Abstract:
A combustible fuel article includes a base formed of vegetable wax in a plurality of cardboard strips disposed partially within the base and extending outside of the base. When the cardboard strips are ignited, they burn down to the wax base and the wax base provides additional fuel for the wood fire wall burning at a slower rate than the cardboard strips. The combustible fuel article is an all-natural fire starter that is free of petroleum-based products or dangerous chemicals. Methods of manufacturing and using the combustible fuel article are also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an all-natural fire starter with improved burning properties and methods of manufacture in using the same. 
         [0002]    Convenient, easy to light fire starters are known. Typically, such fire starters include large quantities of flammable petroleum-based products. Examples include gasoline, charcoal starter, and like petroleum-based products. These fire starters can be highly volatile and dangerous to use. Also, petroleum-based materials, such as petroleum-based wax, can create unpleasant odors when burned. 
         [0003]    Other prior art fire starters may contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and arsenic, which are unhealthy for living organisms. It is preferable to avoid the use of such chemicals for health reasons. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for an all-natural fire starter which avoids the use of petroleum and harmful chemical products, is easy to light and which is also aesthetically appealing. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the deficiencies and problems with prior art fire starters, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve upon the state of the art. 
         [0006]    Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide an all-natural fire starter that avoids the use of petroleum-based products. 
         [0007]    Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide a fire starter that is easy and safe to use. 
         [0008]    Yet another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide a fire starter that is aesthetically pleasing and friendly to the environment. 
         [0009]    Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method of starting wood fires that kames use of natural and recycled products. 
         [0010]    A still further object, feature or advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method of manufacturing an all-natural fire starter. 
         [0011]    One or more of these and or other objects, features or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. 
         [0012]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a combustible fuel article is provided for use as a natural fire starter which includes a base formed of vegetable wax and a plurality of cardboard strips disposed partially within the base and extending outside of the base. In a preferred form, the vegetable wax is soybean wax and the cardboard strips are made of recycled cardboard. Fragrances and scented oils may also be added to the wax base. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of starting a wood fire that obviates the need for flammable petroleum-based products is provided. The method includes using a plurality of wood pieces and a natural combustible fuel article having a base formed of vegetable wax and a plurality of cardboard strips disposed partially within the base and extending outside of the base. The combustible fuel article is placed near the plurality of wood pieces, and the cardboard strips are ignited to start the fire. The plurality of cardboard strips burn down to the wax base and the wax base provides additional fuel for the wood fire while burning at a slower rate than the cardboard strips. 
         [0014]    Another aspect of the invention includes a method of manufacturing a combustible fuel article comprising a base of vegetable wax in a plurality of cardboard strips. The vegetable wax is heated to liquefy the wax. The liquefied vegetable wax is then placed in the mold. The plurality of cardboard strips are disposed partially into the wax of the mold. The wax is allowed to cool and solidify to bind together the cardboard strips. Once the wax has solidified, the wax base can be removed from the mold, resulting in the completed combustible fuel article ready for use. In a preferred form of the invention, the vegetable wax is soy wax and the cardboard is recycled cardboard. Again, a fragrance or scented oil can be added to the wax while liquefied to provide the desired effect. A color for the wax base can also be selected. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a combustible fuel article of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the combustible fuel article taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view, illustrating a preferred method of manufacturing the preferred combustible fuel article of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a pictorial view, illustrating a preferred method of using the combustible fuel article as a fire starter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    The present invention is now described with respect to various embodiments. It is to be understood that what is described herein need not limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Those in the field having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that the present invention has wide application. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the combustible fuel article  10  of the present invention. The combustible fuel article  10  includes a base  12  of vegetable wax and a plurality of cardboard strips  14  extending partially within the wax base  12  and extending outside of the wax base. The wax base  12  binds the cardboard strips  14  together, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0021]    Although various types of cardboard can be used, recycled cardboard is preferred because of its eco-friendly attributes. The cardboard strips  14  are preferably made from a double-wall or single-wall cardboard that is not waxed or treated in any way. The cardboard should also be kept dry and reasonably clean with no previous exposure to food or oil, such as may be present using recycled cardboard from the restaurant industry. 
