Candle with Non-Ionic Emulsifier Flame Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Candles, particularly multi-wick candles, face challenges in achieving optimal flame height and fragrance distribution while maintaining aesthetic appeal and safety, with existing technologies often failing to balance these factors effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an appropriate amount of non-ionic emulsifiers with specific hydrophilic-lipophilic balances into the candle base formulation and/or wick coating, which improves capillary suction, disperses impurities, and enhances compatibility of candle constituents, thereby regulating flame height and fragrance delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple wicks are used in a candle, then fragrance distribution and illumination are improved, but flame height becomes difficult to control and may become too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the candle wax, specifically incorporating non-ionic emulsifiers with controlled HLB values (2-6) and carbon chain lengths (10-50 atoms). This changes the physical properties of the wax to regulate capillary action and flame characteristics, enabling control of flame height even with multiple wicks.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-ionic emulsifier acts as an intermediary substance between the wax matrix and the flame. It mediates the capillary suction process and regulates the fuel supply to the flame, thereby controlling flame height without affecting the number of wicks used for illumination.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple wicks are used in a candle, then fragrance distribution is improved, but flame height control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the wax formulation by adding non-ionic emulsifiers with specific HLB ranges (2-6) and controlled purity levels (less than 1% water, less than 0.5% ash). These parameter changes regulate the interaction between wax, fragrance, and flame, enabling simultaneous achievement of good fragrance distribution and flame height control with multiple wicks.
3Reliability
If non-ionic emulsifier is added to candle formulation, then flame height and fragrance properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emulsifier incorporation step with the existing wax melting and fragrance mixing operations. The non-ionic emulsifier is added to the molten wax along with other ingredients, combining multiple functions into a single formulation step rather than requiring separate processing equipment or operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-ionic emulsifier provides self-regulating properties in the candle formulation. It automatically controls capillary suction and flame characteristics through its inherent HLB value and molecular structure, eliminating the need for complex external control systems or sophisticated manufacturing processes.
4Reliability
If non-ionic emulsifier is added to candle formulation, then flame height and fragrance properties are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of the non-ionic emulsifier in the wax formulation, using small amounts (0.1-5% by weight) to achieve the desired flame height control and fragrance distribution. This minimizes the cost impact while maintaining effective performance improvement.
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
The use of non-ionic emulsifiers in candles results in a stable, aesthetically pleasing flame height and effective fragrance distribution, maintaining performance at both room temperature and elevated temperatures, with minimal impact on manufacturing processes and costs.
Implementation Method 1
using an appropriate amount of non-ionic emulsifier with an appropriate hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ("HLB") can improve capillary suction, e.g., on one or more burning wicks
Implementation Method 2
help to disperse trace of polar impurities and/or crystalline materials
Implementation Method 3
improve compatibility of different constituents of a candle composition, including fragrance in the candle base
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to candles, including multi-wick candles, that contain one more non-ionic emulsifiers. The non-ionic emulsifier(s) can be contained in the candle base formulation and/or in the wick coating formulation. The candles exhibit one or more desirable properties, such as good flame height, good fragrance character, low mineral impurity levels and little or no discoloration.