Abstract:
A method of using a fire starter includes providing a fire starter made of a calcium silicate hydrate with an inflammable liquid and a packaging at least partially surrounding the fire starter; removing a portion of the packaging to expose a portion of the surface area of the fire starter less than the entire surface area of the fire starter; and lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid in the fire starter burns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter and a flame burns from the exposed portion of the surface area of the fire starter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation application and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/683,321 filed on Oct. 10, 2003, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,010 on Jul. 5, 2005. The drawings and disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/683,321 are hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth in full. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is in the field of fire starting devices and methods.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Numerous devices and chemicals exist to assist one in starting a fire (e.g., fireplace fire, charcoal fire, campfire). Historically, kindling and/or newspaper was used to start a fire. A company called Duraflame® sells a fire starter called firestart® that is used to assist one in starting a composite fire log or wood fire. Lighter fluid or fuel is doused on charcoal briquettes and then lit to facilitate ignition of the charcoal briquettes of a charcoal fire. A problem with all of the devices and chemicals used in starting a fire is that none of them are re-usable. Consequently, these firestarting devices or chemicals are consumed with the fire and no longer effective after a single use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Accordingly, an aspect of the invention involves a reusable fire starter and method that may be used multiple times to start a fire. After each use, the fire starter is simply placed in a container for storage until the next time it is needed to start a fire.  
         [0005]     An additional aspect of the invention involves method of using a fire starter to light one or more ignitable elements of a fire. The method includes providing a fire starter made of a low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate; adding an inflammable liquid to the fire starter; positioning the fire starter under one or more ignitable elements; lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid in the fire starter burns without significant combustion of the fire starter; lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the fire starter; removing the fire starter after the fire is consumed; and reusing the fire starter to light one or more new, different ignitable elements for a new fire.  
         [0006]     Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using a fire starter to light one or more ignitable elements of a fire including providing a fire starter made of a calcium silicate hydrate adsorbed with an inflammable liquid; positioning the fire starter adjacent one or more ignitable elements; lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid adsorbed in the fire starter burns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter; lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the fire starter to start the fire; and repeating the above steps with the same fire starter to light one or more new, different ignitable elements for a new fire.  
         [0007]     A further aspect of the invention involves a method of using a fire starter to light one or more ignitable elements of a fire including the steps of providing a fire starter made of a material that maintains its integrity and does not break down at elevated temperatures of a fire, has low thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures of a fire, is non-combustible, is highly absorbent, is environmentally friendly, drying restores its original properties, thermal efficiencies do not deteriorate over time, has low thermal shrinkage, and has no binders that can break down at elevated temperatures of a fire; causing the fire starter to be adsorbed with an inflammable liquid; positioning the fire starter adjacent one or more ignitable elements; lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid adsorbed in the fire starter burns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter; lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the fire starter to start the fire; and repeating the above steps with the same fire starter to light one or more new, different ignitable elements for a new fire.  
         [0008]     A further aspect of the invention involves a method of using a fire starter. The method includes providing a fire starter made of a low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate with an inflammable liquid and a packaging at least partially surrounding the fire starter; removing a portion of the packaging to expose a portion of the surface area of the fire starter less than the entire surface area of the fire starter; and lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid in the fire starter burns without significant combustion of the fire starter and a flame burns from the exposed portion of the surface area of the fire starter.  
         [0009]     A still further aspect of the invention involves a method of using a fire starter. The method includes providing a fire starter made of a calcium silicate hydrate with an inflammable liquid and a packaging at least partially surrounding the fire starter; removing a portion of the packaging to expose a portion of the surface area of the fire starter less than the entire surface area of the fire starter; and lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid in the fire starter burns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter and a flame burns from the exposed portion of the surface area of the fire starter.  
         [0010]     A yet further aspect of the invention involves a method of using a fire starter. The method includes providing a fire starter with an inflammable liquid and a packaging at least partially surrounding the fire starter, the fire starter made of a material that maintains its integrity and does not break down at elevated temperatures of a fire, has low thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures of a fire, is non-combustible at elevated temperatures of a fire, and is highly absorbent; removing a portion of the packaging to expose a portion of the surface area of the fire starter less than the entire surface area of the fire starter; and lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid in the fire starter burns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter and a flame burns from the exposed portion of the surface area of the fire starter.  
         [0011]     Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a review of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fire starter and a container that may be used to store the fire starter.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a simple side elevational view of the fire starter being used with a plurality of ignitable elements (e.g., charcoal briquettes, wood) to assist in starting a fire.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of an exemplary method of using the fire starter of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an exemplary method of adding inflammable liquid to the fire starter or replenishing the fire starter with inflammable liquid.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of packaging for the firestarter illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , a fire starter  10  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and an exemplary method of using the same will now be described.  
