DK201970602A1

DK201970602A1 - Electric candle device

Info

Publication number: DK201970602A1
Application number: DKPA201970602A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Gerlach Stig
Original assignee: Sirius Company As
Priority date: 2019-09-26
Filing date: 2019-09-26
Publication date: 2021-10-08
Also published as: DK202000110U1; DK202000109U1; DK202000110Y3; DK202000109Y3

Abstract

An electric candle device comprising at least one electric candle, where each electric candle comprises a candle body (2), a flame element (5) extending upwards from the candle body (2), a first light source (30) arranged for illuminating at least a part (7) of the flame element (5), and at least one second light source (31) arranged for illuminating at least a part of the candle body (2); wherein the device further comprises a control mechanism for controlling the first and second light source (30, 31) of at least one electric candle, where the control mechanism is adapted for controlling the at least one second light source (31) of at least one electric candle in a series of successive counting steps, where each counting step lasts for a predetermined time period T, and where the illumination by the at least one second light source (31) of at least one electric candle provides a visual counting of the counting steps.

Description

. DK 2019 70602 A1 The present invention is an electric candle device for providing a visual counting of a series of counting steps, such as to provide the same visual counting function as a calendar candle or an Advent Wreath.

In some countries such as Denmark, it is a Christmas tradition to use a wax candle to count the calendar days from the 1st of December to the 24th of December. In the context of the present invention, the term "calendar candle” (the term in the Danish language is "kalenderlys”) is used for such a candle.

A traditional calendar candle is typically provided with the numbers from 1 to 24 in a manner where a person looking at the candle can see the numbers, and the numbers 1 to 24 are typically placed in increasing order in the direction from the top towards the bottom of the candle. The numbers are typically attached on the outside of the wax or embedded inside the wax, so that the numbers "melts away” in the order from 1 to 24 when the candle is lit.

A traditional calendar candle is intended to be used by lighting the candle on the 1% of December, putting it out when the number 1 is no longer visible, lighting it again on the 2" of December, putting it out when the number 2 is no longer visible, and so on until and including the 24th of December. The height of the wax candle is thus intended to decrease by a predetermined amount each day.

In some countries, e.g. Denmark, it is a Christmas tradition to use an Advent wreath (also called Advent crown) for symbolizing the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church, where the Advent wreath has four wax candles. Correct use of a traditional calendar candle is however troublesome for a number of reasons. One issue is that the user, on each of the

, DK 2019 70602 A1 24 successive days, must remember to light the candle and to put it out again. Another issue is that the candle must be put out at the right time each day, so that the height of the candle is reduced by the intended amount. For a typical calendar candle, it takes 30 - 60 minutes of burning time on each of the 24 days to reduce the height of the wax candle by the intended amount. The intended daily burning time depends on e.g. the size of the candle, the type of wax, and the vertical distance between neighbouring numbers. Use a calendar candle thus requires several actions from the user; and on each of the 24 days, the user has to carefully keep track on how long the candle is lit. Similarly, use of a traditional Advent Wreath requires that the user, on the days where the candle(s) is/are supposed to be lit, remembers to light the candle(s) and to put it/them out again so that the height of the candle(s) is/are reduced by the intended amount. Another issue is that a calendar candle or Advent wreath is often a part of a decoration with ornaments such as spruce branches and ribbons, i.e. ornaments that can catch fire. Such a decoration is normally arranged so that the ornaments are in contact with or are very close to the lowermost part of the wax candle, which means that the ornaments may catch fire if the candle burns completely down. If the ornaments catch fire, it is possible that the residence in which the decoration is positioned will catch fire, which results in property loss and even potentially death of residents. Yet another issue is that exposure to emitted candle smoke has harmful effects on people in the form of e.g. lung inflammation and toxicity.

Thus, there is a need for a device that provides the same visual counting function as e.g. a traditional calendar candle or an Advent wreath, but does not have the above-mentioned issues.

2 DK 2019 70602 A1 In a first aspect according to the present invention is provided an electric candle device that provides the same visual counting as e.g. a calendar candle or an Advent wreath.

In a second aspect is provided an electric candle device that requires fewer acts from the user than the acts required to use e.g. a calendar candle or an Advent wreath. In a third aspect is provided an electric candle device, where the use thereof provides a much lower fire hazard than the use of e.g. a calendar candle or an Advent wreath. The novel and unique features whereby these and other aspects are achieved according to the present invention consists in that the electric candle device comprises at least one electric candle, where each electric candle comprises: - a candle body, - a flame element extending upwards from the candle body, -— a first light source arranged for illuminating at least a part of the flame element, and - at least one second light source arranged for illuminating at least a part of the candle body, wherein the device further comprises a control mechanism for controlling the first and second light source of the at least one electric candle, where the control mechanism is adapted for controlling the at least one second light source of the at least one electric candle in a series of successive counting steps, where each counting step lasts for a predetermined time period T, and where the illumination by the at least one second light source of the at least one electric candle provides a visual counting of the counting steps.

