Flame-resistant sheet with candle wick support

Abstract

A freestanding candle has a flame-resistant sheet adhered to a wick support and to a fuel body in a location proximate to the lower end of a wick. The sheet reduces the risk of fire hazards that arise during the later stages of candle burning, which are characterized by a thin candle floor and a pool of liquid fuel surrounding the wick support. The wick support is made longer and sealingly adhered to the sheet to further reduce the risk of fire hazards. The structural combination of the wick support, the sealant, and the sheet facilitates even burning during the life of the candle and self-extinguishment of the flame at the end stage of burning.

1 . A freestanding candle, in an operable position having a wick supported by a fuel body and extending upwardly from a top surface of the fuel body, the candle comprising: 
 (a) a flame-resistant sheet joined to the fuel body in proximity to a lower end of the wick and extending outwardly at least substantially one inch from the longitudinal axis of the wick; and    (b) an upright wick support contacting the sheet and holding the lower end of the wick, the support forming a barrier separating the lower end of the wick from the fuel body.    
     
     
         2 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the wick support is attached to the sheet.  
     
     
         3 . The candle of  claim 2 , wherein the wick support is sealingly bonded to the sheet.  
     
     
         4 . The candle of  claim 3 , wherein the sheet has an adhesive backing that bonds to the wick support and the bottom surface of the fuel body.  
     
     
         5 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the wick support has a sealant disposed at least across an opening to a bore extending through the wick support.  
     
     
         6 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the wick support is formed in situ unitarily with the wick.  
     
     
         7 . The candle of  claim 6 , wherein the wick support is a solid, flame-resistant agent disposed on a surface of the lower end of the wick.  
     
     
         8 . The candle of  claim 6 , wherein the wick support is a solid, flame-resistant agent impregnating the lower end of the wick.  
     
     
         9 . The candle of  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the wick support is bonded to the sheet by the flame-resistant agent.  
     
     
         10 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the wick support is a block of solid, flame-resistant material.  
     
     
         11 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the wick support extends above the sheet an amount sufficient to prevent a candle fire.  
     
     
         12 . The candle of  claim 11 , wherein the amount sufficient to prevent a candle fire is at least about one-half inch.  
     
     
         13 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet extends substantially to an outer peripheral surface of the fuel body.  
     
     
         14 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet has a peripheral rim having a thickness greater than the sheet.  
     
     
         15 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet has a flange at an outer boundary.  
     
     
         16 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is imbedded within the fuel body.  
     
     
         17 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is adhered to the bottom surface of the fuel body.  
     
     
         18 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is corrugated.  
     
     
         19 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is dome-shaped.  
     
     
         20 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel body has multiple wicks.  
     
     
         21 . The candle of  claim 20 , wherein each flame-resistant sheet in proximity to each wick extends at least one inch from the longitudinal axis of each wick.  
     
     
         22 . The candle of  claim 1 , wherein the wick support is crimped.  
     
     
         23 . A method of forming an upright wick support on a wick of a freestanding candle, the method comprising: 
 (a) impregnating in advance an end region of said wick with a flame-resistant sealant; and    (b) bonding said end region of said wick to a flame-resistant sheet.