CANDLE EXTINGUISHER The present invention relates to devices for extinguishing burning candles with the help of gas. In more detail, the present invention relates to a device for extinguishing burning candles with the help of gas where the device comprises a fluid source with a pressurised fluid, a passage space in which the fluid expands to gas, an appliance for point supply of the gas towards the burning candle and an activation arrangement for the release of the fluid from the fluid source, where the activation arrangement comprises an axially moving piston that is fastened to a sealing body for the opening and closing of the fluid outflow from the fluid source, as the activation arrangement works on the axial piston so that the sealing body lets out fluid to the appliance via the passage space. The present invention also relates to a use of this device.

PRIOR ART

Extinguishing burning lights/candle lights can be carried out in different ways. It is most common that one blows out the candle using one's breath. The problem with this extinguishing method is that melted wax/stearin can be sprayed around and also that the glowing wick can be moved or be blown off. Furthermore, this method is not suitable when the candle light is located at places with difficult access or in narrow containers. Alternative extinguishing methods are, for example, that the flame can be extinguished in that a bell- shaped housing or conical housing is placed over the flame until it is

extinguished because of lack of oxygen. This method has the disadvantage in that it leads to a layer of soot on the equipment and on the candle.

Furthermore, the user is dependent on placing the equipment exactly above the candle to extinguish it.

Previously, different types of candle extinguishers were developed which could be used to extinguish burning candles. US 6960074 B1 describes a pinching device that is fitted with inner surfaces which, when near the flame, release CO2 to extinguish the flame of a stearin candle. US 2005048428 A describes a candle extinguisher where measured amounts of pressurised water are used as the extinguishing agent. CO2 can be used as the drive gas. US 6267581 B1 describes a device for extinguishing stearin candles with the help of a watery mist. Here, a manual pumping appliance is used which drives out proportions of fluid in the form of a mist. It is also known to apply devices that use a pressurised, non-combustible gas to extinguish burning stearin candles (US2009/0239180 A1 ;

WO2009123426 A1 ). C0 ₂ is a gas that is typically used in such candle extinguishers. The supply of gas ensures that the flame is smothered and the candle is thereby extinguished.

In the patent application US 2009/0239180 A1 , it is suggested to apply a spray can which is filled with a non-combustible gas, such as CO2 _, in the form of an aerosol, which is used as an extinguishing agent. The spray can has a valve for measured and pressure-reduced release of the extinguishing agent. Spray cans of this type have a typical overpressure of between 3-5 bar at room temperature. The capacity with respect to the number of extinguishing operations, and the length of the extinguishing operations depend on the amounts of gas that can be released, which, in turn, will depend on the pressure in the storage chamber and the storage capacity. The disadvantage with this known method is that such a spray can must have a certain volume, and thereby size, so that an appropriate amount of gas can be stored to achieve a sufficient capacity. Furthermore, such a spray can is typically used only once, that means it is thrown away when it is empty and it is not suitable for recycling. In general, spray cans are thereby an environmental challenge and therefore there is an established recirculation arrangement for spray cans in many industrialised countries to recover valuable materials, such as aluminium, from the spray cans and to minimise the waste problems.

A challenge for the extinguishing itself with many of the known candle extinguishing solutions is that the release of gas is difficult to measure and that relatively large amounts of gas can be released or that the gas flows out under a high pressure. This can lead to the wick being blown away, for example, in tea lights where the stearin is melted or that melted stearin is blown about. There is also a potential risk that glowing parts of the wick are blown

uncontrollably about with a resulting fire risk. Therefore, it is decisive that a candle extinguisher that uses pressurised gas has effective measuring possibilities for the release of the gas.

Another problem, which has not been satisfactorily solved by the known methods, is that stearin candles that are physically difficult to access cannot be reached in an optimal way with such extinguishing devices. This is particularly the case for stearin candles that are placed in narrow containers, in particular, when they are relatively deep, such that in lanterns. A challenge is also stearin candles that are placed in locations with difficult access, such as high up on shelves, in window frames, or stearin candles on Christmas trees and so on. The extinguishing of such lights can lead to one burning oneself, or that one simply will have to struggle to reach them at all, both when they shall be extinguished with the help of the known devices or when they shall be extinguished by using one's breath. It is generally a challenge, particularly with devices for extinguishing candles with the help of a gas, which operate with a low pressure of a non-combustible gas, that they have a limited reach. Then, such candle extinguishers will not reach stearin candles at locations which are difficult to access. If devices with a higher gas pressure are used to achieve a better reach, this leads to an increased use of gas, at the same time as the gas will be distributed in a wider and less directed angle. Furthermore, with devices that use higher gas pressures, known problems occur, namely that the pressure is often too high when the devices shall also be used for shorter distances, which really requires smaller pressures for the extinguishing. This leads in turn to the problems described above, namely that both the wick can be moved in tea lights when the stearin is melted, that melted stearin can be blown about and/or that glowing parts of the wick can be dispersed. The lack of possibilities to release measured amounts of gas with respect to the distance to the candle that shall be smothered makes it generally difficult for the user to optimally apply the known candle extinguishers.

Another problem that arises with the application of devices with a high pressure of fluids such as CO ₂ , is that the moving parts in the valve can freeze because of the loss of heat when a fluid goes over from the fluid expansion state in the container to the gaseous state outside it.

Thus, the aim of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for extinguishing stearin candles with the help of a non-combustible gas, which is simpler and more efficient in use and which overcomes the above mentioned problems.

