Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VEGETABLE OILS, VEGETABLE OIL BLENDS, AND METHODS OF USE
THEREOF
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application
No. 61/612,685, titled "VEGETABLE OILS, VEGETABLE OIL BLENDS, AND
METHODS OF USE THEREOF," filed on March 19, 2012, the entirety of which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] Aspects of the present invention relate to vegetable oils,
vegetable oil blends, and various uses thereof. More particularly, aspects of
the
present invention relate to vegetable oils and their uses with mechanical
components, for example, firearms.
Background
[0003] It is known in the related art to use cleaners or, less
preferably,
cleaner/lubricant/protectant (CLP) oils to remove carbon fouling from
mechanical
parts. In particular, in the area of firearm operation, such as AR-15 or M-16
firearms,
when a round is fired, the combustion process deposits carbon within the
firearm, as
shown in Figure 1. The depositing of carbon leading to fouling is a well known
problem in the art, an example of which is shown in the photostat Figure 2.
Carbon
fouling requires a time-consuming cleaning process that take up to three days
for
sufficient removal of carbon to allow proper operation of the firearm. When
the
carbon fouling becomes too great, the firearm will malfunction or cease
operation
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entirely, which is a critical problem in battle or defensive situations, for
example, and
a significant nuisance to civilian shooters.
[0004]
Currently, various lubricant compositions are known for use on
firearms to remove carbon fouling from the firearm. However, known
compositions
do not satisfactorily remove carbon, especially at temperatures above 160 F.
Ambient temperatures in current combat zones can often reach 120 F. The sun
can
heat black metal objects another 40 F or more before the weapon is even fired.
Tests have shown that critical moving parts of the weapon can reach 70 F above
ambient temperature in even modest firing cadences, which are further
magnified in
battle conditions. Furthermore, some known compositions are synthetic and
harmful
when exposed to the human body. For
example, several known lubricant
compositions include: Mobil 1 10W-30 sold by Mobil, SLIP2000TM Carbon Killer
sold by SPS Marketing, FrogLube sold by AUDEMOUS INC, Gunzilla0 sold by
TopDuck Products, LLC, Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner sold by Bushnell Outdoor
Products, and Break Free sold by SAFARILAND. Each of these commercial
compositions has significant flaws. For example, Mobil 1 10W-30 synthetic is
hydrocarbon based, creates a sludge when contacted with carbon fouling, and is
not
polar. SLIP2000TM Carbon Killer does not lubricate, strips metal of oils, and
damages anodized aluminum and blued steel. Stripping oils from metals in a
firearm
can cause the firearm to seize. FrogLube0 is only functional in a very narrow
temperature range. It solidifies at 48 F, and smokes at 150 F. After smoking,
it
leaves behind a sticky gummy residue. Gunzilla is harmful or fatal if
swallowed,
and is a very poor performing cleaner. Hoppe's Elite does not act as a
lubricant
and removes oils and contains hazardous diethylene glycol monobutyl ether.
Break
Free contains petroleum distillates. Petroleum distillate products contain
harmful,
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carcinogenic components and are treated as hazardous materials both in
shipment
and disposal.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 6,534,454 is directed to a biodegradable
vegetable oil composition comprising a triglyceride oil, an antioxidant, and
other oils.
The other oils may be synthetic ester base oil, polyalphaolefin, or unrefined,
refined,
or rerefined oils. The triglyceride oils are vegetable oils.
[0006] U.S. Patent No. 6,383,992 is directed to biodegradable
vegetable oil compositions having at least one triglyceride oil, a pour point
depressant, an antioxidant, and other oils. The triglyceride oils are
vegetable oils.
[0007] U.S. Patent No. 6,919,302 is directed to the use of an oil
composition for temporary treatment of metal surfaces.
