WO2001017929A1

WO2001017929A1 - Bamboo match

Info

Publication number: WO2001017929A1
Application number: PCT/EP1999/006439
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Kunz; Sushanto Mittra
Original assignee: Fair Trade Ver Zur Foerderung; Sushanto Mittra
Priority date: 1999-09-02
Filing date: 1999-09-02
Publication date: 2001-03-15
Also published as: ATE286009T1; DE69923010D1; AU5972299A; EP1248756B1; EP1248756A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing of matches and the like comprising a support material of bamboo and an ignitable part, especially a matchhead. The method involves the treatment of bamboo with suitable agents in order to alter the structure of the material to permit proper impregnation of the bamboo. The treatment of bamboo is preferably performed by a detergent solution and/or a solution of inorganic bases.

Description

Description:

Bamboo Match

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.

Matches and similar articles are used to ignite and transfer flames. 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. For the use of a safety match a special friction composition on a friction surface, preferably deposited on the side of a matchbox, is necessary.

Usually, 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 use of wood for the production of matches weakens the wooden resources of the world. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a raw material different from wood for the manufac- turing of matches. Such a raw material should be a fast growing plant, which is available and accessible in countries where the main producers of matches are situated, i.e. especially tropical or subtropical countries. Thus, 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- buted, 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.

Because of the rapid growth of bamboo this plant is an ecologically beneficial raw material. Therefore, it would be sensible to use bamboo for the manufacturing of matches in order to spare the wooden resources of the world. But due to the structure of bamboo it was not thought of using bamboo for the production of matches. The main reason is that impregnation of bamboo support material up to now was not possible and therefore flame propagation and "afterglow" would not be acceptable.

en Crt -¹ tr en ft TJ ¹ rt TJ 0 ^ rt Oi 3 cn tfl O _*— _^ 0> cn TJ _^^^ rt & rt s: 3 P- rt 3 TJ PJ rt 0 φ fD 0 P- 0 ^► P P. Hi o 0 TJ 0⁾ O Mi en 3 C Oi 3 P kQ tr P- Oi 3 tr £U O tr i-. 0 0 cn & fD P- p. TJ P- rt rt TJ α TJ M P- CD fD φ rt rt CD rt P- CD c C 0 0 C 3 cn P 0> 3 rt rt Pi fD α. CD TJ Oi n £D 3 tr Φ 0 O 3 o σ tr 0 ft cn P- 0 rt 0 t rt tr 0 - P- p. P- rt 0 M) Pi ft ft 3 0 P| Pi TJ tr rt 3 rt P- 3 P- tr X ΓD P- fD tr fD TJ rt ri^¬ 3 0 p> M) 0 3 cn Oi rt c P- £X M Φ ID

£- fO 3 tr 0 P- P- & TJ φ TJ Pi O rt rt P- TJ CD rt 0⁾ CD 0 cn ft

P> iS P- 3 TJ H & 3 cn P- Pi ft) p0 — 0> 3 0 3 p- CD Pi T5 • tr c

CD £-i 3 cn P P- fD =s fD CU rt c Oi fD P» en 3 • H 3 p. rt r+ M rt CD Φ P|

3 TJ ft) fD ft P- • rt ti TJ ft H) rt < h-¹ D⁾ O 0 P- tr ft p. P3 3 D⁾

0 & P & o> l-h ^ o rt fD φ TJ CD ft) 3 0> CD ϋ 0 rt tr cn P- P- Oi P- P- O rt tr H

H) 0 • M fD M t > P. O 0 p> fD P. P| s: fD cn P- cn cn -¹ cn • P- Φ C

01 0 Φ Pi rt 0 P- rt p. t &⁾ 3 cn cn CD M o rt • CD TJ (D p. cn en rt P. Φ H 0⁾ tr TJ cn 0 01 3 rt ft) tr rt 0 P- Mi D⁾ P- M "< rt TJ rt • Pi en fD P- rt cr Φ in 3 tr Φ 0 o o CD DJ l-¹ • 0 CD 3 D⁾ TJ — tr 0 > p. o Mi 3 P

ΓD Ul φ P" rt H p. 3 3 ^ TJ 3 P. 0 rt Φ cn M) CD rt < 0 0 yQ c

TJ 01 •^ 3 01 β 0- _^-_^ rt 0> > o 0⁾ tr H- o cn rt O O P- Mi p. n

3 01 P> X SD cn rt P- cn rt 3 tr Mi cn o tr o _^^. o M> P- P- CD rt fD rt rt

(U in 3" P- 0- rt cn P- 3 rt 0 fD P- ^ ft cn M) P cn 3 3 cr M 3 3 CD tr - tr rt tr ID 3 tr fD CD P- o yQ fD l-h p. X fD P- ^ 0⁾ TJ rt TJ -> CD 01 £U P- P

