U.S. patent application number 12/955736 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-24 for charcoal briquet having a grooved surface.
Invention is credited to Kelly M. Burke, Katie K. Chow, Stevan R. Curtiss, Scott Melin, Bob Miller, Donald K. Swatling.
Application Number | 20110067296 12/955736 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46323134 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110067296 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Melin; Scott ; et
al. |
March 24, 2011 |
Charcoal Briquet Having A Grooved Surface
Abstract
A generally pillow-shaped charcoal briquet having a convex upper
surface and a convex lower surface, wherein at least one of these
surfaces contain an enhanced surface feature comprising one or more
grooves. When two or more grooves are located on one or both convex
surfaces, the grooves are generally parallel to each other and to
two opposing sides of the briquet, and generally perpendicular to
two opposing sides of the briquet. The briquets have improved
ignition characteristics and enhanced burn phase properties.
Inventors: |
Melin; Scott; (Pleasanton,
CA) ; Swatling; Donald K.; (Pleasanton, CA) ;
Burke; Kelly M.; (Pleasanton, CA) ; Miller; Bob;
(Pleasanton, CA) ; Chow; Katie K.; (Pleasanton,
CA) ; Curtiss; Stevan R.; (Pleasanton, CA) |
Family ID: |
46323134 |
Appl. No.: |
12/955736 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11270943 |
Nov 9, 2005 |
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12955736 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
44/532 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10L 5/447 20130101;
Y02E 50/10 20130101; C10L 5/36 20130101; C10L 5/361 20130101; Y02E
50/30 20130101; C10L 11/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
44/532 |
International
Class: |
C10L 5/36 20060101
C10L005/36 |
Claims
1. A charcoal briquet for cooking having a convex upper surface, a
convex lower surface and a periphery, said upper surface having a
plurality of parallel grooves extending across a majority of said
upper surface and said lower surface having a plurality of parallel
grooves extending across a majority of said lower surface wherein
each of said grooves having a width and a depth, said width is
substantially equal to said depth thereby providing increased
peripheral surface area to volume ratio up to about 26% relative to
an ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes as said
briquet, said width, said depth, and said extension of said grooves
providing air circulation within a pile of briquets while allowing
contact between adjacent briquets and increased air circulation
around said periphery of each said briquet, for aid in spreading
combustion from one said briquet to another said briquet.
2. The charcoal briquet of claim 1, wherein said briquet includes a
shape comprising an ellipsoid having a minor equatorial axis.
3. The charcoal briquet of claim 2, wherein said grooves are
parallel to said minor equatorial axis.
4. The charcoal briquet of claim 3, wherein said briquet has three
grooves in said upper surface and three grooves in said lower
surface.
5. The charcoal briquet of claim 1, wherein said grooves have a
maximum depth and said briquet has a maximum height dimension, said
maximum depth being about one fourth said maximum height
dimension.
6. The charcoal briquet of claim 5, wherein said grooves have a
maximum width, said maximum width being approximately equal to said
groove maximum depth.
7. A charcoal briquet for cooking having a convex upper surface, a
convex lower surface and a periphery, said upper surface having a
plurality of parallel grooves and said lower surface having a
plurality of parallel grooves; said briquet comprises a shape, said
shape is an ellipsoid having a major equatorial axis; and said
grooves having a depth and a width are aligned with and extend
nearly the entire length of said major equatorial axis, said depth,
said width, and said extension for aiding combustion by providing
air circulation around said periphery and between one said briquet
and at least another adjacent said briquet within a pile of
briquets.
8. The charcoal briquet of claim 7, wherein said briquet has two
grooves in said upper surface and two grooves in said lower
surface.
9. The charcoal briquet of claim 7, wherein said grooves have a
maximum depth and a maximum width, said groove maximum depth being
approximately equal to said groove maximum width thereby providing
an increased surface area to volume ratio up to about 26% relative
to an ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes as said
briquet.
10. A charcoal briquet for cooking having a convex upper surface, a
convex lower surface and a periphery, said upper surface and said
lower surface having a plurality of grooves spaced thereacross that
aid combustion by providing air circulation around a majority of
said periphery and between one said briquet and at least another
said briquet within a pile of briquets.
11. The charcoal briquet of claim 10, wherein said plurality of
grooves are parallel.