A particular aim of the present invention is to provide a solution for a flexible and simple way of releasing a measured amount of gas from a fluid source at high pressure.

Yet another aim of the present invention is to provide a solution that is not dependent on a particularly large force to release the required amount of gas even if the internal pressure in the gas container is high.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a solution for a candle extinguisher that releases such a small amount of gas that the wick is not moved and that melted stearin and/or embers are not blown about.

Furthermore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an environmentally friendly solution that makes recycling of the device possible. Furthermore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a solution that makes it possible to reach burning stearin candles at locations which are difficult to access, in particular, in deep containers.

Yet a further aim of the invention is to provide a solution where the direction of the air stream can simply be changed before or during the moment of gas release.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a solution where

expansion/evaporation of the extinguishing medium from a fluid form to a gaseous form takes place in such a way that the temperature drop to the surroundings, as a consequence of the transfer from fluid to gas, occurs in such a way that the user does not experience any particular temperature drop in the hand that holds the device.

A main principle of the solution according to the present invention is that the arrangement, which is directly manipulated by the user, is not exposed to the full pressure that is inside the gas storing unit, but that this is reduced with the help of a lever arm principle or other force reducing solutions.

Another main principle of the solution according to the present invention is that the pressurised fluid expands to gas in a controlled way, in a volume limited and heat insulated passage space, before it is released.

Another main principle of the solution is that the direction of the gas stream that is directed toward the candle that shall be extinguished can be altered manually in all directions before or during the extinguishing process itself. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a device for

extinguishing burning candles with the help of a gas, where the device comprises

- a fluid source with a pressurised fluid,

- a passage space in which the fluid expands to gas,

- an appliance for point supply of the gas towards the burning candle, and

- an activating arrangement for release of the fluid from

the fluid source where the device comprises an axially moving piston that is fastened to a sealing body for the opening and closing of a fluid release from the fluid source, as the activating arrangement works on the axial piston so that the sealing body lets out fluid to the appliance via the passage space.

The device is characterised in that the activating arrangement comprises a lever arm for transfer of force from an activating body to the axially moving piston, and in that said sealing body is fastened at the one end of the piston that faces the fluid source, and the other end of the piston is, at least, partially surrounded by a fixed, extended casing, forming said passage space between the piston and the casing. The advantage with such an activating arrangement, according to the lever arm principle, is that a manual force transfer from an activating body on the moving piston itself which releases the fluid outflow, is easier. This is particularly relevant when fluid sources of a high pressure are used. With the help of the lever arm, it is possible to release the outflow without using much force and it is also possible to release measured amounts of the outflow. The advantage with this device is also that the sealing body closes the passage space when the device is in a deactivated state. In that only a narrow passage is opened after the activation, there is only a limited space available for fluid expansion. This makes it simple to control the amount of fluid expansion and the temperature of the expansion so that the well-known low temperatures, when a fluid expands, that can lead to freezing of the movable parts and also an unpleasant feeling for the user, are avoided.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for extinguishing a burning candle with the help of gas where the device comprises

- a fluid source with a pressurised fluid,

- a passage space in which the fluid expands to gas

- an appliance for point supply of the gas towards the burning candle, and

- an activating arrangement for release of the fluid from

the fluid source, where the arrangement comprises an axially moving piston that is fastened to a sealing body for the opening and closing of the fluid release from the fluid source, as the activating arrangement works on the axial piston so that the sealing body lets out fluid to the device via the passage space. The device is characterised in that the activating arrangement comprises a lever arm for transfer of force from an activating body to the axially moving piston. Said sealing body is preferably fastened at the end of the piston that faces the fluid source and the other end of the piston is, at least, partially surrounded by a fixed, extended casing, forming said passage space between the piston and the casing.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a device for

extinguishing burning candles with the help of a gas where the device comprises

- a fluid source with a pressurised fluid,

- a passage room in which the fluid expands to gas

- an appliance for point supply of the gas towards the burning candle, and

- an activating arrangement for release of the fluid from

the fluid source where the arrangement comprises an axially moving piston that is fastened to a sealing body for the opening and closing of fluid release from the fluid source, as the activating arrangement works on the axial piston so that the sealing body lets out fluid to the appliance via the passage space. The device is characterised in that said sealing body is fastened at the one end of the piston that faces the fluid source, and the other end of the piston is, at least, partially surrounded by a fixed, extended casing, forming said passage space between the piston and the casing. The activating body preferably comprises a lever arm for force transfer from an activating body to the axially moving piston.

In preferred embodiments according to the present invention, where the fluid release is activated via a lever arm, the lever arm in the activating arrangement can be a crosswise shaft that is fastened, at its one end, to a fastening point at the end of the piston that faces away from the fluid source, and which has a pivoting point eccentrically to it, and which comprises, at least, one axial leg element that stretches from the shaft along the sides of said piston towards the other end of the piston for force transfer on the lever arm, and where the leg element is connected to a displaceable manipulating element that is arranged in a crosswise direction with regard to the piston and forms a connection between the leg element of the lever arm and a mechanical activating body on the outside of the candle extinguisher.

The fluid source is preferably in the form of a fluid cartridge with fluid that is placed in a fluid chamber. The fluid cartridge can, when full, have an overpressure of about 60 bar at room temperature. Furthermore, it is

particularly preferred that the device comprises an integrated needle element for the puncturing of the fluid cartridge. The fluid is preferably chosen from the group comprising CO2, air, an inert gas or any combination thereof.