0) Φ P, 0 01 rt M C 3 TJ P- rt Pi tr rt •» yQ Mi tr 0 ft) rt 3 Qi 3 rt cn CD

P> α Φ P- uι fD P- 3 cn rt tr Oi C P- H tr Φ P- 0 Φ M tr rt CD 3 σ tr

P- P- TJ P- M £D O &⁾ i p. TJ P- CD φ en 3 p. rt rt φ 0 Φ TJ O

£D o 3 0 ιQ tr o — 3 • fD TJ 3 DJ 0 rt cn Oi O P- rt P- o H Mi c (D • (D ^ M) rt tr _^ P- TJ rt σ P- Mi — cn c 3 P- 3 tr 3 P- £U

• rt 0 _^ 3 P- & tr 0 3 Pi 0 o> α- 3 TJ rt Oi 3 TJ fD TJ 3 3 tr

0 H ft cn . cn Φ rt o rt ιQ CD 3 rt rt 0 TJ 0 < Pi , CD < rt Oi

P- 3 rt 3 0 rt tr tr ^2 cn tr P- tr O 0 o cn tr CD CD 3 CD cn fD 3

3 TJ tr cn rt X p H) Φ P- CD rt 3 C o 3 Φ rt ri rt P- 3 yQ Oi 02 TJ 3 3 tr

0 P- 0⁾ 0 M P- 0 P- f. 3 p. tr Oi tr o < rt tr rt D φ rt 3 ft 3 CD rt 0⁾ o

0 £ cn &. H fD & 3 *i fD CD Φ rt 1—1- CD H tr TJ < P- Oi CD 0 0 H- rt 0

M 3 0- c 01 fD yQ w 0 tr P- CD TJ 3 0 Φ M) 3 φ < ft P. σ P- 0 CD

0- rt P- rt rt • rt 01 p. ^ m 0 0 0 ft rt Oi P- Φ P- P- Oi 3 M cn

(D W p. ft P- Φ P- Pi & TJ 3 rt H" P- rt P- OJ rt 3 o> o 01 CD P- CD

P CD P- 0 Qe > 3 TJ fD CD O P" CD < CD ^Q 3 Φ rt 3 r-> TJ 0⁾ CD

0 £D 0 3 0 o 0 Pi £X H- rt rt cn φ Pi 3 CD p. TJ TJ Pi cn ^► p. H 3 rt H) ft 3 cn 0 p. cn rt tr 3 tr tr P- P- p. Pi fD cn TJ rt 0 cn

0 3 • P- o yQ cn rt CD rt CD CD P- rt rt rt rt D⁾ o 0 0⁾ 0 CD p. rt < Mi rt (D σ rt p. Oi p- o O Pi cn 3 Pi 0 0> M H-¹ <; TJ rt P. C tr P- 0 rt

TJ 3- 3 0 .2 tr & 3 tr P- P- rt fD tr OJ P- CD 3 C- 3 0 Φ P 0

M (D ft rt 0 P- P- P- TJ O 3 0 yQ tr 0 01 rt H 3 -^ Qi Pi CD rt CD rt CD

0 - P. 3 o 0 iQ p. 3 0 rt tr CD cn cn P- 3 P- 0) C cn cn rt tr

< tr 0 3 φ Q P- cn rt P- r-> cn 3 Φ M) TJ 3 P- rt o tr Pi rt tr CD

P- SD l-h TJ 01 01 σ rt cn fD rt cn rt φ TJ CD TJ CD -> ua 3 3 ft) Pi o> CD

& 3 O X rt ø> >< P- P| tr Oi Y-> 3 in 01 P. P- TJ K cn CD c rt

(D σ tr cn H 0 cn tr φ P- tr tr P- ri^¬ C M 3 TJ p. P- o O 3 3 tr o 01 cn ^►< tr fD rt P- rt Oi 3 TJ r+ Mi ft fD CD rt O 0⁾ M) rt fD 0⁾ Φ

