Menorah with candles that burn different colored flames

Abstract

A device includes a Menorah and a plurality of candles. Each candle is configured to sustain a flame for at least 30 minutes and each candle includes exactly one wick. The plurality of candles is placed in the Menorah. A first set of the plurality of candles is configured to burn with a flame of a first color and a second set of the plurality of candles is configured to burn with a flame of a second color that is different from the first color.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/168,817, filed Apr. 13, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to candle systems and, more specifically, to a Menorah that burns candles with different colored flames.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, and may occur from late November to late December on the Gregorian calendar.

The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a special candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah (which may also be referred to as Hanukiah or Hanukkah candelabra), one light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. An extra light called a Shamash is also lit each night for the purpose of lighting the others, and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest.

Additionally, it is a rabbinical commandment to burn these lights at specific times of the evening when there are assumed to be people in the street to observe them. One may light with almost any combustible substance though most use either oil (usually olive which is considered the best way to do it) or candles made from any material (most commonly paraffin or beeswax). The burning should last at least for 30 minutes after dark

On the evening of the holiday that falls on a Friday night, one must light the candle early to avoid lighting candles on the Sabbath which starts at sundown. Therefore the candle must last the mandatory 30 minutes plus any additional time needed to light before the Sabbath. Whether using a candle or oil only 1 wick must be burned per candle or oil receptacle. In this instance it means the candles must have only one wick.

There are some blessings that are said at the time of lighting and it is traditional to sing two songs immediately afterwards.

As for the Menorah, it can come in many shapes and sizes, however it must meet the following three requirements: (1) it must have 8 holders for candles or oil; (2) all 8 holders must be at the same height, straight and level and, if there is a ninth holder for the Shamash candle (most have this), then it must be on a different level than all the other holders—either higher or lower.

Over the whole holiday a person will typically use 44 candles: two on the first night (the Shamash plus the candle representing the first night), three on the second night (the Shamash plus the two candles representing the first night and the second night), four on the third night, and one additional candle on each night until nine are used on the eighth night. However, many packages supply 45 candles with the extra candle just in case there is a problem with one of the candles.

One purpose of Hanukkah is to remind people of the miracle upon which Hanukkah is based. Thus, enhancing the perception of the miracle associated with lighting of the candles would help to enhance the experience of Hanukkah.

Therefore, there is a need for a system that enhances the perception of the miracle associated with Hanukkah.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which, in one aspect, is a device for celebrating a holiday that includes a candelabra and a plurality of flame units. Each of the plurality of flame units is disposed in the candelabra. A first set of the plurality of flame units is configured to burn with a flame of a first color and at least a second set of the plurality of flame units is configured to burn with a flame of a second color different from the first color.

In another aspect, the invention is a kit for celebrating Hanukkah that includes eight subsets of candles. Each of the candles is configured to sustain a flame for at least 30 minutes and includes exactly a single wick. Each subset of candles includes at least a correct number of candles to be burned on a corresponding day of Hanukkah. Seven of the subsets of candles each includes at least one first candle that burns with a flame of a first color and at least one second candle that burns with a flame of a second color that is different from the first color.

In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of celebrating Hanukkah in which a first flame unit is lit on the first day of Hanukkah. The flame unit includes a fuel in an amount that would sustain a flame for at least 30 minutes and exactly a single wick. The first flame unit generates a flame of a first color. An additional flame unit of a plurality of different flame units is lit on each successive day of Hanukkah is lit for at least 30 minutes. Each additional flame unit is configured to generate a flame of at least one color different from the first color. Each additional flame unit includes a fuel in an amount that would sustain a flame for at least 30 minutes and exactly a single wick.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Menorah in which each candle is lit.

FIG. 2 show the ends of one possible arrangement of candles assembled in a kit, such as would be found in a pre-assembled package that supplies candles for an entire Hanukkah season.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a Menorah in which each candle is lit.

FIGS. 4A-4C are detailed photographs of several flames shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Unless otherwise specifically indicated in the disclosure that follows, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” As used herein, “flame unit” includes any burnable object that fulfills the requirements for the lighting of a Menorah at Hanukkah. Also, as used herein, “candelabra” includes devices for holding candles and assemblies of oil burning lamps.

As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the invention 100 includes a Menorah 110 (it is understood that the Menorah shown is only one of many configurations of Menorahs that can be employed in the invention) in which are placed eight candles 122, wherein each candle corresponds to a different day of the eight days of Hanukkah. A ninth candle 124 may also be included, but is not required. The eight candles 122 are composed of a material such that at least two of the eight candles 122 burn flames of a different color. In the example shown, the left-most candle might burn with a green flame 132, the candle next to it might burn with a blue flame 134, the candle next to it might burn with a yellow flame 136, and the candle next to it might burn with a purple flame 138. In this example, the right-most candle might burn with a green flame 146, the candle next to it might burn with a red flame 144, the candle next to it might burn with a blue flame 142, and the candle next to it might burn with a yellow flame 140. The Shamash candle 124, which in this example is the center candle (but could be located in a different position, so long as it is at a different level than the other eight candles, or could simply not be included on the Menorah), might burn with a typical white flame 150. It should be understood that this is only a single example of a Menorah with candles that burn flames of different colors and that many other orderings of candles and colors used are well within the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the candles themselves could be of different colors. In another embodiment candles may be of a first color and burn a flame of a different color. U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,865, issued to Lu discloses methods of making candles that burn with colored flames and is, therefore, hereby incorporated by reference. The candles include a fuel portion, such as paraffin and a color-forming agent. Examples of color-forming agents that will result in flames of different colors include organic salts or inorganic salts of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), boron (B), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) or antimony (Sb), complexes of the above-mentioned metals, or mixtures thereof. Typically, such salts are used in an amount of 1.5 to 8% by weight, based on the total weight of the candle body.

