Patent Grant
11306268
This invention relates generally to combustible materials. More specifically, but without limitation, this disclosure involves a combustible structure that includes one or more synthetic or artificial fire logs (or similar for placement in a fireplace, a campfire, or an outdoor firepit.
Gathering and assembling firewood for a bonfire, camp fire, grill, or fireplace is tedious and in some public places is prohibited. Additionally, firewood is not always available, for example, when an insect infestation creates a quarantine condition. Various solutions exist to simplify this process. For example, fire starter blocks alleviate the need for wood kindling. Manufactured fire logs, which can be used as a substitute for firewood, are readily available at stores.
But these solutions still require a multi-step process that includes gathering multiple items such as fuel and starter, then arranging the fuel and starter in such a manner as to permit the starter to ignite the fuel. Additionally, manufactured fire logs may not burn for a sufficiently long time or may not create a sufficiently large source of heat. Some manufactured firelogs cannot be used to cook safely in the outdoors.
Hence, a need exists for a firewood substitute that alleviates this multi-step process by providing a convenient and portable solution.
The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a combustible structure includes a starter fuel chamber with a starter fuel, an external lighter opening, an external air opening, and external exhaust vent. The combustible structure further includes a conveying fuel chamber adjacent to the starter fuel chamber and including a conveying fuel. The combustible structure further includes a fuel chamber adjacent to the conveying fuel chamber, the fuel chamber including an artificial fire log and an external vent. The combustible structure further includes a retaining structure that holds the artificial fire log in place such that combustion in the conveying fuel chamber spreads to the fuel chamber. The combustible structure further includes a cover configurable to hold the starter fuel in the starter fuel chamber and the conveying fuel in the conveying fuel chamber.
The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a combustible structure that includes one or more fuels, a lighter opening, air opening, and a vent opening. Examples of fuels include firestarter or firelogs, or parts or components thereof. Examples of composition of the fuels include synthetic, or natural variants, for example, paper, wax, cardboard, sawdust, or a combination thereof. Embodiments of the present invention are self-kindling, i.e., do not need separate kindling to be provided.
In an exemplary use case, the combustible structure is placed in a firepit. The lighter opening and the vent are pushed open by a user. The combustible structure receives ignition via a match or a lighter placed in the lighter opening, which ignites a starter fuel. The starter fuel, held in place by a starter fuel partition, starts to combust, draws air from the vent and the lighter opening, and ignites a conveying fuel. The starter fuel continues to combust feeding the conveying fuel more energy while slowing consuming the starter partition. The conveying fuel, held in place via a retaining structure, conveys or propagates the combustion process such that one or more fire logs stored internally to the structure are ignited. Over time, the combustible structure continues to burn itself. In this manner, the combustible structure acts as a firewood substitute that is convenient, portable, and alleviates the need to gather different sizes of firewood and arrange the firewood with a starter fuel.
Turning now to the Figures,
Objects and structures described or depicted herein such as combustible structure 100 can be formed of materials including but not limited to waxed cardboard, waxed paper, wood chips, or synthetic material. Combustible structure 100 is depicted as a rectangular box, but need not be. For example, combustible structure 100 can be a cube, cylinder, or other shape.
Combustible structure 100 encloses one or more fuels, e.g., an artificial fire log, starter fuels, or conveying fuels. A starter fuel a fuel that is easily ignitable and serves to ignite additional fuel such as a conveying fuel or a fire log. A conveying fuel is a fuel that is easily ignited by the starter fuel and increases combustion such that the internal fuel such as a fire log can be reliably ignited. Examples of starter fuel include paper, “converted paper,” “polyethylene” wrappers, wax, cardboard, sawdust, wood, nuts, fiber, or some combination thereof.
Starter fuel and conveying fuel can be chosen based on different characteristics such as ignition time or burn rate. In some cases, the conveying fuel includes larger size particles than the starter fuel. For example, if a starter fuel includes particles of a first size or geometry, then a suitable conveying fuel might include particles of a second, larger, size or geometry that are sufficient to ignite a fire log. Neither fuel is restricted in geometric shape like balls, squares, disc, wedges, chunks, blocks, etc. However, in at least some circumstances, starter fuel and conveying fuel conceivably may be the same.
Combustible structure 100 includes cover lighter opening 102 that can receive ignition from an ignition source such as a match or lighter. Cover lighter opening 102 opens into starter fuel chamber 111. As such, a starter fuel ignites when cover lighter opening 102 receives an ignition source. Cover lighter opening 102 can be prefabricated. For example, a weakened (e.g. perforated) area of combustible structure 100 is capable of being reconfigured as a hole by applying pressure to the area. For example, when pushed, cover lighter opening 102 opens to allow an ignition source to be inserted. Cover lighter opening 102 is depicted on the front of combustible structure 100 for illustrative purposes, but can be located elsewhere on combustible structure 100 as desired. Cover lighter opening 102 is depicted as an oval shape, but can be any shape such as a circle. In an embodiment, the combustible structure 100 can include additional lighter openings at different locations such as the side or top of combustible structure 100. In this manner, lighting combustible structure 100 could be convenient to light when positioned differently.
