PARTITION FOR CANDLE CONTAINER

Abstract

A partition for use in a container for a flame-bearing illumination source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the container substantially defines an interior volume and the partition is inside the container, defining at least one hole. The container may have a flared end and may be transparent or translucent. The partition may be transparent or translucent; may comprise plastic, polymer, polycarbonate, glass, or ceramic; may comprise only non-metallic materials; and may define only one hole.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention pertains to the field of containers or enclosures for candles and other flame-bearing illumination sources.

In modern times, candles and other flame-bearing illumination sources such as oil and kerosene lamps and lanterns are often used for decorative purposes in secular society. Numerous types and styles of practical and decorative containers and enclosures for candles exist, a category of which is known as “hurricane” containers or enclosures. The present invention is a partition that has been developed to be readily used with hurricane containers or enclosures or any lamp or candle container or enclosures having a flared end, although it may be adapted for use in connection with any type of container for a candle or lamp. The partition aids in maintaining combustion of the candle or other flame-bearing illumination source particularly in drafty or windy conditions.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, in an open-ended container for a flame-bearing illumination source wherein the container substantially defines an interior volume, the improvement comprises a substantially flat partition inside the container wherein the partition defines at least one hole. In this embodiment, the container may have a flared end and may be transparent or translucent. The partition may be transparent or translucent; may comprise plastic, polymer, polycarbonate, glass, or ceramic; may comprise only non-metallic materials; and may define only one hole.

In another embodiment, in an open-ended container for a flame-bearing illumination source wherein the container comprises one or more side walls substantially defining an interior volume, the improvement comprises a partition in the container wherein the partition has a perimeter and defines at least one hole and wherein at least a portion of the perimeter of the partition is in contact with the one or more side walls of the container. In this embodiment, the entire perimeter of the partition may also be substantially in contact with the one or more side walls of the container. Further, the container may have a flared end and may be transparent or translucent. The partition may be substantially flat; may be transparent or translucent; may comprise plastic, polymer, polycarbonate, glass, or ceramic; may comprise only non-metallic materials; and may define only one hole.

In another embodiment, in an open-ended transparent or translucent container for a flame-bearing illumination source wherein the container has a flared end and comprises one or more side walls substantially defining an interior volume, the improvement comprises a transparent or translucent partition in the container wherein the partition is substantially flat and has a perimeter and defines at least one hole and wherein at least a portion of the perimeter of the partition is in contact with the one or more side walls of the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a partition in an open-ended container for a flame-bearing illumination source.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of a partition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an open-ended container 10 for a candle 12 or other flame-bearing illumination source. The container 10 has a base 14, a side wall 16, and an open end 18 defined by a rim or edge 20 of the side wall 16. The base 14, side wall 16, and rim or edge 20 of the side wall 16 substantially define an interior volume 22 of the container 10. In this embodiment, the side wall 16 also defines a narrow portion that may be alternatively referred to as a waist, neck, or throat portion 24 of the container 10, as well as flared portion 26 of the container 10. The base 14 of the container 10 defines a hole or seat 28 in which a candle 12 or other flame-bearing illumination source may be placed.

The container 10 may be transparent or translucent. Alternatively, one or more portions of the container 10 may be opaque. The container 10 may be constructed of glass, ceramic, or other material suitable for containing or enclosing a candle 12 or other flame-bearing illumination source.

A partition 30 is placed in the interior volume 22 of the container 10. The partition 30 has a perimeter 32. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the perimeter 32 of the partition 30 rests against the side wall 16 of the container 10 above the throat 24 in the flared portion 26. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partition defines at least one hole 34, which, in the case of one hole, may be substantially centered in the partition 30. The partition 30 and its perimeter 32 may be substantially circular as shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2, or they may define different shapes suitable for differently shaped containers (not shown). The partition may be substantially flat as illustrated in FIG. 1. The partition 30 may be transparent or translucent and may comprise plastic, polymer, polycarbonate, glass, or ceramic. In some embodiments, the partition 30 may comprise only non-metallic materials, and in some embodiments, as in those depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partition 30 may define only one hole.

In use, the partition 30 is placed in the container 10 such that the entire perimeter 32 of the partition 30 is substantially in contact with the side wall 16 of the container 10. Particular embodiments may vary the size of the hole 34 or the location of the partition 30 in the container 10 relative to a flame (not shown) in order to sufficiently shield the flame from drafts or wind. As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1, the hole 34 is in substantial vertical alignment with the wick 36 of the candle 12 so that the heat and smoke from the flame (not shown) can escape from the container 10. If the hole 34 is sized too small, the flame may not receive sufficient air or oxygen to maintain combustion.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the partition 30 may define more than one hole for aesthetic purposes, in order to provide additional ventilation to the flame, or for both reasons. In yet other embodiments (not shown), the perimeter 32 of the partition 30 may be varied such that only portions of the perimeter 32 contact the side wall 16 such that when the partition 30 is inserted into the container 10, the portions of the perimeter 32 not in contact with the side wall 16 of the container 10 and the side wall 16 of the container 10 define one or more holes or apertures.

As shown in the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partition 30 is substantially circular and may be used in containers 10 having cylindrical or conical shapes. The partition may be made in different shapes in order to be placed in differently-shaped containers. There is no requirement for correlating the shape of the partition with a particular container, therefore, for example, a circularly-shaped partition may be placed in a container having a square shape.

While the partition 30 has been described in reference to some exemplary embodiments, these embodiments are not limiting and are not necessarily exclusive of each other, and it is contemplated that particular features of various embodiments may be omitted or combined for use with features of other embodiments while remaining within the scope of the invention.

Further, the term “container” is intended as a generic term to capture other words that may be used to describe enclosures for flame-bearing illumination sources, such as, by way of illustration and not limitation, “globe,” “shade,” “chimney,” or “enclosure.”

Claims

1. In an open-ended container for a flame-bearing illumination source wherein the container substantially defines an interior volume, the improvement comprising:

a substantially flat partition inside the container wherein the partition defines at least one hole.

2. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the container has a flared end.

3. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the container is transparent or translucent.

4. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the partition is transparent or translucent.

5. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the partition comprises only non-metallic materials.

6. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the partition comprises one of plastic, polymer, polycarbonate, glass, or ceramic.

7. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the partition defines only one hole.

8. In an open-ended container for a flame-bearing illumination source wherein the container comprises one or more side walls substantially defining an interior volume, the improvement comprising:

a partition in the container wherein the partition has a perimeter and defines at least one hole; and

wherein at least a portion of the perimeter of the partition is in contact with the one or more side walls of the container.

9. The improvement of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the entire perimeter of the partition is substantially in contact with the one or more side walls of the container.

10. The improvement of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the partition is substantially flat.

11. The improvement of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the container has a flared end.

12. The improvement of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the container is transparent or translucent.

13. The improvement of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the partition is transparent or translucent.

14. The improvement of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the partition comprises only non-metallic materials.

15. The improvement of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the partition comprises one of plastic, polymer, polycarbonate, glass, or ceramic.

16. The improvement of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the partition defines only one hole.

17. In an open-ended transparent or translucent container for a flame-bearing illumination source wherein the container has a flared end and comprises one or more side walls substantially defining an interior volume, the improvement comprising:

a transparent or translucent partition in the container wherein the partition is substantially flat and has a perimeter and defines at least one hole; and

wherein at least a portion of the perimeter of the partition is in contact with the one or more side walls of the container.