WO2010129335A2

WO2010129335A2 - Edible candle with edible wick

Info

Publication number: WO2010129335A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/032763
Authority: WO
Inventors: C. Johnson. Tara
Original assignee: Tara C Johnson
Priority date: 2009-05-08
Filing date: 2010-04-28
Publication date: 2010-11-11
Also published as: WO2010129335A3

Abstract

A completely edible, non-toxic candle is presented. The candle includes a body and a wick, both comprised of edible materials. The natural oils of the edible wick provide a flammable fuel capable of sustaining a prolonged flame. The melted by-product of the burned candle remains edible and non-toxic for ingestion.

Description

EDIBLE CANDLE WITH EDIBLE WICK

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Serial No. 61/215,565 filed May 8, 2009, and U.S. Patent Application No. 12/631,442 filed December 4, 2009 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The invention generally relates to decorative confectionaries, and more specifically to an edible candle with an edible wick.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Traditional decorative candles, such as those used in cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods, are made of a wax body and a flammable wick. It is customary to decorate cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies, ice cream and other food or non-food products at festive occasions to celebrate various events, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, retirements and holidays, using candles. A traditional wick functions to deliver fine streams of a burnable fuel, such as wax, by capillary action. The wax surrounding the wick burns and drips down the remaining body of the candle and onto the product on which the candle is placed. If the product holding the candle is a food product or other edible material, the wax can render the food inedible leading to wasted food products. The wax drippings also create an unpleasant appearance on the surface of the food product, which is often finely decorated with icing or other toppings. Removal of the wax drippings may also destroy the decorative and aesthetic features of the food product. Children often attempt to lick or eat the candles when removed from the food product, which can lead to the dangerous ingestion of wax, or other inedible materials creating a safety hazard. The wax drippings of a traditional candle require significant effort to remove the candle, drippings and any other residue.

[0004] What is needed therefore is a candle and a wick which addresses the deficiencies described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention include an edible candle having a wick composed of an edible food substance, such as seed or nut. According to one embodiment, the candle includes a body made of a first edible material and a wick affixed to the body comprising a seed. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of manufacturing an edible candle in which a body is formed from an edible material and an edible wick comprising a seed is affixed to the body. Another embodiment includes an edible candle having a body molded from a hardened edible liquid and a wick made from an almond drupe affixed to the body.

[0006] Further embodiments of the invention include a molded body that may be made with materials such as chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry, cake, cookie, ice cream frozen yogurt or a frozen fruit. The body may also include flavorings. Further, the edible wick may be a nut such as an almond, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pistachio and walnut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These embodiments and other aspects of this invention will be readily apparent from the detailed description below and the appended drawings, which are meant to illustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which: FIGS. IA-C are cross-sections of an edible candles in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a representation of the combustion of a flammable decoration, such as a candle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional mold of an Arabic numeral in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional mold of a Roman letter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional mold of a Hebrew character in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional mold of a Chinese character in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A-D are perspective views of various wick shapes in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a lollipop candle mold sheet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0008] The invention will be more completely understood through the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings. Detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention in virtually any appropriately detailed embodiment.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention include a completely (or partially) edible, non-toxic candle. The candle includes a body and a wick, both comprised of edible materials. In one embodiment the natural oils of the edible wick provide a flammable fuel capable of sustaining a prolonged flame. The melted by-product of the candle (which results from the heat from the burning wick) remains edible and non-toxic for ingestion.

[0010] Turning now to Figures IA-C, three exemplary designs of edible candles in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are depicted. Figure IA is a candle 2 molded in the shape of the number "2" having a wick 5, a body 10 and a base portion 15. The base portion 15 provides a base for the candle to be embedded in the surface of a food product without covering or submerging the body of the candle so the body may be easily seen. Figures IB and 1C depict illustrative shapes of a number "5" 4 and a plus sign 6 as decorative candles having similar wicks 5, bodies 10 and bases 15. A plus sign candle is further detailed in U.S. Patent No. D542,945, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Figure 2 depicts a two dimensional view of a cylindrical candle 20 having a wick 5, body 10 and base 15.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the body includes a solid, hollow, or partially solid, molded chocolate form. The chocolate may begin in a liquid form and be poured into a mold where the liquid will solidify and take the shape of the mold as it hardens. Figure 3 depicts one such mold 30 for a candle in the shape of the Arabic numeral '5' in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The mold may be a rectangular shape with a cavity forming the body 10 of the numeral. The base 15 and the wick 5 are also part of the molding shape to provide a unitary body with a sturdier composition than that of a multi-piece candle assembled after solidification. Molds in the shape of letters, numbers and symbols may also be used to create distinct candle shapes from edible materials. Figure 4 depicts a three-dimensional mold 40 of the letter Ε' while Figure 5 depicts a three- dimensional mold 50 of the Hebrew character 'K?'. Figure 6 depicts a Chinese character mold 60 according to one embodiment of the invention. One skilled in the art should recognize that characters or symbols of any language may be created without deviating from the scope of the invention and the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples.

