The present invention relates to apparatus and methods relating to covers for fuel cells, liquid fuel lamps, candles, torches or other items that yield or have one or more flame. As used herein, the term “flame-yielding device” means any item that may carry or yield one or more flame, including without limitation fuel cells, liquid fuel lamps, candles, torches and other wicked items.
Flame-yielding devices are useful for various purposes, such as providing light, heat, aroma, insect repellant, etc. Flame-yielding devices are also used for aesthetic and decorative purposes. In various scenarios, flame-yielding devices are often used in conjunction with some sort of cover, or holder, that generally surrounds the sides of all or part of the flame. As used herein, the term “cover” means one or more device that generally surrounds the sides of all or part of the flame(s) of one or more flame-yielding device.
Flame-yielding devices with covers are very popular for use, for example, in restaurants, hotels, bars and nightclubs. In many instances, each customer table has a flame-yielding device. Some of the important concerns that often arise involving the use of flame-yielding devices and their covers include cost, ease of handling and maintenance and the ability of the flame-yielding devices to remain lit during normal operating conditions. Other concerns include safety in handling and use, and minimizing the space occupied by the flame-yielding devices and their covers. These and/or other concerns can impact business profits, employee training and efficiency and customer satisfaction.
It should be noted that the above-described concerns are only examples and may vary depending upon the situation. Moreover, there may be other or different concerns. Merely by mentioning the above concerns, it is not intended that each claim of this patent be limited to address or exclude each such concern. Accordingly, none of the appended claims should be limited in any way by the above discussion, or construed to address or exclude the cited concerns, except and only to the extent as may be expressly stated in a particular claim.
While there are many different types of covers presently available, there remains a need for improved flame-yielding device covers and methods of manufacturing the same having one or more of the following attributes, capabilities or features: eliminates the need for a separate flame-yielding device base member; is easily separable from the corresponding flame-yielding device; can be separated from the flame-yielding device without applying pressure to, banging or pushing on the flame-yielding device; is easy to use, clean, handle and maintain; is portable and easily movable between locations; is wind-resistant; may be used outdoors; reduces the accumulation of carbon build-up on the cover; is space and size efficient; occupies minimal space; may be made in different shapes and sizes; is uniquely decorative; is capable of displaying the flame-yielding device at different heights; is constructed of material that is resilient, strong, durable, non-flammable, or any combination thereof; is easy and cost effective to manufacture; or any combination thereof.
Some embodiments of the present invention involve an apparatus for holding a flame-yielding device that includes a generally upwardly extending, sleeve-like body having at least one wall capable of surrounding the flame-yielding device and any flame(s) yielded thereby. The wall includes at least one engagement section extending at least partially around at least part of the height of the wall. The engagement section is removably slideable over and around the flame-yielding device so that the engagement section grips and holds the flame-yielding device when the engagement section is slid over the flame-yielding device. The wall also includes an upper edge and at least two concave portions extending downwardly along at least part of the wall from the upper edge so that the wall shields the flame yielded by the flame-yielding device from extinguishment by air flow under normal operating conditions.
In various embodiment of the present invention, the at least one engagement section has a generally oval shape. A first pair of opposing sides of the engagement section is capable of engaging and gripping opposite sides of the flame-yielding device when the engagement section is slid over and around the flame-yielding device. The flame-yielding device is firmly held within the body when the first pair of opposing sides is engaged with the flame-yielding device. A second pair of opposing sides of the engagement section is disposed between the first pair of opposing sides and is non-engageable with the flame-yielding device when the engagement section is slid over and around the flame-yielding device. When the flame-yielding device is engaged by the first pair of opposing sides of the engagement section, the application of sufficient force to each of the second pair of opposing sides will cause the first pair of opposing sides to disengage the flame-yielding device and release the flame-yielding device from the body.
The present invention includes embodiments of an apparatus for holding a liquid fuel cell, the liquid fuel cell having an outer generally circumferential surface and capable of yielding at least one flame. The apparatus includes a generally upwardly extending, sleeve-like body constructed at least partially of a thermoplastic material and having at least one wall capable of surrounding the liquid fuel cell and the flame yielded thereby. The wall includes at least one engagement section having a generally circular or square shape and is removably slideable over and around the outer generally circumferential surface of the liquid fuel cell. When the engagement section is slid over the liquid fuel cell, the engagement section grips and holds the liquid fuel cell so that the body and the liquid fuel cell may be lifted and moved without separation of the liquid fuel cell from the body.
Various embodiments of the invention involve an apparatus for shielding at least one flame yielded by a flame-yielding device from extinguishment by air flow under normal operating conditions. The apparatus includes a generally upwardly extending, sleeve-like body having at least one wall capable of surrounding the flame-yielding device and flame yielded thereby. The wall also includes an upper edge and four concave portions extending downwardly along at least part of the wall from the upper edge so that the wall shields the flame yielded by the flame-yielding device from extinguishment by air flow under normal operating conditions.
In accordance with the invention, an embodiment of methods for forming an apparatus for holding a flame-yielding device includes heating a tubular member, and while the tubular member is hot, partially pinching together a first pair of opposing sides of the tubular member proximate to the top of the tubular member to form a first pair of concave portions on the tubular member. Also while the tubular member is hot, a second pair of opposing sides of the tubular member is partially pinched together proximate to the top of the tubular member to form a second pair of concave portions on the tubular member. Also, inwardly directed forces are applied to a first pair of opposing sides of the tubular member proximate to the bottom of the tubular member to form an oval shape proximate to the bottom of the tubular member.
