Charcoal burner

A fuel combustion apparatus. A base member having side walls which extend generally upwardly therefrom to intersect into a cap member form a container for housing charcoal fuel particles. Charcoal fuel particles are stacked in an overlying relationship within the interior chamber of the container. The interior lining of the chamber is treated with paraffin and a mixture of potassium chlorate. The container is ignited at the base to initiate combustion of the charcoal fuel particles therein. The charcoal fuel particles may also be treated with a flammable petroleum product. Vent holes are placed in the cap member to facilitate air flow within the chamber, and also provided a convenient handle for transport and handling of the apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the cap member may also be removed to permit access to charcoal particles within the container chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to food preparation fuel products, 
and more particularly provides a unique combustible container for cooking 
or barbecuing food. 
Recreational outdoor cooking or the so-called backyard "barbecue" is an 
activity currently of wide spread enjoyment. Consequently, a substantial 
commercial market has developed for charcoal and petroleum products which 
feature a variety of aspects of convenience for the consumer. Charcoal is 
conventionally marketed for such purposes in the form of small briquettes 
contained within a durable paper bag. The briquettes must be suitably 
stacked in the bottom of the charcoal grill and then soaked with a 
flammable liquid to allow for adequate combustion. This process is 
unusually messy and dangerous. The process of stacking the briquettes will 
usually cover the user's hands with black soot, while placement of 
flammable liquid on the briquettes leads to thousands of instances of 
property damage and dermal burns every year. In order to eliminate some of 
these undesirable characteristics of outdoor cooking, charcoal briquettes 
have been marketed in egg carton-like containers which may be placed in 
the bottom of the charcoal grill and ignited. While this eliminates the 
mess usually caused by actual manual contact with the briquettes, such 
containers invariably do not burn well since the charcoal is not stacked 
in a suitable pile to maximize the heat generated by the coals. Likewise, 
charcoal briquettes have been marketed which are pre-soaked with a 
flammable petroleum liquid. This form of charcoal is somewhat dangerous, 
since it is subject to accidental ignition if the storage bag is left open 
or subjected to an inordinate amount of heat. Likewise, such self 
ignitting briquettes are rendered ineffective if they are exposed to a 
moderate amount of humidity. Self-lighting charcoal which has failed to 
function can become a potential safety hazard, especially where a 
disappointed consumer impatiently pours gasoline or other explosive 
material over the coals in a frustrated attempt to initiate combustion. 
The hazards associated with the various products available on the market 
are often unavoidable even with prudent use. 
The outdoor cooking fuel products available on the market are notably 
inefficient and possess shortcomings in the areas described. It is 
accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an outdoor 
cooking fuel or charcoal burning package which eliminates or substantially 
minimizes the above mentioned and other problems and limitations typically 
associated with outdoor cooking or barbecuing. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a convenient fuel combustion apparatus which 
comprises a container having side walls extending generally upward from a 
base portion, the side walls converging into a cap member. Charcoal fuel 
particles are placed in a stacked overlying relationship within the 
interior chamber of the container to conform generally to the interior 
dimensions of the container. This arrangement is particularly suitable to 
enhance combustion of the charcoal fuel particles, which normally must be 
stacked in a pile to generate sufficient heat for proper combustion. The 
container is ignited with a match or small flame to initiate sustained 
combustion for cooking. 
The container is constructed of a cardboard material, and is treated on its 
interior surface with a film of paraffin wax and a mixture of potassium 
chlorate. This permits even burning of the container in a manner to 
maximize the heat generated to the charcoal fuel particles. The charcoal 
fuel particles may be treated with a petroleum product to further 
facilitate combustion. 
In a preferred embodiment of the fuel combustion apparatus, the container 
is shaped in the form of a pyramid having four sides and a base. It is 
contemplated that the container may also be conical, frusto-conical or 
multi-sided to accomplish effective arrangement of the charcoal fuel 
particles within the chamber for proper combustion. The preferred 
embodiment also includes vent holes which are perforated within the cap 
member. The vent holes may be opened by applying pressure over the 
perforated areas to fold the vent flaps inward into the chamber. The vent 
holes enhance the air flow within the chamber during combustion to 
facilitate proper burning of the charcoal fuel particles, and also provide 
a convenient carrying handle for transport and handling of the apparatus. 
It is also contemplated that the cap member of the present invention may be 
removable. A tear open strip may manually be removed, so that the cap may 
be partially or fully disassembled from the container, so as to permit 
access to the charcoal fuel particles therein. It is contemplated that in 
this embodiment, charcoal lighter fluid or other flammable petroleum 
product may be added just prior to ignition as opposed to have 
presaturated charcoal within the chamber. 
