AU2004224977B2 - Disposable Fuel Burner - Google Patents

Description

S&FRef: 349520AUD2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Wallace Burak, Australian Citizen, of 58 Renway Avenue, Lugaro, New South Wales, 2210, Australia Wallace Burak Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Disposable Fuel Burner.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845c SUPPORT FRAME FOR A REFRIGERATOR Technical Field This invention relates to disposable fuel burners of the type commonly utilised to heat bains-marie or used in other similar situations in which it is desired to keep food Swarm, or to provide low-level illumination, and to fuels and wicks for use in such burners.

Background Art Typically, the known disposable fuel burners include a combustible liquid or geltype fuel in a container, a wick partially immersed in the fuel, and a support for the wick io through which a part of the wick projects. Some known disposable fuel burners also include a layer of porous, non-combustible material overlying and in contact with the exposed part of the wick. In these burners, the fuel impregnates the porous layer as a result of capillary action through the wick, and may be ignited. Generally, the wick support in previously known disposable fuel burners is a flat metal plate having an opening for the wick and one or two relatively smaller openings for admission of air to a compartment holding the fuel. Alternatively, some previously known disposable fuel burners have a fuel holder in the form of a squat can, the top of the can including a raised central portion holding the wick and adapted to receive a screw cap for preventing loss of fuel from the burner during transportation. Such burners are usually of multi-part construction.

Known disposable liquid fuel burners suffer from a number of disadvantages.

Disadvantages exhibited by known burners include: some burners, especially those including a gel-type fuel, get very hot during use and/or following use, so that they are impossible to pick up without appropriate protection for the skin; the flame tends to be unstable in the wind, making such disposable fuel burners unsatisfactory for use out of doors; in burners with a liquid fuel, or those with a gel-type fuel after they have become hot in use, the fuel tends to spill from the burner easily if it is accidentally knocked over; in some, the flame height, and therefore the intensity of the flame, are difficult or impossible to adjust; 10695641 :hxa 00 some are a safety hazard if they are knocked onto their side while in O ,,I use; in some, the flame can be difficult to relight if it is extinguished for any reason; some are relatively complex and/or costly to manufacture; and burners with a gel-type fuel have an ethanolic or methanolic smell when not in use and sometimes also when in use, which is undesirable in a food environment.

While not all prior art disposable fuel burners exhibit all of the above disadvantages, all exhibit at least one of these disadvantages.

Ci 0 Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a disposable, adjustable wick fuel burner including: a container having a closed bottom, enclosing side walls extending upwardly from the bottom, a wick support located above the bottom, with a fuel chamber located between the support and bottom, said support having a wick support opening and an air opening, the air opening providing air access to said chamber, a top located above said wick support and having an opening aligned with said wick support opening, said top being spaced from said support to provide a cavity between said top and support so that said top is adapted to retain at least some fuel that may leak through said air inlet opening or openings; a fuel located in said chamber and providing a fuel surface below said support; and an elongated porous wick extending through said wick support opening and having an end exposed by the top opening to provide for access to said wick to ignite said wick, and an end immersed in said fuel, said exposed end having a height above said wick support, with said wick being movable relative to said support to adjust said height.

Preferably, said wick support includes a wall extending generally parallel to said top and providing said wick support opening.

Preferably, said wick support is attached to and extends from said side walls so as to be supported thereby.

1069564 :hxa 00 O Preferably, said wick support is attached to and extends from said top so as to be supported thereby.

C Preferably, the burner further includes a plug closing the top opening and that is removable to expose said wick.

IPreferably, the burner further includes a peelable label covering the top opening.

Preferably, the burner further includes a peelable label covering saidthe top opening.

t, Preferably, the burner further includes a peelable label covering said plug.

Preferably, the burner further includes a lid covering said top and extending between said side walls.

N Preferably, said wick support opening is located generally centrally of said wick 0o support.

