OUTDOOR CANDLES

Abstract

A candle device having an outer container and a container lid is disclosed, Briefly described, in one embodiment, the outer container has a generally hollow interior, and the candle device also includes a candle pan that is supported in the interior of the outer container above a bottom surface of the outer container. In an upper region of the outer container, an opening having a size and shape is defined. The candle lid is sized and shaped to be complementarily received by the opening.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure generally relates to outdoor candles, and more particularly relates to candle devices for containing candles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Candle lanterns may be used to provide pleasant and/or non-obtrusive lighting outdoors. Typically, conventional candle lanterns include a transparent holder and a single-wick candle. Normally, the candle is placed inside of a hollow region of the transparent holder at a bottom of the transparent holder via an opening at a top of the transparent holder. The height of the candle is normally less than the height of the transparent holder so as to protect the candle, when burning, from being blown out by a crosswind. Single-wick candles are frequently used in candle lanterns due to difficulties associated with lighting a multi-wick candle when the opening of the transparent holder is relatively small.

Some outdoor candles may have multi-wicks. For the purposes of this disclosure, a multi-wick candle includes a mass of wax with more than one wick extending outward from the mass of wax. These multi-wick candles frequently have a large surface area, which enables a person to light all of the wicks without placing their hand over an already lit wick. Multi-wick candles are frequently placed in a large container such as a bucket, bowl, basket, or the like.

While outdoor candles may be used for a variety of purposes ranging from providing light, producing a pleasant aroma, and repelling insects and other pests, there are problems associated with conventional outdoor candles. For example, single-wick candles don't produce as much light, or aroma, or insect repellent, as do multi-wick candles. However, multi-wick candles are generally heavier than single-wick candles. For example, an N-wick candle, where N is an integer greater than 1, may be more massive than N single-wick candles because the N-wick candle may use more wax than the total amount of wax used for the N single-wick candles. The N-wick candle may use more wax because the wicks are separated from each other so that a person may light each of the wicks without being burnt by a burning wick.

Furthermore, when single wick or multi-wick candles are used in a bucket, bowl, basket, or the like, they are frequently heavy, which increases shipping costs and may make them difficult for an end user to move. Also, when single wick or multi-wick candles are used in a bucket, bowl, basket, or the like, the candle light is frequently blocked by the wax of the candle as the candle burns into the wax.

Thus, there exists a need to address deficiencies of current outdoor candles.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, a candle device includes an outer container and a removable candle pan. The outer container has a generally hollow interior and an opening in an upper region of the outer container, the opening having a size and shape. The removable candle pan is configured to hold at least one candle and sized and shaped to be complementarily received by the opening. The candle device further includes a candle pan support means on a container inner surface of the interior of the outer container for engaging at least a portion of a pan outer side of the candle pan and for supporting the candle pan, above a bottom of the outer container, proximal to the upper region.

In another aspect, a candle device includes a non-transparent outer container formed from a first material with a burning temperature beneath a burning temperature of a candle. The outer container has a generally hollow interior and has opposed bottom end and top end with at least one container sidewall extending therebetween. The container sidewall has a container inner surface and a container outer surface. The top end defines an opening having a size and a shape. The top end, bottom end, and the container inner surface define a generally hollow interior of the outer container, and the opening extends to the hollow interior. The candle device further includes a removable candle pan configured to hold at least one candle and sized and shaped to be complementarily received by the opening, and further includes a candle pan support on the inner surface of the interior of the outer container. The candle pan support engages at least a portion of an outer side of the candle pan and supports the candle pan, above the bottom end of the outer container, proximal to the upper end.

