WO2014064583A1

WO2014064583A1 - Candle comprising a non-paraffin element and a method of producing a candle comprising a non-paraffin element

Info

Publication number: WO2014064583A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/059418
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabrice GOFFIN
Original assignee: Hautekiet Candles Nv
Priority date: 2012-10-24
Filing date: 2013-10-17
Publication date: 2014-05-01
Also published as: BE1020557A5

Abstract

The present invention provides a candle comprising a wick enclosed by a paraffin mass, wherein a non-paraffin element is introduced in the paraffin mass, wherein said non-paraffin element is comprised in a paraffin-free container which protrudes from the paraffin mass.

Description

CANDLE COMPRISING A NON-PARAFFIN ELEMENT AND A METHOD OF PRODUCING A CANDLE COMPRISING A NON-PARAFFIN ELEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to candles and methods of producing candles.

In particular, the present invention relates to candles comprising a non-paraffin element and methods of producing candles comprising a non-paraffin element.

BACKGROUND

As a source of light, a candle is one of the oldest tools of man to provide lighting at times or at locations where natural daylight is not sufficient. The first references to the existence of candles date back to the 14^th century BC.

Generally, paraffin or stearin is used as a fuel for a candle. The candle is provided with a wick. The wick draws the melted fuel in as a result of capillary forces. When the melted fuel comes close to the flame, it evaporates and burns. During combustion, energy is dissipated in the form of light and heat.

Candles can be provided with various features. It is possible to make candles comprising aromas, colorants, odor-masking additives, insecticide additives and the like.

In order to achieve these aims, additives are added to the paraffin or the wick of the candle is impregnated with certain additives.

However, to date it has not been possible to add functionalities to the candle which are not homogeneously incorporated into the paraffin mass or wick.

In addition, no method is known to date which makes it possible to add functionalities via means which are not homogeneously incorporated into the paraffin mass or wick. SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a candle (1) comprising a wick (3) enclosed by a paraffin mass (2). A non-paraffin element (4) is comprised into the paraffin mass (2), in such a manner that the non-paraffin element (4) is visible.

The present invention provides a solution for the abovementioned problems by providing a candle (1), wherein said non-paraffin element (4) is visible by means of a transparent container (5) which comprises said non-paraffin element (4), protrudes from the paraffin mass (2) and is transparent.

The present invention provides a solution for the abovementioned problems by providing a candle (1), wherein said non-paraffin element (4) is visible by means of a distribution of said non-paraffin element (4) in the paraffin mass (2), wherein at least a part of the non-paraffin element (4) is distributed at the interphase surface between air and paraffin (2).

The present invention provides a solution for the abovementioned problems by providing a way of adding functionalities, wherein additives are not homogeneously distributed in the paraffin (2).

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of producing a candle (1), wherein the level of the liquid paraffin mass in the mold during casting of said liquid paraffin mass is not higher than the highest point of the container for the non-paraffin element.

The present invention provides a solution for the abovementioned problems by providing a method which makes it possible to add functionalities, wherein additives are not homogeneously distributed in the paraffin (2).

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The specific characteristics, advantages and aims of the present invention will become clear to the specialist in the technical field of the invention upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiment of the invention and of the attached figures. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a candle (1) with a flame (9) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in the paraffin (2), with a quadrangular base. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a candle (1) with a flame (9) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in the paraffin (2), with a round base.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a candle (1) with a flame (9) in a mold (6) with a quadrangular base, wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is placed in the paraffin (2).

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a candle (1) with a flame (9) in a mold (6) with a round base, wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is placed in the paraffin (2).

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a candle (1) with a wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in the paraffin (2) and wherein the non-paraffin element (4) is concentrated at the surface.

Figure 6 shows a cross section of a candle (1) with a wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in the paraffin (2) and wherein the non-paraffin element (4) is homogeneously distributed in the paraffin (2). Figure 7 shows a cross section of a candle (1) with a wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is placed vertically in the paraffin (2) and wherein the closed end of the container (5) for the non-paraffin element (4) protrudes from the paraffin (2). Figure 8 shows a detail of a cross section of a candle (1) with a wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is provided with a diamond (8), is placed vertically in the paraffin (2) and wherein the open end of the container (5) for the non-paraffin element (4) is sealed with a lid (7). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical or scientific terms, are to be understood as they would be understood by a specialist in the technical field of the invention.

