Apparatuses and methods for automatically extinguishing a flame

Abstract

An apparatus for snuffing a candle or other element in a container. A base fits the container and includes shutter(s) for covering an opening. A shutter operator may include an arm preventing the shutter(s) from covering the opening when the arm is locked, and causing the shutter(s) to cover the opening when the arm unlocked. The shutter operator includes a closer for unlocking the arm, and may include a closing facilitator such as a spring for moving the arm to close the shutters. A timer may time a selectable period. An activation plate may respond to expiration of the period by activating the closer to unlock the arm. The apparatus may include timer marks. A time indicator may move relative to the marks to indicate time remaining and/or expired. The apparatus may include an opener for opening shutter(s) regardless of the selected period and/or without setting an expiration period.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS

The inventions relate to the extinguishment of candles, incense, and other burning elements, and in particular, to the automatic extinguishment of candles after a preselected period of time.

BACKGROUND

Candles are often used in the home and elsewhere as part of decorating to provide a special ambiance and soft glow. Unlike other decorations, lighted candles present a flame and fire hazard to their environment. The dangers from lighted candles are generally eliminated with their extinguishment. The user, however, must remember to extinguish and to follow through on extinguishing all of the lighted candles to be rid of the danger. Overlooking even one lighted candle can lead to disaster. Besides the fire hazard posed by candles that are left burning, it may be considered wasteful to burn candles without need.

Putting out a candle can be problematic. Blowing out, pinching, or snuffing are conventional methods of directly putting out a candle, and they each have their own problems. Blowing out a candle may require a strong directed breath of air that some people due to health or other reasons may be incapable of carrying out. Some candles are difficult to blow out even for healthy people. Blowing out a candle may result in an undesirable spray of candle wax and a mess to clean up. Attempts at blowing out a candle may even increase the fire hazard by spreading the flame to nearby flammable objects. Pinching a candle flame can be frightening and lead to burns. Snuffing out a candle requires special equipment. All of these problems grow in proportion to the number of candles to be extinguished. Moreover, the more candles there are, the more likely it is that a candle will be overlooked.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus to minimize the dangers posed by lighted candles and to avoid waste by providing a safe, convenient, and easy manner of extinguishing candle flames that will overcome the problems in the prior art. There is a need for an apparatus that alleviates a user's fear of forgetting or overlooking extinguishment of a candle at the end of its use. The needs also extend to other elements that are like candles like incense, and other burning fuel sources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

Stated generally, the inventions relate to apparatuses and methods for extinguishing a burning source in a holder after a selectable period of time. For example, the inventions allow a user to schedule safe and easy extinguishment of burning candles. An exemplary embodiment may include shutters in a frame with the frame being sized to fit the holder so as to substantially block air from entering the holder when the shutters are substantially closed. A timer may be included for timing a selectable period of time. The timer may include settings for a respective plurality of periods of time. The timer responds to a selection of a setting for a period of time by timing the selected period. In response to the expiration of the selected period, a mechanism closes the shutters, thereby causing the extinguishment of the burning source. The mechanism may be used to close the shutters at any point, without setting the timer and/or without regard to the expiration of the selected period. The mechanism also may be used to open the shutters if they are closed.

Advantageously, the inventions satisfy the need for an apparatus to minimize the dangers posed by lighted candles and other lighted elements and to avoid waste by providing a safe, convenient, and easy manner of extinguishing the flames. The inventions provide an apparatus that alleviates a user's fear of forgetting or overlooking extinguishment of a candle or other element.

Another exemplary embodiment of the inventions may be an apparatus for snuffing a candle in a container after a period. This exemplary apparatus may include a base covering an open part of the container. The base may include at least a shutter for substantially covering an opening in the base. The base also may include a shutter operator for causing the shutter to substantially cover the base opening. The shutter operator may include an arm connected to the shutter. The arm prevents the shutter from covering the base opening when the arm is locked, and the arm causes the shutter to substantially cover the base opening when the arm is unlocked. The shutter operator also may include a closer for unlocking of the arm, thereby causing the shutter to substantially cover the base opening. Further, the shutter operator may include a closing facilitator such as a spring to move the arm when it is unlocked to facilitate substantial closing of the shutter.

