Patent Publication Number: US-10316270-B2

Title: Burner cup

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/462,909 entitled “BURNER CUP” filed Aug. 19, 2014, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/867,415, entitled “BURNER CUP,” filed Aug. 19, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/887,120, entitled, “ILLUMINATION SOURCE,” filed Oct. 4, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/018,344, entitled “SOLID LID BURNER CUP,” filed Jun. 27, 2014, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates to the field of fuel burning lamps and burners in general and, more specifically, to products capable of providing enhanced flame effects utilizing low flammability fuel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Candles, lamps, and lanterns have been used for lighting since ancient times. Although modern households rely on electric lighting, the use of these combustion-based devices has never completely subsided. Combusting light implements are used even in modern times as a backup or emergency lighting source, for ambiance, to disperse scents or repellants, for decoration, and for other purposes. 
     Especially when used outdoors, regular fiber-wicked candles may suffer from inadvertent extinguishment owing to the low quantity of fuel they burn per wick. Larger wicks can produce more robust flames but these can be difficult to control satisfactorily and are often sooty or smoky in appearance. Similar problems may be faced with a liquid fueled apparatus since these are also based on traditional woven wicks. Moreover, in dealing with liquid fueled devices the fuel must usually be stored in an attached reservoir leading to issues of spillage and proper ventilation. 
     What is needed is a candle holder to address the above limitations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof comprises a device having a canister, a bulk wick occupying at least most of the canister, and a lid affixed to the canister and in contact with the bulk wick. The lid defines an opening exposing a portion of the bulk wick for lighting. 
     The lid may be a mesh lid with a central ring exposing the bulk wick. The lid may be concave into the canister. In some embodiments the lid is solid except for the opening exposing a portion of the bulk wick. 
     The bulk wick may define a cavity below the opening in the lid. The cavity may extend to an interior bottom of the canister. In other embodiments, the cavity extends inside the canister to an insulative pad at the bottom of the canister. The cavity may have as a cylindrical wall extending downward through the bulk wick and a lip protruding inwardly from the wall. 
     The device may further include a woven wick extending from inside the bulk wick through the opening in the lid. In other embodiments, the bulk wick is formed into a plurality of fins extending inwardly from wall of the canister. 
     The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof, comprises, a canister having an exterior wall surrounding a canister floor to define a canister interior, a lid for affixing to the top of the canister, and a bulk wick in the canister interior, the bulk wick formed to contact the lid when the lid is affixed to the top of the canister. The lid provides an opening ring defining at least a first burn area for the bulk wick. 
     In some embodiments the bulk wick contacts the lid only at the opening ring. The bulk wick may define a cavity under the opening ring. The cavity may have a protruding lip providing for ease of lighting. In some embodiments the bulk wick fills the majority of the interior of the canister. The bulk wick may define a fins projecting inwardly from the direction of the exterior wall. An insulative pad may interpose the bulk wick and the canister. Some embodiments comprise a container holding the canister in a supported location. 
     The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof comprises a device having a bulk wick of sufficient volume to contain a quantity of liquid fuel for burning, a canister that contains the wick, and a lid that fits onto the canister and provides at least one opening appropriately sized to allow air to enter the canister for mixing with fuel in a combustion process and allowing the combustion products to escape. In some embodiments the bulk wick comprises polycrystalline cotton formed to contact an interior of the canister and the wick while providing a cavity as a burn area. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a light source holder, container and cap according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the light source holder of  FIG. 1  with the cap in place and a light source supported by a platform. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the light source holder of  FIG. 1  with exemplary decorations. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a burner cup according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a burner cup according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a burner cup according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of a burner cup according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a side cutaway view of another embodiment of a burner cup according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a top down view of another embodiment of a burner cup according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a side cutaway view of another embodiment of a burner cup according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a burner cup according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a side cutaway view of the burner cup of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an elevation view of the container of  FIG. 1  enclosing a burner cup and mounted on a rod. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  enclosing a burner cup and mounted on a base suitable for locating on a table top. 
     
    
    
     Like numbers refer to like parts throughout. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a light holder according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. For purposes of the present disclosure, the term light holder is understood to mean a device that may contain a fuel burning device or other light producing device therein. For example, the light holder  100  may contain various burner cups as described below. 