An embodiment of a method for forming an apparatus for holding a flame-yielding device having a generally circular outer wall includes heating a tubular member and sliding the flame-yielding device through the tubular member to give the tubular member a generally circular cross-sectional shape. Also while the tubular member is hot, a first pair of opposing sides of the tubular member are partially pinched together proximate to the top of the tubular member to form a first pair of concave portions on the tubular member, and a second pair of opposing sides of the tubular member are partially pinched together proximate to the top of the tubular member to form a second pair of concave portions on the tubular member.
Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance the technology of flame-yielding device covers. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings.
For a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. It should be understood that the appended drawings and description herein are of preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention or the appended claims. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In showing and describing the preferred embodiments, common or similar features are indicated by like or identical reference numerals or, in the absence of a reference numeral, are evident based upon the appended drawings and/or description herein. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
The terms “present invention”, “invention” and variations thereof, as used throughout this patent and in the headings herein, mean one or more embodiment of the invention. These terms are not intended and should not be construed to mean or refer to the “claimed invention” of all, or any particular, claim or claims of this or any other patent or patent application. Thus, the subject matter referred to in the context of the terms “present invention”, “invention” and variations thereof herein is not intended to and should not limit, or be required for, any of the claims merely because of such reference. For example, the BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS sections of this patent discuss non-limiting examples, or embodiments, of the invention. Such discussions and the details thereof are not intended and should not be construed to be required by any claim unless and only to the extent expressly required in the claim itself.
Referring initially to
The engagement section(s) 28 may have any suitable shape and size so long as it is capable of gripping and holding the flame-yielding device 14. As shown in
Still referring to the embodiment of
Still referring to
In other embodiments, such as the example of
In yet other embodiments, such as the example of
Still referring to
In another independent aspect of the present invention, the engagement section(s) 28 may be located along only a portion of the height H of the body 20. In the embodiment of
Still referring to
Now referring to
In accordance with the present invention, the flame shield 40 of this embodiment includes four concave portions 44 extending from the top edge 26 of the wall 24 of the body 20 downwardly along part of the wall 24. In the example shown, the concave portions 44 extend along approximately the top one-third of the wall 24, and the top edge 26 (
Still referring to
In
Referring now to
In another independent aspect of the present invention, the holding apparatus 10 and/or surrounding apparatus 50 (e.g.
In yet other independent aspects of the invention, the body 20 may have any suitable size, shape, configuration and construction. For example, the body 20 may be unitary or multi-part, and may, if desired, be engaged with one or more components intermediate to the flame-yielding device 14. Further, the body 20 may be constructed of any suitable, desirable material or combination of materials, such as, without limitation, glass or plastic. If desired, the material(s) used for the body 20 may possess good safety and/or durability qualities, such as by being non-flammable and difficult to damage during normal use and handling. For another example, it may be desirable to utilize material for at least part of the body 20 that is moldable into a desired shape and thereafter temporarily flexes under certain forces. For still a further example, the body 20 may be constructed of material that can be given a desired color, color combination or ornamental design. One example material having at least some of the above qualities is thermoplastic material, such as acrylic.
In a further independent aspect of the present invention, the inner surface 29 (e.g.
In still another independent aspect of the present invention, the holding apparatus 10 or surrounding apparatus 50 may be manufactured and assembled in any suitable manner. In one embodiment of a method for assembling the holding apparatus 10 of
In other embodiments, the body 20 may be shaped by moving an object inside a heated tube. For example, to create the holding apparatus 10 of
In yet other embodiments, the body 20 may be shaped by engaging a heated tube with or within one or more mold, form, press or template (not shown). For example, to create the holding apparatus 10 of
It should be understood that the present invention does not require each of the techniques or acts described above and is not limited to the above-described methods. Further, the methods described above and any other methods which may fall within the scope of any of the appended claims can be performed in any desired suitable order, and are thus not necessarily limited to the order described herein or listed in any of the appended claims. Yet further, the methods of the present invention do not require the particular embodiments of the holding apparatus 10 and surrounding apparatus 50 as shown and described in the present specification, but are equally applicable with any other suitable structure, form and configuration of components.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention thus offer advantages over the prior art and are well adapted to carry out one or more of the objects of the invention. It should be understood that all of the above components and any other components that may be included may have any suitable, desired size, material construction, configuration, form and quantity, as is or becomes known. The present invention is in no way limited to the components, configurations, dimensions, specific examples or other details described above or shown in the attached figures. Further, the above-described features are not limited to the details as described and shown. Yet further, each such feature can be used independent of any other feature. Moreover, the present invention does not require each of the above features and includes further capabilities, functions, methods, uses and applications, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art based upon the description above and the appended drawings and claims.
While preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, many variations, modifications and/or changes, such as in the components, details of construction and operation, arrangement of parts and/or methods of manufacture or assembly, are possible, contemplated by the patentee, within the scope of the appended claims, and may be made and used by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or teachings of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Thus, all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting. Accordingly, the scope of the invention and the appended claims is not limited to the embodiments described and shown herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/494,455 filed Aug. 11, 2003 and entitled Flame Bearing Item Holder or Cover.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60494455 | Aug 2003 | US |