US20070298360A1

US20070298360A1 - Self-contained candle system

Info

Publication number: US20070298360A1
Application number: US11/475,631
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark A. Ukra
Original assignee: Tea Garden and Herbal Emporium LP
Current assignee: Tea Garden and Herbal Emporium LP
Priority date: 2006-06-27
Filing date: 2006-06-27
Publication date: 2007-12-27

Abstract

A container includes a lid, wax beads and many wicks. The wax beads and wicks are stored in the container. A candle is formed in the lid with a wick and a portion of the wax beads.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field
The embodiments relate to candles, and more particular to a self-contained candle system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Candles can be used for adding a scent to a room and for lighting. Candles can be made of different materials, such as wax or oil. Candles come in different shapes and sizes. Once a lit candle uses up its material (i.e., wax or oil), the candle's flame is extinguished. Candles are typically purchased as a solid wax candle with a wick disposed internally from the bottom of the candle to its top.

SUMMARY

One embodiment comprises a system including a container having a storage compartment and a lid, a plurality of candle bead, and a plurality of wicks. The plurality of candle beads and wicks are stored in the storage compartment. A candle is formed in the lid with at least one wick and a portion of the plurality of candle beads.
Another embodiment comprises a method including: storing a plurality of candle beads and a plurality of wicks in a container having a lid, removing the lid from the container, transferring at least one wick of the plurality of wicks from the container to the lid, transferring a portion of the plurality of candle beads from the container to the lid, the portion of the plurality of candle beads covering a base portion of the wick, and lighting the wick with a flame.
Still another embodiment comprises a system including a container including a lid, a plurality of wax beads and a plurality of wicks. The plurality of wax beads and wicks are stored in the container. A candle is formed in the lid with at least one wick of the plurality of wicks and a portion of the plurality of wax beads.
Yet another embodiment comprises a method of forming a candle in a lid of a container. The forming includes: removing the lid from a container, transferring at least one wick of a plurality of wicks stored in the container to the lid, transferring a portion of a plurality of candle beads stored in the container to the lid, the portion of the plurality of candle beads covering a base portion of the at least one wick, and lighting the wick with a flame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a self-contained candle system;

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a lid removed;

FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of wax beads and wicks stored in the container portion of the system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a wick;