In yet another aspect, a candle holder includes a candle pan. The candle pan has a bottom wall with a periphery and at least one sidewall extending generally upward from the bottom wall. The at least one sidewall circumscribes the periphery of the bottom wall, wherein the candle pan is configured to be received by an outer container, and wherein in operable position the candle pan is supported, above a bottom of the outer container, proximal to an upper surface of the outer container. The candle holder also includes a pan removal means for extracting the candle pan from the outer container having the candle pan therein, wherein the candle pan is configured to be used with the outer container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a candle device having an outer container and a container lid, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the candle device of FIG. 1A with the container lid removed, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a candle device having an outer container and a container lid, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, and FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the candle device of FIG. 2A with the container lid removed, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a candle device having an outer container and a container lid, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, and FIG. 3B is an isometric view of the candle device of FIG. 3A with the container lid removed, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a candle device having an outer container and a container lid, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment; FIG. 4B is an isometric view of the candle device of FIG. 4A with the container lid removed, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment; and FIG. 4C is a top view of the outer container shown in FIG. 4B, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 5A is an exploded cross-sectional view of a candle device, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment; FIG. 5B is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the candle device of FIG. 5A, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment; and FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the candle device of FIG. 5A, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the candle device 100 of FIG. 5B, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a top view of an outer container and a candle pan, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the outer container and candle pan, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of an outer container and candle pan, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the candle device with the container lid removed, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the candle device with the container lid removed, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with outer containers, container lids and candle pans have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further more, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

FIGS. 1A-4B are isometric views of a candle device 100, according to four non-limiting embodiments, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the candle device 100 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, according to one non-limiting embodiment. In FIGS. 1A-4C various portions, components, and/or features of the candle device 100 may have a reference label that includes a numeral and a concatenated letter of the English alphabet. The various portions, components, and features having a reference label with the same numeral are generally the same. For the sake of brevity, the description of such labeled portions, components, and/or features is provided in detail in the discussion of one of the embodiments and might be limited, or omitted, in the discussion of other embodiments. It should be noted that the candle device 100 may be intended to be aesthetically pleasing, and in that case, the candle device 100 may come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, finishes, etc. as shown in FIGS. 1A-4C.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the candle device 100 includes an outer container 102a and a separable container lid 104a. For the sake of clarity, the container lid 104a is not shown in FIG. 1B. The candle device 100 also includes a candle pan 106a having a candle 108a therein. The candle 108a is a multi-wick candle having more than one wick 110a and a mass of wax 112. In some embodiments, the candle pan 106a may hold multiple candles 108a, where each candle is made-up of a respective mass of wax and one or more respective wicks, the masses of wax being separate.

Typically, the outer container 102a and the container lid 104a are not transparent and are preferably made from a lightweight yet rigid material such as, but not limited to, a magnesia material, a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) such as fiberglass, and/or a resin material. Lightweight materials are preferred so that the candle device 100 may be economically shipped from a manufacturing location to a retail location. In addition, it is preferable that the candle device be lightweight so that the candle device 100 may be easily moved by an end user.

It should be noted that some portions/components of the candle device 100 may be made from flammable materials. In that case, the candle device 100 may also include various safety features and/or nonflammable portions/components and/or flame-resistant portions/components, which are described below and which prevent the candle device 100 from accidentally catching fire, or being melted, or partially melted, and/or otherwise damaged, from the candle 108a.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the outer container 102a has a container lower region 114a and an opposed container upper region 116a. At least one container sidewall 118a extends between the container lower region 114a and the container upper region 116a. In some embodiments, one or more of the container sidewalls 118a may include an ornamental and/or decorative feature 120a.