[0008] There remains a need in the art for natural, safe, oil
compositions and methods of using the compositions for avoiding and removing
carbon fouling in mechanical components, and providing highly heat-resistant
lubrication and a fouling resistant environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Aspects of the present invention provide, among other things,
vegetable oil compositions and methods of use thereof to avoid and reduce
carbon
fouling on mechanical components, lubricate mechanical components, and provide
long-term carbon fouling protection.
[0010] In one example variation, a pure vegetable oil or blend of
vegetable oils may be applied to a mechanical component of a device that is
used in
an environment where carbon fouling should be avoided or removed to improve
performance, such as on various parts of firearms, bicycles, chain saws, and
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engines. The oil compositions may also be used as a lubricant, such as in
fishing
equipment.
[0011] In another variation, a blend of vegetable oils includes at
least
three two distinct vegetable oils, each having a smoke point above 200 F.
[0012] In another variation the method of removing or preventing
carbon or other contaminant fouling on a mechanical component of a device,
comprises depositing a vegetable oil composition on the mechanical component
of
the device, wherein the vegetable oil composition comprises at least one
vegetable
oil having a smoke point above 200 F, wherein the at least one vegetable oil
is
present in an amount of at least about 25% by volume of the total volume of
the oil
composition ; and wherein operation of the device deposits carbon on the
mechanical component.
[0013] In another variation, the vegetable oils may be applied to a
mechanical component using various methods, such as depositing, heat treating,
pressure treating, and immersing, or applying onto operating surfaces of the
device
and its subsequent operation.
[0014] In another variation, the oil composition, comprises at least
three
vegetable oils, each vegetable oil being distinct from the other and each
having a
smoke point above 200 F,wherein the combined volume of the at least three
vegetable oils is at least about 25% of the total volume of the oil
composition.
[0015] Additional advantages and novel features of various aspects of
the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that
follows, and in
part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of
the
following or upon learning by practice thereof.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a prior art firearm schematic showing where
carbon deposits occur;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a prior art firearm fouled with carbon;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows pictures of a fouled bowl before testing; and
[0020] FIGS. 4-12 show pictures of experimental results from foul
removal testing, including in conjunction with use of products and methods in
accordance with aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Aspects of the present invention include a method of removing
or preventing carbon fouling on a mechanical component of a device by
depositing a
vegetable oil composition on the mechanical component. Aspects of the present
invention also include components and makeup of various vegetable oil
compositions. As used herein, the term "about" means 10%, more preferably
5%, still more preferably 1% of the given value.
[0022] Vegetable oils, as used herein, means any single natural, non-
petroleum, non-synthetic oil derived from a plant, vegetable or fruit or shrub
or flower
or tree nut, or any combination of natural, non-petroleum, non-synthetic oils
derived
from a plant, vegetable or fruit or shrub or tree nut. In an aspect of the
present
invention it has been surprisingly found that pure vegetable oils and various
vegetable oil blends are superior to commercially available products in
removing or
avoiding carbon fouling on mechanical components. In addition, the vegetable
oils
act as a lubricant. Example methods include the application to a mechanical
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component that is part of device where operation of the device results in
carbon
being deposited on the mechanical component, including devices that are used
in an
environment where carbon fouling should be avoided or removed to improve
performance. For example, the vegetable oils and blends may be applied to
portions
of firearms, bicycles (for example mountain bikes), and engines. The vegetable
oils
may also be used as a lubricant, for example in fishing equipment.
[0023] In an
aspect of the present invention, the vegetable oils may be
used to form a carbon resistant film by applying the oils to mechanical
components,
and allowing the oil to oxidize, such as by exposing the oil to heat, air, or
UV light,
which forms a hard dry film. This resulting dry film or wet oil layer is
resistant to
carbon and other fouling. In addition, in some variations, the film or wet oil
layer may
enhance lubrication and/or other properties. The
mechanical component is
preferably a component of a device that, when the device is operated, carbon
is
deposited on the mechanical component. This method is discussed in more detail
below. Once applied to a mechanical component, the oil composition has proven
to
be highly resistant to water and resistant to soap sand other cleaning agents,
as
compared to known petroleum based or synthetic oils tend to wash off when
exposed to water spray or rain.