2 DK 2019 70602 A1 Unless stated otherwise, the electric candle of the present invention is referred to in a use state where the at least one electric candle is positioned on a flat horizontal surface and extends vertically upwards.

The electric candle device comprises a power unit for powering the first and second light source and the control mechanism. The power unit is preferably a battery unit; or a solar cell panel, which may be an integrated part of the candle body.

It is preferred that the first light source, second light source, control mechanism and/or the power unit are disposed inside the candle body of the at least one electric candle, so that they are protected from damage during use and transportation.

It is preferred that the candle body of each electric candle is provided with an upper opening, which is adapted for the flame element of the electric candle to extend there through in a way where the flame element is disposed partly inside and partly outside the candle body, in which case it is preferred that the emitted light from the first light source of the electric candle is focused on the upper part of the flame element, such as the part that protrudes from the candle body. The part of the flame element that protrudes from the candle body is preferably a flat part with an outline that corresponds to or substantially corresponds to the shape of a burning flame of a standard wax candle. The flame element of the at least one electric candle is preferably made of plastic or metal. The at least one electric candle preferably may comprise a driving mechanism for causing the flame element to move (e.g. swing and/or rotate) in relation to the candle body when the first light source is activated. This increases the resemblance

: DK 2019 70602 A1 between the flame element and the burning flame of a wax candle. The driving mechanism is preferably disposed inside the candle body. The first light source of the at least one electric candle is preferably disposed inside the candle body, and for embodiments where the flame element extends upwards through an upper opening in the candle body, the size of this upper opening is preferably adapted so that the emitted light from the first light source is able to pass through this upper opening in order to reach at least a part of the flame element that extends from the candle body. Instead of passing through the same upper opening as the flame element, the emitted light from the first light source may pass through another upper opening provided in the candle body; or the candle body may comprise a transparent part that allows the emitted light from the first light source to pass there though before reaching at least a part of the flame element that protrudes from the candle body; or the first light source may even be disposed outside the candle body, such as on top of the candle body.

For embodiments where the flame element of the at least one electric candle extends through an upper opening of the candle body, the upper opening is preferably sized so that the distance between the circumferential edge of the upper opening and the flame element is as small as possible in order to inhibit objects such as dust and water drops from entering the interior of the candle body.

For embodiment where the flame element of the at least one electric candle extends through an upper opening of the candle body and the electric candle comprises a driving mechanism for moving the flame element, the size of the upper opening is preferably adapted to be just large enough for the flame element to not touch the candle body while moving.

; DK 2019 70602 A1 Instead of extending through an upper opening of the candle body, the flame element of the at least one electric candle can be mounted on top of the candle body, in which case it is possible for the candle body to avoid having an upper opening, such as if the first light source is disposed outside the candle body, or if the first light source is disposed inside the candle body and emitting light through a transparent part of the candle body.

The first light source of the at least one electric candle can be adapted to also emit light towards the part of the candle body that is close to the flame element in order to create the impression that light is emitted from the flame element towards the upper part of the candle body.

This increases the resemblance between the flame element and the burning flame of a wax candle, as the wax close to the burning flame of a wax candle is lit up by light emitted from the burning flame.

The candle body of the at least one electric candle can be shaped in different ways, such as with the same/similar shape as a pillar candle, cartridge candle, or taper candle.

The shape of the candle body is preferably cylindrical, and preferably with a circular cross- section.

The candle body is preferably made of stearin or paraffin wax in order to aid in the perception of a real wax candle, but can also be made of an appropriate rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic.

The second light source of the at least one electric candle is preferably disposed inside the candle body, in which case the candle body is adapted so that the emitted light from the second light source is visible from outside the candle body to such an extent that a person looking at the electric candle is able to see the illumination caused the second light source.

, DK 2019 70602 A1 For embodiments where the second light source of the at least one electric candle is disposed inside the candle body, it is preferred that at least the part (or parts) of the candle body being illuminated by the second light source is adapted to allow the emitted light to at least partly pass through the material of the candle body from the second light source inside the candle body to the outside of the candle body, such as by making at least this part (or these parts) of the candle body transparent.

In one embodiment, the entire candle body is made transparent.

The degree of transparency depends on parameters such the material (e.g. stearin, paraffin wax or plastic) and thickness (e.g. 4 mm) of the candle body.

The control mechanism is adapted to control the activation and deactivation of the first and second light source (and the optional driving mechanism) of the at least one electric candle.

The control mechanism is preferably an electronic mechanism, which can be operated by a switch or a remote control unit.

If operated by a switch, it is preferred that the candle body is provided with a bottom opening and that the switch is disposed at this bottom opening.

