BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The problems associated with dripping candies, complete burning and effective candle mounting are well recognized and there have been numerous attempts, over more than one hundred years, to provide both practical and aesthetically attractive solutions while maximizing effective illumination There have also been numerous prior attempts to utilize the heat of the candle flame to vaporize fragrances, to perfume a room.

One type of a drip preventing candle holder is taught by U. S. 1,365,485 issued in 1921 to Guest and comprises a drip preventing and candle stabilizing cap member or follower having an annular shoulder portion for sitting on a shoulder of the candle to descend under gravity during consumption thereof and a central, wick receiving opening with a lip to contain melted wax and a cylindrical skirt depending from the annular portion; a stand having a base and an upstanding, socket-less candlestick with a candle supporting surface and receivable in sealing engagement within the cap during the last stages of consumption of the candle to reduce or prevent leakage of melted wax; and complementary cap guiding means on the cap member and base.

In the Guest patent, the candlestick is of constant width, substantially equal to the width of the candle and supporting surface and, preferably, the guiding means includes a cylindrical sleeve member upstanding from the base of the stand surrounding the candlestick in coaxial relation to provide therebetween a skirt receiving socket. The skirt is of greater axial length than the candle and is guided by sliding receipt in the socket during burning, ensuring even, vertical descent of the cap member.

Furthermore, the lip is extended to provide a large bowl as necessary to contain the increased amount of wax melted as a result of the high thermal conductivity of the cap which is apparently metal.

However, that construction is relatively bulky and heavy, also requiring vent holes at an upper end for cooling the candle body and another set of holes at the edge

of the socket extending into the bowl to drain back reliquified wax from the bowl at the final stage of burning adding to complexity and manufacturing cost. Removal of any wax leaking into the socket can be relatively time consuming and difficult.

In addition, as with another proposal taught by G. B patent 230,229 granted 1925 to Riley, in which a follower's skirt telescopically receives the candlestick, the candle body is concealed from view substantially completely throughout burning as the follower is made of metal. In addition, the candle supporting surface is smaller than the width of the candle body with the result that wax may leak below the candle supporting surface at the final stages of burning and that the leakage will remain undetected by the user.

Problems can be encountered in ensuring free, even travel of the cap or follower down the candle as there can be a tendency for accumulation of resolidified, melted wax at locations between the shoulder and the candle, resulting in uneven travel with tilting of the follower or even complete cessation of travel. In candle holders of the type in which the skirt of the follower is constructed to receive the stand in a telescopic arrangement, increasing the width of the candle supporting surface of the candle stand to be significantly greater than that of the candle body to engage the interior of the skirt of the follower to maintain increased separation of the skirt and candle body adequate to prevent such solidification tilting the follower, can result in incomplete consumption of the candle at a final stage of burning with unwanted residue.

U. S. 3,767,910 teaches a cap or follower in which the lower end of the skirt is provided with radially inwardly extending protuberances which engage the candle body, acting as stabilizers and help to maintain parallel alignment between the candle and cap or follower.

Prior proposas to vaporize selected fragrances by utilizing the heat from a candle flame are taught by U. S. 5,197,454 issued 1993 to Lee; U. S. 4,781,895 issued 1988 to Spector ; U. S. 5,827,483 issued 1998 to Fullam ; U. S.. 3,958,917 issued 1976 to Naz and U. S. 2,245,906 issued 1941 to Petrulis.

Petrulis directs that a perfume reservoir should be spaced apart from the candle by an air gap to assure candle combustion and to act as a shield between the flame and perfume reservoir, shielding the latter from the heat of the flame. Separately formed, individual conduction rods are provided to conduct heat from the flame to a location above the reservoir. The reservoir is also positioned at a lower level than the wick receiving guide so that it is slightly below the top of the candle, to avoid the heat from the candle flame warming the reservoir.

The patents to Lee, Spector and Fullam, teach that the liquid fragrance is contained in a bowl which is supported above the candle flame by a frame. However, the additional frameworks are relatively bulky and cumbersome, multipart constructions, which maintain the fragrance containing bowl at a constant vertical height and do not automatically adjust the height of the bowl to the changing height of the candle flame during consumption of the candle which can result in differential heating and correspondingly different rates of fragrance vaporization and distribution.

An additional problem often encountered in candle-lit restaurants, particularly when a diner's eye level is higher than the flame of a candle upstanding from the table top is difficulty in reading a menu on the table below the candle as a result of the relative brightness of the candle flame. Auxiliary illumination below the candle is therefore desirable.