The appliance for point supply of gas is preferably selected from the group consisting of a flexible swan neck, a stiff pipe, a flexible pipe, a hose and a telescopically extendable pipe.

Furthermore, the device can comprise an housing with a bottom part that comprises the fluid source, that is reversibly connected to an intermediate part that comprises the activating arrangement.

Said housing can also be divided into three in that it also comprises a top part with an outlet for gas that is reversibly fastened to the intermediate part on the opposite side of the bottom part. In a further aspect the present invention relates to a use of a device in accordance with one of the paragraphs above for extinguishing tallow lights, stearin lights, petroleum lamps, aromatic lamps, ethanol lamps, ethanol grills and the like.

By activating the candle extinguisher, liquid CO2 is let into an expansion chamber (that corresponds to the above mentioned passage space) to be forced out, for example, through the appliance for point supply of gas, with a suitable pressure for extinguishing burning candles. This valve and expansion solution, according to the present invention, in combination with activating elements, makes it possible to use higher fluid/gas pressure than the previously known devices, such as a spray box. The valve for measured release of gas in spray cans, or other devices that have been developed for lower pressure ranges, will generally not tolerate the expansion from liquid CO2 to a gaseous form in higher pressure ranges, such as in the fluid cartridges of the present invention. For many devices, building up the pressure again after each extinguishing operation is also required. This is not the case with the present invention.

The device with a pipe, in particular, a flexible swan neck, has the great advantage in that it makes it simpler to extinguish candles at difficult access locations, particularly in combination with the appliance that gives an efficient, measured, directed release of gas in a concentrated and defined direction.

The fluid source can be in the form of a cartridge casing with fluid that is set into a cartridge chamber. The candle extinguisher, according to the present invention, preferably uses CO2 in fluid form at high pressure, about 60 bar at room temperature, and is configured so that it is possible to use a replaceable gas cartridge, something which makes recycling of the candle extinguisher possible. The advantage with the gas cartridge is that it increases the user friendliness in that one can exchange the cartridge and also that more gas can be stored in a smaller volume than with the known candle extinguishers of the spray can type. Thereby, the device can be of a much smaller size than known spray can solutions of the same capacity. The device can be adapted to standardised fluid cartridges that are available on the market from before.

The device according to the invention makes it thereby possible to use gas cartridges with compressed gas in liquid form under high pressure. This is possible through a combination of the described valve solution with an expansion chamber with the pressurised fluid cartridge.

The advantage of the device according to the present invention is also that a relatively large number of subsequent extinguishing operations can be carried out without a pause or a break to build up a pressure in the chamber. Typically, it is possible to achieve more than 200 extinguishing operations pr 12 pr. CO ₂ cartridge, which makes this economically attractive.

Furthermore, the device can comprise an integrated needle element for the puncturing of the cartridge casing. With the help of the integrated needle, which functions at the same time as passage for fluid from the gas cartridge to the expansion space (the passage space), the cartridge can efficiently and simply be punctured when replaced, in that the activating unit is, for example, screwed onto the lower part of the cartridge chamber. The advantage with the needle solution is that it is not necessary with a separate unit or tool for the puncturing and also that the puncturing can be carried out with no risk of a gas leak.

The amount of gas and the pressure at the release can efficiently be regulated by the diameter of the puncturing needle, and also the passage space between the piston/shaft and the casing/chamber. Both these factors have been found to be decisive for the amount released and the pressure of the gas at the release.

Preferred embodiments are also given in the dependent claims.

Meant by burning candles in the context of the present invention, are any forms of burning lights such as stearin candles, tallow candles, wax candles, gel candles, floating candles, petroleum lamps, ethanol lamps, lanterns, and the like. Furthermore, it can also include devices that typically have small open flames in use, such as, for example, ethanol grills, devices that use combustible gels, methylated spirit or ethanol, also including burners for fondues and the like. On the other hand, the device according to the present invention, is not intended to be used in connection with extinguishing large flames, such fires or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some embodiment of the invention shall now be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures, where:

Figure 1 shows schematically an embodiment of a candle extinguishing device, shown in perspective, seen in an assembled state of a device according to the present invention for extinguishing candle lights.

Figure 2 shows schematically, in perspective, a longitudinal section of the device according to the present invention seen from different angles (A and B). Figure 3 shows schematically, in perspective, a detailed section, in enlarged scale, of an embodiment of the activating arrangement according to the invention.

Figures 4 A and B show schematically, in perspective, a longitudinal section of an embodiment of the activating arrangement in a closed (A) and an open (B) state, where threads between the bottom part, the intermediate activating arrangement and the top part are not shown.

Figure 5 shows schematically, in perspective, the lower part of the candle extinguisher without a fitted top part.

Figures 6 A and B show schematically, in perspective, embodiments of an activation and release arrangement for opening and closing of the gas supply.

Figures 7 A and B show schematically, in a

longitudinal section, an embodiment of the candle extinguisher in a closed (A) and an open (B) state. In the open state, the fluid stream through the candle extinguisher is shown as a patterned line with an arrow. The details of the fluid stream from the cartridge to the direction for point supply of the gas are also illustrated in figure 7 C. Not all the elements of the activating unit are shown in detail in this figure.

Figures 8 A and B show schematically, in perspective, a

split outline as a whole (A) and in a longitudinal section (B).

