Free fatty acid dipping wax

Abstract

A coating wax composition for coating candles comprises from 5% to 30% by weight of palmitic acid (C16:0); from 20% to 80% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 10% to 65% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1); wherein the coating wax composition has a palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) weight ratio (C16:0 / C18:0) of from 0.10 to 0.50; and wherein the coating wax composition comprises at least 75% by weight of free fatty acids; wherein said percentages of fatty acid residues refers to free fatty acids and fatty acids bound as acyl groups in esters in the coating wax composition and being based on the total weight of C4 to C24 fatty acid residues bound as acyl groups and present as free fatty acids present in the coating wax composition.

Description

[0001] FREE FATTY ACID DIPPING WAX

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to coating wax compositions for coating candles and coated candles formed from said coating wax compositions. In particular, the invention relates to the use of certain coating wax compositions to impart desirable properties to candle coatings formed from said coating wax compositions and to impart certain advantages to processes for forming said coated candles.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A variety of different types of candle are known in the art. These include molded candles, crown candles, container candles, dipping candles and pillar candles. These different types of candle are produced using different manufacturing processes. For example, molded and crown candles are produced by melting a wax composition and pouring the melted wax composition into a mold before the composition is allowed to harden thus forming the candle. Pillar candles are produced by subjecting solid flakes or granules of the candle wax composition to high pressure so as to form the candle. Tapered candles are produced by dipping a wick into molten candle wax and allowing a thin layer of wax to solidify around the wick. This process is then repeated multiple times until a desired candle thickness is achieved. Container candles are produced by simply pouring molten wax into a container and allowing it to harden.

[0006] The different manufacturing processes for the different types of candle impart limitations to the specific types of wax that can be used for each type of candle. The type of wax that can be used for the candles is also limited by the nature of how the candle wax burns when lit. These considerations place limitations on the nature of the candle wax that can be used for the main body of a candle.

[0007] It is often desired to dye or colour a candle for aesthetic reasons. It is also often desired to include perfumes and scents in candles so that the candle produces a pleasant smell when burned. In order to achieve this, perfumes and dyes are often mixed into the candle wax. However, this is not always possible or desirable due to incompatibilities between the dyes / colourants and candle wax or perfume and candle wax. Including the colourants or perfume in the candle wax can affect the properties of the candle wax in a way that difficulties are introduced to the manufacturing processes (for example if the colourants or perfumes affect the crystallization properties of the candle wax). After manufacture, phase separation of the dyes or colourants from the candle wax can also occur.

[0008] In order to address these problems, where it is desired to include perfume or colourant in a candle, coated candles can be produced which include a candle body coated with a candle coating wax composition that contains a colourant or perfume compatible with the coating wax composition. In the manufacture of these coated candles, a candle wax body which is typically uncoloured is first produced. This candle body is then dipped into a container of the molten coating wax before being removed. The candle coating wax then crystallizes and forms a solid thin layer coating on the outer surfaces of the candle body. This process may be repeated a number of times. The candle coating wax typically contains perfume and / or colourant to impart the desired scent and / or aesthetic appeal to the candle. This allows the wax of the candle body not to have any colourants or dyes included therein in order to alleviate the problems discussed above associated with inclusion of these substances in the main candle wax of the body. Coating waxes may also be used even where it is not desired to include colourant or perfume in the candle. A coating of a different material may be desired in cases where the coating wax crystallizes to give a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the candle than the wax used for the candle body.

[0009] Coating waxes and their use to coat white candles by dipping the white candles into coloured coating waxes have been used for many years. Traditionally, substances such as paraffin, palm wax or beeswax have been used. Advantages associated with the use of these materials is that they easily follow the shape of the candle and do not crack when crystallising (hardening) to form the coating layer. These materials also advantageously are compatible with typical colourants and perfumes. This is important otherwise separation of the wax from the colours and substances can occur.

[0010] In more recent years, there has been a desire for alternative coating wax compositions. Beeswax is an expensive material and it is undesirable from an economic perspective to use this material in coating waxes. There is a desire not to use palm wax due to the negative public perception of using palm derived materials for sustainability reasons. Paraffin is a petrochemical derived from diesel which is also undesirable to use for sustainability reasons. Paraffin also produces a black smoke and soot upon burning and often an unpleasant odour. This black smoke often contains large amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals and sulphur compounds that may be toxic or even carcinogenic. There is thus a need in the art for alternative coating wax compositions that are sustainable, not derived from palm or petrochemicals, and that are cheaper to use than beeswax.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is based on the surprising finding that certain free fatty acid compositions comprising palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (018:0) and oleic acid (018:1 ) can be used as candle coating wax compositions. The use of said compositions is advantageous since the free fatty acids can be derived from sustainable sources (e.g. plant oils), are non-petrochemical derived, and can be non-palm derived (i.e. where the free fatty acids are derived from a non-palm plant source). The use of free fatty acids can often also result in cost savings since fatty acids can easily and cheaply be derived from existing industrial processes (such as vegetable oil processing).

[0013] However, the inventor has found that not any free fatty acid composition comprising the fatty acids mentioned above can be used. As with the prior art materials discussed above, it is important that the free fatty acid compositions are compatible with typical colourants and dyes used in coating waxes, otherwise separation or other appearance issues will be present in the coating. It is also important that the coating wax has the right viscosity at certain temperatures to effectively follow the shape of and coat the outer surfaces of the candle and to give a desired thickness of the coating wax layer. Too thick a coating is undesirable since the process costs are too high when carried out on an industrial scale since too much wax is unnecessarily used for each coating. It is also important that the wax composition does not crystallize in a manner such that the coating has an undesirable bloomed or frosted surface appearance.

