Polymeric candle compositions and candles made therefrom
AssigneePenreco
InventorsDavid Elliott, III, Richard L. Johnson, Wei Song
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A polymeric candle which undergoes a phase transition from opaque to transparent when lit is described. Methods of making such candles also are described. The candle is formed from a candle composition which includes a wax and a polymeric material. The candle composition has a phase transition temperature of about 35° C. or higher. The candle composition is substantially opaque at a temperature below the phase transition temperature, whereas it becomes substantially transparent at or above the phase transition temperature. In addition to the wax and the polymeric material, the candle composition may further include a hydrocarbon oil or mixtures thereof, such as a white oil and/or a poly-α-olefin.
Claims68
A candle composition for making a candle, comprising:
- a wax;
- and
- a polymeric material,
- wherein the composition is characterized as having a phase transition temperature of about 35° C. or higher;
- wherein the composition is substantially opaque at a temperature below the phase transition temperature, and at least a portion of the composition becomes substantially transparent at or above the phase transition temperature;
- and
- wherein the wax is substantially free of hydrocarbons having fewer than 20 carbon atoms per molecule and has a melting point of about 100° F. to about 200° F.
A candle, comprising:
- a wax;
- and
- a polymeric material,
- wherein the candle is characterized as having a phase transition temperature of about 35° C. or higher;
- wherein the candle is substantially opaque at a temperature below the phase transition temperature, and at least a portion of the candle becomes substantially transparent at or above the phase transition temperature;
- and
- wherein the wax is substantially free of hydrocarbons having fewer than 20 carbon atoms per molecule and has a melting point of about 100° F. to about 200° F.
A candle, comprising:
- a paraffin wax in the range of about 2% to about 96% by weight, the paraffin wax comprising substantially hydrocarbons with at least 20 carbon atoms per molecule;
- a polymeric material in the range of about 2% to about 35% by weight, the polymeric material being selected from the group consisting of di-block copolymers, tri-block copolymers, radial block copolymers, star polymers, and copolymers having four or more blocks, the polymeric material capable of effecting physical cross-linking;
- a poly-α-olefin in the range of 0% to about 96% by weight;
- and
- a white oil in the range of 0% to about 96% by weight,
- wherein the candle is characterized as having a phase transition temperature of about 38° C. or higher;
- wherein the candle is substantially opaque at a temperature below the phase transition temperature, and at least a portion of the candle becomes substantially transparent at or above the phase transition temperature;
- and
- wherein the wax is substantially free of hydrocarbons having fewer than 20 carbon atoms per molecule and has a melting point of about 100° F. to about 200° F.
A method of making a candle, comprising:
- providing a wax and a polymeric material;
- mixing the wax and the polymeric material to form a candle composition;
- and
- forming a candle from the candle composition,
- wherein the candle is characterized as having a phase transition temperature of about 35° C. or higher;
- wherein the candle is substantially opaque at a temperature below the phase transition temperature, and at least a portion of the candle becomes substantially transparent at or above the phase transition temperature;
- and
- wherein the wax is substantially free of hydrocarbons having fewer than 20 carbon atoms per molecule and has a melting point of about 100° to about 200° F.
A method of making a candle composition, comprising:
- providing a wax and a polymeric material;
- and
- mixing the wax and the polymeric material to form a candle composition, wherein the composition is characterized as having a phase transition temperature of about 35° C. or higher;
- wherein the composition is substantially opaque at a temperature below the phase transition temperature, and at least a portion of the composition becomes substantially transparent at or above the phase transition temperature;
- and
- wherein the wax is substantially free of hydrocarbons having fewer than 20 carbon atoms per molecule and has a melting point of about 100° F. to about 200° F.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.