COMBINATION OF AN ORGANIC SUBSTRATE AND ORGANIC FORMULATION FOR USE AS A CUTTING BOARD AND STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

A combination is provided that is used as a self-healing cutting board or a storage container. Both comprise a natural fabric and a formulation. The formulation infuses the natural fabric. The formulation comprises a natural wax, which is preferably bees wax and Damar resin, and has a melting point of about 70 C to about 80 C. The cutting board can be rejuvenated by heating. Both the board and the storage containers are anti-microbial, non-skid, water resistant, re-useable and compostable.

Claims

1. A self-healing cutting board, the cutting board comprising a natural fabric and a formulation, the formulation infusing the natural fabric to provide an upper cutting surface and a lower cutting surface, the formulation comprising a natural wax and a tree resin, and having a melting point of about 70 C to about 80 C.

2. The self-healing cutting board of claim 1, wherein the formulation is an anti-microbial formulation.

3. The self-healing cutting board of claim 1, wherein the natural wax is beeswax.

4. The self-healing cutting board of claim 3, wherein the formulation further comprises kaolin.

5. The self-healing cutting board of claim 4, wherein the fabric has a plurality of interstitial spaces and the interstitial spaces are substantially filled with the formulation.

6. The self-healing cutting board of claim 5, wherein the formulation comprises about 30% to about 50% tree resin and about 50% to about 70% bees wax.

7. The self-healing cutting board of claim 5, wherein the formulation is composed of about 30% to about 40% Damar resin, about 30% to about 40% bees wax and about 20% to about 40% kaolin.

8. The self-healing cutting board of claim 7, wherein the natural fabric is a knit or weave of a fibre selected from the group consisting of bamboo linen, silk, cotton, jute, kenaf, hemp, linen, sisal, herbaceous dicot fibres and monocot fibres and mixtures thereof.

9. The self-healing cutting board of claim 8, wherein the fabric is canvas.

10. A method of rejuvenating a cutting board, the method comprising placing the self-healing cutting board of claim 9 on a flat surface and heating the cutting board to between about 60 C to about 80 C.

11. A combination of a natural fabric and a formulation, the combination comprising a first surface, an inner layer, and a second surface, the inner layer substantially comprising the natural fabric infused with the formulation, the first surface and the second surface substantially comprising the natural fabric infused with the formulation, wherein the formulation is composed of a natural wax, and tree resin.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the natural wax is beeswax.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the fabric has a plurality of interstitial spaces and the interstitial spaces are substantially filled with the formulation.

14. The combination of claim 12, wherein the formulation further comprises kaolin.

15. The combination of claim 13, wherein the formulation comprises about 30% to about 50% Damar resin and about 50% to about 70% bees wax.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the formulation is composed of about 30% to about 40% Damar resin, about 30% to about 40% bees wax and about 20% to about 40% kaolin.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the natural fabric is a knit or weave of a fibre selected from the group consisting of bamboo linen, silk, cotton, jute, kenaf, hemp, linen, sisal, herbaceous dicot fibres and monocot fibres and mixtures thereof.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein the fabric is canvas.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the combination is a cutting board.

20. The combination of claim 18, wherein the combination is a storage container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a view of a cutting board of the present technology.

[0035] FIG. 2A shows the cutting board being bent.

[0036] FIG. 2B shows the cutting board being folded.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the cutting board of FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a storage container of the present technology.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the storage container of the present technology.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows the method of preparation of the embodiments of the present technology.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows the results of a culture inoculated (Salmonella enteritidis PT13A): 8*10̂9 colony forming units per millilitre [cfu/ml] (in triplicate).

[0042] FIG. 8 shows the results of a culture inoculated (Salmonella enteritidis PT13A): 8*10̂9 colony forming units per millilitre [cfu/ml] (in four replicates).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description, claims and drawings): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term “about” applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words “herein”, “hereby”, “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereinbefore”, and “hereinafter”, and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) “or” and “any” are not exclusive and “include” and “including” are not limiting. Further, The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

[0044] To the extent necessary to provide descriptive support, the subject matter and/or text of the appended claims is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0045] 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. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

[0046] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.

DEFINITIONS

[0047] Beeswax—The main components are palmitate, palmitoleate, and oleate esters of long-chain (30-32 carbons) aliphatic alcohols, with the ratio of triacontanyl palmitate CH3(CH2)29O—CO—(CH2)14CH3 to cerotic acid CH3(CH2)24COOH, the two principal components, being 6:1. Beeswax can be classified generally into European and Oriental types. The saponification value is lower (3-5) for European beeswax, and higher (8-9) for Oriental types.