The examples which are given serve to explain the arrangement, method and systems of the present invention and cannot be interpreted as limiting the invention.

As used in the description of the present invention, the following terms should be understood to have the meaning given below.

A candle (1) is a source of light, the fuel of which is a fatty substance which is solid at room temperature, such as for example paraffin (2), beeswax or stearin, and has a cotton string running through its center, called the wick (3). When the wick (3) is lit, the surrounding fat melts and is drawn into the string as a result of capillary action. In the higher sections of the wick (3), this fat is made gaseous as a result of evaporation and decomposition and burns while releasing heat and light.

A wick (3) is a cotton piece of string which absorbs a liquid fuel in order to enable it to burn. As a result of capillary action, melted paraffin (2) is drawn into a wick (3), is distributed more finely therein and consequently burns more easily. In the description of the present invention, the term wick is also used to refer to any material which can absorb melted paraffin (2) as a result of capillary action, such as for example, but not limited to, compressed wood fibers.

Paraffin (2) is a mixture of crystalline n-alkanes having 16 to 57 carbon atoms which is obtained from mineral oil fractions and lignite tar and is solid at room temperature. In the description of the present invention, paraffin (2) functions as the fuel which is drawn into the wick (3) as a result of the action of capillary force after it has melted on account of the heat which is emitted at the location of the flame (9), where an oxidation reaction of paraffin (2) takes place. The paraffin (2) is led to the flame (9) as a result of capillary action, where it evaporates and burns, emitting energy in the form of light and heat. In this text, the term "paraffin mass" is also used as a synonym for the term "paraffin". In the present invention, the following substances can also be used as an alternative for paraffin (2): stearin, a mixture of paraffin and stearin, beeswax. A non-paraffin element (4) is an element which has not dissolved in the paraffin (2), but is an element which is in a phase state, wherein the phase of the paraffin (2) and the phase of the non-paraffin element (4) are separated by at least one interphase surface. A container (5) for a non-paraffin element is to be understood as a device provided with a recess into which an element can be introduced. Such a device may have an opening via which the non-paraffin element (4) can be introduced and may be provided with a lid (7) to close off the opening. If desired, the container (5) may be provided with a threaded opening, so that the opening can be closed off by means of a screw top (7).

In an embodiment, the container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) has an elongate, cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is made from a non-flammable material with a high melting temperature. Preferably, the melting temperature of said material is higher than 800°C, more preferably the melting temperature of said material is higher than 1200°C. The term "transparent" is intended to mean translucent, in the sense that it is possible to look through the material. Examples of transparent materials are, but are not limited to, glass, crystal, but also certain minerals or plastics.

A mold (6) is a material having a certain shape, which is constructed in such a manner that the recess in the mold (6) has the shape of the desired product. A melting substance can be melted and introduced into the mold (6). After the melting substance has set, the mold (6) may be removed, if desired. The term "melting substance" is intended to mean a solid substance which can be melted by heating. A mold (6) may have a base, with the shape being round, oval, rectangular, quadrangular, triangular or polygonal. A mold (6) may have a base with the shape having straight and curved sides. A mold (6) may be a two- dimensional or three-dimensional shape. A mold (6) may be made of, for example, but not limited to, plastic, glass, ceramics, metal. A synonym for the term "mold" is "die".

In a first aspect, the present invention describes a candle (1) comprising a wick (3) enclosed by a paraffin mass (2), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is comprised in the paraffin mass (2). The non-paraffin element (4) is visible.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein said non-paraffin element (4) is visible by means of a container (5) which comprises said non-paraffin element (4) and which protrudes from the paraffin mass (2) and is transparent.

The following figures show a graphic representation of a candle (1), wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element is arranged in the paraffin mass (2).