Preferably, said top opening is located generally centrally of said top.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross section through a disposable fuel burner; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the disposable fuel burner depicted in Figure 1, with its lid removed; Figures 3A and 3B are isometric views of a disposable fuel burner. Figure 3A shows the disposable fuel burner with a peelable sealing means in place, and Figure 3B shows the same disposable fuel burner with the sealing means removed, in a use condition; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross section through a disposable fuel burner; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic cross section through a disposable fuel burner; Figure 6A is a diagrammatic cross section through a disposable fuel burner; Figure 6B is a diagrammatic cross section through a disposable fuel burner similar to that illustrated in Figure 6A, and having in addition, a top; Figures 7A and 7B are diagrammatic cross sections through a disposable fuel burner incorporating flame extinguishing means. Figure 7A illustrates the disposable fuel burner in a use position, and Figure 7B illustrates the disposable fuel burner on its side with the extinguishing means in an extinguishing position; Figure 8 is an isometric view of the extinguishing means of the disposable fuel burner illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B; Figures 9A and 9B are diagrammatic cross sections through a disposable fuel burner incorporating an alternative flame extinguishing means; 1069564 1:hx& 00 O Figure 10 is a partial diagrammatic cross section through a disposable fuel N burner; c Figure 11 is a cross-section through a disposable fuel burner; Figures 12A to 12C are respectively an isometric view, plan view and crosssection of a wick support for a disposable fuel burner; Figures 13A to 13C are two isometric views and a plan view, respectively, of a wind shield usable with any of the above burners; SFigure 13D is an isometric view of an alternative wind shield in accordance with the invention; Figures 13E and 13F provide a plan view and a side elevation, respectively, of N, another wind shield; Figure 14 is a diagrammatic cross-section through a disposable fuel burner; Figure 15 is a diagrammatic cross-section through a ninth disposable fuel burner in accordance with the invention.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic cross-section through a disposable fuel burner; Figure 17A is a cross-section through a plug for use in a disposable fuel burner.

Figure 17B is a diagrammatic cross-section of the plug illustrated in Figure 17A, inserted in an opening in the top of a disposable fuel burner. Figure 17C is a plan view from below of the plug illustrated in Figure 17A; and Figure 18A is a diagrammatic representation of the underside of a wick support for use in a disposable fuel burner, showing valve means in the form of a plastic film operatively associated with the air inlet opening. Figures 18B-18F are diagrammatic representations of alternative forms of the valve means.

Best Mode and Other Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Figures 1 and 2 provide diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a first disposable fuel burner. Referring to Figure 1, disposable fuel burner 1 is generally cylindrical in shape and consists of container 5 containing wick 70 and liquid fuel 30. Container consists of bottom 10, enclosing front and back side walls 20, wick support 40 and top Container 5 is closed by removable lid 80, which is fitted with ring pull tab 85. The walls 20 combining to provide a cylindrical configuration. The support 40 is a wall attached to and supported by the walls 20. The bottom edges of side walls 20 are equipped with feet 12, 13. Container 5 is constructed of metal. Wick 70 is of fibreglass and is partially immersed in fuel 30, the other end being supported by wick support 40 and projecting through opening 60 in wick support 40. Wick support 40 forms conical well 45 which 1069564 l:hxa 00 contains opening 60 at its bottom, and is equipped with air inlet opening 47. Wick support opening 60 is disposed substantially opposite opening 55 in top C Located between the top 50 and support 40 is an annular cavity 41 that receives fuel that may leak through the air inlet opening 47 should the burner become tilted.

Between the bottom 10 and support 40 is a fuel chamber 42 that receives the fuel.

t Figure 2 is a view of the burner depicted in Figure 1, with its lid removed.

In use, the height of wick 70 is adjusted as desired, depending on the desired flame size, and fuel 30 is allowed to permeate to the top of wick 70. Fuel 30 is then 1o ignited by the application of a lighted match or other ignition source to the end of wick 70. As fuel 30 bums and its level decreases, air enters through air inlet 47 in wick support 40. If it is desired to extinguish the flame, lid 80 may be temporarily replaced.

Figures 3A and 3B are isometric views of a disposable fuel burner. Figure 3A shows the disposable fuel burner with a peelable sealing means in place, and Figure 3B is shows the same disposable fuel burner with the sealing means removed, in a use condition. Referring first to Figure 3A, disposable fuel burner 100 consists of container 105 having side walls 120 combining to provide a cylindrical configuration and a bottom sealed to side walls 120 by peripheral seam 110. At the other end of container 105 is wick support 140 extending to side wall 120 and sealed to side walls 120 by peripheral seam 141, forming circumferential groove 142 in wick support 140. Prior to use of disposable fuel burner 100, it is provided with peelable label 160 which is peelably adhered to wick support 140. Peelable label is an approximately square piece of thin pliable plastic material which is substantially inert to fuel (not seen in Figure 3A or 3B) in container 105, and includes raised corner portion 165 which is not adhered to wick support 140. When disposable fuel burner 100 is to be used, corner portion 165 of label 160 is grasped and pulled, thereby peeling label 160 from wick support 140.

When in place, peelable label 160 covers well 145 in wick support 140, which are best seen in Figure 3B. Label 160 provides a sufficient seal over well 145 to prevent any fuel from container 105 which leaks into well 145 from escaping from well 145.

