Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention is a hand-held fire extinguisher including: a tube having an open outlet end, an outer surface, and an inner surface; a fire suppressant composition provided within the tube; a propellant source containing a propellant, having a propellant outlet, where the propellant outlet is distal from the open outlet end of the tube and from the fire suppressant composition, and where the propellant outlet is in fluid communication with the fire suppressant composition and the open outlet end of the tube; and an actuator for the propellant source. In such apparatus, actuation of the actuator allows propellant flow from the propellant outlet passing through the fire suppressant composition and out through the open outlet end of the tube.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Conventional fire extinguishers tend be complicated and bulky. Their numerous parts make them expensive to produce and maintain. Their size and shape make them costly to ship in bulk over long distances. Additionally, the materials used in a conventional fire extinguisher, which often include metallic parts, presents a significant waste disposal problem. 
     It would be desirable to provide a fire extinguisher that is relatively low cost, easily manufactured, capable of long term storage, conveniently packaged for shipping, and easier to dispose of in a more environmentally friendly manner. Such a fire extinguisher could be used in low income areas, distributed by aid agencies in areas prone to catastrophic fires, and generally used where conventional fire extinguishers are too expensive to purchase, distribute, and maintain. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention includes a cylindrical tube having an open outlet. In the given embodiment, the tube is fashioned from paperboard. The tube has an inner circumferential surface within the tube. The inner circumferential surface is coated by a fire suppressant composition. The open outlet includes a nozzle mounted thereto for directing and concentrating the flow of fire suppressant compositions being expelled there from. A propellant housing is coupled to the opposing end of the paperboard tube in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the propellant housing is cylindrical and made of plastic. The propellant housing has an outer circumferential diameter that is substantially the same as the outer circumferential diameter of the paperboard tube such that, when coupled together, the two components form a generally continuous outer surface. Within the propellant housing, is a propellant source and an actuator mechanism. 
     In a first aspect of the invention, the invention is a hand-held fire extinguisher including: a tube having an open outlet end, an outer surface, and an inner surface; a fire suppressant composition provided within the tube; a propellant source containing a propellant, having a propellant outlet, where the propellant outlet is distal from the open outlet end of the tube and from the fire suppressant composition, and where the propellant outlet is in fluid communication with the fire suppressant composition and the open outlet end of the tube; and an actuator for the propellant source. In such apparatus, actuation of the actuator allows propellant flow from the propellant outlet passing through the fire suppressant composition and out through the open outlet end of the tube. 
     Further detailed embodiments may include embodiments wherein one or more of the following applies: the tube is cylindrical; the tube is formed from paperboard; the actuator is a depressible button, a depressible latching button, or a threaded device; the fire suppressant composition is a dry fire suppressant composition; the dry fire suppressant includes a carbonate; the dry fire suppressant includes potassium carbonate; the dry fire suppressant coats the inner surface of the tube and has a hollow air passage extending axially there through; the propellant carries at least a portion of the fire suppressant composition with it as it passes through the fire suppressant composition and out through the outlet end of the tube; the propellant is contained within a canister; the propellant is a liquefied gas; the propellant is inert; the propellant includes carbon dioxide; the extinguisher has a waterproof wrapper enveloping the outer surface of the tube; the waterproof wrapper is labeled with symbols signifying purpose and method of operation; the waterproof wrapper is labeled with textual characters and words signifying purpose and method of operation; the waterproof wrapper has a removable segment covering the actuator; the removable segment is a perforated tear-off tab; the tube is about 2-3 inches in diameter; the tube is about 23-25 inches in length; the tube is formed from a plurality of secondary tubes including a first tube containing the fire suppressant composition and a second tube containing the actuator and the propellant, wherein the second tube is attached opposite the outlet end of the tube. 
     In a second aspect of the invention, the invention is a hand-held fire extinguisher including: a tube having an open outlet end, an outer surface, and an inner surface; a fire suppressant composition provided within the tube; a propellant source containing a propellant, having a propellant outlet, where the propellant outlet is distal from the open outlet end of the tube and from the fire suppressant composition, and where the propellant outlet being in fluid communication with the fire suppressant composition and the open outlet end of the tube; and an actuator for the propellant source; where no part of the fire suppressant composition or the propellant source extends radially beyond the outer diameter of the tube. In a further detailed embodiment, the actuator does not extend radially beyond the outer diameter of the tube. 