[0024] The oil
compositions may be applied to carbon steel parts,
including bare_ steel, phosphate coated steel, chrome coated steel, ceramic
coated
steel, and the like, stainless steel parts, titanium parts, aluminum parts,
including
anodized or other coated aluminum, and nickel alloys. When used in a firearm,
the
parts of the firearm that may be coated include the parts that are subject to
fouling as
the result of gunpowder combustion, or having reciprocating or frictional
contact
surfaces. For example, such parts may include fire control group parts,
including
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triggers, hammers, disconnectors, and trigger pins, firing pins, chambers,
bolts, bolt
faces, bolt carriers, breach faces, camming pins, pistons, operating/piston
rods, gas
tubes, barrels, slides and retention rails on pistols, upper and lower
receivers,
charging handles, feed trays, and magazine followers. When used on a bicycle,
the
oil compositions may be applied to bicycle chains and gears, such as
derailleur
gears, for example, and on control mechanisms such as shift and brake cables.
.
When used in an engine, the oil compositions may be applied to any of the
moving
parts of the engine including valves, pistons, and ball bearings, for example.
When
used in fishing equipment, the oil compositions may be applied to reels and
gears,
for example.
[0025] A single vegetable oil or vegetable oil blend that is suitable
for
the above uses includes any single oil or blend that sufficiently reduces
carbon or
other contaminant fouling or avoids carbon or other contaminant build up. In
an
aspect of the present invention, the composition that may be used in the above
manner may include at least about 25% vegetable oil, more preferably at least
about
50% vegetable oil, still more preferably at least about 75%, and most
preferably
about 100% or 100% vegetable oil, by volume. Preferably, for some
applications,
the vegetable oil should have a smoke point higher than 200 F, more
preferably
above 300 F, and yet more preferably more 400 F, in order to maintain the oil
integrity even at very high operating temperatures, which often occurs in
firearms.
Additionally, oils that have a high smoke point are desirable due to their
inherent
heat resistance. Highly refined vegetable oils are also useful for some
applications.
It has been found that the mixture of constituent oils disclosed herein
provides a
synergistic effect in which the combination of oils (the oil composition) has
and
higher smoke point than any of the individual oils by themselves.
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[0026] Higher
refined vegetable oils are purer as compared to
unrefined vegetable oils. In another aspect of the present invention, at least
one of
or all of the vegetable oils may be high oleic. High oleic oils have a high
degree of
oleic acid, for example approximately 80% by weight oleic acid or greater,
preferably
86% or greater, more preferably 90% or great, and even more preferably 95% or
greater. By using high oleic acid oils that have a high monounsaturated to
polyunsaturated fat ratio, oxidation can be reduced. It has been found that
the
oxidation of the vegetable oils in accordance with aspects of the instant
invention
yields a hard, lubricious or slick surface that is resistant to carbon
fouling, which is
discussed below.
Generally, the desired ratio of monounsaturated to
polyunsaturated fats in accordance with aspects of the present invention is at
least
about 3:1, and for some applications, preferably greater than 3:1. At least
one or all
of the oils in the oil composition may be high oleic. Reducing the
polyunsaturated
fats also enhances the temperature range (pour point to smoke point range) as
well
as the storage stability.
[0027] In
accordance with aspects of the present invention, some
variations of vegetable oil also reduce waxes and other contaminants, which
ensures
improved characteristics at low temperatures and also reduces gumming of oil
in the
firearm or other mechanical devices. Improved characteristics include improved
oxidative stability and lower pour point. Accordingly, for some variations of
the
present invention, the oil composition may remain in liquid form at
temperatures as
low as about -35 F and as high as about 500 F. The oil compositions may have a
pour point of about -40 F to about 25 F, a cloud point of about 5 F to about
70 F,
and flash point of at least 450 F, more preferably at least 500 F, still more
preferably
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at least 550 F. In an aspect of the present invention, the vegetable oil
compositions
may include one or more of the above properties.
