Abstract:
A fire extinguishing chimney bomb is disclosed herein. The device may include a flexible plastic receptacle and a fire extinguishing payload contained therein. The device is dropped down from the top of the chimney into the base of the fire. As the device enters the fire, heat from the fire melts the plastic, thereby releasing the extinguisher agent, which smothers the fuel and extinguishes the fire.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/339,004 filed May 19, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed disclosures, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
       Field of the Disclosure 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to the field of safety devices of existing art and more specifically relates to fire extinguishers. 
         [0004]    Wood stoves are commonly used in most parts of the world to heat residences. However, heating with wood can be potentially dangerous, especially when stoves and chimneys are not well cleaned or maintained. People with active chimneys in their home may need to keep constant watch their wood burning stove to monitor safe operation. Nonetheless, chimney fires occur on occasion, and can be difficult and dangerous to extinguish before damage is done to the residence or residents are put in danger. Some extinguishing methods, such as pouring water into the stove, may be ineffective or cause damage to the stove and chimney. Fast response and efficient extinguishing methods should be easily available to homeowners utilizing such heating systems. A suitable solution is desired. 
       Description of Related Art 
       [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 9,149,672 to Bader Shafaqa Al-Anzi relates to encapsulated fire extinguishing agents. The described encapsulated fire extinguishing agent includes sealed outer shell containing at least one fire extinguishing agent therein. The shell is formed of material that melts when exposed to extreme heat, as in a fire. One embodiment has a single outer shell with a single fire retardant agent therein. Other embodiments may have a second shell within the outer shell, each shell defining an interior volume containing a separate fire extinguishing agent. The agents may combine to form a more effective fire extinguishing agent when the two shells melt. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known fire extinguisher art, the present disclosure provides a novel fire extinguishing chimney bomb and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a fire extinguishing chimney bomb and method. 
         [0007]    A fire extinguishing device is disclosed herein. The fire extinguishing device includes a payload including a fire extinguishing agent configured to smother a chimney fire, and a receptacle configured to contain the payload, to be thrown by hand, and to rupture and disperse the fire extinguishing agent upon exposure to heat above a predetermined temperature. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment, a method of extinguishing a fire in a chimney is also disclosed herein. The method of extinguishing a fire in a chimney includes the steps of inserting a fire extinguishing device into a chimney flue, the fire extinguishing device including a fire extinguishing agent contained within a receptacle, dropping the fire extinguishing device into proximity of the fire within the chimney, dispersing the fire extinguishing agent from the receptacle when in proximity to the fire, and extinguishing the fire. 
         [0009]    For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the disclosure which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a fire extinguishing chimney bomb and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fire extinguishing device during an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a pre-assembly view of the fire extinguishing device of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the fire extinguishing device of  FIG. 1  during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fire extinguishing device of  FIG. 1  during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of extinguishing a chimney fire, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    The various embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a fire extinguishers and more particularly to a fire extinguishing chimney bomb and method as used to aid in extinguishing a chimney fire. 
         [0018]    Many buildings have fireplaces or wood burning stoves which can present hazards if chimney fires occur. The fire extinguishing chimney bomb provides homeowners with a safe, efficient, and easy method of putting out chimney fires. It may include a plastic bag full of ABC dry chemical powder which melts when thrown into the hot chimney The device extinguishes chimney fires quickly, before they become out of control hazards and cause serious destruction or injury. The device allows users to extinguish chimney fires in a more fast and efficient manner than alternative methods. The fire extinguishing chimney bomb may further include a receptacle and a payload. 
         [0019]    Generally, the fire extinguishing chimney bomb is plastic bag filled with ABC type dry chemical powder capable of extinguishing chimney fires in a safe manner without cracking the flue. The bag may be filled with dry chemical powder in order to efficiently extinguish fires before the fire department arrives. A user may simply climb onto the roof of their home and drop the bag into a smoking chimney The plastic bag melts once it comes into contact with a temperature above 300 degrees Fahrenheit, thereby releasing the ABC dry chemical powder. The chemical powder may quell the flames without the need for water or other fire extinguishing methods. The fire extinguishing chimney bomb may be constructed using plastic and other suitable materials. The bag may measure approximately four inches in length and six inches in width, heat sealed on both ends. A customized label identifying the device&#39;s use and contents may also be placed on the top surface of the bag. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing. 