     The light holder  100  comprises a container  102 . In the present embodiment, the container  102  comprises an outer wall  104  and an inner wall  106 . A space  107  is defined between the outer wall  104  and the inner wall  106 . In some embodiments, this space  107  will serve as an insulating barrier and, in other embodiments, may be used for decorative purposes, as will be described further below. In the present embodiment, the outer wall  104  and the inner wall  106  connect to the base  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the outer and inner wall  104 ,  106 , will be formed from separate pieces and attached to the base  108 . In other embodiments, the outer wall  104  and inner wall  106  may be formed integrally and then attached to the base  108 . In some embodiments, the walls  104 ,  106  will be made from glass. In other embodiments, the walls  104 ,  106  may comprise some other heat resistant and suitably translucent or transparent material. In some embodiments, a substantially transparent wall design will be utilized to allow for lighting from a candle to shine through the walls and for allowing the candle to backlight decorative items, as will be described more fully below. 
     The base  108  may provide an opening  110  such that the bottom of the container  102  is open. The base may be made from a metal or plastic or other resilient or durable material. In one embodiment, the walls  104 ,  106  will be glued to the base  108 . 
     The light holder  100  in the present embodiment also comprises a lid  120 . The lid  120  has a top  122  which can be seen as being generally toroidal in shape. In the present embodiment, the top  122  is generally of an open disk shape with a width covering the distance between the outer wall  104  and the inner wall  106 . A lip  124  may be formed around the periphery of the top  122  to ensure that the lip  120  is centered on the container  102  when placed thereon. A set of hangers  126  extends generally downwardly from the top  122  and suspends a candle platform  128 . The candle platform  128  may also have a lip  130  around a periphery thereof to secure a candle. All of the components of the lid  120  may be metal or suitable heat resistant plastic. The hangers  126  may be a stiff wire that is capable of suspending the base  128  in a level and secure relationship with regard to the top  122 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the light holder of  FIG. 1  with the cap in place with a candle is shown. Here, the lid  120  is seen in place on the container  102 . It can be seen that when the lid  120  is placed upon the container  102 , the platform  128  will be at approximately the same level as the base  108  of the container  102 . A candle  202  is shown resting on the platform  128 . It can be seen that to replace or remove the candle  202 , the user need only lift the lid  120 . This will allow easy access to the candle platform  128 . In this manner, if a candle becomes stuck or melted to the platform  128 , it may be easily removed for cleaning. It will also be appreciated that, because the walls  104 ,  106  may be substantially transparent or translucent, any light from the candle  202  will be substantially unimpeded by the candle holder  100 . It can be seen that the walls  104 ,  106  in conjunction with the space  107  therebetween will serve to insulate the user from any heat given off by the candle  202 . The light holder  100 , as well as other light or candled holders, may be suitable for use with the burner cups of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the light holder of  FIG. 1  with exemplary decorations is shown. In the present embodiment, a photograph  302  has been placed within the space  107  between the walls  104 ,  106 . This may be done for decorative or backlighting purposes. The embodiment of  FIG. 3  also provides a shadow-type decoration  304  that may be backlit by the candle  202 , thereby casting pleasing or decorative shadows. Although only two decorations are shown in  FIG. 3 , it is understood that number and type of decorations is not meant to be limited by the present disclosure. It will also be appreciated that the design of the candle holder  100  with the lid  120  securely encapsulating the decorations  302 ,  304  will keep the decorations  302 ,  304  in relative safety. 
     Although generally cylindrical or circular walls  104 ,  106  are used in holder  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , other shapes are possible. For example, holder  100  could have an oval cross section. In this way holder  100  would present a broader side when viewed from certain angles. Similarly, square or rectangular cross sections could be employed. In other embodiments, other more complex cross sections could be molded and formed, such star-shaped, or other shapes. The corresponding lids and platforms of these embodiments may be formed to match the shape of the walls such that the holder will operate in substantially the same manner as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A , a perspective view of one embodiment of a burner cup  402  is shown. In one embodiment, the fuel is light and/or whole-cut methyl ester. Other fuels may be utilized and additives may be provided with the fuels to enhance color or flame effects or to provide additional utility such as scents or insect repellency. 