&ι 0 3 P- 01 rt cn tr tr P- fD CD 3 rt pTJ Pi p. yQ tr o> 3 C rt 3

3 tr tr m tr Φ P- Φ «Q Pi tr cn en o ^ o 3 3 3 & rt i tr C 0

0⁾ 0 P- C P- Φ rt 3 cn TJ 0 M 3 3 rt fD 01 en tr CD o Mi P

P- M o h-¹ fD 0 P- 3 P- cn P- Oi o o TJ rt JU o DJ rt ft c 3 o Φ & 0> P-

3 (D P- uι ¹ 01 fD rt rt P- M p> CD rt rt tr P- P- O Pi o n rt

TJ P- rt fD ω φ fD rt cn P. 0> 3 rt TJ Pi 3 n tr Oi P- o rt rt m Mi rt rt P-

P 3 en H- P o 0 Φ - c tr rt 0 cn Oi tr φ y-> H 3 0 J c O f- 0

CD β⁾ (D Q 0 cn o -¹ O P- r-> H o rt tr r-¹ P- • tr CD 0 TJ tr Pi Oi Q 0. 01 en CD c 3 0 P- P- rt φ cn Φ P- P. Φ φ o rt 3 P. TJ Oi 0> P-

3 (D 3 1 01 3 P Oi m < 3 M i ^ l CD ft 0 0 3 3

0⁾ 0 ft P- H tl TJ 3 CD CD p- C- 01 CD b c M tr rt yQ tr 0⁾ fD Oi rt P. C Oi — * P- r . cn rt 0 CD

3 3 P- p. 0 cn -> • 0 P o

CD cn rt • Mi

In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention washing agents like commercially available detergent formulations are used to prepare a detergent solution in an appropriate solvent, especially in water. In general, 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)

Zeolith (builder) 20.5 +/- 2.1% (w/v)

Sodium carbonates (alkali) 8 +/- 1% (w/v) Sodium perborate (bleaching agent) 14 +/- 3% (w/v)

Enzymes 0.14 +/- 0.03% (w/v) pH approx. 10.5

Obviously, it is possible to prepare an appropriate solution from the different components without using a commercially available formulation. Generally, 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. In the above example sodium carbonate and sodium perborate should be the main effective ingredients to achieve the inventive effect of altering the structure of bamboo. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the use of enzymes is preferred, because enzymes are helpful in breaking down the cellulosic composition of the bamboo.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention 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. Preferably the treatment is performed for at least about 5 minutes, especially at least 15 minutes. Preferably the solution is agitated during treatment.

Nevertheless, 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) . Temperatures of those solutions are preferably about 30°C to about 60°C, especially about 30 °C to about 40 °C.

In general, when using weak basic solutions higher temperatures are preferred. When using stronger basic solutions lower temperatures of about 30°C to about 40 °C, for example, are sufficient to achieve the desired effect. Normally a treatment for about 15 min. is enough to achieve the desired effect. Nevertheless, it could be preferred to treat the material for several hours in said solutions, e.g. to achieve additionally a bleaching effect. Generally, that treatment takes not more than 5 hours .

Advantageously sodium hydroxide or another alkaline substance like potassium hydroxide is combined with a detergent for- mulation and/or enzymes to obtain a solution especially useful in the inventive manner.

Besides the effect of altering the structure of bamboo a bleaching of the material is obtained or obtainable at the same time dependent from the ingredients chosen to prepare the solution. Nevertheless, it is possible to use a separate solution for the bleaching, if desired, as described below.

Generally, 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.

Preferably 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.

An important step when manufacturing matches is a treatment/ impregnation of the support material that prevents the matchhead from falling off after burning (treatment to reduce afterglow) . This so-called anti-glow property is a main safety element of the match. Therefore, according to the invention, 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.

In preferred embodiments of the inventive method the solution for this impregnation of bamboo comprises phosphoric acid, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, sodium chloride or potassium chloride. In a particular preferred embodiment the solution comprises about 0.5 to about 2 % (w/v), especially about 1 % (w/v) , of the acid, especially phosphoric acid, in water. Normally the desired anti-glow property of the material is obtained very fast. Dipping times of about 5 to about 15 seconds can be sufficient. In a preferred embodiment the bamboo, especially the splint, is dipped for about 10 seconds in the solution.

In a further preferred embodiment 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.

In a preferred embodiment 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.

If the compounds of the solution for impregnation are water soluble, the washing step could be shorter or could be omitted. Advantageously 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.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention 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. During impregnation 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.

Furthermore, in this context it is preferred to pre-heat the bamboo material before dipping into the impregnation solution. Advantageously 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.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bamboo material, especially the splint or sliver, is dipped into 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. Preferably the material is dipped 10 mm deep in the liquid paraffin. Besides the dipping technique 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. This means adhering an ignitable compound to at least one part of the bamboo material. In a preferred embodiment 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.

