MATERIAL FOR INCENSE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of converting biowastes into useful products. More specifically, the disclosure is directed to a method for converting natural dry waste leaves into a raw material suitable for manufacturing incense products. The disclosure further provides a composition for incense comprising the raw material and a process of production of incense.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the present invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Incense sticks have been with mankind almost since inception. They are widely used all over the world, for their scent or for offering prayers. Incense mainly comprises of “CHARCOAL” (major component) as base material and other raw materials such as Jigat powder/joss powder/guar gum and saw dust in small portions. The most popular and cost effective incense sticks are charcoal-based. Since charcoal is extensively used in this industry, there is a huge demand for the same in the market. In order to cater to this demand, large number of trees are being cut globally. Astonishingly, around 5 to 7 tonnes of wood must be burnt to produce 1 tonne of charcoal, resulting in rapid deforestation, higher carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. All of these result in an increase in global warming. Thus, the current process of preparing incense products largely contributes to air pollution and harms the eco system and the need to look for alternatives is imperative.

[0004] Apart from charcoal as a raw material, there are alternative sources for raw materials available in the market suitable for incense including flower waste, herbs, coconut shells, cow dung, etc. These incenses have either limitation on availability of source or the manufacturing of raw materials and incense from these sources is laborious, in both cases the final product becomes expensive.

[0005] A leaf mainly comprises organic compounds such as sugars and other organic compounds. When a leaf reaches its maturity it falls off and begins to decay where the sugars and other organic compounds breakdown. However, dried waste leaves yet retain some amount of their organic nature which leaves an unpleasant odor when the dry leaves are grinded and powdered. Thus, these dried leaves powder when used for forming incense leave an unpleasant scent that cannot be masked completely even after applying perfume.

[0006] Thus, there is a need in the art to look for sustainable, eco-friendly alternate sources and processes of preparing raw materials for incense from these sources.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of converting natural dry waste leaves to raw material for production of incense that is eco-friendly and sustainable.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a composition for incense comprising the raw material that is eco-friendly.

[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for producing incense that does not use charcoal and involves zero carbon emission manufacturing process.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for producing incense from dry waste leaves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in Detailed Description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0012] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a process that utilizes the naturally and abundantly available dry waste leaves for preparation of a raw material that can be suitably employed as a constituent of incense products.

[0013] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense, wherein the process comprises step of treating the leaves with acetic acid.

[0014] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense, wherein the process comprises steps of grinding the leaves to powder; and treating the powder with acetic acid. [0015] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense, wherein the process comprises a step of heating the dry leaves powder.

[0016] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense, wherein the process comprises steps of grinding the leaves to powder; and heating the powder.

[0017] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a composition for preparing an incense, wherein the composition comprises the raw material obtained from the process recited above, a binding agent and saw dust powder.

[0018] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a process for production of incense from dry waste leaves, said process comprising the steps of: (a) grinding the leaves into a powder; (b) heating the powder followed by cooling; (c) treating the powder with acetic acid to give processed leaves; (d) mixing the processed leaves with a binding agent and saw dust powder; and (e) adding water to the mixture of step (d) and kneading to form a dough for incense.

[0019] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a process for production of incense from dry waste leaves, said process comprising the steps of: (a) grinding the leaves into a powder;

(b) treating the powder with acetic acid to give processed leaves; (c) mixing the processed leaves with a binding agent and saw dust powder; and (d) adding water to the mixture of step

(c) and kneading to form a dough for incense.

[0020] Other aspects of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learnt by the practice of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0023] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0024] In some embodiments, numbers have been used for quantifying amounts, percentages, ratios, and so forth, to describe certain embodiments of the invention and are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0025] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0026] As used in the description herein, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0027] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.” [0028] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0029] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0030] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified.

[0031] The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles and aspects of the present disclosure. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the disclosure.

[0032] It should also be appreciated that the present disclosure can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system, a method or a device. In this specification, these implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as processes. In general, the order of the steps of the disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention.