     Burner cup  402  includes casing  502 . The casing  502  may be stainless steel, aluminum, or another suitably heat resistant and resilient material. In one embodiment, the casing  502  is formed from a single piece of steel or other material. The casing  502  may be impermeable to the fuel utilized such that the fuel will not escape even if stored for an extended period of time. A vessel, such as container  102  (e.g.,  FIGS. 1-3  infra), may be provided to surround or to contain one or more burner cups. As discussed above, container  102  may be decorative. Container  102  may be made of a number of materials including metals, resins, ceramics, and wood, for example. Since the casing  502  is impermeable to fuel, the container  102  need not necessarily also be impermeable. 
     In the present embodiment, the casing  502  is filled mostly with a wick  504 . The wick  504  may be made of polycrystalline cotton (PCC), or may comprise other materials. In one embodiment, wick  504  is made from about 60% to about 90% Al2O3 and from about 10% to about 30% SiO2. The wick  504  may be formed by wet vacuum processing or molding. The wick  504  may also be cut after forming to achieve desired shape and burn characteristics. An wick that may be shaped or configured into a variety of shapes (e.g., to fit a specific container) is referred to as a bulk wick. A bulk wick may also refer to a wick with amorphous characteristics such that it may be molded, compressed, or cut to fit a particular container. 
     The wick  504  may be saturated or at least partially imbued or infused with a quantity of fuel sufficient to support a flame on the exposed surfaces of the wick  504 , e.g., proximate a top of the casing  502 . In one embodiment, a screen  506  covers wick  504 . The screen  506  may be stainless steel or another heat resistant material. The screen  506  serves to retain or aid in shaping wick  504  within casing  502 . The screen  506  may have a generally concave or convex shape, or may have more complicated geometries. 
     The wick  504  may be configured in various shapes to control fuel consumption and burn time, to improve flame consistency or to create various flame effects. Such flame effects include, but are not limited to, taller or wider flames, large or smaller flames, and flames that occupy a certain area of the casing  502 . The screen  506  provides a solid surface to aid in retaining the wick  504  in a chosen shape. The screen  506  also serves to promote and/or control air flow around the wick  504 . 
     In some embodiments, the screen  506  provides an opening ring  507   a  that provides additional flame modification options. For example, burner cup  402  of  FIG. 4A  illustrates a standard braided fiberglass wick  505  surrounded by bulk wick  504 , and extending through a relatively small ring  507   a . A high degree of contact may be maintained between the wick  504  and the screen  506  to substantially fill the casing  502  and to secure the fiberglass wick  505  in its location. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4B , a perspective view of another embodiment of a burner cup  404  is shown. The burner cup  404  shares some characteristics with the cup  402  discussed above. For example a casing  502  is provided along with a screen  506 . Together these components retain a bulk wick  504  therein. Again, the screen  506  may have a dished or concave shape, or could have other shapes. The burner cup  404  has a ring  507   b  that is larger than the ring  507   a  of previously discussed cup  402 . In the present embodiment, the lager ring  507   b  provides for a larger surface area of wick  504  to be completely exposed. 
     As discussed, in order to alter or control burn characteristics, the screen  506  may act to retain the wick  504  in specific shapes. Here a mounded wick area is created in the ring  507   b . The wick  504  still largely fills the casing  502  but a gap  400  is created between the screen  506  and the wick  504  outside of the ring  507   b.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 4C , a perspective view of another embodiment of a burner cup  406  is shown. The burner cup  406  shares some characteristics with the cups  402 ,  404  discussed above. For example a casing  502  is provided along with a screen  506 . Here, a large ring  507   b  surrounds a depression, opening, hole, or cavity  508  defined in the wick  504 . The wick  504  otherwise mostly fills the casing  502  up to the level of the screen  506 . This configuration allows air to flow easily to a flame emanating from the opening  508  when the cup  406  is operational. Combustion of fuel and/or mixing of fuel with air may take place within the hollowed out portion or cavity  508 , which improves fuel utilization and flame consistency 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a side cutaway view of one embodiment of a burner cup, i.e., burner cup  500 , is shown. Burner cup  500  is similar to the burner cups  402 ,  404 ,  406  discussed above. The burner cup  500  also provides an insulative pad  510  inside casing  502  near the bottom. The pad  510  insulates the sides and bottom of casing  502 , and whatever is below, from excessive heat. The pad  510  may also absorb excess fuel from wick  504 , which prevents excess fuel from spilling from the casing  502 . 