[0012] The body may also include additional flavoring or wick-supporting edible material such as milk-chocolate, dark-chocolate, white chocolate, fudge, cherry chocolate, mint chocolate, or mocha chocolate, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, according to one embodiment, fruit-flavoring may be added to the liquid chocolate, or body material, to enhance the flavor. Examples of fruit flavorings may include, but are not limited to orange, apple, pineapple, mango tangeπne, cherry, melon, plum, apπcot, peach, lemon, lime, cranberry, boysenberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape coconut or banana, or any combination thereof Mint flavors, such as peppermint or spearmint, as well as nut- based flavors such as, almond amaretto, walnut, pecan, pistachio, hazelnut or peanut may be used for additional flavoring Additional flavor additives may be included, such as coffee flavors, like mocha, or other spice or liqueur flavorings, such as vanilla, butterscotch, or rum

[0013] While the above embodiment is descπbed having a chocolate body, one skilled in the art should recognize that other edible materials may be used to form the body According to one embodiment of the invention, the body of the edible candle may be created using vanilla, or strawberry based liquids that solidify to form the body

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, the body of the candle may be hollow or partially hollow Flavored or textured fillings may be added to the hollow portion of the body For example, fillings may include, without limitation, ganache, pop candy, marshmallow, or caramel

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, an edible wicking mateπal is used to provide and sustain the fuel of a candle One such edible mateπal, according to an embodiment of the invention, is an almond The drupe seed of an almond tree contains natural oils that are flammable and slow-burning Using an edible mateπal such as the almond for a wick in a candle ensures the entire candle is edible and non-toxic Other edible materials can be treated with edible oils, shaped, and used as such. In one embodiment, the term "seed" is used interchangeably with the term "nut." However, either usage is not intended to limit or preclude the use of the other.

[0016] Other types of nuts may also be used as a wick. One skilled in the art should recognize that the wick portion of the candle is not limited to the almond, but can also be made from other nuts/seeds, such as, without limitation, peanut, cashew, , hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios or walnuts. The wick may be treated with natural, edible oils or the wicks may be left untreated.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention an almond sliver is inserted near the top of the body of the candle. The sliver may be cut, or shaped with various angled sides to provide additional surface area, creating multiple surfaces for easier lighting and a prolonged flame. Alternatively, the almond sliver may be placed in the body mold when the liquid body material is added in order to provide a stronger bond between the body and the wick. Other embodiments of the present invention may include shaped wicks, such as those shown in Figures 7A-D, to add another decorative element to the candle. Figure 7A depicts an almond sliver 72 as described above. Figure 7B includes a tear drop shaped wick 74. The tear drop shape closely resembles a natural flame that would appear on a traditional wick. Figure 7C depicts a tree shaped wick 76 while Figure 7D depicts a crescent shaped wick 78. Decorative shapes and sizes of the wick may be created by way of carving, stamping, cutting, or other shaping techniques. One skilled in the art should recognize that the invention is not limited to only those shapes detailed herein, but that any shape wick may be formed without deviating from the scope of the invention.

[0018] As the almond wick burns, the heat generated from the flame may melt the body and produce a by-product, or drippings, that may stream down the candle and on to the food product. As the combusted almond oil and seed (or other edible wicks), along with the body, are all edible materials, there is no danger of ingesting dangerous or toxic materials and no need to remove the drippings.

