GB2229734A

GB2229734A - A scented candle

Info

Publication number: GB2229734A
Application number: GB8907213A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Yung Tak Lam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-03-30
Filing date: 1989-03-30
Publication date: 1990-10-03
Also published as: GB8907213D0

Abstract

A scented candle comprising a core of wax, a wick extending through the wax core, an outer sealing layer of wax at least partially surrounding the core, and at least one layer of a scented composition located between the core layer and outer layer such that as the wick and the candle are burned the scent diffuses into the atmosphere.

Description

A SCENTED CANDLE This invention relates to scented candles.

Scented candles have hitherto been made by incorporating a scented substance into a molten wax composition, forming the wax into a candle shape, usually using a mould, and allowing the wax to cool and thus harden.

In this way the resulting candle has an even distribution of the scented substance throughout, so that as the candle is burned and the wax melted the scent is released into the atmosphere. However, if this type of candle is not used for a long period there may be a gradual loss of the scent from the wax into the atmosphere due to vaporization, thus the effectiveness of the scented candle as it is burned will be lessened.

In order to overcome the problem of vaporization of scent from a candle, an additional coating of wax may be applied over the outer surface of the scented wax in order to seal the scent into the candle and so that the scent is only released as the candle is burned.

Furthermore, when candles of the above types, with the scented substance combined with the wax, are burned, it is quite likely that much of the scent will be burned due to the close proximity of the flame to the scented composition and this might impair the aroma given off by the candle.

The present invention provides an improved scented candle wherein at least one layer of a scented composition is enclosed within a wax candle so that it is released as the candle is burned.

According to the present invention there is provided a scented candle comprising a core of wax, a wick extending through the wax core, an outer sealing layer of wax at least partially surrounding the core and at least one layer of a scented composition located between the core layer and outer layer such that the scent diffuses into the atmosphere as the candle is burned.

The scented composition can be any one of a solid, a liquid, a gas or a vapour, or any combination thereof.

The candle is structured such that once the top outer layer of wax has been melted away by burning the wick, the layer of scented composition is exposed to the atmosphere. If the scented composition is a gas then it will be released into the atmosphere when the top outer layer of wax is removed, and thus eliminate the need to continue burning the candle.

However, if the scented composition is a solid or a liquid then the heat given off from the burning wick will cause the scented composition to evaporate and thus diffuse into the atmosphere, so in this instance, it is necessary to burn the candle for as long as the aroma is required.

Preferably, the scented composition includes a perfume with a pleasant aroma so that when the candle is burned the perfume is released into the surrounding environment.

If desired, the scented composition may include a substance which when inhaled improves breathing. Such a substance may be a menthol based compound or eucalyptus oil or some other similar compound.

In some applications, a scented compound which gives off a coloured vapour or gas as it is released into. the atmosphere may be used to add to the aesthetic qualities of the candle. Alternatively, a compound which gives off a coloured vapour or gas may be used in combination with a perfume or scent.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.

FIG 1 is a schematic side view of a candle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 2 is a plan view of the candle shown in FIG 1.

FIG 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of the candle of FIGS 1 and 2 taken along the line A-A shown in FIG 1.

FIG 4 is a schematic plan view of a section of the candle of FIGS 1 to 3 taken along the line B-B shown in FIG 3.

FIG 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a burning candle of FIGS 1 to 4.

FIG 6 is a schematic plan view of the burning candle of FIG 5.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, a scented candle comprises a central wax core 1, and extending there through a conventional candle wick 2, made from a cord of loosely woven fibres, which supplies 'fuel' to the flame of the candle at the exposed end of the wick.

Substantially surrounding the inner core of wax 1, there is a layer of a scented composition 3. This scented composition 3 may be a solid, a liquid or a gas. Around the scented composition layer 3 there is an outer layer of wax 4 which surrounds the candle and seals the scented composition within the candle.

When the candle is lit the wick 2 slowly burns and the top outer layer of wax 5 is melted away to expose the layer of scented composition 3. If the scented composition is a gas then it will be released into the atmosphere as soon as the upper outer layer 5 is removed. If the scented composition is a liquid or solid then the heat from the flame 6 of the candle will gradually vaporise the scent diffusing it into the atmosphere at a steady rate.

Preferably, the scented composition 3 includes a perfume or other pleasant-to-smell substance so that as the composition 3 or the vapour therefrom 7 diffuses into the atmosphere, there is a pleasant aroma.

Alternatively or additionally the scented composition 3 may include an aromatic substance which when inhaled improves breathing, such as a menthol compound or eucalyptus oil.

The scented composition may also include a coloured compound so that as the scent diffuses into the air 7 around the candle, a coloured vapour is also given off. This may improve the aesthetic qualities of the candle.

Of course the size and shape of the candle, as well as the employed materials, may vary with the different requirements of use. It will also be appreciated that more than one layer of scented composition may be employed.

It will be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of certain preferred embodiments of the invention, and that numerous modifications and variations therein may be practiced without departing from the invention herein presented.

Claims

1. A scented candle comprising a core of wax, a wick extending through the wax core, an outer sealing layer of wax at least partially surrounding the core, and at least one layer of a scented composition located between the core layer and outer layer such that as the wick and the candle are burned the scent diffuses into the atmosphere.

2. A candle according to claim 1, wherein the scented composition is a solid, a liquid, a gas or any combination thereof.

3. A candle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the scented composition includes a perfume.

4. A candle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the scented composition includes a substance for improving inhalation such as a menthol compound or eucalyptus oil.

5. A candle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the scented composition includes a substance which gives off a coloured vapour.

6. A candle substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. Each and every novel product process, method, feature and combination of features substantially as herein described.