[0048] Beeswax has a relatively low melting point range of 62 to 64° C. (144 to 147° F.). If beeswax is heated above 85° C. (185° F.) discoloration occurs. The flash point of beeswax is about 204.4° C. (400 to 470° F.). Density at 15° C. is 958 to 970 kg/m.sup.3.

[0049] Natural beeswax—When cold it is brittle; at ordinary temperatures it is tenacious; its fracture is dry and granular. The sp. gr. at 15° C. is from 0.958 to 0.975, that of melted wax at 98°-99° compared with water at 15.5° is 0.822. It softens when held in the hand, and melts at 62°-66° ; it solidifies at 60.5°-63° C.

[0050] Fabric—in the context of the present technology, a fabric includes knits and weaves of fibres such as, but not limited to nylon, rayon, Kevlar®, silk, cotton, hemp, linen, sisal, hardwood fibre, softwood fibre and mixtures thereof.

[0051] Natural fabric—in the context of the present technology, natural fabric includes knits and weaves of silk and of plant derived fibres, such as, but not limited to cotton, jute, kenaf, hemp, linen, sisal, hardwood fibre, mechanically processed bamboo (bamboo linen), softwood fibre, herbaceous dicot fibres and monocot fibres and mixtures thereof. Natural fabric does not include fabrics from regenerated fibres.

[0052] Tree resin—The preferred resin is from the Damar tree and is referred to also as Damar gum. Without being bound to theory, the tree resin increases the melting point of the wax and adds to the adhesive qualities when mixed with the oil. The damar crystals melt at about 225° C. The resin is obtained from the Dipterocarpaceae family, principally those of the genera Shorea, Balanocarpus or Hopea. Other resins or exudates from plants and trees that provide the desired traits can be used wholly or in part as substitutes, for example, resin from the copal tree, Protium copal (Burseraceae) or the mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus or sandarac from the Tetraclinis articulata tree may substitute for the Damar tree. Accordingly the term “tree resin” refers to any of the above mentioned resins or combinations thereof. Up to about 5% candelilla or carnauba wax may be included in any of the resins or mixtures thereof.

[0053] Kaolin—Kaolin is a clay made from a hydrous aluminum silicate. It is used in the paper industry as a paper coating which improves appearance by contributing to brightness, smoothness and gloss. It also improves printability. Additionally, it is used by the paper industry as a filler. In the present technology, kaolin is used to impart stain resistance to the products, absorption of oils into the paper and fabric leading to rancidity of the products, reduce flammability, improve moldability and increase the melting point of the products. Bentonite was found to be inferior to kaolin in the present technology.

[0054] Perishables—Perishables, in the context of the present technology is any matter that will spoil over time if not protected. Perishables include, but are not limited to bread, baked goods, crackers, nuts, vegetables, cheese, meat, fruit and other foods, herbs, coffee, tea, plants, including, but not limited to flowers, leaves, roots, intact plants, pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies and nutraceuticals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] The general formula for the present technology includes bees wax and Damar resin (tree resin). A mixture of these components is heated and the substrate is infused and/or impregnated and coated with the mixture. Without being bound to theory, the formulation solves the following problems: Staining by oils in food; absorption of oils from food into the fabric leading to rancidity; poor odour masking; flammability; inferior moldability; inferior melting point; growth of microbes; lack of self-healing; residues left on materials being stored; and low resistance to oxidation. The formulation is applied to the fabric using either wet waxing or dry waxing techniques.

[0056] A cutting board, generally referred to as 412 is shown in FIG. 1. The cutting board can be cut in any shape, including, but not limited to rectangles, a circle, and an ellipse. The cutting board 412 has a hole 414 in the vicinity of a corner 416 to allow it to hang.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2A, the cutting board 412 is bendable. This assists in transferring food from the board 412. It can also be rolled up for storage or packaging. However, it is rigid enough to remain flat when lifted.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2B, the cutting board 412 can be folded. Score lines 418 may be provided to assist in folding.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting board 412 has an inner layer 422 that is a natural fabric 424 and the formulation, generally referred to as 432, a first layer 428, a second layer 430, a first surface or upper surface 434, and a second surface or lower surface 436. The natural fabric 424 provides structural support for the formulation 432. The formulation 432 may sandwich, coat, impregnate, infiltrate, partially coat, cover, partially cover, or infuse the fibres 440 of the fabric 424. It substantially fills the interstitial spaces 438. The formulation 432 in the first layer 428 and the second layer 430 is continuous with the formulation in the interstitial spaces 438. The first layer 428 and the second layer 430 form the upper surface 434 and lower surface 436 and are the fabric infused with the formulation 432.

[0060] The fabric material has a thread count of about 10 nm/3 to about 10 nm/2. The preferred fabrics are made with natural fibres, such as knits and weaves of cotton, hemp, linen, sisal, silk and mixtures thereof. The preferred fabric weight is about 14 ounces to about 16.5 ounces to about 25 ounces and is canvas. The resulting cutting board is about 1 mm to about 4 mm thick.