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method the bamboo material is warmed during the dipping process for adhering the ignitable part. Advantageously 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.

Besides the described steps of the inventive method 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.

In one preferred embodiment of the inventive method 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.

In a particularly preferred embodiment 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.

In a preferred embodiment 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.

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method 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.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the bamboo material is bleached. By bleaching a uniform colour of the resulting matches is achieved. Thus, the visual appeal is amended. In addition, 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. Nevertheless, it could be preferred to manufacture non-bleached matches or matches only slightly bleached in order to save chemicals and take care of the environment. Furthermore, 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

(caustic soda) is used. Another possibility is to use about 10 to about 25 % solution of hydrogen peroxide in water. In each case about 5 to about 12 vol. % of ammonia solution can be 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.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bleaching of the bamboo is performed simultaneously with the step of treatment, which provides the impregnable structure of the support material (step a) ) . As outlined above 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.

Advantageously 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

3 0 CD 0> rt rt TJ 3 ι_ι. 3 3 CD P- TJ d Mi cn £__ 0 fD 0

3 P| CD M) 3 a cn n CD SD CD rt 3 P- rt £D ft Pi 0 0 £D rt

P- O d • Mi tr P-

0 M P. 0

3 M CD ft) rt fD 3 cn 1 tr •

0 d Φ SD

P- 3 £D 0 3 Ml rt cn fD 3 - tr tr rt £D — . Φ tr O £D rt 0 rt Φ φ Mi n P| l tr Ui rt tr d

Φ Mi 0 CD CD TJ TJ

0 p. p> cn 0 TJ

Ul P- 1 • M 0 d tr yQ 0 tr 0 fD •_ d rt

1 & 0 M cn n P- CD 3

3 Oi Mi P- £D

SD ^yQ 3 0> CD 3 rt

P- £X 3 fD

3 C O- 01 0 M cn CD Mi ^ tr , P-

- cn d 0 H Qi SD

0 p. ^ CD i-. rt • Pi tr P- tr rt o φ TJ CD 0 rt rt Mi

P| rt tr o

CD P- TJ Φ rt tr 0 MI CD cn TJ tr

* 3 CD P CD CD φ

SD 3 M l

CD O rt P- 3 3 φ

SD Mi d rt SD P-

0 rt rt 3 tr SD CD 01 0 Oi

3 cn TJ tr ID rt o TJ CD O

Mi CD 0 p. cn TJ tr

X Mi 0 Φ rt £D TJ £D 0 Ul tr 3 rt p. TJ

Φ TJ tr P- CD CD P- φ £D cn

P- CD rt P-

3 P- CD 3 P- 3

1 P- 3 TJ 3 £D

3 < Mi p. TJ 0-

CD H CD M fD

3 (D yQ CD 1 3 1 ^yQ CD 1

dividual features is claimed individually or in combination with each other.

EXAMPLE

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 .

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. For altering the structure of the material and bleaching in one step 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) solution is made from dissolving 200 grams of sodium hydroxide in 1 litre of water. The dipping time is 2 hours at about 30°C to about 40 °C. Additionally, or as a separate step, hydrogen peroxide could be used for further bleaching. For this 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 (NH₃ 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. Alternatively the splints or slivers are force dried using a dryer with 60° C or above for 2 to 3 hours.

For the treatment of the bamboo material in order to reduce after-glow the splints or slivers are dipped in a solution of 1 % (w/v) phosphoric acid in water for 10 seconds. As an alternative a 20 % (w/v) solution of monoammonium phosphate in water is used. In this case dipping time is 15 minutes.

Following this treatment 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. For impregnation with paraffin 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.

For adhering the ignitable part 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.

Claims

Bamboo matchClaims:

1. Method for manufacturing of matches and the like comprising a support material of bamboo, especially a splint, and an ignitable part, especially a matchhead, comprising the following steps a) treatment of the support material with a suitable agent, providing an impregnable structure of the support material, b) at least one impregnation of the support material and c) adhering the ignitable part to the support material.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that according to step a) the support material is treated with a solution of inorganic bases, especially sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide, and/or with a washing agent, especially a solution of a commercially available detergent, wherein preferably the support material is floated, dipped, showered or sprayed with the solution and/or washing agent.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the solution of inorganic bases is about 10 to about 30% (w/v) inorganic base in water, especially about 20% (w/v) , wherein preferably the solution has a temperature of about 30°C to about 60°C, especially about 30°C to about 40°C.

