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.

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.