Well 145 consists of substantially circular bottom surface 146 having air inlet opening 147 and a wick support opening (not seen in Figure 3B) formed therein, and having side 148 substantially perpendicular both to bottom surface 146 and to the surface of wick support 140. It will be appreciated that air inlet opening 147 could also be provided in side 148 of well 145, rather than in bottom surface 146. Wick 170 projects through the wick support opening in well 145, and has a distal end which is immersed in 1069564 l:hxa 00 O fuel (not shown) held in container 105. Wick 170 may be formed from a bundle of glass N fibres, or it may be made of terry-towelling, or it may be a combination of glass fibres and c tufted material, in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In use, after peelable label 160 is removed from disposable fuel burner 100, wick 170 may be adjusted by pulling or pushing it to a desired height, and fuel impregnating the wick 170 may be ignited.

Figure 4 illustrates another disposable fuel burner. Referring to Figure 4, generally cylindrical disposable fuel burner 200 consists of container 205 having side N, wall 206 and closed bottom 210, and holding liquid fuel 230. Above the surface of fuel i0 230 are upper and lower wick supports 241, 242 defining enclosed space 265 between N them and extending to side wall 206. Upper wick provides a top and support 241 is generally flat but includes well 250 substantially in its centre and shallow ridge 246 encircling well 250. At the bottom of well 250 is wick support opening 261, which is aligned with wick support opening 262 in lower wick support 242. One end of wick 270 Is passes through wick support openings 261, 262, and is somewhat flattened. The other end of wick 270 is immersed in fuel 230. Wick support 242 is equipped with air inlet opening 247 adjacent one edge of a substantially flat, depressed part of wick support 242, and weight 280 is located adjacent side wall 206 at a position diametrically opposite air inlet opening 247. If disposable fuel burner 200 falls onto its side, weight 280 causes burner 200 to roll to a position at which weight 280 is at the bottom, thereby raising air inlet opening 247 above the surface of fuel 230 and preventing fuel from leaking from air inlet opening 247. Located between the supports 241 and 242 is an annular cavity 243.

Figure 5 illustrates a further disposable fuel burner. Referring to Figure disposable fuel burner 300 consists of container 305 having side walls 306 combining to provide a cylindrical configuration, and closed bottom 310, and holding liquid fuel 330.

Above the surface of fuel 330 is lower wick support 342, having depression 343 formed therein, with wick support opening 362 and air inlet opening 347 being formed in depression 343. Lower wick support is other wise generally flat, but has shallow ridge 346 encircling depression 343. Upper wick support 341 is a press fit into the top of depression 343 in lower wick support 342. Upper wick support 341 includes well 350 which has wick support opening 361 formed therein, wick support openings 361 and 362 being aligned. Enclosed space 365 is defined between upper wick support 341 and lower wick support 342. One end of wick 370 passes through wick support openings 361, 362, and is somewhat flattened. The other end of wick 370 is immersed in fuel 330.

1069564 Ihxa 00 O The support 342 is a wall attached to and supported by the top.

Figures 6A and 6B are cross-sections through a further disposable fuel burner, c including a plastic sealing plug. Referring to Figure 6A, generally cylindrical disposable fuel burner 400 consists of container 405 having side walls 406 and closed bottom 410, and holding liquid fuel 430. Above the surface of fuel 430 are upper and lower wick supports 441, 442 defining enclosed space 465 between them and extending to side wall 406. Upper wick support 441 includes well 450 substantially in its centre. Wick support opening 461 is aligned with wick support opening 462 in lower wick support 442. One N, end of wick 470 passes through wick support openings 461, 462 and is somewhat 1o flattened at that end, and the other end is immersed in fuel 430. Wick support 442 is N, equipped with air inlet opening 447. Disposable fuel burner 400 is further equipped with plastic sealing plug 480 fabricated from resilient plastic and having a top and straight sides dimensioned to be a press fit into well 450. To facilitate sealing, the side of plug 480 includes a circumferential rib 485. The sides of well 450 include a recessed portion at their lower ends for receiving circumferential rib 485 when plug 480 is pressed into place. Figure 6B illustrates a similar disposable fuel burner to that illustrated in Figure 6A, but without plug 480, and further including top 490 having opening 495 therein, opening 495 being opposed to wick support opening 461. Top 495 confers additional wind protection against wind and draughts for a flame emanating from the exposed end of wick 470 when disposable fuel burner 400 is in use.

Figures 7A and 7B are cross-sections through yet a further disposable fuel burner, incorporating flame extinguishing means. Figure 7A illustrates the disposable fuel burner with the flame extinguishing means in a use position, and Figure 7B illustrates the disposable fuel burner on its side with the flame extinguishing means in an extinguishing position. In Figures 7A and 7B, like items are given like numbering.

