U.S. patent application number 11/187164 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for multi-region compressed wax article and method for making same.
Invention is credited to Ronald E. Burkhamer, Steven M. Gutkowski, Robert L. Hutchins.
Application Number | 20070020571 11/187164 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37679444 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070020571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burkhamer; Ronald E. ; et
al. |
January 25, 2007 |
Multi-region compressed wax article and method for making same
Abstract
A multi-region compressed wax article such as a candle is made
by simultaneously dispensing multiple types of wax particles into a
pressing mold to form a body of wax particles having corresponding
multiple regions, and then the body of wax particles is compressed.
A mass of wax particles divided into regions can be formed directly
in the mold, or outside of the mold, and then dispensed into the
mold to form a body of particles for compression. Alternatively, a
body of wax particles can be formed directly in the mold, or
outside of the mold and then transferred into the mold for
compression. The resulting multi-region compressed wax article can
have contiguous or non-contiguous regions of various shapes, such
as parallel, swirled, checkered.
Inventors: |
Burkhamer; Ronald E.; (State
Road, NC) ; Gutkowski; Steven M.; (Elkin, NC)
; Hutchins; Robert L.; (Thurmond, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 6300
SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
37679444 |
Appl. No.: |
11/187164 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/288 ;
44/275 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11C 5/008 20130101;
C11C 5/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/288 ;
044/275 |
International
Class: |
F23D 3/16 20060101
F23D003/16 |
Claims
1. A method of making a multi-region compressed wax article,
comprising the steps of: forming a body of wax particles comprising
a first region comprising first wax particles and a second region
comprising second wax particles different from said first wax
particles, comprising simultaneously dispensing first wax particles
and second wax particles into a pressing mold; and compressing said
body of wax particles.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing a chamber for holding wax particles, said chamber
comprising a top end and a bottom end; providing a wall disposed in
said chamber, said wall defining in said chamber at least two
regions, each of said regions being contiguous from the top end of
said chamber to the bottom end of said chamber; filling said
regions with wax particles, comprising filling a first region with
a first wax and filling a second region with a second wax different
from said first wax, to form a mass of wax particles divided by
said wall; and separating said wall from said mass of wax
particles.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said separating step comprises
dispensing said particles into said pressing mold.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: securing said
dividing wall to said chamber; and sealing the bottom end of said
chamber with a bottom sealing wall prior to said filling step;
wherein said separating step comprises moving said chamber and
dividing wall combination and said bottom sealing wall vertically
with respect to each other.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: providing said
pressing mold with a top end and a bottom end; and disposing said
bottom sealing wall at the top end of said pressing mold during
said filling step; wherein said separating step comprises lowering
said bottom sealing wall into said pressing mold.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: sealing the top end
of said pressing mold with a top sealing wall, wherein said
compressing step comprises raising said bottom sealing wall in said
pressing mold.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein said chamber comprises said
pressing mold and said separating step comprises removing said wall
from said mold.
8. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of rotating
said wall and said mass with respect to each other during said
separation.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said rotation is continuous with
said separation.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein said rotation and said
separation are alternated until said separation is complete.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein said first wax and said second
wax differ in particle size.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said first wax and said second
wax differ in color.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said first wax and said second
wax differ in scent.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said waxes
comprises an active ingredient selected from the group consisting
of fragrance, insect repellent, animal attractant, sanitizing
agent, and combinations thereof.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said waxes is
combustible, and further comprising the step of providing a wick
disposed in the compressed article.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing a pressing mold comprising a top end and a bottom end;
providing a wax particle dispenser comprising first and second
outlets adjacent to each other in substantially the same plane,
said first outlet in fluid communication with a supply of first wax
particles and said second outlet in fluid communication with a
supply of second wax particles; lowering said dispenser into said
pressing mold to the bottom of said mold; and raising said wax
particle dispenser during said dispensing step, to form said body
of wax particles in said pressing mold.
17. A compressed wax article, comprising a compressed body
comprising wax particles, said body comprising at least two
parallel, contiguous regions wherein a first region comprises a
first wax and a second region comprises a second Wax different from
said first wax, at least one of said regions comprising a wick
disposed in said region along an axis parallel to a plane formed by
intersection of said parallel regions.
18. A compressed wax article, comprising a compressed body
comprising wax particles, said body comprising at least two regions
contiguous along a first axis of the body, wherein a first region
comprises a first wax and a second region comprises a second wax
different from said first wax, and wherein the intersection of said
regions is nonplanar.
