Apparatus for extinguishing a wick flame of a candle disposed in a candle container and related methods

A method for extinguishing a wick flame of a candle disposed in a candle container, the apparatus comprising:

• a base configured to be positioned adjacent to an opening of the candle container, the opening providing access to a wick and the flame of the candle;
• a flexible, retractable lid, comprising a first half and a second half, connected to the base, each of the halves having a first end and a second end, the first end of each half being configured to pivot about fixed pivoting points provided on opposite sides of the opening and move between:
• (a) an open position wherein the first half and the second half of the retractable lid are collapsed and the first ends of each half are stored on a first side and a second side of the candle container, respectively, such that the ends are positioned near, around, or on a side or a lip of the opening of the candle container, and the wick and the flame are accessible via the opening, and (b) a closed position wherein the first ends of the halves meet over the opening to cover the wick such that the halves are expanded and the retractable lid encloses the opening of the candle container to thereby extinguish the wick flame, and the second ends of each of the first half and the second half being fixed to the base of the apparatus in both the open position and the closed position of the first ends;
• control arms positioned around the opening of the candle container and tension springs provided near the control arms that are associated with the retractable lid, the control arms configured to:
• keep the halves of the retractable lid in the open position, and cause the retractable lid to close responsive to the one or more control arms being released;
• a mechanical timer configured to control a countdown such that, responsive to an expiration of a predetermined time period, the control arms are caused to be released thereby causing the retractable lid to move from its open position to its closed position;
• and a plurality of sensors provided on the base, the plurality of sensors being spaced around the opening and configured to cause the retractable lid to move from its open position to its closed position responsive to a detection of impact;
• wherein the method comprises:
• setting the mechanical timer for a predetermined amount of time;
• providing the first half and the second half of the retractable lid in the open position;
• lighting a wick of the candle container to produce a wick flame;
• detecting, using at least one of the plurality of sensors, an impact to the candle container;
• and
• causing the control arms to move the first ends of the first half and second half of the retractable lid from the open position to the closed position,
• wherein movement of the first half and second half to the closed position comprises moving the first ends of the halves via pivoting about the fixed pivoting points from the open position in a generally upward direction relative to the opening and towards each other to meet in the closed position such that the halves are configured to cover the wick and to thereby extinguish the wick flame,
• wherein, when providing the halves in the open position, the halves of the retractable lid are spring loaded via tension being added to the tensions springs as the halves of the retractable lid are moved to the open position and kept open by the control arms, and wherein the tension assists in moving the first ends of the halves to the closed position when the control arms are caused to move the halves.