Combustible fuel article and methods of manufacture and use thereof

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.

1 . A combustible fuel article for use as a natural fire starter, comprising:
 a base formed of vegetable wax; and   a plurality of cardboard strips disposed partially within the base and extending outside of the base.   
     
     
         2 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 1  wherein the vegetable wax is soybean wax. 
     
     
         3 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of cardboard strips are made of a recycled cardboard. 
     
     
         4 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of cardboard strips are made of a single-wall or a double-wall cardboard. 
     
     
         5 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 1  wherein the base having a top end and a bottom end and the plurality of cardboard strips extending beyond the top end of the base. 
     
     
         6 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 5  wherein the plurality of cardboard strips are bound together by the base. 
     
     
         7 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 1  wherein the base further comprises a fragrance material. 
     
     
         8 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 1  wherein the fragrance material is a scented oil. 
     
     
         9 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 8  wherein the scented oil is an essential oil. 
     
     
         10 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 1  wherein the base is free of a petroleum-based material. 
     
     
         11 . The combustible fuel article of  claim 1  wherein the base further comprises a colorant. 
     
     
         12 . A method of starting a wood fire that obviates the need for flammable petroleum-based materials, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of wood pieces;   providing a natural combustible fuel article comprising a base formed of vegetable wax and a plurality of cardboard strips disposed partially with the base and extending outside of the base;   positioning the combustible fuel article near the plurality of wood pieces; and   igniting at least one of the plurality of cardboard strips;   wherein the plurality of cardboard strips burn down to the base and the base provides additional fuel for the wood fire while burning at a slower rate than the cardboard strips.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of cardboard strips are bound together by the base. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the base having a top end and a bottom end and the plurality of cardboard strips extending beyond the top end of the base. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the vegetable wax is soybean wax. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of cardboard strips are made of a recycled cardboard. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the combustible fuel article is positioned with the base above the plurality of cardboard strips. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a combustible fuel article, comprising:
 providing a vegetable wax in solid form;   providing a plurality of cardboard strips;   heating the vegetable wax to liquify the wax;   placing the liquefied vegetable wax in a mold;   placing the plurality of cardboard strips partially into the wax in the mold;   allowing the wax to cool and solidify to bind together the plurality of cardboard strips; and   removing the wax with the plurality of cardboard strips from the mold.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of cardboard strips are provided by shredding a piece of recycled cardboard. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the vegetable wax is soybean wax. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising adding a fragrance material to the wax while liquefied.