For embodiments where the electric candle device consists a single electric candle, the control mechanism is preferably disposed inside the candle body, and is preferably in wired communication with the first and second light source, and the power unit (and the optional driving mechanism). For embodiments where the electric candle device consists of two or more electric candles (e.g. four when used as an Advent wreath), it is preferred that the control mechanism is disposed inside the candle body of one of the electric candles, which comprises the switch for operating the device (unless the device is operated by a remote

2 DK 2019 70602 A1 control unit), and the control mechanism is in wired or wireless communication with the other electric candle(s). If the two or more electric candles are in wired communication, it is possible for all of them to be powered by a single power unit. It is however preferred that each electric candle has its own power unit.

It is preferred that the control mechanism and/or the second light source of the at least one electric candle are provided on at least one PCB (printed circuit board). For embodiments with a single electric candle, it is most preferred that the control mechanism is on a first PCB and the second light source on a second PCB, where the second PCB is attached (e.g. by gluing) directly to the inner surface of the candle body. Alternatively, the control mechanism and second light source are provided on a single PCB, which can be attached directly to the inner surface of the candle body.

The candle body of the at least one electric candle is preferably provided with visual representations of the counting steps, and the at least one second light source of the at least one electric candle is arranged for illuminating the visual representations in order to obtain the visual counting controlled by the counting mechanism. The visual representations can be numbers, words, signs, pictures or other types of visual representations that can be perceived by the human mind as a representation of counting steps. If the electric candle device is adapted to count the days from 1% to 24th of December, as a calendar candle, the visual representations can e.g. be the numbers “1” to “24”, or the words “one” to “twenty-four”.

The visual representations are preferably provided on the candle body by means of a film, such as a plastic film, where the visual representations are provided, e.g. printed, on the film, which is attached to the outer surface of the candle body. Using such a film

2 DK 2019 70602 A1 makes it easy to control the outer appearance of the electric candle, as the film can be transparent, have different colours, and/or be provided with decorative pictures (e.g. stars), depending on the desired appearance. The film is preferably wrapped around the vertical part of the candle body. Using a film makes it possible to turn one type of candle body into electric candles with different visual appearances, which means lower manufacturing costs.

Instead of using a film, the visual representations and optionally other decorations can be provided (e.g. printed) directly on the outer surface of the candle body or embedded into the candle body close to the outer surface thereof.

The at least one second light source of the at least one electric candle is preferably able to individually illuminate the visual representations, so that it is possible for any one or more, or all of the visual representations to be illuminated at any given time. It is preferred that the second light source of each electric candle comprises the same number of individual second light sources (e.g.

light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) as the number of visual representations of the electric candle, and that the individual light sources are able to emit light on each their visual representation. The individual second light sources are preferably aligned with the respective visual representations, and are preferably positioned close to the visual representations in order to minimize the distance between the each second light source and the matching visual representation. The lower this distance is, the lower the power consumed by the second light source can be while still providing an illumination of the visual representations that is sufficient bright for being sufficiently visible for the user.

The accumulated duration of the counting steps is typically several days (e.g. 24 days when used as a calendar candle). It is thus

10 DK 2019 70602 A1 preferred that the first light source (and the optional driving mechanism), and optionally also the second light source, is/are only activated during a part of the counting steps in order to save power and to further resemble a real wax candle (that normally is not lit continuously during several days). It is preferred that each counting step starts with a first time period Ti followed by a second time period T, where T = T1 + T2, and where the first light source (and the optional driving mechanism) and/or the second light source is/are only activated during Ti. Most preferably, the first light source (and the optional driving mechanism) is only activated during Ti, and the second light source is activated during both Ti and To».

For embodiments where T is 24 hours, Ti is preferably between 6 and 10 hours; and most preferably 8 hours, in which case the power saving period T2 e.g. can be between 23 pm and 15 pm (night + working hours). The electric candle can be provided with a selection mechanism adapted for the user to select the duration of Ti, where the selection mechanism can be a switch or a turning knob. It is most preferred that the selection mechanism is a switch with three or more set positions, where one set position is for deactivating the electric candle, and the two or more additional set positions allows the user to choose between two or more distinct durations of Ti. In another embodiment, the selection mechanism is a turning knob with an infinite number of positions between two end positions, where it is preferred that one end position is for deactivating the electric candle (corresponds to Ti being zero), the other end position is for choosing a maximum duration Tmax (can e.g. be where T> is zero), and any position between the two end positions sets Ti to a value higher than zero and lower than Tmax.

The selection mechanism can be adapted to allow the user to change the duration Ti after the initial activation of the electric candle

1 DK 2019 70602 A1 at Tstart. In one embodiment, the selection mechanism is adapted so that if the user changes Ti at any given time during the counting steps, T1 is changed for the counting step in which the change occurs and all subsequent counting steps. The user can e.g. choose a low T1 on days where he has no use of a long-lasting illumination and a high T1 on days where he wants a long-lasting illumination. In order to simplify the use of the electric candle device, the device is advantageously adapted to be activated by the user, where after the control mechanism automatically controls the first and second light source (and the optional driving mechanism) during the counting steps without further action from the user. In a preferred embodiment, the first counting step starts right away when the device is activated by the user at Tstart.

