Candle composition

Abstract

A candle composition containing non-hydrogenated oil and at least one of long-chain hydrocarbon and long-chain hydrocarbon derivatives. A candle composition having non-hydrogenated oil and a solidifying amount of congealing reagent. A candle composition having paraffin, non-hydrogenated oil, and a solidifying amount of a congealing reagent comprising petrolatum, oxidized petrolatum, oxidized long-chain hydrocarbons, or modified hydrocarbons. A process for making a candle composition is also provided, the process comprising mixing together a non-hydrogenated oil and a congealing amount of a congealing reagent, heating mixture to a temperature of 75-90° C., preferably 75-80° C., then cooling the mixture and pouring into a container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to candle compositions. In particular, this invention relates to candle compositions having non-hydrogenated oil and a process for making a candle composition having non-hydrogenated oil.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Candles have been used for centuries as a source of light and for their aesthetic appeal.[0003]Paraffin wax has been traditionally used in making candle wax, which conventionally comprises 80 to 100% paraffin wax. It comes in various grades and melting points, and is predominantly composed of fully saturated long chain hydrocarbons. Although it is widely used in the candle industry, paraffin wax has a long cooling rate and is subject to pitting and bubbles arising during the candle manufacturing process. Paraffin wax is also a petroleum by-product and is known to produce toxins, black soot and carcinogens. It would therefore be advantageous to eliminate or reduce the paraffin wax used in candles in favour of a “green...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The congealing reagent may also be long-chain hydrocarbon derivatives with functional groups such as hydroxyl (—OH), carboxyl (—COOH), acyl (RCO—), aldehyde (—CHO), phenzyl, cycloalkane on one or two ends; and / or long-chain hydrocarbon derivatives with at least one side chain which include functional groups such as hydroxyl (—OH), carboxyl (—COOH), acyl (RCO—), aldehyde (—CHO), phenzyl, alkanes or cycloalkanes. The congealing reagent may be natural-based long chain esters, high melting point petrolatum, oxidized petrolatum, oxidized long chain hydrocarbons, and / or modified hydrocarbon derivatives with side chain which containing functional group. Such long-chain hydrocarbon congealing reagents can strongly attract liquid triglyceride molecules (vegetable oil) and turn the liquid form vegetable oil into a creamy / solid substance. The further addition of congealing boosters such as high melting-point paraffin and high melting-point (highly saturated) fats / triglycerides will allow the formation of a uniform solid solution (wax base) which will remain solid at temperatures around 42° C. to 54° C., and thereby used in candle applications.

[0019]A preservative may also be added since a high percentage of food grade ingredients of wax can be easily contaminated.

Problems solved by technology

Although it is widely used in the candle industry, paraffin wax has a long cooling rate and is subject to pitting and bubbles arising during the candle manufacturing process.

However, the use of hydrogenated vegetable oil also has a number of disadvantages, including high consumption of energy during the hydrogenation process, and high costs for transportation, storage and handling because hydrogenated vegetable oil is solid at room temperature and can oxidize easily.

The transportion and storage costs and troubles are especially concerning during the cold winter since hydrogenated oil can easily solidify and thereby block pipes, thus causing logistical and production planning problems.

The trace residue of the catalysts (nickle or platinum) from the hydrogenation process is harmful to the metal equipments (wax storage container, tanks, pipes, etc.) and is also a health issue.

Unsaturated vegetable oils (and fatty acids) can be converted to saturated vegetable oils (and fatty acids) by hydrogenation, which involves the process of addition of diatomic hydrogen at high pressure and in the presence of catalysts which are very expensive and not environmentally friendly.