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a candle (1) with a flame (9) in a mold (6) with a quadrangular base, wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is placed in paraffin (2). Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a candle (1) with a flame (9) in a mold (6) with a round base, wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is placed in paraffin (2).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container (5) for the non- paraffin element (4) is positioned vertically in the paraffin (2), so that the axis of the container (5) for the non-paraffin element is at an angle to the base of the mold (6) which is preferably greater than 65°. More preferably, the angle between the base of the mold (6) and the axis of the container (5) for the non-paraffin element is greater than 80°. Most preferably, the angle between the base of the mold (6) and the axis of the container (5) for the non-paraffin element is greater than 85°.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein said non-paraffin element (4) is visible by means of a distribution of said non- paraffin element (4) in the paraffin mass (2), wherein at least a part of the non- paraffin element (4) is distributed at the interphase surface between air and paraffin (2). In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein said non-paraffin element (4) is visible by means of a distribution of said non- paraffin element (4) in the paraffin mass (2), wherein at least a part of the non- paraffin element (4) is distributed at the interphase surface between mold (6) and paraffin (2), wherein the mold (6) is transparent.

The following figures show a graphic representation of a candle (1), wherein one or more non-paraffin elements are distributed in the paraffin mass (2). Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a candle (1) with a flame (9) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in paraffin (2), with a quadrangular base.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a candle (1) with a flame (9) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in paraffin (2), with a round base.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the non-paraffin elements are distributed in the paraffin mass (2), the non-paraffin elements are distributed in the paraffin mass (2) in such a manner that at least 50% of the total amount of non-paraffin elements is located in the upper layer of the paraffin mass (2), wherein the upper layer constitutes at most 50% of the total amount of paraffin mass (2). In a more preferred embodiment, the upper layer constitutes at most 35% of the total amount of paraffin mass (2). In a more preferred embodiment, the upper layer constitutes at most 15% of the total amount of paraffin mass (2).

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a candle (1) with wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in the paraffin (2) and wherein the non- paraffin element (4) is concentrated at the surface. Figure 6 shows a cross section of a candle (1) with a wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in the paraffin (2) and wherein the non-paraffin element (4) is homogeneously distributed in the paraffin (2).

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein the non-paraffin element (4) is a precious element, whose commodity price is at least 100 times greater than the commodity price of the paraffin (2), and preferably the commodity price is at least 1000 times greater than the commodity price of the paraffin (2).

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein the non-paraffin element (4) has a non-nominal value.

In a more preferred embodiment, the non-paraffin element (4) which has a non- nominal value is a letter, a handwritten letter, a proverb, a saying, a quote, a charm.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein the non-paraffin element (4) is a precious metal or an alloy comprising a precious metal, wherein the precious metal is preferably gold or an alloy comprising gold. In a more preferred embodiment, the precious metal is a metal selected from the following group of metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, rhenium and alloys thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein the non-paraffin element (4) is a precious stone or a mixture of crystals comprising one or more precious stones, wherein the precious stone is preferably a diamond (8).

In a more preferred embodiment, the precious stone is selected from the following group of precious stones: diamond (8), ruby, emerald, sapphire, aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline, amethyst, citrine, carnelian, opal, onyx, turquoise, lapis lazuli and garnet and mixtures of one or more of these precious stones.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein the non-paraffin element (4) is contained in a paraffin-free container (5).

Figure 7 shows a cross section of a candle (1) with a wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is placed vertically in the paraffin (2) and wherein the closed end of the container (5) for the non-paraffin element (4) protrudes from the paraffin (2). In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein said paraffin-free container (5) is made from a transparent material.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein said paraffin-free container (5) has a closed end, wherein said closed end protrudes from the paraffin mass (2).

Figure 8 shows a detail of a cross section of a candle (1) with a wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a container (5) for a non-paraffin element (4) is provided with a diamond (8), is placed vertically in the paraffin (2) and wherein the open end of the container (5) for the non-paraffin element (4) is closed off by a lid (7).

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein said paraffin-free container (5) has an open end, wherein said open end is provided with a closure cap (7), preferably by means of a screw top (7).