[0028] Also, vegetable oils have a polar nature, which is not a
characteristic found in petroleum-based products. The polarity ensures that
the oil
attracts strongly and penetrates deeply into the host metal and adheres better
than
non-polar oils, a feature that is highly desirable in a mechanical device that
is blasted
by gases, carbon, high heat, and extreme gravitational forces. The
reciprocating bolt
carrier on an M-16, for example, accelerates from 0 to over 40 miles per hour
in only
20 milliseconds, in a distance of approximately one inch. This feature of oils
in
accordance with aspects of the present invention keeps the gun running long
after a
conventional lubricant has burned off and allowed carbon overload to occur.
Because known petroleum-based products do not have this quality, the products
do
not have the attraction and penetration of the oil compositions.
[0029] It has been surprisingly found that any single oil or a
combination of oils selected from the following group are suitable for the
above uses:
almond (smoke point 430 F), avocado (smoke point 520 F), canola (smoke point
450 F or higher), corn (smoke point 450 F), cottonseed (smoke point 420 F),
flax
seed (smoke point 250 F), hazelnut (smoke point 430 F), hemp seed (smoke point
330 F), grapeseed (smoke point 485 F), jojoba (smoke point 570 F), macadamia
nut
(smoke point 389 F), olive (smoke point 460 F), peanut (smoke point 450 F),
rapeseed (smoke point 438 F), rice bran (smoke point 490 F), safflower (smoke
point 490-510 F), sesame (smoke point 350 F), soybean (smoke point 495 F or
higher), sunflower (smoke point 450 F or higher), and walnut (smoke point 400
F).
Any one of these oils or combination thereof has been found to improve carbon
fouling and carbon and other contaminant resistance without the problematic
side
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effects discussed above, as compared to existing products on the market. As
discussed above, high oleic versions of these oils are preferable, for some
applications. To demonstrate the unexpected benefit of using the above oils to
reduce or prevent carbon fouling, various oils and market products have been
tested
according to the following procedures. A 6" porcelain bowl is fouled with an
oxy-
acetalyne torch, with a rich flame to maximize carbon deposits. The flame is
applied
for 35 seconds (+/- 5 seconds) at a distance of 4 inches (+/- 2 inches) from
the bowl
to apply sufficient heat without overheating the bowl. This process heats the
bowl to
approximately 150-250 F without cracking the bowl. The bowl is allowed to sit
at
room temperature 70 F (+/- 5 F). Then, 5 ml (+/- .5m1) of a sample is applied
to the
fouled bowl. The fouled bowl containing the sample sits for 5 minutes. Next,
the
fouled bowl containing the sample is scrubbed by hand, using both sides of a
100%
cotton round patch (2.20" circular, .200" thick- +/- 10%) until the patch is
fully soiled
and unable to absorb any more carbon fouling. Remaining residue in the bowl is
further scrubbed with a 100% cotton flannel patch (3.10" square, .020" thick-
+/-10%)
until fully soiled and unable to absorb any more carbon fouling. The bowl is
rated on
scale of 1 to 5, where 1 represents the most fouled, least effective and 5
represents
the least fouled, most effective. Figure 3 is a photostat of an example bowl
that has
been fouled prior to application of an example composition to simulate the
U.S.
Army's firing residue removal test. The above tests measure the ability of the
oil
composition to remove carbon. Carbon overload is a central reason that
firearms
run sluggishly (improperly) or cease operating entirely (lock up). Figures 4-6
are
photos of the resulting bowls- after application of vegetable oils is
accordance with
the present invention, illustrating the degree of fouling. Figures 7-12 are
photos of
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the resulting bowls after application of various existing market compositions,
illustrating the degree of fouling.
