Wick-holder assembly

• US 7,497,685 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Kubicek, Chris A., Nelson, Cory J
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister; Steven B
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAVANI, AVINASH A
• Application Number:
  US11/185,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20070020574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,322 Days
• Field of Search: 431/298, 431/34, 431/102, 431/282, 431/288, 431/292, 431/308, 431/289, 431/75, 431/290, 431/301, 431/325, 431/306, 431/320, 431/206, 431/35, 431/293, 362/161, 362/190, 362/447, 362/382, 362/433
• US Class Current: 431/298
• CPC Class Codes: C11C 5/006 wicks, related accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 3/24 Carriers for wicks

Abstract

A wick-holder assembly includes a wick-retention member for retaining a wick thereto and a heat-conductive element extending from a base portion. The heat-conductive element may include materials having different thermal expansion coefficients. The materials may be arranged to interact to cause a portion of the heat-conductive element to move in response to a flame disposed on the wick.

Claims

1. A wick-holder assembly, comprising:

a wick-retention member for retaining a wick in an operative position extending from a base portion; and

a heat-conductive element extending from the base portion, wherein the heat-conductive element comprises a first portion made substantially of a first material and a second portion made substantially of a second material, the first material and second material comprise materials of different thermal expansion coefficients, and a portion of the heat-conductive element is arranged to move in response to a flame disposed on the wick;

wherein the base portion is adapted to be disposed on a support surface therefor such that a capillary space is formed therebetween that extends to the wick, and wherein the movement of the heat-conductive element in response to the heat generated by the flame affects a dimension of the capillary space and thereby regulates flow of a fuel through the capillary space to the wick.

2. The wick-holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the first material and second material comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a ceramic, and a polyester.

3. The wick-holder assembly of claim 2, wherein the metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, nickel, magnesium, copper, iron, silver, zinc, tin, and titanium.

4. The wick-holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the heat-conductive element moves radially toward or away from the wick-retention member in response to heat generated by the flame.

5. The wick-holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the base portion further comprises a capillary rib extending therefrom.

6. The wick-holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the dimension of the capillary space comprises at least one of a length, a width, and a height.