19. The article of claim 18, wherein said interface is linear in an
axial direction with respect to said first axis.
20. The article of claim 19, wherein said interface varies in the
radial direction with respect to said first axis, to provide the
body with a swirled composition.
21. A compressed wax article, comprising a compressed body
comprising wax particles, said body comprising a plurality of first
regions comprising a first wax and a plurality of second regions
comprising a second wax different from said first wax, said first
and second regions disposed in alternating vertical and radial
relationship to each other.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The disclosure relates generally to decorative and
functional wax articles. More particularly, the disclosure relates
to multi-region decorative and functional articles, including
candles.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Related Technology
[0004] Candles are known which are made from compressed wax
particles. In one particular compressed candle, layers of wax prill
are added successively into a compression mold, the wax is
compressed, and a wick is added to form a compression candle with
multiple horizontally-disposed layers.
SUMMARY
[0005] One aspect of the disclosure provides a method of making a
multi-region compressed wax article, including the steps of forming
a body of wax particles including a first region including first
wax particles and a second region including second wax particles
different from the first wax particles, including simultaneously
dispensing first wax particles and second wax particles into a
pressing mold and compressing the body of wax particles.
[0006] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a compressed wax
article, including a compressed body including wax particles, said
body including at least two parallel, contiguous regions wherein a
first region includes a first wax and a second region includes a
second wax different from the first wax, at least one of the
regions including a wick disposed in the region along an axis
parallel to a plane formed by intersection of the parallel
regions.
[0007] Still another aspect of the disclosure provides a compressed
wax article, including a compressed body including wax particles,
said body including at least two regions contiguous along a first
axis of the body, wherein a first region includes a first wax and a
second region includes a second wax different from the first wax,
and wherein the intersection of the regions is nonplanar.
[0008] Yet another aspect of the disclosure is a compressed wax
article, including a compressed body including wax particles, said
body including a plurality of first regions including a first wax
and a plurality of second regions including a second wax different
from the first wax, the first and second regions disposed in
alternating vertical and radial relationship to each other.
[0009] Further aspects and advantages will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the drawings. While the
method and articles are susceptible of embodiments in various
forms, the description hereafter includes specific embodiments with
the understanding that the disclosure is illustrative, and is not
intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For further facilitating the understanding of the present
invention, thirteen drawing figures of embodiments of various
apparatus according to the disclosure are appended hereto,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a wax charge cylinder.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the wax charge cylinder
of FIG. 1 with an associated drive unit and belt.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a side view with cutaways of an apparatus for
performing the method described herein and making the articles
described herein.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a wax charge device inside a
cylindrical press wall.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the wax charge device of
FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a compressed wax candle
having three parallel vertical regions.
[0018] FIGS. 8 shows a perspective view of a compressed wax article
having three swirled regions.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the article of FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows a top view of another wax charge cylinder.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows a top view of another wax charge cylinder.
[0022] FIG. 12 shows a top view of an uncompressed mass of wax
particles of two types in the charge cylinder of FIG. 11.
[0023] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a cylindrical,
checkerboard, compressed wax article that can be made from the wax
charge cylinder and uncompressed mass of wax particles shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] A multi-region compressed wax article is made by
simultaneously dispensing multiple types of wax particles into a
pressing mold to form a body of wax particles having corresponding
multiple regions, and then the body of wax particles is compressed.
A mass of wax particles divided into regions can be formed directly
in the mold, or outside of the mold, and then dispensed into the
mold to form a body of particles for compression. Alternatively, a
body of wax particles can be formed directly in the mold, or
outside of the mold and then transferred into the mold for
compression. The mold is preferably cylindrical.
[0025] A mass of wax particles physically divided into regions can
be formed outside the mold and then simultaneously dispensed into
the mold. The entire divided mass can be loaded into the mold and
then the mass separated from the dividers to simultaneously
dispense the particles into the mold and form a body, or the
pellets can be separated from the dividers while outside the mold
and simultaneously dispensed into the mold (e.g., by gravity from
above the mold).
