Abstract:
A method, apparatus and kit for the installation of a replacement candle insert holder in a decorative candle are disclosed. A cup like holder is securely anchored into the core of a decorative wax candle after manufacture of the candle. The holder can be installed either by the consumer, retailer, or manufacturer of the candle. Replacement candles may then be inserted into the holder and burned without consuming the decorative outer candle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/424,432, filed Nov. 7, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to candles, and more particularly, to replaceable candle inserts and means for mounting the same. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Candles have long been known as means of illumination. Today, when illumination is available from other, more economical sources, like the incandescent light bulb, or florescent lights, candles are used more for decorative effect and ambiance. As their utilitarian function has been eclipsed by their decorative function, candles have been made in ornate and decorative patterns. An example of such an ornate style of candle is a “cut and carve” or a “cut and curl” candle, wherein a solid wax core, suspended by its wick is dipped in molten wax building up layers, the layers can be of different colors. The wax body is then cut exposing the layers of multi-colored wax. The portions cut off may be twisted and reattached, forming arabesques and other fanciful designs. These candles are labor intensive to manufacture, and in many cases are individually commissioned. Such candles are costly, and if damaged would be unsuitable for their primary function, decoration. 
   It is the nature of candles to be consumed or burnt when used. The expense associated with burning a decorative candle may cause the consumer to be reluctant to purchase or, if purchased, to light such a candle. The flame that provides illumination also heats and melts the wax of the candle. The candle, particularly if it is wide, or with external decoration, may be melted unevenly, causing the exterior of the candle to deform. 
   What is needed, therefore, are techniques for cost effectively replacing wax consumed when a candle burns and preventing heat deformation of costly decorative candles. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention include a kit for the installation of a replaceable candle insert holder in a decorative candle, the kit may include a liquefied wax extraction tool that removes liquefied wax from a candle, forming a cavity in the candle; a smoothing tool for smoothing irregularities in walls of the cavity; a replacement candle insert holder designed to be disposed within the cavity; and at least one fastener anchoring replacement candle insert holder to the candle. The kit may also include at least one replacement candle insert light configured to be disposable within said replacement candle insert holder. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is replacement insert light apparatus for extending the useful life of a decorative candle indefinitely comprising a replacement insert light holder, configured to be disposed within a cavity formed in a decorative candle a fastener anchoring the replacement light holder to the decorative candle; and a replacement insert light disposable within the replacement light holder. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for the installation of a replacement candle insert holder in a decorative candle comprising the steps of: lighting the decorative candle and allowing the candle to burn, allowing wax near the wick of the candle to liquefy; removing said liquefied wax using a wax extraction tool thereby forming a cavity; smoothing the irregular interior of the cavity, adapting the cavity to receive a replacement candle insert holder; inserting a replacement candle insert holder into said cavity; anchoring the replacement candle insert holder by inserting a fastener through the holder, and driving the fastener into the decorative candle. 
   The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a kit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional elevational view of a candle wherein a kit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention has been installed. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   One embodiment of the present invention comprises a kit having components necessary for the installation and mounting of a replacement light holder in a cavity that has been formed in decorative candle. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a kit according to one embodiment of the present invention. The kit may include at least one replacement insert light  104 , a replacement insert light holding cup  108 , at least one fastener  112 , a smoothing tool  116 , a wax extraction tool  120 , an applicator  124 , and a quantity of glaze  128 . 
   The replacement insert light  104 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, is of a diameter small enough to fit loosely in the replacement insert light holding cup  108 . In one embodiment, the replacement insert light is a cylinder of wax, ⅝ inch high, 1⅛ inches in diameter, having a wick disposed within it. The wax may in some embodiments be perfumed, such that when lit the perfume is diffused through the air imparting a pleasant fragrance to the room in which the light is burning. 
   The replacement insert light holding cup  108  is a cup configured to receive the replacement insert light  104  having at least one aperture  130  through which at least one fastener  112  is inserted, thereby anchoring the cup in the decorative candle. The cup  108 , according to one embodiment, comprises a substantially non-heat conductive material. One example of such a material is plastic. In one embodiment, the cup  108  is comprised of a commercially available tea light holder or mold. In this embodiment, at least one hole or aperture  130  is drilled through about approximately the center of its base. According to one embodiment, the cup  108  has a circular base with an external diameter of 1.5 inches and a sidewall 0.75 inch high. 
   Alternatively, the cup  108  may not have an aperture  130 , instead, the fastener  112  may be integrally incorporated into the cup  108 . 