Figure 9 shows schematically, a detailed section in the longitudinal direction, of an alternative embodiment of the device 1 . DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIEMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device 1 for extinguishing stearin lights with the help of a non-combustible gas that smothers or blows out the flame. The device 1 , which is also shown in a longitudinal section in the figures 2 A and B, comprises, in this preferred embodiment form, a housing 8, which is typically in the form of an extended cylinder with a conical/funnel-shaped in-tapering part 3 at the top. However, the shape of the housing 8 is not limited to a cylindrical form, but can also have other suitable shapes such as a square, an ellipsoidal form and so on. Thereby, the shape of the housing 8 can readily be given a well-designed, attractive shape which can advantageously be configured to sit snugly in the hand and, in such a way, that the access to a release and activating arrangement can be operated with the help of one or more fingers on the same hand that holds the device. The housing 8 comprises said top part 3 for fluid/gas release, an intermediate part 16 for activating the device and also a bottom part 14 that comprises a chamber 2 for a fluid source which, at the same time, can be a handle. In the preferred embodiment shown, the bottom part 14 comprises said fluid chamber 2 and a fluid cartridge 20 as a fluid source 60. Furthermore, the housing 8 comprises said intermediate part 16 which comprises an activation and release arrangement 30 for the release of the fluid/gas outflow. The activation and release mechanism will be described in more detail below in connection with the figures 3-6. This mechanism can preferably be fitted with a manipulation and activation body 10, for example, in the form of a button or a switch (toggle switch, sliding switch and so on), for mechanical, manual activation, for example, with the help of the thumb on the user's hand that has a grip around the handle 2 and where the thumb activates the button. At its upper end, the extinguishing device is formed with a top part 3 with an opening 9 for outflow of gas. It is preferred that a particular appliance 4 for point supply of an extinguishing agent towards a flame, is connected to the opening 9. However, the opening 9 itself can also be shaped so that it can function as a body for point supply of the gas. In such an embodiment the opening 9 will be identical to the appliance 4 for point supply.

To allow the assembly and dismantling, inclusive replacing of the fluid cartridge 10 in the embodiment where this is relevant, the bottom part 14, the intermediate-lying activating arrangement 30 and the top part 3 are preferably fitted with synergetic threads 34, 32 that make it possible to separate these parts from each other (see figures 2 A and B and figure 3). For simplicity, said threads are not illustrated in all the figures (for example, not in the figures 4 A and B). However, it must be pointed out that other known types of joining solutions can also be used instead of said synergetic threads 34,32, such as known systems for mutual locking.

The fluid cartridge 20, which is arranged in the handle/fluid chamber 2, preferably contains a pressurised, non-combustible fluid 62. The cartridge 20 is, in a preferred embodiment, replaceable and contains the fluid 62 under a relatively high pressure, typically up to 60 bar at room temperature and maximum extent of filling. At the same time, the chamber 2 functions as a handle for the user of the device 1 .

Furthermore, the housing 8 comprises said activating arrangement 30, which is preferably arranged in the intermediate part 16 which is between the bottom part 14 and the top part 3. The activating arrangement 30 comprises said available activating body 10 at the outside of the housing 8 so that the user can manually activate the gas release from the candle extinguisher via a mechanical force transfer which will be described in more detail below. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the mechanical activating body 10 is formed as a button that typically protrudes on the outside of the housing 8 and which can be manually pressed in by the user when the fluid is to be released and a candle is to be extinguished. The activating arrangement 30 comprises further elements for the release of the outflow of fluid which is preferably arranged in the intermediate part 16. These elements are described in detail below and play a role in the activation and deactivation of the fluid release from the device 1 with the help of an axially moving piston 40 (Fig.3). The

intermediate part 16, with the activating arrangement 30 has, at the end that faces the top part 3, a hollow room 31 that has an opening 9 for fluid outflow, where the opening 9 is typically equipped with said appliance 4 for point supply of the gas. The hollow room 31 is a part of a larger hollow space 33 in the intermediate part 16 that comprises the activating arrangement 30.

The top part 3, which is preferably fastened at its one end with the help of said threads 32 to the intermediate part 16, tapers typically in its

circumference, towards the other end, i.e., at or around the opening 9. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, said appliance 4 is arranged for point supply of a gas towards a burning candle/a flame. In the embodiment shown, the appliance 4 is preferably a pliable, flexible pipe for fluid outflow that is fastened in or to the top part 3 in the area at the opening 9. The appliance 4 can be a pipe, a flexible hose, a flexible pipe such as a flexible swan neck, a telescopic pipe or the like with a through-running opening which, via a valve device or the like, is in fluid-connection with the fluid cartridge 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the appliance 4 stretches in the form of a pipe in the whole of the length of the top part 3 and all the way down to the hollow space 31 of the intermediate part 16 with the activation arrangement 30. The appliance 4, when it is shaped as a tube, is typically between 5 and 20 cm in length. The advantages with the appliance 4 stretching through the opening 9 and the top part 3 and down towards the activating arrangement 30 are an increased mechanical stability of the pipe and improved fastening to the housing 8. This is particularly relevant when the appliance 4 is formed as a pliable, flexible swan neck, which is an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the appliance 4 is a pliable, flexible swan neck which is glued into the top part 3 and leaves the top part 3 at the opening 9. The appliance 4 is typically fitted with an end piece in the form of a nozzle 6, for example, with an adjustable mouth-piece to change the shape and scattering of the gas stream that leaves the opening which the gas flows out from (figures 1 , 2A and B).

