Combustion – Candle – e.g. – taper – etc.
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-05
2002-09-17
Clarke, Sara (Department: 3743)
Combustion
Candle, e.g., taper, etc.
C044S275000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06450802
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates, e.g., to decorative candles, e.g., bearing images, and a method of making them.
One embodiment is a method of applying an image to the surface of a wax candle, comprising applying the image to a film which is removably attached to a transfer material, wherein the film is a flexible, shape-conforming material which does not exhibit structural rigidity, and applying the film to the surface of the candle.
The above method can further comprise submerging the candle and applied film into molten wax, e.g. a wax having a melting temperature which is about the same as or lower than the melting temperature of the candle to which the film is applied.
Another embodiment of the invention is a method of applying an image to the surface of a wax candle, comprising submerging the candle into molten wax, e.g. having a melting temperature which is the same as or lower than the melting temperature of the candle, the foregoing candle having applied thereto a film bearing an image, wherein the film is a flexible, shape-conforming material which does not exhibit structural rigidity.
The method of the invention comprises applying an image or graphic to the surface of a paraffin-based wax object, preferably a candle. The following discussion is directed primarily to candles; however, one of skill in the art will recognize that any wax object can be decorated by the method of the invention (e.g., a hollow wax shell or a solid wax object without a wick). A candle of the invention (sometimes referred to herein as a central core, wax core, or core) can have any desired size or shape. For example, the size can range from, e.g., a tiny, thimble sized object to a very large object, e.g., an elongated cylinder having a diameter of about 8 inches and a height of about 24 inches or more. The shape can be, e.g., square, polyhedral, trapezoidal, round, with or without a flattened bottom, cylindrical, irregular, or the like, preferably an elongated cylinder.
A candle of the invention is preferably solid wax, having a wick which protrudes from the upper surface of the candle. The composition and placement of such wicks are conventional. The candle can be of any paraffin wax based composition, and typically has a melting point of about 125° F. to about 150° F., preferably about 140° F. Optionally, the candle core can contain conventional components such as, e.g., oil and/or stearic acid, scents or aromas, or other agents known to one of skill in this art to enhance aesthetic and/or functional properties of the candle. In one embodiment, the candle core comprises about 89% paraffin, about 10% stearic acid, about 0.02% anti-oxidant, about 0.06% UV absorber and about 0.02% polyethylene. The core can be colorless (clear, translucent), or it can be colored (tinted) by conventional dyes or pigments. It can be of any color of interest, and/or can comprise a pattern, e.g., geometric designs, swirls of color, random arrangements of colors, helical designs, vertical or horizontal bands of color such as stripes, etc., or combinations of such solid hues and/or patterns.
The method of the invention can be used to apply any image or graphic of interest to a candle. The image or graphic can comprise text or designs, e.g., representational, abstract, geometric etc. designs, photographic images, or the like, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the design is a gravure (e.g., photogravure) or lithographically applied inked halftone and/or shaded design.
The image is applied to a film (decal, decalomania, applique, covercoat) which is preferably removably attached to a transfer material. A film according to the invention is a flexible, shape-conforming material which does not exhibit structural rigidity. By not exhibiting “structural rigidity” is meant herein that the film, after having been applied to the surface of a candle, does not remain free-standing (structurally distinct, self-supporting) as the candle burns but, rather, is consumed and remains substantially flush with the top surface of the candle. An advantage of a film having this property is that, because the film does not form a freestanding structure which can burn separately as a secondary wick, the film does not ignite or “torch” as the candle burns. Furthermore, because in a candle having such a film on its surface, the film is not brought into contact with the burning wick, the film also cannot ignite or “torch” as a result of such contact. It can be advantageous if the film exhibits a degree of flexibility, elasticity and/or stretchiness so that it can be manipulated as it is applied to the candle in such a way that it completely covers the side surface(s) of the candle.
The film can be of any suitable material, e.g., a polymer or resin such as a conventional decal or decalomania material, provided that it is compatible with paraffin and retains the requisite properties (e.g., does not exhibit structural rigidity as the candle burns). By “compatible with paraffin” is meant herein that it adheres to paraffin in the absence of other binding agents. The film material can be, for example, a material (e.g., a thixotropic agent), of any suitable composition, which can be applied in liquid form to a transfer material and which can solidify to form a film of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the solidified film has a thickness of less than about 300 &mgr;m, preferably less than about 200 &mgr;m, more preferably about 185±15 &mgr;m, and most preferably about 187±5 &mgr;m.
Exemplary films which have been shown to be operable in the invention are highly conventional, e.g., Meta 2000, 406/thix yellow, etc., and other comparable film forming material well known in the films field. Meta 2000, e.g., is available, e.g., from Hoffmann & Engelmann Aktiengesellschaft, Talstrasse 288, 6730 Neustadt/Weinstrasse, Germany. Meta 2000 is typically processed at a temperature of about 20-21° C. and 55-62% relative humidity; and, in its solid form, has a base weight, coated, of about 170±5 G/M
2
; a thickness/caliper of about 187±5 &mgr;m; a gum deposit of about 11±5 G/M
2
; a release time of about 45-60 seconds at 20° C.; and a surface with no scratches, blisters, coating skips or surface contamination that can affect printing.
A film of the invention is preferably clear (translucent), so that when it is applied to the surface of a candle, only the image thereupon remains visible and the film, itself, seems to “disappear.” However, a tinted film can also be used.
Any suitable transfer material (backing), i.e., a material which provides support for a film and to which a film can be removably attached, and which itself can be made to be flexible (e.g., by treatment with liquid) and shape conforming can be used, e.g., plastic, fabric, paper, etc. A preferred transfer material is paper, having any suitable thickness, e.g., about 10 mil. If desired, an agent which facilitates the release of the transfer material from the film can be interposed between them. In a preferred embodiment, the film is released from the transfer material by a brief soaking in water. Appropriate water soluble release agents are well-known and conventional and include, e.g., dextrine or various cellulose derivatives, such a carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, or the like. Such water releasable materials are sometimes referred to as “water-mount,” “water slide-off” or “water slide” material, e.g., paper, decal or decalomania.
A film can be applied to a transfer material by any of a variety of routine, conventional procedures. In a preferred embodiment, the film material, in the form of a liquid, is screen-printed onto the transfer material using a conventional screen printing technique, and is allowed to dry (solidify) at room temperature for an empirically determinable, optimal period of time, e.g., for about 24 hours, thereby forming a solid film having the properties described above.
An image or graphic can be introduced onto or into a film either direc
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