Systems and Methods for Heating a Liquid Fuel of a Candle

Abstract

Systems and methods for heating a candle fuel generally comprise: a vessel to contain a quantity of a liquid fuel, and a wick system configured to float upon the quantity of the liquid fuel and to transfer heat to the liquid fuel, wherein the wick system comprises a wick and a wick holder. The wick comprises a first wick material configured to support a flame from a combustion and a second wick material, proximate to the first wick material, and configured to absorb combustion products from the combustion. The wick holder is configured to support the wick, such that at least a portion of the wick is immersed in the quantity of the liquid fuel.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A candle comprising:
 a sleeve comprising sidewalls to support a planar wick in a substantially vertical position wherein,   the sleeve allows a fuel to enter the sleeve by at least one open end of the sleeve and wherein,   an upper portion of the sidewalls is flared outwardly along at least a portion of a length of the sidewall to funnel a combustion by product back towards the planar wick.   
     
     
         2 . The candle of  claim 1  further comprising a securing mechanism to at least one end of the sleeve to further secure the planar wick with the sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The candle of  claim 2 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a clip pivotably secured by a pin to the at least one end of the sleeve, rotatable about an axis normal to the sleeve side walls. 
     
     
         4 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the planar wick comprises a fibrous refractory material. 
     
     
         5 . The candle of  claim 1  further comprising a sleeve support. 
     
     
         6 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a material to transfer heat from an ignited wick to the liquid fuel bath. 
     
     
         7 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is contoured into a non-linear fashion. 
     
     
         8 . The candle of  claim 2 , wherein the wick is impregnated with fragrant oil. 
     
     
         9 . A candle system comprising:
 a reservoir to support a volume of liquid;   a liquid fuel supported by the reservoir;   an elongated sleeve comprising openings at each end, the sleeve further comprising substantially parallel sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls are tapered inwardly along a midsection of the sleeve, and the side walls are flared outwardly along a top portion of the sleeve;   a planar wick positioned within the sleeve and maintained in a substantially vertical position by the inwardly tapered sidewalls, and extending proximate the bottom of the sleeve to at least a top of either sidewall of the sleeve;   clips pivotably secured at either end of the sleeve rotatable about an axis normal to the sleeve side walls to maintain an ignited flame between the clips; and   a sleeve support to support the sleeve to the reservoir.   
     
     
         10 . The candle of system  claim 9 , wherein the planar wick comprises a fibrous refractory material. 
     
     
         11 . The candle system of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve comprises a material to conduct heat from the planar wick in an ignited state to the liquid fuel. 
     
     
         12 . The candle system of  claim 11 , wherein the heat transferred from the sleeve to the liquid fuel raises the temperature of the liquid fuel by at least three degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         13 . The candle system of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is contoured into a non-linear fashion. 
     
     
         14 . The candle system of  claim 9 , wherein the planar wick is impregnated with fragrant oil. 
     
     
         15 . The candle system of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid fuel comprises a natural oil extract. 
     
     
         16 . The candle system of  claim 15 , wherein the natural oil extract comprise fractionated coconut oil. 
     
     
         17 . The candle system of  claim 9 , wherein the volume of liquid comprise a volume of water layered with the liquid fuel, wherein the liquid fuel is layered above the volume of water. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a candle comprising:
 forming an elongated sleeve comprising openings at each end, the sleeve further comprising substantially parallel sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls are tapered inwardly along a midsection of the sleeve and the side walls are flared outwardly along a top portion of the sleeve;   providing a planar wick to be positioned within the sleeve and maintained in a substantially vertical position by the inwardly tapered sidewalls, and extending proximate the bottom of the sleeve to at least a top of either sidewall of the sleeve;   affixing clips to be pivotably secured at either end of the sleeve and rotatable about an axis normal to the sleeve side walls to maintain a flame between the clips; and   coupling a sleeve support to the sleeve to support the sleeve in a substantially horizontal position such that the open ends of the sleeve may be at least partially submerged in a liquid fuel bath to allow a liquid fuel to enter the sleeve at either open end.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein providing the planar wick comprises providing a fibrous, refractory based planar wick. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve comprises a material to conduct heat from the planar wick in an ignited state to the liquid fuel bath.