The electric candle device can be adapted to count the counting steps repeatedly (e.g. the weekdays Monday to Sunday over and over). It is however preferred that the electric candle device is adapted to have a predetermined number of counting steps, in which case the control mechanism automatically shuts off the device after the last counting step. If the device is used as a calendar candle, the number of counting steps is 24 and T is 24 hours. If the device is used as an Advent wreath, the number of counting steps are 4 and T is 7 days.

If the first counting step starts upon activation of the device, and there for example is 24 counting step, T is 24 hours, Ti is 8 hours and Tstart 1s 15 pm, then Ti starts on 15 pm and ends on 23 pm on each of the 24 successive days starting on the day where the device is activated.

In a preferred embodiment, the electric candle device comprises a means adapted to allow the user, once the device has been activated, to manually jump to any counting step. The advantage of such a means

2 DK 2019 70602 A1 is that the user does not have to activate the device at the time corresponding to the first counting step. For example, if the electric candle device has a predetermined number of counting steps (e.g. 24 counting steps if used as a calendar candle capable of counting from 1st December to 24th December), and the user activates the device on the 4th December, the user can use the means to manually skip the first three counting steps and jump directly to the start of the fourth counting step (corresponding to the 4th December). The means for manually Jumping to any counting step can e.g. be button provided on the electric candle device that when clicked x times by the user skips x counting steps. If the electric candle device is operated by a remote control unit, the means for manually Jumping to any counting step can be provided on the remote control unit such as in the form of a button that when clicked x times by the user skips x counting steps.

For embodiments where the counting steps correspond to a specific time period, such as from 15% December to 24th December (24 counting steps lasting 24 hours each) or from Monday to Sunday (7 counting steps lasting 24 hours each), the device may, instead of comprising a means for manually jumping to any counting step, comprise an automatic selection means adapted to automatically retrieving the current date (e.g. from the DCF77 signal from Mainflingen in Germany) and automatically jump to the counting step that corresponds to the current date. For example, if the electric candle device is used as a calendar candle intended to count the 24 days from 1% December to 24th December, and the user activates the device on the 4th December, such an automatic selection means could be adapted to automatically jump to the start of the fourth counting step.

In an advanced version of the embodiment with the automatic selection means, the automatic selection means adapted to automatically retrieving the current date and time (e.g. from the DCF77 signal

DK 2019 70602 A1 from Mainflingen in Germany) and automatically jump to the point of the counting step that corresponds to the current date and time. This means that no matter when the device is activated by the user, the device will automatically jump to the point of the counting step that corresponds to the current time. For example, if the electric candle device is used as a calendar candle intended to count the 24 days from 1st December to 24th December (24 counting step lasting 24 hours each), and the device is activated by the user on 3rd December at midday, the device will jump directly to the middle of the third counting step.

In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electric candle device consists of only one electric candle, where the candle body is provided with twenty-four visual representations of the twenty-four days from 1st December to 24th December, respectively, the at least one second light source of the electric candle is arranged for illuminating the visual representations, and the predetermined time period T is 24 hours. This embodiment is capable of providing the same counting function as a calendar candle.

It is preferred that the 24 visual representations are positioned in increasing order in the direction from the top to the bottom of the candle body, in order to resemble a calendar candle where the numbers melt away in a downwards direction as the candle burns. The 24 visual representations are preferably positioned in a straight line or in a zigzag pattern.

For embodiments where each counting step starts with a first time period Ti followed by a second time period Tz, where T = T1 + T2, the first and second light source can be activated/deactivated in different ways during the first time period Ti and second time period T>. The following four examples describe four preferred ways of activating/deactivating the first and second light source during the

1 DK 2019 70602 A1 counting steps, and are exemplified by an electric candle device with 24 counting steps and intended to be used as a calendar candle. First example: The first light source is only activated during Ti in each of the 24 counting steps; and the second light source is activated in a way where the visual representation of the number 1 is illuminated during the entire first counting step, the visual representations of the numbers 1 and 2 are illuminated during the entire the second counting step, and so on ending with all 24 visual representations being illuminated during the entire twenty-fourths counting step.

Second example: The first light source is only activated during Ti in each of the 24 counting steps; and the second light source is activated in a way where the 24 visual representations are illuminated one after another, where the visual representation of the number 1 is illuminated during the entire first counting step, the visual representations of the number 2 is illuminated during the entire second counting step, and so on ending with the visual representation of the number 24 being illuminated during the twenty- fourths counting step.

Third example: The first and second light source are only activated during Ti; in each of the 24 counting steps, where the second light source is activated in a way where the visual representation of the number 1 is illuminated during T1 of the first counting step, the visual representations of the numbers 1 and 2 are illuminated during T1 of the second counting step, and so on ending with all 24 visual representations being illuminated during Ti of the twenty-fourths counting step.