[0014] It has been found by the inventor that with certain free fatty acid coating wax compositions comprising the fatty acids mentioned above (typically those where the wax composition has too low an oleic acid content, too high a solid fat content, too low an iodine value, and / or too low a palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) ratio (C16:0 / C18:0)) crystallization of the layer of coating wax upon dipping is too fast which will cause the coating to crack around the candles and fall off. These waxes are also too brittle and will not effectively follow the shape of the candle body after it is dipped into the wax. It has not been found possible to address this problem by simply increasing the temperature of the coating wax to decrease its viscosity, since in this case, the viscosity of the coating wax reduces such that the coating wax drips off the candle body meaning that an insufficient coating thickness is provided. On the other hand, for other free fatty acid coating wax compositions comprising the fatty acids mentioned above (typically those where the oleic acid content or iodine value of the wax composition is too high, the solid fat content of the composition is too low, and / or the palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) ratio (C16:0 / C18:0) is too high), it has been found that the coating wax will not crystallise evenly around the candle but instead crystallise at different thicknesses around the candle body which gives an appearance of unevenly spread colour around the candle surface. It has not been found possible to address this problem by simply lowering the temperature of the coating wax to increase its viscosity, since in this case, the viscosity is increased too much and forms too thick a layer of coating wax on the surface of the candle. This uses too much coating wax in a large-scale manufacturing process and so is not economically desirable.

[0015] It has been found that the certain wax compositions of the invention solve many of the problems discussed above.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a candle coating wax composition comprising from 5% to 30% by weight of palmitic acid (C16:0); from 20% to 80% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 10% to 65% by weight oleic acid (C18:1); wherein the wax composition has a palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) weight ratio (C16:0 / C18:0) of from 0.10 to 0.50; and wherein the coating wax composition comprises at least 75% by weight of free fatty acids; wherein said percentages of fatty acid residues refers to free fatty acids and fatty acids bound as acyl groups in esters in the wax composition and being based on the total weight of C4 to C24 fatty acid residues bound as acyl groups and present as free fatty acids present in the wax composition.

[0017] It has been found that the wax compositions of the invention are compatible with colourants, dyes and perfumes typically included in coating wax compositions and do not exhibit phase separation of these components upon crystallization. Furthermore, it has been found that the wax compositions of the invention do not crystallize to give a coating with a bloomed or frosted appearance.

[0018] Surprisingly, unlike certain wax compositions discussed above, it has been found that the wax compositions of the invention crystallize well around candle bodies without cracking and also follow the shape of the candle bodies well. Additionally, unlike other coating wax compositions discussed above, wax compositions of the invention have been found to crystallize evenly around the surfaces of candle bodies to provide a desirable and aesthetically pleasing even spread of colour around the surfaces. The wax compositions of the invention have also been found to have a suitable viscosity at typical processing temperatures to fully coat candle bodies such that the body is not visible, whilst also desirably not providing too thick a coating. Using the wax compositions of the invention, the surfaces of the coated candles have also been found to be desirably smooth and glossy but not greasy or sticky as often occurs with certain wax compositions as discussed above. The wax compositions of the invention are also stable to oxidation which is not always the case with wax compositions that are more highly unsaturated. Additionally, the wax compositions of the invention have usefully been found suitable for coating a variety of different types of candle including all of crown candles, molded candles, pillar candles and tapered candles.

[0019] The wax compositions of the invention comprise palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and oleic acid (C18:1). These fatty acids are commonly occurring in many plant-derived oils.

[0020] Typically, the wax composition comprises from 5% to 25% by weight of palmitic acid (C16:0). Preferably, the wax composition comprises from 7.5% to 20% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0). More preferably, the wax composition comprises from 8% to 15% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0).

[0021] Typically, the wax composition comprises from 20% to 75% by weight stearic acid (C18:0). Preferably, the wax composition comprises from 30% to 70% by weight stearic acid (C18:0). More preferably, the wax composition comprises from 40% to 70% by weight stearic acid (C18:0). Most preferably, the wax composition comprises from 50% to 65% by weight stearic acid (C18:0).

[0022] Preferably, the wax composition has a palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) ratio (C16:0 / C18:0) of from 0.12 to 0.45. More preferably, the wax composition has a palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) ratio (C16:0 / C18:0) of from 0.15 to 0.30.

[0023] The weight ratio of palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) (C16:0 / C18:0) in the wax composition has been found important for achieving the advantages discussed above associated with wax compositions of the invention. Where this ratio is too low, it has been found that the coating compositions suffer from many of the drawbacks discussed above such as overly fast crystallization of the coating wax after dipping leading to crack formation, a brittle coating, and the coating not following the shape of the candle body. In contrast, where this ratio is too high, the coating wax compositions suffer from other drawbacks discussed above such as the wax not crystallising evenly around the candle body giving an appearance of unevenly spread colour. Without being limited theory, the specific ratio of palmitic acid to stearic acid is believed to affect the crystallization properties of the coating wax composition which is associated with the achievement of the advantages discussed above.

[0024] Typically, the wax composition comprises from 10% to 50% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1 ). Preferably, the wax composition comprises from 15% to 40% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1). More preferably, the wax composition comprises from 18% to 35% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1 ). Most preferably, the wax composition comprises from 20% to 30% by weight of oleic acid (C18: 1 ).

[0025] The amount of oleic acid present in the wax composition has been found important for achieving the advantages discussed above. At too low oleic acid concentrations, the coating wax composition has been found to not properly follow the shape of the candle body when setting, be too brittle, and to form cracks in the coating. In contrast, where the oleic acid content of the coating wax composition is too high, the coating composition does not crystallize evenly around the candle body after dipping and an even spread of colour is not achieved. These coating wax compositions also undesirably often produce a sticky or greasy surface. In contrast, coating wax compositions of the invention do not suffer from these drawbacks.

[0026] It has been found that both the oleic acid content and the ratio of palmitic to stearic acid are important for achieving the advantages of the invention.

