Patent Application
20250084335
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to waxes for winter sport equipment such as skis, snowboards, snow blades, and snowbikes. In particular, the present invention is directed to a non-petroleum lubricant to be applied to winter sport equipment bases.
Wax provides slip and water repellency to the bases of winter travel equipment including skis, snowboards and any other apparatus used for sliding on snow. As ski bases were once made of wood, a variety of naturally occurring waxes and oils of the time were applied to equipment bases to provide water repellency. This practice protected the base material from moisture, thus prolonging the lifespan of the material. It was also found that waxing the bases provided additional slip. The additional slip was in part due to the water repelling characteristics of the waxes. During the 20th century, equipment bases transitioned from wood to polyurethane and ski waxes were formulated from cheap and readily available paraffin wax along with other fossil fuel-based oils and waxes. The hardness of these waxes could be adjusted to meet different snow conditions: softer waxes are effective in warm, soft snow and harder waxes are effective in cold, hard snow. As the wax art progressed, fluorocarbons were introduced to wax, given the compounds' efficacy in providing slip and water repellency.
Governments and ski organizations have banned fluorocarbon ski waxes and fossil fuels have come under growing scrutiny for contribution to greenhouse emissions and global climate change. As such, there exists a need for non-toxic, sustainable, and renewable ski wax. Natural waxes such as beeswax, candelilla, rice bran, and carnauba wax have water repellency characteristics like paraffin and other fossil-fuel based waxes. However, these natural waxes require higher levels of force to remove excess wax during the final preparation of the running surface as part of a hot-wax application. Hydrogenated oils such as hydrogenated soybean oil offer sufficient water repellency though these waxes alone lack the durability required for sliding on hard snow crystals. Mixtures of the above tend to be too hard and brittle or too soft and gummy. There remains a need to formulate a renewable and sustainable ski wax that allows for an adequate adjustment of wax hardness while matching the sliding efficacy and durability of fossil fuel-based waxes. The addition of fatty acid esters, derived entirely from renewable feed stocks, creates a renewable, non-toxic ski wax that is free of fossil fuels; improves the slip provided by hydrogenated oils, and decreases the hardness of natural waxes; and provides a malleable, non-gummy wax layer that can be easily scraped and buffed into a smooth-running surface.
A formulation of a waxy substance is provided, which when applied to the bases of winter travel equipment and comprised entirely of materials derived from non-fossil fuel and renewable sources, maintains water repellency, durability, and slip characteristics comparable to fossil fuel-based materials; and retains applicability characteristics like fossil fuel-based materials. The addition of fatty acid esters derived from renewable feedstocks provide additional slip characteristics while improving upon the hard but tacky, and less desirable application characteristics of natural waxes alone. The invention is produced by melting the synthetic fatty acid ester with additional natural waxes and oils in a single pot. Fragrances and colorants may be added. The mixture is then poured into molds and allowed to cool to a solid state. The invention may be applied directly to the running surface by rubbing the wax on the bases, or it may be heated and applied using a waxing iron. If the wax iron method is used, the wax is allowed to cool and set following the application, at which point a sharp-edged tool or scraper is used to shave away excess wax from the base.
The present invention relates to a composition that incorporates the use of specific fatty acid esters as lubricants for the running surfaces or bases of winter travel equipment. Said compositions also contain further slip enhancing materials, particularly those of a renewable source, as outlined in the prior art. Such renewable materials include but are not limited to: Naturally occurring plant waxes that include but are not limited to candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax, and beeswax in addition to any oil that is collected from a renewable source, particularly those of plant origin, including fully hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils, and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils, in addition to fossil fuel-based feedstocks.
In one embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably between 30-60 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 45 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is cetyl stearate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 10 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 45 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is behenyl behenate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 10 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 45 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is stearyl behenate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 10 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 40 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is cetyl stearate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 5 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The synthetic fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 40 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is behenyl behenate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 5 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 40 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is stearyl behenate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 5 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 35 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is cetyl stearate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 3 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 35 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is behenyl behenate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 3 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
In another embodiment, a composition includes between about 10-80 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, more preferably between 20-70 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester, and still more preferably 35 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 30 to 50 carbon atoms. The fatty acid ester in this embodiment is stearyl behenate. Additionally, the composition includes between 0-20 wt % of a fatty acid ester including at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms, more specifically 3 wt % of at least one fatty acid ester comprised of a carbon content of 20 to 28 carbon atoms. The fatty acid esters are a mixture of coco caprate and coco caprylate. In addition, the composition includes between about 0-90 wt %, more preferably between 10-80 wt %, and still more preferably between 20-70 wt % of the natural and renewable materials contained within the prior art including, but not limited to beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice bran wax and fully and partially hydrogenated plant and vegetable oils.
