Decorative candle display and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A decorative candle display including a container, preferably transparent, with an interior wall surface having disposed thereon gelatinous components. The decorative candle display formed by: positioning a wick within the container cavity defined by a bottom interior surface of the container and the interior wall surface of the container; forming the gelatinous structures; positioning the gelatinous structures against the interior wall surface; compressing the gelatinous structures by pressing the gelatinous structures against the interior wall surface; pouring a molten mixture into the cavity, the molten mixture filling in the portion of the cavity not filled by the gelatinous structures; and cooling the molten mixture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] (Not Applicable)

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention generally relates to decorative candles, and more particularly to a decorative candle display having gelatinous structures compressed against the inner surface of a container and a wax filler filling in the remainder of the cavity of the container.

[0004] Decorative candles can be formed in different styles, shapes, and colors. Typically, there are three types of candles: tapered, molded, and container.

[0005] A container candle is formed by pouring molten wax into a container having a wick disposed therein. The wick is extensible through the wax such that as the wick is burned, the wax around the wick will melt, thereby providing fuel for the wick to burn.

[0006] Fragrances and/or pigments can be added to the wax to give the candle a unique appearance and scent. Typically, the fragrance and/or pigment is mixed with the wax when in a molten state. The wax containing the fragrance and/or pigment is then formed into the preferred type of candle. The pigment will give the candle the desired coloring, while the fragrance gives the candle a desired scent. The scent produced by the fragrance may become more pronounced as the candle is being burned.

[0007] In addition to making candles out of wax, mineral oil has been used to make candles, i.e., gel candles. The mineral oil is gelatinous and a solid at ambient temperature. Typically, a gel candle is formed by pouring molten mineral oil into a container having a wick. The mineral oil is allowed to cool to its gelatinous state thereby forming a candle within the container. Gel candles burn longer than candles made from paraffin wax because of the high oil content of the gel. Furthermore, gel candles may additionally be scented and/or colored to add more variety to the candles. Additionally, gel components may be fabricated from the mineral oil gel, where the gel components are individual pieces of mineral oil gel fabricated into prescribed shapes. The individual gel components may then be placed on the top of a wax candle to provide a more decorative appearance.

[0008] Gel components may also be placed on the sides of a wax candle in a transparent container as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,512 entitled DECORATIVE CANDLE DISPLAY AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference and U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,153, entitled DECORATIVE CANDLE DISPLAY AND METHOD OF FORMATION, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0009] As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,153, one method of creating a decorative candle having gelatinous components on the side of the container is to line the interior surface of the transparent container with melted gelatinous material and allowing the gelatinous material to cool and solidify as a gelatinous liner. A generally opaque structure is then placed onto the liner and filler material is then added into the container around a previously placed wick.

[0010] An alternative method of manufacturing a candle having gelatinous structures around the sides of the candle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,512. That patent discloses a method for placing a core candle, such as a votive in a container such that a chamber is created between the interior wall of the container and the core candle. Gelatinous components are placed within the chamber.

[0011] The above methods are difficult to implement using a small container. Thus, a need exists for a method of creating a decorative candle formed in a container (including a small container) wherein the decorative candle includes gelatinous components along the interior wall of the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is a decorative candle display and a method for its manufacture. The candle display comprises: a container having a cavity formed by an interior bottom surface and an interior wall surface; at least one transparent combustible gelatinous structure pressed against the interior wall surface, the at least one gelatinous structure having a first melting point; a mixture having a second melting point lower than the first melting point, the mixture filling in a portion of the cavity not occupied by the at least one gelatinous structure, the mixture forming a top surface; and a wick disposed within the cavity and extending through the top surface.

[0013] Preferably, the container is a transparent container.

[0014] The gelatinous structures may be formed of a mineral oil gel. The gelatinous structures may have a pigment and/or a fragrance.

[0015] The mixture may be formed of a wax material. The wax material may be a paraffin wax. The material may have a pigment and/or a fragrance.

[0016] The candle display is manufactured using a method comprising: providing a container having an interior bottom surface and an interior side surface, the interior bottom surface and the interior side surface defining a cavity; positioning a wick within the cavity; forming at least one gelatinous structure having a first melting point; positioning the at least one gelatinous structure against the interior wall surface; compressing the at least one gelatinous structure by pressing the at least one gelatinous structure against the interior wall surface; pouring a molten mixture into the cavity, the molten mixture having a second melting point lower than the first melting point, the molten mixture filling in the portion of the cavity not filled by the at least one gelatinous structure; and cooling the molten mixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative candle display; and

[0019] FIGS. 2-5 are perspective views of fabrication steps of the decorative candle display of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative candle display 10 formed in accordance with the present invention. The candle display 12 includes a container 12, which is preferably transparent and made of glass or other appropriate material.