As viewed from above, the candle device 100 in FIGS. 1A and 1B has a shape that is generally square in horizontal cross-sections. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the size of the horizontal cross-sectional shape generally decreases, moving top to bottom, such that the horizontal cross-sectional size at the container lower end 114a is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional size at the container upper region 116a.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an embodiment of the candle device 100 in which the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the candle device 100 is generally circular. The size of the container lower end 114b is smaller than the container upper region 116b. The container sidewall 118b is generally straight between the container lower end 114b and the container upper region 116b. But, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the container sidewall 118b includes raised portions 122b for decorative features 120b. In some embodiments, the decorative features 120b may be indentations in the container sidewall 118b.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an embodiment of the candle device 100 in which the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the candle device 100 is generally circular. The container sidewall 114c is generally rounded and tapering outward from the container lower end 114c to the container upper region 116c. The container sidewall 118c has decorative features 120c.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show another non-limiting embodiment of the candle device 100. FIG. 4C shows a top view of the outer container 102d of FIG. 4B. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the outer container 102d is generally circular with undulating raised portions 122d extending outward from the container sidewall 118d. The container sidewall 118d tapers inward from the container lower end 114d to an inflection point 124 and then tapers outward to the container upper region 116d. The container upper region 116d is scalloped shaped, and the container lid 104d is shaped complementary to the shape and size of the container upper region 116d.

FIGS. 5A-5C show a non-limiting embodiment of the candle device 100 in exploded vertical cross-sectional view, partially exploded vertical cross-sectional view, and vertical cross-sectional view, respectively, according to one non-limiting embodiment. In FIGS. 5A-5C, various components, features, and/or portions of the candle device 100 are labeled with a reference numeral and such labeled features, components, and portions are generally the same as labeled features, components, and/or portions having the same numeral and a concatenated letter (A, B, C, or D) as shown in FIGS. 1A-4c. In FIGS. 5A-5C, the outer container 102, the container lid 104, and the candle pan 106 are generally vertically aligned along a central axis 126.

The container upper region 116 of the outer container 102 defines a container opening 128 that extends to a generally hollow interior 130 of the outer container 102. The hollow interior 130 is generally defined by a container inner sidewall 132 of the container sidewall 118 and by a container inner bottom wall 134 of the container lower region 114.

The candle pan 106 has a pan lower end 136 and a pan upper end 138. The pan upper end 138 has a pan flange 140 that extends outward from the central axis 126 of the candle device 100. The candle pan 106 has a width of W1 across the pan lower end 136 and a width of W2 across opposed portions of the pan flange 140, where W1 is less than W2.

The container upper region 116 includes pan support 142 which extends generally inward from the container inner sidewall 132. The pan support 142 defines a pan support opening 144 having a width W3, which is greater than the width W1 of the candle pan 106 at the pan lower end 136 and less than the width W2 of the candle pan 106 at the pan flange 140. Thus, the candle pan 106 may be lowered into the pan support opening 144 such that the flange 140 is engaged by the pan support 142. In some embodiments, the pan support 142 may be a contiguous support member that starts at a point on the container inner sidewall 132 and traces a closed path on the container inner sidewall 132. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the pan support 142 may be generally circular, whereas in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the pan support 142 may be generally square.

Extending between the pan lower end 136 and the pan upper end 138 is at least one pan sidewall 146. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C, the pan sidewall 146 tapers outward from the pan lower end 136 toward the upper end 138. In some embodiments, the width W3 of the pan support opening 144 may be greater than the width W1 and less than W2 such that the pan support 142 engages at least a portion of the pan sidewall 146 of the candle pan 106.

The pan sidewall 146 has a pan inner surface 148, which is exposed to the central axis 126, and a pan outer surface 150. In some embodiments, the pan sidewall 146 may include one or more holes 152. A person might insert a finger or a tool into the hole 152 so as to be able to remove the candle pan 106 from the outer container 102. In other embodiments, a person might remove the candle pan 106 from the outer container 108 by pressing against the pan inner surface 148 and then lifting the candle pan 106 upward. The pan inner surface 148 may be roughened or made from a material having a coefficient of static friction that is sufficiently high so as to allow the candle pan 106 to be thusly removed from the outer container 102. In other embodiments, the pan flange 140 may include a grippable member 154 such as, but not limited to, a tab, or protrusion, or hook-shaped portion, that extends at least partially upward so that a person may grip the grippable member 154 to remove the candle pan 106 from the outer container 102. In other embodiments, the pan flange 140 may be configured to have a raised lip (not shown) such that the raised lip is not flush with the pan support 142. A person may extract the candle pan 106 from the outer container 102 by inserting a finger or a tool under the raised lip to pry the candle pan 106 upward.