[0026] In another variation, a mass of wax particles physically
divided into regions can be formed inside the mold and then the
regions can be simultaneously dispensed into the mold to form a
body of wax particles by removing the one or more physical
dividers. For example, one or more dividing walls can be inserted
into the pressing mold, multiple wax pellet types can be loaded
into physical regions formed by the dividing wall(s), optionally
together with the mold wall(s), without regard to loading sequence,
and then all pellet types can be simultaneously dispensed to form a
body by removing the dividing wall(s).
[0027] When dispensed by any variation on the method, the relative
vertical arrangement of the wax particles preferably is at least
substantially maintained. For example, the relative vertical
arrangement of the particles can be maintained by supporting the
particles in the mass or body during dispensing, such as to prevent
freefall and horizontal scattering. Thus, in one expedient the
method can include forming outside a pressing mold a mass of wax
particles divided into regions, providing a support surface below
the mass of particles, the support surface being a lower press
plate of a pressing mold, and gradually lowering the lower press
plate into the pressing mold to transfer the wax particles into the
mold to substantially maintain their relative vertical
arrangement.
[0028] The regions of the body of wax particles prior to
compression can be identical in shape and size to the regions in
the mass of wax particles prior to dispensing into the pressing
mold, or they can vary. For example, as shown in the examples
below, a cylindrical mold can be filled by a mass of wax particles
divided into three, smaller cylindrical regions. Thus, the area of
wax particles in cross section within the mass of wax particles can
be somewhat smaller than the area of the pressing mold in cross
section, and simultaneous dispensing from the regions will
substantially maintain their relative vertical arrangement.
Similarly, the volume of particles in a region of the mass of wax
particles can be somewhat smaller than the volume of the region
formed by the wax charge device, such as with relatively large
chunks of wax with interstitial voids, and simultaneous dispensing
from the regions will substantially maintain the relative vertical
arrangement of the particles in the regions even if some smaller
particles from one or more adjacent regions fill in the
interstitial voids during dispensing and/or compression.
[0029] The regions of the body of wax particles and compressed wax
article can be of any desired size and shape. For example, the
article can be cylindrical with a plurality of equal-sized,
wedge-shaped regions in cross section. Similarly, the article can
be cylindrical with alternating wide and narrow regions having
planar interfaces, to give the article a pinstriped appearance. As
described in more detail below, the regions can also have
non-planar interfaces, such as variations in a radial direction, to
provide the article with a candystriped appearance. In one type of
embodiment, the regions are continuous. In one type of embodiment,
the regions of the body of wax particles and regions of the
compressed wax article are approximately the same shape. In another
type of embodiment, for example as described in connection with
FIGS. 5-7, the body of wax particles and regions of the compressed
wax article can differ in shape.
[0030] The relative horizontal arrangement of the wax particles can
be varied to provide the compressed article with a variety of
unique and distinct compositions, such as striped, zigzag, swirled,
stepped, checkered, and combinations thereof. For example, if a
mass of wax particles is made outside the mold and separated into
multiple regions with one or more dividing walls, then as the
particles are separated from the dividing wall(s), the method can
include providing relative rotation of the mass of wax particles
and the dividing wall(s) with respect to each other during
separation to provide radial variation to the regions. The rotation
can be continuous, e.g., to give a swirled appearance to the
article, or intermittent, e.g., to give a stepped or checkerboard
appearance to the article.
[0031] The compressed wax articles can be decorative or functional.
In one type of embodiment, at least one region of the article is
made up of combustible wax and is provided with a wick. A wick can
be provided in any manner. For example, a wick can be disposed in
an uncompressed wax particle region and compressed together with
the wax. As another example, a cavity can be formed in a compressed
wax region during or subsequent to compression, and a wick can
later be fed into the cavity in a separate wicking operation.
[0032] There is no limit to the type of waxes that can be used in
the method and articles, so long as they can be compressed,
optionally with the aid of auxiliary additives, to form a cohesive
article. Suitable non-limiting examples include paraffin wax,
preferably having a melt point between 120.degree. F. and
155.degree. F. (49.degree. C. and 68.degree. C.) and a maximum oil
content of about 3 wt. %; microcrystalline wax, preferably present
up to 50 wt. % and having a melt point between 150.degree. F. and
195.degree. F. (66.degree. C. and 91.degree. C.); a C.sub.14 to
C.sub.20 fatty acid, preferably present up to 20 wt. %; natural
waxes such as vegetable derived fatty waxes; polymers, preferably
present in an amount up to 10 wt. %; and synthetic waxes.
[0033] The wax particles are solid, and can have any shape.
