Candles and candle holder

Abstract

A candle holder comprising a body having a mouth, a base and sides that connect the mouth to the base is provided. The mouth comprises an opening arranged to receive a candle and at least a portion of the sides taper inwardly from the mouth towards the base. The inward most point of the tapered portion of the sides defines an aperture having a size which is less than that of the widest part of the candle. Also provided are a candle and a candle stand having a catching device for use with the candle holder. In use, wax and waste material from the candle pass through the aperture of the candle holder into the catching device. Thus, the candle holder can be reused repeatedly without the need for cleaning or replacement of the candle holder.

Claims

1. A combination of a candle, a candle holder and an outer cylinder, the candle holder comprising a body having a mouth, a base and sides that connect the mouth to the base, the mouth comprising an opening and at least a portion of the sides tapering inwardly from the mouth towards the base, wherein an inward most point of the tapered portion of the sides circumscribes an aperture, wherein the aperture is entirely defined by the inward most point of the tapered portion of the sides, and wherein the inward most point of the tapered portion of the sides is provided at the base of the candle holder; the candle having a candle top, a candle base and candle sides connecting the candle top to the candle base, wherein at least a portion of the candle sides taper inwardly from the candle top to the candle base; wherein the mouth opening of the candle holder body is arranged to receive the candle, the aperture of the candle holder body has a size which is less than that of the widest part of the candle, the candle base has a size which is less than that of the mouth of the candle holder body; wherein the tapered portion of the candle sides corresponds to and abuts the tapered portion of the sides of the candle holder wherein the candle is retained within the candle holder solely by the abutting corresponding tapered portions of the sides of the candle and the candle holder; wherein the candle holder comprises a lip extending transversely away from the candle holder; wherein the candle holder is provided in the outer cylinder, the outer cylinder comprising a cylindrical body having a mouth and a base, the mouth comprising a first opening and the base comprising a second opening; and wherein the lip sits on the mouth of the outer cylinder to position the candle holder within the outer cylinder.

2. A combination of a candle, a candle holder, and an outer cylinder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of the outer cylinder comprises a ledge extending transversely away from the outer cylinder.

3. A combination of a candle, a candle holder, and an outer cylinder as claimed in claim 1 wherein burning of the candle results in a reduction of the outer dimensions of the candle.

4. A combination of a candle, a candle holder, and an outer cylinder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the candle has a shape of an inverted cone.

5. A combination of a candle stand, and at least one combination of a candle, a candle holder, and an outer cylinder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the candle stand comprises a plurality of openings for receipt of said at least one candle holder and a catching means positioned beneath the openings for catching waste material produced by burning said at least one candle.

6. A combination of a candle-stand and at least one combination of a candle, a candle holder, and an outer cylinder as claimed in claim 5 wherein the catching means is filled with a non-flammable liquid in use.

7. A combination of a candle stand and at least one combination of a candle, a candle holder, and an outer cylinder as claimed in claim 5 wherein the catching means comprises at least one netted tray.

8. A combination of a candle stand and at least one combination of a candle, a candle holder, and an outer cylinder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one candle is in one of the candle holders wherein the tapered portion of the candle sides is retained within said one candle holder by the tapered portion of the sides of said one candle holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures as described briefly below, which are provided for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to be construed as being limiting on the present invention:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a candle holder according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the candle holder of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the candle holder of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a candle according to the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side perspective sectional view of the candle of FIG. 4 when positioned in the candle holder of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of an outer cylinder;

(8) FIG. 7 is a side perspective sectional view of the candle holder and candle of FIG. 5 when positioned in the outer cylinder of FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 shows top, side, front and back views of a candle stand according to the present invention; and

(10) FIG. 9 shows a catching means comprising a water tray and a netted tray for use with the candle stand of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a candle holder 10 comprises a body 11 having a mouth 12 and a base 14. The mouth 12 comprises an opening 13. The base 14 comprises an aperture 15. Both the opening 13 and the aperture 15 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are circular in shape. The diameter of the aperture 15 is less than that of the opening 13.

(12) Although the opening 13 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is circular in shape, any shape suitable for receipt of a candle may be used, for example, triangular, square, rectangular, oval, octagonal or pentagonal. The aperture may be any shape which retains the unburnt candle in the candle holder but allows material from the burnt candle to pass through the aperture. Typically, the aperture is the same shape as the opening, but this is not essential. For example, the opening may be square for receipt of a square candle and the aperture may be circular.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1, the mouth 12 and the base 14 are connected by walls 16 comprising three portions 16a, 16b, 16c. In the first upper portion 16a, which is positioned adjacent to the mouth 12, the walls 16 are substantially vertical, as shown in FIG. 1. In the second mid portion 16b, which is positioned directly beneath the first portion 16a, the walls 16 taper inwardly sharply. In the third lower portion 16c, which is adjacent the base 14, the walls 16 are tapered gradually inwardly. The aperture 15 is defined by the inward most point of the tapered portion of the walls 16c at the base 14.