In some embodiments, the pan inner surface 148 may be formed from a material that has high degree of reflectivity and/or may be finished to have a high degree of reflectivity. As a non-limiting example, the candle pan 106 may be formed from a metal, and the pan inner surface 148 may be polished to have high degree of reflectivity. Similarly, at the container upper region 116, the container inner sidewall 132 may be formed from a material that has high degree of reflectivity and/or may be finished to have a high degree of reflectivity. Similarly, the pan inner surface 148 and/or the container inner sidewall 132 may have a reflective coating thereon. The pan inner surface 148 and/or the container inner sidewall 132 may be reflective to increase the amount of light from the outer container 102 when the candle 108 is burning.

The container lid 104 includes a sealing structure 156 and a firewall plate 158. The sealing structure 156 may be formed from the same material as the outer container 102. The sealing structure 156 is shaped and sized to be received by the container opening 128 defined by the container upper region 116 of the outer container 102. In the embodiment illustrated, the sealing structure 156 includes a sealing flange 160 and a lid sidewall 162. The lid sidewall 162 extends generally downward from a lid upper surface 164, and the sealing flange 160 extends generally inward and downward from the lid sidewall 162. The lid sidewall 162 defines a closed periphery that is sized and shaped to engage a portion of the container upper region 116. The sealing flange 160 of the container lid 104 defines a closed periphery that is shaped and sized to engage the pan flange 140 of the candle pan 106 and/or shaped and sized to engage at least a portion of the pan inner surface 148 of the candle pan 106. In some embodiments, the sealing structure 156 may include a gasket (not shown). The sealing structure 156 may be configured to mate with either the container upper region 116 of the outer container 102 or with the candle pan 106 or with both the outer container 102 and the candle pan 106.

In some embodiments, the sealing structure 156 is configured to mate in an airtight manner, or relatively airtight manner, with either the outer container 102 or the candle pan 106 or with both the outer container 102 and the candle pan 106. Once the container lid 104 is placed on the outer container 102, the burning candle 108 consumes the oxygen within the volume of space under the container lid 104 and above the candle pan 106 and is, consequently, extinguished. If the fit between the container lid 104 and the outer container 102 is not airtight, then it is preferable that the amount of air exchange between the volume of space outside of the candle device 100 and the volume of space above the candle pan 106 and underneath the container lid 104 is insufficient to sustain the burning of the candle 108, i.e., the air exchange is such that the candle 108 consumes oxygen at a rate greater than the rate at which oxygen is replaced and is thereby extinguished.

The firewall plate 158 extends between opposed portions of the sealing flange 160. In one embodiment, the firewall plate 158 is made from a nonflammable material such as metal or a flame resistant material. When the container lid 104 is placed on the outer container 102, the firewall plate 158 is directly above the wicks 110 of the candle 108. Thus, the firewall plate 158 protects the container lid 104 from heat damage that might otherwise occur if the container lid 104 did not include the firewall plate 158, due to the container lid 104 being placed on the outer container 102 while the wicks 110 of the candle 108 are burning.

In some embodiments, the sealing structure 156 is configured to mate in a watertight seal, or relatively watertight seal, with either the outer container 102 or the candle pan 106 or with both the outer container 102 and the candle pan 106. Creating a watertight seal, or a relatively watertight seal, between the container lid and the outer container and/or the candle pan 106 protects the candle 108 from water, hail, snow, etc. A gasket (not shown) might also be employed to facilitate making a watertight seal, or a relatively watertight seal, between the container lid and the outer container and/or the candle pan 106.

