Biopolymer Candle Casing for Faster Curing and Flame Retardancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing biopolymer-containing candles, such as those described in US 1,644,115 and WO 00/56846 A1, suffer from long curing times and inefficient processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of sprayable biopolymer preparations, which are sprayed and cured quickly, allowing for the production of biodegradable and flame-retardant composite materials, including candles, by utilizing biopolymers like gelatin and polysaccharides, with additives like cellulose and fibers, and employing techniques such as spraying, thermoforming, and immersion in liquid biopolymer preparations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gelatin sheets are boiled and mixed with biopolymers to form a shell, then the shell is biodegradable and flame-retardant, but the curing time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the biopolymer from solid gelatin sheets to liquid preparation form, and adjusts parameters such as water content (10-90 wt.%) and temperature conditions to enable rapid curing while maintaining biodegradability and flame-retardancy properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor during the drying process, where the liquid biopolymer preparation is applied and then rapidly dried to form a solid shell, significantly reducing curing time compared to traditional boiling and solidifying methods
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional dipping methods are used with biopolymer preparations, then the process is simplified, but the curing time remains long and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spray application method using compressed air or hydraulic systems to atomize and distribute the liquid biopolymer preparation uniformly over the substrate, enabling rapid coverage and significantly faster curing compared to manual dipping methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses intermittent spraying and drying cycles, where the biopolymer preparation is sprayed in controlled intervals followed by rapid drying phases, optimizing both process simplicity and production efficiency through periodic application rather than continuous processing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces curing times, produces biodegradable and flame-retardant composite materials suitable for candles, and allows for the creation of compostable products with enhanced mechanical properties and aesthetic features.
Implementation Method 1
a biopolymer preparation is provided in sprayable form, the sprayable biopolymer preparation is sprayed and cured
Implementation Method 2
the sprayable biopolymer preparation is sprayed and cured
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2b~2qa
Figure 2d~2f
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for producing a gelatin-containing material, in particular composite material, wherein a biopolymer preparation is provided in a sprayable form and the sprayable biopolymer preparation is sprayed and cured. The invention also relates to a method for producing a biopolymer-containing material, in particular composite material, wherein a substrate is immersed in a liquid biopolymer preparation, and the biopolymer preparation is cured. The invention also relates to a method for producing a candle comprising a flammable material, a wick and a casing, in which the flammable material and the wick are arranged, wherein to form the casing a biopolymer-containing composite material is provided by a method referred to above. A further subject matter of the invention is a method for producing a candle comprising a flammable material, a wick and a casing, in which the flammable material and the wick are arranged, wherein to form the casing a liquid biopolymer-containing material, in particular composite material, is filled into a hollow mould and the hollow mould is moved in order to distribute the liquid gelatin-containing material over the inner contour of the hollow mould. The invention also relates to a candle comprising a flammable material, a wick and a casing, in which the flammable material and the wick are arranged, wherein the casing is formed from a biopolymer-containing composite material.