[0027] Preferably, the wax composition comprises from 5% to 20% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0); from 20% to 80% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 10% to 50% oleic acid (C18:1). More preferably, the wax composition comprises from 5% to 20% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0); from 50% to 75% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 15% to 40% oleic acid (C18:1 ). Most preferably, the wax composition comprises from 7.5% to 18% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0); from 50% to 70% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 15% to 30% oleic acid (C18:1 ).

[0028] In some embodiments, the wax composition comprises linoleic acid (C18:2). Where linoleic acid (C18:2) is included, the wax composition typically comprises from 0.1 % to 10% by weight linoleic acid (C18:2), and preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight linoleic acid (C18:2). In other embodiments, the composition is free of linoleic acid (C18:2). The wax composition may also comprise other additional fatty acids such as palmitoleic acid (C16: 1 ), myristic acid (C14:0), lauric acid (C12:0), arachidic acid (C20:0), behenic acid (C22:0), capric acid (C10:0) and caprylic acid (C8:0) and others. If the wax composition comprises additional fatty acids, typically, the fatty acids are those commonly occurring in plant oils from which the wax compositions may be derived such as those described in further detail below.

[0029] In some embodiments, the wax composition comprises from 0.1 % to 5% by weight of arachidic acid (C20:0); such as from 0.1 % to 1 % by weight of arachidic acid (C20:0).

[0030] In preferred embodiments, the wax composition comprises only oleic acid (C18:1), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:1 ) and from 0.1 % to 1 % by weight of arachidic acid (C20:0).

[0031] Typically, the wax composition comprises at least 80% by weight of free fatty acids; and preferably at least 85% by weight of free fatty acids. More preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 90% by weight of free fatty acids; and still more preferably at least 95% by weight of free fatty acids. Most preferably, the wax composition comprises only free fatty acids. These weight percentages of fatty acid residues refers to free fatty acids and fatty acids bound as acyl groups in esters in the wax composition and being based on the total weight of C4 to C24 fatty acid residues bound as acyl groups and present as free fatty acids present in the wax composition.

[0032] It is preferred that the wax compositions have a high free fatty acid content and a low glyceride ester (e.g. triglyceride) content. This is because it has been found by the inventor that the presence of glyceride esters such as triglycerides in the wax compositions negatively affects the crystallization behaviour of the wax. Too high a glyceride ester content has been found to cause phase separation of colourants and perfumes from the wax and give an undesirable prolonged crystallization. Accordingly, typically, the coating wax composition comprises less than 25% by weight of glyceride esters, preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10% and most preferably less than 5% by weight of glyceride esters. In a highly preferable embodiment, the composition is essentially free of or completely free of glyceride esters.

[0033] It is desired that the coating wax composition contains a major portion of free fatty acids instead of fatty acids bound as acyl groups in glycerides such as triglycerides. This is because glycerides such as triglycerides have an undesirable prolonged crystallization that is not ideal for coating waxes. Additionally, colourants and dyes typically included in coating wax compositions often separate from glycerides such as triglycerides. An advantage of the fatty acid profile of the coating wax compositions of the invention is that the coating wax compositions can be derived from readily available plant oils that contain the fatty acids for inclusion in the coating wax compositions of the invention. The industrial processing of certain plant oils often produces side streams of free fatty acids which can be used to form the coating wax compositions of the invention.

[0034] Typically, the wax composition comprises free fatty acids derived from shea butter, cotton oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, palm kernel oil, tung oil, jatropha oil, mustard oil, camelina oil, pennycress oil, castor oil, any faction thereof, or any combination thereof.

[0035] The wax compositions can comprise free fatty acids derived from one type of plant oil, or more than one type of plant oil. For example, the wax compositions can comprise one or more specific free fatty acids derived from a first plant oil and one or more specific free fatty acids from a second plant oil.

[0036] The free fatty acids can be derived from one or more plant oils using standard methods known in the art which will be apparentto the skilled person given the benefit of the present disclosure. Such methods include hydrolysis reactions to produce hydrolysed free fatty acids.

[0037] Preferably, the wax composition comprises free fatty acids derived from shea butter or a fraction thereof. More preferably, the wax composition comprises free fatty acids derived from shea olein.

[0038] Preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 75% by weight of free fatty acids derived from shea butter. More preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 80% by weight of free fatty acids derived from shea butter. Still more preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 85% by weight of free fatty acids derived from shea butter. Most preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 90% by weight of free fatty acids derived from shea butter. Particularly preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 95% by weight of wax compositions derived from shea butter. Fatty acids from shea butter can be used as a wax composition as described without any further chemical modification such as hydrogenation and still give the preferred properties.

[0039] Preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 75% by weight of free fatty acids derived from shea olein. More preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 80% by weight of free fatty acids derived from shea olein. Still more preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 85% by weight of free fatty acids derived from shea olein. Most preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 90% by weight of free fatty acids derived from shea olein. Particularly preferably, the wax composition comprises at least 95% by weight of wax compositions derived from shea olein.

[0040] Using free fatty acids derived from shea butter is particularly preferable. Shea stearin is used as a cocoa butter equivalent in the production of chocolate and shea olein is used as a multipurpose oil in bakery, dairy and chocolate industries. Manufacturing and processing of these oils from shea butter often produces free fatty acid side streams that can be used in the coating wax compositions of the invention. This increases the sustainability of wax compositions of the invention since the free fatty acids are sourced from pre-existing industrial processes.

[0041] Preferably, the free fatty acids used in the wax compositions of the invention are not derived from palm oil. An advantage of the wax compositions of the invention is that they comprise more stearic acid than palmitic acid and typically more oleic acid than palmitic acid meaning that they can be derived from non-palm sources that are lower in palmitic acid.

[0042] The free fatty acids present in the wax compositions of the invention can be derived from any suitable plant oil such as the plant oils discussed above. The plant oils are preferably non-hydrogenated. However, in some embodiments, one or more free fatty acids present in the wax compositions of the invention may be derived from one or more partially or fully hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as partially or fully hydrogenated versions of the vegetable oils discussed above.

