Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
  • C06F—MATCHES; MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES
  • C06F3/00—Chemical features in the manufacture of matches
  • C06F3/02—Wooden strip for matches or substitute therefor
  • C06F3/04—Chemical treatment before or after dipping, e.g. dyeing, impregnating

Definitions

• the invention relates to matches and the like which essentially consist of a support material, especially a splint, and an ignitable part, especially a matchhead.
• a typical match consists of an ignitable part and a burnable support material and the ignition is initiated by frictional heat.
• __t is made a distinction between the so- called strike-anywhere match and the safety match.
• a safety match a special friction composition on a friction surface, preferably deposited on the side of a matchbox, is necessary.
• a (safety) match consists of a splint that is tipped with a head composition. Such splints are packed into a box, which is commonly partly coated with a specific material as friction composition comprising red phosphorus that constitu- tes a chemically active part of the total system.
• the ignition of a match is a complex physical and chemical phenomenon. It begins with a solid-state chemical reaction, initiated by frictional heat generated during the striking process and propagated as a series of exothermic chemical reactions.
• the heat of the reaction depends mainly on the head composition and on the way the formulation is prepared.
• the principle components of a modern matchhead include potassium chlorate, manganese dioxide, potassium dichromate and sulphur.
• the actual ignition of a safety match is believed to involve two steps. In the first step red phosphorus on the friction surface and potassium chlorate of the matchhead react to produce heat. In the second step, this heat causes potassium chlorate and sulphur to ignite.
• Matches have to permit a safe, easy, fast and convenient handling. They must not be explosive and have to develop a constant and sufficiently large, hot flame. The ignition part and the support material must have enough stability to resist the conditions of the friction process. After burning the head should not fall off and after usage the matches immediately have to be extinguished. Glowing has to be prevented by suitable impregnation. Splints are usually impregnated with a low-melting paraffin wax to assist flame propagation, and also with a fire-proofing mixture, usually a solution of ammonium salts, preferably monoammonium phosphate. The object of the latter treatment is to reduce the "afterglow" when the match has been quenched.
• Splints as support material may be produced from wood or paper, but wood is the most commonly used material.
• the preferred timber for wooden splints is aspen or poplar. To a less extent pine, willow or lime is used. Other timbers are sometimes used in tropical countries.
• the main object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing of matches and the like comprising a support material different from wood.
• This object is achieved by a method set forth in claim 1 which provides bamboo as support material for matches and the like.
• Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims 2 to 23 and claim 24.
• Matches manufactured by the inventive method and matches from bamboo are claimed in claims 25 to 28. The wording of all claims is hereby made to the content of the description by reference.
• bamboo is an extremly fast-growing plant.
• bamboo comprises the genus Bambusa and other genera and is the common name of many giant perennial grasses. These plants are widely distri- renowned, chiefly in tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, Africa and North America, from sea level to about 4500 m.
• From the jointed rootstocks rise numerous, usually erect, straight stems which, when they have attained full height, send out dense masses of horizontal branches.
• the jointed stems are hollow and light and, due to a siliceous external covering, very hard.
• Bamboos are of great importance economically, particularly in the East Indies and Asia.
• the species most generally used is B. vulgaris, widely cultivated but probably native to India.
• washing agents like commercially available detergent formulations are used to prepare a detergent solution in an appropriate solvent, especially in water.
• all common detergent preparations are suited, e.g. powders or fluids.
• Such preparations usually comprise surfactants, builders, bleaching agents and auxiliary agents like enzymes and fragrances.
• One example of a suited household detergent comprises the following ingredients:
• Non-ionic and anionic surface active substances sodium tripolyphosphate 10 +/- 1% (w/v)
• the exact formulation is not critical and it is not necessary that the formulation comprises all the above-mentioned ingredients.
• the pH value seems not to be very important in altering the structure of bamboo. In general, a pH value of about 9 to about 12, especially 10 to 11, is suitable.
• sodium carbonate and sodium perborate should be the main effective ingredients to achieve the inventive effect of altering the structure of bamboo.
