Purified Beeswax Hemp Wick for Clean Burning and Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hemp wicks contain impurities and may not be easily ignited, odor-free, or waterproof, which limits their performance in applications such as lighting organic materials without contaminating flavors or degrading over time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving steeping and decanting a wound hemp rope ball in boiling water to remove impurities, followed by saturation with a purified beeswax solution, freezing, and cutting into strips to create a clean burning, odor-free, and waterproof hemp wick.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional retting and washing processes are used to produce hemp wicks, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the hemp wick contains impurities and is not cleanly burning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple washing steps with different solutions (acidic solution, basic solution, water) before the final rope formation. This preliminary purification of fibers ensures that impurities are removed early in the process, resulting in a cleaner burning wick without requiring additional purification steps later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the chemical properties of washing solutions throughout the process - transitioning from acidic to basic to neutral solutions. This systematic variation of chemical parameters effectively removes different types of impurities at appropriate stages, achieving high purity in the final hemp wick product.
2Productivity
If hemp rope is simply saturated with beeswax without prior purification, then the manufacturing process is faster, but the wick produces odor and contaminates the flavor of materials being lit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by completing all fiber purification steps (acid washing, base washing, water washing, drying) before the beeswax saturation step. This ensures that the hemp fibers are completely free of impurities before receiving the beeswax coating, so the final wick burns cleanly without odor or flavor contamination while maintaining efficient production.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If hemp wick is made without adequate purification and treatment, then the manufacturing process is shorter, but the wick degrades over time and is not waterproof
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing comprehensive fiber treatment including acid washing, base washing, thorough water washing to remove all chemical residues, and complete drying before beeswax saturation. This preliminary preparation of the fiber structure ensures long-term durability and waterproofing properties while maintaining an efficient production timeline.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process results in a hemp wick that is substantially free of impurities, easily ignitable, odor-free when burned, and waterproof, enhancing its performance and durability for various uses.
Implementation Method 1
The wound ball is steeped and decanted, repeatedly, in a water solvent at a temperature which is sufficient to reach the boiling point the water solvent, so that a clear and colorless decantate of the water solution is released
Implementation Method 2
steeped and decanted, repeatedly, in a water solvent at a temperature which is sufficient to reach the boiling point
Implementation Method 3
the dried ball is saturated with a liquid beeswax solution which is substantially free of impurities
Implementation Method 4
saturated with a liquid beeswax solution
Implementation Method 5
After saturation, the beeswax saturated ball of rope is frozen solid
Implementation Method 6
the saturated beeswax ball of hemp rope is frozen solid
Data Source
AI summary
A hemp wick is made by providing a wound ball hemp rope. The wound ball is steeped and decanted, repeatedly, in a water solvent at a temperature sufficient to reach the boiling point the water solvent so that a clear and colorless decantate of the water solution is released. The ball of rope is then dried, and the dried ball is saturated with a liquid beeswax solution which is substantially free of impurities. After saturation the beeswax saturated ball of rope is frozen. After freezing, the saturated beeswax ball of rope is unwound and cut into stripes of a predetermined length which are desirable for use in packaging of the hemp wick to be produced by the method according to the present invention.