Suitable non-limiting examples include granules, pastilles,
pellets, powders, prills, beads, flakes, and chunks. Particle size
is not a limitation of the methods and articles, and will generally
be related to the overall mold size and article size. For example,
for compressed articles or regions in the centimeter size range,
the particles are preferably in the micrometer to millimeter size
range.
[0034] The regions preferably include one or more ingredients to
provide the resulting article with decorative and/or functional
properties. Examples include any number of solid or liquid
additives known for use in candle making, including substituted
fatty acids, alcohols, acid esters, crystal modifiers, stability
additives, UV inhibitors, antioxidants, and combinations thereof.
Such ingredients can be provided alone, e.g., in particulate form
and mixed with the wax particles, or as part of the wax particles
themselves. Suitable decorative ingredients include, but are not
limited to, pigments, dyes, and non-wax particulates (e.g.,
glitter). For example, a colorant can be included in an amount up
to 2 wt. % in one type of embodiment. Suitable functional and
active ingredients include, but are not limited to, fragrances,
deodorants, insect repellents, animal attractants, sanitizing
agents, or any other such compounds suitable for release from the
article into the surrounding environment. For example, a functional
and/or active ingredient can be included in an amount up to 15 wt.
% in one type of embodiment. The regions can also include more than
one type of wax, such as a combination of a relatively large
chunked wax and a relatively small granular wax.
[0035] At least one region is made up of a wax (including a
combination of waxes) that differs from a wax forming another
region, preferably an adjacent region. In one type of preferred
embodiment, the difference in waxes is visual. For example, the
waxes can have different colors, sizes, shapes, opacities,
reflectivities, and combinations thereof. In another type of
preferred embodiment, not mutually-exclusive, the difference in
waxes is functional, such as by the inclusion of an active
ingredient or in difference of base wax composition.
[0036] Wax particles are commercially available, or can be made by
Example 1 described below.
[0037] One embodiment of the type wherein a mass of wax particles
physically divided into regions is formed outside the mold and then
simultaneously dispensed into the mold will now be described in
detail with respect to the figures. FIGS. 1 and 2 show chamber for
receiving wax particles in the form of a rotating wax charge
cylinder 10. The cylinder 10 has a side wall 12 and dividing walls
14, 18, and 20 fixed to the side wall 12, to form three contiguous,
vertical regions 22, 24, and 28. The cylinder 10 is coupled to a
drive unit 30 including a motor 32, a shaft 34, and a pulley 38, by
a drive belt 40 to provide rotation of the cylinder 10 including
dividing walls 14, 18, and 20. In an alternative arrangement, the
dividing walls 14, 18, and 20 can be fixed together but free to
rotate as a whole inside the side wall 12, for example by a
top-mounted drive unit.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a support surface 42 under which is mounted a
cylindrical pressing mold 44 shown in cross-section having a side
wall 46 forming a mold cavity 48. The pressing apparatus includes
upper and lower presses including press plates 50, 52 connected by
upper and lower shafts 54, 58 to upper and lower cylinders 70, 72,
such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. The lower press plate 52
and the shaft 58 are shown in the extended position to the top of
the pressing mold 44.
[0039] The wax charge cylinder 10 (shown with cutaway regions above
and below the drive belt) and the drive unit 30 are mounted into a
transport box 74 shown in cross-section coupled by a shaft 78 to a
transfer cylinder 80, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder,
for lateral movement. Above the transport box 74 are mounted three
wax particle storage hoppers 82, 84, and 88 holding corresponding
wax particles of different varieties.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 3, without
the upper and lower presses.
[0041] In operation, the transport cylinder 80 moves the transport
box 74 such that the wax charge cylinder 0 is positioned below the
storage hopper 82 for loading: wax particles into the region 22,
then under the storage hopper 84 for loading wax particles into the
region 24, and then under the storage hopper 88 for loading wax
particles into the region 28. If the outlets of the hoppers 82, 84,
and 88, are not aligned with the respective regions, then the wax
charge cylinder 10 can be rotated by drive unit 30 for proper
alignment.
[0042] After filling the wax charge cylinder 10, the transfer
cylinder 80 moves the transport box 74 laterally such that the wax
charge cylinder 10 is aligned over the pressing mold 44. The lower
end of the wax charge cylinder 10 is sealed by surface 42 during
until the cylinder 10 is positioned over the pressing chamber 44,
at which time it becomes sealed by lower press plate 52. The wax
particles (not shown) in the wax charge cylinder 10 are supported
by surface 42 until the cylinder 10 is positioned over the pressing
chamber 44, at which time they are supported by the lower press
plate 52.