[0021] The candle display 10 includes gelatinous structures 22 pressed against the interior wall surface 15 of the container such that the structures 22 are visible from the exterior of the container 12. As here non-limitedly exemplified, the gelatinous structures 22 are cut to be generally cubed shaped and are manufactured from a mineral oil gel which is solid, yet also flexible, and sufficiently tacky to adhere to the interior wall surface. Such gel products are available as “Candle Gel” and “Versa Gel,” both manufactured by Penrico Company, Woodland, Tex. These products can be poured into molds to form desired structures, formed into sheets which can be cut to desired structural configurations, or otherwise conventionally treated to yield shaped end products that function as gelatinous structures 22. Fragrance and/or pigment may be added to the gelatinous material, preferably, when it is in a liquid state.

[0022] The decorative candle display 10 includes a wick 16. Preferably, the wick 16 is attached to a holder or “puck” 18 as shown in FIG. 2. The puck is placed on the bottom surface of the container 14. The exemplary container 12 shown in the illustrations is approximately 1.5-3.0 inches in diameter and preferably fabricated from glass. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention may include configurations having containers 12 of various shapes and sizes.

[0023] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the gelatinous structures 22 are placed in the container 12. The gelatinous structures 22 are preferably compressed by pressing the gelatinous structures against the interior wall of the container 15 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0024] Next, melted wax 24 (e.g., paraffin) which has a lower melting point than the gelatinous structures 22 is poured into the container 12, as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the melted wax 24 is at a temperature of 150° F. or lower. The melted wax 24 may include a pigment and/or a fragrance. The wax 24 fills in the gaps between the gelatinous structures 22 in order to form the decorative candle display 10 shown in FIG. 1. The candle is then allowed to cool and solidify.

[0025] While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a decorative candle display comprising the steps of:

a) providing a non-opaque container having an interior bottom surface and an interior side surface, the interior bottom surface and the interior side surface defining a cavity;

b) positioning a wick within the cavity;

c) forming at least one gelatinous structure having a first melting point;

d) positioning the at least one gelatinous structure against the interior wall surface;

e) compressing the at least one gelatinous structure by pressing the at least one gelatinous structure against the interior wall surface;

f) pouring a molten mixture into the cavity, the molten mixture having a second melting point lower than the first melting point, the molten mixture filling in the portion of the cavity not filled by the at least one gelatinous structure; and

g) cooling the molten mixture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises:

(i) heating a transparent combustible gelatinous material to its melting temperature;

(ii) mixing and uniformly disbursing a pigment within the gelatinous material;

(iii) forming the gelatinous material to a desired shape; and

(iv) allowing the gelatinous material to solidify.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein step (c) (ii) further comprises disbursing a fragrance within the gelatinous material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises:

(i) heating a transparent combustible gelatinous material to its melting temperature;

(ii) disbursing a fragrance within the gelatinous material;

(iii) forming the gelatinous material to a desired shape; and

(iv) allowing the gelatinous material to solidify.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the gelatinous material is a mineral oil gel.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (f) further comprises disbursing a pigment within the molten mixture before pouring the molten mixture into the cavity.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (f) further comprises disbursing a fragrance within the molten mixture before pouring the molten mixture into the cavity.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein step (f) further comprises disbursing a pigment within the molten mixture before pouring the molten mixture into the cavity.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the molten mixture is a wax material.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the molten mixture is a paraffin wax.

11. A decorative candle display comprising:

a) a container having a cavity formed by an interior bottom surface and an interior wall surface;

b) a plurality of combustible gelatinous components compressed within the container, some of which are pressed against the interior wall surface, with the plurality of gelatinous components having a first melting point;

c) a mixture having a second melting point lower than the first melting point, the mixture filling in a portion of the cavity not occupied by the plurality of gelatinous components, the mixture forming a top surface; and

d) a wick disposed within the cavity and extending through the top surface.

12. The decorative candle display of claim 11 wherein said plurality of gelatinous components is formed of a mineral oil gel.

13. The decorative candle display of claim 11 wherein the mixture is formed of a wax material.

14. The decorative candle display of claim 13, wherein the mixture is formed of a paraffin wax.

15. The decorative candle display of claim 11, wherein said plurality of gelatinous components additionally comprises a pigment.

16. The decorative candle display of claim 11, wherein said plurality of gelatinous components additionally comprises a fragrance.

17. The decorative candle display of claim 16, wherein said plurality of gelatinous components additionally comprises a pigment.

18. The decorative candle display of claim 11, wherein the mixture additionally comprises a pigment.

19. The decorative candle display of claim 11, wherein the mixture additionally comprises a fragrance.

20. The decorative candle display of claim 19, wherein the mixture additionally comprises a pigment.

21. The decorative candle display of claim 11, wherein the container is transparent.