Abstract:
A decorative candle and method of forming a decorative candle are disclosed. The decorative candle is fabricated from a wax material that defines a bottom layer having a top surface. At least one flanged gelatinous component formed from a mineral oil gel is placed onto the top surface of the bottom layer. A second layer of wax having a top layer is added such that the entire flange portion of the gelatinous component is covered, but at least a portion of the decorative (non-flange) portion of the gelatinous component protrudes above the top surface of the top layer of the candle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in part of application Ser. No. 09/245,098 filed Feb. 8, 1999.  
     
    
     
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    (Not Applicable)  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to decorative candles and more particularly to a decorative candle including uniquely shaped, integral flanged gel components.  
           [0004]    Candles have become popular for decorative purposes and as such are being formed in different styles, shapes, and colors. Additionally, scented candles are gaining popularity for their perceived therapeutic value in aromatherapy. Typically, there are three different types of candles: tapered, molded and container. The candles may be manufactured from a wax such as paraffin, vegetable, or beeswax.  
           [0005]    A container candle is formed by pouring melted wax into a container having a wick disposed therein. The wick is extensible through the wax such that as the wick is burned, the wax around the wick will melt thereby providing fuel for the wick to burn. A molded candle is formed by pouring melted wax into a mold containing a wick. The wax is allowed to cool such that it solidifies and is then removable from the mold thereby forming the candle. Tapered candles are formed by dipping a wick into melted wax. Each time the candle is dipped into the melted wax, the wax adheres to itself thereby forming the tapered candle.  
           [0006]    Different types of paraffin waxes may be used for different types of candles. For instance, candles made in a container may be formed from container wax. This wax has a relatively high oil content and a relatively low melting point of between about 125° F. and 138° F. or lower. The relatively high oil content of this type of wax allows for a long burning candle. Mold wax which has a melting point between 139° F. and 143° F. is used for molded candles because the wax does not contain much oil and therefore can retain its form after removal from the mold. Tapered candles are formed from dipping wax which typically has a melting point of around 145° F. The high melting temperature allows the wax to adhere to itself as it is being dipped thereby forming a tapered candle.  
           [0007]    Additionally, pigments and/or fragrances can be added to the wax to give the candle a unique appearance and/or scent. Typically, the fragrance and/or pigment is mixed with the wax when in a melted state. The wax containing the fragrance and/or pigment is then formed into the preferred type of candle. The pigment will give the candle a desired coloring while the fragrance gives the candle a preferred scent. The scent produced by the fragrance may become more pronounced as the candle and therefore the fragrance are being burned.  
           [0008]    In addition to making candles out of wax, mineral oil has been used to make candles (e.g., gel candles). The mineral oil is gelatinous at room temperature such that it can generally retain its form unsupported. Typically, a gel candle is formed by pouring melted mineral oil into a container having a wick. The mineral oil is allowed to cool to its gelatinous state thereby forming a candle within the container. Gel candles burn longer than candles made from paraffin wax because of the high oil content of the gel. As with traditional paraffin wax candles, gel candles may additionally be scented and/or colored to add more variety.  
           [0009]    The present applicant has previously originated and developed a unique candle which is a combination of paraffin wax and gelatinous mineral oil components. Such a combination is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/245,098 filed on Feb. 8, 1999, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The novel candle described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/245,098 has gained widespread acceptance for its aesthetic value. However, over time the gelatinous mineral oil components of the candle described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/245,098 may migrate during transport or when heated.  
           [0010]    The present invention comprises a candle fabricated from paraffin wax and gelatinous mineral oil components as well as an improved method of forming such candle by way of using one or more pre-formed flanged gelatinous mineral oil components. The components are used as a decorative element that additionally allow the candle to burn longer. Therefore, the candle of the present invention has a distinctive decorative style and burns longer than traditional wax candles. Non-flanged gelatinous components may migrate or dislodge during transport or when heated. The flanged configuration of the gelatinous components ensures that the gelatinous components will be held securely in place.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a decorative candle comprising the step of providing a candle fabricated from a wax material (e.g., paraffin wax) which defines a bottom (support) layer having a top surface. At least one flanged gelatinous component is placed onto the top surface of the bottom layer. A top layer of wax material is placed on top of the bottom layer of wax material such that the flange portion of the component is completely covered with the wax material while the top, decorative (non-flange) portion of the component protrudes above the top surface of the top layer of the wax material.  
