IMPROVED AROMATIC PAPER INCENSE AND A METHOD OF PREPARING IT

Field of the invention The present invention relates to improved aromatic paper incense and a method of preparing it. The aromatic paper incense of the present invention is useful to emit aroma when burnt. The aromatic paper incense of the present invention does not leave behind any harmful residue in the atmosphere. Hence the aromatic paper incense of the present invention is environmentally safe. Background of the invention Conventional joss-sticks / incense sticks are made of wood materials and they often produce a lot of black smoke and tar during burning as a result of the water moisture and oil contents present in the wood. The currently available incense sticks contain carbon and hence the burning of the incense sticks emits carbon into the atmosphere. The incense sticks available presently being made of bamboo and wood powder amongst others which, when burnt, also releases carbon. The incense sticks are made by hand. Incense manufacture is an industry which is labour intensive. The labourers who make incense sticks for many years traditionally have been reduced drastically because the wages paid to the labourers are very low based on the price of the product. Apart from this, better and well paid job opportunities for such persons are available in various other fields. Hence the labourers who were available for incense making industry earlier are not available in the present day environment The raw material used to make incense sticks is a combination of charcoal powder base which is not hygienic and hence adversely affects the well-being of the person making them.

Further the manufacturing process includes rolling which is done manually which results in uneven rolling which consequently results in the production of inferior quality of sticks . Added to the problems, the present generation do not like to take to stick making as a profession when opportunities are available elsewhere. In the present generation since people are reasonably educated they have better opportunities elsewhere. In olden days there were very less opportunity for ladies in all segments whereas in the present day, ladies are getting numerous opportunities.

Hence, there is shortage of labour for the manufactures of incense sticks thereby causing problems in manufacturing sufficient quantities of the incense sticks. The estimated percentage

of incense sticks growth is an increase by 25%. Year by year the population is increasing and hence the usage of incense sticks have also enhanced considerably. Due to lack of manpower as explained above and the inadequate availability of raw materials, difficulties are being experienced in meeting the heavy demand of the incense sticks.

Prior art details

To the best of our knowledge there is no prior art relating to incense made of paper .The prior art which is relevant to the present invention are joss- sticks / incense sticks which are made of wood / bamboo. Conventionally, joss-sticks / incense sticks are made from long thin sliver of wood that is normally made out of bamboo. It is then smeared with charcoal, fragrant substances of desired fragrance such as Natural Flavours like Jasmin, Sandal, Rose and Champa etc., and Cosmotic Notes such as Chariot, Bouquet, etc and aromatic oils. When lit, the stick smolders and releases the fragrance of the aromatic oil.

There are two processes known in the prior art for making incense sticks: 1. Perfume based incense sticks :

The combination of charcoal, binding power (zigat), odourless wood powder is used, to prepare the paste along with water. This paste is rolled in bamboo sticks and dried in the sun. This process is traditionally made from houses and then all manufacturers procure these sticks from various outlets and these will be dipped with various perfumery compounds. Approximately 90% of incense sticks are prepared based on the above method.

2. Herbal based incense sticks (This is known as Masala bathies & flora bathies). In this method various herbal powders, charcoal, binding powder like (zigat) will be mixed with water in lubricating oil, honey or jaggery with some natural herbal based oils for its flavours. This process of making incense sticks is expensive because the rolling material itself contains the formulation. Difficulties / draw back of the above mentioned two processes:

• Non availability of adequate quantities of bamboo sticks.

• Lack of manpower. • Lack of various herbal products in recent times (When incense sticks was invented in olden days, these products were freely available throughout India.)

• Presently due to strict rules made by the government in the forest field, in most of the states, there is non availability of materials as the demand is more and the prices are high and fluctuating often.

• Incense sticks industry is based in South India, whereas most of the materials are available (like bamboo sticks and herbals) only from the north, hence there is a difficulty in transportation and the costs are high.

Since, as mentioned earlier , the percentage of incense sticks sales has increased by approximately 25% and also since the population is increasing day by day, simultaneously usage of incense sticks also will be more and also exports are growing year after year.

Further, the entire process of manufacture of the incense sticks, as explained above, is very labour intensive. Further more, the final product is not uniform as it is hand- made. In the past. one or two persons have tried to prepare Incense Sticks with semi-automatic machinery, at Kalol near Ahmedabad. At that time many incense sticks manufacturers purchased that machinery eagerly, since it came for the first time in India. Unfortunately, the output of the final product was not up to the mark. Hence all the incense sticks manufactures were disappointed and also presently they have wound up the whole manufacturing unit and they have failed in their attempts because of the reasons explained above

Objectives of the present invention

Therefore, the main objective of the present invention is to provide improved aromatic paper incense which does not employ any forest products like charcoal, bamboo and other aromatic woods.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide improved aromatic paper incense which maintains the aroma for a longer period of time.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide improved aromatic paper incense which does not produce much smoke or tar during burning and hence is environmentally friendly.

. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide improved aromatic paper incense which when burnt will not affect the climatic conditions as it will not leave behind any toxic substances nor emit toxic gases into the atmosphere.

5 Still another objective of the present invention is to provide improved aromatic paper incense which is economical and user friendly.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method of makingJmproved aromatic paper incense which is environmentally friendly and produces aroma that lasts for a long period 10 of time.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a novel composition for making improved aromatic paper incense which is environmentally friendly and produces aroma which lasts for a long period of time.

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Usually, paper when lighted, catches flame and burns. But we have observed due to our sustained R & D, that when certain types of nitrates alone or in combination is used for coating paper to form an incense, in the resulting incense, the paper does not catch fire and burns but surprisingly smolders (meaning that the paper burns but without flame). The burning is also

20 uniform and constant. When the paper incense prepared by coating with the said nitrate or their combination, when mixed with perfumes, releases the aroma of the perfume used, which aroma lasts for a long period f time

Summary of the invention

'25 Accordingly, the present invention provides a composition useful for making aromatic paper incense comprising of an aqueous solution of potassium nitrate (salitre) in an amount in the range of 0.58 % to 14 % by weight , chromium nitrate in an amount in the range of 1.46 % to 22.5% by weight, lead nitrate in an amount in the range of 0.58% to 16.5 % by weight, ammonium eerie nitrate in an amount in the range of 5.84 % to 29% by weight, copper nitrate in

30 an amount in the range of 2.48 % to 29 % by weight, sodium nitrate in an amount in the range of 7.3 % to 23 % by weight, iron nitrate in an amount in the range of 3.5 % to 30 % by weight, the

nitrates being present alone or in their combination thereof, desired water soluble perfumery compound in an amount in the range of 1 to 50 % by weight and an anti fungus agent in an amount in the range of 0.5 % to 2 % by weight.

The preferred amount of Potassium Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 2 % to 14 % by weight

The preferred amount of Lead Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 2 % to 16.5 % by weight

The preferred amount of Chromium Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 1.46 % to 22.5 % by weight

The preferred amount of Copper Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 2.48 % to 25 % by weight

The preferred amount of Ammonium Ceric Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 7.5% to 29 % by weight

The preferred amount of Sodium Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 8.5 % to 23 % by weight

The preferred amount of Iron Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 5% to 30% by weight

The amount of water soluble perfumery compound present in the composition may be in the range of 20% to 40% by weight The water soluble perfumery compounds used may be those selected from natural perfumes such as natural fragrances like sandal wood, jasmine, rose etc. cosmetic fragrances like Chariot, Bouquet , which have been made water soluble by incorporating organic surface active agents like Dipropylene glycol , Nikon J09 etc

According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a composition useful for making aromatic paper incense comprising of an aqueous solution of potassium nitrate (salitre) in an amount in the range of 1.90 % to 28 % by weight , chromium nitrate in an amount in the range of 2.50 % to 45% by weight , lead nitrate in an amount in the range of 1.90% to 33 % by weight , ammonium eerie nitrate in an amount in the range of 8.5 % to 58 % by weight , copper nitrate in an amount in the range of 4 % to 58 % by weight , sodium nitrate in an amount in the range of 10 % to 46.5 % by weight , iron nitrate in an amount in the range of

3.5 % to 59.5 % by weight ; the nitrates being present alone or in their combination thereof and an anti fungus agent in an amount in the range of 0.5 % to 2 % by weight

The preferred amount of Potassium Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 9 % to 28 % by weight

The preferred amount of Lead Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 9 % to 33 % by weight

The preferred amount of Chromium Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 22.5 % to 45 % by weight

The preferred amount of Copper Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 22.5 % to 58 % by weight

The preferred amount of Ammonium Ceric Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 22.5% to.58 % by weight

The preferred amount of Sodium Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 43 % to 46.5 % by weight

The preferred amount of Iron Nitrate present in the composition may be in the range of 25.5 % to 59.5% by weight

The water insoluble perfumery compound which can be used may be selected from natural perfumes such as natural fragrances like sandal, jasmine, rose etc. cosmetic fragrances like Chariot, Bouquet etc. without incorporating organic surface active agents like Dipropylene glycol , Nikon J09, etc

The following composition are given by way of examples to illustrate the invention and hence should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention

A. Composition containing individual nitrates and water-soluble perfumery compounds

1. Aqueous solution containing 5.5 % by weight of lead nitrate, 40 % by weight of water soluble perfumery compound (sandal wood perfume) and 1 % by weight of sodium benzoate ( anti fungal agent ) 2. Aqueous solution containing 5.5% by weight of potassium nitrate, 40 % by weight of water soluble perfumery compound (Jasmine perfume) and 1 % by weight of sodium benzoate (anti fungal agent ) v 3. Aqueous solution containing 13.5.% by weight of chromium nitrate, 40 % by weight of water soluble perfumery compound (Rose perfume) and 1 % by weight of sodium benzoate ( anti fungal agent )

4. Aqueous solution containing 13.5.% by weight of copper nitrate, 40 % by weight of water soluble perfumery compound (Chariot cosmetic perfume) and 1 % by weight of sodium benzoate ( anti fungal agent )

B. Composition containing mixture of nitrates and water-soluble perfumery compounds

Aqueous solution containing 2.2 % by weight of lead nitrate, 4.2 % by weight of potassium nitrate, 1.46 % by weight of chromium nitrate, 3 % by weight of copper nitrate, 7.5 % by weight of ammonium nitrate, 9.5 % by weight of sodium nitrate and 5.5 % by weight of iron nitrate, 40 % by weight of water soluble perfumery compound ( Rose perfume ) and 1 % by weight of sodium benzoate ( anti fungal agent )

C. Composition containing individual nitrates without perfumery compounds

1. Aqueous solution containing 9% by weight of potassium nitrate, 22.5 % by weight of chromium nitrate, 9 % by weight of lead nitrate and 1 % by weight of sodium benzoate (anti fungal agent )

D. Composition containing mixtures of nitrates without perfumery compounds

1 Aqueous solution containing 1.99 % by weight of lead nitrate, 6.71 % by weight of potassium nitrate, 1.99 % by weight of chromium nitrate, 3 % by weight of copper nitrate, 7 % by weight of ammonium nitrate, 9 % by weight of sodium nitrate and 5 % by weight of iron nitrate and 1 % by weight of sodium benzoate (anti fungal agent )

In the above manner composition containing various mixtures of the above mentioned seven nitrates can be prepared as per the present invention

It is to be noted that the above composition is a synergistic combination and not a mere admixture of the ingredients used therein. Due to the synergistic effect of the ingredients used, the paper used for making the incense of the composition does not catch fire and burn but smolders (meaning that the paper burns and smoke but without flame . The paper incense also burns uniformly and constantly. When the paper incense prepared by coating with the said nitrate or their combination, when mixed with perfumes, releases the aroma of the perfume used, which aroma lasts for a long period of time

According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided improved aromatic paper incense which does not catch fire but smolders and burns uniformly and constantly, retaining the aroma for a longer period of time

According to still another embodiment of the present invention there is provided improved aromatic paper incense which does not catch fire but smolders and burns uniformly and constantly, retaining the aroma for a longer period of time which comprises a paper stick/ straw having a coating of a composition comprising of an aqueous solution of potassium nitrate (salitre) in an amount in the range of 0.58 % to 14 % by weight , chromium nitrate in an amount

in the range of 1.46 % to 22.5% by weight, lead nitrate in an amount in the range of 0.58% to 16.5 % by weight, ammonium eerie nitrate in an amount in the range of 5.84 % to 29% by weight, copper nitrate in an amount in the range of 2.48 % to 29 % by weight , sodium nitrate in an amount in the range of 7.3 % to 23 % by weight, iron nitrate in an amount in the range of 3.5 % to 30 % by weight; the nitrates being present alone or in their combination thereof, desired water soluble perfumery compound in an amount in the range of 1 to 50 % by weight and an anti fungus agent in an amount in the range of 0.5 % to 2 % by weight.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided improved aromatic paper incense which does not catch fire but " smolders ¹ and burns uniformly and constantly, retaining the aroma for a longer period of time which comprises a paper stick/ straw having a coating of a composition of an aqueous solution of potassium nitrate (salitre) in an amount in the range of 1.90 % to 28 % by weight , chromium nitrate in an amount in the range of 2.50 % to 45% by weight , lead nitrate in an amount in the range of 1.90% to 33 % by weight, ammonium eerie nitrate in an amount in the range of 8.5 % to 58 % by weight , copper nitrate in an amount in the range of 4 % to 58 % by weight , sodium nitrate in an amount in the range of

10 % to 46.5 % by weight , iron nitrate in an amount in the range of 3.5 % to 59.5 % by weight ; the nitrates being present alone or in their combination thereof and an anti fungus agent in an amount in the range of 0.5 % to 2 % by weight and a coating of a desired water insoluble perfumery compound