Referring to Figure 7A or Figure 7B, generally cylindrical disposable fuel burner 600 consists of container 605 having side walls 606 and closed bottom 610, and holding liquid fuel 630. Above the surface of fuel 630 is lower wick support 642 having wick support opening 662 and air inlet opening 647 formed therein. Upper wick support 641 has well 650 formed therein, and wick support opening 661 formed in well 650. Upper wick support 641 also includes annular opening 644 substantially concentric with well 650. The central portion of upper wick support 641 is spaced from lower wick support 642 by circular spacer 645. Flame extinguishing means 680 is inserted through annular opening 644 and held captive in the space between upper and lower wick supports 641, 642 by a means of outwardly directed flange 682 at one end of flame extinguishing means 1069564 I:hxa 00 O 680. As best seen in Figure 8, flame extinguishing means 680 has cylindrical sides 681 N' and also includes at its upper end inwardly directed flange 684 which provides a shutter Sportion of the top of flame extinguishing means 680, and defines opening 686. In a use position opening 686 is opposed to wick support opening 661 so that a flame emanating from an exposed end of wick 670 when disposable fuel burner 600 is in use can pass through opening 686. When disposable fuel burner 600 stands on its side, for example when it is overturned accidentally, flame extinguishing means 680 falls to an extinguishing position as illustrated in Figure 7B, but cannot escape annular opening 644 because flange 682 is wider than the dimension of annular opening 644. In the 1o extinguishing position, a flame emanating from the exposed end of wick 670 can no N, longer escape through opening 686. Thus carbon dioxide and other combustion products from the flame are trapped in flame extinguishing means 680 by shutter portion 684 and the sides of flame extinguishing means 680, preventing access of air to the flame and thereby extinguishing it.

Figures 9A and 9B are diagrammatic cross sections through a disposable fuel burner similar to that illustrated in Figure 6A, incorporating an alternative flame extinguishing means. Figure 9A illustrates the disposable fuel burner with the flame extinguishing means in a use position, and Figure 9B illustrates the disposable fuel burner on its side with the flame extinguishing means in an extinguishing position. In Figures 9A and 9B, like items are given like numbering.

Referring to Figure 9A, generally cylindrical disposable fuel burner 800 consists of container 805 holding combustible fuel 830 and having upper and lower wick supports 841, 842 supporting wick 870. Wick 870 has one end protruding through upper and lower wick supports 841, 842, and is somewhat flattened at that end. The other end of wick 870 is immersed in fuel 830. Container 805 is also equipped with a top formed from two spaced apart but substantially parallel layers 850, 855 each having an opening therein opposed to the exposed end of wick 870. Captive between layers 850, 855 is annular disk 884 having hole 886 therein. Disk 884 forms a flame extinguishing means in disposable fuel burner 800. As seen in Figure 9A, in a use position, disk 884 is located so that hole 886 is opposed to the exposed end of wick 870 whereby a flame caused by fuel burning at the exposed end of wick 870 may pass through hole 886. In an extinguishing position, as seen in Figure 9B, disk 884 slides so that the opening in top layers 850, 855 is closed by a portion of disk 884 which acts as a shutter, preventing sufficient air to reach a flame burning at the exposed end of wick 870, and thereby extinguishing the flame.

1069564 Ihxa 00 O Figure 10 illustrates a partial cross section through a disposable fuel burner of the present invention, showing a wick as described herein. Referring to Figure 10, there c is illustrated a cut away portion of a wick support 940 having air inlet opening 947 and wick support opening 960 formed therein. An end of wick 970 is immersed in a liquid fuel 930, and the other end projects through wick support opening 960 and is supported by wick support 940. Wick 970 includes core 975 of a plurality of glass fibres, one end of which is immersed in fuel 930. The other end of core 975 is surrounded by a layer of 1 terry towelling 976, the combination of core 975 and terry towelling layer 976 passing N, through wick support opening 960. In use, fuel 930 rises through core 975 by capillary 1o action between the glass fibres which make up core 975 and is absorbed by terry N, towelling layer 976 sufficiently for fuel 930 to be lit at the exposed end of wick 970. If the resulting flame is extinguished for any reason, it may be readily relit.

Figure 11 is a cross-section through another disposable fuel burner. Referring to Figure 11, generally cylindrical disposable fuel burner 1000 consists of container 1005 having side walls 1006 and closed bottom 1010, and holding liquid fuel 1030. Above the surface of fuel 1030 is wick support 1040 extending to side wall 1006. Wick support 1040 includes well 1050 substantially in its centre, well 1050 having wick support opening 1060 formed therein. Wick support 1040 also includes lip 1048 extending inwardly around the circumference of well 1050, to provide additional wind protection to a flame burning at the exposed end of wick 1070. The exposed end of wick 1070 passes through wick support opening 1060 and is somewhat flattened at that end. The other end of wick 1070 is immersed in fuel 1030. Wick support 1040 is equipped with air inlet opening 1055 and around air inlet opening 1055 between wick support 1040 and the surface of fuel 1030, is cup member 1065 secured to the lower surface of wick support 1040 and defining enclosed space 1067 between cup member 1065 and wick support 1040. Air hole 1066 is formed in a lower portion of cup member 1065. Disposable fuel burner 1000 is also provided with weight 1045 secured to the underside of wick support 1040 and positioned substantially diametrically opposite air inlet opening 1055.

