Self-extinguishing wick and method of producing the same

Abstract

A wick includes a first wick portion and a second wick portion. At least one combustion barrier is positioned between the first and second wick portions. The combustion barrier is configured to obstruct combustion from the first wick portion to the second wick portion.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A wick, comprising: 
 a first wick portion;    a second wick portion;    at least one combustion barrier therebetween said first wick portion and said second wick portion, said combustion barrier configured to obstruct combustion from said second wick portion to said first wick portion.    
     
     
         2 . The wick of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier is configured to restrict the flow of fuel from said first wick portion to said second wick portion.  
     
     
         3 . The wick of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier comprises at least one knot formed of said wick.  
     
     
         4 . The wick of  claim 2 , said wick comprising a plurality of fibers woven together, wherein said at least one combustion barrier comprises at least one knot in at least one of said plurality of fibers of said wick.  
     
     
         5 . The wick of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier comprises a flame retardant material.  
     
     
         6 . The wick of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier comprises a gap between said first wick portion and said second wick portion.  
     
     
         7 . The wick of  claim 6 , wherein said second wick portion has a reignition portion.  
     
     
         8 . The wick of  claim 7 , wherein said reignition portion has a reignition portion protector.  
     
     
         9 . The wick of  claim 2 , wherein said second wick portion absorbs a fuel at a first rate and said at least one combustion barrier comprises a material that absorbs said fuel at a second rate which is sufficiently less that said first rate so that flow of said fuel from said first wick portion to said second wick portion is obstructed.  
     
     
         10 . The wick of  claim 9 , wherein said second rate is zero.  
     
     
         11 . The wick of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier is formed of material that does not readily combust at a temperature at which said second wick portion combusts.  
     
     
         12 . The wick of  claim 1 , wherein said wick comprises a third wick portion disposed between said first wick portion and said second wick portion, said combustion barrier comprising a restricting device that is coupled to said third wick portion and physically obstructs a flow of a fuel from said first wick portion to said second wick portion.  
     
     
         13 . The wick of  claim 11 , wherein said restricting device is a staple.  
     
     
         14 . The wick of  claim 11 , wherein said restricting device is a collar.  
     
     
         15 . A method for substantially obstructing combustion along a wick, comprising: 
 providing a first wick portion;    providing a second wick portion;    positioning at least one combustion barrier between said first wick portion and said second wick portion, said at least one combustion barrier configured to obstruct combustion from said second wick portion to said first wick portion.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier is configured to restrict the flow of fuel from said first wick portion to a second wick portion.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier comprises at least one knot formed of said wick.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , said wick comprising a plurality of fibers woven together, wherein said at least one combustion barrier comprises at least one knot in at least one of said plurality of fibers of said wick.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier comprises a flame retardant material.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said second wick portion absorbs a fuel at a first rate and said at least one combustion barrier comprises a material that absorbs said fuel at a second rate which sufficiently is less that said first rate so that flow of said fuel from said first wick portion to said second wick portion is obstructed.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said second rate is zero.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one combustion barrier is formed of material that does not readily combust at a temperature at which said second wick portion combusts.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said wick comprises a third wick portion disposed between said first and said second wick portions, said combustion barrier comprising a restricting device that is coupled to said third wick portion and physically restricts a flow of a fuel from said first wick portion to said second wick portion.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said restricting device is a staple.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said restricting device is a collar.  
     
     
         26 . A candle comprising: 
 a source of fuel;    a wick in contact with said source of fuel; and    a combustion barrier connected to said wick, said combustion barrier being configured to extinguish combustion of said wick.    
     
     
         27 . The candle of  claim 26 , wherein said combustion barrier is configured to restrict a flow of liquid fuel along said wick.  
     
     
         28 . The candle of  claim 26 , said combustion barrier being formed of flame retardant material.  
     
     
         29 . The candle of  claim 26 , wherein a rate of combustion at said combustion barrier is sufficiently below the rate of combustion at said wick such that combustion is effectively extinguished at said combustion barrier.  
     
     
         30 . The candle of  claim 26 , said combustion barrier comprising a restricting device that is coupled to said wick and obstructs a flow of fuel along said wick.