     In a third aspect of the invention, the invention is a hand-held fire extinguisher including: a tube having an open outlet end, an outer surface, and an inner surface; a fire suppressant composition provided within the tube; a propellant source containing a propellant, having a propellant outlet, where the propellant outlet is distal from the open outlet end of the tube and from the fire suppressant composition, and where the propellant outlet is in fluid communication with the fire suppressant composition and the open outlet end of the tube; and an actuator for the propellant source; where the tube is substantially biodegradable. In a further detailed embodiment, the tube is formed from paperboard. In a further detailed embodiment, the fire suppressant composition is environmentally benign. In a further detailed embodiment, the propellant is environmentally benign. In a further detailed embodiment, the propellant source includes a plastic housing. 
     In a fourth aspect of the invention, the invention is a hand-held fire extinguisher including: a tube having an open outlet end, an outer surface, and an inner surface; a first fire suppressant reactant provided within the tube; a propellant source containing a propellant, having a propellant outlet, where the propellant outlet is distal from the open outlet end of the tube and from the fire suppressant reactant, and where the propellant outlet is in fluid communication with the fire suppressant reactant and the open outlet end of the tube; and an actuator for the propellant source; wherein the propellant includes a second fire suppressant reactant. In this aspect of the invention, actuation of the actuator allows propellant flow from the propellant outlet passing through the first fire suppressant reactant and out through the open outlet end of the tube. In a further detailed embodiment, at least a portion of the second fire suppressant reactant reacts with the at least a portion of the first fire suppressant reactant upon passing through the first fire suppressant reactant. 
     In a fifth aspect of the invention, the invention is a hand-held fire extinguisher including: a tube having an open outlet end, an outer surface, and an inner surface; a first fire suppressant composition provided within the tube; a propellant source containing a propellant, having a propellant outlet, where the propellant outlet is distal from the open outlet end of the tube and from the fire suppressant composition, and where the propellant outlet is in fluid communication with the fire suppressant composition and the open outlet end of the tube; and an actuator for the propellant source; where the propellant includes a second fire suppressant composition. 
     In a sixth aspect of the invention, the invention is a hand-held fire extinguisher including: a paperboard tube having an open outlet end, an inner surface, and an outer surface; a dry fire suppressant composition coating the inner surface of the tube; a propellant source containing a propellant, having a propellant outlet, where the propellant outlet is distal from the open outlet end of the tube and from the fire suppressant composition, and where the propellant outlet is in fluid communication with the fire suppressant composition and the open outlet end of the tube; an actuator for the propellant source that includes, but is not limited to, a depressible latching button; and a waterproof wrapper enveloping the outer surface of the tube; where the wrapper has a removable tab covering the actuator. In a further detailed embodiment, the propellant carries at least a portion of the dry fire suppressant composition with it as it passes through the dry fire suppressant composition and out through the outlet end of the cylindrical tube. In a further detailed embodiment, the propellant reacts with the at least a portion of the dry fire suppressant composition upon passing through the dry fire suppressant composition. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an external, side view of the fire extinguisher according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross-section of the exemplary fire extinguisher. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective external view of the exemplary extinguisher. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of an exemplary wrapper. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the exemplary wrapped fire extinguisher. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the exemplary wrapped fire extinguisher with the safety tab removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an exemplary fire extinguisher  10  according to the present invention includes a cylindrical tube  12  having an open outlet  14 . In the given embodiment, the tube is fashioned from paperboard. The tube has an inner circumferential surface  15  within the tube. The inner circumferential surface is coated by a fire suppressant composition  16 . The open outlet  14  includes a nozzle  18  mounted thereto for directing and concentrating the flow of fire suppressant compositions being expelled therefrom. A propellant housing  20  is coupled to the opposing end of the paperboard tube  12  in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the propellant housing  20  is cylindrical and made of plastic. The propellant housing  20  has an outer circumferential diameter that is substantially the same as the outer circumferential diameter of the paperboard tube  12  such that, when coupled together, the two components form a generally continuous outer surface. Within the propellant housing  20  is a propellant source  19  and an actuator mechanism  22 . 
