U.S. patent application number 11/037672 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for self regulating, fuel efficient, fireplace insert logset, using round cans of alcohol gel fuel to produce a semi-rectangular fireplace fire.
Invention is credited to Michael Weinberger.
Application Number | 20060157049 11/037672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36682579 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060157049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weinberger; Michael |
July 20, 2006 |
Self regulating, fuel efficient, fireplace insert logset, using
round cans of alcohol gel fuel to produce a semi-rectangular
fireplace fire
Abstract
A fireplace insert consisting of a logset which simulates the
appearance of a series of logs and twigs but which may be cast as a
unitary item. The logset has a cavity that holds two or more round
cans of alcohol gel fuel. The invention includes a vapor restrictor
plate that sits over the open cans of fuel. The vapor restrictor
plate completely covers the metal tops of the cans, thereby hiding
same. The vapor restrictor plate has one aperture for each can of
fuel that it sits over. The width of the apertures in the vapor
restrictor plate is approximately the same as the width of the top
openings of the cans of fuel. The depth of the apertures in the
vapor restrictor plate is smaller than the depth of the top
openings of the cans of fuel. The vapor restrictor plate restricts
the flow of alcohol vapors out of the fuel cans and the flow of
oxygen into the cans, thereby regulating the height, depth and burn
time of the flames produced when the fuel is ignited without the
use of manually operated control knobs or adjustment mechanisms.
The vapor restrictor plate also reshapes the fires coming out of
the cans from a circular shape into a semi-rectangular shape. Flame
overlap from aperture to aperture in the vapor restrictor plate
produces an over-all fire pattern that is semi-rectangular in
shape, similar to traditional fireplace fires that are also
semi-rectangular in shape. All of the flames produced by burning
fuel are visible to the eye. No fuel is wasted by burning same to
produce flames that are hidden underneath fake logs.
Inventors: |
Weinberger; Michael; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Weinberger
3rd Floor
236 West 26 Street
New York
NY
10001
US
|
Family ID: |
36682579 |
Appl. No.: |
11/037672 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/500 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 3/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/500 |
International
Class: |
F24C 3/00 20060101
F24C003/00; F24B 1/18 20060101 F24B001/18 |
Claims
1. A fireplace insert comprising: a noncombustible logset having a
cartridge-receiving cavity which communicates with the atmosphere
and which receives two or more round cans of alcohol gel fuel, a
vapor restrictor plate having at least one aperture corresponding
to each can of fuel, said vapor restrictor plate being disposed
proximate to said cans of fuel so that said apertures allow the
fuel in the cans to communicate with the atmosphere, a vapor
restrictor plate whose apertures have the same width as the top
openings on the cans of fuel, a vapor restrictor plate whose
apertures have a depth that is smaller than the depth of the top
openings on the cans of fuel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of Invention
[0005] This invention is for a fireplace insert consisting of a
logset which simulates the appearance of a series of logs and twigs
and which has a cavity that holds round cans of alcohol gel fuel as
well as a vapor restrictor plate that partially covers the top
openings of the cans, thereby self regulating the height, depth and
burn time of the flames produced when the fuel is ignited without
the use of manually operated control knobs or adjustment mechanisms
and producing a realistic looking semi-rectangular fireplace fire
that is fuel efficient and does not require supplemental
illumination from electric light bulbs.
[0006] 2. Background
[0007] Fireplaces that burn alcohol gel fuel in round cans have
been popular for a number of years. Although such fireplaces do not
produce large amounts of heat, they have a pleasing visual effect.
To many consumers, the visual effect is the key.
[0008] An example of such a fireplace is described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,573,905, to Meyers. Myers refers to the cans of alcohol gel fuel
as "standard one-pint size" cans. (Column 5, line 17.) As the
illustrations in Myers' patent indicate, the fuel cans are round.
Currently, such cans are sold under tradenames like
"Realflame".
[0009] After the lid of the round can is removed alcohol vapors
rise from the top of the can. These vapors mix with ambient oxygen
and may be ignited with a match. This produces a round fire coming
from a round can.