Combustible structure 100 includes at least one of vent 103 or vent 104. Vents 103-104 provide openings through which gases from combustion of fuels or fire logs retained within combustible structure 100 can escape. Vents 103-104 can be prefabricated, i.e. perforated, holes in combustible structure 100. Vents 103-104 are depicted on the top of combustible structure 100, but either vent could be in another location such as a side of combustible structure 100. Vents 103-104 are depicted as oval-shape but can be any shape such as a circle. In an embodiment, vents 103-104 can also receive an ignition source.
As discussed, each vent 103 and 104 can perform different functions and can do so at different times in a combustion process. For example, vent 103 may serve as a source of air while vent 104 may expel combustion gases, or vice versa. Additionally, cover lighter opening 102 can perform the functions of a vent. In an example, cover lighter opening 102 can initially serve to draw in air, creating a draft through opening 113 to either vent 103, 104 or both. In this manner, the combustion is drawn across the starter fuel chamber 111 into the conveying fuel chamber 112 to ignite one or more fuels.
As explained further with respect to
In an example, combustible structure 100 includes a fire log and starter fuel 231. In another example, combustible structure 100 includes a fire log, conveying fuel 232, and starter fuel 231. Combustible structure 100 can include more than one fire log or fuel type.
As discussed, combustible structure 100 can include one or more fuels such as a fuel 230 situated in starter fuel chamber 111, a fire log 240 situated in second fuel chamber 114, starter fuel 231 situated in starter fuel chamber 111, or conveying fuel 232 situated in conveying fuel chamber 112.
Chambers 110-112 are located adjacent to each another, connected to each other, or in close proximity with each other, in such a manner as to convey combustion of a fuel that is easier to light to a fuel that is harder to light. As depicted, starter fuel chamber 111 is adjacent to, connected to, or in close proximity with conveying fuel chamber 112. Conveying fuel chamber 112 is between first fuel chamber 110 and second fuel chamber 114. Chambers 110-112 are created or partitioned by one or more retaining structures, discussed further with respect to
In an exemplary use, cover lighter opening 102 receives ignition from an ignition source. The ignition source ignites starter fuel 231. Starter fuel 231 combusts. The combustion spreads through opening 113 and ignites conveying fuel 232, which in turn ignites fuel 230 and fuel 234. Opening 113, located in a partition, allows air, flames, and combustion gases to flow between the starter fuel chamber and the conveying fuel chamber. As the fire in the structure grows, starter fuel chamber 111 may begin to burn at opening 113 as enable via the drafting of the combustion gases through vents 103-104.
Combustible structure 100 includes cover 205. As depicted in
As depicted, combustible structure 100 includes two conveying fuel partitions 310 and 320 that together create conveying fuel chamber 112. Conveying fuel partitions 310 and 320 are separated with retaining structures 330 and 340, which are perpendicular to the conveying fuel partitions 310 and 320 and separated by a length less than or equal to the length of conveying fuel partitions 310 and 320. In this manner, the combination of conveying fuel partitions 310 and 320 and retaining structures 330 and 340 separate fuel 230 and fuel 234, and create conveying fuel chamber 112. In an aspect, conveying retaining structures 330-340 each include a notch that permits improved conveyance of combusting fuel and drafting of the conveying fuel during the ignition process.
Conveying fuel 232 is placed between and around retaining structures 330 and 340. Optionally, a gap exists between retaining structure 330 and starter fuel partition 311. This gap can contain combustible material such as chips (not depicted).
Starter fuel chamber 111 is created by starter fuel partition 311 in conjunction with a side of combustible structure 100. As depicted, starter fuel partition 311 is perpendicular and adjacent to conveying fuel partition 310 and conveying fuel partition 320, but other arrangements are possible. Starter fuel partition 311 is parallel to retaining structure 330 and retaining structure 340. Starter fuel partition 311 holds starter fuel 231 in place. Starter fuel partition 311 includes opening 113 through which combustion, air, or gases can flow.
At step 1, cover lighter opening 102 (not depicted) receives an ignition source such as a match or a lighter.
At step 2, the ignition source ignites starter fuel 231. Starter fuel burns in the direction shown at step 2. Air is received via one or more of lighter opening 208, vent 103, or vent 104.
At step 3, combustion from the starter fuel 231 passes through opening 113 to the conveying fuel 232. Alternatively, the combustion burns the material surrounding the opening, e.g., the starter fuel partition 311. The conveying fuel burns in the direction denoted by the arrow 3 towards 4.
At step 4, combustion from the conveying fuel 232 ignites fuel 230 and fuel 234. Combustion gases are expelled from the combustible structure via one or more of lighter opening 208, vent 103, or vent 104. Conveying fuel 232 and starter fuel 231 continue to burn. The internal structures, e.g., partitions, and the external structures of the combustible structure also ignite from the combustion of one or more of the fuels and in turn combust along with the fire logs.
Indeed, in many cases, the entirety of combustion structure 100 may combust, producing significant fire for an extended period and leaving as waste product only (or predominantly), ash.
Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4460377 | Kalil | Jul 1984 | A |
| 7850746 | Weissman | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 20170002284 | Price | Jan 2017 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| WO-2013075196 | May 2013 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Machine Translation of WO 2013/075196 (Year: 2013). |
| Machine Translation of Costa (WO-2013075196-A1_ (Year: 2013). |
