Candle

Abstract

An improved candle is formed of combustible material (wax) and has a wick. The candle body may be contained in a jar or container formed of noncombustible material. The candle has a bottom adapted to rest on a surface. A thermal barrier disc of thermally insulating material is secured to the bottom of the candle for insulating the surface from the candle. The thermal barrier is a disc of cork that is generally coextensive with the bottom of the candle or jar and is secured to the bottom of the candle by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention pertains to candles for decorative and other purposes, and in particular to candles that are contained in glass jars or decorative containers.

[0003] 2. Summary of Prior Art

[0004] For many years, candles have been a fixture in the domestic household. Even with the advent of the electric light, candles remain a popular accessory both for their appearance and for their fragrance or scent. Typically, such decorative candles are contained in decorative jars made of glass, ceramic, or another noncombustible material.

[0005] A homeowner using a lit candle must exercise care in choosing which surface on which to place the candle. There is always the possibility of wax drips, which is minimized if a jar is used with the candle. Even when a jar is used, when a candle “burns down,” the molten wax and flame near the bottom of the jar can scorch or craze the finish of expensive furniture, limiting the number of surfaces upon which a homeowner comfortably can place a lit candle, particularly if the candle will be unattended for any period of time.

[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for a candle that can be placed relatively safely (fire hazards notwithstanding) on a variety of household surfaces, including fine furniture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved candle for household use. This and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a candle formed of combustible material (wax) and having a wick. The candle body may be contained in a jar or container formed of noncombustible material. The candle has a bottom adapted to rest on a surface. A thermal barrier is secured to the bottom of the candle for isolating or protecting the surface from the candle.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the candle is contained in a glass jar and the thermal barrier is secured to the bottom of the jar.

[0009] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thermal barrier is a disc of cork that is generally coextensive with the bottom of the candle or jar.

[0010] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thermal barrier is secured to the bottom of the candle by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the candle according to the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the candle according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the disc or thermal barrier according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring now to the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 1, an improved candle according to the present invention is shown. Candle 11 is a conventional wax candle body contained in a decorative glass or ceramic jar or container 13. Jar 13 shown is a fairly elaborate decorative design, but may take any of the forms used in conjunction with decorative candles. The present invention is believed to, be adapted to be useful with any of the various configurations. Moreover, the present invention has utility with candles that are not contained in jars 13, although the preferred embodiment contemplates use with a candle body 11 contained in such a container 13.

[0015] At the bottom of container 13, where the candle and container rest on a surface, a thermal barrier 15 is secured to container 13. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, thermal barrier 15, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a circular disc formed of cork. For a candle container 13 having a largest diameter of approximately 3.375,″ disc 15 has an outer diameter of 3.25,″ and accordingly has a diameter slightly less than that of container 13 and candle 11 so that the visual impact of the disc is minimized. The thickness of the cork is approximately 0.125.″ The dimensions of disc 15 will vary with the dimensions of the candle (or container) and whether it is desired that the disc be seen by users. Moreover, the thermal barrier need not be circular (particularly so if the candle or container is of a noncircular configuration), but should be generally coextensive with the bottom of the candle (or container) so as to effectively insulate or isolate (i.e. protect) the surface on which the candle rests from heat from the candle.

[0016] The cork disc according to the present invention (15), when secured to the bottom of candle 11 or container 13, provides a of thermal insulation that protects furniture, and other delicate surfaces on which candle 11 may be placed, from the heat of (thermal energy emanating from) the candle (when it is lit), particularly as the candle burns down in the container, leaving molten wax in the container. Additionally, due to the characteristics of cork, the bottom of container 13 is rendered “softer” or better cushioned than “bare” glass and the coefficient of friction between candle 11 or container 13 and the surface upon which it rests is increased, yielding a “nonskid” effect that may be desirable in addition to the thermally insulative characteristics of the candle according to the present invention. If a jar or container is not used, thermal barrier 15 protects the surface from waxy deposits from the candle.