• the use of enzymes is preferred, because enzymes are helpful in breaking down the cellulosic composition of the bamboo.
• the support material is floated in the detergent solution, which contains e.g. the detergent powder in usual "household" concentrations and which has preferably a temperature of about 30 °C to about 100°C, especially about 50°C to about 90°C.
• the elevated temperature increases the solubility of the detergents in the solvent, especially in water, and also increases the inventive effect.
• the treatment is performed for at least about 5 minutes, especially at least 15 minutes.
• the solution is agitated during treatment.
• the same effect of altering the structure of bamboo is obtained by using solutions of strong bases, for example a solution of about 10 to 30% (w/v) inorganic base, preferably sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in water, especially about 20% (w/v) .
• solutions of strong bases for example a solution of about 10 to 30% (w/v) inorganic base, preferably sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in water, especially about 20% (w/v) .
• Temperatures of those solutions are preferably about 30°C to about 60°C, especially about 30 °C to about 40 °C.
• the concentration of the washing agent, especially the detergent formulation is not critical, as long as the inventive effect is achieved. This effect is achieved by common concentrations of commercially available detergents, e.g. about 10 to about 90 grams per litre of water, preferably about 30 to about 70 grams per litre, especially about 45 to about 55 grams per litre.
• the bamboo material is dried following the step of altering the structure of bamboo.
• the step of altering the structure of bamboo makes the bamboo permeable and/or porous so it can be impregnated with e.g. phosphoric acid or monoammonium phosphate for anti-glow properties and thereafter with e.g. paraffin which allows the flame transfer from the ignitable matchhead to bamboo and the match-stick burns smoothly until the end.
• e.g. phosphoric acid or monoammonium phosphate for anti-glow properties
• e.g. paraffin which allows the flame transfer from the ignitable matchhead to bamboo and the match-stick burns smoothly until the end.
• this anti-glow treatment is performed by acidic or alkaline solutions, or solutions of salts.
• the use of solutions of inorganic or organic acids is preferred.
• the solvent can be any suitable solvent or mixtures of solvents, e.g. alcohols, however, water as a solvent is preferred.
• the impregnation of bamboo with said solutions is preferably performed by dipping, showering or spraying. Dipping is the preferred method, because this is the most easy and cheapest procedure. Furthermore, it is sufficient to dip only half or three-quarters of the splints. Obviously, it is possible to dip or immerse the complete material into the solution.
• the solution for this impregnation of bamboo comprises phosphoric acid, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, sodium chloride or potassium chloride.
• the solution comprises about 0.5 to about 2 % (w/v), especially about 1 % (w/v) , of the acid, especially phosphoric acid, in water.
• the desired anti-glow property of the material is obtained very fast. Dipping times of about 5 to about 15 seconds can be sufficient.
• the bamboo, especially the splint is dipped for about 10 seconds in the solution.
• the solution for this impregnation of bamboo comprises about 5 to about 30 % (w/v) , especially about 20 % (w/v) , of the salt, especially monoammonium phosphate, in water.
• This solution is less aggres- sive then the former solution, therefore a dipping time of about 10 to about 20 minutes is appropriate, wherein a dipping time of about 15 minutes is preferred.
• the advantage of monoammonium phosphate is that it is commonly available and very easy to use.
• the bamboo especially the splints or slivers, are washed after the impregnation as described above. Washing is preferably performed in water, e.g. by placing the bamboo material in a drum or container containing water. This washing step usually takes about one half to about several hours. One hour is normally sufficient.
• the washing step could be shorter or could be omitted.
• the bamboo is dried after the washing step. Drying could be performed by air-drying, forced drying or vacuum drying for example. In a preferred embodiment drying is performed in a dryer with about 60° C or above for several hours, preferably 2 to 3 hours, or sun-dried (e.g. in a tropical country) at 30° C or above for several days.
• a second impregna- tion which allows the flame transfer, is performed by paraffin.
• An especially preferred paraffin is paraffin wax of match/candle grade, other paraffins are also usable, especially of low-melting grade.
