This present invention relates to a palm oil-based candle which generates liquid massage oil upon incandescented. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of producing the candle from hydrogenated palm stearin.

Background of The Invention

Candle has been produced to provide light and heat. Recently, variations of candle are produced for massage and aromatherapy. Among the variations of candle, massage candle features in releasing massage oil upon incandescented. Consequently, the massage oil provides lubrication and warmth to the skin when it is applied thereon.

Conventionally, paraffin wax serves to be the major ingredient of a candle. However, paraffin wax is not suitable for fabrication of the massage candle as it solidifies rapidly. Hence, application of massage oil from a paraffin-based candle may leave lumps of wax when heat dissipates throughout a massage session. Further, paraffin originates from by-products of petroleum refining. Burning of such candle releases carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene and toluene that are hazardous to the environment and health. In lieu of paraffin wax or any petroleum derived waxes, vegetable waxes such as Carnauba wax, palm wax, soybean wax and Barberry wax are generally used to produce variations of massage candles.

Apart from selecting suitable ingredients for a massage candle, chandlers are particular in temperature control during a candle-making process. Conventional method of candle-making essentially includes repetitive melting and crystallizing (cooling) a candle wax. Lack of control during crystallization of melted wax essentially leads to cracking, sinking, frosting and tunneling of the resulting candle. There are a few patented technologies related to fabrication of massage candle. United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0248788 Al reveals a composition of soy-based candle and a method to produce thereof. However, the method is time- consuming as the steps are carried out sequentially. Besides, another patent document under International Application Publication No. WO 2006/023906 A2 discloses a massage oil that can be provided in candle form. The composition mainly uses hydrogenated soybean oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil or cocoa butter. Similarly, a United States patent document under Application Publication No. US 2011/030714 Al discloses a candle for massage. The candle comprises solid fat and liquid oil. Both patents reveal manufacturing of candle using conventional method. In particular, WO 2006/023906 A2 does not indicate the step of stirring after heating and mixing.

In the view of the prior arts cited above, it is desired to develop a new method which facilitates candle-making process of a massage candle. In particular, the desired method accommodates uniform crystallization of a massage candle fabricated from vegetable waxes.

Summary of The Invention

The main object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a candle which is able to generate massage oil upon incandescented.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient method of producing a candle. Contrary to the conventional candle-making, the disclosed method reduces the temperature of a candle mixture in the presence of continuous stirring. Hence, the disclosed method saves time and cost.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a candle made from natural and renewable sources. In particular, the method uses wax derived from a mixture comprising hydrogenated palm stearin and fatty acid ester of glycerol. At least one of the preceding objects is met, in whole or in part, by the present invention, in which the embodiment of the present invention describes a method of producing a candle, which is able to generate a massage oil having melting temperature lower than room temperature upon being incandescented, comprising the steps of: melting a mixture comprising 60 to 80 wt% of hydrogenated palm stearin, and 20 to 40 wt% of fatty acid ester of glycerol through heating; and reducing the temperature of the melted mixture at a rate of 1 to 3 °C/min in the presence of continuous stirring, which is ceased once the temperature of the mixture reaching 35 to 45 °C to obtain an emulsion; and solidifying the emulsion in a mold having a wick to produce the candle.

In the preferred embodiment, the method further comprises a step of mixing any one or a combination of essential oil, fragrance and vitamin into the mixture. Preferably, the mixture comprises a hydrogenated palm kernel oil in 5 to 20 wt% of the mixture.

Preferably, the step of stirring is conducted at a rotation speed between 50 to 250 rpm. Preferably, the fatty acid esters of glycerol is having carbon number in a range of 8 to 10.

Preferably, the wick is pretreated to obtain a primed wick, a tabbed wick or a combination thereof.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention as well as not limited to what are described herein. Detailed Description of The Invention

The present invention relates to a method of producing a candle for massage. Upon incandescented, the candle gradually melts and forms a pool of warm massage oil. Consequently, the warm massage oil can be readily used or poured onto the skin.

In the present invention, the candle has a melting temperature between 40 to 55 °C. Subsequently, the candle melts into a pool of massage oil upon incandescented. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the massage oil remains at its oily state at room temperature. Preferably, the massage oil has a viscosity between 15 to 550 cP between 35 to 55 °C. Hence, the massage oil is essentially spreadable upon rubbing onto the skin. Upon repetitive rubbing of the massage oil onto the skin, the massage oil is essentially absorbed therein to moisturize and soften the skin.

