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  Candle scent delivery pelletUSPTO Application #: 20070264603Title: Candle scent delivery pellet Abstract: A scented pellet comprising a suitable bulk material such as wax and a scented material for introducing scent to the melt pool of a candle. The pellet is so constructed that it melts and mixes into the melt pool of the candle for the purpose of releasing the scented material within the pellet into the melt pool as the bulk material of the pellet melts. The scent is mixed with the candle melt pool giving the candle a scent while the candle burns. (end of abstract) Agent: Ira S Dorman Law Office - East Hartford, CT, US Inventor: Brendan Ruff USPTO Applicaton #: 20070264603 - Class: 431289000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, Candle, E.g., Taper, Etc., Having Structure Additional To Wax And Wick The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070264603. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This invention relates to a concentrated scented pellet for introducing scent to a candle. [0002] Commercially available candles are generally made of either a synthetic wax such as paraffin wax, or an organic wax such as a plant or animal wax eg beeswax. Lower cost mass produced candles tend to be made from paraffin wax. [0003] Scented candles are commonly availably for delivering a pleasant scent to a room while they burn, and in particular wax candles, rather than liquid gel candles, employing a wick are supplied with a scent integrated into the candle wax in a concentration, typically 3% to 5%, suitable for delivering a scent which is neither too weak nor overly strong, and in particular in a concentration that is acceptable for room based use by the consumer and in a concentration that is not dangerously high which could lead to a lower flash point for the candle, particularly relevant for tea lights which achieve a high normal operating temperature. Also, high scent concentrations tend to mechanically weaken the wax leading to a poor quality candle. [0004] Currently scented candles are supplied with a scent locked into the wax of the candle, and this scent is typically in the form of a fragrance oil or perfume mixed into the bulk wax of the candle. As the candle burns a melt pool is formed around the wick. The scent in this melt pool evaporates or is burned to give the candle a scent, and typically the scent concentration in this melt pool is less than that in the solid part of the candle as necessarily some of the scent has been consumed. Higher concentrations of scent in this melt pool give the candle a stronger scent. It is the melt pool which is largely responsible for the scent of the candle so the melt pool is the active scent production part of the candle and the solid part of the scented candle is simply a store of material waiting its turn to be melted and burned. [0005] It may be thought that a scented fluid, such as a fragrance oil or perfume, could be poured directly into this melt pool. While this is true, the scent will tend to float on top or sink to the bottom of the melt pool as it is of a different density to the melt pool wax, and mixing will be poor. Also, this is not a very convenient or safe way to add the scent to the melt pool, and risks the concentrated scent material coming in direct contact with the candle flame which could then ignite and be a fire risk and could also promote production of toxic combustion products from the raw scented material. In addition, the scent production of the candle after adding the scent will tend to be non-uniform. [0006] One problem with scented candles is that the scent is locked into the bulk wax of the candle and so the scent that the candle produces while burning is unchangeable for the life of the candle's normal use. In order to change the scent the user must light a candle of a different scent, so to change scent requires an entirely separate candle. [0007] Another problem with pre-scented candles is that the mechanical properties of the candle tend to be compromised by the scented material introduced to produce the scent, and in particular this scented material tends to reduce the mechanical strength of the candle and is a limiting factor in the amount of scent that can be added to the candle before the candle becomes too weak for use. [0008] A further problem with pre-scented candles is that high concentrations of scent, which are advantageous in terms of scent production quantity while burning, produce a fire hazard as the higher the scented material concentration, for instance of fragrance oils and perfumes, the lower the flash point of the candle wax. In very high scent concentrations the candle risks flash ignition of the melt pool. [0009] Accordingly the present invention provides a scented pellet for introducing scent to a candle comprising a bulk material and scent, wherein the pellet is arranged to release the scent upon melting of the bulk material in the candle's melt pool surrounding the wick. [0010] The bulk material of the pellet may comprise one of or a mixture of synthetic wax and organic wax. For example, the wax may be beeswax, paraffin wax, or any other suitable plant or biological wax. [0011] The concentration of the scented material is preferably higher than that of typical scented candles. The concentration of the scented material is preferably at least 3%, more preferably at least 5% and still more preferably approximately 10%. In some circumstances higher concentrations may be possible, for example up to 15% or above, or up to 20% or above. It may also be possible to use concentrations as high as 50% or more, or even pure scent. This percentage may be the percentage volume of scent in the bulk material or alternatively may be the percentage volume in the whole pellet. [0012] The scented material may comprise a perfume or alternatively may comprise fragrant oil. Any suitable synthetic scent or scent of biological origin may be used, for example, aromatic oils. Though these scents may normally be in pure form liquid at room