It will be appreciated that although disposable fuel burner 1000 is shown equipped with lip 1048, this lip feature may also be included in other disposable fuel burners in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, or in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, where the wick is located in a well in the upper wick support.

10695641 :hxa 00 SDuring transportation of disposable fuel burner 1000, for example, fuel 1030 may splash or leak into enclosed space 1067 through air hole 1065. However, leakage of fuel 1030 from disposable fuel burner 1000 is minimised because fuel 1030 may drain back into container 1005 through air hole 1065, and because the amount of fuel 1030 which could escape from disposable fuel burner 1000 through air inlet opening 1055 is greatly decreased, being at most only such amount of fuel 1030 which finds its way into enclosed space 1067.

Figures 12A to 12C are respectively an isometric view, plan view and crosssection of a wick support for a disposable fuel burner. Referring to Figures 12A to 12 C, wick support 1140 is a generally flat metal disc having a raised rim 1145 adapted to be sealingly attached to the body of a food storage can or similar, and having substantially central well 1150 and circular shallow ridge 1146 which encircles well 1150 and is substantially concentric with well 1150.

Well 1150 includes central wick support opening 1160 and air inlet 1147. Well 1150 forms a substantially spherical depression in the wick support 1140 illustrated.

However, well 1150 could be any other selected shape such as substantially square, triangular, rectangular, circular, elliptical, rhombic, hexagonal and octagonal when seen in plan view, in each case having side wall(s) substantially perpendicular to the bottom of well 1150.

Figures 13A to 13C illustrate a wind shield. In Figs. 13A and 13B13, the wind shield is seen in isometric projection. In Fig. 13A, the wind shield is seen in a full height condition, and in Fig. 13B it is seen in a reduced height condition. Fig. 13C provides a plan view of the wind shield in the reduced height condition shown in Fig. 13B.

As shown in Figs. 13A to 13C, wind shield 1200 is constructed from a metal can body, and has an open top 1220 with body 1210 in the form of a cylinder. An opening 1240, best seen in Fig. 13C, is formed in base 1230 of the metal can to allow wind shield 1200 to be placed around the wick of a disposable fuel burner. A plurality of tabs 1270 are formed in sides 1210 at open top 1220 of wind shield 1200, tabs 1270 being formed by a series of parallel cuts 1280 in body 1210 (best seen in Fig. 13A) extending from the top of cylindrical body 1210 in a direction parallel to the principal axis of the cylinder.

At the other end of body 1210 adjacent base 1230 is formed an opening 1260 to allow air access to a flame burning in wind shield 1200. Opening 1260 is dimensioned to permit access to the wick of a burner on which wind shield 1200 is placed so that the wick may be lit, for example by a match, spill, taper or gas-lighter.

10695641 Ihxa 00 O Tabs 1270 are bendable. Fig. 13A shows wind shield 1200 with tabs 1270 in an N unbent condition, whereby wind shield 1200 has its maximum height. In Fig. 13B, tabs S1270 are seen bent outwardly, thereby reducing the overall height of wind shield 1200.

In use, wind shield 1200 is placed over a flame burning at the top of a disposable Sfuel burner, such as a disposable fuel burner of the present invention, and rests with base 1230 on the top of the burner. Tabs 1270 are bent inwardly or outwardly, usually Soutwardly, to the extent necessary to permit the assembly of disposable fuel burner and Swind shield 1200 to fit snugly in available space beneath a vessel which is to be heated by Sthe disposable fuel burner. If necessary, wind shield 1200 is rotated so that opening 1260 1 o is positioned away from the direction from which the wind is blowing, or from which draughts are coming. Thus, a flame burning on the disposable fuel burner is protected from the wind and draughts, but free admission of air to the flame is provided by opening 1260. In this way, a much greater proportion of available heat from the flame can be directed to heating the vessel above the burner, compared to a similar arrangement with no wind shield.

Figure 13D is an isometric view of an alternative wind shield which is not equipped with height adjustment means. As seen in Figure 13D, wind shield 1240 is constructed from a metal can body and has an open top 1245 with body 1250 in the form of a cylinder. An opening is formed in base 1257 of can body 1250 to allow wind shield 1240 to be placed around the wick of a disposable fuel burner. In body 1250 adjacent base 1257 is formed an opening 1255 to allow air access to a flame burning in wind shield 1240. Opening 1255 is dimensioned to permit access to the wick of a burner on which shield 1240 is placed so that the wick may be lit. Wind shield 1240 is also equipped with a plurality of supplementary air inlet holes 1242 which are, however, optional.

