks for candles and, more particularly, this invention relates to a wooden wick equipped with a booster for a candle and to a method of making such wooden wick. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, candles and wicks which are lit to provide a flame and which melts the wax surrounding such wick have been in existence and commercially available for many years. 
     These prior art type wicks have normally been produced from a cloth fiber and are embedded into an appropriate portion of the wax, generally in the center, forming the candle. Wicks formed from pieces of wood have also been used; however, these wooden wicks have been formed as a single piece of wood which has a number of distinct disadvantages. 
     One particular disadvantage of these prior art type wooden wicks is that they are not attractive. Another important disadvantage of the prior art wooden wicks is that they have less than ideal burn qualities (e.g., smoke and soot emitted, inconsistent burning of wick, inconsistent wax burning, etc.). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a wooden wick for use in a wax candle. This wooden wick includes a strip of a predetermined wood having each of a first predetermined length, a first predetermined width and a first predetermined thickness. Such wick further includes a booster member having each of a second predetermined length, a second predetermined width and a second predetermined thickness and a means for adhering the booster member to such strip of wood. The booster member can be constructed from wood to form a strip of wood. 
     In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a wooden wick for use in a wax candle. The method includes the steps of selecting a type of wood to be formed into a strip of wood to be used in the wooden wick. Thereafter, cutting such wood selected into such strip having each of a first predetermined length, a first predetermined width and a first predetermined thickness. 
     The method includes the steps of selecting a type of wood to be formed into a strip of wood to be used in a booster member, then cutting such wood selected into such strip having each of a first predetermined length, a first predetermined width and a first predetermined thickness and adhering such booster member to the strip of wood forming the wick 
     Preferably, the wicks and booster are constructed of all natural components. The booster is a very important part of the wick, which enables the wick to burn in natural candle wax. A single piece of wood will not burn well in natural wax. Also an untreated wood will not burn consistently through a natural wax. Natural waxes should be considered as any waxes derived from animal or plant sources. Preferably a vegetable wax, such as soy wax, jojoba wax, bayberry wax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, castor wax or a combination thereof, is used. 
     An important benefit to having two wood pieces as a wick is that this allows for optimization of the wick&#39;s burning properties by selecting different sizes and species of wood for the wick and booster components. The wood can be any combination of species depending on the heat output that is desired. Cherry, oak, birch, maple, balsa, and rosewood species are examples of woods that could be used in constructing the wick. 
     The wood is cut into sheets or strips of a desired thickness. Once cut the wood of the wick and the booster are treated. The wood is sprayed with a coating of a solution of soy oil, salt water and vinegar, in a specific example a solution of 60% soy oil, 30% salt water and 10% white distilled vinegar is effectively used. The soy oil aids in a consistent burn of the wick. While the salt water aides in increasing the moisture content of the wick. The vinegar acts a natural anti-fungal to prevent fouling of the wick during storage and shipping. 
     After treatment with the above solution the wood is then placed into a plastic bag and placed into a vacuum to pull the solution into the wood. The wood may be maintained in a vacuum for several hours to several days to fully pull the solution in the wood. When the wood is removed from the vacuum it may be cut further into the desired sizes. The booster is then glued to the base piece with a all natural vegetable glue, the glue is applied in a S pattern, this allows the booster to act as a chimney for the steam that is created by the additional water in the solution that was infused into the wood, while the soy oil assures that the wood will be able to burn hot enough to melt natural candle waxes. The glue or adhesive could be applied in other patterns or in place of or in combination with other glue application patterns. While an S pattern has been found to be very effective in regard to wick performance and manufacturing efficiency, other patterns that allow for a chimney effect to occur and keep the wick components closely bound could also be effective. 
     After treatment with the above solution the wood is then placed into a plastic bag and placed into a vacuum to pull the solution into the wood. The wood may be maintained in a vacuum for several hours to several days to fully pull the solution in the wood. When the wood is removed from the vacuum it may be cut further into the desired sizes. The booster is then glued to the base piece with a all natural vegetable glue, the glue is applied in a S pattern, this allows the booster to act as a chimney for the steam that is created by the additional water in the solution that was infused into the wood, while the soy oil assures that the wood will be able to bum hot enough to melt natural candle waxes. The glue or adhesive could be applied in other patterns or in place of or in combination with other glue application patterns. While an S pattern has been found to be very effective in regard to wick performance and manufacturing efficiency, other patterns that allow for a chimney effect to occur and keep the wick components closely bound could also be effective. 
     Once the glue is applied to the wood pieces, they can be placed on presser boards to dry and keep the wood flat. Low heat is applied to assist in the drying process of the wood wicks. An oil is then applied, preferably by spraying, to the wood pieces of the wick. Preferably a vegetable oil such as soy oil is used, but other oil or wax formulations could be used if they have the needed burn qualities. The wood is then wrapped in a plastic wrap or the like to protect the moisture level of the wicks. 
