MXPA00001755A - Polymeric wick composition for air freshener candle product - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a wick composition which is comprised of a polymeric strand such as polyethylene, which has a content of particulate polysaccharidic filler ingredient and air freshener ingredient. The wick is adapted for incorporation in a candle body. When the wick is ignited, it combusts with a controlled release of the air freshener ingredient into the atmosphere.

Description

POLYMERIC COMPOSITION OF PABILO FOR REFRIGERATING AIR CANDLE PRODUCTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the dispersion of an air freshener of a candle product. More specifically, this invention relates to a wick composition having an air freshening constituent content which is released under wick combustion conditions. The candles have been known and used since the first civilizations. A conventional candle is formed of a solid or semi-solid body of wax such as paraffin wax, beeswax, and contains a fibrous wick of axially embedded fuel. When the wick of a candle is lit, the heat generated melts the solid wax, and the resulting liquid flows to the wick by capillary action and burns. More recently, waxes have been developed that are pleasant to smell as well as to the sense of sight. This type of candles, usually incorporates a fragrance oil in the body of the wax. As the wax melts into a lit candle, there is a release of the fragrance oil from the accumulation of the liquid wax. Conventional fragrance candles have disadvantages due to cost and other considerations. The incorporation of fragrance oil in candle wax is difficult to achieve in an amount that ensures the release of an adequate level of fragrance in the atmosphere during burning of the candle. In addition, the incorporated fragrance tends to migrate and prematurely volatilize from the body of the wax. The fragrance also softens the body of the candle, and there is an undesirable loss of rigidity in the structure of the candle. There is a continuing interest to develop an improved fragrance and other types of air freshener candles. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an air freshening candle product which releases air freshener in the atmosphere only under burning conditions of the lit candle. It is a further object of the invention to provide a wick composition which has an air freshening constituent content, and which is adapted to be incorporated into a candle body. It is a further object of this invention to provide a wicking composition which can be produced by a continuous molding process. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description and the appended examples. Publications of interest of background in connection with the present invention include U.S. Patent Nos. 1,974,037; 2,090,297; 2,818,615; 2,829,511; 3,560,122; 3,630,697; and 3,940,233; incorporated by reference.

The E.U.A. No. 2,829,511, describes a wick structure composed of a central cord of cellulose acetate in combination with an external mesh of cotton fibers. The E.U.A. No. 3,560,122 discloses a wick composition which is composed of paraffin wax, polyethylene, and particulate palladium clay. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One or more objectives of the present invention are achieved by providing a wick composition comprising a polymeric yarn which contains (a) between about 2-40 weight percent of the polysaccharide filling ingredient in particles, and (b) between about 0.05-20 weight percent of air freshening ingredient. The wick composition is usually an elongated yarn having a diameter between about 0.2-0.8 centimeters. In another embodiment, this invention provides a candle product having an axial wick component which comprises a polymeric yarn containing (a) between about 2-40 weight percent particulate polysaccharide filler ingredient, and (b) ) between about 0.05-20 percent by weight of air freshening ingredient. The polymeric matrix of a wick composition of the invention is preferably selected from the class of thermoplastic resins which are generally adapted for the formation of fibers by processes such as extrusion or compression molding. It is preferred that the polymer be composed of elements which do not turn into noxious vapors, such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, under combustion conditions.

Equipment and processes for forming polymer fibers by extrusion are described in publications such as U.S. Patent Nos. 3,065,502; 3,351,695; 3,577,588; 4,134,714; 4,302,409; and 5,320,798; incorporated by reference. A polymeric wick yarn can be composed of multiple filaments. Suitable fiber forming polymers include polyolefin hydrocarbyl derivatives such as high and low density polyethylene, high and low density polypropylene, polybutene, polystyrene, and the like. Other suitable types of polymers include polyvinyl acetate, and acrylate resins such as polymethyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, poly (ethylacrylate / ethylene), and the like. Other types of polymers such as thermosetting resins can be used, by pressure molding a resin powder mixture, polysaccharide filler and cooling ingredients.

