NL2029254B1 - Firelighter gel - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is in the field of firelighters. There is provided a firelighter composition, which composition comprises a liquid or a gel having a Viscosity of at least 10 000 mPa-s at a temperature of 20 °C, measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm using spindle 4, and wherein the liquid or gel comprises (i) an emulsion comprising a fuel dispersed in a continuous phase, and/or (ii) a fuel and at least one thickener, wherein the fuel is an apolar fuel.

Description

P13003INLOO

Title: FIRELIGHTER GEL

The invention 1s in the field of firelighters. Firelighters are small quantifies of fuel that are used to start a fire, for instance in barbecue grills, woodstoves, fireplaces or campfires.

Known firelighters are often solid and in the form of a cube, sometimes also referred to as firelighter cubes, are typically made from an oil-in-water emulsion, which is solidified using a urea-formaldehyde-resin, A problem of these firelighters, however, is that they typically contain a small amount of free formaldehyde which is unwanted because of its harmful and toxic properties.

Other types of firelighter cubes are made of wood fibres, impregnated with a fuel. However, a downside of firelighters made of wood fibres is that the calorific value of wood is relatively low, meaning that the firelighter cubes are less effective, and many firelighter cubes have to be used to properly light a fire.

It is also possible to start fires using flammable Liquids. However, a problem of using flammable liquids is that such liquids can flow out of the enclosure where they are used to start a fire, which can lead to dangerous situations,

It is an object of the present invention to provide firelighter compositions and firelighters that alleviate one or more of the problems associated with known firelighters. It 1s also an object of the invention to provide firelighters that are safe and/or less toxic than known firelighters.

Another object of the invention is to provide frelighters with a high calorific value.

The inventors found that one or more of these objects can, at least partly, be met by a viscous composition that hardly deliquesces upon ignition.

Therefore, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a firelighter composition, which composition comprises a liquid or a gel having a viscosity of at least 10 000 mPa:s af a temperature of 20 °C, measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm using spindle 4, and wherein the liquid or gel comprises (1) an emulsion comprising a fuel dispersed in a continuous phase, and/or (i1} a fuel and at least one thickener, wherein the fuel is an apolar fuel.

An emulsion comprising a fuel dispersed in a continuous phase, and an apolar fuel with at least one thickener can both be used to provide a

Hquid or gel with the desired flow properties.

Because of the high viscosity of the liquid or gel, the firelighter composition does not flow excessively when the firelighter composition 1s Lig, thereby avoiding dangerous situations.

According to another aspect of the invention, there 1s provided a firelighter comprising a firelighter composition as described herein.

There 13 also provided the use of an emulsion of an apolar fuel in glycerol as a firelighter composition. ‘Firelighter composition’, as used herein, refers to a composition that can be ignited, and that can be used for lighting a fire, for instance in grills, stoves, fireplaces, ete. In general, firelighter compositions are available In many forms, such as solids, gels or hquids, Liquid or gel firelighter compositions can for instance be packaged in a bottle, from which portions of firelighter compositions can be dispensed, ‘Firelighter’, as used herein, refers to a single portion of firelighter composition, which portion is typically burned in its entirety in order to light a stove, grill, barbecue, or fireplace. Known firelighters are often solid, and can for instance be packaged individually, or as a larger block of firelighter composition, from which smaller individual firelighters cubes can be broken off, for instance In the case of wood fibre firelighters. As used herein, firelighter can also refer to a single portion firelighter composition in the form of a gel or a liquid, which single portion can be packaged individually and burned including its packaging.