The preferred embodiment of the apparatus also contemplates a unique 
arrangement of a series of containers into the shape of a cube for storage 
and shipment. The containers may be placed such that the caps meet and 
side walls rest against one another such that six containers may be 
arranged generally into the shape of a cube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Perspectively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a combustible fuel apparatus 10 
which embodies principles of the present invention and is utilized by 
ignition of container 12 to initiate combustion of charcoal fuel particles 
14 therein. The fuel combustion apparatus 10 is particularly well adapted 
for convenient handling, storage and packing and is uniquely constructed 
to efficiently maximize arrangement of charcoal 14 confined within 
container 12 for proper heat generation. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, container 12 comprises a base member 16 
having side walls 18 which are formed contiguous therewith and extend 
generally upwardly therefrom at an angle so as to converge and form a cap 
20. The container 12 is preferably constructed of a somewhat rigid 
cardboard material. It is contemplated, however, that the container may 
also be formed of a more resilient material such as flexible paper. In the 
preferred embodiment shown, the base member 16 is generally a square 
approximately twelve inches in length on each side. Four side walls 18 are 
formed contiguous with base member 16 and extend upwardly thereform. Side 
walls 18 extend upward at an angle of less than 90.degree., so as to 
converge into a point to form cap 20. Side walls 18 and base member 16 
thereby form a sealed container 12 having an interior chamber 22. Cap 20 
is approximately eight inches above base member 16. It is contemplated 
that the base member 16 may in alternative embodiments be of any 
particular shape, so as to form container 12 into the shape of a cone, 
three dimensional triangle, frusto-cone, or any other configuration 
wherein the side walls converge into an upper cap 20. Cap 20 may be flat 
in the case of a frusto-pyramidal or frusto-conical container 12. 
Base member 16 and side walls 18 of container 12 may be constructed of any 
material of suitable strength which may easily be burned. In the preferred 
embodiment, 3/16 inch, single-face, fifty pound corrugated paper board is 
used. The general dimensions of container 12 in the preferred embodiment 
are twelve inches by twelve inches by eight inches in height, but these 
dimensions may vary somewhat to meet the needs of the particular 
application. The interior surface of container 12 is coated with paraffin 
wax (not shown) in order to seal chamber 22. This protects charcoal 
particles 14 from humidity which may inhibit combustion, and further 
eliminates evaporation of any flammable substance with which charcoal 
particles 14 may be treated. Likewise, the treatment with paraffin wax 
permits container 12 to burn quickly and evenly so as to maximize 
combustion of charcoal particles 14 therein. The paraffin wax may also be 
treated with a mixture of chlorate for enhanced burning. Cap 20 of 
apparatus 10 further includes vent holes 24. Vent holes 24 may form a 
perforated portion of cap 20, and may be opened by applying pressure 
thereto thus forcing flaps 26 into chamber 22. Any suitable aperture 
arrangement is contemplated for purposes of ventilation of chamber 22 
during combustion. Vent holes 24 are opened just prior to ignition of 
container 12, so as to permit proper air flow within chamber 22 as 
container 12 burns, thereby facilitating combustion of charcoal particles 
14. Likewise, vent holes 24 may serve to provide a convenient carrying 
handle for apparatus 10. The thumb and index finger of the user may be 
inserted into vent holes 24 for handling and transport of apparatus 10. It 
is also contemplated that cap 20 may include additional transport handles 
27 (FIG. 3). Handles 27 may be constructed to rest along the surface of 
cap 20 and bend upward for manual access. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, apparatus 10 may also include tear open 
strip 28. Tear open strip 28 permits the user to partially or fully remove 
cap 20 from the upper portion of container 12, to permit access to chamber 
22. While it is contemplated in the preferred embodiment that charcoal 
particles 14 may be soaked with some form of flammable liquid to enhance 
combustion, for safety reasons the charcoal may also be packaged "dry". 
The user may then access the charcoal by removing tear open strip 28 so as 
to permit the pouring of charcoal lighter fluid or other petroleum product 
therein to facilitate combustion of charcoal particles 14. 
Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, in a preferred embodiment of apparatus 10 a 
series of containers 12 may be arranged to form a cube 30. The cap members 
20 are positioned such that the base member 16 of each container 12 form 
an exterior face of the larger cube 30. Thereby, containers 12 may be 
easily stacked in retail stores, and conveniently packaged in groups of 6 
for shipping and storage. A unique outer container 32 may be provided to 
envelope and contain a plurality of cubes 30 for shipment and display. 
Outer container 32 includes contiguous top wall portion 34 and front wall 
portion 36 which are bounded by a continuous perforation line 38. Finger 
holes 40 are provided along perforation line 38 to permit manual handling 
of outer container 32. Upon placement of container 32 in for example a 
store or other retail destination, finger holes 40 may be pulled abruptly 
to tear away top wall portion 34 and front wall portion 36 along 
perforation line 38, thereby creating an open display of cubes 30 within 
container 32. 
It can be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides a 
combustible apparatus which is of a simple, reliable and safe construction 
and provides a variety of desirable convenience features. Due to the 
unique enclosure container 12, the charcoal particles 14 therein are 
maintained in a stacked relationship designed to maximize heat generation 
and combustion for proper burning. The container may be placed in a 
charcoal grill and ignited without the need for manual adjustment of the 
charcoal fuel particles, thereby keeping the user's hands clean. Likewise, 
the invention eliminates the need for applying a flammable petroleum 
liquid to the coals, which substantially reduce the risk of uncontrolled 
fire and personal injury. The interior facing of the container is coated 
with a paraffin wax to reduce the moisture content within chamber 22 and 
further provide for even burning of container 12. The paraffin wax coating 
may also be treated with a mixture of potassium chlorate to facilitate 
heat generation and combustion of the charcoal fuel particles 14. Vent 
holes 24 in cap 20 provide a convenient carrying handle in addition to 
enhancing air flow within chamber 22 for combustion. In an alternative 
embodiment, cap 20 may be removed by tear open strip 28 to permit access 
to charcoal fuel particles 14. 
The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being 
given as way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the 
present invention being limited solely by the appended claims.