U. S. 3,767,910 teaches a cap or follower carrying a chimney, both transparent glass, with a radial array of optical fibers positioned on the chimney with one of their respective ends aligned with the candle flame so that a ring of discrete, minute points of light is emitted by their other ends. However, while decorative, such arrangement is relatively complex and the light ring is at the same general height as the candle flame and does not significantly increase the level of illumination below the candle flame.

Other prior candle holders with cap members or followers, some of which are made of transparent glass are taught by U. S. utility patents 84,103; 1,225,614; 1,350,461; 1,671,652; 2,503,236; 3,071,952; 3,767,910; 4,544,357; 4,566,055; 4,755,135; 5,057,005; U. S. design patent 288,722; U. K patent 3287; U. K. patent application publication 2,067,739, Japanese patent application publication 9161517 and French patent 1,280,056.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various objects of the invention are to provide a combined drip preventing and fragrance dispensing candle holder or device which operates effectively to ensure leak free consumption and relatively even fragrance evaporation while also permitting use of a generic candle and such holder or device which permits the candle body and flame to be seen throughout burning.

Other objects of the invention are to provide such holder or device which permits use of the candle flame to vaporize fragrances, which can be easily cleaned and which is of relatively simple construction suitable for economic production by conventional mass production techniques.

Accordingly, the invention provides a combined drip preventing and fragrance dispensing device comprising a drip preventing device for a candle of a type comprising a candle follower having an annular shoulder portion for sitting on a shoulder of the candle to descend under gravity during consumption thereof and a central, wick receiving opening with an annular lip and a cylindrical skirt depending from the annular shoulder portion for receiving a candle body; wherein the candle follower is one piece of transparent material and is formed at an upper end with a bowl comprising an outer wall portion flaring outwardly and upwardly from the annular lip and an inner wall portion joined to the outer wall portion, thereby dividing the bowl into inner and outer compartments, for containing melted candle wax and fragrance oil, respectively.

The device further comprises a stand having a base and an upstanding, socket- less candlestick with a recessed candle supporting surface and the skirt of the follower is elongate for containing an entire candle and so that the candlestick is receivable in sliding engagement within the skirt, guiding descent of the cap member throughout the entire burning of the candle and for sealing engagement within the cap member during a final stage of consumption to prevent leakage of melted wax.

This construction will provide sufficient lateral support and guidance for the cap throughout descent to enable both the essentially socketless structure to be maintained with total, drip-free consumption of a universally available, generic candle type with some thickness variation accommodated.

Substantially the entire candle is exposed to view throughout burning maintaining the desired natural and symbolic quality of the living flame which is the primary reason for candle use in homes and restaurants while also dispensing a selected fragrance in an aesthetically acceptable manner and only while the candle is burning.

The invention also provides, a drip preventing device of the type generally described above in which the annular lip has an upwardly inclined, annular optical face providing an optical aperture aligned to receive, normally, light refracted through the melted wax from the candle flame for transmission by total internal reflection down the entire length of the skirt for emission from a lower end thereof.

The optical face may be is flat providing an optical aperture aligned to receive, light incident normally thereon or convex, the bulbous form increasing the amount of light collected. The lower end of the skirt may, for example, be coated with a fluorescent material excited by the candle light, particularly by infrared light.

The wall of the skirt may be decorated by transparent inks or dies, stickers,

fluorescent material, opaque color layers with transparent openings The invention also provides a drip preventing device of a type desribe above and a candlestick having a narrow stem carrying a candle supporting body with an upper candle supporting surface for supporting a candle body of substantially a same width as a width of the candle supporting surface and an annular guide portion spaced below the candle supporting surface and protruding radially outwardly a predetermined distance beyond the candle supporting surface, the skirt receiving the candle stick telescopically when the candle follower is mounted on the candle with the guide portion in free sliding engagement therewith and maintained thereby extending parallel to the candle body and spaced radially therefrom by said predetermined distance, throughout the burning of the candle.

It is further preferred that, for increased stability of the candle follower, the candlestick has a second, even several guide portions of disk shape of the same radius as the annular guide portion and mounted, spaced apart, on the stem in spaced below the annular guide portion.

