The invention concerns a support for candles and similar, as stated in the introduction to claim 1.

Background

The hazard and disadvantage of a burning candle is well known. A candle can burn completely down to the candle holder and then ignite surrounding combustible material, or liquid wax flows down from the candle and for example messes up the table and cloth. Accordingly, there is a need for a candle stick type support having the ability to avoid or alleviate these problems.

Object

The object ofthe invention is therefore to provide a novel support for stearine ans similar candles which avoids mess caused by liquid stearine, and in which the candle is self- extinguishing before the candle burns completely down to its base.

The Invention

The objects of the invention are achieved by a support as stated in the characterizing section of claim 1.

The invenuon concerns a support for stearine candles and other similar wax type candles comprising a substantially elongate substantially cylindrically shaped wind-protective means, such as a transparent glass tube, said wind-protective means having an internal transverse dimension larger than the external diameter ofthe candle to be used. The tube exhibits an upper open end and a lower end which is closed. The Iower end can be closed per se or can be closed by a separate means, such as a base.

In accordance with the present invention the lower end ofthe tube is provided with three through substantially elongate air apertures which are uniformly distributed along the periphery ofthe tube means and arranged at the same level with regard to the longitudinal axis ofthe tube.

The total area ofthe three elongate air apertures is about 1/3 ofthe area ofthe tube's main aperture as viewed in the transverse section ofthe latter. The air apertures are shaped as relatively broad or wide slits with longitudinal axes which are tilted in relation to the longitudinal axis of the tube means. All slits are tilted in the same direction. The tilting direction is not critical, and the slits may be tilted upward to the left as well as to the right as viewed diametrically to the tube. A preferred angle of tilt between the horisontal plane and the longitudinal axis ofthe air aperture is about 60°. Moreover, the lower end of each air aperture is narrower than its opposite upper end, and in this way forms a shape like the sole ofthe human foot. The location ofthe air apertures in the axial direction of the tube is not critical, but in order to obtain a maximum utilisation ofthe candle the air apertures are preferably located close to the lower end ofthe tube and immediately above the base surface.

In a preferred embodiment the tube means is formed by the transparent glass tube having an open lower end for fixing in a fire resistant base provided with a corresponding circular groove having a longitudinal axis directed perpendicular to the lower surface ofthe base. In order to establish a safe and steady fastening ofthe candle, the base is preferably provided with a cylindrical recess having a main axis which coincides with the main axis ofthe tube. In this way the candle will extend substantially coaxially with the tube means and provide an optimum influence directly on the flame by the rotating air flow during the extinguishing phase, which is described in further detail below. Alternatively, the base can be provided with a sharp needle means to enable fixing into the lower end ofthe tube.

The ratio between the internal diameter ofthe tube means and the diameter ofthe candle is not substantial, but the free space established between the internal wall ofthe tube means and the candle should be sufficiently large enough to allow for sufficient supply of air to maintain combustion ofthe candle flame and at the same time avoid interfering flow in the flame area before the extinguishing phase.

In use, a stearine candle is inserted down into the support and the candle is lit. During the ordinary combustion phase the air apertures provide sufficient supply of oxygen to the burning flame. Just before the end ofthe combustion phase, i.e. when the candle has burnt down just above the apertures in the lower section ofthe tube means, the flame front will become cyclonized. This effect is converted into a more direct suction of air toward the

flame. This leads to an increased combustion rate and stearine consumption. During this short period of time, the wick becomes longer and a flapping sound is observed. Further, the stearine combustion, which has maintained the wick, will decrease, and the flame will be forced to the top end. The wick is now in an extinguishing condition at a level close to the upper end ofthe air inlet apertures. The obtainable quenching result is improved because a minimum of air is allowed to enter into the tube from the lower end section of the tube below the apertures.

The increased stearine consumption during the combustion phase is a result of a high air flow velocity towards the flame area. This is important in order to provide a longer wick. Since the stearine melting decreases at a lower elevation the wick can not obtain sufficient feed in relation to the air flow pressing against the the upper end ofthe wick. The result is a dry and carbonized wick tip which contributes to the extinguishing ofthe candle.

Experiments has shown that the invention is operative in outdoor conditions with turbulent air flow.

The invention is described in further detail by means of drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates an axial cross section of a support in accordance with the present invention mounted in a base, and Figure 2 illustrates the support of Fig. 1 in a cross-section taken along the line II-II.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the pipe means, consisting of a cylindrical transparent glass tube having an internal diameter of 38.5 mm, is indicated by numeral reference 1. It should be noted that the respective components in Fig. 1 and 2 are not shown in their mutually correct dimensions. The length ofthe glass tube is not critical and can be for example 280 mm. A base 2 of rock is provided with a circular recess 6 having a depth of about 20 mm to receive the lower end ofthe glass tube 1, thus securing a steady and air-tight support ofthe tube in the base. The longitudinal axis ofthe recess extends peφendicular to the base supporting surface or level underside. A stearine candle 3 ofthe type "Tyrilys" having a diameter of 20 mm and a length of about 210 mm is arranged concentrically within the glass tube 1, and in order to establish a support for the

candle, its lower end is inserted into a corresponding cylindrically shaped recess 5 in the base 2.

Air apertures having a shape like the sole ofthe human foot, indicated in Fig. 1 by the shaded region 4a, are arranged at a distance of about 25 mm from the bottom ofthe recess 5 in the base or the lower end ofthe glass tube, so that the lower end ofthe air aperture extends about 5 mm above the base surface. The air aperture 4a is inclined about 60° upwards and to the right in the drawing. Similar air apertures 4b and 4c are arranged at a substantially similar height on the axial direction of the glass tube and in the same mutual distance from the air aperture 4a, as shown in Fig. 2. When the candle has burned down and stopped burning by itself, the glass tube 1 can be removed from the base 2, and the stearine candle 3 then removed in a simple way.