Other components may be included in a wicking composition such as stearic acid, polyoxyalkylene glycol, and the like. The polysaccharide filler ingredient of a wick composition of the invention, usually has the form of powder, or the form of fine fibers which have an average height between about 0.3-3 centimeters. The term "polysaccharide", as used herein, means that it includes neutral products such as sugars, starches, hydrocolloid gums, celluloses, and the like. A cellulose filler ingredient can be obtained from vegetable sources such as cotton, flax, flax fiber, hemp, jute, wood pulp, and the like. A cellulose filler may be in the form of substituted derivatives such as cellulose acetate or methyl cellulose. The term "celluloseX" as used herein, refers to a β-glucosidic polysaccharide corresponding to the formula: wherein n is an integer which provides an average molecular weight between about 100,000-2,000,000. of the present invention can be produced using conventional candle making methods such as molding, submerging, and the like The fuel body of a candle product is usually a thermoplastic blend of organic materials such as beeswax, paraffin wax , mountain wax, carnauba wax, microcrystalline wax, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty esters, natural and synthetic resins and the like, a wick usually extends longitudinally through a candle body, more than a single wick can be used in one separate relationship, but usually a single wicking component is centrally arranged in a configured candlestick body. n candle wick, the wick is adapted to burn gradually, so that the wick and body of the candle is consumed. When in a candle body, a wick structure of the present invention, after being turned on, has sufficient porosity to absorb the wax of the candle cast in the wick by means of capillary action for combustion during the use of the candle. The transport of the molten wax can be improved by one or more capillary openings extending axially along the surface of the wick filament. The term "air freshener", as used herein, means that it includes fragrances such as geraniol, insect repellents such as citronella, and therapeutic agents such as menthol. An air freshener of a wick composition of the present invention can be any inherently volatile organic compound which is capable of dispersing in the atmosphere when the wicking composition is burned. Suitable volatile air freshening compounds include limonene, α-terpinene, α-pinene, camphene, undecanol, 4-isopropylcyclohexanol, geraniol, linalool, citronellol, farnesol, menthol, 3-trans-isoalkanecyclohexane., benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethyl alcohol, 3-phenylpropanol, 3-methyl-5-phenylpentanol, cinnamic alcohol, isoborneol, thymol, eugenol, isoeugenol, anise alcohol, methyl salicylate, and the like. Other suitable air-flavoring compounds include aldehydes and ketones such as hexanal, decanal, 2-methyldecanal, trans-2-hexanal, acetoin, diacetyl, geranial, citronellal, methoxydihydro-citronellal, menthone, carvone, camphor, fenone, ionone, irona, damascone, cedrile methyl ketone, muscone, civetone, carboxyaldehyde of 2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexane, 2-heptylcyclopentanone, cis-jasmona, dihydrojasmone, cyclopentadecanone, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, dehydrocinlaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, α-amylcinnamaldehyde, acetophenone, benzylacetone , benzophenone, piperonal, and the like. Other suitable air freshening compounds include esters such as trans-2-hexenyl acetate, allyl 3-cyclopropionate, methyl cinnamate, benzyl cinnamate, phenylethyl cinnamate, and the like. Other suitable air freshening compounds include crystalline fragrance materials with a high vapor pressure, such as vanillin, ethyl vanillin, coumarin, tonal, caloe, heliotropene, musk xylol, musk ketone, benzophenone, raspberry ketone, beta methyl naphthyl ketone, phenylethyl salicylate, veltol, maltol, maple lactone, proeugenol acetate, evernil, and the like. The present invention also contemplates a wick composition in which the air freshener is a constituent of a non-volatile air freshening release additive. The constituent of air freshener is released by pyrolysis under wicking conditions. The term "non-volatile", as used herein, refers to an organic compound which has a low pressure vapor under ambient conditions. Chemical bonding of a volatile alcohol air freshener such as geraniol or menthol, to another organic compound to form a non-volatile organic derivative, can be completed by the formation of a carbonate ester ligation (as illustrated in Example V) : OO II II R-OCCL + HO-R1? R-OCO-R1 The chemical linkage of an aldehyde, such as citronellal, or a ketone, such as fencone, to another organic compound, may be completed by the formation of a hemiacetal (ketal) and / or acetal (ketal) ligation under acidic conditions: HO- CH2 OH HO-CH2 III R-CHO + HO-CH-R1? R-CH- O- CH-R1 H + HO-CH2 R2 O -CH2 I \ / I R2-CO-R3 + HO-CH-R1? CIH "/ \ I R3 O - CH-R1 Chemical bonding of an ester such as air freshener of cinnamate Phenylethyl malate to another organic compound, can be completed by a Michael addition reaction under alkaline conditions: R1O2C-CH = CH- R + HO-R2> OH- R1O2C-CH3-CH-O-R: The Michael addition reaction is described in publications such as E.U.A. 2,415,040 and E.U.A. 5,569,779, incorporated by reference. Another chemical means for the formation of a ligation between an air freshener of volatile alcohol and another organic compound is by the use of an alcohol derivative of epichlorohydrin under alkaline reaction conditions: O / \ RO-CH2-CH-CH2 + HO -R1? OH "OH R-O-CH3-CH-CH2-O-R1 A wick composition of the present invention provides significant advantages not previously contemplated in the candle making art.