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein said paraffin-free container (5) has an open end, wherein said open end is provided with a closure cap (7), preferably by means of a lid (7) which clamps in the container (5) or is tightened around the container (5).

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a candle (1), wherein the paraffin mass (2) comprises paraffin, stearin, a mixture of paraffin and stearin or beeswax.

In a second aspect, the present invention describes a method of producing a candle

(1) comprising the following steps:

placing a wick (3) in a mold (6);

placing a container (5) of a non-paraffin element next to the wick (3) in the mold (6);

casting the liquid paraffin mass (2) into the mold (6);

solidifying the paraffin mass (2) in the mold (6).

The non-paraffin element (4) is positioned in such a manner that it is visible after the paraffin mass (2) has solidified in the mold (6). The mixture of paraffin mass

(2) and non-paraffin element (4) is cast in such a manner that the level of the liquid paraffin mass in the mold during casting of said liquid paraffin mass is not higher than the highest point of the container for the non-paraffin element.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method according to the second aspect of the invention, furthermore comprising the following steps:

- mixing a non-paraffin element (4) in the paraffin mass (2);

- casting the liquid paraffin mass (2) together with the non-paraffin element (4) which is mixed therein into the mold (6). The mixture of paraffin mass (2) and non-paraffin element (4) is cast in such a manner that the level of the liquid paraffin mass in the mold during casting of said liquid paraffin mass is not higher than the highest point of the container for the non-paraffin element. Figure 6 shows a cross section of a candle (1) with a wick (3) in a mold (6), wherein a non-paraffin element (4) is distributed in the paraffin (2) and wherein the non-paraffin element (4) is homogeneously distributed in the paraffin (2).

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of producing a candle (1) according to claim 14, wherein, in a first step of the casting, the paraffin mass (2) is poor in a non-paraffin element (4) and, in a second step of the casting, the paraffin mass (2) is rich in a non-paraffin element (4).

Claims

1. A candle comprising a wick enclosed by a paraffin mass, wherein a non- paraffin element is introduced in the paraffin mass, characterized in that said non-paraffin element is comprised in a paraffin-free container which protrudes from the paraffin mass.

2. The candle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said paraffin-free container is transparent.

3. The candle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said non- paraffin element is visible by means of a distribution of said non-paraffin element in the paraffin mass, wherein at least a part of the non-paraffin element is distributed at the interphase surface between air and paraffin.

4. The candle as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that the non-paraffin element is a precious metal or an alloy comprising a precious metal, wherein the precious metal is preferably gold or an alloy comprising gold.

5. The candle as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the non-paraffin element is a precious stone or a mixture of crystals comprising one or more precious stones, wherein the precious stone is preferably a diamond.

6. The candle as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that the non-paraffin element is contained in a paraffin- free container.

7. The candle as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said paraffin-free container is made from a transparent material.

8. The candle as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said paraffin- free container has a closed end, wherein said closed end protrudes from the paraffin mass.

9. The candle as claimed in at least one of claims 8-10, characterized in that said paraffin-free container has an open end, wherein said open end is provided with a closure cap, preferably by means of a screw top.

10. The candle as claimed in one of the preceding claims 1-9, characterized in that said paraffin mass comprises paraffin, stearin, a mixture of paraffin and stearin or beeswax.

11. A method of producing a candle as claimed in at least one of claims 1-10, comprising the following steps:

- placing a wick in a mold; - placing a container of a non-paraffin element next to the wick in the mold;

- casting the liquid paraffin mass into the mold;

- solidifying the paraffin mass in the mold,

characterized in that the level of the liquid paraffin mass in the mold during casting of said liquid paraffin mass is not higher than the highest point of the container for the non-paraffin element.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the following steps:

- mixing a non-paraffin element in the paraffin mass;

- casting the liquid paraffin mass together with the non-paraffin element which is mixed therein into the mold.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in a first step of the casting, the paraffin mass is poor in a non-paraffin element and, in a second step of the casting, the paraffin mass is rich in a non-paraffin element.