Fuel and related compositions – Candle composition
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-08
2002-12-24
Toomer, Cephia D. (Department: 1714)
Fuel and related compositions
Candle composition
C431S288000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06497735
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to vegetable lipid-based compositions that are advantageous to candle production. More specifically, the invention relates to a vegetable-lipid based composition including a vegetable lipid component and a petroleum wax wherein the composition contains a greater concentration of the vegetable lipid component than the petroleum wax. The vegetable lipid component includes either a triglyceride or a free fatty acid/triglyceride mixture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Candles have long been used for light as well as for ceremonies and rituals. These candles are typically manufactured from compositions containing solid animal fats and waxes. Suitable waxes include petroleum waxes such as medium paraffin wax and microcrystalline paraffin wax that are derived from petroleum refining processes. The petroleum wax component of these candles is usually present in greater amounts than the solid animal fats.
Candles made from petroleum waxes produce a black smoke upon burning and generally exhibit an unpleasant odor. The black smoke of petroleum-based candles contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, and sulfur compounds that may be carcinogenic and/or toxic. Burning these candles in an enclosed environment increases the concentrations of these compounds and could therefore increase the detrimental effects that they may have.
Moreover, the cost of the petroleum wax will likely increase due to its low supply and increasing demand. Petroleum refining processes are constantly being improved to maximize quantities of short chain hydrocarbons and aromatic chemicals and the production of petroleum waxes is being reduced.
In this regard, candles are known that contain greater amounts of butter oil than conventional candles; however, compositions used to make these candles typically contain other ingredients, such as emulsifiers. These extra ingredients add to the complexity of the mixture and generally increase the cost of the candle.
As a result, there is a need for a candle composition that minimizes the risk to human health upon burning, utilizes renewable resources while minimizing or eliminating use of petrochemical-derived products, and has a naturally pleasing odor that does not require additional fragrances. This invention addresses that need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a vegetable lipid-based composition having properties advantageous for candle production. The vegetable lipid-based composition includes a vegetable lipid component and a petroleum wax. The vegetable lipid component may be a triglyceride or a free fatty acid/triglcyeride mixture. The composition preferably includes a greater concentration of the triglyceride or free fatty acid/triglyceride mixture than the petroleum wax.
In one preferred embodiment, the vegetable lipid-based composition includes about 51% by weight to about 100% by weight of the triglyceride or fatty acid/triglyceride mixture and up to about 49% by weight of the petroleum wax, wherein the free fatty acid/triglyceride mixture includes about 1% by weight to about 99% by weight of the free fatty acid and about 1% by weight to about 99% by weight of the triglyceride. The petroleum wax may include a medium paraffin wax, a microcrystalline paraffin wax or a petroleum wax obtained from crude oil refined to other degrees.
In another embodiment, the vegetable lipid-based composition includes about 83% by weight to about 100% by weight of the triglyceride or the fatty acid/triglyceride mixture and up to about 17% by weight of the petroleum wax, wherein the fatty acid/triglyceride mixture includes about 1% by weight to about 99% by weight of the free fatty acid and about 1% by weight to about 99% by weight of the triglyceride.
In yet another embodiment, the vegetable lipid composition includes only the vegetable lipid component and the petroleum wax. In other embodiments, other components may be added to the composition, including colorants and odorants.
The present invention also provides a candle formed from the vegetable lipid-based compositions.
Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a vegetable lipid-based composition, and candles produced with such compositions that, when burned, minimizes the risk to human health, utilizes renewable resources, minimizes or eliminates the use of petrochemical-derived products and has a naturally pleasing odor.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent after reading the following description.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to certain embodiments thereof and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications and further applications of the principles of the invention illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
The present invention provides a vegetable lipid-based composition and a candle formed therefrom. The composition includes a vegetable lipid component, including a triglyceride or a free fatty acid/triglyceride mixture, and a petroleum wax. The vegetable lipid component of the composition is preferably present in the composition in a greater concentration by weight than the petroleum wax component.
As known in the art, triglycerides are fatty acid esters of glycerol. As used herein, the term “free fatty acid” will refer to a fatty acid that is not covalently bound through an ester linkage to glycerol. Additionally, as used herein, the term “fatty acid component” will be used to describe a fatty acid that is covalently bound through an ester linkage to glycerol.
The triglycerides and free fatty acids are obtained preferably from plant sources, including soybean, cottonseed, corn, sunflower, canola and palm oils. The triglycerides are used after normal refining processing by methods known in the art. For example, plant triglycerides may be obtained by solvent extraction of plant biomass using aliphatic solvents. Subsequent additional purification may involve distillation, fractional crystallization, degumming, bleaching and steam stripping. The triglycerides are also partially or fully hydrogenated. Furthermore, fatty acids may be obtained by hydrolysis of natural triglycerides (e.g., alkaline hydrolysis followed by purification methods known in the art, including distillation and steam stripping) or by synthesis from petrochemical fatty alcohols. The free fatty acids and triglycerides may further be obtained from commercial sources, including Cargill, Archer Daniels Midlands and Central Soya.
The free fatty acids and fatty acid components of the triglycerides are preferably saturated and their chains exhibit varying length. However, the free fatty acids and fatty acid components of the triglycerides may be unsaturated as long as the final candle composition will be a solid at the temperature at which the candle is used. The properties of the free fatty acid/triglyceride mixture, such as melting point, will vary as a function of the chain length and degree of saturation of the free fatty acids and the fatty acid components of the triglycerides. For example, as the degree of saturation decreases, the melting point decreases. Similarly, as the chain length of the fatty acids decreases, the melting point decreases. Preferred free fatty acids are the saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid and include saturated fatty acids of longer carbon chain length, such as arachidic acid and behenic acid. Stearic acid is further preferred.
Table 1 depicts the preferred fatty acid components of the triglycerides in the present invention along with their preferred maximum percentages by weight.
TABLE 1
Fatty Acid Composition Ranges of Triglycerides in
Vegetable Lipid-Based Compositions
Fatty Acid Chain Length*
Weight Percent
12:0
0.21
14:0
0.77
16:0
39.28
18:0
74.22
20:0
0.19
22:0
0.064
16:1
0.28
18:1
72.82
20:
Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Indiana Soybean Board
Toomer Cephia D.
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