[0010] Manufacturers of alcohol gel used in fireplaces use round
cans for a variety of reasons. For example, round cans are
relatively plentiful on the market. Most can manufacturers make
many types of round cans.
[0011] Real fireplace fires, however, are not round. That is
because real fireplaces are wider than they are deep, i.e.,
rectangular. The logs placed in real fireplaces are also generally
rectangular. Even the gas burners used in most gas fireplaces are
generally rectangular.
[0012] For these reasons, fireplaces that use round cans of alcohol
gel fuel present several problems. Some cannot produce rectangular
fires at all. Others require the use of a rectangular holding box,
holding the round cans, in an attempt to reshape the round fires
into a rectangular fire. Some others use manually adjusted lids,
sitting over the rectangular holding box, as a means of adjusting
the height, depth and burn time of the fire coming from the round
cans.
[0013] Some other fireplaces using round cans of fuel present other
problems. For example, some require supplemental illumination from
electric light bulbs. Others waste the fuel in the cans, by burning
fuel that produces flames which are partially hidden. Since the
visual effect of the flames is the key, burning fuel to produce
flames that are hidden is wasteful.
[0014] And lastly, some fireplaces using round cans of fuel are
fake looking, since the cans are plainly visible to the consumer,
while others are complex mechanisms, requiring the use of over 150
components.
[0015] There is a need, therefore, for a simple apparatus, with few
components, that solves these problems. The current invention does
this by: [0016] (1) providing a vapor restrictor plate which
self-regulates the height, depth and burn time of the flames
without the use of manually operated control knobs or adjustment
mechanisms, [0017] (2) providing a semi-rectangular fire, as
opposed to a series of separate, individual round fires coming from
round cans, [0018] (3) hiding the fuel cans from view, [0019] (4)
providing a very simple mechanism with few components to maintain,
[0020] (5) providing an apparatus that does not waste fuel by
burning same to produce flames that are partially hidden, and
[0021] (6) providing an apparatus that does not require the use of
electric light bulbs. Disadvantages of the Prior Art
[0022] The prior art has not solved the problems listed above.
[0023] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,905, to Meyers, describes a
complicated alcohol gel fireplace that has over 190 features but
still requires an electric light bulb to supplement the
illumination provided by the burning alcohol gel fuel. In addition,
this patent does not include a vapor restrictor plate that
restricts the flow of alcohol vapors out of the top of the fuel
cans to produce a rectangular fire. Moreover, the cans inside
Myer's fireplace are clearly visible, as his FIG. 1 shows. This
creates a fake looking appearance.
[0024] Many of these problems are also present in Myers' next
attempt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,600, which still uses an electric
light bulb to supplement the illumination provided by burning the
fuel in the cans.
[0025] Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,781, to Fischer, has not
solved the problems listed previously. Fischer's invention wastes
fuel by hiding a part of the fire behind log 29a in Fisher's FIG.
1. Moreover, Fischer's mechanism does not include a vapor
restrictor plate that self regulates the height, depth and burn
time of the flames. Instead, Fischer uses a manually adjustable
damper lid which fits over a rectangular box that contains the fuel
cans. See Fischer's Column 5, lines 5-6, and Column 6, lines
17-23.
[0026] Nor does Bertolas, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,514, describe the
present invention. Instead of describing a fireplace insert
Bertolas describes "a portable fire pit". Nor does Bertolas provide
a vapor restrictor plate that partially covers the top openings of
the cans of fuel to restrict the flow of alcohol vapor out of the
cans, and oxygen into the cans, so as to regulate the height, depth
and burn time of the fire without manually operated control knobs
or adjustment mechanisms. And, Bertolas'FIG. 2 shows a series of
three separate round fires coming from three cans, as opposed to a
semi-rectangular fireplace fire.
[0027] Likewise, Hilker, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,490, does not
disclose the present invention. First, Hilker's fireplace system
exposes the cans of fuel to view when one looks down into the
system. This creates a fake looking appearance. Second, Hilker's
system does not include a vapor restrictor plate that self
regulates the flow of alcohol vapor from the can and the flow of
oxygen into the can, so as to control the height, depth and burn
time of the fire. And lastly, Hilker shows a series of three
individual round fires coming from three cans, as opposed to a
realistic looking semi-rectangular fire.