         [0018]     In the embodiment shown, the fire starter  10  has a generally rectangular block configuration. The fire starter  10  is preferable made of calcium silicate, and preferably low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate. In alternative embodiments, other types of calcium silicates may be used for the fire starter  10 , or other types of materials having the properties and features similar to those described below may be used for the fire starter  10 .  
         [0019]     The preferred type of low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate used for the fire starter  10  is sold under the tradename INSULITE 1050 by Insulite (Pty) Ltd of South Africa. The low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate is formed of intermeshed, evenly distributed needle-like crystals. The formation of the crystals is achieved under controlled conditions by hydrothermal synthesis (autoclaving). The raw materials for the calcium silicate are blended, then the mixture is poured into large molds, and then autoclaved in computer-controlled autoclaves. The density of the low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate may range from 240 to 400 kg/m3, and is preferably about 265 kg/m3. After de-molding, blocks of the low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate material are dried before being precision cut into the generally rectangular blocks of the fire starter  10 .  
         [0020]     The chemical analysis for the preferred low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate material used for the fire starter  10  is as follows: 
        SiO2 44% CaO 42%     TiO2 0.1% Na2O 0.1%     Al 2 O3 0.5% K2O 0.1%     Fe2O3 0.2% LOI (1050° C.) 10.5%     MgO 1.5%        
 
         [0026]     The technical properties for the preferred low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate material used for the fire starter  10  are as follows: 
        Max Service Temperature 1050 (° C.)     Specific Heat 0.84 kJ (kg·K)     Bulk Density  265  dry kg/m3     Coefficient of reversible thermal expansion 4.0·10−6 (K−1) 20° C.-750° C.     Linear Heat Shrinkage (max 1.8%) 1.1 12 hrs @ 1000° C.     Pyrometric cone equivalent 1400° C.     Compressive Strength 1.8 MPa     Modulus of Rupture 0.8 MPa     Total Porosity 90%     Thermal Conductivity (ASTM C-201 Supplemented by ASTM C-182)     0.07 W/(m·k) at 200° C.     0.09 W/(m·k) at 400° C.     0.11 W/(m·k) at 600° C.        
 
         [0040]     Some of the features and benefits of the preferred low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate material used for the fire starter  10  include low thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures, maintains integrity up to 1050 deg C., non-combustible (will not contribute smoke or flame during fire), excellent creep resistance (dimensionally stable in all conditions), environmentally friendly (safe and non-irritating to skin or mucous membranes, contains no asbestos), insoluble in water (not damaged when soaked and will not rot, drying restores original properties), can be waterproofed (prevents loss of thermal efficiencies due to water absorption), thermal efficiencies do not deteriorate over time (original design parameters are maintained), free of organic binding resins (no smoke emission or gradual breakdown of thermal efficiencies), low heat storage (conserves energy when heating up equipment), low thermal shrinkage (dimensionally stable at high temperatures), gas resistant (CO1, NH3, H2, N2 and CH4), unaffected by UV light (will not deteriorate in direct sunlight), low thermal conductivity, excellent heat resistance (withstands continuous heat up to 1050° C.), retains full integrity over time and at high temperatures, contains no binders that can break down at high temperatures or over time ensuring optimal thermal performance throughout the lifespan of fire starter  10 , inert, non-degradable, non-combustible, non-toxic when exposed to fire, does not cause skin irritation, sulphur free and low iron content, and extremely low chloride content.  
         [0041]     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , and particularly to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary method  40  of using the fire starter  10  for lighting a fire  20  (e.g., charcoal fire, fireplace fire, campfire) will now be described. At step  50 , the fire starter  10  is provided. This may include removing the fire starter  10  from a container  12  by first grabbing a container body  14  and removing a cap  16  from the container body  14 . The fire starter  10  may be removed from the container body  14  using one&#39;s hands or by turning the container body  14  upside-down, so the fire starter  10  is emptied out onto a surface. At step  60 , an inflammable liquid (e.g., lighting fluid, camp fuel, citronella, kerosene) commonly used to start a fire is added to the fire starter  10 . The fire starter  10  absorbs the inflammable liquid during this step. As will be described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 4 , this step may include adding the inflammable liquid to the container  12 , inserting the fire starter  10  into the container  12  and the inflammable liquid so that the fire starter  10  absorbs the inflammable liquid. At step  70 , which may be prior to step  60  or after step  60 , the fire starter  10  is positioned under ignitable elements  30  (e.g., charcoal briquettes, firewood, kindling). During this step, the fire starter  10  may first be positioned on a surface and the ignitable elements  30  may be added around or over the fire starter  10  while keeping the fire starter  10  exposed, or the fire starter  10  may inserted in between or underneath the ignitable elements  30 . At step  80 , the exposed part of the fire starter  10  is ignited with a match or lighter. This causes the absorbed lighter fluid in the fire starter  10  to burn until the lighter fluid is consumed, which is typically 5-15 minutes. At step  90 , the flames from the fire starter  10  ignite and burn the ignitable elements  30  of the fire  20 . After the fire  20  is completed and the ignitable elements  30  consumed and cooled, the fire starter  10  is removed from the ashes and placed in the container  12 . The fire starter  10  is stored for re-use in the container  12  and when it is desired to light another fire, the method  40  of using the fire starter  10  starts over at step  50 .  