Wind shield 1240 is used in a similar way to wind shield 1200 seen in Figs. 13A to 13C, except that no height-adjustment of wind shield 1240 is possible.

Figures 13E and 13F are views of another wind shield in accordance with the invention. Figure 13E provides a plan view and Figure 13F provides a side elevation.

Referring to Figure 13E, wind shield 1260 is constructed of thin metal sheet and includes open top 1260 and open base 1266. Wind shield 1260 is substantially circular when seen in plan view see Figure 13F and the diameter of top 1265 is substantially larger than the diameter of base 1266. Wall 1268 curves upwardly and outwardly from its bottom to its top. Two openings 1275, 1276 are formed in wall 1268 at diametrically opposite positions extending from base 1266, to allow air access to a flame burning in wind shield 1260. Openings 1275, 1276 are dimensioned to permit access to the wick of a burner on 1069564 I :hxa 00 O which wind shield 1260 is placed, so that the wick may be lit. Wind shield 1260 is also equipped with supplementary air holes 1272.

C In use, wind shield 1260 is placed on a disposable fuel burner so as to surround the wick of the burner. By rotating wind shield 1260 if necessary, openings 1275, 1276 are positioned so that wind or draughts do not fall directly onto them, thereby protecting a flame burning at the wick from the wind or draughts.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic cross-section through a further disposable fuel burner. Referring to Figure 14, generally cylindrical disposable fuel burner 1300 consists of container 1305 having side walls 1306 and closed bottom 1310, and holding liquid fuel 1330. Above the surface of fuel 1330 is wick support 1340 extending to side wall 1306.

Wick support 1340 includes well 1350 substantially in its centre, well 1350 having wick support opening 1360 formed therein. Wick support 1340 also includes lip 1348 extending inwardly around the circumference of well 1350. The exposed end of wick 1370 passes through wick support opening 1360 and the other end of wick 1370 is immersed in fuel 1330. Wick support 1340 is equipped with air inlet opening 1355 in well 1350. Inner edge of lip 1348 is bent downwards towards the surface of well 1350, leaving clearance 1380 between the edge of lip 1348 and the surface of well 1350. Air inlet opening 1355 is located within space 1385 defined by lip 1348 and the surface of well 1350. Disposable fuel burner 1300 is also provided with weight 1345 secured to the underside of wick support 1340 and positioned substantially diametrically opposite air inlet opening 1355. It will be appreciated, however, that weight 1345 is optional.

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic cross-section through a ninth disposable fuel burner in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Figure 15, generally cylindrical disposable fuel burner 1400 consists of container 1405 having side wall 1406 and closed bottom 1410, and holding liquid fuel 1430. Above the surface of fuel 1430 is wick support 1440 extending to side wall 1406. Wick support 1440 has wick support opening 1460 formed therein, and is provided with air inlet opening 1455. The exposed end of wick 1470 passes through wick support opening 1460 and is somewhat flattened at that end. The other end of wick 1470 is immersed in fuel 1430. Disposable fuel burner 1400 is also equipped with top 1480 which acts as a fuel retaining means. Top 1480 and wick support 1440 are together seamed at seam 1445 to the upper edge of side wall 1406.

Space 1482 is defined between top 1480 and wick support 1440. Top 1480 has opening 1483 formed therein, and inner edges 1481 of top 1480 around opening 1483 are turned downwards towards wick support 1440. As seen in Figure 15, disposable fuel burner 1400 is in a condition for storage or transportation, and includes plug 1485 which is a 10695641 hxa 00 press fit against edges 1481 of top 1480 into opening 1483. Peelable plastic seal 1486 is N attached to top 1480 around opening 1483 and extends over plug 1485. It will be c appreciated that in other forms of the disposable fuel burner as illustrated in Figure one or other of plastic seal 1486 and plug 1485 may be omitted. Disposable fuel burner s 1400 is also equipped with a flame extinguishing means which takes the form of disk 1490 having a small hole 1497 therein near an edge of disk 1490, and pivoting about pin 1495 which passes through opening 1497 and is secured to top 1480.

In use, disk 1490 is pivoted about pin 1495 away from opening 1483. Peelable plastic seal 1486 and plug 1485 are removed, exposing an end of wick 1470 which may 1o be pulled up to any desired height before being lit. If it is wished to adjust the height or N, intensity of a flame which burns at the exposed end of wick 1470, disk 1490 may be rotated so as partially to occlude opening 1483. If it desired to extinguish the flame, disk 1490 may be rotated so as to completely occlude opening 1483. It will be appreciated that if it is desired to utilise disk 1490 in this way, the height of wick 1470 must be is adjusted so that it is not above the level of disk 1490.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic cross-section through a still further disposable fuel burner. Referring to Figure 16, generally cylindrical disposable fuel burner 1500 consists of container 1505 having side walls 1506 and closed bottom 1510 and holding liquid fuel 1530. Above the surface of fuel 1530 is wick support 1540 extending to side wall 1506.

