WO1999010680A1

WO1999010680A1 - Ready to use campfire

Info

Publication number: WO1999010680A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/017489
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Thompson
Original assignee: Campfire, Inc.
Priority date: 1997-08-26
Filing date: 1998-08-24
Publication date: 1999-03-04
Also published as: US5967769A; CA2232593A1; AU9203298A

Abstract

The present invention is a portable, contained, fueled, ready-to-use campfire assembly (1) having a fire resistant container (2) with an upwardly facing mouth (8) that is narrower in diameter then its base. The container (2) is filled with a wick assembly (5), a mixture of mineral spirits, paraffin wax and optionally hardwood chips. No additional fuel, mixing, pouring, or lighting is required. A long lasting fire is provided that resists moderate winds, is readily extinguished by included lid means (12) and does not give out dangerous sparks.

Description

READY TO USE CAMPFIRE

Cross reference to related application this application is a Continuation-In-Part of Application Serial No. 08/920,086 filed August 26, 1997.

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a portable, contained, ready-to-use assembly which provides an instant campfire, fireplace burner, cooker or the like which does not require

additional fuel nor mixing, pouring, priming, nor set up procedures and which can be lighted to provide relatively long lasting contained, outdoor fire for heat and light with

a minimum of hazards .

Background of the Invention

Each year in the United States and other countries numerous forest fires are

inadvertently set off by those who carelessly and improperly make, maintain, and

extinguish campfires. Thus, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a

campfire which is contained, does not emit dangerous sparks, provides desirable heat, and is readily extinguished.

In the prior art there are numerous portable devices and fuel compositions which are designed to provide a convenient fire without the problem of gathering wood

or other fuel and continuously feeding it to the fire. Such fuel is the common firelog

which typically comprises sawdust and a wax binder which has been extruded and then wrapped in a paper starter. However, the typical firelog is heavy, inconvenient to transport, sometimes difficult to light, and requires a supporting grate or fire stand. It

is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a relatively lightweight fire assembly which is easy to start and does not require any additional grates or stands or

supporting structure.

Another common apparatus in the prior art for providing a portable,

relatively quick means of providing a fire is a gas stove or burner. However, these require the transportation of a heavy "bottle" or tank of gas and burner or stove parts, and at least some time and effort in assembling and setting up the burners, tanks, and stove. In addition, besides being bulky, heavy, and time consuming these gas devices

are relatively expensive and require regular maintenance to keep them operating

satisfactorily. Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a

campfire and cooker which is lightweight, requires no set-up, and is relatively

inexpensive.

Another type of portable heat or fire device is known as "canned Heat"

which is an alcohol gel in a can. These often are used as the heat source for chafing dishes or the like where heat with low ash and few obnoxious combustion products is desired within an enclosed area. However, while clean and portable, the alcohol gels do not provide the same heat output, intensity, and ability to remain lighted that is

desirable for campfires or cookers. Thus, it is yet another object of the present invention to provide an assembly which produces a flame that has a relatively high heat

output and satisfactorily maintains a flame under varied conditions. These and other

objects are provided by the invention described below.

The process of making the aforementioned products and devices often

requires numerous steps in the production process and expensive extrusion equipment. Therefore, still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and economical method of producing the assembly of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention It has been surprisingly discovered that a novel combination of a unique fire resistant portable container filled with a novel wick and combustible composition will accomplish the objects set forth above.

In one aspect, the invention is a portable, fueled, assembly for providing an instant and ready-to-use campfire, fireplace burner, or cooker which comprises a

portable, heat and flame resistant container which has an upwardly facing open mouth that is configured so that it can be placed in a stable position on the ground or a base

support surface or structure. The container is filled with wick means in a combustible

composition which will support a flame for an extended and useful period of time.

In another aspect, the composition is disposed in the container so that wick

means in a spirally arranged sheet-like form can be embedded in and extend substantially below the upper surface of the composition and terminate near the bottom of the composition. The composition preferably comprises a minor portion of mineral spirits and a major portion of paraffin wax, and optionally combustible cellulose filler may be

added so that when the wick means is lighted by a match or other lighters a useful fire

is produced generally across the surface of the composition which will give light and

substantial warmth.