         [0042]     With reference to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary method  60  of adding inflammable liquid to the fire starter  10  or replenishing the fire starter  10  with inflammable liquid will be described. First, at step  130 , the inflammable liquid (e.g., lighting fluid, camp fuel, citronella, kerosene) is added to the container body  14 . Preferably, the container body  14  is filled about ⅛ of its volume with the inflammable liquid. Next, at step  140 , the fire starter  10  is inserted into the container body  14  and the inflammable liquid. The container body  14  may be capped with cap  16  during this step. During step  140 , the inflammable liquid is absorbed by the fire starter  10 . Finally, at step  150 , the fire starter  10  is removed from the container  12  after the inflammable liquid is absorbed by the fire starter  10 . The fire starter  10  is now ready for use to start a fire.  
         [0043]     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the fire starter  10  may be pre-loaded with inflammable liquid (e.g., lighting fluid, camp fuel, citronella, kerosene) and pre-packaged in packaging  160 . The inflammable liquid may be injected or otherwise added to the fire starter  10  prior to packaging. Then, the fire starter  10  may vacuum-packed or otherwise sealed with packaging  160 . Preferably, the packaging  160  substantially conforms in shape and is substantially snug with and around the fire starter  10 . The packaging  160  may be made of an aluminum material, tin foil material, or other flexible material. The material for the fire starter  10  may be chemically inert with respect to the first starter material and the inflammable liquid therein, and is capable of sealing the fire starter  10 . The material of the packaging  160  may maintain its integrity and not break down at elevated temperatures of a fire, have relatively low thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures of a fire, be non-combustible, be environmentally friendly, have thermal efficiencies that do not deteriorate over time, and have low thermal shrinkage.  
         [0044]     The packaging  160  may have one or more removable panels or portions such as, but not limited to top and bottom panels  170 , front and rear panels  180 , and left and right side panels  190 . The packaging  160  may include one or more separation starters  200  (e.g., pull tabs, pull strips, or slits). One or more of the panels  170 ,  180 ,  190  may be joined along perforated or weakened lines  210 . The one or more separation starters  200  may be used to facilitate selective removal of the one or more of the panels  170 ,  180 ,  190  of the packaging surrounding the fire starter  10  to selectively expose one or more surface area portions less than the entire surface area of the fire starter  10 . The fire starter  10  burns longer (i.e., the inflammable liquid burns slower), with a smaller flame, when less than the entire surface area of the fire starter  10  is exposed. For example, when only the top panel  170  of the packaging  160  is removed, the fire starter  10  may burn for 45-60 minutes compared to 15-20 minutes when no packaging surrounds the fire starter  10 . Removing only the top panel  170  of the packaging  160  may be desirable for using the fire starter  10  as a candle, as a mosquito repellant, or for other longer duration flame applications. More panels  170 ,  180 ,  190  may be removed when larger flames are required and a longer duration for the flames is not as important. When re-using the fire starter  10 , the fire starter  10  may be wrapped with tin foil or a similar material to selectively expose the surface area of the fire starter  10  to control the size and duration of the flame emitted therefrom in a manner similar to that described above.  
         [0045]     Because the fire starter  10  maintains its integrity and does not break down at elevated temperatures, has low thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures, is non-combustible, is highly absorbent, is environmentally friendly, drying restores original properties, thermal efficiencies do not deteriorate over time, has low thermal shrinkage, and has no binders that can break down at high temperatures or over time ensuring optimal thermal performance throughout the lifespan of fire starter  10 , the fire starter  10  and method of use is ideal for starting almost any type of fire, and is especially ideal for starting charcoal fires, fireplace fires, and campfires.  
         [0046]     It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that still further changes and modifications in the actual concepts described herein can readily be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.