[0061] In one embodiment, the formulation is about 30% to about 50% tree resin, and about 50% to about 70% bees wax, preferably about 30% tree resin, and about 70% bees wax. The formulation optionally includes charcoal as a colourant and odour inhibitor. It is preferred that the tree resin is Damar resin.

[0062] In another embodiment, the formulation is about 30% to about 40% tree resin, about 30% to about 40% bees wax and about 20% to about 40% kaolin. The formulation optionally includes charcoal as a colourant and odour inhibitor. It is preferred that the tree resin is Damar resin.

[0063] In use, the cutting board is used for cutting food. The board is soft enough to reduce damage and dulling of the knife. Thus, cutting with the knife leads to cuts in the surface. At any time, the user can rejuvenate the board by placing it on a flat surface and heating it to about 60 to about 80 C and all temperatures therebetween, preferably about 70 to about 80 C. Heating is preferably in an oven, to ensure even heating. The self-healing may take about three to about five minutes. The formulation melts and fills the interstitial spaces, scratches, other surface deformations and cuts. The user views the board and removes it from the heat when the cuts, scratches and any other surface deformation have been removed. The board is then cooled and is ready to use again. Healing of the surface deformities substantially removes sites for retaining contaminants, bacteria and the like. Further, the materials used in constructing the board impart anti-bacterial properties to the board. Heating the mat also restores it and flattens it if it has become bent or warped.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the combination of the fabric and formulation can be used to form storage containers, generally referred to as 500. The storage containers 500 are for storing perishables. One shape of a storage container is shown. Many different shapes and sizes can be made. They can be die cut designs, molded designs, cast designs, woven designs, perforated side designs, sheets riveted or hinged or otherwise affixed to one another to produce a box and the like.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, the storage container 500 has an inner layer 522 that is a natural fabric 524 and the formulation, generally referred to as 532, a first layer 528, a second layer 530, a first surface 534, and a second surface 536. The natural fabric 524 provides structural support for the formulation 532. The formulation 532 may sandwich, coat, impregnate, infiltrate, partially coat, cover, partially cover, or infuse the fibres 540 of the fabric 524. It substantially fills the interstitial spaces 538. The formulation 532 in the first layer 528 and the second layer 530 is continuous with the formulation in the interstitial spaces 538. The first layer 428 and the second layer 430 form the first surface 534 and the second surface 536 and are the fabric infused with the formulation 532.

[0066] The fabric material has a thread count of about 10 nm/3 to about 10 nm/2. The preferred fabrics are made with natural fibres, such as knits and weaves of cotton, hemp, linen, sisal, silk and mixtures thereof. The preferred fabric weight is about 14 ounces to about 16.5 ounces to about 25 ounces and is canvas. The resulting cutting board is about 1 mm to about 4 mm thick.

[0067] In one embodiment, the formulation is about 30% to about 50% tree resin, and about 50% to about 70% bees wax, preferably about 30% tree resin, and about 70% bees wax. The formulation optionally includes charcoal as a colourant and odour inhibitor. It is preferred that the tree resin is Damar resin.

[0068] In another embodiment, the formulation is about 30% to about 40% tree resin, about 30% to about 40% bees wax and about 20% to about 40% kaolin. The formulation optionally includes charcoal as a colourant and odour inhibitor. It is preferred that the tree resin is Damar resin.

[0069] The preferred fabrics are made with natural fibres, such as knits and weaves of cotton, hemp, linen, sisal, silk and mixtures thereof. The preferred fabric weight is about 14 ounces to about 16.5 ounces to about 25 ounces and is canvas. The resulting cutting board is about 3 mm to about 5 mm thick.

[0070] The cutting boards and storage containers are made by the method of FIG. 6.

[0071] In another alternative embodiment, the bees wax is replaced with another low melting point natural wax or mixture of natural waxes that have the same or similar chemistry and physical properties to that of bees wax. The wax is anti-microbial. The preferred melting point of the wax is about 50 C to about 100 C, preferably about 60 C to about 90 C, and most preferably about 65 C. The mixture is pliable at room temperature.

Example 1

[0072] The anti-microbial properties were studied by exposing the above disclosed beeswax containing products to the following bacteria. The results are shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The kaolin was not tested on its own as it made a slurry with the LB broth. It can be seen that each component of the product had a non-significant reduction in growth of the Salmonella, but the product had resulted in a highly significant reduction (P<0.05 in a two tailed T-Test) in growth of the bacteria. The strain tested is a highly virulent human strain. These results demonstrate that the product is antimicrobial. Without being bound to theory, there is a synergistic effect of the combination of the cellulosic layer and the formulation.