Abstract:
The present invention includes a scented candle and method of making scented candles comprised of an inner core having a higher concentration of fragrance than the outer shell. The combination of a lightly scented or unscented exterior wax with a relatively higher scented inner core produces a scented candle that can have high concentrations of fragrance but that is not oily or malleable to the touch and need not be formed in glass jars or other containers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to a system and method for making scented candles  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    With the popularity of scented candles, millions of consumers have discovered beneficial uses for them. For instance, scented candles for aromatherapy may provide holistic approaches for relieving people of emotional and mental stress, grief, and trauma. Scented candles are also used in health spas to relieve symptoms of bronchitis, high blood pressure, tension, insomnia, rheumatoid pain, muscle spasms and headaches.  
           [0003]    Another such use is in the home for parties, spa-like treatments, baths, and massages. Scented candles are also popular for use in freshening homes, offices, bathrooms, and cars. These candles not only provide background lighting but also help promote a feeling of wellness. Scented candles contain additives taken from a variety of sources such as essential oils, herbs, spices, citrus, berries, musk, oatmeal, sea breeze, mint, earth, rose petals, and other elements. They tend to be soft, malleable, and oily when they contain the high concentrations of scent that are needed for a large fragrance throw into the surrounding area. Consequently, strongly-scented candles are often poured into glass or other containers so that they may be handled. Because floating scented candles must be handled and would not float if produced in glass containers, they typically include less fragrance than other scented candles. For this reason, several floating candles are usually necessary to fill an average sized room with fragrance. It is therefore desirable to make a scented candle, either for floating or placement on a hard surface, that emits sufficient fragrance for aromatherapy but that is not oily and malleable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention comprises a scented candle and method of making scented candles by using two different waxes to produce a strongly-scented candle that does not have a sticky or malleable outer surface. In most embodiments, a first highly scented wax is used for the core of the candle, while a second unscented or lightly scented wax coats much of the outer surface of the candle so that it can be handled easily. Alternatively, the exterior wax shell may also be highly scented. Many other variations are also possible in which the exterior wax shell is harder than the interior wax core.  
           [0005]    In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the candles can be made in several ways. For example, the hard shell can be created prior to the core by pouring the first shell wax into a mold to coat the surface of the mold. After the first wax has sufficiently solidified, the second wax is poured into the center of the outer shell. The wick can be inserted prior to or after pouring. Alternatively, the core can be shaped first, then dipped or otherwise coated with the harder wax shell. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawing.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary scented candle. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0008]    The scented candle of the present invention includes a wick and two different waxes, one generally harder than the other. According to the preferred embodiment, the softer wax is highly-scented and the harder wax is not highly scented. In alternate embodiments, however, either wax may be unscented, lightly scented or highly scented. Likewise, either of the two waxes may be more strongly scented than the other. Any fragrance may be used in the scented wax, including, for example, spices, oils, flowers, herbs, and fruits. Likewise, any color may be used for either wax. While the same color is used for each wax in the preferred embodiment, the two waxes may be of different colors, consistent with this invention.  
         [0009]    The candle shown in FIG. 1 is generally hemispherical, as is commonly found in floating candles. Any other shape may also be used, consistent with this invention. For example, molds of a wide array of shapes are commonly used to produce floating candles. Alternatively, wax may be poured into trays and then cut with cookie cutters or other tools to create any possible shape. Still further, non-floating candles of any size or shape can be molded, cut, or carved in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0010]    With reference to FIG. 1, the scented candle  20  includes a relatively hard outer shell  22 , a relatively soft inner core  24 , and a wick  24  substantially in the center  28  of the candle  20 . The distinction in physical properties between the wax of the inner core  24  and outer shell  22  is often a function of the amount of fragrance used in the wax, though not necessarily so. In general, the higher concentration of fragrance the softer and stickier the wax. As used in this description, the term “lightly scented” refers to a wax that includes a sufficiently low amount of fragrance that it is not malleable and oily to the touch. “Highly scented” refers to a wax that has a higher amount of fragrance than the three percent concentration typically used in scented candles, producing a candle that is somewhat soft and oily to the touch. The combination of the unscented or lightly scented exterior with the highly scented core produces a very aromatic candle that is also suitable for handling without a container.  
         [0011]    In general, the candle can be made either by creating the outer shell and then filling it with the highly-scented core or by creating the core and coating it with the outer shell. The first of these two preferred methods begins with pouring the unscented or lightly scented wax into a mold, coating the surface of the mold to create an outer shell. The lightly scented wax is then allowed to solidify at least slightly. Then the highly scented wax is poured into the shell, creating a candle with a hard outer shell and highly-scented inner core. The wick can be (1) inserted into the core when still soft; (2) inserted into the hardened core by drilling a hole and inserting the wick; or (3) placed in the mold before pouring one or both of the waxes.  
         [0012]    In accordance with an alternative method of producing the scented candle, the highly scented wax is shaped by pouring it into a mold, cutting it from a tray of wax, carving it, or using any other method that will produce a desired shape and size. The molded inner core is then dipped into generally liquid unscented or lightly scented wax to produce the hard outer shell. The wick is inserted in any manner, as described above.  
         [0013]    Yet another alternative involves two molds. The first wax is poured into a first mold to coat the surface of the mold to create an outer shell. The second wax is poured into a second mold to create a candle core from the second wax. Preferably, the first wax is a relatively harder, less scented wax for coating the outer surface, while the second wax is a softer, more fragrant wax. The finished candle is created by joining both the core and the outer shell together so that the core is received substantially within the shell.  
         [0014]    The methods that involve molding the outer shell produce a shinier finish to the candle, while the dipping method will leave a duller, matte finish. Depending on the desired look, either method may be preferred over the other.  
         [0015]    With regard to each of the above descriptions of making candles involving highly scented and lightly scented wax, the relative concentrations of the waxes can be different or even opposite that described above, so long as one wax is somewhat harder than the other.  
         [0016]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.