Electronic control of a wick containing flaming entity

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to lanterns, torches, candles, and similar flaming products that use a wick to continuously replenish and sustain a flame from a reservoir of liquid fuel.

2. Description of Related Art

Existing flaming products, like table lanterns, staked torches, and candles require the user to ignite the exposed wick using a match, lighter, or similar product. In all cases, the ability to ignite requires an additional product to facilitate the wick ignition. In many situations, like jar candles or glass enclosed lanterns, the process of lighting the wick can cause burns upon the fingers. The need for user interaction with matches, lighters, and the like to ignite candles or lanterns has caused for the recent proliferation of incandescent or fake candles (also know as flameless candles). However, while these flame mimics provide the convenience and safety of ignition desired by the user, the executions lack the natural and preferred ambiance of a flickering, natural, and genuine flame.

In general, the present invention endeavors to solve the shortcomings of both existing natural flaming products and electronic alternatives.

The present invention is an apparatus that allows a torch, lantern, or candle user to ignite an actual flame electronically with the turn of a switch. Furthermore, this invention provides the means for the user to remove the flame without the need to blow it out or manually snuff the flame.

Generally, the device employs a filament to ignite the flame upon or near the exposed wick. When the user rocks a two position switch in one direction, the filament heats to an ignition temperature for a predetermined amount of time u generally enough to ignite the saturated wick upon the lantern, candle, or torch. In a similar fashion, when the user rocks the switch to the alternate position, a solid sheath emerges from the shaft of the wick to completely enclose the wick sufficiently enough for a long enough time to snuff the flame on demand. Because the sheath is open ended, the extension of the sheath must protrude beyond the surface of the wick enough to starve the wick of available oxygen.

The incorporation of the basic electronic mechanisms for ignition and snuffing then allows the user to ignite and snuff multiple units simultaneously, pre-program a duration of operation, program the flaming unit to turn itself off after a period of time, and to operate a flaming item that is out of manual reach.

As shown in FIG. 1, the general assembly of this invention in the form of a table lantern. In this version of the invention, a fuel container 1 holds the liquid fuel 2 that saturates the wick 3. Once the wick is saturated with fuel, ignition is accomplished by depressing the rocker switch 4 to one direction. The closing of that circuit causes the 1.5V DC power supply 5 to provide power to the resistive filament 6. The filament is matched to the power supply in such a manner as to glow hot and exceed the fuel ignition temperature causing the formation of a combusting flame upon the wick. The wick is porous enough to provide continuous replenishment of the fuel to the flame.

Upon determination that the flame should be extinguished, a user can depress the rocker switch in an alternate direction. This closes the circuit that uses the same 1.5V DC power supply that ignited the flame to power wound coil electromagnet 7. The energized coil induces the metal sheath 8 to move upward until it is stopped at it uppermost vertical position. In this position, the sheath extends beyond the wick sufficiently enough to starve the flame of oxygen and therefore extinguishes combustion. Once accomplished, the user can allow the rocker switch to return to its neutral position and the sheath fall gravitationally back to its resting location u allowing the wick to be lit once again whenever the user desires. The product housing is comprised of a top 10 that also acts as a flame guard, a base 11, and an electronics guard 12 on the lower surface of the top.