For safety reasons, it is desired that the firelighter composition according to the invention does not flow excessively when lit. Therefore, the firelighter composition may comprise a liquid or a gel having a high viscosity, Preferably, the viscosity of the liquid or gel is 10 000 mPa's or higher, measured at 20 °C using a Brookfield viscometer at 8 rpm using spindle 4, More preferably, the viscosity of the lguid or gel at 20 °C is 20 000 mPa-s or higher, 30 000 mPa-s or higher, or even 40 000 mPa-s or higher. The viscosity of the liquid or gel at 20 °C may be as high as 1 000 000 mPa-s, or even higher. For instance, the viscosity of the liquid or gel at 20 °C 1s in the range of 25 000 — 500 000 mPa-s, or 35 000 — 100 000 mPa's,

When the firelighter composition is lit, flames will light up just 18 above the surface of the firelighter composition. Although the hulk of the firelighter composition tends to stay relatively cool when flames are present on the surface of the firelighter composition, the firelighter composition close to the surface can warm up. In order to further prevent excessive deliguescence upon ignition, it is preferred that the firelighter composition stays viscous when it warms up as a result of being lit, for instance to a temperature of 50 °C, or to 75 °C, aor even 100 °C.

Therefore, the viscosity of the firelighter composition is preferably also high at higher temperatures. When the firelighter composition is lit, the temperature of the liquid or gel of the firelighter composition will increase, This Increase in temperature could lead to a decrease in viscosity, especially in cases where constituents of the firelighter composition are close to their melting point or glass-fransition temperature at lower temperatures. Such a decrease in viscosity at higher temperatures is undesired. Therefore, the viscosity of the liquid or gel is preferably 10 000 mPas or higher, measured at 50 °C using a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm using spindle 4. More preferably, the viscosity of the hquid or gel at

50 °C 15 20 000 mPa:s or higher, 30 000 mPa-s or higher, or 35 000 mPa-s or higher. The viscosity of the liquid or gel at 50 °C may be as high as 1 000 000 mPa-s, or even higher. For instance, the viscosity of the liquid or gel at 50 °C may be in the range of 25 000 — 500 000 mPa-s, or 35000 — 100 000 mPa-s.

When measured at 75 °C, the viscosity of the liquid or gel is preferably 10 000 mPa-s or higher, measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm using spindle 4. More preferably, the viscosity of the liquid or gel at 75 °C is 15 000 mPa» or higher, 20 000 mPa s or higher, or 22 000 mPa-s or higher. The viscosity of the liquid or gel at 75 °C may be as high as 1 000 000 mPa-s, or even higher. For instance, the viscosity of the liquid or gel at 75 °C may be in the range of 10 000 — 100 000 mPa:s, or 000 — 50 000 mPas.

When measured at 100 °C, the viscosity of the liquid or gel 18 18 preferably 1 000 mPa:s or higher, measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm using spindle 4. More preferably, the viscosity of the liquid or gel at 100 °C 1s 1 200 mPa-s or higher, 1400 mPa s or higher, or 1600 mPa:s or higher. The viscosity of the liquid or gel at 100 °C may be as high as 100 000 mPa-s, or even higher, For instance, the viscosity of the liquid or gel 20 at 100 °C may be in the range of 1000 — 20 000 mPa-s, or 1500 — 10 000 mPa-s.

In embodiments, the desired viscosity of the firelighter composition at low and high temperatures Is achieved by providing an emulsion of two immiscible phases. Specifically, the emulsion may be an emulsion of an apolar fuel in a polar phase. In principle, emulsions comprising a polar fuel in an apolar phase are also possible. However, polar fuels typically have a lower heat of combustion than apolar fuels. Therefore, emulsions of an apolar fuel in a polar phase are preferred. Herembelow, embodiments in which the emulsion comprises an apolar fuel m a polar phase are described. If should be appreciated by the skilled person that preferred parameters described below for the polar continuous phase (e.g.

H low volatility) may alsa apply for an apolar continuous phase in case of an emulsion comprising a polar fuel in an apolar phase. Similarly, preferred parameters for the apolar fuel (e.g. high heat of combustion) may also apply for a polar fuel in case of an emulsion comprising a polar fuel in an apolar phase.