[0043] The term fully hydrogenated vegetable oil as used herein is used to refer to a vegetable oil that has undergone hydrogenation so as to convert its unsaturated fatty acid residues into saturated fatty acid residues. In full hydrogenation, the hydrogenation process is allowed to continue to such an extent that all or substantially all of the unsaturated fatty acid residues present in the molecule are converted to saturated fatty acid residues.

[0044] The term partially hydrogenated vegetable oil as used herein is used to refer to a vegetable oil that has been subjected to hydrogenation to some extent but that still comprises some degree of unsaturation (i.e. carbon-carbon double bonds). Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils will be more unsaturated than fully hydrogenated vegetable oils but typically more saturated than the vegetable oil starting material prior to hydrogenation. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils typically contain a significant quantity of trans fatty acid residues.

[0045] Suitable process conditions and methods for hydrogenating vegetable oil so as to form fully or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are known in the art. Any suitable fat hydrogenation process known in the art can be used to produce fully or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils from which the free fatty acids may be derived. For example, hydrogenation processes discussed in EP2196094 can be used.

[0046] Typically, the wax composition comprises from 0.1 % to 40% by weight of trans fatty acids; such as from 0.5% to 20% by weight of trans fatty acids; such as from 0.1 % to 10% of trans fatty acids. Preferably, the wax composition comprises from 0.1 % to 5% by weight of trans fatty acids; and more preferably from 1 % to 2.5% by weight of trans fatty acids. It will be appreciated that the level of trans fatty acids present in the wax composition will affect the solid fat content and melting point of the wax composition. Typically, compositions with higher quantities of trans fatty acids will have higher melting points and solid fat contents than compositions comprising lower amounts of trans fatty acids. The level of trans fatty acids present in the wax composition may be altered by using free fatty acids that are derived from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Naturally occurring vegetable oils do not comprise trans fatty acids and only comprise cis unsaturated fatty acids. The process of hydrogenation causes formation of trans fatty acids.

[0047] The term “fat” as used herein refers to glyceride fats and oils containing fatty acid acyl groups and does not imply any particular melting point. The term “oil” is used synonymously with “fat” herein.

[0048] The term "fatty acid", as used herein, refers to straight chain saturated or unsaturated (including mono- and poly unsaturated) carboxylic acids having 4 to 24 carbon atoms. A fatty acid having x carbon atoms and y double bonds may be denoted Cx:y. For example, palmitic acid may denoted C16:0, oleic acid may denoted C18:1. Percentages of fatty acids in compositions referred to herein include acyl groups in tri-, di- and mono-glycerides present in the glycerides and free fatty acids and are based on the total weight of C4 to C24 fatty acids. The fatty acid profile (i.e. composition) may be determined, for example, by fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME) using gas chromatography according to ISO 12966-2 and ISO 12966.4. The term “free fatty acid” as used herein refers to a fatty acid that is not bound as an ester (e.g. a glyceride ester).

[0049] The terms dipping wax and coating wax as used herein are used interchangeably to refer to a wax composition suitable for forming a coating or outer layer on the outer surface of a pre-formed candle wax body.

[0050] Typically, the wax composition has an iodine value of from 7 to 65. Preferably, the wax composition has an iodine value of from 20 to 30. More preferably, the wax composition has an iodine value of from 20 to 30. shea Iodine value can be determined using any suitable technique known in the art. For example, iodine value is determined according to IUPAC 2.205 or AOCS Cd 1C-85. Preferably, iodine value is determined according to IUPAC 2.205.

[0051] The iodine values of the coating wax compositions are preferably within the ranges discussed above. Typically, compositions with lower iodine values have been found to undesirably form an overly brittle coating that cracks too easily. On the other hand, compositions with higher iodine values have been found to crystallise unevenly around the candle body leading to an uneven spread of colour and coating thickness.

[0052] Typically, the wax composition has a melting point of from 40°C to 75°C. Preferably, the wax composition has a melting point of from 50°C to 70°C. More preferably, the wax composition has a melting point of from 55°C to 65°C. The melting point can be determined using any suitable technique known in the art. For example, melting point can be determined according to AOCS Cc 18-80 or AOCS Cc 3-25. Preferably, melting point is determined according to AOCS Cc 3-25.

[0053] Typically, the wax composition has a solid fat content at 50°C of at least 25; preferably from 30 to 70; and more preferably from 35 to 50.

[0054] Typically, the wax composition has a solid fat content at 40°C of 20 to 75; preferably 30 to 65; and more preferably 40 to 60.

[0055] Typically, the wax composition has a solid fat content at 35°C of 35 to 75; preferably 40 to 70; and more preferably 50 to 65. Typically, the wax composition has a solid fat content at 30°C of 40 to 80; preferably 45 to 70 and more preferably 50 to 65.

[0056] Typically, the wax composition has a solid fat content at 25°C of 40 to 80; preferably 50 to 75; and more preferably 55 to 70.

[0057] Typically, the wax composition has a solid fat content at 20°C of 40 to 80; preferably 50 to 75; and more preferably 55 to 70.

[0058] Typically, the wax composition has a solid fat content at 10°C of 40 to 80; preferably 50 to 75; and more preferably 60 to 70.

[0059] Preferably, the wax composition has:

[0060] (i) a solid fat content at 50°C of from 30 to 70;

[0061] (ii) a solid fat content at 40°C of from 30 to 65;

[0062] (iii) a solid fat content at 35°C of 40 to 70;

[0063] (iv) a solid fat content at 30°C of 45 to 70;

[0064] (v) a solid fat content at 25°C of 50 to 70;

[0065] (vi) a solid fat content at 20°C of 50 to 75; and

[0066] (vii) a solid fat content at 10°C of 50 to 75.