12. The charcoal briquet of claim 10, wherein said briquet includes
an ellipsoid shape having a minor equatorial axis.
13. The charcoal briquet of claim 12, wherein said grooves are
aligned with said minor equatorial axis.
14. The charcoal briquet of claim 10, wherein said briquet includes
an ellipsoid shape having a major equatorial axis.
15. The charcoal briquet of claim 14, wherein said grooves are
aligned with said major equatorial axis.
16. The charcoal briquet of claim 10, wherein said plurality of
grooves includes at least two grooves.
17. The charcoal briquet of claim 10, wherein said grooves have a
maximum depth and said briquet has a maximum height dimension, said
maximum depth being about one fourth said maximum height dimension
thereby providing an increased surface area to volume ratio up to
about 26% relative to an ungrooved briquet having the same
dimensional axes as said briquet.
18. The charcoal briquet of claim 17, wherein said grooves have a
maximum width, said maximum width being approximately equal to said
groove maximum depth.
19. A charcoal briquet for cooking having a convex upper surface, a
convex lower surface and a periphery, said upper surface and said
lower surface having a plurality of grooves spaced respectively
across said upper surface and said lower surface, said plurality of
grooves extend substantially from one side of said periphery to an
opposing side of said periphery for aiding combustion by providing
air circulation around and along a majority of said periphery and
between one said briquet and at least another said briquet within a
pile of briquets.
20. The charcoal briquet of claim 19, wherein another one of said
upper surface and said lower surface having a plurality of
grooves.
21. The charcoal briquet of claim 19, wherein said plurality of
grooves include at least two grooves.
22. The charcoal briquet of claim 21, wherein said plurality of
grooves are substantially parallel.
23. The charcoal briquet of claim 19, wherein said periphery is an
ellipsoid shape having a major equatorial axis, said grooves are
parallel to said major equatorial axis.
24. The charcoal briquet of claim 19, wherein said grooves have a
maximum depth and a maximum width, said groove maximum depth being
approximately equal to said groove maximum width.
25. The charcoal briquet of claim 19, wherein said periphery is an
ellipsoid shape having a minor equatorial axis, said grooves are
parallel to said minor equatorial axis.
26. A charcoal briquet for cooking having an upper surface, a lower
surface and a periphery, at least one of said upper surface and
said lower surface having at least two grooves, said at least two
grooves spaced apart from one another and extending substantially
from one side of said periphery to an opposing side of said
periphery for aiding combustion by providing air circulation around
and along a majority of said periphery and between one said briquet
and at least another said briquet within a pile of briquets.
27. A charcoal briquet for cooking comprising: an upper surface, a
lower surface, and a periphery; said periphery defining a
horizontal plane whereby said upper surface and said lower surface
are symmetrical; and, said upper surface and said lower surface
each having at least one groove extending respectively across
substantially entire said upper surface and said lower surface, and
said grooves having a depth thereby providing an increased
peripheral surface area to volume ratio of up to about 26% relative
to an ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes as said
briquet for aid in spreading combustion around said periphery and
from one said briquet to another said briquet.
28. A plurality of charcoal briquets for cooking comprising: a
first briquet having an upper surface and a lower surface; at least
a second briquet having an upper surface and a lower surface; and,
said upper surface and said lower surface of each said first
briquet and said at least second briquet having at least one groove
extending respectively across substantially entire said upper
surface and said lower surface thereby providing an increased
peripheral surface area to volume ratio up to about 26% relative to
an ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes as said
briquet for allowing close contact between adjacent briquets and
spreading combustion in a pile of said plurality of briquets.
29. A plurality of charcoal briquets for cooking comprising: a
first pillow-shaped briquet having a curved surface periphery; at
least a second pillow-shaped briquet having a curved surface
periphery; and, said curved surface periphery of each said first
briquet and said at least second briquet having at least one groove
extending substantially therearound for allowing close contact
between adjacent briquets and spreading combustion in a pile of
said plurality of briquets.
30. A plurality of charcoal briquets for cooking comprising: a
first pillow-shaped briquet having a curved surface; at least a
second pillow-shaped briquet having a curved surface; and, said
curved surface of each said first briquet and said at least second
briquet providing a means for allowing close contact between
adjacent briquets, providing air circulation around an entirety of
said curved surface of each said briquet and between said first
briquet and at least said second briquet, and spreading combustion
in a pile of said plurality of briquets.