The nozzle 6 is preferably formed so that the outflow of the fluid 62 does not create any sound, or only to a very small extent, as unpleasant hissing or whistling noises. The appliance 4, in combination with the nozzle 6, also has the advantage that the stearin candle can be extinguished in a directed and purposeful manner in that the pressurised gas is only let out with a narrow angle of dispersion.

The function of the extended embodiment of the appliance 4, for example, in the form of a pipe, a hose or a swan neck, is to simplify the point- directed extinguishing of difficult to access stearin candles, for example, when the candle is placed down in a container, in narrow openings or is difficult to access for the extinguishing, such as stearin candles on a Christmas tree, on furniture such as on shelves, in windows, in deep lanterns and glass containers, holders fitted at a height and so on.

The bottom part 14 also preferably has an opening 7 in the bottom of the cylindrical fluid chamber 2 (Figs. 2 A and B). The opening 7 has a function of letting fluid out if a punctured fluid cartridge shall be removed without being completely emptied of fluid/gas, or when the cartridge is damaged so that the pressure can be reduced. The opening 7 can possibly also be used to replace said fluid cartridge, for example, in an embodiment where the bottom part 14 forms a unit with the intermediate part 16 or is permanently connected with the intermediate part 16. The advantage with the placing of the opening 7 at the bottom of the cylinder is that any outflowing fluid does not come into contact with the hand of the user if he holds the device 1 around the handle, that is, around the cartridge chamber 2, possibly also around the activating unit 30.

The activating arrangement 30 comprises said axially acting piston 40 that extends from the top part 3 axially though the housing 8 and down towards the source of the fluid 62 (Fig. 3 and figs. 4 and B). In the embodiment shown, the fluid source is in the form of a fluid cartridge 20 (for example, a gas casing or gas cartridge). The piston 40 is preferably solid in its form. Placed centrally between the piston 40 and the cartridge chamber 2, with the fluid cartridge 20, is a needle element 52 with a needle 54 for puncturing of the top of the gas cartridge 20. The needle 54 and the needle element 52 are preferably hollow in the middle and thereby form a central passage 56 for the pressurised fluid from the fluid cartridge 20.

At its upper end towards the hollow space 31 , the piston 40 ends up in a contact device in the form of a fastening element 42 that is connected to other movable parts of the trigger unit/activating arrangement 30. The fastening element 42 is preferably formed as an extended body, for example, a pin.

An extended casing 44 is arranged at least around a portion of the middle part of the axially moving piston 40. The casing 44 and the piston 40 lie in said hollow space 33 in the gap 16 with the activating arrangement 30 together with the other elements described below for mechanical activation of the release of fluid. Between the casing 44 and the piston 40 is a relatively narrow passage space 43 for fluid passage in the axial direction. Thereby, the passage space 43 functions as an expansion chamber for the fluid at a release of fluid.

Around the lower part of the piston 40, the device is fitted with a sealing mechanism that prevents a release of fluid to the passage space 43 (the expansion chamber) when the candle extinguisher is in a deactivated state. In the embodiment shown, the sealing mechanism is based on a sealing body 50 that is arranged around the circumference, around the lower part of the piston 40, bordering onto the lower part of the casing 44 and is firmly connected to the piston 40. On the top side of the sealing body 50, that is between the sealing body 50 and the casing 44, an O-ring 47 is fitted on said sealing body 50 (Figs. 1 -8), that seals, in an deactivated state, for passage of the fluid 62 through said passage space 43, that is the space between the extended casing 44 and the axial piston 40. The sealing body 50 can surround either the whole of the lower part of the piston (see Fig. 9) or only the sides of the piston 40 (see Figs. 1 -8). A lower hollow space 55 that is in direct contact with the fluid cartridge 20, is at the outside of the sealing body 50. Thereby, the hollow space 55 is also filled by the pressurised fluid 62 after a fluid cartridge 20 is placed in the chamber 2 and the fluid cartridge 20 has been punctured/opened with the help of the needle element 52 and the needle 54. In a closed state, that is, in a deactivated state, the sealing body 50 with the O-ring 47 is forced upwards towards the casing 44 with the help of the pressure from the compressed fluid that is in the fluid cartridge 20 and the lower hollow space 55. Thereby, the passage through the passage space 43 is sealed for the extinguishing agent and no compressed fluid 62 can flow out of the lower hollow space 55 (Figure 4 A). In addition to the fluid pressure, a spring 51 , that is arranged under the sealing body 55, can contribute to forcing the sealing body 50 and the O-ring 47 upwards towards the casing 44 (see detailed picture in figures 6A and B). This can function as an additional safety when the fluid cartridge 20 starts to become empty and the fluid pressure in the space 55 becomes lower. In an open/activated state, that is when the fluid is to be let out, the piston 40, with the sealing body 50 and the O-ring 47, is pushed against the fluid cartridge 20. Thus, the gas passage is opened for the fluid 62, which is already distributed in the lower hollow space 55, and also for further residual fluid from the fluid cartridge 20 through the gas passage 56 in the needle element 52 and further in the lower hollow space 55. From said lower hollow space 55, the fluid 62 flows along the circumference, that is around the outer side of the open sealing body 50 and further into the passage space 43 that is arranged between the piston 40 and the casing 44 (Figure 4 B and figure 7 C). From here, the expanded fluid 62 can flow out as gas via the hollow space 31 that has an opening 9 for outflow and out of the appliance 4 for point supply of the gas (see figure 7 C which shows details from the fluid flow 63). The activating mechanism and the elements involved are described in detail below.