Many different apolar fuels are suitable for as fuel in the firelighter composition according to the invention. For instance, the apolar fuel may comprise a hydrocarbon mixture, Additionally or alternatively, the apolar fuel may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of paraffin oil, mineral oil, diesel, biodiesel, vegetable oils, petrol, naphtha, kerosene, and paraffin wax.

Suitable polar phases may comprise water, alcohols (such as mono-0ls, diols and triols) or combinations thereof. For instance, water, propylene glycol, glycerol, and mixtures thereof can be used as polar phase of the emulsion. Particularly good results have been obtained for polar phase comprising glycerol. Without wishing fo be bound by theory, the mventors believe that the fact that glycerol evaporates slowly, i.e, has a low volatility, is the reason that giycerol is particularly suitable as polar phase of the emulsion, This means that the emulsion can remain stable, even when the firelighter composition is stored for long periods of time. As there generally is a positive correlation between volatility and vapour pressure of a material, the polar phase of the emulsion preferably has a low vapour pressure, The vapour pressure of the polar phase at a temperature of 20 °C may be 1 kPa or lower, preferably 100 Pa or lower, even more preferably 50

Pa or lower, such as 20 Pa or lower. The vapour pressure of the polar phase at a temperature of 20 ° may be as low as 0.0010 Pa or even lower, for instance 0.005-10 Pa or 0.01-1 Pa.

Another advantage of glycerol is that 1s has a high calorific value and a high viscosity. The most important factor that determines the viscosity of emulsions is steric hindrance. Therefore, the viscosity of the emulsion increases when the volume fraction of the dispersed apolar phase is Increased. Another factor that has an influence on the viscosity of the emulsion, albeit less than the steric hindrance, 1s the viscosity of the polar phase. If the polar phase is more viscous, the viscosity of the firelighter composition will also be higher. Also, high viscosity is generally correlated with low volatility. Therefore, the polar phase of the emulsion preferably has a viscosity of 500 mPa-s or higher, measured at 20 °C using a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm using spindle 4, preferably 1000 mPa:s or higher.

Although polar phases comprising water are in principle suitable for making emulsions, it is preferred that the amount of water in the liguid or gel is 20 wt.% or less relative to the total weight of the hquid or gel, preferably 15 wt.% or less, more preferably 10 wt. % or less, such as 5 wt.% or less, or 0.1-3 wt.%. The more water is present in the emulsion, the more difficult it becomes to light the firelighter composition or the firelighter. In addition, if too much water 1s present, 1£ might result in sputiering of the emulsion when being lit, which could lead to dangerous situations. Another downside of using too much water, specifically in combination with certain packaging materials such as polyesters, is that water might permeate through the polvester packaging, which may resulting in a less stable emulsion,

Preferably, the apolar fuel has a high heat of combustion, because this will result In an effective and efficient firelighter composition or firelighter. Preferably, the apolar fuel has a higher heating value of 30

Md/kg or higher, preferably 35 Md/kg or higher, even more preferably 40

MdJ/kg or higher.

Analogously, it is also preferred that the polar phase of the emulsion has a high heat of combustion, If the polar phase of the emulsion has a high heat of combustion, it does not only contribute to the properties of the emulsion in terms of rheology and/or viscosity, but it also contributes to the heat of combustion of the firelighter composition. Good results have heen obtained with glycerol, which has both a high viscosity and a relatively high heat of combustion. As a measure for heat of combustion of a material,

the higher heating value, also known as the gross calorific value can be used, or the lower heating value, also known as the net calorific value. In this disclosure, unless indicated otherwise, the higher heating value is used as measure for the heat of combustion. Preferably, the polar phase has a higher heating value of 5 MJ/kg or higher, more preferably 10 Md/kg or higher, even more preferably 15 MJ/kg or higher.

For the emulsion, it 1s preferred that the weight ratio of polar phase : apolar fuel is from 1: 1 to 1: 10, preferably from 1: 2 to 1: 8, more preferably from 1: 2.5 to 1: 5. If the weight ratio is too high, 2.e., if the weight of polar continuous phase is too high relative to the weight of the dispersed apolar fuel phase, for instance above 1 : 1, the viscosity of the emulsion may nat be high enough, and the heat of combustion may also become too low to achieve an effective firelighter of firelighter composition.