A wick composition of the invention can be efficiently manufactured in large volume by means of a continuous molding process such as filament forming extrusion. The air freshener ingredient is released only when the composition of the wick is burning. The air flavoring is released at a steady sustained rate. Since there is no need for an air freshener such as a fragrance oil dispersed within a candle product of the present invention, there is no premature loss of air freshener by migration and evaporation of the candle body, and there is no softening or loss of rigidity in the body of the sail. The following examples further illustrate the present invention. The specific components and ingredients are presented as usual and various modifications may be derived in view of the above description within the scope of the invention. EXAMPLE I This example illustrates the preparation of a wick composition according to the present invention. The cellulose powder was impregnated with geraniol, and the combination is mixed with polyethylene powder (MP 120EC). The mixture contains 18 weight percent cellulose powder and 1.5 weight percent geraniol. The mixture was passed through an extruder under heat and pressure to form a continuous wick composition yarn having a diameter of 5 millimeters, and having multiple capillary openings axially along the yarn surface. A cut thread section was completely consumed when it is turned on. The combustion of the wick releases a floral aroma that is characteristic of geraniol. A formed paraffin candle (MP 63EC) is drilled in the center, and a section of the wick was inserted. When the wick was lit, the flame persisted until the candle was consumed. A floral rose scent was released during the burning of the candle. Similar results were obtained when the starch or guar gum was substituted for the cellulose powder. EXAMPLE II This Example illustrates the preparation of a wick composition according to the present invention. The polypropylene powder (MP 110EC) was mixed with a combination of cellulose powder and ethyl vanillin. The mixture contains 22 weight percent cellulose powder and 3 weight percent ethyl vanillin. The mixture was passed through an extruder under heat and pressure to form a continuous wick composition yarn having a diameter of 3 milliliters, and having multiple axial capillary openings along the surface of the yarn. A section of cut string was completely consumed when it was turned on. In the atmosphere a sweet aroma similar to that of vanilla was detected during the burning of the wick. A release of similar air freshener is observed when the wick burns inside a candle body. EXAMPLE III This example illustrates the preparation of polysaccharide derivatives releasing non-volatile air freshener from ketone and aldehyde air flavoring constituents.

Glucose (180 g) was dissolved in dimethylformamide (4 liters), and Amberlite 1R-120 (100 g) was added. The mixture was heated to 80 ° C, and cinnamaldehyde dimethyl acetal (178 g) was added in portions over a period of three hours. After the addition, the mixture was heated for an additional hour. The ion exchange resin was removed by filtration, and the solvent and excess of cinnamaldehyde dimethyl acetal were removed by vacuum distillation. The residual material was recrystallized with 95% ethanol to give 150 g of the 4-6-0-cinnamylidene-D-glucopyranose product. Following the same procedure, the acetal and ketal derivatives of D-glucopyranose were synthesized from the following aldehydes and ketones: Decanal Mentona Geranial Fencone Citronella acetophenone benzaldehyde benzophenone phenylacetaldehyde Camphor dihydro cinnamaldehyde geranylacetone The polyethylene powder (MO 120EC) was mixed with 10 weight percent cellulose powder, and 2 weight percent air freshening release additive of 4-6-0-cinnamylidene-D-glucopyranose. the mixture was passed through an extruder under heat and pressure to form a continuous wick composition yarn having a diameter of 3.5 millimeters. A section of the thread was lit, and the flame persists until the wick section is completely consumed. A slight essence of cinnamaldehyde could be felt in the atmosphere. When a wick composition contains 4 percent of the air freshener release additive, the aroma of cinnamaldehyde is strong and persistent. Similar olfactory results were obtained with each of the aldehyde and ketone air freshener release derivatives synthesized as additives in the wick compositions of the present invention. EXAMPLE IV This Example illustrates the preparation of methyl chloroformate.