Preferably, for standard, cylindrical paraffin wax candies, the predetermined distance is at least 2mm for a candle of 0.75 inch diameter. In other words, the difference between the diameters of the candle body and follower skirt should be 4mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 a is a schematic, axial cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a combined drip preventing and fragrance dispensing device with the candle partly consumed; Figure 1 b is perspective view, partly cut away, of the first embodiment; Figure 1 c is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment taken along line 1 c-1 c of Figure 1 a ; Figure 2 is a similar cross-sectional view to that of Figure 1c showing a second embodiment; Figure 3 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 4a is an elevational view, partly in cross-section of a fourth embodiment of socketless drip preventing and fragrance dispensing candle holder with the candle partly consumed;

Figure 4b is a similar view to Figure 4a but at a final stage of consumption of the candle ; Figure 5 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section of a fifth embodiment of socketless drip preventing and fragrance dispensing candle holder with the candle partly consumed; Figure 6a is a schematic, axial cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a combined drip preventing and fragrance dispensing device with the candle partly consumed; Figure 6b is a similar view to Figure 6a but showing a seventh embodiment with the reservoir raised above the bowl ; Figure 7 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of the seventh embodiment; and, Figures 8a and 8b are similar views to figures 6a and 6b, respectively, of an eight embodiment.

Figure 9a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of socketless drip preventing candle holder with the candle partly consumed; Figure 9b is perspective view, partly cut away, of the ninth embodiment; Figure 10a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tenth embodiment; Figure 10b is perspective view, partly cut away, of the tenth embodiment; Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an eleventh embodiment of socketless drip preventing candle holder with the candle partly consumed; Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a twelfth embodiment of socketless drip preventing candle holder in which the candlestick has one guide portion; Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a thirteenth embodiment of socketless drip preventing candle holder in which the candlestick has a second guide portion spaced apart below the first guide portion; and, Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourteenth embodimen in which a portion of the skirt adjacent the shoulder is radially enlarged to space the skirt further away from the candle body at a location adjacent the burning tip with melted wax than at a lower end of the skirt.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS The first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, comprises a drip preventing and candle stabiiizing cap member or follower 1 with a reservoir of volatile liquid fragrance 11 and candlestick 2.

The cap member 1 is made in one piece of heat resistant, transparent glass and

has an annular shoulder or constriction 3 for sitting on an upper shoulder of the candle formed with a central, wick receiving opening 4 with an annular lip 5. A skirt 6 depends from the annular shoulder 3, spaced from, and longer than, the candle body. A bowl 7 is formed by an outer wall portion 8 flaring outwardly and upwardly from the annular lip 5 and an inner wall portion 9 is joined to the outer wall portion 8 dividing the bowl into an inner compartment 10 and an outer, imperforate, compartment 11, respectively, for containing, respectively, melted candle wax 12 and liquid fragrance 13 for vaporization by heat from the candle. The inner wall portion 9 is annular, extending substantially concentrically within the outer wall portion 8 so that the outer compartment or reservoir 11 for liquid fragrance surrounds the inner compartment and is at a constant distance from the candle flame for a substantially even heating effect.

The inner wall portion 9 joins the outer wall portion 8 at a mid point thereof so that the outer, liquid fragrance containing compartment 11 is normally at a higher level than the melted wax 12 and the inner wall portion 9 inclines inwardly as it extends upward facilitating heating of the liquid fragrance therein.

As the position of follower relative to the flame remains constant throughout consumption of the candle, the heating effect and vaporization rate also remain relatively constant, ensuring that the fragrance is dispensed relatively evenly, over time.

As will be understood, the stand has a candle supporting surface which is at least as wide as the candle and is received by the skirt as a sliding fit.

The second embodiment shown in Figure 2, differs from the first embodiment only in that inner wall portion is not annular but comprises two, semicircular, inner wall parts 15 formed on diametrically opposite sides of the outer wall portion 8'defining therewith two imperforate fragrance containing compartments or reservoirs 16 providing a relatively larger melted wax receiving compartment. An advantage of this embodiment is that different fragrances may be heated simultaneously in respective compartments.

In the third embodiment shown in Figure 3, the cap member or candle follower 1' is of similar construction to that of either of the prior embodiments except that the skirt 6'is shorter so that it does not receive the candlestick 10'. A ring of individual radially inwardly extending, candle engaging, protuberences 13 are formed around the skirt adjacent a lower end thereof to obviate tilting through descent which otherwise could prevent descent of the candle follower. The protuberances maintain the skirt spaced apart from the candle body by a predetermined distance (at least 2mm for conventional paraffin wax candle of 3/4 inch diameter). This will provide sufficient clearance to obviate the risk of an accumulation of solidifying melted wax under the shoulder

preventing even descent of the follower. A single annular inwardly extending protuberance or constriction may replace the individual protuberances.

