Thermomechanical candle snuffer
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsRobert D. Kampfer, Gunther H. Dierssen
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Abstract
Thermomechanical candle snuffer utilizes staff of material such as 55-Nitinol which, when heated by candle flame, elevates slideably engaged cap which falls over candle extinguishing it.
Claims7
A thermomechanical candle snuffer comprising attaching means for attachment to a candle at a predetermined position, candle snuffing means for extinguishment of the flame of said candle and a staff, secured to said attaching means and engaging said candle snuffing means, composed of a material having a critical temperature for recovery from plastic deformation at a temperature of about 40.degree. to 100.degree. C.
The process for extinguishing a candle comprising positioning a staff of a normally straight piece of titanium-nickel alloy of substantially equiatomic proportions and greater width than thickness at a position on said candle where extinguishment is sought, bending said staff to an angle of about 60.degree. to 120.degree. and slideably engaging said staff in a slot in a cap of sufficient size as to be capable of covering the burning end of said candle and permitting the frame of said candle to warm the said staff after burning the candle to the point where extinguishment is sought whereby said staff tends to recover its normally straight condition and deposit said cap on the burning end of said candle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.