Combustion – With ornamentation or flame coloring additive
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-23
2001-03-13
Price, Carl D. (Department: 3743)
Combustion
With ornamentation or flame coloring additive
C431S288000, C044S275000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200129
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of candles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a candle formed of a wax containing a thermochromic dye in order to impart a reversible color change to portions of the candle when heated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Candles have been used throughout human history in numerous applications. These include lighting, heating, and providing decorative effects. In modem times, candles have been used primarily for their decorative effects as their lighting and heating abilities have been replaced by safer and more efficient heating and lighting systems.
In the broadest sense, candles comprise a flammable wick surrounded by a fuel source, typically a wax body. Upon lighting the wick, a portion of the wax adjacent to the flame becomes molten and is drawn upward into the wick, whereby fueling continued burning. As the candle continues to burn, the wick and fuel are slowly consumed until the candle is extinguished.
Candle making is an extremely mature art which has relied upon myriad variations, both new and old, to enhance the decorative effect of candles. For example, candles have been provided with fragrances, they have been molded into various shapes, they have been provided with multiple wicks, and they have been made in substantially the entire visible spectrum of colors. Additionally, candles may be of the conventional variety in which a portion of wax contained in a molten pool near the flame is allowed to drip along the length of the candle body, or, through the use of additives, candles can be made to be dripless.
Despite the numerous variations in the candle art, to date, candles capable of undergoing a reversible color change are not known to the art. While candles having concentric wax layers of different colors are known to provide multi-color effects when burned, none of the candles known to the art exhibit reversible thermochromic color changes. As used herein, the term “thermochromic” refers to the ability to change color based upon temperature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a candle capable of undergoing a reversible color change. More particularly, the present invention relates to a candle formed of a wax which contains a thermochromic dye. When the candle is ignited, a portion of the wax closest to the flame is heated, thereby causing the thermochromic dye contained in the wax to change from a first color at room temperature to a second color upon being heated above an activation temperature. In the case of a conventional, rather than dripless, candle, as molten wax of the second color drips down the side of the candle, the result is a color contrast where the dripping wax is the second color while the candle body remains the first color. Upon cooling, below the activation temperature, however, the wax drips return to the first color. Along with the dripping wax, a color change is also seen at the top of the candle nearest to the flame in both the pool of molten wax adjacent to the burning portion of the wick and, optionally, in a portion of the non-molten wax that is in contact with the molten wax pool.
Thus, in its broadest sense, the present invention relates to a candle having a portion thereof which undergoes a reversible color change when the candle is lighted. This candle may be characterized in having a wick and a candle body surrounding the wick whereby the candle body is formed of a wax incorporating a thermochromic dye which is a first color at room temperature and becomes a second color upon being heated to or above an activation temperature. This will be described in detail below. Numerous variations of such thermochromic candles are contemplated.
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Fisher Thomas Daniel
Sullivan John Raymond
Sullivan Michael R.
Sullivan Paul Francis
Sullivan Robert Joseph
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P. C.
Price Carl D.
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