If the weight ratio 1s too low, i.e., if the weight of polar continuous phase 1s 18 too low relative fo the weight of the dispersed apolar fuel phase, for instance below 1 : 10, the emulsion can become unstable. Preferably, the weight ratio of polar phase : apolar fuel 1s from 1: 2 to 1: 8. Particularly stable emulsions can be achieved when the weight ratio of polar phase : apolar fuel isfrom1:25%01:35,

Alternatively to providing an emulsion, there are also other possible approaches for providing firelighter composition comprising a hquid or gel with the desired viscosity. For instance, the viscosity of an apolar fuel can also be increased using viscosity modifiers, sometimes also referred to as thickeners. Examples of suitable viscosity modifiers that can be added to an apolar fuel in order to provide a firelighter composition comprising a tiquid or gel with the desired viscosity include polymeric oil thickeners, which can be obtained commercially.

In case the firelighter composition comprises an emulsion, one or more emulsifiers are preferably added in order to stabilize the emulsion. A wide range of different emulsifiers or combinations of emulsifiers can be applied. Suitable emulsifiers include soaps, anionic emulsifiers, non-1onic emulsifiers, amphoteric surfactants, or combinations thereof. Specifically, one or more alkyl sulphates and/or alkyl ether sulphates may be used as emulsifiers. For example, sodium laureth sulphate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulphate, and combinations thereof are suitable emulsifiers,

Preferably, the total amount of emulsifiers 1s 0.1-10 %, relative to the total weight of the emulsion, more preferably 0.5-5 %, such as 1-4 %, such as 2-8 %. In view of governmental regulations, for instance the requirement to mention the presence of additives on the packaging if their weight fraction exceeds a certain threshold value, it can be beneficial to use a combination of multiple emulsifiers, in order to keep the amount of each individual emulsifier below that threshold.

For safety reasons, and because compositions with a low flash point typically need to be labelled as flammable or highly flammable, the firelighter composition preferably has a flash point of 60 °C or higher. 18 Another reason why firelighter compositions with a higher flash point are preferred is that compositions with a low flash point typically also have a low calorific value. However, firelighter compositions according to the invention with a flash point of lower than 60 °C may also be suitable for effectively Hghting a fire.

In case the firelighter composition according to the invention comprises an emulsion, such an emulsion can be prepared by providing the polar phase, and slowly adding the apolar fuel under vigorous stirring, until a stable emulsion is formed. After enough of the apolar fuel is added in order to achieve a stable emulsion, remaining apolar fuel can be added more quickly if needed, In case emulsifiers are used, these emulsifiers can for instance be mixed in the polar phase prior to addition of the apolar fuel.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a firelighter comprising a fivelighter composition as described herein.

Because the firelighter composition as described herein comprises aliquid or a gel, the firelighter preferably comprises packaging to ensure that the firelighfer, or individual portion of firelighter composition, is kept together. A particularly suitable option for packaging is a pouch.

For lighting a fire, one or more firelighters can be placed in the vicinity of the fuel that should eventually be iit, such as wood, charcoal, and/or briquettes. Advantageously, the firelighter comprising a firelighter composition as described herein can be lit in its entirety, i.e, including its packaging.

Firelighters in which the volume of the liquid or gel contained by the packaging is 1-100 em3, preferably 5-25 cm3, are convenient In terms of size and ease of handling. Smaller firelighters may be ineffective, because they might not provide enough heat to start a fire, and larger firelighters may be difficult to handle. Larger firelighters may also be inefficient, because they can lead to more firelighter composition heing used than would be necessary to start a fire.