     In some embodiments, the pad  510  may also increase the burn time of burner cup  500  as excess fuel may be wicked from the pad  510  into the wick  504  and burned. In one embodiment, there is a single pad  510  in a short cylindrical shape that matches the bottom of casing  502 . However, more pads may be provided and/or the pads may have different shapes. For example, a pad may be configured to line all, or substantially all, of the interior wall of the casing  502 . 
     The shape and size of any portion of the wick  504  inside casing  502  can vary from that shown.  FIG. 5  illustrates a hollowed out portion or cavity  508  that extends all the way to pad  510  such that the wick  504  defines a chimney or tubular shape. However, in other embodiments, the hollowed out portion or cavity  508  may stop short of the pad  510 . In other embodiments, the cavity  508  may extend all the way to the bottom of the casing  502 , e.g., cavity  508  may extend through pad  510  or no pad  510  is present. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a side cutaway view of another embodiment of a burner cup  600  is shown. The burner cup  600  is similar in construction in some ways to those previously described. For example, the burner cup  600  includes a casing  502 , which may be cup shaped. A screen  506  may partially cover an upper opening of the casing  502 . An opening or ring  507  may be provided in the screen  506  proximate the center of the screen  506 . A wick  504  may be provided with a hollowed out portion or cavity  508 . As with previous embodiments, the wick  504  may be a bulk wick. 
     In the present embodiment, a hollowed out portion or cavity  508  does not extend completely to the bottom of the casing  502 . A lip or ring  602  circumscribes an interior radius of the hollow portion or cavity  508 . The lip or ring  602  may be a shelf-like protrusion extending laterally from the wall of the wick  504  toward the center of the opening  508 . The depth of ring  602  in the opening or cavity  508  may be selected to provide a convenient location for lighting wick  504 . The lip  602  may serve to demarcate to a user a depth within the opening or cavity  508  providing an ideal depth for ensuring a reliable light of the burner cup  600 . In one embodiment, the lip  602  is about 0.5 to 1 inch below the surrounding wick material  504 . The location of the lip  602  may be tailored to the specific fuel and wick combination being employed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a top down view of another embodiment of a burner cup  700  is shown. Burner cup  700  shares some similarities with those previously discussed. The burner cup  700  has a cup shaped casing  502  surrounding a PCC based bulk wick  504  defining an opening or cavity  508 . A screen  506  is provided over the top of the casing  502 . For purposes of illustration, the screen  506  is shown removed in  FIG. 7 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the wick  504  provides a series of radially arranged vertical fins  702  protruding toward the center of the opening or cavity  508 . The fins  702  may comprise the same material as wick  504 . Vertically, fins  702  may extend the entire depth of the opening or cavity  508 . The fins  702  operate to promote air flow and ease of lighting for the user. The fins  702  provide additional opportunity for vaporization and burning of the fuel contained with wick  504  and/or casing  502 . The screen  506  may be placed atop the casing  502  such that one or more of the fins  702  are accessible for lighting via the opening or cavity  508 . In some embodiments, the ring  507  and/or fins  702  may be sized such that fins  702  protrude into the area directly beneath ring  507 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a side cutaway view of another embodiment of a burner cup  800  according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Burner cup  800  is similar to those previously described. Casing  502  has a cup-like shape with an open top. Within the casing  502  is a bulk wick  504 . The wick  504  may retain a quantity of fuel for burning in cup  800 . In the present embodiment, a traditional wick  505  (e.g., a braided fiberglass wick), is centered in an opening or cavity  508  in the Bulk wick  504 . During operation, the traditional wick  505  draws fuel from bulk wick  504  for combustion near the top of casing  502 . The screen  506  defines an opening  507  through which the wick  505  may pass. In some embodiments, the opening  507  serves to locate the upper end of the wick  505  in proper orientation. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a burner cup  600  according to aspects of the present disclosure. The burner cup  600  includes a solid cover  602  (in contrast with the screen covers utilized with previous embodiments). The cover  602  comprises an upper surface  604  and a lower surface  606 . Each of the upper and lower surfaces  602 ,  606  may have a specific contour or surface shape, and these may be the same or different. An inner opening  608  is defined through both the upper and lower surfaces  602 ,  606  such that the opening  608  is all the way through the cover  602 . In the present embodiment, a ridge  610  surrounds the opening  608  to increase structural rigidity. The ridge  610  may also be useful for locating a snuffer (not shown) when used to extinguish the burner cup  600 . In some embodiments, the cover  602  is formed from a single sheet of stamped or pressed metal alloy such that the upper surface  604  mirrors the lower surface  606 . The opening  608  may be framed by a lip or roll  611 . 