[0030] The results of the testing is organized in the following
table:
TABLE 1 ¨ Fouling Test
Oil Comp Rating 1-5 (1= least Corresponding Figure
effective, 5= most
(by volume) effective)
Example 1 ¨ 100% 2.75 (average of two Figure 4
Soybean samples)
=
Example 2- 100% 1.5 Figure 5
Canola
Example 3 ¨ 80% 3.5 Figure 6
Canola, 20%
Soybean
Comparative 3.0 Figures 7
Example 4 ¨ Mobil 1
10W-30
Comparative 1.5 Figure 8
Example 5 ¨
FrogLube
Comparative 4.5 Figure 9
Example 6 ¨
SLIP2000 Carbon
Killer
Comparative 4.0 Figure 10
Example 7¨ Hoppe's
Elite
Comparative 1.0 Figure 11
Example 8 ¨ Gunzilla
Comparative 2.0 Figure 12
Example 9 ¨ Break
Free
Example 10¨ 2.5 No Figure
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100% Rice Bran
Example 11 ¨ 3.5 No Figure
100% Walnut
Example 12 ¨ 3.0 No Figure
100% Sesame
Example 13¨ 4.0 No Figure
50% Rice Bran, 50%
Soybean
Example 14¨ Between 4.0 and 4.5 No Figure
33.3% Rice Bran,
33.3% Walnut,
33.3%
[0031] Table 1 demonstrates that pure vegetable oil compositions and
blended vegetable oil compositions satisfactorily remove carbon fouling,
without
exhibiting the problems of the market lubricants. Notably, the natural
vegetable oils
in accordance with aspects of the invention were found to remove fouling
without
stripping oils from metal and can be used at a wide range of temperatures.
Furthermore, it was found that a blend of vegetable oil (soybean and canola)
was
superior to a single oil. It should be noted that while pure vegetable oils
are primarily
discussed herein, it is within the scope of the invention that other
components may
be present (such as synthetic oils or additives) in amounts that do not
substantially
interfere with the above described properties. Thus, in an aspect of the
present
invention, the oil composition consists essentially of vegetable oils. In
another
aspect of the invention, the oil composition consists of vegetable oils.
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[0032] Aspects of the present invention further include vegetable-
based
oil compositions. The vegetable oil composition may include a first vegetable
oil
having a smoke point above 200 F, a second vegetable oil, distinct from the
first
vegetable oil, having a smoke point above 200 F, and a third vegetable oil,
distinct
from the first and second vegetable oils, having a smoke point above 200 F.
For
example, each of the first, second, and third vegetable oils may have a smoke
point
of about 300 F, or yet more preferably for some applications, each may have a
smoke point of about 400 F. In an aspect of the invention, each oil in the
blend may
include one or more of the properties discussed above. Each of the first,
second,
and third vegetable oils may be selected from the group consisting of: sesame
oil,
canola oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, olive oil, corn oil,
grapeseed oil,
jojoba oil, cotton seed oil, almond oil, safflower oil, walnut oil, avocado
oil, rice bran
oil, and flaxseed oil. The composition may include, by volume, about 1% to
about
80% of each of the first, second, and third vegetable oils, more preferably
for some
applications about 5% to about 60% of each vegetable oil, and most preferably
for
some applications about 7% to about 30% of each vegetable oil. The composition
may further include any number of additional vegetable oils distinct from the
first,
second, and third vegetable oils, each being selected from the above list and
being
present in the above ranges. For example, the composition may include fourth,
fifth,
sixth, etc., vegetable oils.
[0033] As used herein, the term "distinct" means not the same as
another vegetable oil and/or derived from a different plant, vegetable, fruit,
shrub,
flower, or tree nut. For example, canola oil is distinct from soybean oil.