Each of the candles 122 includes exactly one wick 126 and must be long enough to burn for at least 30 minutes. (While Jewish law is generally interpreted to require exactly one wick per candle, some interpretations of the law might allow for more than one wick per candle. Therefore, certain embodiments falling within the scope of the invention could include more than one wick per candle.) In one example, the candles are 12 cm tall and 0.8 cm in diameter. However, it will be understood that many other dimensions of candles are well within the scope of the invention.

While the example shown in FIG. 1 includes a Menorah that burns candles, other configurations are possible. For example, the Menorah could be configured to burn oil. U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,622, issued to Lesesne, shows methods of making an oil lamp with a colored flame and is incorporated herein by reference. In such a configuration, oils that burn with flames of at least two different colors will be employed in the Menorah.

One example of a kit 200 of candles that may be used with a Menorah is disclosed in FIG. 2. In this example, each column of candles includes the candles required for a different day of Hanukkah. Also, in this example each column has the candles arranged so that the relative arrangements of the colored flames produced by the candles remain the same for each successive day. Other arrangements of candles are within the scope of the invention. For example, the kit could include candles that burn flames of colors that are arbitrarily arranged so that each day a different color combination could be used. It should be noted that FIG. 2 shows only one arrangement, and that the shape of the kit could be, for example, rectangular or one of many other shapes.

An example of a photograph 300 of a Menorah burning candles with flames of several different colors is shown in FIG. 3. An example of a photograph 410 of a candle that is burning a blue flame is shown in FIG. 4A; an example of a photograph 412 of a candle that is burning a red flame is shown in FIG. 4B; and an example of a photograph 414 of a candle that is burning a green flame is shown in FIG. 4

The present invention may also be employed in the celebration of holidays other than Hanukkah that employ the burning of several candles. The use of candles burning flames of different colors could enhance the experience associated with such holidays.

The above described embodiments, while including the preferred embodiment and the best mode of the invention known to the inventor at the time of filing, are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.

Claims

1. A device for celebrating a holiday, comprising:

a. a candelabra; and

b. a plurality of flame units disposed in the candelabra, in which a first set of the plurality of flame units is configured to burn with a flame of a first color and at least a second set of the plurality of flame units is configured to burn with a flame of a second color different from the first color.

2. The device of claim 1, configured for celebrating Hanukkah wherein the candelabra comprises a Menorah.

3. The device of claim 1, configured for celebrating Hanukkah wherein each of the plurality of flame units includes a fuel in an amount that would sustain a flame for at least 30 minutes.

4. The device of claim 1, configured for celebrating Hanukkah wherein each of the plurality of flame units includes exactly a single wick

5. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of flame units comprises a candle.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the candelabra comprises a series of at least eight oil lamps and wherein each of the plurality of flame units comprises a predetermined quantity of a burnable oil.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of flame units comprises a color-forming agent, wherein the color-forming agent is a salt selected from a group consisting of: lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), boron (B), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) or antimony (Sb), and combinations thereof.

8. A kit for celebrating Hanukkah, comprising eight subsets of candles, wherein each of the candles is configured to sustain a flame for at least 30 minutes and includes exactly a single wick, wherein each subset of candles includes at least a correct number of candles to be burned on a corresponding day of Hanukkah and wherein seven of the subsets of candles each includes at least one first candle that burns with a flame of a first color and at least one second candle that burns with a flame of a second color that is different from the first color.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein each of the candles comprises a color-forming agent, wherein the color-forming agent is a salt selected from a group consisting of: lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), boron (B), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) or antimony (Sb), and combinations thereof.

10. The kit of claim 8, wherein each candle in each of the eight subsets is disposed in a predefined ordered sequence corresponding to a colored of flame associated with the candle, thereby facilitating a similar ordering of flame colors during each successive night of Hanukkah.

11. The kit of claim 8, wherein each candle in each of the eight subsets is disposed in a predefined ordered sequence corresponding to a colored of flame associated with the candle, thereby facilitating a different ordering of flame colors during each successive night of Hanukkah.

12. A method of celebrating Hanukkah, comprising the actions of:

a. lighting a first flame unit, the flame unit including a fuel in an amount that would sustain a flame for at least 30 minutes and exactly a single wick, on the first day of Hanukkah and burning the flame unit for a predetermined amount of time, in which the first flame unit generates a flame of a first color; and

b. lighting an additional flame unit of a plurality of different flame units on each successive day of Hanukkah for at least 30 minutes, each additional flame unit configured to generate a flame of at least one color different from the first color and additional flame unit including a fuel in an amount that would sustain a flame for at least 30 minutes and exactly a single wick.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of flame units comprises a candle.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of flame units comprises a predetermined quantity of a burnable oil.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the action of pouring the burnable oil into an oil burning lamp prior to the lighting action.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of flame units comprises a color-forming agent, wherein the color-forming agent is a salt selected from a group consisting of: lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), boron (B), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) or antimony (Sb), and combinations thereof.