31. A charcoal briquet for cooking comprising: a convex upper
surface, a convex lower surface and a periphery; said upper surface
having at least one groove and said lower surface having at least
one groove; at least one of said grooves extending substantially
from one side of said periphery to an opposing side of said
periphery; and, said upper surface and said lower surface allowing
close contact between adjacent briquets while said grooves
providing air circulation around said periphery of each said
briquet and between said adjacent briquets for spreading combustion
in a pile of briquets.
32. The charcoal briquet of claim 31, wherein the other of said
grooves extending substantially from one side of said periphery to
an opposing side of said periphery.
33. A charcoal briquet for cooking comprising: a convex upper
surface, a convex lower surface and a periphery; said upper surface
having at least one groove and said lower surface having at least
one groove; each of said grooves extending substantially from one
side of said periphery to an opposing side of said periphery; and,
each of said grooves having a width and a depth, said width being
substantially equal to said depth thereby providing an increased
peripheral surface area to volume ratio up to about 26% relative to
an ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes as said
briquet wherein said upper surface and said lower surface allowing
close contact between adjacent briquets while said grooves
providing air circulation around entire said periphery and between
said adjacent briquets for spreading combustion in a pile of
briquets.
34. A charcoal briquet for cooking comprising: an upper surface, a
lower surface and a periphery; said upper surface having at least
one groove and said lower surface having at lest one groove; each
of said grooves extending substantially from one side of said
periphery to an opposing side of said periphery; and, each of said
grooves having a depth and said briquet having a height, said depth
being about one-fourth of said height thereby providing an
increased peripheral surface area to volume ratio up to about 26%
relative to an ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes
as said briquet wherein said upper surface and said lower surface
allowing close contact between adjacent briquets while said grooves
providing air circulation around said periphery and between said
adjacent briquets for spreading combustion in a pile of
briquets.
35. The charcoal briquet of claim 34, wherein said briquet further
comprising at least another groove extending across at least one of
said upper surface and said lower surface.
36. The charcoal briquet of claim 35, wherein said at least one of
said grooves and said at least another groove are substantially
parallel to one another.
37. A charcoal briquet for cooking comprising: an upper surface, a
lower surface and a periphery; at least one of said upper surface
and said lower surface having at least two grooves; said at least
two grooves each extending substantially across said at least one
of said upper surface and said lower surface; and, said at least
two grooves each having a width and a depth thereby providing an
increased peripheral surface area to volume ratio relative to an
ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes as said briquet
for aiding combustion by providing air circulation between one said
briquet and at least another adjacent said briquet within a pile of
briquets.
38. A plurality of charcoal briquets for cooking comprising: a
first briquet having an upper surface and a lower surface; at least
a second briquet having an upper surface and a lower surface; and
at least one of said upper surface and said lower surface of each
said first briquet and said at least second briquet having at least
one groove extending respectively across substantially entire at
least one of said upper surface and said lower surface thereby
providing an increased peripheral surface area to volume ratio
relative to an ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes
as said briquet for allowing close contact between adjacent
briquets and spreading combustion in a pile of said plurality of
briquets.
39. A plurality of charcoal briquets for cooking comprising: a
first pillow-shaped briquet having a curved surface and a height;
at least a second pillow-shaped briquet having a curved surface and
a height; said curved surface of each said first briquet and said
at least second briquet having at least one groove extending
thereacross; and each of said grooves having a depth, said depth is
up to about 25% of said height along at least a portion of said
curved surface thereby providing an increased peripheral surface
area to volume ratio relative to an ungrooved briquet having the
same dimensional axes as said briquet for increased air circulation
in a pile of briquets.
40. The plurality of charcoal briquets for cooking according to
claim 39, wherein: said curved surface of each said first briquet
and said at least second briquet having at least another groove
extending thereacross; and each of said grooves having a depth,
said depth is up to about 25% of said height along at least a
portion of said curved surface.
41. A charcoal briquet for cooking comprising: a briquet including
an upper surface, a lower surface, and a height; at least one of
said upper surface and said lower surface having a groove; said
groove extending substantially across said at least one of said
upper surface and said lower surface; and said groove having a
depth, said depth is up to about 25% of said height thereby
providing an increased peripheral surface area to volume ratio
relative to an ungrooved briquet having the same dimensional axes
as said briquet for aiding combustion by providing air circulation
between one said briquet and at least another said briquet within a
pile of briquets.