In a preferred aspect, the container is of metal and is in a truncated cone

shape wherein the base is the larger horizontal circular surface or side and the open mouth is the smaller circular side. The container may be provided with a lower rim which extends below the closed bottom and provides support for the container. This

lower portion may be provided with orifices for airflow. Such a configuration provides

an exceptionally stable support for the container on a wide variety of surfaces. In addition because the mouth is narrower than the base upward air flow around the

container wall as the fire burner tends to be directed inwardly around the mouth and

tends to increase somewhat in velocity thereby increasing the air supply to the flame.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is a combustible fuel composition for portable campfire assemblies, fireplace burners, cookers, and the like which comprises a major portion of a paraffin wax which is present in about 80% to 95% by

weight and minor portions comprise mineral spirits and optionally may include cellulose fillers. The mineral spirits are a combustible hydrocarbon napthenic solvent and

comprise from about 5 % to 20 % by weight of the composition and the optional cellulose filler is preferably hardwood chips comprising from about 15% to 35% by weight. The

hardwood chips may be hickory, oak, maple, cherry, pecan, walnut, or like chips which

burn with desirable heat intensity and emit a pleasant aroma. Soft wood chips may be

also blended in with the cellulose fiber mix. Sawdust could be used but chips are

preferable.

The wick means of the present invention constitutes a unique aspect thereof.

The wick means comprises a sheet-like combustible material and the sheet can be in a

curvilinear segment to form a helix, or spiral, or coil-like configuration to be disposed

in the combustible composition of the invention or, as preferred, the wick means include

sheet-like materials which may be annularly arranged as a series of concentrically disposed cylinders of different diameters. Further, the sheet-like material may be in linear, planar segments and arranged in the form of a cross or "X" or in a "W" shape or in a series of parallel, spaced apart sheets. These shapes are those forms that appear as the wick means assembly is viewed from above and the portion of the linear or curvilinear segment extending above the surface can be observed as they traverse the

surface of the composition.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is a method of making a portable,

fueled, assembly for an instant, contained campfire which comprises the steps of providing a container with an open upwardly facing mouth, positioning a helical or

concentric corrugated paperboard wick within the container and filling the container with a mix of melted paraffin wax and mineral spirits so that a portion of the wick extends about the paraffin/mineral spirit composition.

In still another aspect, the present invention is a new and unique combination of ingredients that produce a reliable, portable, ready-to-use campfire.

Description of the Drawings The invention set forth above and which will be described in greater detail

hereinafter can be better appreciated by reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred container which contains a

cylindrical wick means arrangement embedded in the combustible composition of the

invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 1 along lines 2-2 showing the wick means arrangement, the composition, and the container; and, Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing the flame distribution across the top of the wick means and composition arrangement.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment Turning now to Figure 1 , the portable assembly 1 of the present invention is shown in perspective and it comprises container 2 with carrying means or tote ring 13. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the container 2 is a truncated cone

with the open mouth 8 being circular and having a diameter of about 6-1/2" in the

preferred embodiment shown. This diameter may practically vary from as low as 2" or

3 " to as wide as 8" to 10" or more. The limits on size are a matter of choice for the size

of the fire and desired burning time. The support surface or support means 9 also being

circular has a diameter in this preferred embodiment of about 8" although this can vary from 5" or lower to 12" or greater. The distance between the opening 8 and support surface 9 which represents the height of the container in this embodiment is about 6" but can be between 4" or lower to 8" to 12" or greater.

Looking now a Figure 2, the vertical cross-section of the assembly is shown.

The wick means 5 extends above the upper surface of the composition 4 and is

embedded in the composition with the upper edges 11 in a position where they may be

readily lighted with a match. In this embodiment the wick means extends about 1/2"

above the upper surface of the composition. The wick means 5 may be corrugated

paperboard or heavy kraft paper or a woven fabric. In this embodiment the wick means

is formed from corrugated paperboard and is in a series of concentric circular cylinders. As shown there are four circular cylinders and they advantageously can have diameter of 2", 3", 4", and 5" respectively. In an alternate preferred embodiment, a single corrugated sheet in the form of a helix can be employed instead of concentric circular

cylinders. The helical or spiral arrangement can geometrically be described generally

as a cylinder. The helix would also have about four turns with about an average of an inch separating the turns.