temperature, scented material in solid form may also be added to the pellet, for instance as a powder, and this scent may melt at temperatures found typically in the molten wax in the candle melt pool. [0013] The mixture of bulk material and scented material may preferably be a solid. Alternatively, the mixture may be a non-solid amorphous material such as a paste or may comprise gaseous pockets to form a solid foam. A foamed pellet has the advantage of rapid melting and therefore results in more rapid production of scent by the candle. The maximum concentration of scent in pellets in which the mixture of bulk material and scented material is a solid is determined by the concentration at which the mixture at room temperature becomes non-solid. [0014] Alternatively, the pellet may comprise a liquid scent core within a solid bulk material capsule or shell. [0015] The pellet may further comprise a coating. The coating may be made from any suitable hard combustible material such as wax. For example, paraffin wax or beeswax may be used. Either one of, or both of the bulk material of the pellet and the coating may contain a colourant such as a coloured dye or pigment. For example, different colours may be used for different fragrances. In this way a set of pellets may be provided the pellets having different colourants, and different scents, each pellet of a particular colourant having a corresponding scent. This enables the scent of the pellet to be determined by its colour. The colourant may be contained only in the coating, or the coating may contain more colourant than the main body of the pellet. In some circumstances, the colourant may be a dye that oxidises upon melting of the pellet so as to minimise the amount of colour added to the melt pool of the wax. [0016] The coating may contain less scent than the main body of the pellet, preferably substantially no scent. The coating may also be less permeable than the main body of the pellet, thereby being arranged to prevent scent from the main body of the pellet from escaping, until the pellet melts. [0017] The coating may be more rigid, or more solid, than the main body of the pellet. This may enable it to provide support for the main body of the pellet. This may be particularly desirable if the main body of the pellet is in the form of a paste. The coating may also have a higher melting point than the main body of the pellet so that it can provide support for the pellet at warmer temperatures. Alternatively it may have a lower melting point, so that it will melt quickly in use thereby allowing the scent in the main body of the pellet to escape more quickly in use. [0018] Preferably, the diameter of the pellet may be between 2 mm and 30 mm and may be between 3 mm and 20 mm, or between 8 mm and 20 mm. The size of the pellet is suited to the size of the candle into which the pellets are to be added. For example, pellets with a diameter of approximately 2 mm or 3 mm may be chosen for small candles, whereas larger pellets may be suitable for use with larger candles. The size of the pellet is selected to ensure that the increased volume of the melt pool when the pellet or pellets have been added to it is not large enough to swamp the wick. The pellets may be provided in a variety of shapes. For example, the pellet may be any one of a sphere, cylinder, cube, tear-drop, disc, horse-shoe, cigar-shape or any other suitable shape. Alternatively, the pellet may have a bore through it through which the wick of a candle can pass or may be shaped in such a way as to indicate the scent of the pellet. Preferably, the melting temperature of the bulk material of the pellet is substantially the same as that of the candle and is preferably in the range of 40.degree. C. to 90.degree. C., or more preferably in the range of 55.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. [0019] The outer surface of the pellet may be treated, either chemically or heat treated, to reduce the porosity of the pellet or to improve the mechanical strength of the pellet. The bulk material may also further comprise an additive to increase the uptake of scent or to increase the hardness of the bulk material. For example, an additive may be a fixative to improve retention of the scent in the bulk material. [0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of introducing scent to a candle, the method comprising the step of adding one or more scented pellets to the melt pool of a lit candle, wherein the melt pool of a candle is an area surrounding the wick at the top of a candle. [0021] The method of introducing the scent may further comprise the step of allowing the one or more pellets to melt in the melt pool of the candle, facilitating release of the scent by the motion of convention currents established in the melt pool of the candle. [0022] This provides a convenient method for adding scent to the melt pool while also adding additional fuel to the candle to assist in its longevity, and as the scented material is locked into the bulk material of the pellet, then the scent is slowly delivered to the melt pool avoiding the fire risks mentioned above while also providing a more uniform release of the scented material into the melt pool thereby promoting uniform mixing of the scent with the wax in the melt pool leading to more uniform scent production by the candle. Dosing the melt pool with scented material enables a higher concentration of scent to be used than is normally acceptable or possible in a commercially available candle. [0023] By adding the scent directly to the melt pool of a virgin wax candle, then the strength of the candle is not compromised at all leading to simpler manufacture and shipping, and a better quality product in terms of appearance and strength. [0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Continue reading... Full patent description for Candle scent delivery pellet Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Candle scent delivery pellet patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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