[0033] The headings and abstract of the invention provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

[0034] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0035] As used herein, the term ‘source’ refers to dried waste leaves which fall off trees naturally.

[0036] The terms, ‘biowaste’, ‘source’, ‘raw material’ and ‘waste material’, have been used interchangeably throughout the specification to refer to the dry waste leaves.

[0037] As used herein, the term ‘raw material’ refers to the dry waste leaves that have been processed by the process of the present disclosure and have been converted to a form suitable for use as a raw material in production of incense.

[0038] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to process of converting natural dry waste leaves into a raw material suitable for incense production or manufacture. The source or waste material used for preparing the raw material in the presently disclosed process is dry leaves, preferably leaves fallen off trees naturally. Dried waste leaves have not yet been used as a source for preparing incense as they have a strong and unpleasant odor when crushed or grinded. The process provided by the present disclosure eliminates the strong odor of the leaves to form a raw material suitable for incense production.

[0039] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense, wherein the process comprises step of treating the leaves with acetic acid.

[0040] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense, wherein the process comprises steps of grinding the leaves to powder; and treating the powder with acetic acid.

[0041] In an embodiment, the acetic acid may be acetic acid, diluted acetic acid or vinegar. In an embodiment, the acetic acid may be added in a weight percentage range of about 5% to about 10% with respect to the weight of the powder.

[0042] In an embodiment, the acetic acid may be acetic acid solution diluted in water. In an embodiment, the acetic acid may have a concentration in the range of about 5% v/v to about 10% v/v. [0043] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense, wherein the process comprises a step of heating the leaves.

[0044] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense, wherein the process comprises steps of grinding the leaves into a powder; and heating the powder.

[0045] In an embodiment, the heating may be performed at a temperature range of about 30°C to about 50°C.

[0046] In an embodiment, the powder may be heated for about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes.

[0047] In an embodiment, the raw material obtained by the above processes is kept undisturbed for about 15 to 25 minutes. This is performed to cool the raw material.

[0048] In an embodiment, the dry waste leaves may be obtained from evergreen trees, or deciduous trees. In an embodiment, the dry waste leaves may be broad leaves, needle leaves, scaly leaves, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the dry waste leaves may be obtained from any tree, selected from mango tree, banyan tree, oak tree, apple tree, guava tree, neem tree, maple tree, juniper tree, cedar tree, pine tree, Ashoka tree, Peepal tree, curry tree, mahogany, gulmohar tree, eucalyptus tree, teak, black willow, hawthorn, ash tree, and the like. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that any other tree may be used to serve the intended purpose without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the dry waste leaves may be those that fall off trees upon maturation or through any natural process. In an embodiment, the leaves may be obtained from houses, housing societies, offices, schools, plantations, farms, societies, and the like. These dry leaves are waste that is abundantly available in nature. Traditionally the dry waste leaves when piled up, are raked and burnt but the present process provides an alternative that judiciously uses this waste for industrial application.

[0050] The process provides a solution to incorporating the biowaste materials such as dried leaves as source for production of a raw material that has potential use in production of incense. [0051] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a raw material for incense obtained from dry waste leaves by the process as recited above. The raw material is suitable for use in producing incense as it can ignite and undergo continuous combustion.

[0052] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a composition for preparing an incense, wherein the composition comprises the raw material, a binding agent and saw dust powder. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a composition for preparing an incense, wherein the composition comprises the raw material obtained by the process recited above, a binding agent and saw dust powder.

[0053] In an embodiment, the composition may further comprise an additive. The additive may be selected from fragrance, dye, color, and the like.

[0054] In an embodiment, the composition may be molded into coils, cones, powders, sticks, and the like.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition does not contain charcoal.

[0056] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for production of incense from dry waste leaves, said process comprising the steps of: (a) grinding the leaves into a powder; (b) heating the powder, followed by cooling; (c) treating the powder with acetic acid to give processed leaves; (d) mixing the processed leaves with a binding agent and saw dust powder; and (e) adding water to the mixture of step (c) and kneading to form a dough for incense.

