Combustion – Burner cap – cover or extinguisher – Fluid
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-12
2001-07-31
Yeung, James C. (Department: 3743)
Combustion
Burner cap, cover or extinguisher
Fluid
C431S144000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267581
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not Applicable)
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Candle Snuffers are well-known in the art and have been utilized for centuries. Essentially, the candle snuffer comprises an elongate handle member having proximal and distal ends. Formed upon the distal-most end of the snuffer is typically provided a conical or bell-shaped housing that is positionable upon the burning wick of a candle to thus extinguish the flame produced thereby. In this regard, the housing formed on the snuffer is operative to deprive oxygen to the candle flame.
Despite their effectiveness, however, the use of conventional candle snuffers produces significant drawbacks. The most significant of such drawbacks includes a substantial production of smoke that is generated following extinguishment of the candle flame. As is well-known, such smoke is produced as a result of the wick being caused to burn, as opposed to the tallow or wax material of the candle. In this respect, during the time a candle flame burns, the wick, which typically comprises a bundle of fibers or a loosely twisted, braided or woven cord of soft spun threads, is operative to draw up the liquified tallow wax substances in candles via capillary action to thus cause the same to burn at a steady rate. Once the extinguishing process, terminates the capillary attraction that draws the tallow/wax up to flame, the wick itself is then burned, and consequently produces the undesirable smoke.
Indeed, the production of smoke following the extinguishing of candles can be exceptionally problematic insofar as candles are often made to produce desirable scents that are given off when burned and the subsequent production of smoke that is generated when the candle is extinguished can substantially if not completely ruin such desired effect. Moreover, to the extent multiple candles are extinguished in a given room, substantial quantities of smoke can be produced which is not only irritable to those present in the room but can further cause furniture, carpet or other furnishings to accumulate smoke residue. The latter phenomenon is particularly problematic given the repeated nature by which most candles are typically utilized.
Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for a candle snuffer that is operative to extinguish a candle flame that further substantially reduces, if not eliminates the production of smoke thereafter. There is a further need in the art for such a candle snuffer that is of simple construction, exceedingly simple to operate, inexpensive to manufacturer, can be repeatedly used, and will not interfere with the ability of a candle to be repeatedly used when such candle snuffer is utilized therewith.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the present invention is directed to a misting candle snuffer that is operative to extinguish the flame of a candle that further substantially minimizes the production of smoke thereafter. According to a preferred embodiment, the candle snuffer comprises an elongate handle member having proximal and distal ends. A hand grip portion is formed on the proximal-most end thereof, the interior of which preferably defines a reservoir for receiving and holding fluid, such as water. A port is further provided to enable fluids to be introduced into such reservoir. The hand grip portion further preferably includes a trigger mechanism that is fluidly connected to the reservoir that may be actuated by the hand or fingers of the user. Disposed within the handle member along the length thereof is a channel that is fluidly connected to the reservoir that enables fluid disposed within the reservoir to flow therethrough to the distal-most end of the handle. Formed upon the distal-most end of the handle member is a conical or bell-shaped housing which is configured to be positioned upon the burning flame of a candle, as per conventional candle snuffers. Such housing, however, is fluidly connected to the channel formed upon the handle such that when the trigger mechanism is actuated, fluid is forced to flow from the reservoir through the channel and ultimately through the housing such that a quantity of mist is produced thereat that, when the candle is snuffed, it is distributed about the wick such that any smoke produced therefrom is prevented from dispersing into the surrounding air. The candle snuffer of the present invention may further be designed to take any of a variety of decorative configurations, and may be further formed from any of a variety of materials well-known to those skilled in the art.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a misting candle snuffer that is effective in extinguishing candles that likewise substantially reduces the production of smoke following extinguishment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a misting candle snuffer that, in addition to substantially reducing the amount of smoke produced from an extinguished candle, is further easy to manipulate and may be readily deployed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a misting candle snuffer that can be formed to take any of a variety of decorative configurations and may be formed out of a variety of well-known materials.
Still further object of the present invention include providing a misting candle snuffer that is of simple construction, easy to manufacture, maybe repeatedly utilized, and does not interfere or otherwise effect the ability of a candle to be repeatedly utilized.
REFERENCES:
patent: 717186 (1902-12-01), Galipeau
patent: 2629516 (1953-02-01), Badham
patent: 2785556 (1957-03-01), Smith
patent: 3362586 (1968-01-01), Dedoes
patent: 3906148 (1989-07-01), None
Stetina Brunda et al.
Yeung James C.
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