The preferred composition fills the container to within about 1 " of the rim

of the mouth 8 in the embodiment being described. This volume of the composition 4 will provide a useful fire for up to eight hours. The corrugated sheet-like wick forms the function of lighting the composition across the entire upper surface of the composition

so that the flame is not confined to the wick.

In Figure 3, an embodiment 31 is shown with the flame 33 across the entire

upper surface 34 of the composition. A steady flame at 8" to 12" can usually be maintained during consumption of the composition.

The process for making the assembly according to the present invention comprises the steps of providing a container which is flame and heat resistant. Typically

metal is the most readily available and steel is generally the lowest cost suitable metallic material. Steel, the type that is commonly used in paint buckets, fruit juice and coffee

cans and the like, is preferred because of its availability and low cost. This steel is usually low carbon type and its cost is such that the container can be readily disposed

of after the composition has completely burned up . Disposal presents no environmental

hazard and these containers may be placed in the trash disposal receptacles found in

parks and other outdoor areas. Special features of the truncated cone shape of the container is that first, the wider base lowers the center of gravity as compared with a "bucket" or right circular

cylinder shape thus making the container inherently more stable. Second, air flow is more advantageously directed to support and shape the flame. As the flame burns and

the heated air above the flame rises, the rising air draws in replacement air from around

and below the container mouth. The inward shape of the container thus tends to funnel

this air towards the flame as it rises along the container wall. The inward momentum

of the air flow tends to shape the flame.

The next step in the process of making the ready-to-use campfire assembly

of the present invention requires the preparation of the combustible composition. The composition comprises a major portion of the paraffin wax which is preferably a petroleum derived hydrocarbon wax which may be described as a white crude scale wax preferably having a melt temperature range from about 117°F to about 130°F. A

particularly suitable wax is 6433 wax from the National Wax Division of the Dussek

Campbell Company.

The mineral spirits or naphtha which is an aliphatic hydrocarbon fraction of

petroleum evolved in the distillation range of about 150°C to about 200°C. A

particularly suitable form is the paraffmic napthlanic solvent sold by Lamplight Farms of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin under the brand name "Lamplight Farms Lamp Oil" which has a specific gravity at 60 °F of about 0.806.

The third ingredient of the composition, which is preferred but may be

optional, is wood chips which are preferably hardwood chips of oak, hickory, maple,

cherry, walnut, or the like. Sawdust or mulch from any one of these woods can be used. Also, pine chips or pine sawdust or other soft wood could be used. The chips or preferably relatively fine ground or they can be chips 1/16" to 2" to 3" in length, 1/16"

to 1/2" in width, and 1/16" to 1-1/2" to 3" in height. In addition to sawdust or wood chips non-toxic, environmentally compatible aromatics may be used to provide various scents as desired. While it is a desirable feature of the invention and within its scope,

the composition of the invention will perform its function satisfactorily without wood

chips and will burn with the mineral spirits/wax composition.

The step in the process which requires the positioning of the wick within the container can be accomplished either before or after the composition melt is poured into

the container. The wick is preferably helical or it can be concentric cylinders or annular in shape. As mentioned above, paper, such as corrugated paperboard or kraft paper, may be used or a woven fabric of cotton or other natural fiber may be used for the wick. Corrugated paperboard is also satisfactory and provides a desirably large amount of surface area in contact with the composition as it fills in the flutes and spaces between

the flutes and paperboard outer walls. Once the wick arrangement is positioned in the

container the composition is then poured in to fill the container to within about 1 " of the

upper rim of the container. Sufficient wick material about 1/2" to 1" is left to extend

above the upper surface of the composition so that the edge of the wick can be readily

lighted by a match. The important function of the wick arrangement is that it lights the

entire upper surface of the composition and providing points at which to re-light the surface. A cord or string-like wick of the typical candle may have a tendency to burn only in a localized area around the string-like wick and not spread across the composition surface. Thus, the wick arrangement of this invention provides a way to

light and re-light the entire surface of the composition.

Continuing with the process, the paraffin wax is melted and the mineral

spirits are blended there within a preferred ratio of about 1 ounce of mineral spirits to about 1 pound of wax or about 7% by volume. If wood chips are to be used, they can be preferably placed into the container prior to pouring the melt into the container or the chips can be mixed or stirred into the melt before pouring.