   According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one fastener  112  is separate from and is inserted through the base of the cup  108  during the installation process. The fastener  112  may comprise a heat conductive material with a high resistance to breakage and bending. An example of such a material is steel. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fastener  112 , is a steel nail. During installation, heating the steel softens the surrounding wax, permitting the nail to be inserted with the pressure from a thumb or finger. One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that other embodiments, wherein the fastener is not heat conductive, would likewise be within the scope of the present invention. For example, wooden or plastic fasteners may be used. Likewise, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the fastener  112  may be a material that is applied in a liquid or paste form into which the insert light holding cup  108  is placed; the liquid or paste fastener material then hardening with time so as to secure the cup  108 . One example of such a material is liquid candle glaze  128  applied to a cavity in the candle wherein the insert light holding cup  108  is disposed, and which, once hardened, would hold the cup  108  in place and would prevent melting or scorching of the candle. 
   One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the fastener  112  is susceptible to a variety of geometries. Examples include, but are not limited to nails, pins, picks, cork screws, screws, staples, toggles, and anchors. In some embodiments, it is desirable to have a fastener long enough to embed in non-softened wax, while in other embodiments it is desirable to be embedded only in the wax softened by the burning process, which, when re-solidified would hold the fastener firmly in place. 
   According to one method in accord with an embodiment of the present invention, in order for the cup  108  to be inserted into the decorative candle, after the candle has been manufactured, wax must be excavated from the decorative candle to provide a depression or cavity in which to lodge the cup  108 . One method, among many, for achieving such excavation is to burn the candle in a controlled way. One drawback to this method is that hot wax may melt or deform the exterior if not promptly removed. One embodiment of the present invention includes a wax extraction tool  120 . The wax extraction tool  120  allows the installer to remove the hot wax. The extractor tool  120 , may according to one embodiment of the present invention be a commercially available polyethylene pipet. Alternatives such as syringes, ladles, or spoons may also be used. Once the cavity has been created in this way, it will have irregularities that would make seating the cup  108  difficult. A smoothing tool  116  may also be provided. The tool should be resistant to the heat of the softened wax, and have either a flat or scooped surface. In one embodiment, the smoothing tool  116  is a commercially available wooden tongue depressor, craft stick, or POPSICLE® stick. No claim is made to the registered trademark POPSICLE®. In embodiments where the wax extraction tool is a spoon or ladle, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the smoothing tool  116  and the wax extraction tool  120  may be disposed upon a common handle. 
   Once the cavity has been formed for receiving the cup  108 , the cup  108  may be seated in the cavity and installed. In embodiments where the fastener  112  is integral to the cup, the installer must press on the cup  108  to insure proper seating. In embodiments where the fastener is introduced through the at least one aperture  130  in the cup  108 , the cup may be aligned in the cavity, and the fastener  112  inserted afterward. The cup  108 , in some embodiments, is inserted while the wax of the candle is still pliable, facilitating the introduction of the fastener  112 . The fastener  112  may also be heated to ease anchoring without cracking or otherwise damaging the candle. 
   According to one embodiment of the present invention, once the cup has been installed, a commercially available candle glaze  128  is applied to exposed interior surfaces of the candle to prevent the heat from the flame of the replacement insert light  104  from melting the interior of the candle and thereby deforming the exterior of the candle. This glaze  128  may be applied using an applicator  124 . According to one embodiment of the present invention, the applicator  124  is a commercially available cosmetic applicator having a sponge head and rigid handle. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , which is a cross sectional elevational view of a decorative candle  200  wherein the replacement insert light system according to one embodiment of the present invention has been installed. The candle itself, according to one embodiment, of the present invention includes: a wax core  204 , a layer of external wax decoration  208 , and a wick  210 . The layer of external wax decoration  208  coats the wax core  204  through which the wick  210  runs. During production the layer of wax decoration  208  has been removed, at the top of the candle  200 , around the wick  210 , to create a well  214  to collect molten wax that might otherwise drip down the side of the candle. The layer of external decoration  208  as in “Cut and Curl” candles may comprise a plurality of layers of wax of various colors, as well as recesses and external protrusions. It would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention would be eminently useful in other types of decorative candles. 
   According to one embodiment of the present invention, a deeper post-production recess is located  218  within the well  214  and the cup  108  is located therein. The fastener  112  is driven through the aperture  130  in the cup  108 , and into the wax core  204 , anchoring the cup in place. Glaze  128  coats the interior surfaces of the well  214  preventing the interior surfaces from liquefying from the heat of a replacement candle insert  104 . 
   According to one embodiment of the present invention, the candle  200  is lit, consuming some wax and liquefying more wax. The liquefied wax may be removed using a wax extraction tool  120 . The surfaces of the recess  218  created by the extraction of the liquefied wax are then smoothed using a smoothing tool  116 . The replacement candle insert holder  108  is then located in the recess  218 , and securely anchored by driving the fastener  112  through into the wax core  204 . A glaze  128  is applied to the interior exposed wax surfaces of the recess  218  and well  214  using an applicator  124 . 
   The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but only by the claims appended hereto.