GB2444256A

GB2444256A - Encapsulation of droplets of oils or scents within a wax candle

Info

Publication number: GB2444256A
Application number: GB0624031A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Millington; Alison Jane Earp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-01
Filing date: 2006-12-01
Publication date: 2008-06-04
Also published as: GB0624031D0

Abstract

A wax candle including perfume or scented oils such as essential oils encapsulated within small capsules randomly distributed throughout the candle body. The candle may be manufactured from wax plates A containing small pockets or indentations into which the oil or scent is injected (fig. 2). The plates A are mirror images of each other and the oil or scent is encapsulated as the plates A are moulded under pressure at room temperature. The wax does not mix with the oil or scent in the manufacturing process, so that the oil or scent remains in its unaltered chemical state. When the candle burns the heat from the flame directly volatilises a significant proportion of the oil or scent into the atmosphere giving improved "scent throw" and the random distribution of capsules provides consistency of vaporisation.

Description

I

Encapsulation of droplets of oils or scents within a wax candle

Description

There are many examples of natural oils or perfumes being incorporated within a candle body by means of mixing the constituents whilst the wax is molten and contained within a mould. The resultant candle formed on cooling may either be homogenous in composition or alternatively the oil or scent incorporated into Layers of wax or reservoirs usually parallel to the wick, rather than distributed throughout the whole candle body.

The efficiency of oil or scent dispersal into the surrounding atmosphere is affected by the size of the candle flame, melting point of the wax mixture, as well as the concentration and volatility of the oil or scent.

The difficulty this approach brings is that since the oils and scents are incorporated into the wax, there are significant areas of candle body which are either too close or too far from the flame for effective volatilisation.

The chemical mixing of the constituents adversely affects the volatility of the oil or scent and its instantaneous release, due to chemical interaction within the wax i.e. the oil or scent is not in its original virgin and concentrated form.

Statement of invention

To overcome the problems of both sub optimal scent throw and chemical interaction with the wax, the present invention proposes an approach whereby the virgin oils or scents are encapsulated in droplets, randomly dispersed throughout the candle but within specific areas of the candle body to optimise vaporisation.

This is achieved by the use of wax plates containing capsules or small pockets into which the oil or scent is injected. The plates are mirror images of each other and the oil or scent is encapsulated as the plates are moulded under pressure.

Unlike other methods of manufacture the production technique allows the oil or scent to be randomly encapsulated in non-layered droplets or pockets at ambient temperatures. The number of position of droplets of oil or scent within the candle body is determined to optimise instantaneous volatilisation by the candle flame.

The wax capsules containing the droplets melt as the candle burns, releasing the natural oil or perfume in virgin form instantaneously into the atmosphere when in contact with the heat from the flame.

Advantages When the candle burns and the wax melts, the oil or scent is released in a chemically unaltered form by the heat from the flame into the atmosphere giving an excellent scent throw.

The wax does not have to melt completely for the oil or scent to be vapourised as they become exposed directly to the heat from the candle flame. The construction of the candle, in this way, allows votatilisation of the oil or scent Into the atmosphere instanteously and effectively, unlike conventional candles where the oil or scent Is incorporated throughout the wax body.

Hence, this technique affords a more efficient and effective release of the virgin oils or scent into the atmosphere.

The oil or scent is not contained in reservoirs, layers or an bomogenous mix within the candle body.

In the case of essential oils the vaporised oil can then be absorbed into the body through the nasal passages and affording the health and psychological benefits that are well documented.

The use of 100% beeswax and essential oils affords the candle to be made entirely of natural products, which are recognised to be beneficial to health and wellbeing.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an outer casing made of glass, metal, ceramic or hard wax material; this can be of any size or shape. In the example this is a cube without a lid or top.

The wax plate containing the mirror image capsules or pockets are cut in size and inserted into the container working from the base upwards. The textured plates of wax have been rolled or pressed with Indentations, which act as capsules for the oil or scent.

The candle base is defined as that side on which the candle will rest when it is burned.

It is possible to insert the plates vertically or indeed at ant angle and complete the activity with the candle on its side.

Figure 2 -a syringe Is used to disperse the oil or scent (which maybe a mix) in a randomly but predetermined fashion, into selected vacant capsules.

The next wax plate also cut to size contains mirror images of the capsule into which the oils or scent has been injected is put firmly in place.

The oil or scent is injected into some or none of the capsules throughout the candle. The distribution is random throughout the areas where it is used.

This process is repeated until the desired depth of candle has been produced.

The oil or scent is incorporated at a pre-defined density, typically 7% by weight of the wax plates.

Figure 2 shows the plate and scent or oil insertion using a syringe.

At this stage the plates are compressed from above using a flat or curved press, which allows the plates of wax to adhere to each other throughout the candle body, which ensures encapsulation of the oil or scent.

Figure 3 shows the final addition of the top plate, which is heat-sealed to the container edges by melting the wax. This leads to the contents being fully sealed from the atmosphere. Finally a wick hole is made using a drilling tool, the wick inserted and heat-sealed at the top and base of the candle.

The wax may pure or mixed other waxes or carrier oils, be of any colour, type, mixture, thickness or density. The wick maybe waxed or unwaxed and any wick type and size.

One specific application of this construction is in area of health products. The candle construction facilitates improved vaporisation of the essential oils. The use of 100% beeswax and essential oils affords the candle to be made entirely of natural products, all of which are recognised to be beneficial to health and wellbeing.

Claims

Claims I. A candle construction that relies on the incorporation of

oils or scents within randomly distributed capsules within a wax candle body.
2. The candle is produced at ambient temperatures without the wax being melted ensuring that the capsules contain the oil or scent in its virgin composition i.e. it is unaltered chemically by the process.
3. The virgin oil or scent is volatilised directly by the heat from the candle flame when the randomly distributed capsules release their contents as the candle burns down
4. The candle yields significant direct volatilisation of virgin essential oils or medically beneficial volatile liquids, which can be absorbed Into the bloodstream via the nasal cavity having a direct impact on health or wellbeing.
5. This construction allows for higher concentrations of volatile virgin oils or scents to be incorporated into the candle body without risk of self ignition upon burning.