42. The charcoal briquet of claim 41, wherein said groove having a
width, said width substantially equal to said depth.
43. A plurality of charcoal briquets for cooking comprising: a
first briquet having a convex upper surface and a convex lower
surface; at least a second briquet having a convex upper surface
and convex lower surface; and, at least one of said convex upper
surface and said convex lower surface of each said first briquet
and said at least second briquet having at least one groove; each
of said grooves including a width substantially equal to a depth;
and, said depth is up to about 25% of a height of said first
briquet and said at least second briquet, whereby said convex
surfaces allow close contact between adjacent briquets while said
grooves provide air circulation between said first briquet and said
at least second briquet for enhancing ignition and spreading
combustion in a pile of briquets.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/270,943 filed Nov. 9, 2005 which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. D517,005 filed Jul. 7, 2004
which are both incorporated herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of charcoal briquets and
other solid fuel compositions. More particularly, the present
invention relates to pillow-shaped charcoal briquets having
improved surface features that aid in improved random stacking,
lighting and burn phase characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There is great consumer interest in using charcoal for
outdoor cooking in which meals can be prepared and served quickly
for individual or large group consumption. Consumers desire cooking
and grilling with charcoal briquets that are easily stackable to
form the traditional starter pile, easily ignitable, maintain a
uniform and efficient combustion that ignites the individual
briquets in the starter pile, and have a sufficiently long burn
period. Similarly, consumers desire to handle dirty charcoal as
little as possible when forming traditional starter piles and the
like.
[0004] Charcoal briquettes are often configured in a generally
pillow-shape. This configuration provides for both reasonable ease
of manufacturing by the supplier, and handling by the consumer.
Pillow-shaped briquets are typically used for cooking on the grill
or the like by using a multiplicity of briquets in a mounded or
conical configuration or stack usually by pouring a multiplicity of
briquets from a bag onto a grill or the like. Then lighter fluid is
often added, and followed by igniting the briquets with an ignition
source.
[0005] An "ignition phase" follows, as burning proceeds from the
surface of the briquet, and a gray ash is formed on a significant
portion of the briquet until a majority of the exposed surfaces
have ignited, and burning has progressed inwardly toward the
intended area of the briquets. Thus, completion of the ignition
phase of burning is identified by the formation of visible ash on
the briquet.
[0006] At this point, the briquets are spread out under the grill
or the like, and they continue to burn with intense heat suitable
for cooking and grilling throughout a "burn phase". For maximum
performance of the briquets, it is desirable that the ignition
phase be limited in time so that the briquets may be used for
cooking or grilling without undue delay, such that the duration of
the burn phase is optimized and extended to provide adequate
cooking or grilling time as desired by the consumer intended
use.
[0007] There has been some previous work in the ornamental and
geometrical configuration of charcoal briquets. For example, U.S.
Des. 389,453 to Mitchell et al. describes a charcoal briquet having
a groove generally in the shape of the letter "K", and U.S. Pat.
No. 4,496,366 to Peters describes charcoal having a briquet, or
other geometric configuration, purportedly to achieve desired
lighting and burn characteristics. In another example, U.S. Pat.
No. 6,074,446 to Fujino describes charcoal having a plurality of
air passing portions or grooves in its body purportedly to supply
combustion air inside the charcoal body while burning.
[0008] However, previously known ornamental and geometrically
configured charcoal briquets fail to address enhancing the surface
of pillow-shaped briquets to improve the random, non-mating
stacking ability properties, as well as to improve ignition and
burn phase characteristics. Particularly charcoal briquets used for
home grilling and cooking, wherein the consumer desires charcoal
briquets that require less handling, and that can be readily
ignited to provide maximum heat initially, followed by an improved
burn phase.
[0009] Previously known charcoal briquets intended for rapid
ignition and delivery of intense heat have used combinations of
various configurations and compositions. However, very rapid
delivery of intense heat does not provide an acceptable combustion
response for cooking or grilling purposes. Previous teachings have
failed to configure and texture the surface of a pillow-shaped
charcoal briquet to improve random stacking ability of the briquet,
as well as enhance the ignition and burn phase properties of the
briquet as preferred by consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with the present invention, an improved
charcoal briquet having a generally pillow-shaped configuration
having an upper surface, a lower surface, a periphery, and enhanced
surface features preferably comprising one or more grooves,
channels, trenches or the like, on one or both surfaces. The
improved charcoal briquets of the present invention have improved
random stacking ability, and enhanced ignition and burn phase
properties, thereby overcoming previously known difficulties.