         [0020]    Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of a fire extinguishing device  100 . The fire extinguishing chimney bomb may include a payload and a receptacle for containing the payload. The payload may include a fire extinguishing agent which extinguishes a chimney fire by smothering the fuel source of the fire. The receptacle contains the payload, and may be thrown by hand. The receptacle may rupture and disperse the fire extinguishing agent upon exposure to a heat source, especially a chimney fire, above a predetermined temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a fire extinguishing device during an ‘in-use’ condition  150 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the fire extinguishing device may be beneficial for use by a user to extinguish a chimney fire. Further, the fire extinguishing device  100  may be configured to extinguish chimney fire  130 . For example, the fire extinguishing device  100  may include a low-friction exterior surface configured to slide through chimney flue  134  and chimney  132 . 
         [0022]    According to one embodiment, the fire extinguishing device  100  may be arranged as a kit  105 . In particular, the fire extinguishing device  100  may further include a set of instructions  155 . The instructions  155  may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the fire extinguishing device  100  (such that the fire extinguishing device  100  can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner). 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a pre-assembly perspective view of the fire extinguishing device of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the fire extinguishing device  100  may include payload  110  contained within a receptacle  120 . The receptacle  120  may be flexible and may be hermetically sealed, being configured to isolate payload  110 . The receptacle  120  may be constructed of a polymer having a melting point below three hundred degrees Fahrenheit, with the receptacle  120  being configured to melt and release the payload  110 . The receptacle  120  may be thrown by hand, and may be constructed of low-density polyethylene or high-density polyethylene. The payload  110  may be configured to smother a fire and prevent a combustion reaction. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the fire extinguishing device of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the fire extinguishing device  100  may include cylindrical sheet  126  having a first end  122 , a second end  124  opposite the first end  122  along a center axis of cylinder  129 , a first sealed edge  121  closing first end  122  of cylindrical sheet  126 , and a second sealed edge  123  closing second end  124  of cylindrical sheet  126 . 
         [0025]    According to one embodiment, the cylindrical sheet  126  may have a four inch diameter and a six inch axial length. First sealed end  121  and second sealed end  123  may include plastic welded seams. Cylindrical sheet  126  may measure no more than two millimeters thick, said the cylindrical sheet  126  being configured to immediately rupture upon heating to over three hundred degrees Fahrenheit. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fire extinguishing device of  FIG. 1  during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fire extinguishing agent  112  may comprise dispensable powder configured to smother chimney fire  130 . Fire extinguishing agent  112  may further comprise monoammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate in combination. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for extinguishing a chimney fire, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Generally, the fire extinguishing chimney bomb may be used to extinguish a chimney fire. The method of use may include first inserting the fire extinguishing chimney bomb containing the fire extinguishing material into a chimney flue, then dropping the fire extinguishing chimney bomb into the fire within the chimney, dispersing the fire extinguishing agent from the receptacle when in proximity to the fire, and subsequently extinguishing the fire. If necessary, the process may be repeated with additional fire extinguishing chimney bombs. 
         [0028]    In particular, the method for extinguishing a chimney fire  500  may include one or more components or features of the fire extinguishing device  100  as described above. As illustrated, the method for extinguishing a chimney fire  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , inserting fire extinguishing device  100  into chimney flue  134 , fire extinguishing device  100  including fire extinguishing agent  112  contained within receptacle  120 ; step two  502 , dropping fire extinguishing device  100  into proximity of chimney fire  130  within chimney  132 ; step three  503 , disbursing fire extinguishing agent  112  from receptacle  120  when in proximity to chimney fire  130 ; step four  504 , extinguishing chimney fire  130 ; and step five  505 , throwing a second fire extinguishing device  100  into proximity of chimney fire  130 . 
         [0029]    It should be noted that step five  505  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for extinguishing a chimney fire (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein. 
         [0030]    The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.