While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5C show the sealing structure 156 of the container lid 104 being received by the container 102, in other embodiments, the container lid 104 may be sized and shaped so as to cover the container upper region 116. In such embodiments, the container lid 104 and/or the upper region 116 may include a sealing structure such that the container lid 104 mates with the upper region 116 in a watertight manner, or relatively watertight manner, and/or such that container lid 104 mates with the upper region 116 in an airtight manner, or relatively airtight manner.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the candle device 100, according to one non-limiting embodiment. The wicks 110 of the candle 108 are disposed in wax 112 within a safety region 166 such that a flame from one of the wicks 110 cannot burn, or melt, the container upper region 116. Additionally, in some embodiments, it is preferable that the wicks 110 are relatively close to the central axis 106 such that if one of the wicks 110 is burning when the outer container 102 receives the container lid 104, then the flame from the burning wick 110 cannot burn, or melt, the sealing flange 160 of the container lid 104.

Furthermore, a gap 168 extends between the pan flange 140 and the container inner sidewall 132. The gap 168 is provided to assist a user in removing the candle pan 106 from the outer container 102. The gap 168 provides the user with sufficient space for prying one side of the candle pan 106 upward when removing the removing the candle pan 106 from the outer container.

FIG. 7A shows the outer container 102 and the candle pan 106 from a top view, and FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of the outer container 102 and the candle pan 106 as taken along line 7B-7B of FIG. 7A, according to one non-limiting embodiment. As seen from above, the outer container 102 is generally square in shape. The outer container 102 is shaped such that the container sidewalls 118 extend generally vertically upward from the container lower region 114 to the container upper region 116. The pan support opening 144 of the outer container 102 is generally square in shape having sides of length W3, and the candle pan 106 is generally square in shape and has sides of length W2, where W2 is greater than W3. A replacement candle pan 106′, which is essentially identical to candle pan 106, is disposed/stored in the hollow interior 130 of the outer container 102. The hollow interior 130 of the outer container 102 may be used to store one or more replacement candle pan 106′. To fit the replacement candle pan 106′ into the hollow interior 130, the replacement candle pan 106′ is rotated such that the replacement candle pan 106′ is generally vertically aligned, then aligned with a diagonal of the pan support opening 144, and then lowered into the hollow interior 130.

The outer container 102 has a height hi as measured from the container lower region 114 to the container upper region 116. The candle pan 106 has a height h3 as measured from the pan lower end 136 to the pan upper end 138. The pan support 142 is situated such that the pan flange 140 is a distance of h2 beneath the upper most portion of the container upper region 136. Typically, the distance h2 is chosen such that the container upper region 136 protects the candle 108 from being blown out by a crosswind. As a non-limiting example, the distance h2 may be between a half-inch to eight inches in some embodiments and may frequently be in the one inch to six inch range.

The outer container height h1 may vary according to various embodiments. As a non-limiting example, the outer container height h1 may be anywhere between six inches to three feet high, and frequently the outer container height h1 may be between eight inches and 24 inches in height.

In some embodiments, the container height h1 is chosen such that the outer container 102 is suitable for being re-used as a garden pot. As such, the container bottom wall 134 defines a drain hole 172 that extends through the container bottom wall 134. After the candle 108 has been consumed, or whenever the end user decides, the candle pan 106 is removed from the outer container 102, and then the hollow interior 130 is filled, or partially filled, with dirt, potting soil, etc., and the outer container 102 may then be used as a garden pot. The drain hole 172 is of sufficient size water may drain out of the outer container 102.