(14) In the candle holder 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, only a portion of the walls 16 are tapered. However, the entire walls may also be tapered such that the tapered portion of the walls extends from the mouth of the candle holder to the base.

(15) An outwardly extending lip 18 is provided at the mouth 12 of the candle holder 10. The lip 18 may be sized such that, in use, it abuts an edge of an opening in a candle stand. Alternatively, the lip 18 may be sized to abut a mouth of an outer cylinder in which the candle holder 10 is placed.

(16) The candle holder 10 has a typical top diameter of 6 cm and a typical base diameter of 1.5 cm. Typically, the height of the candle holder 10 is 5.5 cm. However, the size of the candle holder 10 and the degree of tapering of the walls 16 may vary depending upon the size of the candle being used.

(17) The candle holder 10 may be made from any suitable material, such as glass and/or metal. In particular, the use of brass allows efficient transfer of heat throughout the candle holder 10. This results in improved liquefying of candle wax and reduces adherence of candle wax to the candle holder 10. This improves flow of the wax and any other residual material through the aperture 15 of the candle holder 10.

(18) The candle holder 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a substantially inverted frustoconically shaped holder 10 wherein the mouth 12 is connected to the base 14 by the walls 16. In an alternative embodiment, the mouth 12 may be connected to the base 14 by spaced apart tapered tines 17, as shown in FIG. 3. The inward most point of the tapered tines 17 defines the aperture 15 at the base 14 of the candle holder 10a. The candle holder 10a shown in FIG. 3 comprises three tines 17 but any suitable number of tines may be used. The tines 17 may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, a metal, such as brass.

(19) In FIG. 3, the tines 17 are joined to the mouth 12 of the candle holder 10a but are not connected at the base 14. In alternative embodiments, the tines may be held together by any suitable additional or alternative means, such as a rim provided at the base 14 of the candle holder 10a.

(20) The use of the tines 17 enhances drainage of the wax and other residual material from the candle holder 10a after use as the area of contact between the candle holder 10a and the candle is reduced. This, in turn, reduces the amount of wax adhering to the surface of the candle holder 10a and, thus, remaining in the candle holder 10a after a candle has been burnt.

(21) As shown in FIG. 3, the tines 17 may be provided in place of the walls 16. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the tines 17 may be provided in addition to the walls 16. When used in addition to the walls 16, the tines 17 are positioned between the candle and the walls 16 such that contact there between is prevented. This prevents wax from adhering to the walls 16 of the candle holder 10 during use.

(22) FIG. 4 shows a candle 20 having a frustoconical shape comprising a wick 22 provided at the top 24 thereof. The sides 21 of the candle 20 taper inwardly from the top 24 of the candle 20 towards the base 26 such that the diameter of the top 24 of the candle 20 is greater than that of the base 26 of the candle 20. In FIG. 3, both the top 24 and the base 26 are circular in shape but any suitable shape may be used. Although the candle 20 shown in FIG. 4 is frustoconical in shape, a candle having an inverted cone shape or other similar shape may also be used.

(23) Typically, the candle 20 is made from a plant wax, such as soya wax. The use of soya wax reduces smoke from the candle 20 during burning. Thus, when used in a church, damage to the interior of the church by smoke is reduced.

(24) The candle 20 has a typical top diameter of 3 cm and a typical base diameter of 1.5 cm. Typically, the height of the candle 20 is 2.5 cm. The degree of tapering of the walls 21 may vary depending upon the length of the desired burning time of the candle 20.

(25) In use, the candle 20 is placed in the candle holder 10 as shown in FIG. 5. The candle 20 is inserted through the opening 13 of the candle holder 10 and positioned adjacent the third portion 16c. The diameter of the base 26 of the candle 20 is approximately equal to the diameter of the aperture 15 of the candle holder 10. The tapered walls 16c of the candle holder 10 retain the candle 20 within the candle holder 10. When the candle 20 is lit, the wax is liquefied. The shape and material of the candle holder 10 are designed to improve liquefaction of the wax. This enhances flow of the wax and any other residual material through the aperture 15 of the candle holder 10.

(26) As shown in FIG. 5, the walls 16 of the candle holder 10 extend upwardly beyond the top 24 of the candle 20. The top 24 of the candle 20 is positioned adjacent the junction between the first portion 16b and the second portion 16c of the candle holder 10. Accordingly, a flame of the candle 20 will be at all times enclosed by the walls 16 of the candle holder 10. This improves safety as an exposed flame may be dangerous, particularly in the case of a church where the building is accessible to the public. This will reduce the high insurance premiums payable by churches and other such buildings where candles are regularly used.

