US20150300644A1

US20150300644A1 - Candle Flame Extinguisher

Info

Publication number: US20150300644A1
Application number: US14/258,404
Authority: US
Inventors: Sharon L. Berry-Harper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-22
Filing date: 2014-04-22
Publication date: 2015-10-22

Abstract

A candle flame extinguisher for effectively extinguishing the flame of a candle. The candle flame extinguisher generally includes an air dispenser, an air nozzle connected to the air dispenser and an extension tube connected to the air nozzle. The extension tube may be removably or permanently connected to the air nozzle. The user positions the outer end of the extension tube near a flame of a candle and then squeezes the air dispenser causing an extinguishing airflow to be emitted from an outer opening within the extension tube that extinguishes the flame.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a candle flame extinguisher and more specifically it relates to a candle flame extinguisher for effectively extinguishing the flame of a candle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Extinguishing a candle typically requires an individual to directly blow upon the flame of the candle from their mouth which exposes the individual to the risk of being burned on their face and/or hand. Candle snuffers are devices with a small cone at the end of a handle that are positioned over the wick of the candle thereby extinguishing the flame by eliminating the flow of oxygen to the flame. While candle snuffers are suitable for extinguishing a flame, they do not immediately extinguish the flame and also eliminate the enjoyment of blowing out a candle.
Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved candle flame extinguisher for effectively extinguishing the flame of a candle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a candle flame extinguisher which includes an air dispenser, an air nozzle connected to the air dispenser and an extension tube connected to the air nozzle. The extension tube may be removably or permanently connected to the air nozzle. The user positions the outer end of the extension tube near a flame of a candle and then squeezes the air dispenser causing an extinguishing airflow to be emitted from an outer opening within the extension tube that extinguishes the flame.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear exploded upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the air dispenser.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the air dispenser.

FIG. 8 a is an upper perspective view of the air dispenser positioned near a flame of a candle.

FIG. 8 b is an upper perspective view of the air dispenser being utilized to extinguish the flame of the candle.

FIG. 9 a is an upper perspective view of the air dispenser with the extension tube positioned near a flame of a candle.

FIG. 9 b is an upper perspective view of the air dispenser with the extension tube being utilized to extinguish the flame of the candle.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the overall process of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a flexible extension tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate a candle flame extinguisher 10, which comprises an air dispenser 20, an air nozzle 30 connected to the air dispenser 20 and an extension tube 40 connected to the air nozzle 30. The extension tube 40 may be removably or permanently connected to the air nozzle 30. The user positions the outer end 44 of the extension tube 40 near a flame 14 of a candle 12 and then squeezes the air dispenser 20 causing an extinguishing airflow 16 to be emitted from an outer opening 46 within the extension tube 40 that extinguishes the flame 14.

B. Air Dispenser

FIGS. 1 through 9 b illustrate an air dispenser 20 adapted to provide an extinguishing airflow 16 to blow out and extinguish a flame 14 of a candle 12. The extinguishing airflow 16 is produced by pressurized air within the air dispenser 20 wherein the pressurized air is preferably created by a manual squeezing of the air dispenser 20 as discussed further herein.
The air dispenser 20 includes an air nozzle 30 connected to the air dispenser 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 b of the drawings. The air nozzle 30 includes a nozzle opening 32 fluidly connected to the interior cavity 22 of the air dispenser 20 as best illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The air nozzle 30 may be attached to the air dispenser 20 or integrally formed with the air dispenser 20 as a unitary structure. The air nozzle 30 may be comprised of the same material as the air dispenser 20 or a different material than the air dispenser 20.
The air dispenser 20 is preferably comprised of a resilient container having an interior cavity 22 that may be squeezed by a user to force the air from within the interior cavity 22 outwardly through the nozzle opening 32 of the air nozzle 30. In particular, the air dispenser 20 is preferably comprised of an air bulb having an interior cavity 22 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9 b of the drawings. The air bulb is preferably comprised of a rounded hollow structure comprised of a resilient material (e.g. a rubber material) that is squeezed to provide the pressurized air and the extinguishing airflow 16. The interior cavity 22 may have various sizes to hold various volumes of air sufficient to blow out a flame 14 within a conventional candle 12 with a single squeeze of the air dispenser 20. The air dispenser 20 is further sized to comfortably fit within the hand of the user to allow for manual squeezing by the user.

