Hydrocarbon-free, non-polymeric formulations and articles

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising blends of at least one triglyceride; at least one fatty acid; and at least one fatty acid derivative, whereby said compositions exhibit improved processing and flame/burn characteristics. The compositions may, optionally, further comprise fillers, extenders, modifiers, binders, flame and article colorants, and perfumes and are useful in the manufacture of, for example, fireplace logs, fire starter blocks, candles, and the like.

1 . A composition comprising a blend of:
 (A) at least one triglyceride;   (B) at least one fatty acid; and   (C) at least one fatty acid derivative.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the triglyceride/fatty acid ratio is between 90/10 and 10/90 by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the fatty acid derivative(s) is (are) selected from the group consisting of metal salts of fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty acid bisamides, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein fatty acid derivatives are selected from the group consisting of calcium stearate, sodium stearate, N,N′-ethylene bisstearamide, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the content of the fatty acid derivative(s), (C), is from about 3 to about 99 percent by weight, based on the total weight of components (A), (B), and (C). 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fillers, extenders, modifiers, binders, flame and article colorants, and perfumes. 
     
     
         7 . An article of manufacture comprising a composition comprising a blend of:
 (A) at least one triglyceride;   (B) at least one fatty acid; and   (C) at least one fatty acid derivative.   
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 7  wherein the composition further comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fillers, extenders, modifiers, binders, flame and article colorants, and perfumes. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 7  wherein the fatty acid derivative(s) is (are) selected from the group consisting of metal salts of fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty acid bisamides, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 9  wherein fatty acid derivatives are selected from the group consisting of calcium stearate, sodium stearate, N,N′-ethylene bisstearamide, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 7  wherein the content of the fatty acid derivative(s), (C), is from about 3 to about 99 percent by weight, based on the total weight of components (A), (B), and (C). 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 8  wherein a filler is present, said filler being selected from the group consisting of cellulose fiber, cellulose derivatives, wood chips, wood fibers, wood flour, flax, kenaf, sisal, jute, rice hulls, cotton, and hemp. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 7  wherein said article is a fireplace log or fire starter block. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 12  wherein said article is a fireplace log or fire starter block. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 7  wherein said article is a candle. 
     
     
         16 . A method for improving the processing and flame-burning characteristics of articles comprising a blend of at least one triglyceride and at least one fatty acid, wherein the method comprises adding to said blend at least one fatty acid derivative. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the fatty acid derivative(s) is (are) selected from the group consisting of metal salts of fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty acid bisamides, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein fatty acid derivatives are selected from the group consisting of calcium stearate, sodium stearate, N,N′-ethylene bisstearamide, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the content of the fatty acid derivative(s) is from about 3 to about 99 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the triglyceride(s), the fatty acid(s), and the fatty acid derivative(s). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the blend further comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fillers, extenders, modifiers, binders, flame and article colorants, and perfumes.