In activating/opening of the candle extinguishing device, the compressed fluid 62 will thereby flow under pressure from the fluid source 60 (for example, the fluid cartridge 20) through the passage 56 in the needle 54 and the needle element 52 and further into the passage space 43 that lies between the piston 40 and the casing 44. From here the fluid 62 is spread in the hollow space 33 and flows out through the hollow space 31 , which is a part of the hollow space 33, and is fitted with the opening 9 for fluid/gas release. From here, the fluid/gas flows preferably through the associated appliance 4 with the nozzle/mouthpiece 6. The passage space 43 functions thereby, as mentioned, also as an expansion chamber where the fluid 62 can expand and go over from a liquid state to a gaseous state. In a closed or deactivated state, the pressure in the expansion chamber corresponds to the atmospheric pressure immediately outside the nozzle opening. The passage space 43, which is the only

passageway for the fluid to the hollow space 33, is relatively narrow so that only a limited amount of gas can come out. The gas pressure at the outlet from the opening 9 of the hollow space 31 will thereby depend, for one thing, on the dimensions of the passage space 43.

In the passage space 43, between the casing 44 and the central piston 40, the part of the fluid which is still in liquid form goes thereby over from a liquid state to a gaseous state in that it expands. Thereby, there is a small volume of liquid which shall be evaporated each time to gas over a certain distance, so that the temperature drop to the surroundings is distributed over a larger body of material. Thus, the casing 44 functions as an evaporation zone. The casing 44 has a further function in that it thermally insulates the moving elements of the activating arrangement 30 which is arranged in the hollow space 33 on the outside around the casing 44 and the piston 40. Such a thermal insulation is advantageous so that that the moving parts from the activating arrangement 30 do not freeze and are thereby blocked at the low temperatures that can arise when the compressed fluid 62 goes over to a gaseous state during the expansion. This is particularly relevant at release of large amounts of fluid over a long time.

In a preferred embodiment the activating body 10 is sealed for fluid leaks from the hollow space 33. However, it has been found that the fluid 62 will, in the main, flow out through the above mentioned passage with the least resistance, that means, out into the hollow space 31 that has the opening 9 as an outlet. The fluid loss with the activating body 10 in the form of a button has been found to be so insignificant that a sealing is not deemed necessary with regard to the effectivity of the system.

Without all the elements of the candle extinguisher being illustrated in detail, the fluid flow 63 through the candle extinguisher is shown schematically in an open state in figure 7 C. Thereby, the patterned line with an arrow illustrates how the fluid 62 flows through the device 1 itself and out of the candle extinguisher through the appliance 4. Figures 7 A and 7 B further show the candle extinguisher in a closed (A) and an open (B) state.

In a preferred embodiment, the activation of the candle extinguisher is based on the lever arm principle for force transfer from the activation body (button) 10. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the activating

arrangement 30 comprises a movable fork 37 that encompasses two axial leg elements 39 that are connected through a shaft 38, which is a cross-running plate/peg with regard to the axial piston 40 and which functions as a lever arm

(figure 3, figures 6 A and B), and where the outer end edge of the surface, that is the end edge 35 that faces away from the activating body 10, functions as an axis of rotation for the opening and closing movement of the release

mechanism. The shaft 38 that runs in a crosswise direction with regard to the axial piston 40, is preferably arranged on the topside of the axial piston 40, near the opening from the hollow space 31 . The shaft 38 is fitted, on one side, with a device 41 for fastening of the fastening element 42 from the piston 40. In the embodiment shown in figure 3, this device for the fastening of the fastening element 42 is in the form of a central hole in which the fastening element 42 of the piston 40, in the form of a pin, is fastened to. Other known locking systems can be applied. The two vertical leg elements 39 of the fork 37 run from the shaft 38 down towards the fluid cartridge 20 on opposite sides along the outside of the casing 44. The leg elements 39 extend thereby, at least, to the area where the activating body 10 is arranged in the housing 8. Eccentrically to the fastening point 42 for the piston 40, is the point of rotation 35 for the lever arm (that is, the crosswise-running shaft 38). The extent of the rotary movement of this lever arm is limited by the top part 3 of the housing.

The activating arrangement 30 and the activating body 10 in the form of a button are shown in detail in figure 3. The activation of the arrangement 30, and thereby the opening for release of fluid, happens in that the button is pushed in by mechanical activation (figure 4B). The button is preferably spring loaded with a spring 12, so that it will automatically glide back to its starting position if it is no longer pushed in mechanically. A manipulating element 36, which can typically be in the form of a horse shoe, is arranged in a hollow space 33 between the button and the leg elements 39 of the fork 37. The manipulating element preferably has two legs, whereby each of the legs of the manipulating element 36 envelops the casing 44 on one side and is in connection with the corresponding leg elements 39 of the fork 37. The central part of the manipulating element 36, where the two legs meet, is thereby in connection with the activating element 10 (the button). The button can typically be fastened/fixed to the manipulating element 36 with a threaded or other suitable fastening system without threads, for example, a mutually locking system. The manipulating element 36 forms a connection between the activating body 10 and the fork 37 that is used for force transfer in a mechanical activation of the activating body 10. The manipulating element 36 and the fork 37 can be comprised of two separated elements, but can also be a fixed element or a unit. The latter is a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention. In an alternative embodiment, each of the elements 36 and

37 can be formed with only one leg. However, the stability will be greater in that there are two legs on both the manipulating element 36 and on the fork 37 that are in connection with each other.