[0034] In aspect of the present invention, the combined volume of the
vegetable oils is at least about 25% of the total volume of the oil
composition, more
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preferably at least about 50% of the total volume of the oil composition,
still more
preferably at least about 75% of the total volume of the oil composition, and
most
preferably about 100% or 100% the total volume of the oil composition.
[0035] In an aspect of the present invention, the composition may
include, by volume, about 1% to about 80%, and more preferably for some
applications about 5% to about 60% of each vegetable oil, and most preferably
for
some applications about 7% to about 30% of each of these vegetable oils. The
composition may consist only of these oils. As noted above, the composition
may
include other components such as synthetic oils and other additives that don't
substantially interfere with the above-described properties of the overall
composition.
As indicated by Table 1, it has been unexpectedly found that that certain
combinations of vegetable oils are superior to both individual oils and
commercial
products in avoiding and removing carbon fouling from mechanical components
without the problems associated with market compositions.
[0036] As shown in Table 1, it was surprisingly found that blends of
vegetable oils are superior at removing carbon fouling than a single vegetable
oil.
See example 3, as compared to examples 1 and 2. Additionally, it was
surprisingly
found that a blend of vegetable oils sufficiently removes carbon fouling,
without
having the problems of the commercial products. See example 3, as compared to
examples 4-9.
[0037] Any of the above-described oils may be applied to a mechanical
component using the following methods. The composition may be deposited onto a
surface. This deposition may be performed via brushing, dropping, spraying, or
any
other suitable delivery method such as applying with a paper towel or single
pack
moistened towelette, and spreading the applied oil evenly on the surface. The
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deposited composition may be allowed to air dry. Alternatively, the deposited
composition may be heated to about 100 to about 400 F to dry. The drying may
be
performed via convection oven, furnace, or any other suitable drying method
such as
for a period of time between 10 minutes and 12 hours, depending on the heat
and
material being treated. The treatment duration and temperature may depend on
the
size and material being treated. Certain metals may only withstand certain
temperatures and exposure time, and, therefore, the precise time and
temperature
will vary. For example, a small aluminum piece, such as a charging handle that
weighs 1.6 ounces, cannot withstand the same temperature intensity as a 16-
ounce
piece of ordnance-grade steel. The composition on the surface in the aluminum
piece, for example, may be exposed to UV light (natural sunlight or lamp) to
promote
oxidation of the applied composition. In another aspect of the present
invention, the
mechanical component may be immersed in a tank containing the vegetable oil
composition at a temperature of 100 to 400 F for a period of time between 10
minutes and 24, hours depending on the material and/or the composition. In yet
another aspect of the present invention, a pressure of about 1-5 ATM may be
applied to the to the vegetable oil composition on the mechanical component
via a
pressure cooker, for example. The time of pressure application may vary from
10
minutes to 24 hours, depending on the material and composition. Furthermore,
the
application method may include any combination of the above steps.
[0038] The above step of depositing the composition on the surface of
a mechanical component may include placing the composition in a container
having
a coating delivery system. For example, the container may have a pump spray, a
trigger spray, or a dropper dispenser, each of which would assist a user in
depositing
the composition onto a mechanical component. The container may also be
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pressurized to allow for aerosol spraying of the composition inside. In
another
aspect of the present invention, the oil composition may be applied to a
mechanical
via a wipe, wherein the wipe contains the oil composition. For example, the
wipe
may be provided in a sealed package that may be opened when a user is ready to
apply the oil composition to the mechanical component. Once removed from the
sealed package, the user can then rub the wipe against the mechanical
competent,
thereby applying the oil composition onto the mechanical component.
Alternatively,
a sealed container may include a plurality of wipes, wherein each wipe
contains the
oil composition. The composition may be contained in a sealed, one-time use
liquid
only packet.
[0039] Example aspects have been described in accordance with the
above advantages. It will be appreciated that these examples are merely
illustrative
of aspects of the invention. Many variations and modifications will be
apparent to
those skilled in the art.
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