C. Extension Tube

The invention further preferably includes an extension tube 40 comprised of an inner end 42 having an inner opening 43 and an outer end 44 having an outer opening 46 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings. The inner end 42 of the extension tube 40 is connected to the air nozzle 30 of the air dispenser 20 and the inner opening 43 of the extension tube 40 is fluidly connected to the nozzle opening 32 of the air nozzle 30. The outer opening 46 is adapted to emit the extinguishing airflow 16 from the air dispenser 20 to extinguish a flame 14 of a candle 12. The inner opening 43 and the outer opening 46 preferably have the same size as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.
The extension tube 40 is preferably comprised of a heat resistant material such as metal. In particular, the extension tube 40 is preferably constructed of a steel material such as but not limited to stainless steel. The extension tube 40 may be comprised of a rigid material or a flexible material to allow for the end user to change the shape of the extension tube 40. FIG. 11 illustrates the extension tube 40 comprised of a flexible material similar to the material and structure utilized in flexible lighters such as a stainless steel flex wire cover or a stainless steel flex hose. U.S. Pat. No. 2,438,146 to Candee discloses a “Flexible Metal Hose” suitable for usage as the extension tube 40 herein and is incorporated by reference herein.
The extension tube 40 may be permanently attached to the air nozzle 30 of the air dispenser 20 or removably attached to the air nozzle 30. It should be understood that the connection of the extension tube 40 to the air nozzle 30 includes connecting the extension tube 40 to the air dispenser 20.
The extension tube 40 is preferably removably attached to the air nozzle 30 of the air dispenser 20 to allow the user to change the extension tube 40 (e.g. attach a longer or shorter extension tube 40) or to use the air dispenser 20 directly without using the extension tube 40. The inner end 42 of the extension tube 40 is preferably removably positioned within the nozzle opening 32 of the air nozzle 30 wherein the inner end 42 is frictionally retained within the nozzle opening 32 as best illustrated in FIG. 5. In particular, the outer surface of the inner end 42 of the extension tube 40 is slightly smaller than the inner surface of the nozzle opening 32 such that the nozzle opening 32 frictionally receives the inner end 42 in a frictional and sealed manner to prevent air from escaping around the inner end 42 of the extension tube 40.
The extension tube 40 is preferably comprised of an elongated tubular structure having a straight structure as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings. The extension tube 40 preferably has a length greater than a length of the air dispenser 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. The length of the extension tube is preferably greater than three inches. The extension tube 40 preferably has a circular cross sectional shape as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings.

D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary process of utilizing the present invention. There are two configurations of the present invention for usage with the first configuration illustrated as being used in FIGS. 8 a-8 b and the second configuration illustrated as being used in FIGS. 9 a-9 b.
With respect to the first configuration, the extension tube 40 is removed from the air dispenser 20 and the air nozzle 30 of the air dispenser 20 is positioned near the flame 14 with the nozzle opening 32 directed at the flame 14 as shown in FIG. 8 a. The user squeezes the air dispenser 20 thereby forcing the air out of the interior cavity 22 of the air dispenser 20 through the nozzle opening 32 and outwardly as an extinguishing airflow 16 that blows out the flame 14 as shown in FIG. 8 b of the drawings. The user then allows the air dispenser 20 to expand which draws air back into the interior cavity 22 through the nozzle opening 32 thereby allowing the user to repeat the process with another candle 12.
With respect to the second configuration, the extension tube 40 is connected to the air dispenser 20 and the outer end 44 of the extension tube 40 is positioned near the flame 14 with the outer opening 46 directed at the flame 14 as shown in FIG. 9 a. The user squeezes the air dispenser 20 thereby forcing the air out of the interior cavity 22 of the air dispenser 20 through the nozzle opening 32, then through the lumen of the extension tube 40 and then outwardly from the outer opening 46 as an extinguishing airflow 16 that blows out the flame 14 as shown in FIG. 9 b of the drawings. The user then allows the air dispenser 20 to expand which draws air back into the interior cavity 22 through the outer opening 46 thereby allowing the user to repeat the process with another candle 12.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A candle flame extinguisher, comprising:

an air dispenser adapted to provide an extinguishing airflow; and

an air nozzle connected to said air dispenser, wherein said air nozzle includes a nozzle opening fluidly connected to said interior cavity of said air dispenser and wherein said nozzle opening is adapted to emit said extinguishing airflow from said air dispenser to extinguish a flame of a candle.

2. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 1, wherein said air dispenser is comprised of an air bulb having an interior cavity, wherein said air bulb is comprised of a resilient material that is squeezed to provide said extinguishing airflow.

3. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 2, wherein said air bulb is comprised of a rubber material.

4. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 2, wherein said air bulb is comprised of a rounded hollow structure.

5. A candle flame extinguisher, comprising:

an air dispenser adapted to provide an extinguishing airflow;

an air nozzle connected to said air dispenser, wherein said air nozzle includes a nozzle opening fluidly connected to said interior cavity of said air dispenser; and

an extension tube comprised of an inner end having an inner opening and an outer end having an outer opening, wherein said inner end of said extension tube is connected to said air nozzle and wherein said inner opening is fluidly connected to said nozzle opening of said air nozzle, wherein said outer opening is adapted to emit said extinguishing airflow from said air dispenser to extinguish a flame of a candle.

6. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 5, wherein said air dispenser is comprised of an air bulb having an interior cavity, wherein said air bulb is comprised of a resilient material that is squeezed to provide said pressurized air.

7. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 6, wherein said air bulb is comprised of a rubber material.

8. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 6, wherein said air bulb is comprised of a rounded hollow structure.

9. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 5, wherein said extension tube is comprised of a heat resistant material.

10. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 5, wherein said extension tube is comprised of a metal material.

11. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 10, wherein said extension tube is comprised of a steel material.

12. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 11, wherein said extension tube is comprised of a stainless steel material.

13. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 5, wherein said extension tube is comprised of a rigid material.

14. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 5, wherein said extension tube is comprised of a flexible material.

15. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 5, wherein said extension tube is permanently attached to said air nozzle.

16. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 5, wherein said extension tube is removably attached to said air nozzle.

17. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 16, wherein said inner end of said extension tube is removably positioned within said nozzle opening of said air nozzle.

18. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 5, wherein said extension tube is comprised of an elongated tubular structure having a straight structure.

19. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 18, wherein said extension tube has a circular cross sectional shape.

20. The candle flame extinguisher of claim 18, wherein said extension tube has a length greater than a length of said air dispenser.