The material for the packaging can be selected based on the properties of the contents. The packaging is preferably not easily permeable, or more preferably impermeable by the gel or liquid. Suitable materials for such a layer include thermoplastic materials, such as polyolefing and polyesters, Another advantage of thermoplastic materials is that they are typically heat-sealable. The thickness of the packaging may influence the permeability of the contents, Preferably, the packaging comprises a layer of thermoplastic material having a thickness of 10 pm or more, more preferably 20 pm or more, If the layer is too thin, the packaging or pouch might not have the desired degree of impermeability, However, if the layer is too thick, 1t might negatively impact the burning properties and/or the production costs of the firelighter, For instance, the thermoplastic layer may have a thickness of 15-500 um, or 20-100 um.

Another preferred quality of the packaging is that it can be lit easily. This 1s for instance the case when the packaging or pouch comprises paper on the outside. A paper layer may also impart the firelighter with structural strength. In order to impart the firelighter with structural strength, the paper laver preferably has a grammage of 40 g/m? or more, preferably 80 g/m? or more, for instance 60-200 g/m?. A paper outer layer also provides the firelighter with an attractive and natural appearance.

In specific embodiments, the packaging or pouch of the firelighter comprises a polyester layer, surrounded by a paper layer.

The shape of the packaging or pouch is not particularly limited.

For example, the firelighter can have the shape of a cube, a cuboid, a disk, or a sphere, among others.

The burning properties of the firelighter according to the invention may be influenced by its shape, For instance, in some cases, it is preferred that the firelighter burns In a controlled manner, for instance along a specific direction. This may be achieved by providing a firelighter, wherein the packaging or pouch has an elongation direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, all of whieh directions are 18 perpendicular to each other, and wherein the length of the pouch along the elongation direction 1s longer than the length of the pouch along the width direction and along the thickness direction.

Alternatively, the pouch may have two elongation directions that are perpendicular to each other and a thickness direction that is perpendicular to both elongation directions, wherein the length of the pouch along the two elongation directions is longer than the length of the pouch along the thickness direction, The length of the pouch along the two different elongation directions may be the same or different.

When such a package or pouch having one or more elongation direction is lit on one end of an elongation direction, the firelighter will have the tendency to burn along that elongation direction.

For instance, the length of the pouch in an elongation direction may be 1.2-3 times longer, or 1.5-2 times longer than the length of the pouch in the width and/or thickness directions.

In embodiments, the packaging or pouch of the firelighter as described herein defines a volume, which volume approximately has the shape of a tetrahedron, preferably an isosceles tetrahedron.

A pouch or packaging with such a shape may for instance be achieved by heat sealing both openings of a packaging film having a hollow tubular shape. Heat sealing of a first opening of such a hollow tubular film results in an edge. which represents one of the edges of the approximate tetrahedron shape. If the second opening of the hollow tubular film is sealed along a direction perpendicular to the axis along which the first opening of the hollow tubular film is sealed, the resulting pouch defines a volume which volume approximately has the shape of a tetrahedron. 1£ will be understood that such an approximate tetrahedron shape will typically not have perfectly defined edges. Specifically, the heat sealed edges of the approximate tetrahedron shape may have a flat section, whereas the remaining edges of the pouch will likely be more rounded. This will also result in the faces of the approximate tetrahedron shape not being entirely flat.

Firelighters according to the invention can for instance be produced by providing one or more portions of firelighter composition in a hollow tubular film. The hollow tubular film may comprise an inner layer of a thermoplastic material, e.g. polyethylene and/or an outer layer of paper.

After providing the portion of firelighter composition in the hollow tubular film, the firelighters can be produced by heat sealing the hollow tubular film on opposite sides of each of the one or more single portions of firelighter composition. If this process results in individual firelighters being attached to each other, these firelighters can be separated, for instance by means of cutting, or by providing a perforated line, which can be torn by a consumer.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that the pouch having an approximate tetrahedron shape has good burning properties, because of the surface-to-volume ratio of this particular shape.

