None.
The present invention relates generally to the field of candles and candle making. More specifically, the invention relates to ajar candle having decorative items embedded therein.
Candles made from paraffin or wax are well known and are manufactured and sold in a variety of shapes and styles. In one style the candle is a stand alone product formed from a wax material and having a wick extending there through. It is known to embed material into the candle by adding the material into a mold as the wax is being poured into the mold. As the wax hardens the material is embedded within the candle. The candle is then removed from the mold. Alternatively, material may be affixed to the outer surface of a candle after the hardened wax is removed from the mold. If the decorative material is formed from wax, the decorative material may be affixed to the outer surface of the candle by the application of heat. This method allows for the placement of decorative material to the outer surface of a candle.
Another type of candle that is sold is ajar candle. This type of candle includes a wax portion that is located and sold within ajar. The jar may of be any shape and it may be tinted or clear. Typically, jar candles may include decorative elements that are mixed with the candle wax. However, the position of the decorative elements are haphazard and not necessarily adjacent the jar. It would be desirable to locate decorative material on the outer surface of the wax portion so that the decorative material may be viewed through the jar. Further, it would be desirable to place the decorative material in a consistent pattern within the jar.
One embodiment of the invention relates to ajar candle having an interior surface and a candle located within the jar. At least two decorative elements are located adjacent the interior and positioned in a predetermined relationship with respect to one another.
In another embodiment, a method for forming ajar candle includes proving a jar having an interior surface defining an interior region. A sleeve having a pre-determined pattern is slid over the jar. The sleeve and jar are aligned and a decorative element is applied to the interior surface of the jar element in alignment with the pre-determined pattern on the sleeve. The jar is then filled with wax.
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment, jar 12 includes a non-uniform profile that includes an upper portion 24 that has a cross section less than a cross section of a lower portion 26. Alternatively, jar 12 could include a profile in which the walls taper outward from a bottom 28 toward the top 30 of jar 12. Where the profile of the jar is not uniform, it is not possible to simply slide a pre-formed candle into the jar once the candle has hardened and have the candle be adjacent the entire inner surface of jar 12. Accordingly, in order for the pre-formed decorative elements 16 to be adjacent the inner surface of jar 12 for a non-uniform jar, the candle and elements need to be formed within the jar.
Referring to
A clear sleeve 38 that has an open ended tubular shape is slid over an outer surface 39 of jar 12. Clear sleeve 38 includes an upper end 40 and a lower end 42. The inner surface 44 or an outer surface 46 of sleeve 38 includes a printed outline 48 of the decorative elements to be applied.
Jar 12 is placed on a support surface such as a table or work area and the bottom 42 of clear sleeve 38 is also supported on the support surface. In this manner clear sleeve 38 and jar 12 are vertically aligned. If jar 12 is non circular, it is possible to use a non-circular sleeve that has a shape corresponding to the non-circular jar. It is also possible to align clear sleeve 38 about the periphery of jar 12 in order to properly align the printed outline 48. For example, it may be desirable to align printed outline 48 with a label that may already be affixed to jar 12.
Referring to
Referring to
Once, the first layer of wax 52 is applied, a second pre-formed candle 54 with a wick is inserted in the remaining opening that fits within opening 22 of jar 12. In one embodiment, the diameter of opening 22 is 2.5 inches, and pre-formed candle 54 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of opening 22, to allow easy insertion of candle 54 within jar 12 and within the opening formed by first wax 52. It may be desirable to use a wax with coloring on the first wax layer and then eliminate the color in the second wax layer. Further, it may be desirable to have the first layer be translucent, so that the color of the second wax layer is seen though the first wax layer. The use of two layers or more of wax provides a cost effective approach to the manufacturing of the candle, thereby providing a less expensive product to the consumer.
A filler wax 56 is then poured into jar 12 to fully secured pre-formed candle 54 within jar 12. Filler wax 56 may be the same type of wax as first wax 52 thereby providing the appearance a uniform appearance of the wax within jar 12. The first, second and filler or finishing wax may be formed of any known wax material. In a preferred embodiment some of the wax may be a blend of palm oil and paraffin.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the media as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, the decorative elements may be placed via an electronic device such as a robot in a predetermined pattern, eliminating the need for the sleeve. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6033210 | Freeman | Mar 2000 | A |
6129771 | Ficke et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6171102 | Freeman et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6241512 | Freeman et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6491517 | Freeman et al. | Dec 2002 | B2 |
20020150854 | Riches | Oct 2002 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050227193 A1 | Oct 2005 | US |