Fourth example: The first and second light source are only activated during Ti in each of the 24 counting steps, where the second light i. DK 2019 70602 A1 source illuminates the 24 visual representations one after another in a way where the visual representation of the number 1 is illuminated during Ti of the first counting step, the visual representation of the number 2 is illuminated during Ti: of the second counting step, and so on ending with the visual representation of the number 24 being illuminated during Ti of the twenty-fourths counting step.

The first and second way of activating/deactivating the first and second light source, as exemplified by the above-mentioned first and second example, provide an electric candle device where the visual counting can be seen during the entire duration of all counting steps, and where the intensity of the emitted light from the second light source increases towards the last counting step.

The third and fourth way of activating/deactivating the first and second light source, as exemplified by the above-mentioned third and fourth example, resembles the illumination of a calendar candle the most, as the first and second light source only emit light during Ti (corresponding to a calendar candle only being lit during a part of each of the 24 days). The power consumption of the fourth example is lowest compared to the other three examples.

It is preferred that the candle body of the at least one electric candle is hollow such as by being provided with a lower opening, an upper opening and a through-going passage extending there between, where the passage is adapted to accommodate the internal components of the electric candle. Fach of the at least one electric candle may comprise internal components in the form of a lower housing and an upper housing that are accommodated inside and attached to the candle body, where the lower housing may comprise the power unit, and the upper housing may comprise the flame element and the first light source. The through-going passage makes it possible to interconnect

16 DK 2019 70602 A1 the internal components by electric wirings that may extend freely in the air between the internal components, and thereby provide an easy and simple assembly of the electric candle.

A candle body with the above-mentioned through-going passage is advantageous as it can be made as a single-piece (e.g. by being moulded in a single mould), which gives a robust structure.

It is preferred that the bottom of the lower housing is at level with, or substantially at level with, the lower opening of the candle body so that the lower housing closes off the lower opening of the candle body. The top of the upper housing is preferably at level with the upper opening of the candle body, and preferably matches the shape of the upper opening of the candle body. The flame element is preferably mounted to the upper housing in a way where the flame element is disposed partly inside and partly outside the candle body. The first light source is preferably mounted to the upper housing. The lower and upper housing can both be fixed to the candle body.

It is preferred that the internal components also comprise a support element extending between the lower and upper housing in order to support the upper housing, so that it is sufficient if only the lower housing is fixed to the candle body.

The bottom of the lower housing is preferably provided with a switch for operating the electric candle and/or a battery lid for accessing a battery compartment inside the lower housing. It is advantageous to have the battery compartment at the bottom of the electric candle, as the weight of the battery/batteries facilitates that the electric candle stands steadily on a horizontal surface during use.

The bottom of the lower housing can be at level with the bottom of the candle body, so that when the electric candle is positioned on

+ DK 2019 70602 A1 a horizontal surface during use, both the lower housing and the candle body rests on the horizontal surface.

The first and/or second light source of each of the at least one electric candle is preferably provided on at least one PCB, such as the first light source on a first PCB and the second light source on a second PCB.

The control mechanism is preferably provided on one of the at least one PCB of the electric candle device.

The at least one PCB of each of the at least one electric candle is preferably electrically connected by means of electric wirings to the power unit, and to the optional switch and/or driving mechanism.

Embodiments with only one electric candle comprising an upper housing may comprise a first PCB with the control mechanism and fixed to either the upper or lower housing, and a second PCB with the second light source and fixed (e.g. by gluing) to the inner surface of the candle body.

For embodiments where each of the at least one electric candle has a single PCB, it is preferred that the PCB comprises the second light source, and that the PCB is fixed (e.g. by gluing) to the inner surface of the candle body.

When used as an Advent wreath, the electric candle device is adapted to provide a visual counting of the four weeks of Advent, in which case the most preferred embodiment the device comprises four electric candles, the number of counting steps is four, each counting step starts with a first time period Ti of one day followed by a second time period T2 of six days; and the control mechanism is adapted for activating the first and second light source of one of the candles during Ti of the first counting period (First Sunday of Advent), activating the first and second light source of two of the candles during Ti of the second counting period (Second Sunday of Advent),

8 DK 2019 70602 A1 activating the first and second light source of three of the candles during T1 of the third counting period (Third Sunday of Advent), and activating the first and second light source of all four candles during Ti of the fourth counting period (Fourth Sunday of Advent).

The illumination of the four candles by the respective at least one second light source can be a simple illumination of at least a part of the candle body (i.e. without the candle bodies being provided with any visual representation of the four counting steps). It is most preferred that the at least one second light source is disposed inside the candle body, and that at least the part (or parts) of the candle body being illuminated by the second light source is adapted to allow the emitted light to at least partly pass through the material of the candle body from the second light source inside the candle body to the outside of the candle body, such as by making at least this part (or these parts) of the candle body transparent. The illumination of the four candles of the most preferred embodiment of the device when used as an Advent Wreath corresponds to lighting one of the four wax candles of a traditional Advent Wreath on the First Sunday of Advent, and then lighting one extra candles on each of the following three Sundays of Advent.