     Once constructed the wicks can be used as a wick in a candle by embedding the wick into wax, preferably a vegetable wax. When burning the wick of the present invention the two pieces of wood separate slightly to create a chimney effect. The two wooden pieces should be attached to ensure the two pieces of wood stay close to each other. Otherwise if the two pieces warp and separate, the result is two separate out of control flames. 
     The present invention provides, in a second aspect a method of manufacturing a wooden wick for use in a wax candle. The method includes selecting a type of wood to be formed into a strip of wood to be used in such wooden wick. Then, cutting the wood selected into such strip having each of a first predetermined length, a first predetermined width and a first predetermined thickness. 
     Additionally, the method includes forming a booster member having each of a second predetermined length, a second predetermined width and a second predetermined thickness and then adhering such booster member to such strip of wood. Preferably, an adhesive is selected for adhering the booster member to such strip of wood. 
     In the preferred embodiment, such method further includes an addition step of ensuring that the strip of wood is clean before such strip of wood is adhered to the booster member and further that such strip of wood is treated with a liquid wax and that the wooden wick is cured, preferably by baking, prior to use in such candle. It is further preferred that the booster member be soaked in a soy oil prior to adhering it to said strip of wood. Thereafter said booster member is coated with a wax type material. 
     Additionally, the method includes an additional step of drying the wooden wick for a predetermined time generally for about 48.0 hours, prior to use in such candle. 
     The wooden wick  10  further includes a coloring agent to stain the wooden strip  12  for enhancing a visual appearance thereof. Preferably, such coloring agent is a vegetable type coloring agent. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an improved wooden wick for use in a wax candle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing such wooden wick 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wooden wick for use in a wax candle which is relatively inexpensive to produce. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wooden wick for a wax candle which has enhanced visual appeal. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a wooden wick for a wax candle which will exhibit enhanced burn qualities. 
     In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view of a wooden wick according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a wooden wick according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a profile view of a wooden according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a plan view of a wooden wick according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a wooden wick according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a profile view of a wooden according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a plan view of a wooden wick according to another embodiment of the invention with adhesive applied in an S pattern; 
         FIG.  8    is a plan view of a wooden wick according to another embodiment of the invention with adhesive applied in an S pattern and booster member ready to receive the wooden wick; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a candle comprising a wooden wick with a booster member; and 
         FIG.  10    is a close up profile view of a portion of the wooden wick with a booster member showing airflow while burning the wick. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures. 
     Reference is now made, more particularly, to  FIGS.  1 - 3    which show an embodiment of the wick of the present invention. Illustrated therein is a wooden wick, generally designated  10 , for use in a wax candle (not shown). The wooden wick  10  includes a strip of a predetermined wood  12  having each of a first predetermined length, a first predetermined width and a first predetermined thickness. Further, the wooden wick, according to the present invention, includes a booster member  14  having each of a second predetermined length, a second predetermined width and a second predetermined thickness. 
     Reference is now made, more particularly, to  FIGS.  4 - 6    which show an embodiment of the wick of the present invention. Illustrated therein is a wooden wick, generally designated  10 , for use in a wax candle (not shown). The wooden wick  10  includes a strip of a predetermined wood  12  having each of a first predetermined length, a first predetermined width and a first predetermined thickness. Further, the wooden wick, according to the present invention, includes a booster member  14  having each of a second predetermined length, a second predetermined width and a second predetermined thickness. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the first predetermined length of such strip of wood  12  will generally be between about 4.375 and about 5.125 inches. In this embodiment, the first predetermined width of the strip of wood  12  will generally he between about 0.70 inch and about 0.80 inch. In one embodiment of the invention, the second predetermined length of such booster member  14  will generally be between about 3.45 and about 3.55 inches and the second predetermined width of the booster member  14  will generally be between about 0.70 inch and about 0.80 inch. Further, in this embodiment such first and second predetermined thickness will be substantially identical. 
     Reference is now made, more particularly, to  FIGS.  7  and  8    which show an embodiment of the wick of the present invention in the assembly process. Strip of wood  12  comprises a means for adhering the booster member  14  to such strip of wood  12 . Such means is preferably an adhesive  20 . Adhesive  20  is preferably applied in an S pattern as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   . The strip of wood  12  is then mated with booster member  14  as directed by directional arrow  22 . This configuration has been shown keep the strip of wood  12  and booster member  14  closely bound to each other while still allowing gases, steam and air to move between the strip of wood  12  and booster member  14 . Other means for adhering the booster member to strip of wood  12  could comprise at least one fastener, clip, band, rivet, epoxy, cement, or the like. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  9    which shows the wick  10  embedded in wax  24  to create candle  26 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  10    which shows the wick  10  with directional arrows  28  which indicate the general direction of air and gas movement while the wick  10  is burning. The chimney effect of the wick  10  has a significant effect on the efficient burning of the wick  10  and the candle  26  as a whole. The extent of the peeling away between the wood strip  12  and booster member  14  is exaggerated in this drawing for illustrative purposes. 
     While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.