The exemplary apparatus also may include a timer for timing a period. The timer may be operative to time the period as a selected period from one of a plurality of periods. Timer marks may indicate respectively the plurality of periods available for selection. The exemplary apparatus may include a time indicator for setting the selected period. The time indicator may be operative to move with respect to the plurality of timer marks to indicate an amount of time (either expired and/or to go) with respect to the selected period.

The exemplary apparatus may further include an activation plate that responds to expiration of the period by activating the closer to unlock the arm. Thus, in this exemplary apparatus, the timer may be set to time a period upon whose expiration the activation plate activates the closer of the shutter operator to unlock the arm, thereby causing the shutter to substantially cover the base opening and causing the snuffing of the candle in the container.

Advantageously, the closer of the exemplary apparatus may be operative to unlock the arm in response to an unlock action other than the activation by the activation plate. For example, a user may provide an unlock action to close the shutters and thereby extinguish the candle without selecting a time period or without regard to any time left for expiration during a previously selected period.

In addition, the exemplary apparatus may include an opener for opening the shutter. The opener is operative to open the shutter by moving the arm into a locked position, thereby causing the shutters to at least partially uncover the base opening.

The inventions provide another alternative embodiment including an apparatus allowing for selective extinguishment of a burning element in a vessel. This exemplary embodiment includes a housing having an opening, and at least a shutter disposed to close the opening in the housing. A release is included to cause the shutter to substantially close. Activating the release causes the shutter to substantially close the opening in the housing, thereby extinguishing the burning of the element in the vessel.

In this alternative embodiment, the release may include an actuator connected to the shutter, and a release pin responsive to activation to cause the actuator to cause the shutter to substantially close. The actuator may include an actuator arm connected to the shutter and a holder to hold the actuator arm so that the actuator arm causes the shutter to be at least partially open. The actuator arm may be operative to release itself from the holder in response to the causation of the release pin, whereby the release of the actuator arm from the holder causes the actuator arm to cause the shutter to substantially close. The actual also may include a closing facilitator connected to the housing and to the actuator arm. The closing facilitator may be responsive to the release of the actuator arm from the holder to facilitate the actuator arm in causing the shutter to substantially close.

This alternative embodiment also may include a timer for timing a period of time. The release may be responsive to the expiration of the period of time to cause the shutter to substantially close, whereby setting the timer for the period of time causes the timer to cause the release after expiration of the period of time to cause the shutter to substantially close. Further, this alternative embodiment may include an activation plate responsive to the expiration of the period of time to activate the release pin to cause the actuator to cause the shutter to close.

The inventions are described herein with reference to the attached drawings showing exemplary embodiments of the inventions. The inventions, however, can be embodied in many different forms and carried out in a variety of ways, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth in this description and/or the drawings. The exemplary embodiments described and shown herein are only some of the ways in which to implement the inventions. Each of the elements of the inventions may be differently sized, shaped, and/or otherwise configured or configured with respect to another element or each other from the embodiments described and shown herein. The elements of the inventions may be assembled in an order different in whole or in part from the order described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventions poised for placement on a container.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 placed on a container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventions on a container with the shutters open.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 with the shutters closed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 with the shutters open and with a timer.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 with the shutters open and with an alternative timer.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial interior cutaway view of the exemplary embodiments illustrates in FIGS. 6 and 7 with the shutters in an open position.

FIG. 9 illustrates part of an alternative embodiment of the inventions.

FIG. 10 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 with the shutters closed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventions.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exposed view of certain elements of another exemplary embodiment of the inventions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment 10 of the inventions poised for placement on a container 12 holding a burning candle 14. In this example, the container 12 is a generally round candle holder with an open top. The inventions, however, may be used with containers of other shapes, sizes, or characteristics. A container also may be referred to as a jar, a vessel, a holder, a lantern, or the like. Also in this example, a candle 14 is the burning element, but it should not be so limited. A burning element may be incense, fuel, another source, fuel source, or the like.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment 10 including a base 16, which also may be referred to as a base assembly, a housing, or a frame. In this embodiment, the base 16 is round and sized to cover the open top of the container 12. A base, however, does not have to conform in shape to the shape of the container. For example, a square base instead of a round base 16 may have been used with the container 12 so long as the square base covers the open top of the container 12 so as to extinguish the flame within the container when the openable elements of the base are closed. Further, a base may be made of a material different from the container 12. Generally, the base may be made of a non-flammable material or other material substantially resistant to burning.