As exemplified in the following examples, the at least one electric candle of the electric candle device of the present invention is simple to assembly when the candle body comprises a lower opening, an upper opening, and a through-going passage that extends there between and is adapted to accommodate the internal components of the electric candle, as the through-going passage facilitates that the internal components are easy to insert into and attach to the candle body.

In a first example of an easy assembly method, the internal components comprises an upper housing, a lower housing, a first PCB

DK 2019 70602 A1 with the control mechanism that is attached to the upper housing, and a second PCB with the second light source that is attached directly to the inner surface of the candle body without being fixed to the other internal components of the electric candle, and the assembly method comprises the steps of: - assembling the internal components (excluding the second PCB) to each other, - electrically interconnecting the internal components by appropriate electric wirings, - inserting the second PCB into the through-going passage of the candle body through the lower opening of the candle body, and fixing (e.g. gluing) the second PCB to the inner surface of the candle body at a position that provides the intended illumination during use of the device, and -— inserting the internal components (excluding the already inserted second PCB) into the hollow candle body through the lower opening of the candle body, and fixing the lower housing to an inner surface of a lower part of the candle body.

This assembly method requires that the electric wirings between the second PCB and the other internal components are sufficient long for the second PCB to be inserted into and fixed to the candle body while the other internal components are at least partly outside the candle body.

The second example of an easy assembly method is a modified version of the first assembly method, where the length of the electric wirings between the second PCB and the other internal component can be shorter. Shorter electric wirings reduces the likelihood of wirings being entangled, and thereby being detached. The second assembly method comprises the steps of: - attaching one end of at least two electric wirings to the second PCB,

0 DK 2019 70602 A1 - inserting the second PCB into the through-going passage of the candle body through the lower opening of the candle body, and fixing (e.g. gluing) the second PCB to the inner surface of the candle body at a position that provides the intended illumination during use of the device and in a way where the other end of the at least two electric wirings extends out the lower opening of the candle body, - assembling the internal components (excluding the second PCB) to each other, - electrically interconnecting the internal components (excluding the second PCB) by appropriate electric wirings, - electrically interconnecting the first and second PCB by means of one of the at least two electric wirings already attached to the second PCB, - inserting the assembled internal components (excluding the already inserted second PCB) into the through-going passage of the candle body through the lower opening of the candle body to a point where only the lower housing is still outside (or partly outside) the candle body, - electrically interconnecting the second PCB with the lower housing (that may comprise the power unit) by means of another of the at least two electric wirings already attached to the second PCB, and - completing the insertion of the internal components (excluding the already inserted second PCB) into the candle body through the lower opening of the candle body, and fixing the lower housing to an inner surface of a lower part of the candle body.

The third example of an easy assembly method is a modified version of the first assembly method, where the control mechanism and second light source are provided on a single PCB, which is attached directly to the inner surface of the candle body. The third assembly method comprises the steps of: - attaching one end of at least one electric wiring to the PCB,

1 DK 2019 70602 A1 - inserting the PCB into the through-going passage of the candle body through the lower opening of the candle body, and fixing (e.g. gluing) the PCB to the inner surface of the candle body at a position that provides the intended illumination during use of the device and in a way where the other end of the at least one electric wiring extends out the lower opening of the candle body, - assembling the internal components (excluding the PCB) to each other, - electrically interconnecting the internal components (excluding the PCB) by means of electric wirings, - attaching the other end of the at least one electric wiring from the PCB to the internal components (such as to the power unit), - inserting the assembled internal components (excluding the already inserted PCB) into the through-going passage of the candle body through the lower opening of the candle body, and fixing the lower housing to an inner surface of a lower part of the candle body.

The device of the present invention is preferably used as a calendar candle, where the candle body is provided with twenty-four visual representations of 15 December to 24th December, and the second light source comprises twenty-four LEDs that are aligned with the twenty- four visual representations, in which case the intended illumination by the second light source in the above-mentioned three examples of an assembly method can be obtained by attaching the PCB with the twenty-four LEDs to the inner surface of the candle body.

The preferred way of fixing the lower housing to the inner surface of a lower part of the candle body is by gluing an appropriate part of the outer surface of the lower housing to an appropriate part of the inner surface of the lower part of the candle body, but other appropriate fixation techniques are also possible, such as snap and press fits (especially useful when the lower housing and the candle body are made of plastic).