[0017] Moreover, while cork is the preferred material for the candle according to the present invention, any of a number of materials capable of thermally isolating candle 11 from the surface upon which it rests would be suitable for the present invention. Cork is chosen for its thermal “insulating” (meaning heat-absorbing) characteristics. Conceivably, a thermally reflective material could be used instead of a thermally absorptive material, thereby “insulating” or isolating the surface upon which the candle rests from the heat of the candle.

[0018] Turning to FIG. 3, thermal barrier or cork disc 15 according to the present invention is manufactured separately from candle 11 and container 13 and is formed with a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one surface (the upper surface) 17 of the disc 15 so that disc can easily be adhered or secured to the bottom of candle 11 or container 13. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is Product Number OSC-2114, manufactured by Edelstein Diversified Ltd, of Montreal, Canada. A peel-off of protective material 19 may be provided over the adhesive to protect it until disc 15 is adhered to candle 11 or container 13. This allows the manufacturer or seller of candles the flexibility to provide candles with or without the thermally insulative according to the preference of the customer.

[0019] Alternatively, disc or barrier 15 can be manufactured “integrally” with candle 11 or container 13 or secured thereto using other conventional means. The method of attachment must take into account the heat expected to be encountered and the material to which it is to secure disc 15.

[0020] The improved candle according to the present invention has a number of advantages. Principally, the candle according to the present invention is adapted to be used on fine furniture and other surfaces where the user might hesitate to place a conventional candle due to fear of damage from the candle's heat. Accordingly, the candle according to the present invention can burn down to molten wax with less fear of damage to the surface upon which it rests than with conventional candles. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a candle that is cushioned by the of cork and has anti-skid characteristics that may be desirable.

[0021] The present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. It is thus not limited, but is susceptible to variation and modification without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An improved candle comprising:

a candle body having an exterior, the exterior including a bottom adapted to rest upon a surface; and

a thermal barrier secured to at least a portion of the bottom of the candle body to protect the surface from thermal energy emanating from the candle body.

2. The improved candle according to claim 1, wherein the candle body includes a container containing the combustible material and the bottom is part of the container.

3. The improved candle according to claim 2, wherein the container is a glass jar.

4. The improved candle according to claim 1, wherein the thermal barrier is a disc of cork that is generally coextensive with the bottom of the candle body.

5. The improved candle according to claim 1, wherein the thermal barrier is secured to the bottom of the candle body by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

6. An improved candle comprising:

a candle body, the candle body including a wick;

a non-combustible container at least partially containing the candle body, the container having an exterior the exterior including a bottom adapted to rest on a surface; and

a thermal barrier secured to at least a portion of the bottom of the container to protect the surface from thermal energy emanating from the candle body.

7. The improved candle according to claim 6, wherein the container is a glass jar.

8. The improved candle according to claim 6, wherein the thermal barrier is a disc of cork that is generally coextensive with the bottom of the container.

9. The improved candle according to claim 6, wherein the thermal barrier is secured to the bottom of the candle body by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

10. An improved candle comprising:

a candle formed of combustible material and having a wick;

a jar formed of noncombustible material and at least partially containing the combustible material of the candle, the jar having an exterior the exterior including a bottom adapted to rest on a surface; and

a thermal barrier disc secured to the bottom of the jar for insulating the surface from the candle.

11. The improved candle according to claim 10, wherein the jar is formed of glass.

12. The improved candle according to claim 10, wherein the thermal barrier disc is formed of cork that is generally coextensive with the bottom of the container.

13. The improved candle according to claim 12, wherein the cork disc is secured to the bottom of the candle body by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

14. An improved candle comprising:

a candle formed of combustible material and having a wick;

a ceramic jar at least partially containing the combustible material of the candle, the jar having an exterior, the exterior including a bottom adapted to rest on a surface; and

a insulating, nonskid disc secured to the bottom of the jar.

15. The improved candle according to claim 14, wherein the insulating, non-skid disc is formed of cork that is generally coextensive with the bottom of the container.

16. The improved candle according to claim 14, wherein the cork disc is secured to the bottom of the candle body by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

17. The improved candle according to claim 14, wherein the ceramic jar is glass.