WO2007017694A1

WO2007017694A1 - Incense candles

Info

Publication number: WO2007017694A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/002987
Authority: WO
Inventors: Helen Ambrosen
Original assignee: Cosmetic Warriors Ltd
Current assignee: Cosmetic Warriors Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-11
Filing date: 2006-08-09
Publication date: 2007-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2008-02-11
Also published as: GB2429017A; GB0516516D0; GB0615827D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a candle having an incense ingredient in the form of a gum or resin. The candle of the present invention bums with a clean but larger flame, in contrast to the smoke generating and unstable flame of known incense candles. Thus, the present invention discloses that the crude gums will burn in a candle without the smoke normally associated with incense. Whereas conventionally 1 to 12 weight percent of an incense ingredient (gum extract) has been used; the present invention teaches that, counter intuitively, less than 1 weight percent of the crude incense gum should be included in the candle.

Description

Incense Candles

The present invention relates to incense candles, that is to candles containing an incense ingredient. Such candles are known, see for example document EP1280876A1 in the name of S.C. Johnson & Son Inc.

Document EP 1280876 Al discloses a candle comprising: 75 to 97 weight percent candle wax; 1 to 12 weight percent of an incense ingredient (selected from a specified group); 1 to 5 weight percent of a coupling agent (selected from a specified group); and up to 10 weight percent of additives.

The present invention arises from the observation that known incense candles do not burn in the most desirable manner. Often there is too much smoke, which is not surprising since incense alone has for centuries been known by its smoke generating characteristic. Also, the candle flame is often unstable. Sometimes the inclusion of the incense ingredient can cause the burning candle to spark and/or spit.

Conventional incense candles use an incense ingredient which is essentially a modern perfumery material. Such perfumery materials are isolated from the basic crude resins, e.g. sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh etc.

According to the present invention there is provided a candle having an incense ingredient in the form of the crude gum in contrast to a perfumery material extracted from the gum.

Counter intuitively the candle according to the present invention provides a stable and clean stable burning flame. In fact, the candle of the present invention burns with a clean but larger flame. Thus, the present invention discloses that the crude gums will burn without the smoke normally associated with incense, when formulated carefully within specified limits. Hence the second part of the present invention namely, whereas document EP1280876A1 specifies the use of 1 to 12 weight percent of an incense ingredient (gum extract) the present invention teaches that less than 1 weight percent of the crude incense gum should be included in the candle. This, again, is counter intuitive since one would naturally have thought that a smaller quantity of refined extract should be used in place of the crude material.

The burning of aromatic plant material dates from time immemorial. As a practice to celebrate religious ceremonies the use of Incense as these natural resins are generally known, is an ancient art. Candle making is equally as ancient. The oldest and simplest of candles being made from animal fats which were by-products of food. Today modern candle wax is generally of petro-chemical origin i.e. paraffin, though natural waxes such as beeswax are used mostly in combination with modem waxes.

The present invention has been made with ancient and modern in mind; combining crude incense C sΛums and resins with modern and natural candle waxes.

The term "Incense" refers to natural plant materials which have a resinous nature. These would principally be the ancient materials Frankincense (Boswellia carteri ) and Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha). Others would include traditionally used resins for incense making such as Benzoin (Styrax benzoin), Collophony resin (Pinus nigra), Copal gum (Copariflora officinalis), Dammar gum (Shorea spp), Karaya gum (Sterculia gum). The method of harvesting these materials involves collecting the resin or gums which are exudates from trees or shrubs. Often from the bark or wood of the tree. These resins or "tears" are insoluble gums. They are highly aromatic and flammable. They are also very beautiful and visual appearing almost like precious stones as they are transparent with varying colours. For example Olibanum is a natural oleoresin which is a physiological product of the tree. This is formed when the bark of the tree is damaged. An incision is made into the bark, this is repeated three times at monthly intervals until the tree, in response, has formed a quantity of resin. This can then be collected. When first harvested the resin appears as large clear globules which are soft but which quickly harden. These globules are cleaned and ground into "Peas" or "Tears"

It is these "tears" used themselves or ground into powders, which were burnt in ancient times as "incense". Today preparations of the crude gums have been adopted as they are more versatile. In modern perfumery these ancient gums, in particular Olibanum , Myrrh and Benzoin are extracted in different ways to obtain the volatile oils they contain. Olibanum yields 5- IQ % of a volatile oil. This is obtained by steam distillation. "Resinoids" as they are known in the perfume industry are prepared from the resins obtained directly from the tree. They are isolated by solvent extraction.

These refined oils and extracts from the crude resins are used to create fragrances which are used in perfumes for all types of applications, including perfumes for candles.

Previous inventions include the use of these more modern preparations of the resins. The volatile oils or resinoids are solublised to enable compatibility with paraffin - modern candle wax. It has been stated that if the incense ingredients are not solublised they will not burn satisfactorily. Also that they will produce large quantities of smoke which is normally associated with incense burning.