Further, the exemplary base 16 in FIGS. 1-3 is relatively flat compared to the container 12, but that is not necessarily the case. For example, a base may have legs or sides that may or may not be supportive of the base with respect to its position on the container.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the exemplary base 16 includes shutters 18a-n covering an opening 20 in the base 16. A shutter also may be referred to herein as an openable element. FIG. 1 illustrates the shutters 18a-n in at least a partially open position so that when the base 16 is positioned on or over the top of the container 12, the shutters allow air into the container 12 to allow the candle 14 to burn. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the shutters 18a-n in a substantially closed position that denies the entry of sufficient air into the container 12 to, allow the candle to bum, thereby extinguishing the flame on the candle 14 as shown in FIG. 3. The shutters 18a-n may be made of the same material as the base 16, but that does not have to be the case. Generally, like the base, the shutters are made of a material that is non-flammable or substantially resistant to burning.

In an example of an embodiment of the inventions, the shutters may be constructed (or include elements) to allow them to be manually opened and closed by a user. Alternative ways to open and/or close the shutters (or other openable elements of the base) are described below with reference to the other figures.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 also includes a timer 22 set in the outer rim of the base 16. A timer also may be referred to as a clock. The exemplary timer 22 allows a user to select a period of time for allowing the shutters 18a-n of the base 16 to remain open, thereby allowing a candle to continue to burn during that time. In particular, a user may use a time indicator 24 to set the timer 22 for a preselected period of time. The illustrated timer 22 includes four timer marks 26a-d corresponding respectively to time periods of 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 9 hours for allowing the shutters to remain open. A timer mark also may be referred to as a time mark, a mark, or a setting. The exemplary timer 22 also may be set for time periods between these timer marks 26a-26d. As illustrated, time indicator 24 is set at timer mark 26b indicating 3 hours of burn time for the candle 14. In other words, after 3 hours, the shutters 18a-n are closed to cover the opening 20 in the base 16, thereby denying more air into the container 12 so that the candle 14 is snuffed out after its use of the remaining air in the container 12 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment 30 on a container 32 including a burning element 34. The element 34 continues to burn because the openable elements 36a-b of the base 40 are open or are uncovering the opening 42 in the base 40.

The exemplary base 40 may be characterized as a cap that fits the open-topped container 32 with the base 40 including a top 41, an opening 42 in the top, and a circumferential side 43. The opening 42 in the top 41 of the base 40 may be substantially covered by the shutters 36a-b when the shutters 36a-b are closed and may be uncovered when the shutters 36a-b are at least partially open. In this example, there is only one opening 42 in the base 40; alternative embodiments may have additional openings with shutters or other openable elements. Also in this example, the opening 42 is generally rectangular, but that does not have to be the case. The opening 20 in the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3 is substantially round. An opening or openings in a base that include openable elements such as one or more shutters may have different shapes, sizes, and other characteristics with respect to each other within an embodiment, with respect to other elements of an embodiment, and/or with respect to other embodiments.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the embodiment includes only two openable elements or shutters 36a-b, but the inventions should not be so limited. Other exemplary embodiments may include only a single openable element or shutter, or more than two such elements such as in the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Further, the size, shape, composition and other characteristics of the openable elements or shutters may vary from embodiment to embodiment, from the base or other elements of a particular embodiment, or even from each other within an embodiment. The openable elements or shutters illustrated herein are generally rectangular, but an alternative embodiment may allow for shutters of other shapes, sizes and characteristics. For example, an embodiment may include openable elements that are more like the shutters in a camera lens that close an opening from the outer rim of the opening towards the opening's center.

FIG. 4 also illustrates a release pin 44 that may be used to close the shutters 36a-b. For example, a user may activate the release pin 44 by depressing the release pin 44, which in turn, causes the shutters 36a-b to substantially close and to cause extinguishment of the candle 34 in the container 32. An alternate embodiment may provide that activating the release pin 44 in the same manner (but after a closing release) may cause the shutters 36a-b to open. In other words, the release pin 44 may toggle between closing and opening the shutters 36a-b. A release pin also may be referred to herein as a shutter release pin, a pin, a button, or a closer.