> DK 2019 70602 A1

FIGURES Exemplary embodiments of the electric candle device when used as a calendar candle are described below giving further advantageous features and technical effects of the present invention, where Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the electric candle device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 shows the device of fig. 1 where the candle body has been removed for illustrative purposes, Fig. 3 is an exploded view of fig. 2 excluding the second PCB, Fig. 4 shows the same as in fig. 3 but from another angle, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the components shown in fig. 2, excluding the second PCB, taken along the line V-V, The exemplary embodiments described below have internal components in the form of a lower and upper housing that are connected by a support element, two PCBs, and a battery compartment, but these internal components are not to be understood as essential for the invention. The electric candle device 1 of fig. 1 has a hollow candle body 2, which has a cylindrically shaped outer surface, a through-going passage, a substantially flat bottom 3, and an upper edge 4 with a wave-like structure that resembles the upper edge of a wax candle that has been partly burned down. The flame element 5 is disposed partly inside and partly outside the candle body 2. The candle body 2 has an upper opening 6 through which the upper part 7 of the flame

3 DK 2019 70602 A1 element 5 protrudes from the candle body 2. The upper part 7 of the flame element 5 is substantially flat and has an outline that resembles the shape of a burning flame of a standard wax candle.

The twenty-four visual indications 8 in the form of the numbers 1 to 24 are provided on the outer surface of the candle body 2 in a straight vertical line. The candle body 2 can be made of paraffin wax with a plastic film attached to the outer vertical surface of the paraffin wax, where the twenty-four visual representations 8 are provided on the plastic film.

As shown in fig. 2, the internal components of the device 1 includes a lower housing 9, an upper housing 10, an elongated support element 11, a first PCB 12, and a second PCB 13. The lower housing 9 includes a battery unit 14 and a first support plate 15. As shown in fig. 4, the first support plate 15 has four downwards extending support legs 16, a battery lid 17 with a locking tab 18, and a switch 19 for operating the device 1. The candle body 2 has a lower opening (not shown), and the lower housing 9 is secured to the candle body 2 in a way where the first support plate 15 is substantially at level with the bottom 3 of the candle body 2 and the support legs 16 extends downwards from the bottom 3 of the candle body 2, so that only the support legs 16 support the device 1 during use. The through-going passage of the candle body 2 extends between the upper 6 and lower opening of the candle body 2.

The lower housing 9 can be secured to the candle body 2 by gluing at least a part of the vertically extending semi-circular flange 20 to the inner surface of the candle body 2. In order to prevent e.g.

dust from entering the interior of the candle body 2 through the lower opening thereof, the shape of the first support plate 15 matches the shape of the lower opening of the candle body 2.

DK 2019 70602 A1 In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lower housing 9 is not provided with support legs 16 and is secured to the interior surface of the candle body 2 in a way where the first support plate 15 is at an appropriate higher level than the level of the bottom 3 of the candle body 2, so that, during use, it is only the bottom 3 of the candle body 2 that touches the horizontal surface on which the device 1 rests, and so that the battery lid 17, locking tab 18 and switch 19 do not touch the horizontal surface.

The upper housing 10 is secured on top of the upper face 21 of the horizontally extending first PCB 12. As best shown in fig. 4, a second support plate 22 is attached to the first PCB 12 in a way where the second support plate 22 is positioned below the first PCB 12, and a first square fixation slot 23 is provided on the lower face 24 of the second support plate 22. An upper square fixation slot 25 is provided on top of the lower housing 9. The upper housing 10 is supported by the lower housing 9, as the support element 11 extends there between. The square shape of the support element 11 matches the shape of the first and second fixation slots 23, 25, and the two opposite ends of the support element 11 are inserted into the respective fixation slots 23, 25.

The flame element 5 is mounted to the upper housing 10 and extends upwards through an upper opening 26 of the upper housing 10. The shape of the upper part 27 of the upper housing 10 matches the shape of the upper opening 6 of the candle body 2 to prevent the upper housing 10 from moving horizontally. The upper circumferential edge 28 of the upper housing 10 is at level with the upper edge 29 of the upper opening 6 in order to inhibit e.g. dust from collecting at the border between the upper housing 10 and the upper opening 6 of the candle body 2.

DS DK 2019 70602 A1 The first light source is a single LED 30 arranged at the top of the upper housing 10 and oriented so that the LED 30 is able to emit light towards the upper part 7 of the flame element 5.

The second light source is twenty-four individual LEDs 31 arranged on the second PCB 13. The second PCB 13 is secured (e.g. by gluing) to the inner surface of the candle body 2 in a position where the twenty-four LEDs 31 are facing towards and aligned with the corresponding visual representations 8.

The upper housing 10 is provided with a driving mechanism (not shown) for causing the flame element 5 to move in relation to the candle body 2 when the first light source is activated. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the flame element 5 is stationary.

The first PCB 12 is provided with the control mechanism for controlling the first light source, second light source, and the driving mechanism.

The battery unit 14, switch 19, first PCB 12, second PCB 13, first light source 30, second light source 31, and the driving mechanism are electrically interconnected by electric wirings. Only the wiring 32 between the first PCB 12 and the first light source 30 is visible (in fig. 2).

