Cap for a Fuel Cell/Candle

The present invention provides a fuel cell cap that includes a flanged edge region in which a gasket is positioned, and which is adapted to be sealingly fit over the edge of fuel cell and successive heat energy transmitting sections that concentrate the heat energy for ultimate emission. A dome-shaped first region is integral with and positioned radially inward from the flanged edge region followed by a first stack region of cylindrical cross-sectional shape that is integral with and extending upwardly from the dome-shaped first region. Next, a second stack region of cylindrical cross-section shape extends upwardly from the first stack region and is of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. Finally, an inwardly tapering region extends upwardly from the second stack region and emits the heat energy from the cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to caps placed over a fuel cell, such as a liquid fuel style candle. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to fuel cell caps used with fuel cells in the providing of ambiance in a restaurant or hospitality setting.

Liquid fuel cells used to heat or maintain the heat in food or to provide ambiance in a restaurant or other hospitality venue are typically capped to retain the wick and meter the length the candle will burn by controlling the level/quantity of oxygen and fuel flow through the cell. The fuel cells conventionally include a bottle/container in which liquid fuel is contained, a wick holder that retains a wick that extends vertically from the bottom of the container and out the top of the container, a cap to which the wick holder is integrated or attached and which is crimped in covering relation to the container to support/retain the wick holder and wick as it extends out of the container, and a plug that seals the opening of the cap through which the wick extends. The liquid fuel is conventionally mineral oil, paraffin or a mixture of paraffin and mineral oil, while the wick is composed of a material capable for delivering the fuel to its exposed tip where it will burn and provide heat and light.

The caps used in such applications are traditionally dome shaped with a single, cylindrical cross-section stack through which the wick opening is formed. While these traditional caps function well for the purpose for which they were designed, the capillary action of the wicks generally do not permit a sufficiently high enough flow rate of the liquid fuel to burn for extended periods. In addition, the design encourages carbon to build up on the wick, decreasing the light output below a desired threshold level. Nevertheless, because the design functions well for the duration for which it was initially intended, little attention has been paid to the design to improve its performance characteristics.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art, traditional fuel cell cap100is shown. The fuel cell cap100includes the flanged region102in which a gasket is positioned for sealing over the peripheral edge of a fuel cell/candle. The dome shaped body104is integral with and positioned radially inwardly from the flanged region. The dome shape is useful for funneling/concentrating the heat energy generated by the fuel cell. A stack region106extends upwardly from the top of the dome shaped body104and is of a constant cross-sectional diameter and includes an open top through which the heat energy is emitted.

There is a desire, however, to obtain higher heat transfer from the flame and to also increase the length of time the candle will burn and provide heat to improve the lighting, heating and operating efficiency of the fuel cell.

It is therefore an object to provide a fuel cell cap and wick that improves upon the lighting, heating and operating efficiency of a fuel cell.

It is another object to provide a fuel cell cap and wick having a material composition that improves the capillary action of the liquid fuel.

It is a further object to provide a fuel cell and wick that reduces the level of carbon build up on the wick during the burn.

Other objects will in part appear hereinafter and in part be obvious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cap for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system.

In one aspect of the invention, a fuel cell cap is provided, comprising a flanged edge region in which a gasket is positioned and which is adapted to be sealingly fit over the edge of fuel cell, the flanged edge region having a bottom edge; a dome-shaped first region that is integral with and positioned radially inward from the flanged edge region, the dome shaped first region having a bottom edge that extends in a common plane with the flanged edge region; a first stack region of cylindrical cross-sectional shape integral with and extending upwardly from the dome-shaped first region, the first stack region having a first diameter; a second stack region of cylindrical cross-section shape integral with and extending upwardly from the first stack region, the second stack region having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and a tapering region integral with and extending upwardly from the second stack region, the tapering region having a lower edge that is of the second diameter and an upper edge that is of a third diameter smaller than the second diameter.

In an embodiment, the tapering region further comprises a plurality of laterally spaced apart openings formed therethrough between its lower edge and its upper edge.

In an embodiment, successive ones of the plurality of laterally spaced apart openings are spaced equally apart.

In an embodiment, the fuel cell further comprises a third stack region that extends upwardly from the tapering region and is of the third diameter.