When the activating body 10 is activated mechanically in that, for example, the button is pressed in, it presses against the manipulating element

36. The manipulating element 36 is thereby pushed across in respect to the longitudinal direction of the piston 40 and the casing 44. The legs of the elements 36 press thereby against the moving leg elements 39 from the fork

37, which is pushed sideways with regard to its starting position, and the casing 44. In that the shaft 38 of the fork 37 is locked at the fastening device 41 of the fastening element 42 of the piston 40, a lever arm effect is obtained. When the top part of the fork 37 in the form of said shaft 38 rotates around its point of rotation 35, the shaft 38 on the opposite side is flipped/forced down onto the central, movable piston 40 in the casing 33. Thereby, a force is exerted onto the piston 40 that leads to the piston 40 being pushed downwards in the casing 44 towards the fluid cartridge 20. In that the piston 40 is pushed in the direction of the fluid cartridge 20, the fixed sealing body 50 with the O-ring 47 will thereby also be displaced in the same direction. This results in that the previously described opening between the piston 40 and the casing 44 is formed, and the compressed fluid 62 can flow into the passage space 43 and further towards the hollow space 31 in the activating unit 30 which has the opening 9 for outflow of the fluid 62, and for the point supply for the fluid 62, respectively, preferably with the help of said appliance 4.

The advantage of the described construction of the activating

arrangement 30 is that the described lever arm effect is used in that the activation takes place via the manipulating element 36 and the fork 37, that transfer the forces to the piston 40.

The pressure from the fluid 62 is relatively large, something that makes it difficult to release the activation itself of the gas release if the forces shall be transferred directly from the activating body 10 on the piston 40.

By using the above mentioned described lever arm principle, it is possible to activate the fluid release without using large forces on the activating body 10, for example, to push in said button. Furthermore, with the described activation principle, it will, in principle, be possible to release measured amounts of the gas, if necessary. In that the button is only pressed in partially, the amount of gas that is let out can be measured in that the piston 40 is partially displaced, and the opening for the fluid passage into the passage space 43 is regulated. Another advantage of this device is that the moving parts of the activating arrangement 30 are, in the main, physically separated from the passageway for the fluid/gas so that they are not influenced by any temperature changes caused by the fluid which is put under a relatively high pressure and which is expanded by the outflow.

If the button is released, it will glide back to its original position, for example, with the help of said spring 12. The fluid pressure from the cartridge forces the sealing body 50 with the O-ring 47 upwards again so that the passage space 43 for the fluid passage is closed again and the fork 37 and the manipulating element 36 will be forced (flipped) back to their starting position.

A detailed drawing of the main elements that are part of the activating arrangement 30 is also illustrated in the figures 6A and B. In figure 6A the arrangement of the fork 37, the manipulating element 36 and also the piston 40 and the activating body 10 (button) are shown without the casing elements 44. In figure 6B, the same device is shown with the casing 44 and the needle element 52 and the needle 54, respectively. The casing 44 is preferably formed with a ring-formed flange 49 in its lower part on which the manipulating element 36 rests. An O-ring 46 is arranged on the underside of the flange 49 around the casing 44 that seals for the passage of fluid 62 on the outer side of the casing 44 such that the hollow space 33 is sealed for passage of fluid towards the fluid cartridge 20 and the lower hollow space 55 in the housing 8.

The fluid chamber 2 for the fluid cartridge 20 is also sealed at the upper part towards the lower hollow space 55 with the help of a gasket 48 that lies around the needle element 52 and the needle 54, respectively, such that no compressed extinguishing agent/fluid can flow down in the fluid chamber 2 when the cartridge is open/punctureed. The gasket 48 can typically be an O- ring (for example, figures 1 -8) or a flat gasket (figure 9). The gasket 48, which is preferably a flat gasket, can be fixed on the side that faces the activating arrangement 30 with the help of a suitable fixing device, such as a nut (not shown). Thereby, the gasket 48 is fixed against the needle element 52 with the needle 54 which is held in place at the same time. The needle element 52 and the needle 54 can be formed as one unit.

The amount of gas and the pressure at the release, can effectively be regulated by the diameter of the puncturing needle 54, and also the passage space 43 between the piston 40 and the casing/chamber 44. Both these factors are determining for the amount of gas released, something that in turns leads to it being possible to adapt the pressure to a desired level at a blow-out.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a tight/compact felt material can be inserted in the passage space for the fluid, for example, at the transition of the appliance 4, for example, to the swan neck. This then appears as a further possibility for pressure regulation.

Figures 8A and B show the elements that are part of the described embodiments of the present invention in a split outline in complete form (figure 8 A) and as a length section (figure 8 B).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is suited to recycling, said thread 34 is arranged between the bottom part 14 of the housing 8 and the intermediate part 16 with the activating arrangement 30 (see figures 2 A and B). By turning up the threads 34, one gets access to the fluid chamber 2 and can replace the fluid cartridge (the gas casing) 20 with compressed fluid 62. After a new cartridge is placed in the fluid chamber 2, the intermediate part 16 with the fastened top part 3 is screwed onto the bottom part 14. Thereby the needle element 52 with the needle 54 is forced down into the fluid cartridge 20 and it is punctured so that the compressed extinguishing agent (the fluid 62) can flow out into the hollow space 55. In that the compressed fluid 62 flows under pressure into the space 55, the sealing body 50 is, at the same time, pushed upwards and the O-ring 47 seals the further passage upwards through said passage space 43 for the fluid 62. The previously described spring 51 is preferably arranged under the sealing body 50, which contributes further to the sealing body 50 with the O-ring 47 sealing for fluid leakage upwards, as long as the candle extinguisher is in a deactivated state. Such a preferred device makes it possible for the device 1 to be suitable for recycling in that empty cartridges can be replaced.