[0019] Although the embodiment described herein includes a chocolate molded body, one skilled in the art should recognize that any edible food product may be used, such as cake, cookie, ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen fruit-bar, etc., without deviating from the scope of the invention. Further, the embodiments described herein are not limited to a chocolate flavored base, but may include any flavor as a base for the body. The height of the candle can range from about three to four inches in height by about two to three inches in width. One skilled in the art should recognize that the invention is not limited to traditional sizes and may be larger or smaller without deviating from the scope of the invention.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, edible candles may be styled after lollipops or bonbons. Figure 8 depicts a mold sheet of lollipop candles 80 featuring a smiley-face symbol. The head of the candle resembles the smiley- face while the body, or pick, of the candle is elongated and thin. The mold features a rectangular cavity 16 surrounding a portion of the pick to facilitate removal of the molded candle without causing damage to the candle or breaking the pick. The picks may be formed or made out of any edible material that can sustain the weigh of the candle head. Examples of edible pick materials include, without limitation, chocolate, cake, pretzel or hardened candy. Cavities for the placement of the edible wicks are also included according to one embodiment of the invention. Lollipop candles may be molded from any letter, character, symbol, figurine, icon or logo. Examples of lollipop candle heads may include ice-cream cones, stars, decorative shapes, cartoon faces, logos, icons, or any other recognizable shapes. Bonbons may also be created in generally round shapes having an edible wick molded or affixed to the top. Bonbon shaped candles may include a pick as described above, or alternatively may include a flattened bottom portion allowing the candle to be placed on top of a food piece without having to insert a portion of the candle into the piece.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for manufacturing an edible candle is included. As depicted in Figure 9, the method 90 includes pouring the liquid body material into the body mold 92. The mold may define a depression 94, or divot, for placement of the wick 96, allowing the wick to become affixed the candle as the liquid body solidifies 98. Alternatively, if the mold does not include a depression for the wick, the wick may be affixed at a later time 100 after the liquid body has solidified 98. Once the liquid body is solidified 98 and the wick is affixed the edible candle is complete 102. As a further alternative, the wick may be heated prior to affixing to the body. The heat applied to and maintained by the wick may partially melt a portion of the body allowing the wick to penetrate the body. As the wick cools, the body re-solidifies around the wick providing a fixed attachment. [0022] Further, while some embodiments described herein are described as candles for use on top of food products, one skilled in the art should recognize that other types of candles, such as scented or decorative candles, without deviating from the scope of the invention.

[0023] While the invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and substantial equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An edible candle comprising:

a body comprising a first edible material; and

a wick comprising a portion of a seed, the wick affixed to the body.

2. The candle of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a material chosen from the group consisting of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.

3. The candle of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a molded solid.

4. The candle of claim 4 wherein the wick is molded to the body.

5. The candle of claim 1 wherein the seed comprises a sliver.

6. The candle of claim 1 wherein the edible material comprises a flavor.

7. The candle of claim 6 wherein the flavor is selected from a group consisting of: milk-chocolate, dark-chocolate, white chocolate, fudge, cherry chocolate, mint chocolate, mocha chocolate, orange, apple, pineapple, mango tangerine, cherry, melon, plum, apricot, peach, lemon, lime, cranberry, boysenberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape, coconut or banana, peppermint spearmint, almond amaretto, walnut, pecan, pistachio, hazelnut or peanut mocha, vanilla, butterscotch, rum and liqueur.

8. The candle of claim 1 wherein the edible material is selected from a group consisting of: chocolate, cake, cookie, ice cream, frozen yogurt and frozen fruit-bar.

9. The candle of claim 1 wherein the seed is selected from the group consisting of: almond, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.

10. A method of manufacturing an edible candle comprising:

forming a body from an edible material; and

affixing an edible wick comprising a seed to the body.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein forming the body further comprises pouring a liquid edible material into a mold and hardening the liquid edible material into the shape of the mold.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising molding the wick into the body.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising flavoring the edible material.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising flavoring the edible material with a flavor selected from the group consisting of milk-chocolate, dark-chocolate, white chocolate, fudge, cherry chocolate, mint chocolate, mocha chocolate, orange, apple, pineapple, mango tangerine, cherry, melon, plum, apricot, peach, lemon, lime, cranberry, boysenberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape, coconut or banana, peppermint spearmint, almond amaretto, walnut, pecan, pistachio, hazelnut or peanut mocha, vanilla, butterscotch, rum and liqueur.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the seed is selected from the group consisting of: almond, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.

16. An edible candle comprising: a body molded from a hardened edible liquid; and a wick comprising an almond drupe affixed to the body.

17. The candle of claim 16 wherein the hardened liquid comprises a material selected from the group consisting of chocolate, vanilla or strawberry.

18. The candle of claim 16 wherein the hardened liquid is selected from the group consisting of cake, cookie, ice cream, frozen yogurt and frozen fruit- bar.

19. The candle of claim 16 wherein the body is molded in to a shape selected from the group consisting of a number, character, symbol, letter and figurine.

20. The candle of claim 16 wherein the wick has a decorative shape.