           [0012]    The candle may be fabricated by first providing a container and placing a wick therein. Next, a quantity of wax is melted and poured into the container. The wax is allowed to cool until it hardens into the candle. A pigment and/or a fragrance may be added to the wax while it is in a molten state in order to give the wax a desired color and/or scent. Alternatively, a pre-formed candle or puck may be inserted into the container.  
           [0013]    The flanged gelatinous component may be fabricated by melting a quantity of a mineral oil gel and then forming the molten gel using a mold with a cavity formed in the shape of the desired flanged component. While the gel is molten, a pigment and/or a fragrance may be added to the gel to produce a desired color and/or scent. Alternatively, the flanged gelatinous components may be fabricated using a die cut process in which a layer of gelatinous material is compressed prior to cutting the gelatinous component. The component decompresses after the component is cut out of the layer of gelatinous material.  
           [0014]    The above mentioned steps produce a decorative candle comprising a container having an open end and a quantity of wax disposed therein. The wax has a top surface that is adjacent to the open end of the container. The candle additionally comprises a wick disposed within the wax and protruding upwardly from the top surface, and at least one flanged gelatinous component partially disposed within the top surface of the wax, wherein the flanged portion of the gelatinous component is completely covered by the wax. Although not by way of limitation, the wick may protrude through a flanged gelatinous component when the gelatinous component lies above as opposed to adjacent the wick. Typically, the wax will be a paraffin based wax and the flanged gelatinous component will be formed from mineral oil gel. Both the wax and the gel component may comprise a pigment and/or a fragrance. The container may be a metallic container or a glass container.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the decorative candle fabricated in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the steps involved in forming the wax portion of the bottom layer of the candle shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the steps involved in forming the gel portion of the candle shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the wax portion of the candle shown in FIG. 1 formed in accordance with the steps shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom layer of the candle shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mold for forming the flanged gel components of the candle shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the bottom and top layers of the candle shown in FIG. 1; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the bottom and top layers of an alternative decorative candle wherein the components are formed using a die cut process.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wax and gel candle  10  manufactured in accordance with the preferred method of the present invention. The candle  10  comprises a container  12  preferably formed of a non-combustible material such as from a metallic or glass material. Although not by way of limitation, the container  12  may be formed having a generally cylindrical configuration such that it comprises a side wall  14  having a generally circular configuration that extends perpendicularly from a circular bottom wall  16 . The side wall  14  and the bottom wall  16  define an enclosable interior compartment  17  and an open end  18  formed about a top portion  20 . The container  12  preferably includes a lid  22  with a generally circular cross-sectional configuration used to cover and extinguish the candle  10 . The diameter of lid  22  is sized slightly larger than the diameter of the circularly configured side wall  14 . Therefore, as seen in FIG. 1, the lid is placeable over open end  18  of container  12  to extinguish any flame of candle  10 . The container  12  is provided with a lip  24  disposed about the exterior surface of the side wall  14 . The lip  24  is placed about the top portion  20  of container  12  such that lid  22  makes abutting contact with lip  24  when placed over open end  18 .  
         [0025]    Disposed within the candle  12  is a prescribed volume of wax  26  and a wick  28  typically made from woven cotton or linen thread. The prescribed volume of wax  26  is made up of a bottom layer  37  and a top layer  39  as shown in FIG. 7 and described later. It is contemplated that the preferred wax  26  is a food grade paraffin wax with a melting point of between about 125° F. to about 145° F. The wax may be mixed with a Food, Drug and Cosmetics (FD&amp;C) ornamental pigment or dye to make the wax a desired color. Additionally, a fragrance such as an oil may be mixed with the wax to provide an aroma or scent as the candle  10  is burned. As shown in FIG. 7, the wick  28  protrudes upwardly from an upper surface  30  of the top layer  39  of wax  26 . The upper surface of wax  26  (both the bottom layer  37  and the top layer  39 ) is formed such that it extends in generally parallel relation to bottom  16 . Additionally, the wick  28  is positioned within wax  26  such that it extends from bottom  16  to the approximate center of the top surface  30  of the top layer  39 .  
         [0026]    Placed into the wax  26  at top surface  31  of bottom layer  37  are one or more gelatinous components  34 . The components  34  are formed from a gelatinous mineral oil that has a melting point higher than the wax  26  and is used in the manufacturing of conventional gel candles. The mineral oil gel is solid, yet flexible and capable of generally retaining its shape at ambient temperature. Additionally, pigments and/or fragrances may be mixed with the gel in order to provide a desired color and/or scent. Examples of such mineral oil gels are “Candle Gel” and “Versa Gel” both of which are manufactured by Penrico of Woodlands, Tex.  
