WO2003013330A2

WO2003013330A2 - Barbecue fuels

Info

Publication number: WO2003013330A2
Application number: PCT/GB2002/003544
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Cox
Original assignee: Swedish Match UK Ltd
Current assignee: Republic Technologies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2001-08-04
Filing date: 2002-08-02
Publication date: 2003-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2004-02-04
Also published as: WO2003013330A3; GB0119106D0; NO20031546L; AU2002355357A1; NO20031546D0

Abstract

A barbecue kit or the like comprising a tray (10), a grill, a fuel, an ignition strip including a first compound disposed adjacent to the fuel, and an ignition element including a second compound. The first compound and the second compound are chosen such that upon bringing the second compound into contact with the first compound, the first compound ignites so as to ignite the ignition strip and the fuel. The fuel is contained in a substantially combustible wrapper and the ignition strip (14) forms part of this wrapper. The ignition element is stored before use on or in either the wrapper or the tray. The tray includes an aperture. Through which the ignition strip is accessible.

Description

Barbecue Fuels

The present invention relates to barbecue fuels, particularly but not exclusively for barbecues that are intended to be used on a single occasion and then discarded.

A known disposable barbecue comprises an aluminium tray containing charcoal and an ignition agent, the aluminium tray being topped with a metal grill. The disposable barbecue is shrink wrapped prior to sale. To use the barbecue, the wrapping is removed, and the ignition agent is lit, which in turn ignites the charcoal. The barbecue is typically ready for use in twenty minutes.

Various types of ignition agent are known, but are often difficult to light, since they must be sufficiently non- volatile in order to be stored. Further, the barbecue is typically lit outside, where there may be a draft.

The object of the present invention is to provide a barbecue arrangement that is straightforward and convenient to light. Other advantages shall become apparent as the invention is described.

According to the present invention there is provided a barbecue kit or the like comprising a tray, a grill, a fuel, an ignition strip including a first compound disposed adjacent to the fuel, and an ignition element including a second compound, the first compound and the second compound being chosen such that upon bringing the second compound into contact with the first compound, the first compound ignites so as to ignite the ignition strip and the fuel. The first compound will normally, if not always, include an oxidising agent.

Preferably the fuel is contained in a substantially combustible wrapper, the ignition strip forming part of this wrapper.

Preferably, the ignition element is stored before use on or in the wrapper.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel disposed in a wrapper bag adapted as herein defined.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barbecue kit or the like comprising a tray, a grill, and a fuel disposed in a substantially combustible bag, such that the fuel may be burnt without being removed from the bag.

A barbecue embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to

Figure 1 which shows a perspective exploded view of a barbecue; and

Figure 2 which shows a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the barbecue.

A disposable barbecue comprises an aluminium tray having a removable metal grill, and a grill bag. The grill bag comprises a paper or laminated paper containing charcoal and odourless kerosene. An area 22 of the outer surface of the bag is coated with safety match-head composition, that is, one of the materials that is typically used to produce the striking head of a safety match. To light the barbecue, the metal grill is removed from the barbecue and the grill bag is placed in the aluminium tray so that the coated area is facing upwards. An ignition stick, which includes a surface coated with safety matchbox composition set upon a piece of stiff material (for example wood or cardboard formed as for a convention matchstick and coated with the safety matchbox composition in a similar fashion to a convention matchstick), is struck across the coated area 22 in the bag. The two compositions react, causing the coated area to ignite. As the coated area burns, a sufficient amount of heat is released to cause the material of the bag, and the kerosene that has been mixed with the charcoal, to combust. This raises the temperature further, and the charcoal begins to bum.

As soon as the coated area starts to burn, the metal grill is replaced on the disposable barbecue.

Safety match-head and safety matchbox compositions are well known; for example, a mixture including sulphur and potassium chlorate for the safety match-head composition, and red phosphorus and some abrasive such as powdered glass for the safety matchbox composition, would be a suitable system. The safety match-head composition could of course be provided by attaching a piece of material bearing the composition to the grill bag rather than directly applying the composition to the bag itself.

The ignition stick may be supplied with the grill bag, for example in a pouch or compartment 25 formed in the bag, and or secured and covered by a tear-off strip formed by heat shrinking, or adhesive tape, or some other means of affixing ignition stick to the bag. Preferably the ignition stick is located some distance from the coated area, and covered by whatever means is used to secure it, so that the ignition stick is not inadvertently brought into contact to activate the coated area.

Referring to figure 2, the coated area 22 may be situated on the vertical side of the bag (considering the bag lying flat in the tray 10), and an aperture 12 provided in the aluminium tray 10, such that the coated area is accessible through the aperture when the bag is in the tray. The coated area may then be struck by the ignition stick by inserting the ignition stick through the aperture. The ignition stick may be attached under a tear-off strip 14 or some similar securement means to the tray itself.

It will also be seen that the grill bag including an area of safety match-head composition could also be used for permanent barbecues.

It will also be seen that using the provision of the bag for use in a disposable barbecue reduces the dust and other debris associated with known disposable barbecues after they have been removed from their packaging. This benefit can be realised without the provision of the ignition strip, so that a grill bag may be supplied in or for a disposable barbecue which may or may not be further wrapped.

Alternatively, the fuel for the disposable barbecue could be provided in the tray without a bag or other wrapper, and the safety match-head composition ignition area provided on a tab secured in proximity to the fuel, so that the tab may be ignited using the ignition stick in the manner described above, the tab then in turn setting alight the fuel in the tray. The tab could for example be cardboard. An area of safety match-head composition could be set directly upon a block of fire lighter material.

The tray and bag could be so arranged that the ignition stick can reach the safety match-head composition area on the bag while the bag and grill are located in their final positions. When a tab including safety match- head composition is used to ignite the fuel, the tab may similarly be provided in an accessible position, or even extend through part of the grill or extend from between the grill and the tray.

Fuel materials other than pieces of charcoal or charcoal briquettes could of course be used instead.

Claims

1. A barbecue kit or the like comprising a tray, a grill, a fuel, an ignition strip including a first compound disposed adjacent to the fuel, and an ignition element including a second compound, the first compound and the second compound being chosen such that upon bringing the second compound into contact with the first compound, the first compound ignites so as to ignite the ignition strip and the fuel.

2. A barbecue kit according to the previous claim wherein the fuel is contained in a substantially combustible wrapper, the ignition strip forming part of this wrapper.

3. A barbecue kit according to claim 1, wherein the ignition element is stored before use on or in the wrapper.

4. A barbecue kit according to claim 1, wherein the ignition element is stored before use on or in the tray.

5. A barbecue kit according to any previous claim, wherein the tray includes an aperture, through which the ignition strip is accessible.

6. A fuel disposed in a wrapper adapted for use in a barbecue kit according to any of claims 2 to 5.

7. A barbecue kit or the like comprising a tray, a grill, and a fuel disposed in a substantially combustible bag, such that the fuel may be burnt without being removed from the bag.

8. A barbecue kit according to claim 7, wherein the barbecue kit is intended for or capable of use on a single occasion only.

9. A barbecue kit according to either claim 7 of claim 8, wherein the barbecue is kit includes an outer wrapper.

10. A barbecue kit as herein described and illustrated.

11. A wrapper or bag as herein described and illustrated.

12. Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features specifically disclosed herein within the meaning of Article 4H of the International Convention (Paris Convention).