[0067] More preferably, the wax composition has:

[0068] (i) a solid fat content at 50°C of from 35 to 50;

[0069] (ii) a solid fat content at 40°C of from 40 to 60;

[0070] (iii) a solid fat content at 35°C of 50 to 65;

[0071] (iv) a solid fat content at 30°C of 50 to 65;

[0072] (v) a solid fat content at 25°C of 55 to 70;

[0073] (vi) a solid fat content at 20°C of 55 to 70; and

[0074] (vii) a solid fat content at 10°C of 60 to 70. The solid fat content of the composition can be determined using any suitable technique known in the art. Preferably, the solid fat content is determined according to AOCS Cd 16b-93.

[0075] Preferably, the solid fat content of the wax composition is determined according to AOCS Cd 16b-93; the melting point of the wax composition is determined according to AOCS Cc 3-25; and the iodine value of the wax composition is determined according to IUPAC 2.205.

[0076] The solid fat contents of the coating wax compositions are preferably within the ranges discussed above. Typically, compositions with higher solid fat contents have been found to undesirably form an overly brittle coating that cracks too easily. On the other hand, compositions with lower solid fat contents have been found to crystallise unevenly around the candle body leading to an uneven spread of colour and coating thickness. It will be appreciated that for a given mixture of free fatty acids, the iodine value of the mixture may be tailored by tailoring the extent of hydrogenation of the mixture of acids or the vegetable oil(s) from which they are derived. A more heavily hydrogenated vegetable oil or fatty acid mixture will be more saturated and have a lower iodine value. In contrast, a less heavily hydrogenated vegetable oil or fatty acid mixture will typically be more unsaturated and have an iodine value at the higher end of the range. It will also be appreciated that the solid fat content of the wax composition and its melting point will be dependent, at least in part, on the iodine value of the mixture of free fatty acids forming the wax composition. Typically, a higher iodine value wax composition will have a lower solid fat content and lower melting point, and vice versa, although as discussed above, other properties may affect these properties of the wax compositions such as the amount of trans fatty acids present in the compositions.

[0077] The wax composition may comprise one or more additives. Any suitable additive known in the art for inclusion in coating wax compositions may be included in the wax compositions of the invention.

[0078] Typically, the one or more additives comprise one or more perfumes, one or more colourants, or a combination thereof.

[0079] Where the wax composition comprises one or more perfumes, the one or more perfumes are typically present in the wax composition in an amount of from 0.1 % to 15% by weight of the wax composition. Where the wax composition comprises one or more colourants, the one or more colourants are typically present in the wax composition in an amount of from 0.1 % to 5% by weight of the wax composition.

[0080] Any suitable perfume known in the art for inclusion in coating waxes may be used. Examples of perfumes include fragrance oils and essential oils. Any suitable colourants known in the art may be included in the wax compositions. Examples of dyes that can be used include aniline-based dyes.

[0081] Preferably, the wax composition is free of palm oil and any palm oil derived products. However, in some embodiments, the wax composition comprises palm oil and palm oil derived products in an amount of less than 15% by weight; such as less than 10% by weight; or less than 5% by weight.

[0082] Preferably, the wax composition is free of animal-derived products. However, in some embodiments, the wax composition comprises animal derived products in an amount of less than 15% by weight; such as less than 10% by weight; or less than 5% by weight.

[0083] Preferably, the wax composition is free of petrochemicals and petrochemical derived products. However, in some embodiments, the wax composition comprises petrochemicals and petrochemical derived products in an amount of less than 15% by weight; such as less than 10% by weight or less than 5% by weight.

[0084] It is preferred that the wax composition is free of petrochemical, palm and animal derived products for sustainability reasons as discussed above.

[0085] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a coated candle comprising a candle wax body coated with a wax composition according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0086] The term candle as used herein is used to refer to a shaped block of wax with a central wick protruding from a surface of the candle. The wick is to be lit and burnt using the candle wax of the candle as fuel. Preferably, the wick of the candle also extends throughout the length of the candle from where the wick protrudes at the top of the candle to the bottom of the candle.

[0087] The term wick as used herein is used to refer to a piece of string or cord that holds the flame of the candle when lit. Any suitable wick or wick material known for use in candle manufacture may be used. For example, the wicks may be formed from braided cotton. When the wick of the candle is lit, solid wax is in the immediate vicinity of the flame is melted and is absorbed into the wick by capillary action. When the fuel reaches the flame it is vaporized and combusted. The candle wick may influence how the candle burns. For example, the diameter, stiffness, fire resistance and tethering of the wick may influence how the candle burns. Wicks may also be treated with chemicals to tailor the burning characteristics of the wick. Common chemicals include ammonium salts such as ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate.

[0088] The term coated candle as used herein is used interchangeably with the term dipped candle to refer to a candle wax body coated with an outer layer of a coating wax composition. The coated candle is formed by dipping a pre-formed candle wax body into a heated coating wax composition before removing the candle wax body from the coating wax composition. The layer of the coating wax is then allowed to form by crystallization on the surface of the candle wax body.

[0089] The candle wax body can be any type of candle known in the art. Candle wax bodies disclosed herein can be made using any candle making technique known in the art. Suitable candle making techniques for use will be apparent to the skilled person given the benefit of the present disclosure.

[0090] The candle wax body can be any type of candle known in the art such as a container candle, pillar candle, crown candle, molded candle, or a tapered candle. Preferably, the candle is a molded candle, crown candle or pillar candle.

[0091] A container candle is a candle where the solid wax is contained within a container. The candle is manufactured by pouring molten wax into the container; inserting the wick into the molten wax; and then allowing the molten wax to solidify so as to form the candle.

[0092] Molded candles and crown candles are candles that are formed by pouring molten wax into a mold; inserting a wick into the molten wax and then allowing the wax composition to solidify by crystallization.

[0093] Dipping candles are produced by dipping a wick into molten wax and then removing the wick so that it is coated with a thin layer of wax which is allowed to solidify. The dipping process is then repeated so as to build up successive layers of the wax until the candle is of the desired thickness. The crystallization behaviour of the candle wax is also important in the production of dipping candles. Pillar candles are formed by subjecting solid granules, powders or flakes of a wax composition to high pressures which causes the granules to coalesce into a solid mass that is the candle.