Furthermore, such a pouch, when laying on one of its four faces, will typically expose the remaining three faces to oxygen and/or the fuel that should eventually be lit (e.g. wood, charcoal, or briquettes), resulting in an effective firelighter.

The firelighter composition and the firelighter described herein can be used to start a fire in a number of different ways. For Instance, a packaged firelighter can be placed in contact with or in close proximity of another fuel (i.e, different from the apolar fuel of the firelighter composition} that should eventually be lit {e.g. wood, charcoal, or briquettes}, and subsequently ignited, It is also possible to ignite the firelighter, and subsequently place it in contact with or in close proximity of another fuel. In case the firelighter has one or more elongation directions, the firelighter can be ignited on one end of these one or more elongation directions, result in burning of the firelighter along the one or more elongation directions. i5 In case the firelighter composition is not packaged as an individual portion, the composition may be dispensed (e.g. poured) onto a desired surface from a bottle or container and subsequently ignited.

Another method of using the firelighter composition is to provide a heat-resistant container with an opening in the top, for instance a metal can, which contains the firelighter composition, and lighting the firelighter composition inside the container. Such a container containing firelighter composition can for instance be placed under a surface that is used to keep food warm, such as a chafing dish or fondue pot.

The invention has been described by reference to various embodiments, and methods. The skilled person understands that features of various embodiments and methods can be combined with each other.

All references cited herein are hereby completely incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth 1n its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention {especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including” and “containing” are to be consirued as open-ended terms (Le. meaning “including, but not limited to”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value Is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein, The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, 1s intended merely to better illuminate the wmvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as 18 indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the mvention. For the purpose of the description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Also, all ranges include any combination of the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated heren.

When referring to a noun in the singular, the plural is meant to be included. or it follows from the context that it should refer to the singular only.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein.

Variation of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The imventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the mventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject-matter recited In the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof 1s encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the Invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

The Invention will now be further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

Example 1

An emulsion consisting of 72.5 % apolar fuel, 20.75 % glycerol, 0,98 % sodium laureth sulfate in 2.52 % water, and 0.95 % monoethanolamme lauryl sulfate in 2.3 % water was prepared (all percentages are percentages relative to the total weight of the emulsion).

The apolar fuel was a commercially available mixture of C10-C14 hydrocarbons, containing n-alkanes, 1soalkanes, cyclies, and <2 % aromatics.

The emulsion was prepared by mixing the glycerol, the sodium laureth sulphate in water, and the monoethanolamine lauryl sulphate in water, followed by slowly adding the apolar fuel under vigorous stirring, until a stable emulsion was formed. After enough apolar fuel was added in order to achieve a stable emulsion, the remaining apolar fuel was added more quickly.

The viscosity of the resulting emulsion was measured at different temperatures, using a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm using spindle 4. The measured viscosities are listed in table 1.

Table 1. Viscosity of the emulsion at different temperatures

Temperature {°C} Viscosity (mPa:s} 75 24470

Firelighters were produced by packaging portions of ca. 10 gram of the emulsion in a pouch approximately having the shape of an isosceles tetrahedron, which shape was achieved by heat sealing both ends of a hollow tubular film having an inner layer of polyethylene {ca. 25 um thick) and an outer layer of paper (80 g/m2), The two heat sealed edges were approximately 4 cm long, and the remaining four edges of the tetrahedron were approximately 6 cm long.

Example 2

Firelighters were made in the same way as described in example 1, with the difference that 82.5 wt.% apolar fuel and 10.75 wi.% glycerol was used instead of 72.5 wt.% apolar fuel and 20.75 wt.% of glycerol.

Example 3

Firelighters were made in the same way as described in example 1, with the difference that propylene giycol was used instead of glveerol,

Example 4

Firelighters were made in the same way as described in example 1, with the difference that water was used instead of glycerol.

Example §

Some firelighters of examples 1-4 were ht directly after production, and others were lit 6 months after production.

