Abstract:
An apparatus with a fuel container and a flame bowl atop the fuel container is disclosed. The flame bowl has a wick proximate the center thereof. The wick extends into a fuel supply within the fuel container. The flame bowl has an interior surface that is texturized to enhance the appearance of the flame.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/104,863 entitled “LARGE FLAME TORCH WITH TEXTURED FLAME BOWL,” filed Oct. 13, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This disclosure is related to liquid fueled torches in general and, more specifically, to a liquid fueled torch with flame enhancing features. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Patio torches, also know as lawn torches or garden torches, may be used to provide lighting or decoration. Sometimes, scented oils or insect repellant oils are burned in the patio torches for additional effect. A torch may include a refillable canister that accepts liquid fuel. A torch may be mounted on or otherwise integrated with a decorative pole for display purposes. 
         [0004]    The actual utility of a torch, in terms of light or aroma given off and the ability to repel pests, may be less than desirable. The wick is often too small, relatively speaking, to provide an effective amount of combustion. Even with larger diameter wicks or wicks that are extendable to create a larger surface area, air and flame control may become problematic, resulting in a flame that may still be too small to create the desired effect. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a device for addressing the above and related problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof comprises an apparatus with a fuel container and a flame bowl atop the fuel container. The flame bowl has a wick proximate the center thereof, the wick extending into a fuel supply within the fuel container. The flame bowl has an interior surface that is texturized to enhance the appearance of the flame. The interior surface may be texturized in such a way to promote capillary action of fuel away from the wick. The interior surface may also be texturized in such a way to promote charring on the interior surface. In various embodiments, the interior surface may be texturized by a plurality of nubs, by peening, and/or by knurling. The flame bowl may provide a substantially flat floor and/or a wick holder for the wick. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective cutaway view of a large flame patio torch with a flame enhancing combustion bowl according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective cutaway view of another large flame patio torch with a flame enhancing combustion bowl according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective cutaway view of another large flame patio torch with a flame enhancing combustion bowl according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective cutaway view of a large flame patio torch according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Although the torch  100  is referred to as a patio torch, for purposes of the present disclosure this term is synonymous with any type of recreational, decorative, or insect-repellant torches such as garden torches or table top torches. The torch  100  may be used as an insert with a stand or other display device to create a torch assembly. In some embodiments, the torch  100  is used as a stand-alone item. 
         [0011]    The major components of the torch  100  seen in  FIG. 1  comprise a funnel, bowl, or flame guard  104 , a neck  105 , and a canister  106 . These pieces may be formed integrally or may be formed separately and attached. In one embodiment, each of these components is made from rolled or stamped sheet metal that may be spot welded or glued together. In other embodiments, a more durable build may be accomplished by using cast or machined pieces. In some embodiments, some parts of the torch  100  may be plastic or another material. 
         [0012]    The bowl  104  and/or neck  105  may be separable from the canister  106  for refilling of a torch fuel  408  and/or attaching to other fuel sources. In the present embodiment, the neck  105  and canister  106  have a threaded fitting  107 . Other embodiments may provide friction fits or other fittings. In some embodiments, fuel filling and/or ventilation ports  108  may be provided. The ventilation ports  108  are only for illustration as other ports or locations are contemplated. The fuel  408  may be a citronella oil or another oil suitable for burning in a decorative or insect repellant torch. 
         [0013]    A wick  202 , used for combustion of the fuel  408 , may be a cotton wick, a fiberglass wick, a polyester wick, or another type of wick using these or other materials and/or combinations thereof. Although only a single wick  202  is shown, the present disclosure is not so limited. Multiple wicks may be provided that are capable of simultaneous or selective operation. A wick holder  406  may be sized to retain the wick  202  in a friction fit. 
         [0014]    The bowl  104  in the present embodiment is generally conically or funnel shaped with a relatively flat floor. However, in other embodiments, a more rounded floor will be provided. In the present embodiment, the interior surface  102  of the bowl  104  is textured with raised nubs. It can be seen that the texturing or nubbing proceeds along the floor of the bowl  104  up to the wick holder  406 . In some embodiments, the wick holder  406  will be textured as well. In other embodiments, the wick  202  may be held in place by an opening in the floor of the bowl  104 . 
         [0015]    In operation, depending upon the size and spacing of the nubs on the surface  102  of the bowl  104 , fuel may be drawn or wicked by capillary action or seepage away from the wick  406  prior to being burned. This fuel may come to coat or otherwise saturate the interior surface  102  of the bowl  104 . In this event, the fuel may begin to vaporize due to the heat from the flame on the wick  202 . In other cases, depending upon the fuel used, the fuel may actually burn on the interior surface  102  of the bowl  104 . This additional burning will be in a controlled fashion, owing in part to the limited amount of fuel that can be wicked away by capillary action or seepage from the wick  202 . 
         [0016]    The burning or vaporization of the fuel on the surface  102  will serve to enhance the effects of the flame on the wick  202 . A larger flame than would normally be supported by the wick  406  may be seen to appear to fill the bowl  104  during operation. Additionally, insect repellant functions or scent dispersant functions may be enhanced by the additional fuel consumed or otherwise vaporized on the surface  102 . In some embodiments, the vaporization and/or burning of the fuel on the interior surface  102  of the bowl  104  will cause charring or aching on the surface  102 . This may serve to enhance the capillary action and/or seepage of the fuel  408 . This may, in turn, increase the surface area for even greater burning or vaporization of fuel. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective cutaway view of another large flame patio torch with a flame enhancing combustion bowl according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the bowl  104  has an interior surface  202  that has been peened to produce a texture. The peening of the surface  202  functions in a similar fashion as the nubbing of the surface  102  of  FIG. 1 . The peening promotes fuel seepage and/or charring on the surface  202 . This enhances the appearance of the flame and the vaporization of additional fuel. In some embodiments, the wick holder  406  will be peened or otherwise textured. The wick holder  406  may be an integral component of the bowl  104 . As before, the actual shape of the bowl  406  may vary. The fuel source may be separable from the flame bowl  104  and ventilation (not shown) may be provided. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective cutaway view of another large flame patio torch with a flame enhancing combustion bowl according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. This embodiment is substantially similar to those previously discussed. Here an inner surface  302  of the bowl  104  has been etched with a cross-hatch or knurled pattern. This cross-hatching serves a similar function as the nubbing or peening of previous embodiments. Once again, the wick holder  406  may also be knurled and may be an integral part of the bowl  104 . The knurled interior surface  302  promotes fuel seepage from the wick that enhances the flame during operation and may also provide additional vaporization of fuel  408 . Charring that may occur on the surface  203  further serves to enhance the seepage of fuel, the flame effects, and the vaporization of fuel. As with the pervious embodiments, the flame bowl  104  and ventilation of the fuel source (not shown) may be provided. 
         [0019]    In each of the embodiments discussed above, various means are utilized to provide enhanced fuel burning and/or vaporization (producing a more active flame). It is understood that a wide variety of patterns, textures, or surface treatments could be utilized to interrupt the otherwise smooth surface and thereby allow for wicking of fuel and a more active flame. For example, an applied surface texturizing treatment or coating could be utilized. In some embodiments, painted on finishes may be utilized. Paints may be utilized that have sand or other texturizers suspended therein. Spray on insulations or other fire resistant materials may also be used. Furthermore, the density and/or depth of the nubbing, peening, knurling, or other treatment can be varied to increase or decrease the flame enhancing effects of the same. In some embodiments, designs may be etched, scored, or carved into the flame bowl. 
         [0020]    Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.