     The burner cup  600  provides a wick  620 , which may be a bulk wick. The wick  620  provides a cylindrical body  621  with an opening  622  that goes at least partway through the body  621 . An upper surface  624  of the body  621  may have a contour that at least partially corresponds to the lower surface  606  of the cover  602 . 
     The wick  620  is placed into the casing  102  and the cover  602  is placed atop the casing during assembly of the burner cup  600 . In some embodiments, the cover  602  is permanently affixed to the casing  102 ; as the wick  620  may last the life of the burner cup  600 , and the opening  608  allows for replenishment of the fuel in the wick  620  without disassembling the burner cup  600 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a side cutaway view of the burner cup  600  is shown. Here the burner cup  600  is fully assembled with the wick  620  placed within the casing  102  and the cover  602  affixed to the casing  102  holding the wick  620  in place. The cover  602  may be rolled or folded about the top rim of the casing  102  or may be affixed in some other manner (e.g., spot welding or adhesives). It can be seen that the shape of the outside of the wick body  621  generally comports with the shape of the inside of the casing  102 . In some embodiments, the wick body  621  is designed to fill the casing  102  up to the level of the cover  602  (except where the hole or opening  622  is defined in the wick  620 ). In the present embodiment, the opening  622  does not extend all the way through the body  621  to the inside of the casing  102  but has a layer of material covering the bottom of the inside of the casing  102 . In some embodiments, good performance is obtained in terms of wicking and burn characteristics where the bottom layer is between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches thick. 
     In operation, the wick  620  is imbued with a quantity of fuel and ignited at the opening  608 . Fuel at the surface of the opening  622  burns with a flame produced in the opening  620  and/or opening  608 . In order to promote ease of lighting and/or ensure adequate fuel supply, a portion of the upper surface  624  of the body  621  forms a shelf  612  around the opening  622 . The shelf  612  may be at the same or a different height than the remainder of the upper surface  624 . In the current embodiment, the shelf  612  is slightly depressed relative to the remainder of the supper surface  624  and is bounded by a rim  611  circumscribing the opening  608  in the cover  602 . The rim  611  may comprise a part of the lower surface  604  of the cover  602  that contacts the upper surface  624  of the wick body  621  to secure the wick  620  in place in the casing  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the casing  102  of the burner cup  600  is about 2.8 inches tall. The cover  602  has a diameter of about 3.4 inches while the opening  608  is about 2.0 inches in diameter. The opening  622  in the wick body  621  is about 1.5 inches in diameter, which means the shelf  612  is about 0.25 inches across where exposed around the opening  622 . 
     The diameter of the opening  608  in the cover  602  may be from about 50% to about 60% of the diameter of the ridge  610 . The height of the casing  102  may be about the same dimension as the overall width. These parameters promote desirable burn and fuel consumption characteristics. The configuration  600  with the solid lid  602  provides more consistent flame throughout the entire burn cycle without a significant decrease in fuel consumption. 
     The opening  608  is round in the present embodiment, but other shapes are possible. So similar shapes other than cylindrical may be used for the casing  102 . However, the rounded or cylindrical embodiments shown promote desirable fuel consumption and flame characteristics. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , shown is container  102  mounted on top of torch pole or rod  900 . A light source, such as one of the burner cups described above, is mounted within container  102 . The elevated container more efficiently illuminates the surrounding area. Rod  900  may be firmly affixed within ground surface  906 . 
       FIG. 12  shows container  102  mounted on base  1000 . A light source, such as a burner cup described above is mounted within container  102 . The container  102  and base  1000  combination is suitable for locating on a table top or other surface for providing a convenient source of illumination, scent dispersal, insect repellence, etc. It will be appreciated that the container  102 , the rod  900 , and/or the base  1000  provide a supported and safe location to utilize the various burner cups of the present disclosure. 
     * * * * 
     Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.