     The actuator mechanism  22  includes an actuator button  24  exposed on the outer tubular surface of the propellant housing  20 . The propellant source  19  has an outlet  23 . The actuator button  24  is operatively coupled to the propellant source outlet  23 , such that when the actuator button  24  is in its depressed state the propellant source outlet  23  opens, allowing propellant to be expelled from the propellant source  19  and when the actuator button  24  returns to its neutral state, the propellant source outlet  23  closes, terminating the expulsion of propellant therefrom. In the present embodiment, the actuator button  24  includes a latching mechanism such that when the button is pressed once, the button latches in the depressed state. To deactivate the actuator button  24 , the button is pressed again to disengage the latching mechanism and a biasing force associated with the button returns the button to its neutral state. It would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that such an actuator button, actuator mechanisms, and other mechanisms associated therewith are notoriously old and well known in the art, all of which fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     The propellant source outlet  23  is in fluid communication with an outlet port  28  of the propellant housing  18 . This outlet port  28  is in fluid communication with an inlet port  30  of the paperboard tube  12 . The fire suppressant composition  16 , as described above, is coated to the inner circumferential surface of the paperboard tube  12  to provide an axial channel  32  extending completely therethrough between the inlet port  30  and the outlet end  14  of the paperboard tube  12 , which is in fluid communication with the nozzle  18 . 
     The fire suppressant composition  16 , in the present embodiment, is potassium carbonate (KCO 3 ). In the present embodiment, the propellant, contained in the propellant source  19 , is a liquefied mixture of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and Nitrogen (N 2 ). It would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other common fire suppressants, propellants, and combinations thereof are well known in the art. The use of other such well known suppressants, propellants, and combinations fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , &amp;  6 , the given embodiment may also be covered with a waterproof wrapper  40 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the wrapper  40  completely envelops the outer surface of the extinguisher. The wrapper  40  could be composed of any one or a combination of numerous types of thin, strong, waterproof materials. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 4  the wrapper has universally recognizable symbols  42  indicating the nature of and method for using the extinguisher. These universal symbols  42  would allow parties in many different locations and countries to use the extinguisher. In the exemplary embodiment, such universal symbols  42  include a flame, indicating fire, and a plurality of arrows, indicating the action the user should take. Additionally, the wrapper  40  could be printed in colors that generally symbolize fire related devices in a given region. In certain areas of the world this could be red, in other areas this could be a yellow green, or other appropriate color. Finally, the wrapper includes a safety mechanism to protect the actuator. In the exemplary embodiment, the safety mechanism is a tear off tab  44  that covers the actuator to prevent inadvertent actuation of the actuator. Once the tab is removed, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the actuator button  24  along with additional universal symbols  46  imprinted on the propellant housing  18  are exposed. In the exemplary embodiment, the universal symbols  46  include a fire diagram, indicating the method of use of the extinguisher, and an arrow, indicating the location of the actuator button  24 . 
     The described embodiment is not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments fall within the scope of this invention. The tube may be formed of other materials including a biodegradable material, a biodegradable paperboard material, another material well known in the art, or a combination of any of these materials. The tube  12  and propellant housing  18  may be formed as one uniform component with an open outlet end. The fire suppressant composition  16  may be an environmentally inert composition. Additionally, the fire suppressant composition  16  may simply be contained within the tube  12 , without being coated to the surface of the tube  15 . The propellant may be any inert or fire suppressing propellant known in the art. Additionally, the fire suppressant composition  16  and the propellant may both be reactants, wherein the fire suppressant composition  16  and the propellant react with each other, in a reaction well known in the art, to form a new, well-known fire suppressant composition. This new fire suppressant composition may also be an environmentally inert fire suppressant composition. Other varieties of well-known actuators such as a simple, non-latching button, or a threaded actuator may be used. The wrapper  40  may be imprinted with directions in different languages in addition to or instead of the universal symbols  42 . The tube  12  may have a round cross-section, a triangular cross-section, a square cross-section, or any other regular or irregular cross-sectional shape. In the case of a cross-section that is not round, the term “inner circumferential” or “outer circumferential” should be taken to mean the surface lying on the inner or outer wall surface of the tube, respectively. 
     The described embodiment is used according to the following steps. First, the safety tab  44  should be removed from the wrapper  40 , exposing the actuator button  24 . Second, the outlet  14  should be pointed at the flame or the source of the flame. Third, the button  24  should be depressed. Once the button  24  is depressed, the propellant will exit from the propellant source  19  and flow through the appropriate channel to the fire suppressant composition  16 . The propellant will then mix with the fire suppressant composition. Together, the propellant and suppressant mixture will exit the outlet of the tube and be injected into the flame and onto the source of the flame, thereby extinguishing or mitigating the fire. Finally, the button  24  can be pressed again to stop the flow of propellant. 
     Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the apparatuses described herein constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitation or element describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein is to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, as the invention is defined by solely by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.