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  Safety candleholderUSPTO Application #: 20060024627Title: Safety candleholder Abstract: This invention relates to a “candleholder” containing one or more sensing devices that can detect any one or more unsafe conditions and generate a signal to activate an alarm when an unsafe condition is detected. (end of abstract)
Agent: Thomas G. Ryder, Esq. - Trexlertown, PA, US Inventor: Deborah Ann Platts USPTO Applicaton #: 20060024627 - Class: 431014000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, With Indicator Or Inspection Means, Correlated With Action Of Condition Responsive Burner Control The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060024627. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This invention relates to a safety device for use with a candle, which device gives an alarm when an unsafe condition is detected. More specifically, this invention relates to a "candleholder" containing one or more detectors that can activate an alarm when various unsafe conditions are detected. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] According to the National Candle Association (NCA), retail candle sales in the United States alone are estimated to be 2.3 billion dollars per year. Since the early 1990s, overall candle sales have grown at a rate of 10 to 15 per cent each year. The NCA also reports that candles are used in seven out of ten households in the United States and that candles are no longer used only for the occasional dinner party. During the past 10 years, there has been a huge shift toward people using scented candles as part of everyday home life and families are lighting candles in their living rooms, family rooms, dens, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. [0003] Along with the soaring popularity of candles has come a dramatic increase in the number of fires and resulting damage, injury and death caused by candle fires. A report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that the estimated number of home candle fires jumped from 8,240 in 1980 to 15,040 in 1999. According to this report, in 1999, candle fires caused 1,473 injuries, up from 506 in 1980, and $278 million in direct property damage, up from $38.1 million in 1980. According to the Consumer Product Safety, during the same period deaths in the U.S. from fires caused by candles have increased more than 700 per cent. [0004] Candle fires most often start when flames are left unattended or ignite nearby objects. Candle users don't seem to realize that they are dealing with fire. According to the NFPA, 38% of the home candle fires in 1999 occurred when candles were left unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled. Twenty three percent (23%) of home candle fires started when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle. [0005] Unfortunately, there is no standardization in the production of candles. Different manufacturers employ different types and compositions of the "wax" or "paraffin" from which the candles are fabricated. Additionally, in many instances, the composition of the same style candle can vary from one batch to another from the same manufacturer. These differences cause the different composition candles to burn at different rates and at different temperatures. [0006] Furthermore, candles are fabricated in different sizes and shapes and this has an impact on the rate at which candles burn. Thus, for example, two candles of the same height and composition, but of different diameters, will "burn down" at different rates. An illustration of this is the comparison between a candle for a birthday cake, which is about 2 inches high and about an eighth inch in diameter, and a votive candle, which is about 2 inches high and about an inch and a half in diameter. The birthday cake candle burns down in a matter of a few minutes, while the votive candle burns for several hours. [0007] It has been previously suggested to provide a means for snuffing out a candle after a pre-set amount of time has elapsed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,365 to Byxbe, which describes a device with a timer for snuffing out a candle after a pre-set amount of time has elapsed. While this may be a step in the right direction and is better than nothing, it still does not address the problem when an unsafe condition arises before the time that the snuffing mechanism is activated. It clearly does not address the situations of the candle holder falling over, the candle being removed from the candle holder, the candle burning down to an unsafe level, the temperature in the area of the candle becoming too high, or the candle igniting combustible matter in the vicinity of the candle, all at a time prior to the pre-set snuffing time selected by the operator. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0008] My invention relates to a safety device for use with a candle. This device comprises a candleholder or means for holding or supporting a candle. Associated with the candleholder is another means or several different means for detecting an unsafe condition or several unsafe conditions. The device of my invention also includes an alarm means, which is responsive to the means for detecting an unsafe condition. The alarm is activated when an unsafe condition is detected. [0009] The candleholder of my invention can be any means or device that is capable supporting a candle and can include any of the well-known devices currently in use. Examples of such devices include spikes (upon which a candle can be impaled), cups or sockets (into which the base of a candle can be inserted), clamps (for gripping a candle), containers (in which the entire candle is located), or flat plates (upon which the base of a candle rests). [0010] My invention further relates to a modular device which comprises means for detecting an unsafe condition, an alarm means and a means for activating the alarm means when an unsafe condition is detected. This modular device is adapted to be included in a candleholder when it is being fabricated or added to a previously fabricated candleholder, thereby providing such candleholders with the ability to detect unsafe conditions and to sound an alarm when a unsafe condition is detected. [0011] Some of the unsafe conditions that could exist in connection with the burning of a candle include the burning of the candle to an unsafely low level, the candle and/or candle holder tipping over, the removal of the candle from the candleholder, too high a temperature in the area of the candle or candleholder, or a foreign object or material in proximity to the candle or candleholder. [0012] Generally, the means for detecting unsafe conditions include devices such as a means for sensing temperature, means for sensing weight, means for sensing weight change, means for sensing light, means for sensing motion and means for sensing proximity, such as a foreign object intruding into the space about a candleholder. [0013] The means for detecting the unsafe condition of the candle burning too low can include a means for detecting or sensing the temperature in the area proximate the base of the candle, a means for detecting the weight of the candle or the rate of change of the weight of the candle, a means for detecting the level of the flame of a burning candle. or the distance of the candle flame from the candleholder. [0014] The means for detecting the unsafe condition of the candle or candleholder tipping over can include a means for detecting the temperature proximate the candleholder, a means for detecting weight of the candle and/or the candleholder, a means for detecting motion in the vicinity of the candleholder, or a means for detecting the motion of the candle or candleholder. [0015] The means for detecting the unsafe condition of a foreign object material in proximity to the candle or candleholder can be means for detecting ignition of foreign material or means for detecting the motion of a foreign body or material in proximity to the candle or candleholder. [0016] A variety of the various means mentioned above are well known to the art and are readily available in the industry. Thus, for example, temperature sensing devices useful in my invention include thermistors (thermo resistive devices), thermocouples, pyroelectric devices (infrared thermal detectors), bimetallic cut out switches, and thermopile sensors. [0017] Similarly, a selection of means for detecting weight or change of weight is also available commercially and include such devices as strain gauges, piezoresistive pressure sensors, mechanical switches, and spring actuated switches. [0018] There are also available many motion detecting devices. Some of the more readily available devices of this nature include photo electric motion sensors (LED light beams), capacitive proximity sensors, photo voltaic sensors, ultra sonic proximity sensors, and several inductive devices, [0019] The devices for the detection of flames or the location or position of flames are also known in the art and include, for example, photo resistive flame detectors, infra red pyro electric detectors and various heat sensing and detecting devices mentioned above. [0020] It will be understood that many of the means and devices mentioned above can be used to detect more than one unsafe condition. Additionally, many of the devices can be calibrated so as to detect different unsafe conditions. Thus, for example, a temperature or heat sensing device, such as a thermocouple, can be used to detect either or both of the unsafe conditions of the candle burning too low and/or a candle tipping over. [0021] Thus, for example, a variety of specific means exist for determining if a candle has burned too low or too hot. Some of the devices available for the detection of temperature at or near the base of the candle include a thermistor. In practice one or more thermistors, such as the Accu-curve brand available from RTI Electronics, can be positioned proximate the bottom of a candle. The thermistor can be attached mechanically or with and adhesive (e.g., epoxy) to the candle holder, or it can be incorporated into the candle holder, such as by molding the thermistor into the candle holder. If the candleholder is a flat plate, the thermistor can be positioned on either the upper or under surface of the candleholder. When a predetermined temperature is sensed or detected by the thermistor, a signal is transmitted by the thermistor to the alarm means, such as by an electronic circuit. [0022] Another means for sensing or detecting temperature is a thermocouple and devices of this type can be obtained commercially from Newport Electronics or Watlow. In accordance with my invention, one or more thermocouples can be positioned on or in a candleholder so as to detect the temperature near the base of a candle. When a predetermined temperature is sensed or detected proximate the base of a candle, a signal is generated to activate the alarm means. Continue reading... Full patent description for Safety candleholder Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Safety candleholder patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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