Compostable Biopolymer Candle Cups to Reduce Packaging Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of candles, particularly tealights, in aluminum or polycarbonate containers generates significant environmentally harmful packaging waste, especially in religious and ceremonial contexts where large numbers are used.

Innovation Solution

A candle design featuring a combustible material and a plastic element made partially or entirely from biopolymers like gelatin and/or polysaccharides, with a cup-like vessel that accommodates the combustible material, providing fire protection and using liquid fuels that are renewable and cost-effective, allowing candles to burn at lower temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aluminum or polycarbonate containers are used for candles, then the structural strength and fire resistance are improved, but the environmental harm and packaging waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional aluminum or polycarbonate to biopolymer-based materials (such as gelatin, alginate, or starch). This material substitution maintains adequate structural strength while being biodegradable and compostable, thereby reducing environmental harm without completely sacrificing fire resistance properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The biopolymer container is designed to be disposable and compostable after use. After the candle burns out, the entire container can be composted or biodegraded, eliminating the need for recycling infrastructure and reducing long-term environmental accumulation of packaging waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional plastic containers are used, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidenvironmental sustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses biopolymers that can be processed using conventional plastic manufacturing techniques such as injection molding, extrusion, or thermoforming. This maintains ease of manufacture and low manufacturing complexity while fundamentally changing the environmental sustainability parameter through biodegradability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The biopolymer container is designed as a single-use, disposable product that can be easily manufactured and discarded. The low cost of biopolymer materials and simple processing methods make this economically viable, while the compostable nature ensures environmental sustainability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If biopolymer materials are used for the cup-like vessel, then the environmental friendliness and compostability are improved, but the structural strength and fire resistance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material structures where biopolymers are combined with natural fibers (such as cellulose, hemp, or flax) or treated with natural flame retardants. This composite approach enhances the structural strength and fire resistance of the biopolymer container while maintaining its environmental friendliness and compostability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The biopolymer container can be treated with cross-linking agents or subjected to heat treatment to improve its thermal stability and structural strength. These parameter changes allow the material to withstand the heat and mechanical stresses during candle operation while remaining biodegradable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 biopolymer-based candles reduce waste, are compostable, burn cleanly, and can operate at colder temperatures, offering aesthetic and functional advantages while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

The plastic element preferably has a base and a wall region... The plastic element is a cup-like vessel that at least partially, preferably completely, accommodates the combustible material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

for fire protection, for example to prevent the wick from coming into contact with the support surface of the candle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFire protection:

Data Source

PatentEP3464530B1Candle comprising a compostable plastic element

Publication Date: 2025.08.27 CUP CANDLE

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a candle comprising a combustible material, a wick and a plastic element.