         [0027]    As seen in FIG. 1, the gelatinous components  34  can be configured into decorative designs and shapes that adorn the top surface  30  of wax  26 . The components  34  are affixed into the wax  26  about ⅛″ below the top surface  30  by a method that will be further explained below. For decorative purposes, it is preferable that the gelatinous components  34  have a height that is greater than the depth that they are inserted into the wax  26  such that a portion of each component  34  protrudes above top surface  30 . The heat produced by a flame burning wick  28  of candle  10  melts the wax  26  and the gelatinous components  34 . The components  34  provide mineral oil which is used by the flame on wick  28  as an additional fuel rather than just wax  26 . Therefore, the wick  28  will not only burn candle wax  26 , but also the mineral oil from gelatinous components  34 , thereby prolonging the life of candle  10 .  
         [0028]    With reference to FIG. 2, the preferred method of manufacturing the decorative candle  10  is to first provide a prescribed quantity of food grade paraffin wax  26  that will be used in container  12  of candle  10 . Next, the wax  26  is heated such as via an induction or flame method to a temperature at which the wax  26  melts into a liquid solution (i.e., about 125° F. to about 145° F.). At this point, while the wax  26  is molten, the desired fragrance and/or pigment may be mixed with the wax  26 . The wick  28  is placed within container  12  and positioned as previously described above. The wax  26  is then poured through the open end  18  of container  12  into interior compartment  17  to form a bottom layer  37  of paraffin wax and then allowed to cool until it solidifies. Alternatively, a pre-formed paraffin wax puck can be positioned into the container to be used as the bottom layer  37  of paraffin wax.  
         [0029]    With reference to FIG. 3, the gelatinous components  34  are formed by providing a prescribed quantity of the mineral oil gel previously described above. The mineral oil gel is heated via an induction or flame method until the gel melts into a liquid. Then a desired color and/or fragrance may optionally be mixed with the gel. The flanged gelatinous components  34  may be formed using a mold such as the one shown in FIG. 6. The mold  40  shown in FIG. 6 includes a mold cavity component  42  and a mold core component  52 . The mold cavity component  42  has a base portion  44  and a cutout portion  46 . The cutout portion  46  includes a component cutout portion  48  and a flange cutout portion  50 . Molten gel is poured into the cutout portion  46 . The mold core component  52  and the mold cavity component  42  may be separate pieces as shown in FIG. 6 or may be attached, e.g., using a hinge. The bottom of the mold core component  52  is a flat surface and is used to form the bottom surface of the flange portion of the flanged gelatinous components  34 .  
         [0030]    After the gel has sufficiently cooled, the flanged component(s)  34  are removed from the mold  40 , inverted and placed on the top surface  31  of the bottom layer of wax  37  at a desired location(s). As shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the gelatinous components  34  includes a flange  35  or anchor bottom portion which holds the gelatinous components  34  securely in the wax  26 . As will become more apparent infra, the flange  35  helps to ensure that the gelatinous components  34  will not become dislodged during shipping and handling. If desired, a gelatinous component  34  may be pushed onto wick  28  such that the wick penetrates the component as shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0031]    In an alternative embodiment, the gel components  34  are die cut. The liquid gel is poured into a suitable container such that a sheet of gel that is the desired depth of the component(s) may be formed. The gel is cooled and the cooled gelatin layer is compressed, for example, between two metal plates. The compressed gel is then die cut into the desired shape of the component(s)  34 . The components  34  are removed from the die and allowed to decompress. The edges (periphery) of the components  34  become hourglass shaped when the gel decompresses, as shown in FIG. 8. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the hourglass shaped components  34  have a flange-like bottom that allows for the physical capture of the components  34  between pours.  
         [0032]    After the components  34  are positioned, another layer of paraffin wax prepared as described above is placed over the bottom layer of paraffin wax  37  containing the flanged gelatinous components so that the flange portions  35  of the gelatinous components  34  are covered, while at least a portion of the upper decorative (non-flange) portion of the component protrudes above the top surface  30 , as shown in FIG. 7. This maintains the desired aesthetic appearance of the candle while ensuring that the gelatinous components  34  are held securely in place because the wax captures the flange between wax pours and eliminates gel migration and/or lift out during shipping and handling.  
         [0033]    Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the configuration of container  12  and/or the shape of components  34  may be varied. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.