GB2343942A

GB2343942A - A candle wick

Info

Publication number: GB2343942A
Application number: GB9924279A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Malcolm Upson; Claire Louise Hewson
Original assignee: Reckitt and Colman Products Ltd
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK Ltd
Priority date: 1998-10-16
Filing date: 1999-10-14
Publication date: 2000-05-24
Also published as: GB9924279D0; WO2000023547A1; GB9822570D0; AU6213499A

Abstract

The wick comprises from 8 to 10 strands. The strands may be braided and their gauge may be between 40 to 80.

Description

2343942 A Candle The present invention provides an improved candle wick

system used for use in a candle.

The use of candles to provide heat and light is well known. For example candles are used as heat source to evaporate fragrant oils in oil burners. There has been a problem with using candles with such oil burners because either the candle has such a hot flame zh.az the oil is overheated and prouJuces smoke or the candle is impossible to relight. A solution to these problems has been sought.

According to -the invention there is provided a candle comprising wax and wick characterised in that the wick Comprises from 8 to 10 strands. There is also provided the use of a w---ck which comprises 8 to 10 strands to make a candle, and a wick which comprises from 8 to 10 strands.

Preferably the wick comprises 9 or 10 strands. The strands in the wick are optionally either braided or twisted. Preferably they are braided. The gauge of the strands is preferably from 20, more preferably from 40, to 100, more preferably to BOU; most preferably it is about 60.

The wick is preferably coated with a high melt wick 3 OU wax, e.g. one having a melt'ng point of 720C. This is to orotect the braidling of the wick and r-o ensure that --he wick stands uprighz without fraying.

71 .ne candle is either -F-ree standing or s-,_:poor-_ed by a container, for examole a metal container. Preferably i- is supported by an aluminium container.

The wick generally possesses an upper end which stands proud of the wax and is of a sufficient length to be lit and a lower end which is embedded in the wax at the base of the candle. Where the candle is supported by a container, the lower end is preferably weighted with, for example, a piece of metal, ceramic or glass. This is in order that towards the end of the life of the candle, when the candle wax becomes molten, the wick does not f!oat in the wax and become extinguished.

There are no particular limits on the type of wax which may be used in the candle according to the invention. Preferably the wax is of a type suitable is for use in a T-light or night light candle. More preferably the wax comprises a blend of waxes and oils such as that called 135 EX 79 sold by Mobil.

The candle may be used as a light and/or heat source.

In particular it may be used as a heat source to evaporate fragrant oils in oil burners. Since the flame of the candle is surprisingly cooler than that of candles with wicks comprising a greater number of strands it has been found that the consumer does not have to float the fragrant oil on water in the oil burner. Instead a water/fragrant oil mix may be placed in the burner and heated directly.

The invention is illustrated by the following Example which should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

Example

A candle comprising a wick having three braids of three cotton strands having a gauge of 60 each was made by the following method. The strands were braised together and then the wick thus formed was coated with a high melt wick wax having a melting point of 72'C. The wick was inserted in a steel sustainer having a diameter of 15 mm which was crimped to hold the wick in place. The wick was cut to a length of 35 mm. It was then inserted into the central hole (which had a diameter of 3 mm) of a 16 gram cylinder of wax of the type sold under the name Mobil 135 by Mobil Oil Co. Ltd., which cylinder had a diameter of 37.5 mm and a height of 18 mm. The wax cylinder containing the wick was then inserted into an aluminium cup having similar dimensions to the wax cylinder.

When lit, the candle was surprisingly found to have a flame whose temperature was sufficient to vaporise the fragrant oil mixture sold by Quest under the name of Juicy Sparkle F546.253 but without producing any smoke which would indicate charring of the oils.

After the flame had been extinguished and the candle had cooled, the wick was easily relightable.

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Claims

1. A candle comprising wax and a wick characterised in that the wick comprises from 8 to 10 strands. 5

2. A candle according to claim 1 wherein the wick comprises 9 strands.

3. A candle according to claim 1 wherein the wick comprises 10 strands.

4. A candle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the strands in the wick are braided.

is

5. A candle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gauge of the strands is from 40 to 80.

6. A candle according to claim S wherein the gauge of the strands is 60.

7. A wick as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Use of a wick which comprises from 8 to 10 2S strands to make a candle.

9. Use according to claim 8 wherein the wick comprises 9 or 10 strands.