Patent Application
20170336069
Currently, many types of torches and burners are known for mixing air and fuel to produce a flame for a variety of applications such as welding, cooking, and illumination. For some applications, such as decorative applications, a visible flame is desired independent of the heat output of the flame. Typically, decorative flame applications surround the flame with a square housing that requires structural support at the top, sides, and bottom of the torch. Such additional structural elements produce unnecessary clutter that distracts from the beauty of the fire.
Moreover, prior art torches generally utilize an alcohol based fuel to produce the flame. Unfortunately, alcohol based fuels burn very quickly, resulting in a severely reduced burn time before the fuel needs to be replaced. For example, a prior art torches typically are only capable of burning for approximately twenty minutes before the fuel needs to be replaced. Such frequent replacement of the fuel source leads to high maintenance costs and often to reduced enjoyment of the decorative flame apparatus.
In addition, prior art torches are generally supported via a square shaped structure and therefore require additional structural support at the top of the torch apparatus. That is, prior art torches require a base as well as a structural cap at the top and often additional structure along the edges. All these additional structural articles detract from the beauty of the torch.
The present invention addresses these needs by providing a spiral flame torch apparatus that does not require structural elements on the sides and top, and further provides a long burning flame source. As will be described in greater detail subsequently, the spiral flame torch apparatus of the embodiments of the present invention includes a base supporting a glass halo comprised of at least two sheets of rounded glass having slightly overlapping edges. Disposed within the glass halo is a paraffin based flame source. Advantageously, the spiral flame torch apparatus of the present invention provides a desirable spiraling flame that can be maintained on an incline. Moreover, the paraffin based fuel source is capable of burning for over two hours before needing replacement.
The invention, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention addresses these needs by providing a spiral flame torch apparatus that does not require structural elements on the sides and top, and further provides a long burning flame source. It also provides a desirable spiraling flame that can be maintained on an incline, whereas prior art torches cannot. In general, embodiments of the present invention include a rounded cylinder shaped flame guard divided into two or more sections surrounding a paraffin based fuel source capable of burning for over two hours before needing replacement.
The spiral flame torch apparatus 100 further includes a glass halo 112. A glass halo 112 is defined as at least two rounded glass sheets 114 having two vertical sides each overlapping at least one vertical edge of another rounded glass sheet. For example,
The gap 200 formed between the overlapping vertical sides preferably is small enough to prevent human access through the gap 200, and large enough to allow air flow through the gap 200 to the interior of the glass halo 112. As will be described subsequently, the overlapping sides of the rounded glass sheets 114 direct airflow in a particular direction that causes a unique spiraling flame effect.
Referring back to
In operation, the wick 118 of the paraffin based flame source 116 is lit and the flame source 116 is placed inside the rounded glass sheets 114 of the glass halo 112. When lit, the flame causes a pressure differential that draws in air through the gaps 200 in the glass halo 112. More specifically, the lit paraffin based flame source 116 causes the air inside the halo to rise in temperature. The sides of the glass halo 112 and the base close off most airflow except for the top and gaps 200. Hence, the hot interior air then rises and exits the interior of the glass halo 112 from the top. The exiting air causes a pressure differential or vacuum as the air is consumed by the flame. The vacuum draws in air through the gaps 200 between the overlapping rounded glass sheets 114 of the glass halo 112. As noted above, the overlapping structure of the rounded glass sheets 114 of the glass halo 112, causes the incoming air to flow in a circular motion, resulting in a unique spiraling flame effect.
Further, as the wick 118 of the paraffin based flame source 116 continues to burn, the wick 118 falls over into the fuel of the paraffin based flame source 116. As such, the fallen wick 118 creates a larger surface area for the burn. That is, the fallen wick 118 causes a more linear vacuum versus horizontal (three-dimensional) vacuum. The result is a more enhanced and unique spiral flame effect. Moreover, the paraffin of the paraffin based flame source 116 allows the flame to burn for two or more hours, resulting in a very long lived flame effect before needing to change the flame fuel source.
The pressure force created by the constant balanced flow of outside air being vacuumed into the chamber through the gaps 200 between the sheets of glass 114 of the glass halo 112 causes a whirlwind effect, a vortex, inside interior of the glass halo 112, as noted above. The position of the sheets of glass sheets 114 in relationship to each other in terms of circular continuous overlap and interior gapping 200 at the overlaps dictates how much air is allowed to flow into the interior of the glass halo 112. The amount of pressure created inside of the interior of the glass halo 112 and amount of air flow required is dictated by the type and amount of energy originating inside the interior of the glass halo 112. Energy such as fire requires a greater amount of air flow therefore creating a higher pressure vacuum where the heat from the fire escapes through the opening at the top of the glass halo 112. As a result, the glass halo 112 can be tilted at an angle and in even warped to a certain extent while keeping the centerline pressure inside the chamber intact and allowing the high pressure escape route of the energy inside the chamber such as fire to follow this route to the end of the glass halo 112. For clarification, the energy originating inside the chamber can be such things as fire, smoke, and vapor.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the above described invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 62/306,935, filed on Mar. 11, 2016, by inventor Armando Parra, and entitled “Spiral Flame Torch Apparatus,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62306935 | Mar 2016 | US |