In the fourth embodiment shown in Figures 4a and 4b, a lower portion of the skirt 6'of the cap member or candle follower 1"extends outwardly forming a radially outwardly flared edge portion 18.

The stand 2'has a base 19 and an upstanding socket-less candlestick 20 with a shallow concave candle supporting surface 22 at least as wide as the candle.

A cap member or candle follower guiding assembly comprises a metal annulus 23 which sits on the portion 18 of the skirt 6'so as to extend around the candle, spaced radially outwardly therefrom and carries metal guide rods 34 in depending relation which are slidingly received in respective guide rod receiving sockets 35 located in a circular bearing member 36 provided on the stand at a sufficient height above the base 19 to permit full descent of the cap member. A portion 21 of the candlestick upstands above the bearing member 36 a distance at least equal to the height of the skirt 6', enabling the cap to descend sufficiently to bring the shoulder 3'into sealing engagement with the periphery of the candle supporting surface, as described in the above-mentioned parent patent application. Upward extensions of the guide rods 34 from the annulus 23 providing support rods for a further annulus 37 on their upper ends which support a glass bowl 40 or reservoir of volatile liquid fragrance aligned above the candle flame for warming by the candle. Thus, the reservoir is essentially carried by the candle follower.

In operation, sliding receipt of the guide rods in the sockets maintains the entire cap member on a fixed vertical axis throughout gravitation down the candle body throughout total consumption while maintaining the bowl at a constant distance above the candle to ensure even heating and evaporation of the fragrance throughout consumption of the candle. As indicated in Figure 4b, at the end of the descent, the cap member comes to rest with the candle supporting surface in sealing engagement with the annular shoulder adjacent the aperture so that the resulting enclosure is sufficiently shallow to permit total consumption of the candle while preventing leakage of melted wax pooling in the concavity while the bowl remains at the same height above the candle before consumption, as shown in Figure 4a.

In the fifth embodiment, shown schematically in Figure 5, the guide rods 34'are anchored in the base of the stand 2"and the rod receiving sockets 35'slidingly receiving respective rods are provided in the metal annulus 23'at opposite diametrical locations. The candle follower or cap 1"'has an extended lip 46', flaring outward and

upward to form a melted wax receiving bowl and the shoulder portion 3"and skirt 6" extending radially outwardly in diverging downwardly in their entirety, being continuously conical, terminating in the lower edge portion 18'which extends horizontally, flange fashion, on which the annulus 23'sits. The rods also extend vertically above the cap within spacing sleeves 38 which are supported at lower ends on the annulus 23'providing support rods carrying a further annulus 37'on upper ends having diametrically opposite sockets 39 receiving the upper ends of the rods as a sliding fit. As in the prior embodiment, the further annulus supports a glass bowl 40'of liquid fragrance at a constant height above the candle flame throughout consumption of the candle as the bowl is ultimately carried by the candle follower.

In the sixth embodiment shown in Figure 6a, the candle follower 51 includes a wax receiving bowl 52 formed by an outwardly and upwardly flaring wall 53 and an annular metal dish 54 is formed with an inner, annular, liquid fragrance receiving compartment forming the fragrance reservoir and having a radially outwardly extending flange-like rim 55 which seats around an upper edge of the wall 53 at approximately the height of the flame locating the inner compartment inside the bowl wall so that the heat therefrom is radiated evenly to the inner wall of the dish. Glass would be an alternative material for the reservoir. Vent holes may be provided in the wall 53 of the bowl 52 at locations above the level of molten wax to assure an adequate ventilation for continuous candle burning. A ring of radially inwardly extending, candle engaging, protruberences are formed around the skirt adjacent a lower end thereof to obviate tilting through descent which otherwise could prevent descent of the candle follower.

The seventh embodiment of Figures 6b and 7, is similar to the prior embodiment except that the skirt is longer, extending below the upper end of the top of the candlestick for enhanced guiding and candle holding during descent.

In the eight embodiment of Figures 8a and 8b, the annular dish 54'is formed with annular channel section compartment located outside the bowl wall by a radially inwardly extending rim 55'resting on the upper edge of the wall 53'with the inner edge of the rim sufficiently close to the flame to conduct sufficient vaporizing heat to the reservoir. This may afford additional safety from a flame-over particularly when the liquid fragrance is flammable.