[0057] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for production of incense from dry waste leaves, said process comprising the steps of: (a) grinding the leaves into a powder; (b) treating the powder with acetic acid to give processed leaves; (c) mixing the processed leaves with a binding agent and saw dust powder; and (d) adding water to the mixture of step (c) and kneading to form a dough for incense.

[0058] In an embodiment of the present invention, before grinding, the leaves may be segregated to remove any soiled leaves and thereafter cleaned to remove any dust and grease.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, grinding may be performed by any method known in the art, including but not limited to, mortar-pestle, and the like. In an embodiment, the powder may be screened or sieved to remove any coarse particles before processing further.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present invention, the binding agent and saw dust powder are added in minimum amounts.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present invention, the binding agent may be selected from any natural binding agent including but not limited to joss powder, jigat powder, guar gum, and the like.

[0062] In an embodiment, the binding agent may be present in a weight range of about 10% to about 20% w/w with respect to the processed leaves, preferably about 10% w/w with respect to the processed leaves.

[0063] In an embodiment of the present invention, the saw dust powder may be present in a weight range of about 10% to about 20% w/w with respect to the processed leaves, preferably about 10% w/w with respect to the processed leaves.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present invention, the process as recited above, after kneading provides a dough for incense.

[0065] In an embodiment of the present invention, the incense obtained may be further mixed with additives including perfumes, colors, dyes, essential oils, and the like.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dough may be made into various physical forms, including but not limited to an incense stick, dhup (dhoop), insect / pest repellent coils, and the like.

[0067] In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the dough is molded into an incense stick, the dough obtained from the above process is applied onto sticks, including, bamboo sticks. This may be performed mechanically or by hand rolling. The incense stick may be kept for drying and setting for about 24 hours to about 48 hours.

[0068] In an embodiment of the present invention, the incense may optionally comprise natural aroma generating additives including but not limited to attar, javvadu, kuppam powder, sandalwood, and the like.

[0069] In an embodiment of the present invention, the process of preparing incense in the present disclosure does not use charcoal as a raw material. Thus, the process eliminates use of the carbon intensive charcoal based production of incense sticks.

S [0070] In an embodiment of the present invention, the present process preserves the ecosystem, generates no pollution, zero carbon emission, is sustainable and based on natural dry waste leaves obtained from trees which are readily available.

[0071] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an incense obtained by the process as recited above. The incense obtained may be used anywhere including homes, offices, restaurants, religious places, and the like. The incense is eco-friendly.

[0072] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0073] The present disclosure provides a process of converting natural dry waste leaves into raw material for incense.

[0074] The present disclosure provides a process of production of incense from dry waste leaves that is environmentally friendly and sustainable.

[0075] The present disclosure provides an alternative to pollution causing charcoal based incenses.

EXAMPLES

[0076] The present disclosure is further explained in the form of following examples. However, it is to be understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative and are not to be taken as limitations upon the scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0077] Example 1: Preparation of Incense Sticks

Step 1: Dried waste leaves were sourced from large plantation/farms/societies etc.

Step 2: Dry waste leaves were segregated by eliminating soiled/ unwanted leaves and the dust particles were removed. Step 3: The leaves were then grinded into very fine powder.

Step 4: The powder further screened or sieved to remove any coarse particles before processing further.

Step 5: 100 gm dry leaf powder is then heated in a dry pan between 30 to 50 deg C and then kept aside to cool down for 10 to 20 minutes. Later 50 ml of solution (5%-10% acetic acid diluted with 50 ml of water to form a solution) is added and mixed thoroughly and kept aside for 15 to 20 min.

Step 6: Dry leaves power will then be mixed with 10% - 20% of binding agent (either jigat powder or joss powder or Guar gum and 10% - 20% of saw dust powder. Step 6: 150 ml of water is added to the above mixture and kneaded thoroughly to form a dough.

Step 7: The dough is applied on the bamboo sticks, either hand rolled or machine made and kept aside for drying for around 24 to 48 hrs.

Step 8: The dried sticks are applied with white oil (diethyl phthalate, DEP) mixed perfumes and again dried for around 5 to 10 hrs.