A reactor in an ice / dry bath (-75EC) was charged with liquid phosgene (117 g). Menthol (130 g) dissolved in 500 mL of cyclopentane was added by dripping to the phosgene with stirring. The reaction medium was heated to reflux for six hours at room temperature. Excess phosgene and cyclopentane were removed under reduced pressure. The recovered menthyl chloroformate was dissolved in diethyl ether (300 mL), and the solution was washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and then with distilled water. The liquid medium was dried over sodium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to produce a purified menthyl chloroformate. EXAMPLE V The Example illustrates the preparation of a non-volatile air freshening release bicarbonate ester with alcohol air freshening constituents.

To a cooled solution of pyridine (25 mL) in chloroform (500 mL) was added with glycoaldehyde stirring (10 g, 0.167 mol) A solution of menthyl chloroformate (36.5 g; 0. 167 moles) in chloroform (100 mL). Stirring was continued for 30 minutes at OEC, then for 18 hours at room temperature: The reaction medium was washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and then dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residual product was recrystallized from chloroform: hexane to yield 16 g of 2.5-bis (menthyl-carbonyloxy) -1,4-dioxane. Following the same procedure, the dicarbonate ester derivatives of the following alcohols were synthesized: geraniol Eugenol linalool 3-phenylpropanol citronellol cinnamyl alcohol benzyl alcohol terpineol The polystyrene powder (MP 115EC) was mixed with 30 weight percent cellulose powder, and 6 weight percent air freshener release additive from 2,5-bis (menthylcarbonyloxy) -1,4-dioxane . The mixture was passed through an extruder under heat and pressure to form a continuous wick composition yarn having a diameter of 4 millimeters, and having multiple capillary openings along the yarn surface.

A section of thread cut is lit, and the flame persists until the wick section is completely consumed. A distinct menthol aroma is detected in the atmosphere. Similar olfactory results are obtained with each of the other aldehyde and ketone air freshener release derivatives synthesized as additives in wick compositions of the present invention.

The release of similar air freshener was obtained when a wick burns inside a candle body. Similar results were obtained when the polymer ingredient is polyvinyl acetate.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS 1. A candle wick comprising a polymeric thread which contains (a) between 2 and 40 weight percent particulate polysaccharide filler ingredient, and (b) between 0.05 and 30 weight percent refreshing ingredient of air which is released only when the wick burns.
2. 2. The candle wick according to claim 1, which is produced by means of a continuous molding process.
3. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric thread is a filament which has at least one capillary opening extending axially along the surface of the filament.
4. 4. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric thread comprises polyolefin filament.
5. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric yarn is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene filaments.
6. 6. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric thread comprises multiple filaments.
7. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the particulate polysaccharide filling comprises powder or fine fibers.
8. 8. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the polysaccharide filler is selected from the group consisting of sugars, starches, hydrocolloid gums and celluloses.
9. 9. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the polysaccharide filler comprises cellulose or a cellulose derivative.
10. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the air freshener comprises a fragrance ingredient.
11. 11. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the air freshener comprises an insect repellent ingredient.
12. 12. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the air freshener comprises a therapeutic ingredient.
13. 13. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the air freshening ingredient comprises geraniol.
14. 14. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the air freshening ingredient comprises citranelal.
15. 15. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the air freshening ingredient comprises menthol.
16. 16. The candle wick according to claim 1, wherein the air freshening ingredient has the form of a non-volatile air freshening release additive, and wherein the air freshener is released into the atmosphere when it burns. the wick
17. 17. The candle wick according to claim 1, which is an elongated polymeric thread having a diameter between 0.2 and 0.8. and which is adapted to be incorporated in a sail product.
18. 18. A candle product having an axial wick according to any of claims 1 to 17.