The ninth embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 9a and 9b, comprises a drip preventing and candle stabilizing cap member or follower 61 and candlestick 62.

The candle follower 61 is made in one piece of heat resistant, transparent glass and has an annular shoulder or constriction 63 for sitting on an upper shoulder of the

candle formed with a central, wick receiving opening 64 with a lip 65 from which a melted wax containing bowl 66 extends outwardly and upwardly. A skirt 67 depends from the annular shoulder 63, spaced apart from and longer than the candle body.

The annular lip 65 has an upwardly inclined, flat, annular optical face 68 providing an optical aperture aligned to receive, normally, light refracted through the melted wax 69 from the candle flame for transmission by total internal reflection down the entire length of the skirt, the lower end and wall portion of which is coated with a fluorescent material shown schematically at 70, which is excitable by the light emitted by the candle flame, providing a pleasing bright ring of light, which is both decorative and an additional source of illumination. In an alternative embodiment, the lower end of the skirt, or a surface of a wall portion, is roughened to scatter light transmitted along the skirt wall.

The stand 62 has a base (not shown) and an upstanding socket-less candlestick 71 with a shallow concave candle supporting surface 72 at least as wide as the candle.

This is a simple and inexpensive construction which ensures reliable candle mounting with total, drip-free consumption of a generic type of candle, while the candle remains visible through the glass cap member throughout burning.

In the tenth embodiment, shown in Figures 10a and 10b, the annular lip 65'is convexly curved providing an optical aperture in the form of a convex lens structure 68' to increase the amount of light collected for transmission by total internal reflection to the lower end of the skirt. A portion of the convex lens structure protrudes above the molten wax so as to be exposed to receive direct light from the candle flame.

In the eleventh embodiment shown in Figure 11, the cap member or follower is of similar construction to that of the tenth embodiment except that the skirt 67'is shorter so that it does not receive the candlestick 71'. A ring of individual, radially inwardly extending, candle engaging, protruberences 72 are formed around the skirt adjacent a lower end thereof to obviate tilting throughout descent, which otherwise could prevent descent of the candle follower.

The twelfth embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 12, comprises a drip preventing and candle stabilizing cap member or follower 81 and candlestick 82.

The cap member 81 is made in one piece of heat resistant, transparent glass and has an annular shoulder or constriction 83 for sitting on an upper shoulder of the candle formed with a central, wick receiving opening 84 with a lip 85 from which a melted wax containing bowl 86 extends outwardly and upwardly. A skirt 87 depends

from the annular shoulder 84, spaced from and longer than the candle body.

The candlestick stand 82 has a base 89 and an upstanding narrow stem 91 carrying a candle supporting body 92 having an upper candle supporting surface 93 for supporting a candle body of substantially a same width and an annular guide portion spaced 94 below the candle supporting surface and protruding radially outwardly a predetermined distance beyond the candle supporting surface.

In operation, the skirt receives the candle stick telescopically when the candle follower is mounted on the candle with the guide portion in free sliding engagement therewith maintaining the skirt extending parallel to the candle body and spaced radially therefrom by a predetermined distance of at least 2mm, (for a conventional, standard paraffin wax candle of 3/4 inch diameter), throughout descent of the follower. In other words, the difference between the outer and inner diameters of the candle body and follower skirt or guide portion should be 4mm. The width of the skirt provides sufficient clearance to obviate the risk of an accumulation of solidifying melted wax under the shoulder preventing even descent of the follower while the guide portion also obviate risk of tilting of the follower.

The structure of the embodiment shown in figure 13 is identical to the previous except that the candlestick has a second guide portion 95 of disk shape and the same radius as the annular guide portion 94 and mounted on the stem spaced apart from and below the annular guide portion 94.

In the last embodiment, shown in Figure 14, the guide portions are omitted and the shoulder 83'of the follower is extended radially outward to form a bulbous portion in which the glass is spaced apart by at least 2mm from the adjacent portion of the (standard) candle body and merges smoothly with the remaining lower part of the skirt 97 which is of constant narrower cross-section and receives the candle supporting portion in a free sliding fit. This will provide sufficient clearance to obviate the risk of an accumulation of solidifying melted wax under the shoulder preventing even descent of the follower.

This is a simple and inexpensive construction which ensures reliable candle mounting with total, drip-free consumption of a generic type of candle, while the candle remains seen through the glass cap member throughout burning.