4. Method according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the solution of a generally available detergent is about 10 to about 90 grams of the detergent per litre water, especially about 30 to about 70 grams per litre, wherein preferably the solution has a temperature of about 30°C to about 100°C, especially of about 50°C to about 90 °C.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that according to step a) the support material is treated for at least about 5 minutes, especially at least about 15 minutes.

6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the impregnation according to step b) includes anti-glow treatment in a solution of at least one acid or salt, wherein preferably said solution is applied to the support material by floating, dipping, showering or spraying.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that said solution comprises at least one of the compounds out of the group comprising phosphoric acid, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

8. Method according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that said solution contains about 0.5 to about 2 %

(w/v) , especially about 1 % (w/v) , of the acid, especially phosphoric acid, in water, wherein preferably treatment is performed by dipping the support material for about 5 to about 15 sec, especially for about 10 sec.

9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8 , characterized in that said solution contains about 5 to about 30 % (w/v) , especially about 20 % (w/v) , of the salt, es- pecially monoammonium phosphate, in water, wherein preferably treatment is performed by dipping the support material for about 10 to about 20 min, especially for about 15 min.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after steps a) and/or b) the support material is washed, in particular washed with water, preferably for about 1/2 to about 2 hours, especially for about 1 hour.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after steps a) and/or b) the support material is dried, preferably after washing according to claim 10.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impregnation according to step b) includes, preferably after the anti-glow treatment according to one of claims 6 to 9 , treatment for flame transfer with paraffin, especially paraffin wax of match/candle grade, wherein preferably the paraffin has a temperature of about 100 °C to about 140 °C, especially of about 120 °C.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for treatment, especially according to claim 12, the support material is pre-heated, preferably pre-heated onto a temperature of about 100 °C to about 140°C, especially onto about 120 °C.

14. Method according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that the support material is dipped into the paraffin, preferably dipped for about 1 to about 10 sec, especially for about 3 to about 5 sec.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adhering the ignitable part according to step c) is performed by dipping the support material into an ignitable mixture.

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for adhering the ignitable part according to step c) the support material is warmed, wherein preferably adhering the ignitable part is performed immediately after impregnation, preferably immediately after the treatment with paraffin.

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before treatment of the support material according to step a) the bamboo, especially the green bamboo, is harvested, preferably converted into splints and dried.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, charac- terized in that before treatment of the support material according to step a) at least one anti-fungal treatment of the support material is performed, wherein preferably the treatment is performed in a mixture comprising unslaked lime, especially a mixture of about 10 to about 30 % (w/v) calcium oxide in water plus about 1 to about

10 % (w/v) sodium borate in water.

19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the anti-fungal treatment is performed for 2 to 5 days, especially for 3 to 4 days.

20. Method according to claim 18 or claim 19, characterized in that the support material is converted into splints after anti-fungal treatment.

21. Method according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that after anti-fungal treatment the support material is washed, in particular washed with water, and dried, wherein preferably washing is performed in water for 2 to 5 days, especially for 3 to 4 days.

22. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to or preferably simultaneously with the treatment of the support material according to step a) at least one bleaching treatment of the support material is performed, wherein preferably the bleaching treatment is performed by sodium hydroxide or hydrogen peroxide, preferably by about 10 to about 30 % (w/v) sodium hydroxide in water, especially about 20 % (w/v) , or by about 10 to about 25 % solution of hydrogen peroxide in water, especially about 15 to about 20 %, plus favourably about 5 to about 12 vol. % of ammonia solution.

23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that said bleaching treatment is performed by floating, dipping, showering or spraying, especially dipping, wherein preferably treatment is performed for about 1 to 3 hours, especially about 2 hours.

24. Method for manufacturing of matches and the like comprising a support material of bamboo, especially a splint, and a matchhead, comprising the following steps a) harvesting of bamboo poles, b) anti-fungal treatment of the bamboo poles, c) conversion of the bamboo poles into splints, d) washing the splints, e) drying the splints, f) treatment of the splints with a suitable agent, providing an impregnable structure of the splints and preferably bleaching of the splints, g) drying the splints, h) treatment to reduce afterglow i) washing the splints, j) drying the splints, k) pre-heating the splints,

1) impregnation of the splints with paraffin and m) adhering the matchhead by dipping the splints into an ignitable mixture.

25. Match and the like comprising a support material and an ignitable part manufactured by a method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 24.

26. Match comprising a support material of bamboo and a matchhead as ignitable part.

27. Match according to claim 26, characterized in that the support material is made impregnable and/or porous.

28. Match according to claim 26 or claim 27, characterized in that it is impregnated to reduce afterglow and/or to permit flame transfer.