In particular, the present invention reveals a method of producing a candle, which is able to generate a massage oil having melting temperature lower than room temperature upon being incandescented, comprising the steps of: melting a mixture comprising 60 to 80 wt% of hydrogenated palm stearin, and 20 to 40 wt% of fatty acid ester of glycerol through heating; and reducing the temperature of the melted mixture at a rate of 1 to 3 °C/min in the presence of continuous stirring, which is ceased once the temperature of the mixture reaching 35 to 45 °C to obtain an emulsion.

In the present invention, the candle is made from natural ingredients to sooth and calm the skin. Preferably, the hydrogenated palm stearin derives from solid fraction of palm oil. Particularly, the palm stearin comprises 47 to 74 % of palmitic acid and 1 to 35 % of oleic acid. More preferably, the iodine value of the hydrogenated palm stearin lies between 0.5 to 45.

Further, the fatty acid esters of glycerol is having carbon number in a range of 8 to 10, or simply known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Particularly, the MCTs comprises 65 to 75 % of caprylic acid and 25 to 35 % of capric acid. In the present invention, the caprylic and capric acid substantially provide the oily texture of the massage oil yet these esters are not greasy upon contacting the skin. In the present invention, the hydrogenated palm stearin and fatty acid ester of glycerol are preferably mixed in a vessel having a mixing capacity between 200 to 500 mL and a vessel diameter between 3 to 8 cm but not limited thereto. Upon mixing, the vessel is heated to the melting temperature to obtain the mixture in its molten state for stirring. Particularly, the mixture has a melting temperature between 60 to 80 °C.

Hereinafter, the present invention utilizes a jacketed vessel for temperature control. Subsequently, the temperature of the melted mixture is preferably reduced at a rate of 1 to 3 °C/min in the presence of continuous stirring. The inventor found that such rapid reduction of temperature would essentially avoid cracking or tunneling in the resulting candle if the step is accompanied by continuous stirring at a predefined speed. Preferably, the step of stirring is conducted at a rotation speed between 50 to 250 rpm. In the most preferred embodiment, the present invention employs an anchor stirrer at a rotational speed of 100 to 200 rpm in a vessel having a mixing capacity of 250 ml. Particularly, the vessel has a diameter of 6 cm in the preferred embodiment.

In the preferred embodiment, the stirring step preferably ceases once the temperature of the mixture reaching 35 to 45 °C to obtain an emulsion. Without the addition of any colorant, the emulsion is essentially white or creamy in color. It is to be noted that the viscosity of the mixture gradually increases in line with the stirring. Upon reaching 35 to 45 °C, the emulsion essentially achieves homogeneity and ready to be poured or casted to form a candle.

The method provided in the present invention substantially eliminates the need for repetitive melting and re-crystallization as employed in conventional candle-making method. In lieu of that, the present invention reduces the temperature at a relatively faster rate in the presence of continuous stirring to provide uniform crystallization in the candle-making process.

Using the method provided in the present invention, the emulsion essentially crystallizes uniformly. Therefore, addition of synthetic crystal modifier into the mixture is optional. Nevertheless, crystal modifier including palm oil, coconut oil, partially or fully hydrogenated soy-bean oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, esters of vegetable oil can be added to the mixture in other embodiment. In the preferred embodiment, the mixture comprises hydrogenated palm kernel oil in 5 to 20 wt% of the mixture. The hydrogenated palm kernel oil comprises 45 to 55 % of lauric acid which is beneficial to the skin. Apart from providing moisturizing effect, the lauric acid possesses anti-microbial properties to fight against acne problem on the skin.

In the preferred embodiment, the method further comprises a step of mixing any one or a combination of essential oil, fragrance and vitamin into the mixture. Favourably, the disclosed mixture uses 3 to 5 wt% of essential oil in the mixture. Preferably, the method uses essential oil derived from plants. For instance, bitter orange, chamomile, jasmine, lavender, rose, ylang-ylang, rosemary, spearmint, lemon, orange, camphor, eucalyptus and etcetera.

The method further comprises a step of solidifying the emulsion in a mold having a wick. The mold can be made from material such as glass, metal, ceramic, alloy or plastic. Preferably, the present invention employs a mold made from ceramic.

Upon drying, the solidified candle can be removed from the mold for storage. Prior to the casting step, the mold is preferably coated with a layer of silicon for easy removal of the solidified candle. On the other hand, the solidified candle can remain in the mold until it is being incandescented. In this context, the mold essentially acts as the massage oil holder.

As mentioned in the preceding description, the present invention preferably employs a mold having a wick. The wick is preferably pretreated to obtain a primed wick, a tabbed wick or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention uses a wick primed with the mixture which comprises hydrogenated palm stearin and fatty acid esters of glycerol. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention uses a wick primed with liquid paraffin. The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.