Self-extinguishing candle

Abstract

A self-extinguishing candle is provided which, in a preferred configuration, comprises a candle having a wick with a series of alternating combustion and non-combustion zones. In use, the wick will burn through the combustion zone, and will be extinguished on reaching the non-combustion zone. The non-combustion zone is preferably provided by a physical or chemical means, and the candle can be re-lit by removal of the non-combustion means. A safer candle is provided that will self-extinguish on a regular basis.

1 . A self-extinguishing candle comprising a wick, and a fuel material which surrounds said wick, characterized in that said candle has at least two separate combustion zones separated by a non-combustion zone wherein said candle is extinguished, and wherein said non-combustion zones is provided by a non-combustion zone within said wick, or by termination of said wick within said candle.  
   
   
       2 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said wick has at least two separate combustion zones along its length, and said combustion zones on said wick are separated by a non-combustion zone on said wick.  
   
   
       3 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the number of combustion zones on said wick is between 2 and 10.  
   
   
       4 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said fuel material is a solid fuel selected from the group consisting of petroleum based waxes, animal-based fats, wax or hydrogenated vegetable-based materials.  
   
   
       5 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said fuel material is a paraffin wax, tallow, beeswax or soy wax.  
   
   
       6 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said non-combustion zone is provided by a physical method.  
   
   
       7 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said combustion zone of said wick is provided by a relatively lower density zone, and said non-combustion zone of said wick is provided by a relatively higher density zone.  
   
   
       8 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said wick is fabricated from a braided material, and said relatively higher density zone of said wick is provided by twisting said braided material to compress the braided material and thus increase the density of said wick.  
   
   
       9 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said non-combustion zone is provided by one or more clips which are crimped around sections of said wick.  
   
   
       10 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said clips are made of metal, ceramic, glass or non-flammable plastic.  
   
   
       11 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said non-combustion zone is provided by a wick having a series of combustion zones, and wherein said combustion zones are separated by a non-combustion zone comprising a thin fibre which is non-combustible, or which has insufficient capillary action to support combustion.  
   
   
       12 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said non-combustion zone is provided by a chemical means.  
   
   
       13 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said non-combustion zone is provided by a flame retardant material which has been applied to said wick in said non-combustion zone.  
   
   
       14 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said flame retardant material is a halogenated flame retardant, a phosphorus-based flame retardant, a nitrogen based flame retardant, or a inorganic flame retardant.  
   
   
       15 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said candle comprises two or more wicks which wicks have a plurality of combustion and non-combustion zones, and said wicks are positioned so that, in use, the non-combustion zone on a first wick is horizontally adjacent to the combustion zone of a second wick.  
   
   
       16 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said wick is colour coded to visually identify said non-combustion zones.  
   
   
       17 . A self-extinguishing candle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said fuel is a gelled material.  
   
   
       18 . A candle wick having comprising an elongated wick suitable for use in a candle, wherein said wick has two or more combustion zones separated by one or more non-combustion zones located along its length.