Directly after production, the firelighters of examples 1 and 2 easily caught fire when ht, whereas the firelighters of examples 3 and 4 were more difficult to light. The emulsion of the firelighter of example 1 flowed the least after being lit, whereas the flowing properties of examples 2-4 were also acceptable, but not as good as example 1. The firelighter of example 4 exhibited sputtering after being lit.

When lit 6 months after production, the firelighters of examples 1-3 showed the same behaviour compared to the firelighters that were lit directly after production. The firelighter of example 4 flowed mare compared to directly after production. This was probably caused by water evaporating and permeating through the polvethylene layer in the months after production of the firelighter, resulting In an unstable emulsion, which negatively affected the viscosity of the emulsion.

Claims (20)

ConclusiesConclusions 1. Aanmaaksamenstelling, welke samenstelling een vloeistof of een gel met een viscositeit van ten minste 10.000 mPas bij een temperatuur van 20 °C omvat, gemeten met een Brookfield viscometer bij 3 rpm met spindel 4, en waarbij de vloeistof of gel omvat (1) een emulsie omvattende een brandstof gedispergeerd in een continue fase, en/of (i1) een brandstof en ten minste één verdikkingsmiddel, waarbij de brandstof een apolaire brandstof is.A mixing composition, which composition comprises a liquid or a gel with a viscosity of at least 10,000 mPas at a temperature of 20°C, measured with a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm with spindle 4, and wherein the liquid or gel comprises (1) an emulsion comprising a fuel dispersed in a continuous phase, and/or (i1) a fuel and at least one thickener, the fuel being an apolar fuel. 2. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de brandstof een hogere verhittingswaarde heeft van 30 MJ/kg of hoger, bij voorkeur 35 MJ/kg of hoger, bij nog meer voorkeur 40 MJ/kg of hoger.The lighting composition according to claim 1, wherein the fuel has a higher heating value of 30 MJ/kg or higher, preferably 35 MJ/kg or higher, even more preferably 40 MJ/kg or higher. 3. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de brandstof één of meer omvat gekozen uit de groep bestaande uit koolwaterstofmengsel, paraffine olie, minerale olie, diesel, biodiesel, plantaardige oliën, benzine, nafta, kerosine, en paraffinewas.The lighting composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon mixture, paraffin oil, mineral oil, diesel, biodiesel, vegetable oils, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, and paraffin wax. 4. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de vloeistof of gel een viscositeit heeft van 20.000 mPa:s of hoger, gemeten bij een temperatuur van 20 °C met een Brookfield viscometer bij 3 rpm met spindel 4, bij voorkeur 30.000 mPa-s of hoger, bij meer voorkeurThe mixing composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid or gel has a viscosity of 20,000 mPa:s or higher, measured at a temperature of 20°C with a Brookfield viscometer at 3 rpm with spindle 4, preferably 30,000 mPa: s or higher, more preferably 40.000 mPas of hoger.40,000 mPas or higher. 5. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de vloeistof of gel een emulsie van een apolaire brandstof in een polaire fase omvat.A starter composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid or gel comprises an emulsion of an apolar fuel in a polar phase. 6. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens conclusie 5, waarbij de polaire fase een dampspanning van 1 kPa of lager heeft bij een temperatuur van 20 °C, bij voorkeur 100 Pa of lager, bij meer voorkeur 20 Pa of lager.The starter composition according to claim 5, wherein the polar phase has a vapor pressure of 1 kPa or less at a temperature of 20°C, preferably 100 Pa or less, more preferably 20 Pa or less. 7. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens conclusie 5 of 6, waarbij de polaire fase glycerol omvat.The reconstituting composition according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the polar phase comprises glycerol. 8. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens één van de conclusies 5-7, waarbij de vloeistof of gel verder één of meer emulgatoren en/of viscositeitsregelaars omvat.The mixing composition according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein the liquid or gel further comprises one or more emulsifiers and/or viscosity regulators. 9. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens conclusie 8, waarbij de één of meer emulgatoren zijn gekozen uit de groep bestaande uit zepen, anionische emulgatoren, nonionische emulgatoren, amfotere oppervlakteactieve stoffen, of combinaties daarvan.The mixing composition of claim 8, wherein the one or more emulsifiers are selected from the group consisting of soaps, anionic emulsifiers, nonionic emulsifiers, amphoteric surfactants, or combinations thereof. 10. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens één van de conclusies 5-9, waarbij de verhouding van polaire fase : apolaire brandstof tussen 1: 1 en 1: 10 1s, bij voorkeur tussen 1: 2 en 1: 8, bij meer voorkeur tussen 1: 2,5 en 1: 5.A starter composition according to any one of claims 5-9, wherein the ratio of polar phase : apolar fuel is between 1:1 and 1:10 1s, preferably between 1:2 and 1:8, more preferably between 1:2, 5 and 1:5. 11. Aanmaaksamenstelling volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de hoeveelheid aan water in de vloeistof of gel 20 % of minder is ten opzichte van het totale gewicht van de vloeistof of gel, bij voorkeur 15 % of minder, bij meer voorkeur 10 % of minder.The mixing composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of water in the liquid or gel is 20% or less relative to the total weight of the liquid or gel, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or fewer. 12. Aanmaakmiddel omvattende een aanmaaksamenstelling volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies.A lighting agent comprising a lighting composition according to any one of the preceding claims. 13. Aanmaakmiddel volgens conclusie 12, waarbij de vloeistof of gel in een zak zit.A lighter as claimed in claim 12, wherein the liquid or gel is contained in a bag. 14. Aanmaakmiddel volgens conclusie 13, waarbij de zak een laag omvat die ondoordringbaar is door de gel of vloeistof.A lighter as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bag comprises a layer which is impermeable to the gel or liquid. 15. Aanmaakmiddel volgens conclusie 13 of 14, waarbij het volume van de vloeistof of gel die in de zak zit 1-100 cm? is, bij voorkeur 5-25 cm?.A lighter according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the volume of the liquid or gel contained in the bag is 1-100 cm? is, preferably 5-25 cm?. 16. Aanmaakmiddel volgens één van de conclusies 13-15, waarbij de zak een rekrichting, een breedterichting en een dikterichting heeft, al die richtingen haaks op elkaar staan, en waarbij de lengte van de zak in de rekrichting langer is dan de lengte van de zak in de breedterichting en in de dikterichting.A starter according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein the bag has a stretch direction, a width direction and a thickness direction, all of these directions being at right angles to each other, and wherein the length of the bag in the stretch direction is longer than the length of the bag in the width direction and in the thickness direction. 17. Aanmaakmiddel volgens één van de conclusies 13-15, waarbij de zak twee rekrichtingen heeft die haaks op elkaar staan en een dikterichting die haaks staat op beide rekrichtingen, waarbij de lengte van de zak langs de twee rekrichtingen langer is dan de lengte van de zak langs de dikterichting.A lighter according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein the bag has two stretch directions at right angles to each other and a thickness direction at right angles to both stretch directions, the length of the bag along the two stretch directions being longer than the length of the pocket along the thickness direction. 18. Aanmaakmiddel volgens één van de conclusies 13-16, waarbij de zak een volume definieert dat ongeveer de vorm heeft van een tetraëder, bij voorkeur een gelijkbenige tetraëder.A lighter according to any one of claims 13-16, wherein the bag defines a volume approximately in the shape of a tetrahedron, preferably an isosceles tetrahedron. 19. Aanmaakmiddel volgens conclusie 18, waarbij één of meer ribben van de tetraëder zijn afgerond. The kindling means of claim 18, wherein one or more ribs of the tetrahedron are rounded. 20 Toepassing van een emulsie van een apolaire brandstof in een polaire fase omvattende glycerol als een aanmaaksamenstelling. - JUse of an emulsion of an apolar fuel in a polar phase comprising glycerol as a starting composition. - J