Disposable fuel burner 1500 is also provided with top 1580 having opening 1583 therein.

Fibreglass wick 1570 extends through wick support opening 1560 in wick support 1540 and the other end of wick 1570 is immersed in fuel 1530. Above the upper end of wick 1570 and secured between top 1580 and wick support 1540 is batt 1575 of terry-towelling material. Top 1580 and wick support 1540 are together seamed to an upper edge of side wall 1506 of disposable fuel burner 1500.

In use, fuel 1530 saturates fibreglass wick 1570 as it is drawn by capillary action to the exposed end of wick 1570, thus saturating batt 1575 also because batt 1575 is in contact with wick 1570. A flame may then be lit in the exposed region of batt 1575 at opening 1583.

Figure 17A is a cross-section through a plug for use in a disposable fuel burner.

Figure 17B is a diagrammatic cross-section of the plug illustrated in Figure 17A, inserted in an opening in the top of a disposable fuel burner. It will be appreciated, however, that the plug could be inserted in a well in a wick support, in the manner illustrated in Figure 6A. Figure 17C is a plan view from below of the plug illustrated in Figure 17A. As seen in Figs. 17A and 17C, for example, plug 1600 includes annular wall 1630 dimensioned to 1069564 :hxa 00 0 fit inside an opening in the top of a disposable fuel burner. Plug 1600 has a top 1610 N, which includes around its perimeter a stepped-in portion 1620. Annular wall 1630 is ct provided with two diametrically opposed lugs 1640. As seen in Figure 17B, plug 1600 is adapted to be inserted in an opening in a top 1680 of a disposable fuel burner. The inner edge 1681 of the opening in top 1680 is turned downwards in the direction of a wick support (not shown) and when plug 1600 is inserted into the opening in disposable fuel burner top 1680, lugs 1640 engage against edge 1681 preventing pressure, such as from a wick pressing against the under surface of top 1610, from causing plug 1600 to lift from N, its position.

Lugs 1640 include a weakened portion (not shown) so that, when plug 1600 is removed from top 1680, such as by leverage from a fingernail inserted into stepped-in portion 1620, at least a portion of lugs 1640 breaks away, rendering plug 1600 easily removable from the opening in which it is positioned.

Figure 18A is a diagrammatic representation of a wick support for a disposable fuel burner, having valve means in the form of a piece of plastic film associated with the air inlet opening. Referring to Figure 18A there is seen from the underside wick support 1741 having wick support opening 1761 therein and including air inlet opening 1747.

Covering air inlet opening 1747 is a piece of polyethylene film 1790 sealed to wick support 1741 by seal 1791. One side 1792 of film 1790 is not sealed to wick support 1741. When a disposable fuel burner including wick support 1741 is in use, air is admitted through air inlet opening 1747 and via unsealed side 1792 in seal 1791 to the interior of the disposable fuel burner's container. However, when the disposable fuel burner is inverted, fuel in the disposable fuel burner presses film 1790 against air inlet opening 1747 and against wick support 1741, and substantially prevents fuel in the disposable fuel burner from leaking through air inlet opening 1747.

Figures 18B to 18D illustrate diagrammatically alternative forms of valve means.

Figure 18B illustrates valve means including two layers of plastic film 1890, 1895, each sealed by seals 1891, 1896, respectively, to the underside of a wick support (not shown) and covering air inlet opening 1847 therein. Breaks 1892 and 1897 are provided in seals 1891 and 1896 respectively to provide a path for air admission to the interior of a disposable fuel burner. Break 1892 in seal 1891 of inner film 1890 is located remote from air inlet opening 1847.

Figure 18C illustrates a piece of polyethylene film 1990 sealed by seal 1991 to the underside of a wick support (not shown) and covering air inlet opening 1947 therein.

Slit 1993 is formed in a central portion of film 1990 at a location remote from air inlet 10695641 hxa 00 O opening 1947 to provide a path for air from air inlet opening 1947 to the interior of a N, disposable fuel burner equipped with the wick support.

c Figure 18D similarly illustrates a piece of polyethylene film 2090 sealed by peripheral seal 2091 to the underside of a wick support (not shown) and covering air inlet opening 2047 formed therein. Two v-shaped slits 2093, 2094 are provided in film 2090 to provide an air path from air inlet opening 2047 to the interior of a disposable fuel burner equipped with the wick support.