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a process for manufacturing improved aromatic paper incense which comprises

(i) slitting the paper into the desired sizes of slit paper roles by conventional methods

(ii) converting the slit paper rolls into sticks / straws of desired sizes by conventional methods

(iii) coating to a portion of the resultant stick / straw with a coloring agent (iv) coating the non coloured part of the stick / straw obtained in step (iii) with a composition an aqueous solution of potassium nitrate ( salitre) in an amount in the range of 0.58 % to 14 % by weight , chromium nitrate in an amount in the range

of 1.46 % to 22.5% by weight , lead nitrate in an amount in the range of 0.58 % to 16.5 % by weight , ammonium eerie nitrate in an amount in the range of 5.84 % to 29 % by weight , copper nitrate in an amount in the range of 2.48 % to 29 % by weight, sodium nitrate in an amount in the range of 7.3 % to 23 % by weight, iron nitrate in an amount in the range of 3.5 % to 30 % by weight; the nitrates , being present alone or in their combination thereof, desired water soluble perfumery compound in an amount in the range of 1 to 50 % by weight and an anti fungus agent in an amount in the range of 0.5 % to 2 % by weight and . (v) drying the resulting coated stick/straw by exposing to sun light or using an air blower

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a process for manufacturing improved aromatic paper incense which comprises

(i) slitting the paper into the desired sizes of slit paper roles by conventional methods (ii) converting the slit paper rolls into sticks / straws of desired sizes by conventional methods

(iii) coating a portion of the resultant stick / straw with a coloring agent (iv) coating the non coloured part of the stick/straw obtained in step (iii) with a composition of an aqueous solution of potassium nitrate (salitre) in an amount in the range of 1.90 % to 28 % by weight, chromium nitrate in an amount in the range of 2.50 % to 45% by weight, lead nitrate in an amount in the range of 1.90 % to 33 % by weight, ammonium eerie nitrate in an amount in the range of 8.5 % to 58% by weight, copper nitrate in an amount in the range of 4 % to 58 % by weight, sodium nitrate in an amount in the range of 10 % to 46.5 % by weight, iron nitrate in an amount in the range of 3.5 % to 59.5 % by weight, the nitrates being present alone or in their combination thereof and an anti fungus agent in an amount in the range of 0.5 % to 2 % by weight (v) drying the resulting coated stick / straw

(vi) dipping the coated stick / straw in a water insoluble perfumery compound and (vii ) drying the stick/ straw by exposing to sunlight

The paper used for the manufacture of the incense can be made of various types of pulps like waste wood, cardboard waste, Sugar Cane waste, Recycled Pulp which is called Maplitho in the local market etc. Though any type of paper can be used, it is observed that Maplitho is preferred. Such type of paper is usually available in rolls in various sizes.

The rolled paper is slit into 6.35 to 10 mm width and 0.13 mm (approx) thick rolls of 750 to 1000 mm by using a conventional slitting machine. The machine used for slitting / rolling of the paper contains gums, glues and other adhesives, etc., which facilitates making the final output of paper stick/straw. The resulting slit paper rolls is converted into sticks/straws of desired sizes, preferably of the following sizes by conventional methods

Length in various Sizes: 125 mm 250 mm 200 mm 300 mm etc, Inner dia in various Sizes: 3.0 mm 3.5 mm 4.0 mm 4.5 mm etc,

The paper sticks/straw incense of the present invention may be made available commercially in various sizes as well as in various packing like 10, 25, 50, 100 etc.

Certain portion of one end of the resulting stick / straw is coated by appropriate known coloring agents which provides colours such as pink, blue, green, orange, violet, etc. Such coating is provided to indicate the portion where the coating with the composition is not to be applied and which portion indicates the bottom portion of the stick / straw which is not to be lighted.

The drying may be done manually by exposing it to sun light or by using a dryer. The drying may be done for a period of approximately 5-10 minutes

Advantages of the invention

1. The aromatic paper incense is environmentally friendly as it does not emit any toxic substances/ gases into the atmosphere, hence it is environmentally safe

2 The ashes produced after the burning of the aromatic paper incense is not toxic, hence it is environmentally safe

3. The aroma of the aromatic paper incense will last longer as against the currently known incense sticks . The incense burns uniformly and constantly.

4. Large areas of forest products are being used for making agarbathi / incense industry alone, which adversely affects the environment and climatic conditions. The present invention does not use forest products like bamboo, charcoal and other aroma woods, thereby helps to maintain climatic conditions. It does not affect the environment and does not deplete natural resources.

5. The process for the preparation of the aromatic paper incense is simple, safe and economical