The pan height h3 may vary according to various embodiments. As a non-limiting example, the pan height h3 may be anywhere between one inch to one foot high, and frequently the pan height h3 may be between one inch and six inches in height. In some embodiments, the pan height h3 is chosen such that the ratio between the pan height h3 and the outer container height hi is relatively small, i.e., r=h2/h1. As a non-limiting example, in some non-limiting embodiments, the ratio, r, may be less than one-half, and in other non-limiting embodiments, the ratio, r, may be less than one-third, or less than one-eighth. By having a relatively small ratio of pan height h3 to outer container height hi, a substantial portion of the interior of the outer container 102, above the candle pan 106 and below the candle pan 106, is empty, and thus, the candle device 100 is lighter than if the ratio were large such as when the candle 108 is a full candle that extends from the container bottom wall 134 to the upper region 116. Suspending the candle pan 106 above the container bottom wall 134 has at least four beneficial features. First, it allows the candle 108 to be proximal to the container upper region 116, thereby providing more light than if the candle pan 106 were distal from the container upper region 116. Second, it allows the weight of the outer container 100 to be less than the weight when the outer container 100 includes a full candle, i.e., an unburned candle that extends from the container bottom wall 134 to the container upper region 116. Third, it reduces the cost because the suspended candle 108 is smaller and as such uses less wax than a full candle that would otherwise be used to fill the outer container 108. Fourth, it reduces waste when the outer container 102 is not transparent. When a full candle has burnt down to the lower region 114 and the outer container is not transparent, then the candle device 100 does not illuminate the outside area around the candle device 100, and consequently, the remaining portion of the candle is wasted.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the outer container 102 and the candle pan 106, according to one non-limiting embodiment. As seen from above, the container device 102 is generally circular in shape. The pan support 142 extends inward from the container inner sidewall 132 and is non-contiguous having gaps 168 extending between segments of the pan support 142. The gaps 170 may be of sufficient depth and size so as to allow a replacement candle pan 106′ (not shown), when properly aligned, to be inserted/removed into/from the hollow interior 130.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the candle device 100 without the container lid 104, according to one non-limiting embodiment. The container sidewall 118 tapers inward from the container upper region 116 to the container lower end 114. The candle pan 106 is shaped and sized to be received by the outer container 102, and the pan sidewall 146 of the candle pan 106 engages the container inner sidewall 132 at the pan support region 142′. In this embodiment, the engagement between the pan sidewall 146 of the candle pan 106 and the container inner sidewall 132 at the pan support region 142′ supports the candle pan 106.

FIG. 10 a cross-sectional view of the candle device 100 without the container lid 104, according to one non-limiting embodiment. Extending outward from the container upper region 116 of the container sidewall 118 is a pan support region 142′. The outer container 102 includes a curved region 172 that extends outward from the support region 142′ and then curves upward and then inward. The curved region 170 defines the container opening 128 having a width W4. The candle pan 106 has a width of W1, which is smaller than W4, across the pan lower end 136. The pan support region 142′ defines the pan support opening 144 having a width of W3, where W3 is less than W1. The candle pan 106 is inserted through the container opening 128 and removably placed on the pan support region 142′.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A candle device comprising:

an outer container having a generally hollow interior and an opening in an upper region of the outer container, the opening having a size and shape;

a removable candle pan configured to hold at least one candle and sized and shaped to be complementarily received by the opening; and

a candle pan support means on a container inner surface of the interior of the outer container for engaging at least a portion of a pan outer side of the candle pan and for supporting the candle pan, above a bottom of the outer container, proximal to the upper region.

2. The candle device of claim 1, further comprising:

a container lid having a lid upper surface and a sealing structure extending generally downward from the lid upper surface, the sealing structure being configured to mate with at least a portion of either the outer container or with at least a portion of the candle pan to form an air exchange resistant seal, wherein the air exchange resistant seal starves a flame of a burning candle of oxygen.

3. The candle device of claim 2 wherein the sealing structure includes at least two portions that are opposed about a central axis of the candle device, and further comprising:

a plate extending between opposed portions of the sealing structure, the plate being either flame resistant or non-flammable.

4. The candle device of claim 3 wherein the sealing structure of the container lid and the outer container are made from a material having a melting temperature that is lower than a temperature for a flame of a burning candle in the candle pan.

5. The candle device of claim 1, further comprising:

a container lid having a lid upper surface and a sealing structure extending generally downward from the lid upper surface, the sealing structure being configured to mate with at least a portion of either the outer container or with at least a portion of the candle pan to form an water resistant seal.