SFigures 18E and 18F each illustrate a rectangular piece of polyethylene film 2190 sealed by peripheral seal 2191 to the underside of a wick support (not shown) and 1o covering air inlet opening 2147 therein. An aperture 2192 in peripheral seal 2191 is provided at an end of seal 2191 remote from air inlet opening 2147.

The disposable fuel burners of the above preferred embodiments of the present invention have a number of advantages in comparison to previously known disposable fuel burners. Some advantages of the disposable fuel burners of Figures 1 to 18, which Is can be achieved without significant sacrifice to the fuel holding capacity of the disposable fuel burner compared to prior art disposable fuel burners, are as follows: Inclusion of a well in the wick support of the disposable fuel burner of the first embodiment, or in the upper wick support of the disposable fuel burner of the second embodiment, means that the wick may be positioned at various heights above the opening in the wick support but still be somewhat shielded from winds and/or draughts by the sides of the container and the top, when present. Thus, the disposable fuel burner is much more convenient to use in draughty or windy locations, compared to some previously known burners.

It is difficult for fuel to be spilled from the burner of the second embodiment of the invention if it is accidentally knocked on to its side, as explained herein above.

When the wick is located in a well in the wick support, the height of the flame produced by the disposable fuel burner can be adjusted within a wider range, to suit the requirements of the burner's applications, compared to some prior art burners. Thus, for example, this arrangement permits the use of larger wicks than in at least some prior art burners, providing larger or higher temperature flames and extending the applicability of the disposable fuel burner.

Because the flame produced by the burner is localised to the position of the wick, rather than being spread over a wider layer of porous material, it need not come into contact with the material from which the burner container is made, and accordingly 1069564 I:hxa 00 O the body of the burner only becomes mildly warm when the burner is in use, so that the burner may easily be picked up and moved to another location while it is alight, or c immediately after the flame has been extinguished.

Using a wick, the flame may be relit immediately it is extinguished, s without adjustment of the wick, whereas in at least some prior art burners it is typically necessary to scrape the wick or porous material in contact with the wick (which can be Sdifficult when the container is very hot) before the flame may be relit. In at least some of Sthose prior art burners which include a layer of porous material in contact with a wick, there is a tendency for the porous material to be dislodged when it is scraped.

l Although the burner is disposable, it may also be relatively easily N, refuelled when a previous charge of fuel has been consumed, simply by removing the wick and pouring fresh fuel through the wick support opening.

The disposable fuel burner, at least in its simplest forms, easy and cheap to fabricate in comparison to some prior art disposable fuel burners. For example the present disposable fuel burners of Figures 1 to 18 may be fabricated from the components of a conventional food preservation can, and may be sealed using sealing machines used for food can sealing.

Variations in the appearance of the disposable fuel burner may be made readily (for example the shape of the well, the shape and size of the wick support opening) for aesthetic appeal in particular applications.

The disposable fuel burner may readily be sealed against leakage during transportation, using variety of possible convenient sealing means, whereas prior art burners are capable of being sealed by only one or two means.

The disposable fuel burner typically has a greater fuel holding capacity than prior art disposable fuel burners which have a screw cap lid over the wick but which are of the same overall height and width.

10695641:hxa

Claims (9)

1. A disposable, adjustable wick fuel burner including: a container having a closed bottom, enclosing side walls extending upwardly from the bottom, a wick support located above the bottom, with a fuel chamber located between the support and bottom, said support having a wick support opening and an air opening, the air opening providing air access to said chamber, a top located above said \wick support and having an opening aligned with said wick support opening, said top N, being spaced from said support to provide a cavity between said top and support so that said top is adapted to retain at least some fuel that may leak through said air inlet opening 0 to or openings; a fuel located in said chamber and providing a fuel surface below said support; and an elongated porous wick extending through said wick support opening and having an end exposed by the top opening to provide for access to said wick to ignite said wick, and an end immersed in said fuel, said exposed end having a height above said wick support, with said wick being movable relative to said support to adjust said height.

2. The burner of claim 1, wherein said wick support includes a wall extending generally parallel to said top and providing said wick support opening.

3. The burner of claim 1 or 2, wherein said wick support is attached to and extends from said side walls so as to be supported thereby.

4. The burner of claim 1 or 2, wherein said wick support is attached to and extends from said top so as to be supported thereby.

The burner of any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a plug closing the top opening and that is removable to expose said wick.

6. The burner of any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a peelable label covering the top opening.

7. The burner of claim 5, further including a peelable label covering said plug.

8. The burner of any one of claims 1 to 7, further including a lid covering said top and extending between said side walls.

9. The burner of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said wick support opening is located generally centrally of said wick support. 10695641 :hxa 00 The burner of claim 9, wherein said top opening is located generally centrally of said top. SDated 21 January, 2008 Wallace Burak Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON 1069564 I:hxa