The release pin 44 of the exemplary embodiment is facilitated in its action by an action facilitator 45 such as the illustrated spring. In this example, pushing the release pin 44 causes the spring 45 to compress. When the release pin 44 is released, the spring 45 returns to its uncompressed state, thereby returning the release pin 44 to its initial position prior to being pushed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 with the shutters 36a-b closed. As illustrated, the effect of closing the shutters 36a-b is that the candle 34 is extinguished.

The inventions contemplate at least three types of actions that may bring about the closing of the shutters. First, a user may take direct action to close the shutters such as by the activation of the release pin 44 in the exemplary embodiment described above, by acting on the shutters themselves so they close, or otherwise. A second type of action that may bring about the closing of the shutters is the expiration of a timer or clock (as described below) that results in the shutters being closed. A third type of action that may bring about a closing of the shutters is a jarring or other unsettling of the container with the candle and/or an embodiment of the inventions. For example, an exemplary embodiment may include a feature that detects any jarring type action to the container and causes the shutters to close in response thereto. Embodiments of the inventions may include features or elements that bring about the closing of the shutters in response to one, a combination, all or even none of the types of actions mentioned.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 with the shutters 36a-b open and with a timer 50. Advantageously, a user may implement the exemplary embodiment to snuff out the candle 34 after a selected period of time. FIG. 6 illustrates that the side 43 of the base 40 may include a time indicator 52 as used with timer marks 54a-g. In this example, the timer may be set for up to 6 hours as indicated by timer mark “6” 54g. As time passes, the time indicator 52 moves with respect to the timer marks 54a-g to indicate the time remaining until the shutters 36a-b are closed, and the candle 34 is extinguished. As illustrated in FIG. 6, approximately 1.5 hours remain until the shutters 36a-b of the exemplary embodiment 30 are substantially closed.

Another way of marking an exemplary embodiment of the inventions for time would be to mark how much time has passed since setting the timer. In this alternative, the time indicator may be set at “0” and the time indicator progresses with respect to the timer marks to indicate how much time the shutters have been open. The embodiment of FIG. 6 also provides the information of how much time the shutters have been open, if the user (or other observer) knows or remembers the initial time setting. In other words, a user could determine that the shutters 36a-b had been open about 4.5 hours in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, if the user knew or remembered that the original setting was for 6 hours, and the user could determine that 1.5 hours remain.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative for providing a time indicator and timer marks on an exemplary embodiment of the inventions. In this example, the time indicator 56 may be fixed with respect to the base and a timer dial 58 with timer marks 59a-n may be provided. The timer dial 58 may be used to set the time period for keeping the shutters open, and as time passes, the timer dial 58 may turn to reflect either the time left for the shutters to be open or the time the shutters have been open (or both in some cases). This example illustrates the time indicator 56 and the timer dial 58 with the timer marks 59a-n as being positioned on the side of the base of the alternative embodiment. The time indicator 56 and/or the timer dial 58 with the timer marks 59a-n may be otherwise positioned. Moreover, the timer marks 59a-n do not necessarily have to be positioned on the timer dial 58.

The above examples of the time indicator and timer marks are of a mechanical nature. For example, a timer comparable to kitchen timer may be used with an embodiment of the inventions. Those skilled in the art will understand that an electronic timer including a digital or other display may be used. Whether mechanical or digital, the mechanism operating the timer may be internal or external to the exemplary apparatus, and/or may be a part of a particular element such as the base of the exemplary apparatus.

Further, the above examples illustrate that a user may select a period or period of time from a plurality with respect to the duration the shutters remain open on the exemplary embodiment. An alternative embodiment may not allow a user to choose from a plurality of timer periods, but may include a timer that times only a predetermined time period. In that case, the alternative embodiment may or may not include a time indicator and/or timer marks.

Additional information about the timer is provided below in connection with the description of an exemplary operation of closing the shutters of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial interior representative view of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 with the shutters 36a-b in an open position. The interior view reveals a shutter operator 60 including an arm 62 connected at different points 64a-b respectively to the shutters 36a-b. In particular, in this example, one end 65 of the arm 62 is connected by an eyelet 64b or otherwise to the last shutter 36b on one side of the opening 42 in the base 40. The end 65 of the arm 62 is connected to the shutter 36b so that the shutter 36b may be opened and closed with the movement of the arm 62.