At a high level, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a non-petroleum, renewable winter sport wax. In an embodiment, winter sport wax is traditionally comprised of petroleum-based feedstocks including paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax and other waxes and oils derived from petroleum-based feedstocks. Aspects of the present disclosure include waxes and oils, derived from renewable feedstocks and free of petroleum feedstocks. Aspects of the present disclosure include fatty acid esters derived from plant feedstocks. Aspects of the present disclosure include feedstocks of plant waxes and hydrogenated plant oils. Mixtures of renewable fatty acid esters, derived from plant-based feedstocks, with plant-derived waxes and oils, create a winter sport wax with desirable characteristics. Desired characteristics include drag-reduction, or increased slip, and improved applicability, hardness adjustability, and durability.
Aspects of the present disclosure may be used as a renewable winter wax alternative to fossil fuel feedstocks. The global warming situation has put pressure on industry to find alternatives to fossil fuel feedstocks. Industrial advances have created a growing collection of renewable materials needed to meet demand. Vegetable oil and vegetable oil derivatives maintain a viable alternative when mixed with intent to maximize slip in varying snow conditions. Pure fatty acid esters provide exceptional lubricity between winter sport equipment bases and snow. Pure fatty acid esters also soften the hardness of vegetable and plant waxes, when added. Varying the volume and type of pure fatty acid ester in the wax matrix allows for precise control of hardness of winter sport wax. The addition of fatty acid esters also provides precise adjustment of adhesion within the wax matrix, allowing for desired characteristics during removal of excess wax from winter sport equipment bases and overcoming the less-than-ideal hardness and gumminess characteristics encountered when creating renewable wax blends without fatty acid esters.
It has been found that cetyl stearate, a fatty acid ester, provides excellent slip between winter sport bases and snow. Cetyl stearate on its own is not durable on winter sport equipment bases nor does it create a desired excess wax removal process. By incorporating cetyl stearate into a wax matrix consisting of natural plant waxes and oils, it was found that the resulting wax matrix improved on overall slip, durability, and applicability.
Cetyl stearate is a fatty acid ester containing 34 carbons and having a melting point of 56-58° C. Adjusting the volume of the cetyl stearate in the wax matrix allows for control over the hardness of the wax. Adjustability of hardness is desired to meet demands of different snow types. Warm and slushy snow is repelled best by a relatively soft wax. Hard and crystallized snow is repelled best by a relatively hard wax.
Due to physical characteristics of cetyl stearate such as hardness and melting point being related to the number of carbons in the molecule, it can be determined that fatty acid esters with greater numbers of carbons will have a higher hardness and melting point. For example, stearyl behenate has 40 carbons and a melting point of 60-65° C. Stearyl behenate is also noticeably harder than cetyl stearate.
As an additional example, behenyl behenate is a fatty acid ester with 44 carbons, a melting point of 70-74° C. and is harder than cetyl stearate. To further control hardness, fatty acid esters in liquid form can be added to the wax matrix. Coco caprate and coco caprylate have 22 and 20 carbons respectively and are liquids at room temperature and further soften the wax matrix when added. Thus, by adjusting not only the volume of the fatty acid ester used, but also by changing or mixing fatty acid esters, the hardness, slip, and applicability can be further adjusted.
Side-by-side comparisons were conducted between the invention, and petroleum-based and non-petroleum-based winter sport waxes by multiple individuals. The invention performed as well if not better for slip, applicability, and durability when compared to petroleum-based and non-petroleum-based winter sport waxes.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with respect to the following non-limiting examples:
A formulation for a warm temperature wax:
A formulation for an all-temperature wax:
A formulation for a cold temperature wax:
Ingredients were mixed in a single pot and heated until melted. The molten wax is then poured into molds and allowed to cool. Hardened wax can easily be applied to winter sport equipment bases.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/405,453, titled “Winter Sport Wax Formulation,” filed Sep. 11, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63405453 | Sep 2022 | US |
