US3726632A

US3726632A - Candle holder

Info

Publication number: US3726632A
Application number: US00152739A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Connolly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-06-14
Filing date: 1971-06-14
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

A candle holder is mounted to the neck of a bottle and holds the candle spaced from the inner wall of the bottle neck with a substantial open area therebetween to permit the melting wax to drip from the candle into the inside of the bottle.

Description

United States Patent [191 Connolly CANDLE HOLDER [76] Inventor: Gerardine L. Connolly, 102 School Road, Wilmington, Del. 19803 [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 152,739

[451 Apr. 10, 1973 l/l950 Gardner ..431/294 6/1954 Babbitt ..43 l/294 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,357,355 1963 France 44,074 1965 Germany 18,668 1895 Great Britain 24,603 10/1910 Great Britain .143 l/297 Primary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr. AttorneyArthur G. Connolly et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A candle holder is mounted to the neck of a bottle and holds the candle spaced from the inner wall of the bottle neck with a substantial open area therebetween to permit the melting wax to drip from the candle into the inside of the bottle.

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SHEET 3 [IF 3 IIVVE N TOR Gerardz'zzeL Con/10% ATTOBAEYS CANDLE HOLDER BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Various candle holders are known which are, for example, intended to secure the candle to a candlestick, candelabra or otherlike device. One such means of holding a candle which has gained wide popularity is to insert the candle into the neck of an unusually shaped or otherwise attractive bottle. This may be done by inserting the candle directly in the neck of the bottle or by inserting the candle in a holder which in turn is inserted in the bottle neck. In use, however, as the candle melts the wax drips along the outside of the bottle. This in turn creates a number of problems such as having wax drip on the table or other support surface. Additionally, the wax which forms along the outside of the bottle obscures some of the detail work which might have originally led to the selection of that bottle as a means of holding the candle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a candle holder used with a bottle which overcomes the above disadvantages.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a candle holder and bottle combination whereby the wax will drip inside the bottle rather than covering the outside of the bottle or dripping on a support surface.

In accordance with this invention a candle holder is mounted to the neck of the bottle and holds the candle spaced from the inner wall of the bottle neck with a substantial open area therebetween to permit the melting wax to drip from the candle into the inside of the bottle. Such an arrangement would be particularly desirable not only for candle users by overcoming the above indicated problems, but also by bottle manufacturers since it would permit the bottle to maintain its distinctive appearance as well as permitting any printed advertising matter on the bottle to remain visible.

In a preferred form of this invention the support means is decoratively formed to add to the aesthetic appearance thereof. The candle holder may be formed in such a manner as to be mounted within the bottle neck while providing a plurality of open channels between the neck and candle. Alternatively, the candle holder may be secured to the outer surface of the bottle neck thus maximizing the open area between the candle and the inner surface of the neck.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention the candle holder may be formed in such a manner as to accommodate different size bottles as well as different candle thicknesses.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a candle holder and bottle combination in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the candle holder shown in FIG. 1 with the bottle and candle indicated in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a modified form of candle holder;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the candle holder shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken through FIG. 4 along the line 5-5;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the candle holder shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of yet still another candle holder in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 12 along the line 13-l3;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a further candle holder in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 14 along the line 15-15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows the general arrangement which includes the novel candle holder 10 which is supported on neck 14 of bottle 16 and holds the candle 12 in such a manner that open areas are created between the inner wall 18 (see FIG. 5) of neck 14 and the candle so that the melting wax may drip into the inside of bottle 16.

FIGS. 3-5 show one embodiment of this invention wherein the candle holder 10 includes a flange 20 which rests upon the open top wall 22 of neck 14. Secured to flange 20 by welding, soldering or any other suitable means is a depending skirt 24 which, as shown in FIG. 4, is zig-zagged shaped in horizontal cross-section in such a manner as to create a plurality of co-arcuate inner edges 26 and a plurality of co-arcuate outer edges 28. Edges 28 fit snugly against the inner wall 18 of neck 14 as illustrated in FIG. 3, while edges 26 grip the candle. In this respect the pointed edges 26 dig into the candle to form grooves 30 therein when the candle is forced into holder 10. The arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 thereby creates a plurality of open areas or channels 32 to provide passageways for the falling wax.

FIGS. l-2 show an arrangement similar to FIGS. 3-5 with the inclusion of decorative means such as leaves 34 to add to the aesthetic appearance of the candle holder.

The concepts of this invention may be carried out in a number of ways without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, for example as shown in FIGS. 6-7 the zigzag shape may be formed by the skirt 36 being undulated to maximize the contact area with the neck of the bottle while tending to minimize the contact area with the candle.

FIGS. 8-9 show a further modification wherein the holder 10A is stamped from a sufficiently rigid yet and 8-9 do not illustrate decorative means, in the preferred form of this invention such suitable decorative means would be provided for each embodiment.

FIGS. 10-11 show a further embodiment of this invention wherein the candle 12 is mounted in a sleeve 44 spaced above neck 148. In this embodiment holder 103 includes a flange 46 and depending skirt 48 which engage the neck 143, with a funnel member 50 connected thereto. Decorative securing brackets 52in turn connect funnel 50 with candle holding sleeve 44. This arrangement not only maximizes the open area of neck 143, but also the provision of funnel 50 further assures that the dripping wax 51 will be directed into the bottle. The specific shape of the funnel, sleeve and brackets would be so selected as to add to the decorative or aesthetic appearance of the holder.