At a distance from the end 65 of the arm 62, the arm 62 assumes something like a backwards sideways “S” shape 67 comparable to a cycle of a sine wave or also a shape that may be characterized as an inverted “U” followed by a “U” (reading left to right) and having a common leg. The distance of the “S” shape 67 from the end 65 of the arm 62 as well as the relative size and specific shape of the “S” shaped part 67 of the arm 62 may depend on the size of the shutters 36a-b, as well as other elements of the exemplary embodiment.

As noted, the “S” shaped part 67 of the arm includes an inverted U. An eyelet 64a or other connector makes its connection between the shutter 36a and the arm 62 at the top of the inverted U part of the “S” shape 67 of the arm 62. The inverted U part of the “S” shape 67 of the arm 62 keeps the connector 64a substantially in a relative position at the top of the inverted U of the “S” shape 67 of the arm 62 as the arm 62 moves from its unlocked to locked position and vice versa. The connector 64a makes its connection between the shutter 36a and the arm 62 so that the shutter 36a may be opened and closed with the movement of the arm 62. Moreover, the opening and closing of the shutter 36a is synchronous with that of the shutter 36b as brought about by the connections 64a-b between the shutters 36a-b and the movement of the arm 62. In other words, the shutters 36a-b close at substantially the same time.

The illustrated embodiment only includes two shutters 36a-b to cover the opening 42 in the base 40. If more shutters are used in an embodiment, additional “S” shaped parts of the arm 62 may be included as well as additional connectors.

Advantageously, the arm 62 may be locked into a shutter open position as illustrated in FIG. 8. The arm 62 includes an upturned end 66 that may be caught by another element such as the bar 68 attached to the inside of the base 40. The bar 68 and/or the upturned end 66 also may be referred to as a holder, an arm lock, an actuator arm lock, a shutter lock, or an shutter actuator arm lock. In this embodiment, the bar 68 is held out from the inside wall of the base 40 by a bracket 69. The bar 68 is held out sufficiently from the inside wall by the bracket 69 so that the upturned end 66 of the arm 62 may be moved into and out of the catch of the bar, and the arm 62 may be locked and unlocked.

As is described more particularly below, the bar 68 holds the upturned end 66 of the arm 62 against the return action of a closing facilitator such as spring 72. Spring 72 is extended when the arm 62 is in its locked position, but the spring 72 strives to return to its static position. When the arm 62 is unlocked, the spring 72 pulls the arm 62 to its unlocked position, thereby closing the shutters 36a-b.

The shutter operator 60 also includes a closer 70 to cause unlocking of the arm 62 and allowing it to return to a shutter closed position. In this example, the closer 70 is connected to or may be made integral with the release pin 44 so that activation of the release pin 44 causes the closer 70 to cause the unlocking of the arm 62, thereby causing closing of the shutters 36a-b. In particular, the exemplary closer 70 includes a hook 72 that is positioned above the arm 62. When the closer 70 is activated, the hook 72 exerts a downward force on the arm 62. As the arm 62 moves downward, its upturned end 66 escapes the hold of the bar 68. With the release of its upturned end 66, the arm 62 moves towards a shutter closed position. The upturned end 66 of the arm 62 avoids being caught by the hook 72 of the closer 70 as the arm 62 moves towards its unlocked position. The upturned end 66 avoids the hook 72 because the hook 72 is retracted to its original position by an action facilitator such as spring 45 operating with the release pin 44 and closer 70 in this example. The action facilitator 45 causes the hook 72 of the closer 70 connected to the release pin 44 to move to a position that does not catch the upturned end 66 during the arm's movement.

The exemplary embodiment in FIG. 8 includes a closing facilitator 72 to facilitate the movement of the unlocked arm 62 to its unlocked position, thereby facilitating closing of the shutters 36a-b. In particular, in this example, the closing facilitator 72 is a spring attached at one end 74 to arm 62 and at its other end 76 to the interior of the base 40 or an element thereof. In particular, the spring 72 is attached at the bottom of the “U” shaped part of the “S” shaped part 67 of the arm 632.