[0011] More specifically, and in accordance with the present
invention, an improved pillow-shaped charcoal briquet having a
generally convex upper surface, a generally convex lower surface,
and a periphery wherein at least one of the upper or lower surfaces
has located thereon enhanced surface textured features in the form
of at least one groove, channel, trench or the like. When two or
more grooves are present on one or both surfaces, the grooves are
preferably parallel to each other, parallel to two opposing sides
of the briquet, and perpendicular to two other opposing sides of
the briquet. The presence of one or more grooves on or both
surfaces increases the surface area to volume ratio thereby
enabling more of the briquet to be exposed to oxygen.
[0012] These and other objects and advantages are achieved by the
present invention which comprises a generally pillow-shaped
charcoal briquet having an improved surface configuration.
Pillow-shaped charcoal briquets having this unique surface
configuration have enhanced ignition properties and burn phase
characteristics.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
the preferred embodiments of the invention, taken together with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention will be described in greater detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pillow-shaped charcoal
briquet embodying the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the briquet of
FIG. 1, right and left side elevations being the same;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the briquet of FIG. 1,
front and back elevations being the same;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the briquet of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a charcoal briquet showing a
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the briquet of
FIG. 5, right and left side elevations being the same;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the briquet of FIG. 5,
front and back elevations being the same;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the briquet of FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a charcoal briquet showing a
third embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view of the briquet of
FIG. 9, right and left side elevations being the same;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the briquet of FIG.
9, front and back elevations being the same;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the briquet of FIG. 9;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a charcoal briquet
similar to the briquet of FIG. 3, but having one groove on both the
upper and lower surfaces, front and back elevations being the
same;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a charcoal briquet
similar to the briquet of FIG. 7, but having two grooves on the
upper and lower surfaces, front and back elevations being the
same;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a charcoal briquet
similar to the briquet of FIG. 11, but having three grooves on the
upper and lower surfaces, front and back elevations being the
same;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of a charcoal briquet
similar to the briquet of FIG. 3, but having one groove on the
upper and two grooves on the lower surface, front and back
elevations being the same;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of a charcoal briquet
similar to the briquet of FIG. 3, but having one groove on the
upper and three grooves on the lower surface, front and back
elevations being the same; and
[0032] FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of a charcoal briquet
similar to the briquet of FIG. 7, but having two grooves on the
upper and three grooves on the lower surface, front and back
elevations being the same.
[0033] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein
illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, in one form, and
such examples are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] FIGS. 1-18 depict a grooved pillow-shaped charcoal briquet
of the present invention. Previous charcoal briquets used by
consumers have typically assumed a generally pillow-shape
configuration. However, previous charcoal briquets were not
designed as the charcoal briquets provided herein having enhanced
grooved surface features that provide consumers with a charcoal
briquet having enhanced lighting and burn phase
characteristics.
[0035] FIGS. 1-4 and 13 depict a grooved pillow-shaped briquet 30
having a generally convex upper surface 38, a generally convex
lower surface 36, a generally elliptical periphery 37 when viewed
from the side, and a generally rectangular periphery 35 when viewed
from above or below. FIG. 3 depicts briquet 30 wherein one of these
surfaces, upper surface 38, contains thereon one groove 32. FIG. 13
depicts a front elevational view of briquet 39 wherein both of the
upper 38 and lower surfaces 36 each contain thereon one groove
32.
[0036] FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of charcoal briquet 30 having
four sides A, B, C and D, connected by four generally rounded
corners 34. Groove 32 runs generally parallel to side B (right
side) and side D (left side), and generally perpendicular to side A
(back) and side C (front). Groove 32 thereby connects front C and
back A of briquet 30 via this channel or trench-like surface
feature that traverses the upper convex surface 38, and increases
the surface area to volume ratio of the briquet enabling more of
the briquet to be exposed to oxygen.
