Patent ID: 7160337

Claim:
A substantially hydrocarbon-free, substantially stearic acid-free, transparent, syneresis-free candle comprising at least one substantially upright wick partially imbedded in a composition consisting essentially of: (a) from about 75% by weight of said candle to about 99% by weight of said candle of a gellant-solvent-surfactant/additional solvent system consisting essentially of: (i) from about 20% to about 70% by weight of said candle of a gellant selected from the group consisting of (A) at least one ester-terminated polyamide; and (B) at least one tertiary amide-terminated polyamide; (ii) from about 15% up to about 60% by weight of said candle of a solvent selected from the group consisting of (A) at least one methyl ester of a vegetable-derived C 12 –C 18 carboxylic acid and (B) at least one glyceryl ester of a vegetable-derived C 10 carboxylic acid and, optionally admixed therewith, an additional solvent selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol and isopropyl myristate; and (iii) from about 3% to about 20% by weight of said candle of at least one surfactant having a hydrophile/lipophile balance in the range of from about 3 up to about 7, selected from the group consisting of, di(hydroxyethoxy)coconut amine, (hydroxy-triethoxy)coconut amine, (hydroxy-diethoxy)coconut amine, N-(hydroxyethoxy)-N-(hydroxydiethoxy)coconut amine, hydroxy-triethoxydodecane and hydroxytri-ethoxytridecane; (b) from about 1% to about 25% by weight of said candle of a system-compatible functional perfume composition; and (c) optionally, one or more additives selected from the group consisting of an antioxidant, a stabilizer, a colorant and a flame retardant.