[0043] To fill the mold chamber 48 with wax particles while
substantially maintaining the relative vertical arrangement of the
wax particles, the lower press plate 52 is slowly lowered into the
pressing mold 44. If a non-vertical (e.g., swirled pattern) is
desired in the resulting compressed article, the cylinder 10 can be
rotated by the drive unit 30 as the lower press plate 52 is
lowered. As another example, if a checkerboard pattern is desired,
the lowering of press plate 52 and rotation of cylinder 10 can be
alternated in even increments to fill the mold chamber 48. In an
alternative arrangement, the cylinder 10 can be sized to fit inside
the pressing mold 44, and the mold 44 can be filled by first
lowering the lower press plate 52 and cylinder 10 into the pressing
mold 44 and then raising the cylinder 10 out of the pressing mold
44, with optional rotation of the cylinder 10.
[0044] Subsequent to filling, the transfer cylinder 80 operates to
move the transport box 74 laterally back to the start position or
for subsequent filling of the cylinder 10 for another cycle. Next,
the upper press cylinder 70 lowers the upper press plate 50 to seal
the top of the pressing mold 44. To compress wax particles in the
pressing mold 44, the lower press cylinder 72 raises the lower
press plate 52. In the alternative, upper press cylinder 70 can
further lower the upper press plate 50 into the pressing mold 44.
To discharge a compressed wax article, the upper press cylinder 70
raises the upper press plate 50, and the lower press cylinder 72
raises the upper press plate 52 to push out the compressed wax
article.
[0045] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a wax charge
device 100, which is a bundle of three small cylinders 102, 104,
and 108, defining regions 112, 114, and 118, respectively. The
cylinders 102, 104, and 108 are shown in FIG. 6 as held together by
straps 120 and 122. The wax charge device 100 is shown in FIG. 5
from above and as sized with respect to a cylindrical press wall
124. The wax charge device 100 is preferably loaded with three
different types of wax particles (not shown) into regions 112, 114,
and 118, respectively. In cross-section with respect to the
cylindrical press chamber defined by wall 124, four regions of
space 128, 130, 132, and 134 remain. These regions within the press
chamber defined by wall 124 will be proportionally filled in by wax
particles from regions 112, 114, and 118, as the charge device 100
is separated from the wax particles, while the particles in regions
112, 114, and 118 substantially maintain their relative vertical
arrangement with respect to each other.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows a candle 140 made by the apparatus shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6. The candle 140 is cylindrical and, with respect to
central axis A has three parallel vertical regions 142, 144, and
148, made from three different wax particles. Regions 142, 144, and
148 are each contiguous from the top of the candle 140 to the
bottom of the candle 140. Regions 142, 144, and 148 have wicks 152,
154, and 158, respectively disposed in each of the regions, and
each along an axis parallel to the central axis (which is also
parallel to the intersection planes between each parallel region
142, 144, and 148). Wicks 152 and 154 are shown lit, with
respective flames.
[0047] FIGS. 8 and 9 show another compressed wax article 170 made
from the apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6. The article 170 is
cylindrical, and has three contiguous regions 172, 174, and 178.
The regions 172, 174, and 178, are swirled around central axis B,
and were formed by rotating wax charge device 100 (FIGS. 5 and 6)
while dispensing wax particles from the cylinders 102, 104, and 108
simultaneously into a cylindrical press cavity formed by wall 124.
The interface 180 is nonplanar, is linear in the axial direction C
with respect to axis B, and varies in the radial direction D with
respect to axis B.
[0048] FIG. 10 shows another variation of a cylindrical wax charge
chamber 182 having a side wall 184 and vertically-disposed dividing
walls 188, 190, and 192, forming parallel chamber regions 194, 198,
200, and 202, each of which is contiguous from the top of the
cylinder wall 184 to the bottom of the cylinder wall 184.