[0037] FIGS. 5-8 and 14 depict a grooved pillow-shaped briquet 40
having a generally convex upper surface 48, a generally convex
lower surface 46, a generally elliptical periphery 47 when viewed
from the side, and a generally rectangular periphery 45 when viewed
from above or below. FIG. 7 depicts briquet 40 wherein one of these
surfaces, upper surface 48, contains thereon two grooves 42. FIG.
14 depicts a front elevational view of briquet 49 wherein both of
the upper 48 and lower surfaces 46 each contain thereon two grooves
42.
[0038] FIG. 8 depicts a top plan view of charcoal briquet 40 having
four sides A, B, C and D, connected by four generally rounded
corners 44. Grooves 42 run generally parallel to side B (right
side) and side D (left side), and generally perpendicular to side A
(back) and side C (front). Grooves 42 thereby connect front C and
the back A of briquet 40 via this channel or trench-like surface
feature that traverses the upper convex surface 48, and increases
the surface area to volume ratio of the briquet enabling more of
the briquet to be exposed to oxygen.
[0039] FIGS. 9-12 and 15 depict a grooved pillow-shaped briquet 50
having a generally convex upper surface 58, a generally convex
lower surface 56, a generally elliptical periphery 57 when viewed
from the side, and a generally rectangular periphery 55 when viewed
from above or below. FIG. 11 depicts briquet 50 wherein one of
these surfaces, upper surface 58, contains thereon three grooves
52. FIG. 15 depicts a front elevational view of briquet 59 wherein
both the upper 58 and lower surfaces 56 each contain thereon three
grooves 52.
[0040] FIG. 12 depicts a top plan view charcoal briquet 50 having
four sides A, B, C and D, connected by four generally rounded
corners 54. Grooves 52 run generally parallel to side B (right
side) and side D (left side), and generally perpendicular to sides
A (back) and side C (front). Grooves 52 thereby connect front C and
back A of briquet 50 via this channel or trench-like surface
feature that traverses the upper convex surface 58, and increases
the surface area to volume ratio of the briquet enabling more of
the briquet to be exposed to oxygen.
[0041] FIG. 16 depicts a front elevational view of a grooved
pillow-shaped briquet 60 having a generally convex upper surface
68, a generally convex lower surface 66, and a generally elliptical
periphery 67 when viewed from the side. Briquet 60 includes upper
surface 68 containing thereon one groove 62, and lower surface 66
containing thereon two grooves 62. Briquet 60, like briquets 30, 40
and 50, has a generally rectangular periphery when viewed from
above or below, and four sides connected by four generally rounded
corners (not shown). Grooves 62 run generally parallel to the right
and left sides of the briquet, and generally perpendicular to the
back and front of the briquet (not shown).
[0042] FIG. 17 depicts a front elevational view of a grooved
pillow-shaped briquet 70 having a generally convex upper surface
78, a generally convex lower surface 76, and a generally elliptical
periphery 77 when viewed from the side. Briquet 70 includes upper
surface 78 containing thereon one groove 72, and lower surface 76
containing thereon three grooves 72. Briquet 70, like briquets 30,
40 and 50, has a generally rectangular periphery when viewed from
above or below, and four sides connected by four generally rounded
corners (not shown). Grooves 72 run generally parallel to the right
and left sides of the briquet, and generally perpendicular to the
back and front of the briquet (not shown).
[0043] It should be understood that the present invention as
depicted in FIGS. 1-18 preferably describes and discloses
pillow-shaped briquets with one, or two or three parallel grooves
on one or both opposite convex surfaces of the briquet. It should
be understood that the present invention can be considered to
relate to briquets having a plurality of grooves on the surface
thereof. However, it should be realized that the greater the number
of grooves, the shallower the individual groove would become. The
depth of the groove is defined by the width-to-depth
proportion.
[0044] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the present
invention provides a means of providing charcoal briquets having
textured and grooved surface features that result in consumer
desired improved random, no-mating stacking ability, and improved
ignition and burn phase characteristic for use in grilling, cooking
or the like. However, it will be appreciated that the present
invention is useful for designing a surface configuration of
briquets to achieve the specific qualities and properties as
disclosed herein.
[0045] This invention has been described herein in considerable
detail to provide those skilled in the art with information
relevant to apply the novel principles and to construct and use
such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be
understood that the invention can be carried out by different
equipment, materials and devices, and that various modifications,
both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be
accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention
itself.
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