The present invention challenges this situation. By using the crude gums and blending them into candle wax we have found that they burn very cleanly. The warmth of the flame melts the crude gums in the pool of wax generated below the wick. Though some of the resulting gum will be taken up and burnt in the flame, this can be controlled. In fact the candle of the present invention results in a slightly larger more attractive flame than in a conventional candle.

The slightly larger flame generated has to be controlled carefully in order not to produce a fire hazard. The crude gums themselves are highly flammable. However it is accepted that all candles are hazards of this nature and this can be controlled.

It has been found that the resins do not smoke when combined with modern candle waxes. This is because the crude form is used and not the volatile oils extracted from the resins commonly used in perfumery. As the incense resins are highly volatile careful formulation is required. It has been found that a combination of 0.1 % to 0.95% is the broadest range suitable. Most preferably a combination of 0.3% to 0.7% was found to be desirable. The crude incense gums are used in combinations of modern and natural candle wax. It was found that a range of 60% to 95% of Paraffin wax and most preferably a range of 65% to 90% was most effective. It was also found that Paraffin wax could be used solely without the addition of any other wax type. However inclusion of natural waxes such as beeswax is effective in the range of 0.1% to 5% if used in combination with Paraffin wax or used as a substitute for Paraffin wax in equal percentages 60% to 95% and most preferably 65% to 90%. The use of a common candle ingredient Stearic Acid is also desirable. Although this can be omitted, a range of 15% to 3% was broadly effective but most preferably 12% to 5% in the formula.

The addition of fragrance to the candle is also possible, even though the crude gums themselves generate an odour. These fragrances give perfume to the candles when they are handled. They generate a soft perfume in the room when the candle is burnt. They may include some of the refined volatile oils and resinoids prepared from the crude gums. These are the common ingredients of modern perfumery. There was no need to solublise the fragrance itself as has been seen in other inventions. The fragrance burnt cleanly in combination with incense gums. The fragrance is added in a range broadly specified between 20% and 3%. Most preferably between 12% and 4%.

Other additives might include dyes for candle wax, herbs and spices and such like to decorate or visually make the candle attractive. The crude gums themselves as they are so interesting in their natural state can be set as "peas" in to the candle wax to give visual appeal.

An example of a candle of the present invention was prepared by using the following combination of ingredients.

%

Paraffin Wax 77.0

Beeswax 4.5

Stearic Acid 8.5

Olibanum Powder 0.25

Myrrh Powder 0.25

Fragrance 9.0 Candle Wax Dye 0.5

Total 100

It can be seen that when combining ancient gums and resins, commonly used as 'Incense" with modem and natural candle waxes an innovative form of candle can be produced. It has the advantage of a fragrance from the resins, a larger flame and burns without the smoke commonly associated with "Incense". The "peas" of gum as they are described can also be added to the mix in order to create visual effects.

Claims

Claims:

1. A candle having an incense ingredient in the form of a gum or resin.

2. A candle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the incense ingredient constitutes less than 1% by weight of the candle.

3. A candle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the incense ingredient is in the range of 0.1% to 0.95% inclusive by weight of the candle.

4. A candle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the incense ingredient is in the range of 0.3% to 0.7% inclusive by weight of the candle.

5. A candle as claimed in any preceding claim comprising paraffin wax in the range of 60% to 95% inclusive by weight of the candle.

6. A candle as claimed in any preceding claim comprising paraffin wax in the range of 65% to 90% inclusive by weight of the candle.

7. A candle as claimed in any preceding claim comprising bees wax.

8. A candle as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bees wax is in the range of 0.1% to 5% inclusive by weight of the candle.

9. A candle as claimed in any preceding claim comprising stearic acid.

10. A candle as claimed in claim 9 wherein the stearic acid is in the range of 3% to 15% inclusive by weight of the candle.

11. A candle as claimed in claim 9 wherein the stearic acid is in the range of 5% to 12% inclusive by weight of the candle.

12. A candle as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a fragrance.

13. A candle as claimed in claim 12 wherein the fragrance is in the range of 3% to 20% inclusive by weight of the candle.

14. A candle as claimed in claim 12 wherein the fragrance is in the range of 4% to 12% inclusive by weight of the candle.

15. A candle as claimed in any preceding claim comprising at least one ingredient selected from Frankincense (Boswellia carteri ), Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Benzoin (Styrax benzoin), Collophony resin (Pinus nigra), Copal gum (Copariflora officinalis), Dammar gum (Shorea spp), Karaya gum (Sterculia gum) and Olibanum.

16. A candle as claimed in claim 1 comprising by weight

%

Paraffin Wax 77.0

Beeswax 4.5

Stearic Acid 8.5

Olibanum Powder 0.25

Myrrh Powder 0.25

Fragrance 9.0

Candle Wax Dye 0.5