Preferably, the previously mentioned thread 32 is also arranged between the top part 3 and the intermediate part 16 which makes it possible to have access to the activating arrangement 30 at replacement of parts, maintenance or repairs.

Multiuse or single use cartridges (gas casing, cartridges) are preferably used as storage containers for the compressed extinguishing agent in the form of a fluid 62. Such cartridges 20 are well known for a person skilled in the arts and are therefore not described in more detail here. A typical cartridge that can be suitable in the context of the present invention contains, when full, 12 g compressed CO2. With such a cartridge in combination with the device 1 in the present invention, at least 200 extinguishing operations of candles at 10-20 cm distance from the candle source itself, are obtained. In a variant of the present invention (not shown) the fluid 62 can also be filled directly into the fluid chamber 2 with the help of a suitable device for filling. However, such a solution will require more stable outer walls for the housing 8 to withstand the fluid pressure than in the application of fluid cartridges. On the other hand, the variant without the cartridge casings will not require an appliance for puncturing the casing. The solution with fluid cartridges is a particularly preferred

embodiment in connection with the present invention, even if an embodiment without cartridge casings, with or without filling possibilities of fluid, is in principle also possible to combine with the device according to the invention.

The housing 8 is preferably made from metal, particularly preferred is steel, aluminium or other known alloys. However, the housing 8 can also be made from other suitable materials, such as plastic or combinations of materials. The materials that are especially suited can preferably be moulded or turned. However, the outer walls of the housing ought to be stable enough to tolerate the pressure that can arise when the pressurised fluid 62 is let out from the cartridge 20. The housing 8 is preferably thermally insulated or the used material has thermally insulating properties, so that the user does not feel any discomfort in the using of the candle extinguisher. The housing 8 preferably comprises the above mentioned three parts (bottom part, intermediate part and top part). All the parts or some of these are preferably only reversibly connected with each other. Alternatively, some or all the parts are permanently connected with each other or form a unit.

The elements of the activating arrangement 30 are typically made from metal and/or plastic, particularly preferred is stainless steel.

The appliance 4 for point supply of the gas is typically made from metal, steel, plastic, silicone or a combination thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the appliance 4 is formed as a pipe, a stiff pipe, a telescopic element that can be pulled out, a flexible swan neck or combinations thereof. However, the most preferred is a solution with said swan neck, particularly of steel.

In a preferred embodiment the appliance 4 can be replaced so that both the properties and the length can be varied with regard to the application and need. In such a preferred embodiment, the appliance 4 is typically fastened by threads or other connecting elements that can be removed and is preferably arranged in connection with the hollow space 31 or in the vicinity of the hollow space 31 . Alternatively the appliance 4 can be glued or welded to the top part 3.

In a preferred embodiment a pressurised fluid is applied as a

compressed extinguishing agent, the presence of which depends on the extent of filling, in the main, in fluid form in the cartridge 20, and which goes over to a gaseous state when it expends on release. Particularly suited are inert fluids (gas), pure gases or gas mixtures that are non-poisonous or combustible at the temperatures that are typical in the context of extinguishing flames, such as stearin candles, petroleum lamps, aromatic lamps, different types of lanterns and so on. Such gases are typically chosen from the group comprising CO2, compressed air, helium, argon, neon or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred in connection with the present invention is compressed CO2. With applications that mean relatively high temperatures such as, for example, in the extinguishing of ethanol lamps and ethanol grills, the choice of the extinguishing agent ought to be adapted to the objective.

In the shown preferred embodiment form of the candle extinguishing device 1 in figure 1 , the housing 8 has a sleeve 5 around the whole of, or parts of, the circumference in the area where the activating body 10 is located. The sleeve 5 is typically made from silicone, rubber or a similar material, preferably a plastic material, which provides an improved grip and thereby an improved handling of the candle extinguisher 1 for the user. Furthermore, the sleeve 5 can contribute to insulating against the low temperatures that can arise from the evaporation of the compressed, liquid medium in the passage space 43 when it goes over into a gaseous state.

All the figures are schematic and not necessarily to scale and they only show the parts that are necessary to describe the invention, other parts can be omitted or just suggested.

It is appreciated that the features from the present invention such as it is described above, can be modified without deviating from the extent of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

Device for candle extinguishing/candle extinguisher 1

Chamber for fluid/handle 2

Top part 3

Appliance for point supply of gas 4 for example pipe/hose

Sleeve 5

Nozzle 6

Opening in bottom part 7

Housing 8

Opening in top part 9

Activating body 10

Spring 12

Bottom part of housing 14

Intermediate part of the housing 16

Fluid cartridge 20

Activating arrangement 30

Hollow space with opening 31

Thread 32

Upper hollow space 33

Thread 34

Rotating point for the shaft 38 35

Manipulating element 36

Fork 37

Shaft (top part of fork) 38

Leg element (lower part of fork) 39

Piston 40

Fastening device on shaft 38 41 Fastening element 42

Passage space for fluid passage 43

Casing 44

Thread 45 O-ring 46

O-ring 47

Gasket 48

Flange 49

Sealing body 50 Spring 51

Needle element 52

Needle 54

Lower hollow space 55

Fluid passage 56 Fluid source 60

Fluid 62

Fluid flow 63