[0094] The candle wax bodies for use in forming the coated candles of the invention are preferably white and preferably do not comprise one or more colourants. However, this is not essential, and in some embodiments, the candle wax bodies can comprise one or more colourants. If present, typically, the one or more colourants are present in the candle wax body in an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the candle wax bodies.

[0095] The candle wax bodies may also comprise one or more perfumes. Typically, if included, the one or more perfumes are present in the candle wax body in an amount of from 0.1 % to 15% by weight of the wax composition. Any suitable perfumes known in the art such as those discussed above may be used in the candle wax bodies.

[0096] The candle wax bodies may also comprise any other additives known in the art that are suitable for inclusion in candle waxes.

[0097] Preferably, the candle wax body is substantially free of colourants and dyes; and more preferably the candle wax body is completely free of colourants and dyes.

[0098] Typically, at least 80% of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the wax composition; and preferably at least 90% of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the wax composition. More preferably, at least 95% of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the wax composition. Still more preferably, substantially all of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the wax composition; and most preferably all of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the wax composition.

[0099] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a wax composition according to the first aspect of the invention as a candle coating wax composition.

[0100] Preferably, the use comprises using the wax composition to coat the outer surfaces of a candle wax body to form a coated candle.

[0101] Preferably, the coated candle or candle wax body are as described above in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. The use may comprise using the wax composition to reduce cracking or breakage of a coating of the candle during and / or after manufacture. As discussed above, surprisingly, it has been found that coating compositions of the invention provide a wax coating that has a reduced tendency to breakage during and / or after manufacture when compared to coating wax compositions that have lower oleic acid contents and / or lower (C16:0 / C18:0) ratios where the layers of coating wax have been found to be too brittle and to crack more easily.

[0102] The use may comprise using the wax composition to reduce oiling out and / or phase separation of a coating of the candle. As discussed above, surprisingly, it has been found that coating compositions of the invention provide a wax coating that is less sticky or tacky than coating waxes that have higher oleic acid contents and / or higher (C16:0 / C18:0) ratios. The wax compositions may also have a reduced separation of other components of the coating wax composition such as reduced separation of colourants or dyes from the coating.

[0103] The use may also comprise using the wax composition to improve the visual appearance of a coating of the candle after manufacture; such as a reduced white spot (frosting) formation in the candle coating, a reduction in uneven surfaces of the candle coating, a reduction in uneven spread of colour in the candle coating, or a combination thereof. As discussed above, candles with lower oleic acid content and / or lower (C16:0 / C18:0) ratios, and vice versa, often produce coatings with a frosted (white spot appearance). Candles with higher oleic acid contents and / or higher (C16:0 / C18:0) ratios, and vice versa, often produce coatings of uneven thickness which gives the appearance of an uneven distribution of colour around the candle surface. Both of these effects are aesthetically undesirable for the candle. Surprisingly, these problems do not occur using coating wax compositions of the invention.

[0104] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for forming a coated candle, wherein the process comprises dipping a candle wax body into a wax composition according to the first aspect of the invention; and removing the candle wax body from the melted wax composition so as to form a coated candle.

[0105] Preferably, the coated candle is a coated candle according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0106] The coated candle can be formed using any process known in the art for forming a coated candle. Typically, a candle coating wax composition is heated to above its melting point. A formed candle wax body is then typically dipped into the melted coating wax composition before being removed from the melted coating wax. The melted coating wax remains on the external surfaces of the candle body. The coating wax composition then crystallizes on the outer surfaces of the candle body to form the coated candle comprising the candle body coated with a layer of the hardened coating wax composition.

[0107] Accordingly, after the step of removing the candle wax body from the melted wax composition; the process of the invention may comprise allowing a layer of the wax composition coating the candle body to crystallise thus forming the coated candle.

[0108] As discussed above, typically, the candle coating wax composition is heated to above its melting point so that it has a low solid fat content such that the candle wax body can be effectively dipped into the coating wax composition.

[0109] Typically, the process comprises heating the wax composition to a temperature of from 40°C to 90°C prior to dipping the candle wax body into the wax composition. Preferably, the process comprises heating the wax composition to a temperature of from 50°C to 80°C prior to dipping the candle wax body into the wax composition. More preferably, the process comprises heating the wax composition to a temperature of from 60°C to 80°C prior to dipping the candle wax body into the wax composition. Most preferably, the process comprises heating the wax composition to a temperature of from 70°C to 80°C, prior to dipping the candle wax body into the wax composition.

[0110] The process of the invention may comprise dipping the candle body several times into the heated coating wax composition. This may be needed, for example, to build up thickness in the coating if a first dip does not result in a thick enough coating wax layer. However, an advantage of coating wax compositions of the invention is that it has surprisingly been found that a lower number of dips into the coating wax is required to form a desirable coating thickness when compared to waxes with different oleic acid contents and different palmitic acid / stearic acid weight ratios. Without being limited by theory, this is believed to be due to the superior crystallization properties of wax compositions of the invention.

[0111] Typically, the process comprises dipping the candle body into the heated wax composition from 1 to 20 times; preferably from 1 to 10 times; more preferably from 1 to 5 times; still more preferably from 1 to 3 times; and most preferably from 1 to 2 times.

[0112] The process of the invention may also comprise forming the candle wax body. As discussed above, the candle wax body may be any type of candle. Candle wax bodies can be formed using any suitable candle forming process known in the art. As discussed above, the candle can be a coated molded candle, pilar candle, dipping candle or other type of candle. Processes known in the artforforming these types of candles can be used for forming the candle wax bodies for use in processes of the invention.

[0113] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114] Figures 1 to 3 depict candles of the invention.

[0115] Figures 4 to 6 depict various comparative candles.