In the preferred method the chips in paniculate or mulch form are first

placed in the container and then the melted paraffin/mineral spirits blend is poured into the container. The wood chips are less dense than the blend and rise and float within the blend resulting in a substantially uniform distribution when the melt solidifies.

In this process an annular or helical wick means is inserted into the container

and positioned prior to pouring in the paraffin wax. Alternately the annular or helical wick means can be inserted into the melt before it solidifies and be properly spaced.

Best Mode The best mode of the invention for which preferred embodiments have been

presented above comprises a container of the shape shown in Figures 1 and 2 having a

mouth 8 with a diameter of about 6- 112 " , a height of about 6 " of steel construction . The

composition comprises 7 % of the aforementioned " lamp oil", the remainder being " scale

wax". The container is filled to the brim and has a wick assembly 5 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The container is filled about 3/4" below the brim and the assembly

weighs approximately 5 pounds and will burn up to 8 hours. The campfire assembly, when lighted, provides a flame which will resist

being blown out by moderate to even relatively strong winds. Also, the fire can be

snuffed out by covering the mouth of the container with lid 12 which is attached by connecting ring 13. The lid 12 may be hot after the fire has burned for a long period

but it can be readily lifted into place by a stick or similar object. If, after initial use, the

wick is difficult to light because it has burned below the re-hardened composition

surface, the flame may be readily rekindled by crumpling a piece of paper, placing it on and pressing it against the composition surface and lighting it.

Many other embodiment configurations of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure. The scope of the

invention is only limited by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable, fueled assembly for providing an instant campfire,

fireplace burner, or cooker comprising; a) a fire resistant container having an upwardly facing open mouth,

support base, and a wall connecting said base and mouth; b) wick means comprising a vertically positioned sheet comprising a

material selected from the group consisting of kraft paper, corrugated paperboard, and

woven fabric; c) a solid, combustible composition comprising a major portion of paraffin wax and minor portions of mineral spirits said composition disposed within said container with its upper surface exposed through said mouth with said wick means embedded therein so that a portion of said wick means extends above said upper surface

of said composition, whereby igniting said wick means will spread flames across

substantially the entire upper surface of said composition.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said wick means comprises a

helically disposed sheet-like corrugated paperboard embedded in said combustible

composition with an exposed edge for lighting.

3. The assembly of claim 1 including a cellulose based filler in said

composition.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said support base has a horizontal surface of greater area than that of said mouth.

5. A portable, fueled, assembly for providing an instant campfire,

fireplace burner, or cooker comprising: a) portable, substantially hollow, heat and flame resistant container

having at least one exterior wall, said container being configured to have a base so that it can be placed in a stable position on the ground and having an open, upwardly facing

mouth through which flame can rise; b) a combustible composition capable of supporting combustion for an extended period of time disposed in said container, said composition comprising by

volume about 5% to 15% combustible hydrocarbon solvent and about 85% to 95%

paraffin wax;

c) a wick means of generally sheet-like configuration vertically disposed and embedded in said composition and having a portion thereof extending above the

upper surface of said composition, said wick arrangement traversing a substantial distance on said surface, and said wick being accessible through said upwardly facing mouth, and whereby when said wick is lighted a useful fire is produced across the upper

surface of said composition in said container which will burn for an extended period.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the container comprises fire

resistant metal selected from the group consisting of containers having generally

truncated cone shapes with the larger circular surface forming the bottom of the

container and the smaller circular surface being open to provide said upwardly facing

mouth.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said wick comprises corrugated

paperboard.

8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said wick is embedded in said

composition and is annularly shaped comprising a plurality of concentric spaced apart

cylinder.

9. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said cellulose filler comprises

hardwood chips.

10. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said wick means comprises a helically disposed sheet embedded in said composition.

11. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said wick means comprises generally linear segments that traverse the surface of said composition.

12. The composition of claim 5 wherein said combustible solvent

comprise paraffinic napfheric solvent having a specific gravity at 60 ┬░F of about 0.81.

13. The composition of claim 5 wherein said paraffin wax is white,

crude, scale wax having a melting point in the range of about 117┬░F to about 130┬░F.

14. The assembly of claim 5 including lid means for covering said open

mouth prior to use of said assembly and for extinguishing a fire in the assembly after lighting.