FIGS. 12-13 show another modification of this invention which is adaptable for use with difierent diameter candles. in the arrangement shown therein holder 10C includes a flange 54 and a depending skirt 56 which engages the inner wall 18 of neck 14. The candle securing means include a suitable number of pins 58 which are forced into the candle at spaced points to provide a stable securement of the candle to the holder while maximizing the open areas between the candle and inner wall. In the illustrated arrangement decorative means such as a flower 60 is secured to flange 54. To carry out the theme of the holder, pins 58 are the stingers of, for example, bumble bees 62. To prevent the stingers or pins 58 from being dislodged from flower 60, sleeves 63 are formed inflower 60 and stingers or pins 58 include flattened areas 64 whereby the stingers may slide back and forth for engagement or disengagement with candle 12 but be permanently secured to flower60.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1-2, 3-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 12-13 have in common that when viewed. in its horizontal cross-section the candle securing means preferably makes point or minimal surface area contact with the candle thus minimizing the contact therebetween, although this invention is not limited to such type of candle securing means.

In the previously illustrated embodiments of this invention the holder is secured to the bottle by engagement with the top wall and/or inner wall of the bottle neck. It is to be understood, however, that the concepts of this invention are not limited to any specific means of securement to the neck and may likewise be carried out by securement to the outer wall of the bottle neck. Thus as shown, for example, in FIGS. 14-15 a decorative holder 10D is provided which includes a disc-like upper member 66 having a plurality of spring fingers 68 secured thereto for resilient engagement with the outer wall 70 of neck 14. A spider arrangement 72 secures disc 66 with candle holding sleeve 74 so that a substantial open area is created between the candle and inner wall 18. This arrangement not only engages the outer wall of the neck, but also by the provision of the spring fingers the holder is capable of being mounted on various dimensioned bottles.

As is readily apparent the various embodiments of this invention thus exemplify different means which permit a candle to be mounted to the neck of a bottle in such a manner so that the wax dri in therefrom will fall into the interior of the bottle w i 0%: dripping on a table or without obscuring any printing or detail work of the bottle.

What is claimed is:

1. A candle holder in combination therewith, a bottle having a hollow neck, said neck having an open top wall and communicating with the interior of said bottle, said holder comprising support means for mounting said holder to said neck of said bottle, candle securing means on said holder for holding a candle spaced from the inner wall of said bottle neck with'substantial open area therebetween whereby the melting wax may drip from the candle into the interior of said bottle, said support means being a flange disposed on said top wall of said neck, said candle securing means being connected to said flange, and said open area being formed by a plurality of channels between said flange and said securing means.

2. A candle holder in combination therewith, a bottle having a hollow neck, said neck having an open top wall and communicating with the interior of said bottle, said holder comprising support means for mounting said holder to said neck of said bottle, candle securing means on said holder for holding a candle spaced from the inner wall of said bottle neck with substantial open area therebetween whereby the melting wax may drip from the candle into the interior of said bottle, said support means including a flange disposed on said top wall of said neck, a depending skirt secured to said flange, said skirt being zigzagged shaped in horizontal crosssection with a plurality of co-arcuate inner edges and a plurality of co-arcuate outer edges, said outer edges engaging said inner wall of said neck to further comprise said support means, and said inner edges comprising said candle securing means.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support means includes decorative means for adding to the aesthetic appearance thereof.

' 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support means engages the outer wall of said neck.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said candle I securing means in its horizontal cross-section makes point contact with the candle to minimize the contact therebetween.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said support means includes decorative means for adding to the aesthetic appearance thereof.

7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said support means engages the outer wall of said neck.

8. The combination of claim 2 wherein said candle securing means in its horizontal cross-section makes point contact with the candle to minimize the contact therebetween.

* l i t

Claims

1. A candle holder in combination therewith, a bottle having a hollow neck, said neck having an open top wall and communicating with the interior of said bottle, said holder comprising support means for mounting said holder to said neck of said bottle, candle securing means on said holder for holding a candle spaced from the inner wall of said bottle neck with substantial open area therebetween whereby the melting wax may drip from the candle into the interior of said bottle, said support means being a flange disposed on said top wall of said neck, said candle securing means being connected to said flange, and said open area being formed by a plurality of channels between said flange and said securing means.

2. A candle holder in combination therewith, a bottle having a hollow neck, said neck having an open top wall and communicating with the interior of said bottle, said holder comprising support means for mounting said holder to said neck of said bottle, candle securing means on said holder for holding a candle spaced from the inner wall of said bottle neck with substantial open area therebetween whereby the melting wax may drip from the candle into the interior of said bottle, said support means including a flange disposed on said top wall of said neck, a depending skirt secured to said flange, said skirt being zigzagged shaped in horizontal cross-section with a plurality of co-arcuate inner edges and a plurality of co-arcuate outer edges, said outer edges engaging said inner wall of said neck to further comprise said support means, and said inner edges comprising said candle securing means.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support means engages the outer wall of said neck.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said candle securing means in its horizontal cross-section makes point contact with the candle to minimize the contact therebetween.