FIG. 5 illustrates a wick placed in a lid of the system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a candle formed in the lid of the system illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a self-contained candle system. Referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The exemplary embodiments are provided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a self-contained candle system. System 100 includes container 110 that acts as a storage compartment and lid/candle holder 120. System 100 further includes wax candle beads 140 and wicks 150 (see FIG. 3). Lid/candle holder 120 acts as a lid when connected to container 110 and as a candle holder when separated and a wick and candle beads are placed into it.
Container 110 can vary in size to store more or less candle beads 140 and wicks 150. Lid/candle holder 120 provides a place to form a candle from one or more wicks 150 and a portion of the candle beads 140 that is poured or transferred from container 110 to lid/candle holder 120. In one embodiment, lid/candle holder 120 is sized to snugly fit onto container 110. In another embodiment, lid/candle holder 120 and container 110 have threads. In this embodiment lid/candle holder 120 is secured to container 110 by being screwed down.
In another embodiment, system 100 includes a plurality of lid/candle holder liners (not illustrated). In this embodiment, the lid/candle holder liners are made of malleable metal, such as aluminum foil. The lid/candle holder liners are sized to fit inside of lid/candle holder 120 and can be removed one by one after a formed candle is extinguished. This leaves the bottom of lid/candle holder 120 free of melted wax.
In one embodiment container 110 and lid/candle holder 120 are made of metal or metal alloy. In another embodiment container 110 and lid/candle holder 120 are made of glass. In yet another embodiment, container 110 and lid/candle holder 120 are made out of ceramic material.
FIG. 2 illustrates lid/candle holder 120 removed from container 110, which exposes a wick 150 to view. FIG. 3 illustrates stored candle beads 140 and wicks 150 in container 110.
FIG. 4 illustrates a wick 140. In one embodiment, wicks 140 have base portion 160 and a wicking portion 170. The wicking portion 170 can be cut to a desired length. The base portion 160 has a flat bottom and is made out of metal or metal alloy. In one embodiment, wick 140 can be cut into several segments to form multiple wicks. In this embodiment, some of the wicks do not have a base portion 160. With the segmented formed wicks, the wicking portion 170 is placed into candle beads 140 to form a candle. In one embodiment, wick 140 is about 6 inches in length. Other embodiments can have differently sized wicks with a length, such as 1 inch, 2 inches, 3 inches, etc.
FIG. 5 illustrates a wick 150 placed into lid/candle holder 120. As illustrated, base portion 160 is in direct contact with the inner surface of lid/candle holder 120.
FIG. 6 illustrates beads 140 transferred from container 110 to lid/candle holder 120 and placed over base portion 160. As illustrated, wick 150 has been lit with a flame. The candle beads, lighted wick and lid/candle holder 120 form a candle. The wax beads 140 can have a variety of scents and colors. The candle beads 140 can also have a variety of sizes as desired. Different scented beads can be placed in lid/candle holder 120 together to form a personalized scent as desired.
In one embodiment, ring shaped cylinders (not shown) having different diameters are used to combine different scented beads. One ring shaped cylinder is sized slightly smaller then container 110 and others have a smaller diameter (i.e. reduced by ½ inch, 1 inch, 2 inch, etc.). Different scented candle beads 140 are placed into areas formed by the different sized ring shaped cylinders that are inserted into lid/candle holder 140. When the ring shaped cylinders are removed, different scented beads will be separated instead of blended together. This allows a user to personalize a scent and have different aromas to fill a room or space at different times. The ring shaped cylinders can be made of metal, metal alloy, glass or ceramic material.
Multiple wicks 150 can be placed in lid/candle holder 120 for a desired style of candle. When the wick 150 is lit with a flame, the wax candle beads 140 melt and release their scent. More candle beads 140 can be added as needed to keep the candle burning. When the candle is no longer desired, the flame can be put out and lid/candle holder 120 can be placed back on top of container 120 when cooled. Container 110 can then be moved or stored until it is desired to form a new candle. Wicks 150 can burn for many hours adding fragrance to a room or place.
In one embodiment lid/candle holder 120 has a flat portion on its top so lid/candle holder 120 does not lean. In another embodiment, lid/candle holder 120 has a top with different leveled portions with a flat portion at its top (when on container 110) that allows air to circulate to the other leveled portions when in use for holding a formed candle.
Container 110 may be used to extinguish a flame from a candle formed in lid/candle holder 110 by placing its bottom over lid/candle holder 110 until the oxygen is used up and the flame is extinguished.
FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a process 700 for forming a candle from system 100. In block 710 a plurality of candle beads 140 and a plurality of wicks 150 are stored in container 110 having a lid/candle holder 120. In block 720 lid/candle holder 120 is removed from container 110. In block 730, at least one wick 150 and a plurality of candle beads 140 are transferred from container 110 to lid 120. The portion of the plurality of candle beads 140 cover base portion 160 of the wick 150. In block 740 the wicking portion 170 is lit with a flame. The plurality of beads and the lighted wick form a candle in the lid/candle holder 120. The lid/candle holder can then be moved where the scented candle is desired to add fragrance to a room or place.
System 100 allows a person to form a candle whenever desired. System 100 conveniently stores wicks 150 and candle beads 140 in container 110, together with lid/candle holder 120. More candle beads 140 and wicks 150 can be added to container 110 as necessary. With system 100, a person can always make a candle when desired in lid/candle holder 120 instead of having to purchase an existing candle, or having wicks, candle beads, and a candle holder or dish located in many different places.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a container;

a lid removably coupled to the container;

a plurality of candle beads;

a plurality of wicks;

wherein the plurality of candle beads and wicks are stored in the container, and a candle is formed in the lid with at least one wick and a portion of the plurality of candle beads.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of candle beads are scented.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wicks each include a metal base portion.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the container is made of one of a metal and a metal alloy.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the container is made of one of glass and a ceramic material.

6. A method comprising:

storing a plurality of candle beads and a plurality of wicks in a container having a lid;

removing the lid from the container;

transferring at least one wick of the plurality of wicks from the container to the lid;

transferring a portion of the plurality of candle beads from the container to the lid, the portion of the plurality of candle beads covering a base portion of the wick; and

lighting the wick with a flame.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of beads and the lighted wick form a candle in the lid.

8. A system comprising:

a container including a lid;

a plurality of wax beads and a plurality of wicks, the plurality of wax beads and wicks are stored in the container; and

a candle formed in the lid with at least one wick of the plurality of wicks and a portion of the plurality of wax beads.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of wax beads are scented.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of wicks each include a metal base portion.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the container is made of one of a metal and a metal alloy.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the container is made of one of glass and a ceramic material.

13. A method comprising:

forming a candle in a lid of a container, the forming includes:

removing the lid from a container;

transferring at least one wick of a plurality of wicks stored in the container to the lid;

transferring a portion of a plurality of candle beads stored in the container to the lid, the portion of the plurality of candle beads covering a base portion of the at least one wick; and

lighting the wick with a flame.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

moving the lid to a desired location.

15. A system comprising:

a container;

a lid removably coupled to the container, the lid having a flat top portion;

a plurality of wax beads and a plurality of wicks are stored in the container; and

a candle is formed in the lid by transferring at least one wick of the plurality of wicks and a portion of the plurality of wax beads from the container to the lid.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the container is made of one of a metal and a metal alloy.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the container is made of one of glass and a ceramic material.