When the arm 62 is locked, the spring 72 is extended. When the arm 62 is unlocked, the spring 72 moves towards its resting position, thereby moving the arm 62 to its unlocked position. The exemplary embodiment uses a spring as a closing facilitator, but the use of other elements with the spring or in substitution thereof will be occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, other embodiments may not include a closing facilitator.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment 80 (in partial form) of the inventions that does not include a closing facilitator. Like the embodiment in the previous examples, the embodiment 80 includes an arm 82 having respective connections 84a-b such as eyelets to shutters 86a-b. In this alternative, the shutters 86a-b are offset slightly to the vertical with the upper half of the shutters making less than a 90 degree angle with respect to the top of the base when the shutters are open. When the arm 82 moves in the direction of shutter offset, the shutters 86a-b fall closed. The shutters 86a-b may be made slightly top heavy to facilitate this type of closing.

FIG. 10 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, but with the arm 62 in the unlocked position with the shutters 36a-b substantially closed. As can be seen from the illustration, the unlocked arm 62 has been released from the catch of the bar 68, and has moved in the direction of the contraction of the spring 72 so as to substantially close the shutters 36a-b.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the inventions 90 that shares some common features with the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 4-6, 8 and 10. The common features include a base 40 having shutters 36a-b and a release pin 44 positioned in the top 41 of the base 40. The alternative embodiment 90 also includes the interior elements described above in connection with the referenced figures including a shutter operator connected to the shutters, a closer, and a closing facilitator.

Further, the alternative embodiment 90 includes a timer 92 similar to the timer 50 described with reference to FIG. 6. The timer 92 in the alternative embodiment 90, however, cooperates with an activation plate 94 disposed in a rotatable top 96 that may fit over or otherwise cooperate with the base 30. The top 96 may be made of the same material(s) as the base 30, or be made wholly or in part from other suitable materials such as flame-proof materials. The top 96 may be made to rotate with a timer/gearing assembly positioned wholly or in part within the exemplary embodiment or elements thereof, or outside of it.

In particular, the top 96 may be rotated by a user to select a period of time as indicated on the timer 92 for allowing the shutters 36a-b to remain open. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the top 96 may have been rotated so that time indicator 98 shows that the shutters 36a-b are to close after about 2.5 hours. As the time passes, the top 96 rotates so that the time indicator 98 points to the period of time remaining. Timer marks 100a-f may be disposed on the side of the base 40 with an opening 102 in the top 96 so that the timer marks 100a-f appear through the opening 102, or the timer marks 100a-f may be otherwise provided. The time indicator 98 may be provided on the top 96 as pointing into the opening 102 of the top 96, or otherwise provided.

As noted, the top 96 of the alternative embodiment 90 includes an activation plate 94 that is generally positioned above and parallel to the horizontal top 41 of the base 40. As the timer 92 ticks down, and the top 96 rotates, the activation plate 94 moves towards the release pin 44. When the timer 92 reaches zero, the activation plate 94 covers the release pin 44 or otherwise causes the release pin to activate, thereby causing the shutters 36a-b to close as described in connection with previous embodiments.

In the alternative embodiment 90, the activation plate is shaped like a substantially flat triangle with an apex 104 pointing towards the center of the top 41 of the base 40, and with the triangle's base 106 being congruent more or less with the rim 108 of the top 96. Other configurations of an activation plate may be used. The activation plate may be integral with the top, or a separate element made of the same material(s) or wholly or in part from a different material(s).

Advantageously, the alternative embodiment 90 allows a user to close the shutters 36a-b without regard to the time remaining, if any time period has been set. The user may activate the release pin 44 such as by depressing it to cause the shutters 36a-b to close.

FIG. 12 is an exposed view of certain elements of another exemplary embodiment 110 of the inventions and includes an opener 112. Like its name implies, opener 112 serves to open the shutters 114a-b. In this embodiment 110, the opener 112 is disposed on the inside wall 116 of a rotatable top 118 operating with a base having elements such as described above. The opener 112 is a generally flat triangle set in a substantially perpendicular relationship with respect to the inside wall 116 of the top 118. The base of the triangle is set against, within, or defined by the inside wall 116. The apex of the triangle points towards the center. Further, the opener 112 is positioned with respect to the arm 120 connected to the shutters 114a-b so as to cause the arm 120 to move from its unlocked position to a locked position, if the top 118, and thereby the opener 112, is rotated appropriately.

Particularly, the apex of the opener 112 may be positioned with respect to arm 120 such that the apex fits at least slightly into the opening 122 of the inverted “U” part of the arm 120. When the top 118 rotates, the opener 112 presses against the arm 120 causing it to move away from its unlocked position, move under the release 124, and into a locked position with the bar 126. As the arm 120 moves away from its unlocked position, the shutters 114a-b open in response.