[0028] Other patents disclose mechanisms for burning fuel, in
general, but they are also different from the present invention.
For example, Maust, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,113 B1, does not
disclose an insert which is placed inside a fireplace and uses
round cans of fuel. Instead, Maust discloses a freestanding hearth
that uses pourable fuel which is poured into a tray. This is an
entirely different system than the present invention.
[0029] Similarly, Orlov, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,271, does not
disclose the present invention. First, Orlov does not show an
invention that uses round cans of fuel. Second, Orlov wastes fuel
by hiding some of the flames underneath his logs. Third, Orlov does
not disclose a vapor restrictor plate that self regulates the flow
of alcohol vapor out of the cans and the flow of oxygen into the
cans. Instead, Orlov uses a manually adjusted control knob
connected to a damper plate. Column 4, lines 6-9.
[0030] Nor do U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,993,430 to Forker, or 4,582,478 to
Hilker, or 4,637,372, to Mogol, disclose the present system. All of
these reveal burner systems that employ liquid fuel, such as "fuel
oil" (see Forker's Abstract), as opposed to alcohol gel fuel in
cans. Instead of burning fuel in cans, liquid fuel systems
transport fuel in pipes and tubes to a burner. See, the pipe 22 in
Hilker, and the tube 14 in Mogol. These liquid fuel systems
therefore, do not disclose the present system.
Objects and Advantages
[0031] The objects and advantages of the fireplace insert invention
described herein are: [0032] (a) to use a vapor restrictor plate to
self regulate the height, depth and burn time of the fire produced
by burning alcohol gel fuel in round cans, as opposed to regulation
by to manually operated control knobs or adjustment mechanisms;
[0033] (b) to produce a realistic looking, generally rectangular,
fireplace fire, as opposed to a series of individual, round fires
coming from round cans; [0034] (c) to hide the fuel cans from view;
[0035] (d) to produce a realistic fireplace effect without using
electric light bulbs; [0036] (e) to be fuel efficient by only
burning fuel that produces flames that are visible.
SUMMARY
[0037] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a noncombustible logset that simulates the appearance of a series
of logs and twigs, which logset has a cavity that holds round cans
of alcohol gel fuel. The logset is placed inside a fireplace.
[0038] The apparatus includes a vapor restrictor plate which
partially covers the top openings of the fuel cans, thereby self
regulating the height, depth and burn time of the flames produced
when the fuel is ignited without the use of manually operated
control knobs or adjustment mechanisms.
[0039] The apparatus hides the cans of fuel from view and produces
a realistic looking, semi-rectangular fireplace fire that is wider
than it is deep, as opposed to a series of individual round fires
coming from round cans.
[0040] The apparatus is simple. It has few components. It is easy
to maintain. It also does not require the use of electric light
bulbs.
[0041] The apparatus is fuel efficient. It does not burn fuel to
produce flames that are hidden from view.
DRAWING--FIGURES
[0042] FIG. 1 shows the logset with the vapor restrictor plate in
its raised, open position.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows the logset with the vapor restrictor plate in
its closed position.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a top view of three cans of alcohol gel fuel, with
the lids for the cans removed, and the exposed alcohol gel
fuel.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a top view of the vapor restrictor plate.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a top view of the vapor restrictor plate sitting
over three round cans of alcohol gel fuel. The vapor restrictor
plate covers the top metal portion of the cans but exposes the
alcohol gel fuel.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows the overlapping fires from three cans of
alcohol gel fuel melding into one another so as to form a generally
rectangular flame pattern which is wider than it is deep.
DRAWINGS
Reference Numerals
[0048] 1 Invention
[0049] 2 Logset
[0050] 3 Vapor restrictor plate
[0051] 4 Cavity in logset
[0052] 4A Aperture in vapor restrictor plate
[0053] 5 Hinges
[0054] 6 Metal top of round can of alcohol gel fuel, with lid
removed.
