Device and method for extinguishing a candle flame

Abstract

A device for extinguishing a candle flame, in which a small quantity of water is discharged under pressure as an aerosolized, conically shaped, filled spray of small water droplets directed against the flame to extinguish it and prevent burning and smoking of the wick of the candle. The quantity of water discharged in each dispensing cycle is only up to about 1 ml, and preferably no more than about 0.50 ml in finger pumps, with 0.080 ml being the preferred quantity. The water droplets have a size ranging from about one micron to about one thousand microns, distributed over a steep bell curve, and in a preferred embodiment average only about sixty-five to seventy microns. The device can be a finger pump, or a trigger-actuated dispenser, or a pressurized aerosol dispenser, in which the water is discharged through an orifice having a diameter of only 0.10 to 0.25 inch. Carbon dioxide can be used as a propellant gas, and can be discharged with the water to facilitate extinguishment of the flame. A carbon block having CO 2 adsorbed therein may be placed in the aerosol container to replace CO 2 depleted through use, to thereby maintain a desired pressure in the container. A surfactant may be added to produce a light foaming of the discharged water.

1 . A device for extinguishing a candle flame, comprising: 
 a container for holding a quantity of water;    means associated with the container for discharging under pressure during a dispensing cycle only up to about 1.0 ml of the water as an aerosolized, fog-like spray of water droplets having a size of from about 1.0 to about 1000 microns distributed over a steep bell curve, and dispersed in a filled conical spray pattern insufficient to wet a surrounding surface, but sufficient to encompass the flame of a candle to extinguish the flame when the device is held in spaced relationship to the candle flame and without requiring contact between the device and the candle or the candle flame.    
   
   
       2 . previously cancelled  
   
   
       3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the quantity of water discharged in each dispensing cycle is only about 0.50 ml.    
   
   
       4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the quantity of water discharged in each dispensing cycle is only about 0.08 ml.    
   
   
       5 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the size of the water droplets averages from about 65 microns to about 70 microns    
   
   
       6 . previously cancelled.  
   
   
       7 . A device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the means associated with the container comprises a finger pump    
   
   
       8 - 17 . previously cancelled  
   
   
       18 . A device as claimed in claim  12 , wherein: 
 the means associated with the container comprises a finger pump dispenser having an actuator button with a 0.012-inch mechanical break up insert to produce said droplet size and full conical spray pattern.    
   
   
       19 - 24 . previously cancelled  
   
   
       25 . A device for extinguishing a candle flame, comprising: 
 a container holding a quantity of non-flammable fluid;    discharge means associated with the container for discharging under pressure during a dispensing cycle a short burst of the fluid sufficient to extinguish the flame and prevent smoking of the candle when the discharge means is held in spaced relationship to the candle, without requiring contact between the device and the candle or the candle flame.    
   
   
       26 . A device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein: 
 the fluid comprises water, and a quantity of the water is discharged during a dispensing cycle sufficient only to extinguish the candle flame but insufficient to wet a surrounding surface.