[0116] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0117] The following examples are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

[0118] Example 1

[0119] A coating wax composition of the invention comprising free fatty acids was prepared. The percentages of free fatty acid in the wax composition are shown below in Table 1 .

[0120] Table 1

[0121] The coating wax composition was mixed with red, maroon and black colourants known in the art. The wax compositions were then heated to a temperature range of from 60°C to 80°C before a white candle wax body was dipped into the waxes. The candle wax bodies were then removed and a coating layer of the wax composition allowed to crystallise on the outer surfaces of the candle wax bodies to form coated candles. Photographs of the candles are shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0122] It can be seen that the candles do not contain any cracks in the coatings. The candle coatings also have a smooth, glossy and even appearance and the coating colour is evenly spread around the outer surfaces of the candles. The coating also effectively follows the shape of the candle wax body such that it fully coats the outer surfaces and adheres to the candle body. The candle coating also has a smooth aesthetically pleasing appearance and does not show any frosting.

[0123] Example 2

[0124] A comparative coating wax composition was prepared. The fatty acid profile of the composition is shown below in Table 2. The coating wax composition has a lower oleic acid content and higher C16:0 / C: 18:0 ratio than coating wax compositions of the invention. The coating wax had a red colourant added thereto. A coated candle was prepared using the same method as in Example 1 . Photographs of the candle are shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0125] Table 2

[0126] As is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the coating wax composition has not formed smooth even surfaces around the candle wax body and has an undesirable uneven appearance. The surfaces of the candle are also sticky and tacky and do not have the desired glossy appearance of the candles of Example 1. This experiment thus shows that even at very low oleic acid concentrations (i.e. at high iodine values), the candles suffer from drawbacks if the C16:0 / C:18:0 ratio of the free fatty acid wax composition is too high.

[0127] Example 3

[0128] A comparative coating wax composition was prepared. The fatty acid profile of the composition is shown below in Table 3. The coating wax composition has a higher C16:0 / C:18:0 ratio than coating wax compositions of the invention. The coating wax had a black colourant added thereto. A coated candle was prepared using the same method as in Example 1. Photographs of the candle are shown in Figure 6.

[0129] Table 3

[0130] As is shown in Figure 6, the coating wax composition has not formed smooth even surfaces around the candle wax body and has an undesirable uneven appearance with a patchy colour distribution. The surfaces of the candle are also sticky and tacky and do not have the desired glossy appearance of the candles of Example 1. This experiment thus shows that at higher oleic acid concentrations and higher C16:0 / C18:0 ratios, the coating wax compositions suffer from the drawbacks discussed above.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A coating wax composition for coating candles, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 5% to 30% by weight of palmitic acid (C16:0); from 20% to 80% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 10% to 65% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1); wherein the coating wax composition has a palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) weight ratio (C16:0 / C18:0) of from 0.10 to 0.50; and wherein the coating wax composition comprises at least 75% by weight of free fatty acids; wherein said percentages of fatty acid residues refers to free fatty acids and fatty acids bound as acyl groups in esters in the coating wax composition and being based on the total weight of C4 to C24 fatty acid residues bound as acyl groups and present as free fatty acids present in the coating wax composition.

2. A coating wax composition according to Claim 1 , wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 5% to 25% by weight of palmitic acid (C16:0).

3. A coating wax composition according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 7.5% to 20% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0).

4. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 8% to 15% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0).

5. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 20% to 75% by weight stearic acid (C18:0); preferably from 30% to 70% by weight stearic acid (C18:0).

6. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 40% to 70% by weight stearic acid (C18:0); preferably from 50% to 65% by weight stearic acid (C18:0).

7. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 10% to 50% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1 ).

8. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 15% to 40% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1 ).

9. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 18% to 35% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1 ).

10. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 20% to 30% by weight of oleic acid (C18:1 ).

11. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 5% to 20% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0); from 20% to 80% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 10% to 50% oleic acid (C18:1).

12. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 5% to 20% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0); from 50% to 75% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 15% to 40% oleic acid (C18:1).

13. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 7.5% to 18% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0); from 50% to 70% by weight of stearic acid (C18:0); and from 15% to 30% oleic acid (C18:1 ).

14. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) weight ratio (C16:0 / C18:0) of from 0.12 to 0.45.

15. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a palmitic acid (C16:0) to stearic acid (C18:0) weight ratio (C16:0 / C18:0) of from 0.15 to 0.30.

16. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 0.5% to 10% by weight of linoleic acid (C18:2).

17. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises at least 80% by weight of free fatty acids; preferably at least 85% by weight of free fatty acids.

18. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises at least 90% by weight of free fatty acids; preferably at least 95% by weight of free fatty acids.

19. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 0.1 % to 40% by weight of trans fatty acids; preferably from 0.5% to 20% by weight of trans fatty acids; and more preferably from 1 % to 10% of trans fatty acids.

20. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises from 0.1 % to 5% by weight of trans fatty acids; and preferably from 1 % to 2.5% by weight of trans fatty acids.

21. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has an iodine value of from 15 to 40.

22. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has an iodine value of from 20 to 30.

23. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a melting point of from 40°C to 75°C.

24. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a melting point of from 50°C to 70°C.

25. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a melting point of from 55°C to 65°C.

26. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a solid fat content at 50°C of at least 25; preferably from 30 to 70; and more preferably from 35 to 50.

27. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a solid fat content at 40°C of 20 to 75; preferably 30 to 65; and more preferably 40 to 60.

28. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a solid fat content at 35°C of 35 to 75; preferably 40 to 70; and more preferably 50 to 65.

29. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a solid fat content at 30°C of 40 to 80; preferably 45 to 70 and more preferably 50 to 65.

30. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a solid fat content at 25°C of 40 to 80; preferably 50 to 75; and more preferably 55 to 70.

31. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a solid fat content at 20°C of 40 to 80; preferably 50 to 75; and more preferably 55 to 70.

32. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has a solid fat content at 10°C of 40 to 80; preferably 50 to 75; and more preferably 60 to 70.

33. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has:(i) a solid fat content at 50°C of from 30 to 70;(ii) a solid fat content at 40°C of from 30 to 65;(iii) a solid fat content at 35°C of 40 to 70;(iv) a solid fat content at 30°C of 45 to 70;(v) a solid fat content at 25°C of 50 to 70;(vi) a solid fat content at 20°C of 50 to 75; and(vii) a solid fat content at 10°C of 50 to 75.

34. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition has:(i) a solid fat content at 50°C of from 35 to 50;(ii) a solid fat content at 40°C of from 40 to 60;(iii) a solid fat content at 35°C of 50 to 65;(iv) a solid fat content at 30°C of 50 to 65;(v) a solid fat content at 25°C of 55 to 70;(vi) a solid fat content at 20°C of 55 to 70; and(vii) a solid fat content at 10°C of 60 to 70.

35. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises free fatty acids derived from shea butter, cotton oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, palm kernel oil, tungoil, jatropha oil, mustard oil, camelina oil, pennycress oil, castor oil, any faction thereof, or any combination thereof.

36. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises free fatty acids derived from shea butter or a fraction thereof.

37. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises at least 50% of fatty acids derived from shea butter; preferably at least 70% of fatty acids derived from shea butter; and more preferably at least 90% of fatty acids derived from shea butter.

38. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises free fatty acids derived from shea olein.

39. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises palm oil and palm oil derived products in an amount of less than 15% by weight; preferably less than 10% by weight; and more preferably less than 5% by weight.

40. A coating wax composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 38, wherein the coating wax composition is free of palm oil and any palm oil derived products.

41. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises animal derived products in an amount of less than 15% by weight; preferably less than 10% by weight; and more preferably less than 5% by weight.

42. A coating wax composition according to any one or more of Claims 1 to 40, wherein the coating wax composition is free of animal-derived products.

43. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises petrochemicals and petrochemical derived products in an amount of less than 15% by weight; preferably less than 10% by weight; and more preferably less than 5% by weight.

44. A coating wax composition according to any one or more of Claims 1 to 43, wherein the coating wax composition is free of petrochemicals and petrochemical derived products.

45. A coating wax composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the coating wax composition comprises one or more additives.

46. A coating wax composition according to Claim 45, wherein the one or more additives comprise one or more perfumes, one or more colourants, or a combination thereof.

47. A coating wax composition according to Claim 46, wherein the one or more perfumes are present in the coating wax composition in an amount of from 0.1 % to 15% by weight of the coating wax composition.

48. A wax composition according to Claim 46 or Claim 47, wherein the one or more colourants are present in the coating wax composition in an amount of from 0.1 % to 5% by weight of the coating wax composition.

49. A coated candle comprising a candle wax body coated with a coating wax composition according to any preceding claim.

50. A coated candle according to Claim 49, wherein the candle wax body is a white coloured candle wax body.

51. A coated candle according to Claim 50, wherein the candle wax body is substantially free of colourants and dyes; preferably wherein the candle wax body is completely free of colourants and dyes.

52. A coated candle according to any one of Claims 49 to 51 , wherein at least 80% of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the coating wax composition; preferably wherein at least 90% of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the coating wax composition; more preferably wherein at least 95% of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the coating wax composition.

53. A coated candle according to any one of Claims 49 to 52, wherein substantially all of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the coating wax composition; preferably wherein all of the outer surface area of the candle wax body is coated by the coating wax composition.

54. A coated candle according to any one of Claims 49 to 53, wherein the candle is a container candle; a pillar candle; a crown candle; a tapered candle; or a molded candle.

55. Use of a coating wax composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 48 as a candle coating wax composition.

56. Use according to Claim 55, wherein the use comprises using the coating wax composition to coat the outer surfaces of a candle wax body to form a coated candle.

57. Use according to Claim 56, wherein the coated candle or candle wax body are as defined in any one or more of Claims 49 to 54.

58. Use according to any one or more of Claims 55 to 57, wherein the use comprises using the wax composition to reduce cracking or breakage of a coating of the candle during and / or after manufacture.

59. Use according to any one or more of Claims 55 to 58, wherein the use comprises using the coating wax composition to reduce oiling out and / or phase separation of a coating of the candle.

60. Use according to any one or more of Claims 55 to 59, wherein the use comprises using the coating wax composition to reduce separation of one or more colourants or dyes from a coating of the candle.61 . Use according to any one or more of Claims 55 to 60, wherein the use comprises using the coating wax composition to improve the visual appearance of a coating of the candle after manufacture; such as a reduced white spot (frosting) formation in the candle coating, a reduction in uneven surfaces of the candle coating, a reduction in uneven spread of colour in the candle coating, or a combination thereof.

62. A process for forming a coated candle, wherein the process comprises dipping a candle wax body into a melted coating wax composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 48; and removing the candle wax body from the melted coating wax composition so as to form a coated candle.

63. A process according to Claim 62, wherein the coated candle is a coated candle according to any of Claims 49 to 54.

64. A process according to Claim 62 or Claim 63, wherein after the step of removing the candle wax body from the melted coating wax composition; the process comprises allowing a layer of the coating wax composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 48 coating the candle wax body to crystallise thus forming the coated candle.

65. A process according to any one of Claims 62 to 64, wherein the process comprises heating the coating wax composition to a temperature of from 40°C to 90°C prior to dipping the candle wax body into the coating wax composition; preferably wherein the processcomprises heating the coating wax composition to a temperature of from 50°C to 80°C prior to dipping the candle wax body into the coating wax composition; more preferably wherein the process comprises heating the coating wax composition to a temperature of from 60°C to 80°C prior to dipping the candle wax body into the coating wax composition.

66. A process according to any one of Claims 62 to 65, wherein the process comprises heating the coating wax composition to a temperature of from 70°C to 80°C.

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