In another aspect, the invention provides a cap for a fuel cell having a rim of predetermined peripheral shape, the cap comprising a flanged edge region adapted to be sealingly fit over the edge of fuel cell, the flanged edge region having a bottom edge; a dome-shaped first region that is integral with and positioned inward from the flanged edge region, the dome shaped first region having a bottom edge that extends in a common plane with the flanged edge region; a first stack region of predetermined cross-sectional shape integral with and extending upwardly from the dome-shaped first region, the first stack region having a first cross-sectional area; a second stack region of predetermined cross-section shape integral with and extending upwardly from the first stack region, the second stack region having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area; and a tapering region integral with and extending upwardly from the second stack region, the tapering region having a lower edge that is of the second cross-sectional area and an upper edge that is of a third area smaller than the second cross-sectional area.

In an embodiment, the tapering region further comprises a plurality of laterally spaced apart openings formed therethrough between its lower edge and its upper edge.

In an embodiment, successive ones of the plurality of laterally spaced apart openings are spaced equally apart.

In an embodiment, the fuel cell further comprises a third stack region that extends upwardly from the tapering region and is of the third cross-sectional area.

In an aspect, a fuel cell cap is provided, comprising a flanged edge region adapted to be sealingly fit over the edge of the fuel cell, the flanged edge region having a bottom edge; and a first region that is integral with and positioned radially inward from the flanged edge region, the first region having a wick opening formed therethrough and a plurality of air vents formed therethrough.

In an embodiment, the wick opening is positioned centrally through the first region and the plurality of air vents are positioned radially outwardly from the wick opening.

In an embodiment, the first region is dome shaped.

In an embodiment, the first region is planar in shape.

In an embodiment, the fuel cell cap further comprises a wick support that extends through the wick opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A cap, designated generally by reference numeral10, for a fuel cell assembly12, and a bottle/container14is shown in the Figures.

Fuel cell12is conventional. It comprises a bottle/container14in which liquid fuel16is contained, a fuel absorbing wick18, a wick holder19through which the wick extends and is supported such that it extends vertically from the bottom of the container and out the top of the container, and cap10to which wick holder19is either attached or integral with. Cap10is positioned in sealed, covering relation to container14, most typically through crimping, and wick18extends outwardly through cap10.

In an embodiment, cap10comprises a flanged edge region20in which a gasket22is positioned and which is adapted to be crimped/sealingly fit over the edge of container14. The flanged edge region20includes a bottom edge24, a dome-shaped first region26that is integral with and positioned radially inward from the flanged edge region24, a first stack region28of cylindrical cross-sectional shape integral with and extending upwardly from the dome-shaped first region26, a second stack region30of cylindrical cross-section shape integral with and extending upwardly from the first stack region28, and a tapering region32integral with and extending upwardly from the second stack region30.

The dome shaped first region26includes a bottom edge34that extends in a common plane with the flanged edge region20. The first stack region28is of a first diameter and the second stack region30is of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The tapering region32includes a lower edge36that is of the second diameter and an upper edge38that is of a third diameter smaller than the second diameter.

The tapering region32further comprises a plurality of laterally spaced apart openings/vent holes40formed therethrough between its lower edge36and its upper edge38. In one embodiment, the laterally spaced apart openings40are spaced equidistant apart. Preferably, to provide the most beneficial air flow and venting, the vent holes40are about 0.060 inches in diameter and eight of them are formed through cap10. In addition, tapered region32preferably extends at a 60 degrees, plus or minus 10 degrees.

In an embodiment, the cap10further comprises a third stack region42that extends upwardly from the tapering region32and is of the third diameter.

In another embodiment, cap48includes a flanged edge region50(essentially the same as region20) adapted to be sealingly fit over the edge of the container of a fuel cell. The flanged edge region50includes a bottom edge and a gasket that seals the connection between the cap and the container. Cap48further includes a first region52that is integral with and positioned radially inward from the flanged edge region50, the first region having a wick retaining element53and a wick holder54(collectively a wick support58) extending therethrough and a plurality of air vents56formed therethrough. A wick support58can be integral with or attached to cap48and extend through opening54, and a wick can extend from the bottom of a container through wick support58and out the top of cap48.

In this embodiment, the first region52is planar in shape essentially extending co-planar with the top edge of flanged edge region50. It could, however, take on other shapes such as domed, for example. The air vents/vent openings56are for all practical purposes the same as vent holes40.