Fuel and related compositions – Candle composition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-29
2003-07-29
Medley, Margaret (Department: 1714)
Fuel and related compositions
Candle composition
C431S288000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06599334
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to the field of fuel and related compositions. More specifically, the present invention pertains to candle compositions formed in substantial part from hydrogenated soybean oil. The candle compositions of the present invention utilize renewable resources, produce no soot, and are directly applicable to container candles, votive candles and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
The human association with fire extends quite likely to the earliest days of man. Throughout recorded history man has utilized the energy released during combustion for a variety of purposes. It would be safe to presume that the earliest uses of fire were likely derived from relatively uncontrolled burning of large combustible materials such as branches and logs. Certainly lighting, heating and cooking would have been contemplated almost from the first encounter with fire.
As with all other products of human ingenuity, the use and applications for combustion have expanded from the basic lighting, heating and cooking into many highly refined and diverse technologies. Motive power, such as derived from internal and external combustion engines, and decorations, such as derived from luminaries and candles, are representative of the diverse applications for combustion that have been refined through time. As humans have better learned to control combustion, the numbers of applications for the technology have expanded. Similarly, techniques for combustion have become more specific or limited in the number of applications which are best suited for the given technique.
Candles, such as the subject of the present invention, use a combination of fuel and wick to produce both heat and light. The use of a solid fuel is advantageous in many applications, since the solid fuel normally requires little or no safety precautions. Consequently, a solid fuel candle may be purchased and safely transported and stored, occasionally being left on a shelf for many years with little or no degradation or hazard. During use, there is little risk of uncontrolled fire, since the fuel does not burn separate from the wick. In contrast, a liquid fuel source may be spilled or may leak, and the liquid fuel at once becomes a tremendous fire hazard.
At one time, the relative stability and safety of solid fuel candles led to widespread use in lighting applications. Nevertheless, with the introduction of electric lighting, most general-purpose illumination is not derived from candles. However, in locales or situations where electric power is unavailable, candles continue to provide a significant source of illumination. The solid fuel may be designed to burn either relatively slowly or relatively quickly, depending upon the intensity and flame size which is desired, and total desired time for illumination from a single candle. The rate of combustion is, however, limited to the extent that combustion will not be sustained outside of the wick, so that the candle body will not ignite in its entirety.
When a candle uses a solid fuel, the candle flame is used to melt the solid fuel so that the fuel may pass through capillary action into the wick and be drawn into the flame. If the solid fuel melts too quickly, the resultant liquid may drown and extinguish the flame. Yet, if the solid fuel melts too slowly, the flame may consume the wick without burning solid fuel spaced away from the wick. Furthermore, the viscosity of the molten solid fuel must be low enough to allow the molten fuel to flow towards the wick and then be drawn by capillary action. Furthermore, the flame will desirably burn cleanly so as to not coat container walls or surroundings with soot. In addition, when the candle is produced or placed within a container, the solid fuel will desirably melt cleanly away from the container walls as the candle bums.
A solid fuel candle must not only have carefully controlled melting and combustion properties, but must also have satisfactory physical properties for an intended application. For example, a solid fuel candle will most preferably accommodate moderate variations in temperature without sagging, cracking or otherwise physically degrading. Furthermore, the solid fuel will most preferably be stable for extended periods of time and under diverse atmospheric conditions. The candle will most preferably not have air bubbles entrained within the wax, and will have a smooth and consistent exterior, free from irregular spots or inconsistent appearance. The many physical characteristics required of the solid fuel simply to bum in cooperation with the candle wick illustrate the level of complexity and technology which has gone into the development of candles over the years. Nevertheless, there have been more refinements which create further demands upon a candle designer.
A soft, warm glow is generated by a candle, with an inherent characteristic flicker. This unique source of illumination is used in a variety of applications to help create an intended mood or atmosphere. In fact, the gentle dancing glow from a candle attracts a person's attention and may hold it for an extended period of time, often having a relaxing or soothing effect upon the person. The wick is used to draw fuel into a burning flame in relatively controlled and predictable way, but various air currents influence the size and direction of flame, thereby leading to the dancing effect. Various wicks have been developed that may provide different capillary effect, and through the use of different additives, may provide different colors and intensities of flame. Consequently, candles are frequently used during religious ceremonies, celebrations and festivities, for relaxation, and to create an intimate or romantic setting.
Owing to the smaller size of candles, the heat which is generated is only infrequently the purpose for burning a candle. Nevertheless, the heat can be used not only for illumination but also for the dispersion of various materials and compounds into the air. The same air currents that tend to cause a candle flame to dance will also ensure substantial dispersion, or throw, of scents and other compounds into the air. Consequently, candles may be used for these applications as well. It is important that the candle not produce an unpleasant or undesirable aroma during combustion, and that the intended aromas and scents not be masked or altered by the smell of the combustion of the candle fuel.
Early candles were manufactured from fuel sources which were available in nature. Such materials included waxes and oils such as olive oil, bees wax, spermaceti and tallow. With the refinement of petroleum products came lower cost paraffin, which quickly replaced natural ingredients in the production of most candles. Unfortunately, paraffin produces soot and smoke and tends to have an unpleasant odor during combustion, and also softens and sags during warm storage. Progress has been made to address the undesirable characteristics of paraffin through the addition of various ingredients and additives. Nevertheless, paraffin is derived from a nonrenewable resource, and regardless of purity, still produces soot.
Recently, there have been several attempts to manufacture candles made from soybean oil. Soybean oil offers several attractive benefits including relatively large quantities of oil found therein, the use of a renewable resource produced through agriculture, elimination of paraffin, and elimination of associated soot. The Indiana Soybean Board has sponsored an “Innovative Uses for Soybeans” contest in association with Indiana's soybean checkoff organization and Purdue University. In 1996, a group of students from Purdue University developed an innovative soybean-oil-based candle which is composed of 83 percent hydrogenated soybean oil, 16 percent glycerol, about 1 percent coloring, and a touch of peppermint flavoring. This composition, which was designed for edible birthday candles, was then passed through commercial development for implementation in container candles. At th
Medley Margaret
Roper & Quigg
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