[0049] FIG. 11 shows another variation of a cylindrical wax charge
chamber 204 having a side wall 208 and vertically-disposed dividing
walls 210a-c, 212a-c, 214a-c, and 218a-c. The dividing walls form
chamber regions 220-240 in a cylindrical checkerboard pattern. The
chamber 204 can dispense wax particles into a complimentary-sized
cylindrical pressing chamber in increments by alternating
separation of wax particles from the chamber 204 (e.g., by lowering
a lower press plate, as in the procedure described with respect to
FIG. 3, above) and rotation of the chamber 204, to form a body of
wax particles in three-dimensional checkerboard pattern, which can
be pressed into an article having the same composition.
[0050] For example, FIG. 12 shows a top view of a pressing chamber
208 filled with wax particles making up a mass of wax particles
having parallel regions 242-262, prior to dispensing. Wax particle
regions 242, 248, 258, and 262 can be of a first type of wax (e.g.,
black in color), and wax particle regions 244, 250, 252, 254, and
260 can be of a second type of wax (e.g., white in color). FIG. 13
shows an example of a resulting cylindrical, checkerboard,
compressed wax article that can be made from such a filled chamber
204 by the following procedure.
[0051] The chamber 204 and wax particles can be supported at the
bottom by a lower press plate (not shown), as in FIG. 3, and
lowered into a pressing chamber. The chamber 204 can be raised a
distance equal to one quarter of its height to dispense a first
layer "a" of wax particles having corresponding regions 242a-262a
(compare FIG. 13). The chamber 204 can then be rotated 45 degrees
counter-clockwise and then again raised a distance equal to one
quarter of its height to dispense a second layer "b" of wax
particles having corresponding regions 242b-262b (compare FIG. 13).
The chamber 204 can then be rotated another 45 degrees
counter-clockwise and then again raised a distance equal to one
quarter of its height to dispense a third layer "c" of wax
particles having corresponding regions 242c-262c (compare FIG. 13).
The chamber 204 can then be rotated another 45 degrees
counter-clockwise and then again raised a distance equal to one
quarter of its height to dispense a fourth and final layer "d" of
wax particles having corresponding regions 242d-262d (compare FIG.
13). The resulting body of wax particles can be compressed to form
a unitary, compressed wax article, as shown in FIG. 13, having a
plurality of first regions 242a-d, 248a-d, 258a-d, and 262a-d made
of a first wax and a plurality of second regions 244a-d, 250a-d,
252a-d, 254a-d, and 260a-d made of a second wax different from the
first wax, the first and second regions disposed in alternating
vertical and radial relationship to each other.
EXAMPLES
[0052] The following examples are provided for illustration and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Example 1
[0053] Fully refined paraffin EXXON PARAVAN 1420 is pre-blended
with BAKER PETROLITE VYBAR 260 polymer, COGNIS Stearic 132, and
CIBA TINUVIN 329 UV absorber until all components are thoroughly
dissolved. Fragrances and dyes are added to the wax blend and mixed
until thoroughly dispersed. The wax batch is held at a temperature
of 145.degree. F. (63.degree. C.) to maintain a molten state.
[0054] The wax is pumped to a KURSCHNER wax spray drum system and
held at 145.degree. F. (63.degree. C.). The spray drum temperature
is maintained at 55.degree. F. (13.degree. C.). The drum rotates at
45 yards/min (41 meters/min). The spray room is maintained at
approximately 65.degree. F. (18.degree. C.).
[0055] The wax pumps through a spray manifold system and onto the
rotating drum. A scraper on the opposite side of the drum removes
the wax granules, depositing them on a vibrating conveyor system.
The conveyor system transfers the granules inside the drum, where
the granules tumble for further cooling. After traveling through
the drum, the granulated wax is transferred to a hopper for storage
and later use.
[0056] Additional batches, with variations on wax content, are
created by the same general procedure and stored in separate
hoppers for storage and later use.
[0057] The foregoing description is given for clearness of
understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be
understood therefrom, as modifications within the scope of the
invention may be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the
art.
[0058] Throughout the specification, where compositions are
described as including components or materials, it is contemplated
that the compositions can also consist essentially of, or consist
of, any combination of the recited components or materials, unless
described otherwise.
[0059] The practice of a method disclosed herein, and individual
steps thereof, can be performed manually and/or with the aid of
electronic equipment. Although processes have been described with
reference to particular embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in
the art will readily appreciate that other ways of performing the
acts associated with the methods may be used. For example, the
order of various of the steps may be changed without departing from
the scope or spirit of the method. In addition, some of the
individual steps can be combined, omitted, or further subdivided
into additional steps.
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