Claims

6 DK 2019 70602 A1 Claims

1. An electric candle device (1) comprising at least one electric candle, where each electric candle comprises: - a candle body (2), - a flame element (5) extending upwards from the candle body (2), - a first light source (30) arranged for illuminating at least a part (7) of the flame element (5), and - at least one second light source (31) arranged for illuminating at least a part of the candle body (2), wherein the device further comprises a control mechanism for controlling the first and second light source (30, 31) of at least one electric candle, where the control mechanism is adapted for controlling the at least one second light source (31) of at least one electric candle in a series of successive counting steps, where each counting step lasts for a predetermined time period T, and where the illumination by the at least one second light source (31) of at least one electric candle provides a visual counting of the counting steps.

2. A device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the candle body (2) of the at least one electric candle is provided with visual representations (8) of the counting steps, and - the at least one second light source (31) of the at least one electric candle is arranged for illuminating the visual representations (8) to thereby provide the visual counting.

3. A device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first light source and/or the second light source are only activated for a predetermined first time period Ti during each counting step, where Ti is less than T, preferably is T 24 hours

7 DK 2019 70602 A1 and T1 is 6 to 10 hours, and most preferably is T 24 hours and Ti is 8 hours.

4, A device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the control mechanism is adapted to only activate the first light source (30) during a predetermined first time period Ti in each counting step, where Ti is less than T; and to activate the second light source (31) in a way where the visual representation of the first counting step is illuminated during the first counting step, the visual representation of the first and second counting steps are illuminated during the second counting step, and so on ending with the visual representations of all counting steps being illuminated during the last counting step.

5. A device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the control mechanism is adapted to only activate the first and second light source (30, 31) during a predetermined first time period Ti in each counting step, where Ti is less than T; where the second light source (31) is activated in a way where the visual representation of the first counting step is illuminated during Ti of the first counting step, the visual representation of the first and second counting steps are illuminated during Ti of the second counting step, and so on ending with the visual representations of all counting steps being illuminated during Ti of the last counting step.

6. An device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electric candle is adapted for being activated by the user, where after the control mechanism automatically controls the first and second light source (30, 31) during the counting steps without further action from the user.

9 DK 2019 70602 A1

7. A device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a means adapted to allow the user, once the device has been activated, to manually jump to any counting step, where said means can be provided on the at least one electric candle or on a remote control unit for operating the electric candle device (1).

8. A device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the counting steps corresponds to a specific time period, and the device (1) comprises an automatic selection means adapted to automatically retrieve the current date, and to automatically jump to the counting step that corresponds to the current date; or more preferably to automatically retrieve the current date and time, and to automatically jump to the point of the counting step that corresponds to the current date and time.

9, A device according to any of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that - the device consists of only one electric candle, - the candle body (2) of said electric candle is provided with twenty-four visual representations (8) of the twenty-four days from 15% of December to 24% of December, respectively, - the at least one second light source (31) of said electric candle is arranged for illuminating the visual representations (8), and - the predetermined time period T is 24 hours.

10. A device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second light source (31) comprises twenty-four LEDs (31), which are arranged for emitting light on each their visual representation (8) of the twenty-four days from 15t of December to 24th of December.

Do DK 2019 70602 A1

11. A device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the candle body (2) is hollow, and the electric candle comprises a single PCB comprising the second light source (31), where the PCB is attached to the inner surface of the hollow candle body (2).

12. A device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the candle body (2) is hollow, and the electric candle comprises a first PCB (12) with the control mechanism and a second PCB (13) with the second light source (31), where the second PCB (13) is attached to the inner surface of the hollow candle body (2).

13. A device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 12, characterized in that: - the candle body (2) is provided with a lower opening, an upper opening (6), and a through-going passage extending there between, and - the lower opening is adapted for the internal components of the electric candle to be inserted into the candle body (2) through the lower opening.

14. A device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the electric candle comprising: - a lower housing (9) with a power unit (14), — an upper housing (10), where the flame element (5) is mounted to the upper housing (10), - the lower and upper housing (9, 10) are accommodated inside said through-going passage.

15. A device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 8 and 11 - 14, characterized in that: - the device (1) comprises four electric candles,

20 DK 2019 70602 A1 - the number of counting steps is four, - each counting step starts with a first time period Ti of one day followed by a second time period Tz of six days, - the control mechanism is adapted for activating the first and second light source (30, 31) of one of the candles during Ti of the first counting period, activating the first and second light source (30, 31) of two of the candles during Ti of the second counting period, activating the first and second light source (30, 31) of three of the candles during Ti of the third counting period, and activating the first and second light source (30, 31) of all four candles during Ti of the fourth counting period..

16. Use of the electric candle according to any of claims 1 - 14 as a calendar candle; or use of the electric candle according to claim 15 as an Advent Wreath.