[0055] 7 Alcohol gel
[0056] 8 Overlapping flames
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0057] The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6.
[0058] FIG. 3, representing the metal tops of three round cans of
alcohol gel fuel, is not part of the invention, but is shown for
illustrative purposes.
[0059] FIG. 1 shows a noncombustible fake logset 2 that gives the
appearance of a series of logs, but which, in fact, may be cast as
a unitary piece. The logset 2 has a cavity 4 which communicates
with the atmosphere and accepts round cans of alcohol gel fuel (not
shown).
[0060] FIG. 1 also shows the vapor restrictor plate 3 attached to
the logset by hinges 5. The vapor restrictor plate 3 is shown in
the up, or open, position.
[0061] FIG. 2 shows the logset 2 and the vapor restrictor plate 3
in its closed position.
[0062] FIG. 3 shows three metal tops of three round cans of alcohol
gel fuel 6, after the lids of the cans (not shown) have been
removed, thereby exposing the alcohol gel fuel 7.
[0063] Lines 101 and 102 in FIG. 3 represent the inside diameter of
the tops of the cans of alcohol gel fuel, with the lids for the
cans (not shown) removed.
[0064] FIG. 4 is a top view of the vapor restrictor plate 3 and its
apertures 4A.
[0065] Line 103 in FIG. 4 represents the width of the aperture 4A.
Line 104 in FIG. 4 represents the depth of the aperture 4A.
[0066] FIG. 5 shows the overlapping flames 8 that originate from
the three apertures 4A but then meld into one another to form a
semi-rectangular fire.
Operation
[0067] The invention operates by: (1) restricting the flow of
alcohol vapors out of the cans of fuel, and (2) restricting the
flow of ambient oxygen into the cans of fuel, thereby controlling
the height, depth and burn time of the fire produced when the
alcohol gel is ignited, without the use of manually operated
control knobs or adjustment mechanisms, and producing a fire with a
semi-rectangular shape. The invention also hides the metal tops of
the fuel cans from view.
[0068] This is accomplished by the vapor restrictor plate 3, which:
(1) completely covers the metal tops 6 of the cans of fuel, and (2)
partially restricts vapor flow out of, and into, the cans.
[0069] Vapor restriction is achieved because the depth of the
apertures in the vapor restrictor plate, as represented by Line 104
in FIG. 4, is smaller than the depth of the top opening of the
round cans of fuel, represented by Line 102 in FIG. 3. Hence, the
amount of alcohol vapor that can leave the can is restricted, as is
the amount of oxygen which can enter the can and mix with alcohol
fumes. This controls the size of the flame and reshapes it.
[0070] Reshaping is also accomplished because each aperture 4A is
centered over each can of fuel and because the width of each
aperture, represented by Line 103 in FIG. 4, is approximately the
same as the width of the top opening of the round cans of fuel,
represented by Line 101 in FIG. 3. This converts the shape of the
exposed alcohol gel from a circular shape into a semi-rectangular
shape whose width is greater than its depth.
[0071] As measurement 104 is made progressively smaller in relation
to measurement 102, the flames from the cans of fuel will have less
depth, less height, and will burn for longer periods of time.
Experience indicates that depending on the type of alcohol gel, a
good result may be obtained if measurement 3B varies from
approximately 50%-70% of measurement 6B.
[0072] As can be seen in the figures, when measurement 104 is
50%-70% of measurement 102 the aperture 4A assumes a
semi-rectangular shape. In addition, because the flame produced by
the fuel in each can flutters and waves, the flames 8 will overlap
from aperture 4A to aperture 4A, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0073] The overlapping flames result in the production an over-all
fire pattern that appears to have a semi-rectangular shape, as FIG.
6 shows.
Alternative Embodiments
[0074] Although the figures show the invention used with three cans
of fuel, it can easily be imagined that any number of multiple
cans, such as two or four, may be used to achieve the same result.
Hence, the scope of the current invention should be determined by
the concepts explained above and the appended claims, and their
legal equivalents, rather than by the specific descriptions
illustrated in the figures.
* * * * *