(27) In use, the candle holder 10 may optionally be positioned in a further candle holder, for example, an empty bottle such as an empty wine bottle or a vase, such that wax and other residual material exiting through the aperture 15 is caught by the further candle holder. The use of the candle holder 10 ensures that wax is funneled into the further candle holder, for example, the empty wine bottle. Furthermore, there is no requirement to clean or replace the candle holder 10 between uses as the wax and other residual waste material does not remain in the candle holder 10.

(28) In use, the candle holder 10 may optionally be placed in an outer cylinder 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the outer cylinder 30 comprises a cylindrical body 31 having a mouth 32 and a base 34. The mouth 32 comprises a first opening 33 and the base 34 comprises a second opening 35. In use, the candle holder 10 is placed in the outer cylinder 30 such that the outwardly extending lip 18 of the candle holder 10 abuts the mouth 32 of the outer cylinder 30, as shown in FIG. 7.

(29) The outer cylinder 30 is provided with an outwardly extending ledge 36 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The ledge 36 extends outwardly from the cylindrical body 31. Typically, it is positioned approximately midway between the mouth 32 and the base 34. The ledge 36 is sized such that, in use, it abuts the edge of an opening of a candle stand to hold the outer cylinder 30 and candle holder 10 in position. As the walls 16, or tines 17, of the candle holder 10 may become hot during use, the outer cylinder 30 enables the candle holder 10 to be handled without risk of injury.

(30) Furthermore, the outer cylinder 30 provides additional protection from the flame of the candle 20.

(31) The outer cylinder 30 has a typical mouth and base diameter of 6 cm. Typically, the height of the outer cylinder 30 is 8 cm. However, the size of the outer cylinder 30 may vary depending upon the size of the candle holder 10.

(32) FIG. 8 shows a candle stand 40 of the type generally found in churches. The candle stand 40 comprises a plurality of openings 42 for receipt of the candle holder 10 and/or outer cylinder 30 of the present invention and supporting means 44. The openings 42 are provided in rows wherein the rows are tiered such that the height of the rows increases from a front of the candle stand 40 to the back of the candle stand 40. Doors 46 are provided in the back of the candle stand 40 to allow access to a catching means 48 positioned beneath the openings 42. The catching means 48 serves to catch residual wax and other waste material produced when a candle is burnt. The catching means 48 shown in FIG. 9 comprises a water tray 50 and two netted trays 52. The netted trays 52 are provided with handles 54.

(33) In use, the candle holder 10 may be placed directly in the opening 42 such that the lip 18 abuts an edge of the opening 42. Alternatively, the candle holders 10 may first of all be placed in the outer cylinder 30, such that the ledge 36 of each outer cylinder 30 abuts an edge of the opening 42. Candles 20 are placed in the candle holders 10. As the candle 20 burns, the wax of the candle 20 is heated and liquefies. The liquefied wax and other waster material, such as the wick, are drawn through the aperture 15 of the candle holder 10. This material falls into the catching means 48 comprising the netted trays 52 positioned within the water tray 50. The water tray 50 contains water. At regular intervals, the netted trays 52 are removed from the water tray 50 using the handles 54 and emptied before being replaced in the water tray 50. Several candles may be burnt before emptying of the netted trays 52 is necessary. Wax from the netted trays 52 may be recycled.

(34) The candle stand 40 has a typical length of 1080 cm, a typical width of 400 cm and a typical height of 1187 cm at the back and 987 cm at the front.

(35) In FIGS. 8 and 9, the catching means comprises a water tray 50 and two netted trays 52. However, any suitable non-flammable and preferably fire retardant liquid may be used in place of water. Further, any suitable number of netted trays 52 may be used.

(36) The catching means may alternatively be provided in the form of a sand pit or otherwise, which is positioned beneath the openings 42 in the candle stand 40. The catching means may be removable for cleaning or may be replaced at regular intervals.

(37) The candle holder and/or outer cylinder may be provided in a range of colours, and in particular in any colour commonly used in religions ceremonies. Suitable colours include red, blue, white and amber. Transparent candle holders and/or transparent other cylinders may also be used. Furthermore, the candle holder and/or outer cylinder may contain designs, drawings, names, etc, for example, the name of the hotel or establishment in which the candle holder or outer cylinder is being used. Typically, the candle holder may be sold in a package comprising four or more candles for use in the home and other environments. The candle holder may be sold, in particular, in retail markets such as shops, supermarkets, pound shops and any other type of retail trade.

(38) Various modifications and variations to the described embodiments of the inventions will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.