• the paraffin has preferably a temperature of about 100°C to about 140° C. In an especially preferred embodiment the temperature of the paraffin is about 120° C. These temperatures usually are necessary to allow penetration and proper impregnation of the bamboo material.
• the material is pre-heated onto similar temperatures as the impregnation solution, e.g. about 120° C, wherein pre-heating preferably takes place before loading the bamboo material, especially the splints, into the impregnation container, e.g. the dipping tray.
• the bamboo material is dipped into the impregnation solution, especially into the paraffin.
• the impregnation solution especially into the paraffin.
• Proper impregnation is achieved by dipping several seconds, especially by dipping for about 3 to about 5 seconds.
• the material is dipped 10 mm deep in the liquid paraffin.
• there are several other possible methods for impregnation e.g. floating, spraying, showering or pressure impregnation.
• the final main step of the inventive manufacturing of matches is adhering the ignitable part.
• a bamboo splint or sliver is used and the ignitable compound is adhered to one end of the splint or sliver as a matchhead. This is preferably achieved by dipping the splint or sliver into a suitable ignitable head mixture known to experts in the art.
• the bamboo material is warmed during the dipping process for adhering the ignitable part.
• this is achieved by making the ignitable part immediately after the impregnation step, which is performed at temperatures of about 120° C as outlined above.
• the invention includes the harvesting, especially felling, and pre-treatment of the bamboo poles.
• bamboo could be used in the green status or as dried poles.
• Bamboo means any material from plants of the genus bamboo or other genera of the family of grasses.
• Harvesting includes cutting, lopping and/or thinning of bamboo from any source by manual, semi-automated or automated process using any form of tool to extract bamboo from its natural or existing habitat.
• the bamboo poles are harvested and converted into splints or slivers before performing the steps of treatment, impregnation and making the ignitable part.
• Conversion of bamboo poles into splints or slivers means manufacturing or making rods, sticks or splints of any shape or size by means of any manual, mechanical, semi-automated or automated process using tools, implements or devices with or without use of manual, mechanical and/or electrical power.
• the bamboo material is subjected to an anti-fungal treatment preferably before performing the further inventive steps, e.g. as a first step in the overall procedure.
• the anti-fungal treatment is preferably performed by dipping the bamboo poles or the bamboo splints or slivers in a solution of unslaked lime at room temperature, for example.
• This solution comprises preferably calcium oxide and sodium borate in water. Usual concentrations of these compounds are mentioned in claim 18 and the example. Nevertheless all anti-fungal treatment procedures known in the art are possible.
• the anti-fungal treatment is performed with the bamboo poles and convertion into splints or slivers is done after that anti-fungal treatment. It is also possible to convert the bamboo poles after felling and subject the splints or slivers to the anti-fungal treatment.
• the bamboo material is washed and dried after the anti-fungal treatment. Washing and drying can be performed as mentioned above. Normally washing will be more extensive as mentioned in the example.
• the bamboo material is bleached.
• bleaching By bleaching a uniform colour of the resulting matches is achieved.
• the visual appeal is amended.
• the bleaching is useful in removing oils or oily substances from the support material for reduc- ing smoke and soot during burning of the match.
• the more natural appearance of non-bleached matches could be preferred by the customers.
• the bleaching treatment is preferably performed by sodium hydroxide or hydrogen peroxide. In a preferred embodiment about 10 to about 30 % (w/v) sodium hydroxide in water
• ammonia solution is added to the bleaching solution. The ammonia is added to catalyze the bleaching process.
• the bleaching is preferably performed by dipping. It can take several hours to obtain satisfying results, normally 2 hours are sufficient. Besides dipping, showering or spraying of appropriate bleaching solutions is also comprised by the invention.
• step a) the bleaching of the bamboo is performed simultaneously with the step of treatment, which provides the impregnable structure of the support material (step a) ) .
• step a) can be performed by treatment with alkaline and/or detergent solutions. These solutions will or can comprise ingredients which lead to the bleaching of bamboo, especially sodium hydroxide or sodium perborate. Depending from the desired bleaching effect ingredients and duration of incubation is chosen.