6. The candle device of claim 1 wherein a bottom of the outer container defines an hole extending from the hollow interior of the outer container to outside of the outer container, wherein the hole of the bottom is opposed to the opening.

7. The candle device of claim 1 wherein the candle pan includes a pan removal means for extracting the candle pan from the outer container.

8. The candle device of claim 7 wherein the pan removal means includes at least one of a hole configured to receive a portion of a tool or a portion of a finger, a grippable member, or a raised lip.

9. The candle device of claim 7 wherein the candle pan support means includes at least one of the container inner surface being a tapered inner wall, at least one protrusion extending generally inward from the inner surface, a region of the inner surface extending generally outward from a central axis of the candle device.

10. The candle device of claim 1 wherein the candle pan support means includes a portion of a container sidewall of the outer container extending generally outward from a central axis of the outer container, wherein the portion of the container sidewall extending outward engages an underside of the candle pan.

11. A candle device comprising:

a non-transparent outer container formed from a first material with a burning temperature beneath a burning temperature of a candle and having a generally hollow interior and having opposed bottom end and top end with at least one container sidewall extending therebetween, the container sidewall having a container inner surface and a container outer surface, the top end defining an opening having a size and a shape, the top end, bottom end, and the container inner surface defining a generally hollow interior of the outer container, the opening extending to the hollow interior;

a removable candle pan configured to hold at least one candle and sized and shaped to be complementarily received by the opening; and

a candle pan support on the inner surface of the interior of the outer container, the candle pan support engages at least a portion of an outer side of the candle pan and supports the candle pan, above the bottom end of the outer container, proximal to the upper end.

12. The candle device of claim 11, further comprising:

a container lid formed from the first material and having a lid upper surface and a sealing structure extending generally downward from the lid upper surface, the sealing structure being configured to mate with at least a portion of either the outer container or with at least a portion of the candle pan to form a seal, wherein the sealing structure includes at least two portions that are opposed about a central axis of the container lid; and

a plate extending between opposed portions of the sealing structure, the plate being either flame resistant or non-flammable, and wherein the lid upper surface is made from the first material.

13. The candle device of claim 12 wherein the seal is at least one of water resistant or air exchange resistant.

14. The candle device of claim 11 wherein the bottom end defines a hole extending from an outer surface of the outer container to the hollow interior of the outer container.

15. A candle holder comprising:

a candle pan having a bottom wall with a periphery and at least one sidewall extending generally upward from the bottom wall, the at least one sidewall circumscribing the periphery of the bottom wall, wherein the candle pan is configured to be received by an outer container, and wherein in operable position the candle pan is supported, above a bottom of the outer container, proximal to an upper surface of the outer container; and

a pan removal means for extracting the candle pan from the outer container having the candle pan therein, wherein the candle pan is configured to be used with the outer container.

16. The candle holder claim 15, further comprising:

a multi-wick wax candle, the wax of the wax-candle covering an upper surface of the bottom wall of the candle pan and extending thereup.

17. The candle holder claim 16 wherein the wax extends upward from the bottom wall to a height no greater than a height of the side wall.

18. The candle holder claim 16 wherein the wax extends upward from the bottom wall to a height greater than a height of the side wall.

19. The candle holder claim 16 wherein the pan removal means includes at least one of a hole configured to receive a portion of a tool or a portion of a finger, a grippable member, or a raised lip.

20. The candle holder claim 19 wherein a flange extends generally outward from the at least one sidewall and is shaped and sized to engage at least a portion of the outer container, wherein the candle pan, the pan removal means, the multi-wick candle, and the flange define an aggregate weight for the candle holder, and wherein the flange is configured to support the aggregate weight of the candle holder when the candle pan is being suspended by the flange.

21. The candle holder claim 16 wherein the sidewall defines an inner surface, wherein the inner surface has a reflective coating covering at least a portion of the inner surface.