Advantageously, the opener 112 may be made to work with a timer so that the action of opening the shutters also may also encompass the setting of the timer for a selected period. For example, a certain minimal rotation of the top 118 may cause the shutters to open through the action of the opener 112 on the arm 120, but may not necessarily start a timer. If the rotation of the top 118 is continued past a certain minimum, the effect may be the setting of a timer (either for a selected time from a plurality of times or for the time allowed, if a plurality of time period are unavailable).

The inventions have been described by reference to exemplary embodiments, but many additions, modifications, and/or deletions can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions. In other words, the particular embodiments of the inventions described herein are merely illustrative and are not the only embodiments possible. Those skilled in the art can readily identify additional embodiments and features of the inventions that are within the spirit and scope of the inventions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for snuffing a candle in a container after a period, comprising:

a base covering an open part of the container,

the base including at least a shutter for substantially covering an opening in the base,

the base including a shutter operator for causing the shutter to substantially cover the base opening; the shutter operator including an arm connected to the shutter, the arm preventing the shutter from covering the base opening when the arm is locked, and the arm causing the shutter to substantially cover the base opening when the arm is unlocked, and the shutter operator including a closer for unlocking of the arm, thereby causing the shutter to substantially cover the base opening;

a timer for timing a period; and

an activation plate that responds to expiration of the period by activating the closer to unlock the arm,

whereby the timer may be set to time the period upon whose expiration the activation plate activates the closer of the shutter operator to unlock the arm, thereby causing the shutter to substantially cover the base opening and causing the snuffing of the candle in the container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shutter operator comprises a closing facilitator to facilitate moving the arm when it is unlocked to facilitate closing of the shutter.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the closing facilitator comprises a spring.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an opener for opening the shutter.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the opener is operative to open the shutter by moving the arm into a locked position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the timer is operative to time the period as a selected period from one of a plurality of periods.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a time indicator for setting the selected period.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base comprises a plurality of timer marks corresponding respectively to the plurality of periods; and

wherein the time indicator is operative to move with respect to the plurality of timer marks to indicate an amount of time with respect to the selected period.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the closer is operative to unlock the arm in response to an unlock action other than the activation by the activation plate.

10. An apparatus allowing for selective extinguishment of a burning element in a vessel, comprising:

a housing having an opening;

at least a shutter disposed to substantially close the opening in the housing; and

a release operative to cause the shutter to close,

whereby activating the release causes the shutter to substantially close the opening in the housing thereby extinguishing the burning of the element in the vessel.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the release comprises:

an actuator connected to the shutter; and

a release pin operative in response to activation to cause the actuator to cause the shutter to close.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises:

an actuator arm connected to the shutter;

a holder to hold the actuator arm so that the actuator arm causes the shutter to be at least partially open; and

the actuator arm being operative to release itself from the holder in response to the causation of the release pin,

whereby the release of the actuator arm from the holder causes the actuator arm to cause the shutter to close.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises:

a closing facilitator connected to the housing and to the actuator arm, and responsive to the release of the actuator arm from the holder to facilitate the actuator arm in causing the shutter to close.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a timer for timing a period of time, and

the release being responsive to expiration of the period of time to cause the shutter to close,

whereby setting the timer for the period of time causes the release to cause the shutter after the expiration of the period of time.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an activation plate responsive to the expiration of the period of time to activate the release pin to cause the actuator to cause the shutter to close.

16. An apparatus for extinguishing a burning fuel source in a holder after a selectable period of time, comprising:

shutters in a frame with the frame being sized to fit the holder so as to substantially block air entering the holder when the shutters are substantially closed in the frame;

a timer for timing a selectable period of time; and

a mechanism for substantially closing the shutters in response to expiration of the selectable period of time, thereby causing the extinguishing of the burning fuel source.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the timer comprises settings for a respective plurality of periods of time; and

wherein the timer responds to a selection of a setting for a period of time by timing the period of time corresponding to the selected setting as the selectable period of time.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mechanism for substantially closing the shutters is operative to close the shutters without regard to the expiration of the selectable period of time.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mechanism for substantially closing the shutters is operative to open the shutters if they are closed.