• the splints are dried before the bleaching procedure. Therefore bleaching can be performed after the drying step following the anti-fungal treatment, preferably n rt M. ft 3 3 P- 0 o P- tr P 01 £D 3 0
• bamboo poles are harvested from their natural habitate source and immediately after felling the material is subjected to an anti-fungal treatment. For this the bamboo poles are dipped in a solution of unslaked lime: calcium oxide - 20 % (200 grams of unslaked lime mixed in 1 litre of water at natural room temperature) plus sodium borate solution of 5 % (5 grams of sodium borate dissolved in 1 litre of water at natural room temperature) . The solution is kept in drums or large vessels and the green bamboo poles are placed vertically in the drum/vessel in which the solution is kept for 3 to 4 days .
• unslaked lime calcium oxide - 20 % (200 grams of unslaked lime mixed in 1 litre of water at natural room temperature) plus sodium borate solution of 5 % (5 grams of sodium borate dissolved in 1 litre of water at natural room temperature) .
• the solution is kept in drums or large vessels and the green bamboo poles are placed vertically in the drum/vessel in which the solution is kept for 3 to 4 days .
• the bamboo poles, after dipping in the unslaked lime and sodium borate solution are converted into slivers or splints using manual, semi-automated or automated techniques and procedures .
• Converted splints or slivers of bamboo are placed in a drum or container containing fresh water and left for 3 to 4 days. Water is changed every day. Alternatively, the bamboo slivers or splints are dipped in boiling water. The water is changed every 15 to 30 minutes until the solution becomes clear.
• the splints or slivers are then sun-dried at 30° C or above for 3 to 4 days. Alternatively, the splints or slivers are force dried using a dryer with 60° C or above for 2 to 3 hours.
• the dry splints or slivers with less than 12 % moisture, especially less than 8 to 10 % or even less than 6 % are then dipped in a solution of caustic soda.
• caustic soda sodium hydroxide
• the dipping time is 2 hours at about 30°C to about 40 °C.
• hydrogen peroxide could be used for further bleaching.
• a hydrogen peroxide solution is made by adding water to concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution to achieve strength of 15 to 20 % of hydrogen peroxide. 8 to 10 vol. % ammonia solution (NH 3 in water) may be added to catalyze the bleaching process. The dipping time takes about 2 hours.
• the splints or slivers are then sun-dried at 30° C or above for 3 to 4 days.
• the splints or slivers are force dried using a dryer with 60° C or above for 2 to 3 hours.
• the splints or slivers are dipped in a solution of 1 % (w/v) phosphoric acid in water for 10 seconds.
• a 20 % (w/v) solution of monoammonium phosphate in water is used. In this case dipping time is 15 minutes.
• the splints or slivers of bamboo are placed in a drum or container containing fresh water for 1 hour.
• the splints or slivers are then sun-dried at 30° C or above for 3 to 4 days. Alternatively the splints or slivers are force dried using a dryer with 60° C or above for 2 to 3 hours.
• the splints or slivers are pre-heated in a dryer at 120° C or above before being loaded in the dipping tray.
• the loaded splints or slivers are dipped in paraffin wax - preferably match/candle grade.
• the tempera- ture of liquid paraffin is 120° C to allow penetration and impregnation of bamboo match splints.
• the dipping is performed for 3 to 5 seconds, whereby the splints are dipped 10 mm deep under the surface of the liquid paraffin.
• the impregnated splints or slivers are dipped immediately after impregnation in an appropriate head mixture. This procedure is performed as long as the bamboo material is warm to avoid cold paraffining and poor head adhesion.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Chemical And Physical Treatments For Wood And The Like (AREA)

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• 1999
  • 1999-09-02 WO PCT/EP1999/006439 patent/WO2001017929A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1999-09-02 AU AU59722/99A patent/AU5972299A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-09-02 EP EP99973999A patent/EP1248756B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-09-02 AT AT99973999T patent/ATE286009T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1999-09-02 DE DE69923010T patent/DE69923010D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

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