         [0022]    To form the cardboard strips  14 , large pieces of cardboard are cut on a combo cross-cut industrial cardboard shredder. Care should be taken to cut the cardboard with the grain of the cardboard so as to preserve the fluting of the cardboard. This helps maintain the strength and resiliency of the cardboard. The grain of the cardboard can be determined with reference to the ribs or corrugation in the cardboard. Although the specific size of the cardboard strips  12  may vary from application to application, cardboard strips having the dimensions ⅛″×⅛′×4″ have been found suitable for use for most applications. A sufficient length of the cardboard strip  14  should extend beyond the wax base  12  to ensure that the combustible fuel article  10  can be easily lit and the fire sustained until the wax base  12  begins to burn. Having approximately 3.5 inches of the cardboard strip  14  extending beyond the wax base  12  has been found suitable. 
         [0023]    Various types of vegetable waxes can be used for the wax base  12 . However, pillar and votive soy wax is preferred because of the hardness of the wax. As with the cardboard strips  14 , the size of the wax base  12  can vary, depending upon the specific fuel needs of the application. However, a base having a height of approximately 1.5 inches and a diameter of approximately 1 inch has been found suitable for most applications. The preferred embodiment of the combustible fuel article  10  in  FIG. 1  is shown with a base  12  formed as a circular cylinder. The base  12  can take on a solid rectangular or other shape as may be preferable for aesthetic purposes. 
         [0024]    Following is a description of the preferred method of manufacturing the combustible fuel article  10  in  FIG. 1 . First, the soy wax is heated until it becomes liquefied. The liquefied wax is then poured into a mold  16  to form the base  12 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . If fragrances, essential oils or other scented oils are used, they are preferably added while the wax is liquefied and before it is poured into the mold  16 . A colorant can also be added at the same time. 
         [0025]    With the wax still in a liquid state in the mold  16 , the cardboard strips  14  are added to the mold  16 . The amount and number of cardboard strips  14  used for each mold  16  is relevant to the size and shape of the mold. The cardboard strips  14  should extend outside of the mold  16 , above the top surface of the wax base  12 . The wax base  12  is then allowed to cool and solidify. Once the wax base  12  has solidified, the combustible fuel article  10  is taken out of the mold  16 . The resulting finished product is a combustible fuel article  10  having a solid wax base  12  from which cardboard (preferably shredded) protrudes out of it. Notably, the wax binds the cardboard strips  14  together into a shape and provides a base  12  for the combustible fuel article  10  that sustains the burning process, providing additional fuel and burning at a slower rate than the cardboard strips  14 . 
         [0026]    To use the combustible fuel article  10  as a fire starter, the user puts the article  10  next to kindling and wood. The combustible fuel article  10  preferably should be leaned against, lying next to or between the wood pieces or fire logs. For best results, the combustible fuel article  10  should be angled approximately 45° to 60° from horizontal with cardboard strips positioned beneath the wax base  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4  where the combustible fuel article  10  is shown with wood pieces  18 . This orientation provides a better ignition and a better burning sequence of the combustible fuel article  10 . The wood should include small pieces, such as pieces of kindling. The protruding portions of the cardboard strips  14  are ignited with fire by a match or other lighter. The cardboard strips  14  catch on fire and continue to burn. As the cardboard strips  14  burn, they start on fire the remainder of the wood intended to burn. The wax base  12  eventually becomes ignited and actually sustains the fire long enough to allow the neighboring wood to catch on fire. 
         [0027]    Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that the exemplary combustible fuel article  10  described herein provides a natural and earth friendly product, which can make use of renewable vegetable material, such as soybean wax, and recycled cardboard material. No additional harmful chemicals need be added to create the product, and no carbon monoxide or toxic fumes are released into the environment when the combustible fuel article  10  burns. 
         [0028]    The combustible fuel article  10  can be used in a dwelling in a fire burning fireplace or wood stove that vents to the outside. It can also be used outdoors in fireplaces, campfires, bonfires, firepits, chimnerias and the like. 
         [0029]    The present invention has been disclosed, including its various aspects relating to a new combustible fuel article and methods of manufacturer and use thereof. The present invention contemplates numerous options, variations, and alternatives, and should not be limited to the details of the embodiments set forth herein.