Improvements in Fire-lighters
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 19th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 21st Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire-lighters:
JAMES STRICK of 7 Jeffreys Square St. Mary Axe in the city of London Commission
Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a receptacle constructed of Iron or other material filled
with Asbestos or other incombustible material which will absorb or retain Petroleum
or other inflamable material and thereby constitute a Fire-lighter.
For carrying the invention into practice for example make a hollow metal ring in
cast-iron of circular, oval, or other suitable form but with its upper side when lying
open or perforated. Into this casting Asbestos or other incombustible material is
packed. The casting is so made as to leave one or more holes through its centre
thereby causing a free draught of air which will assist the combustion of the oil or other
inflamable material. The casting can be made in the form of a straight or curved
hollow bar entirely open or perforated on its upper surface. I do not confine myself
to cast-iron as the Fire-lighter may be made of wrought-iron or of other material.
The casting can be provided with a small ring, hook, or handle in the side to enable
it to be more readily handled. When the Fire-lighter is to be used you can pour a
sufficient quantity of Petroleum or other similar oil or inflamable material over the
Asbestos or other packing with which the casting is filled and apply a light to it.
Tilt 101. Ja of Ontahan 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Lighters.
-
I, JAMES STRIOK, of 7, Jefferys' Square, St. Mary Axe, London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This Invention relates to improved means of lighting fires by the combustion of
petroleum or other inflammable liquid. This improved fire lighter is constituted by a
metal tray or receptacle containing an incombustible absorbent material such as
asbestos or slag-wool, for example; which is saturated with the inflammable liquid, the
tray or receptacle being of such form that it may be readily introduced between the
front bars of the grate beneath the mass of coal therein and being wholly or partially
open at top so as to permit of the rapid combustion of the liquid and expose a large
body of flame, whereby to quickly kindle the coals without the use of paper or
wood.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this
specification; wherein figure 1 is a central vertical section, and figure 2 a plan, of the
preferred form of fire lighter. The same letters of reference indicate like parts in
both figures.
The receptacle is preferably of annular form and is constituted by a hollow ring a
(of cast or wrought iron, or it may be of earthenware) open at the upper side and
packed with incombustible absorbent material b. The inner and outer walls of the
annular receptacle a are preferably curved sufficiently inwards, as shewn at a¹,
figure 1, to retain the absorbent packing b a sufficient aperture c being left between
them at the upper side when the ring is lying flat at which the liquid may burn freely.
To protect the packing from particles of coal which might fall in, this aperature may,
if desired, be covered by a strip of wire cloth d but this is not essential and may be
omitted. If used, it may be conveniently sprung in beneath the inwardly-curved
walls a', as shewn in figure 1, or it may be otherwise applied.

page_text: Or, instead of a continuous annular aperture the ring may consist of an annular
tube perforated at its upper side and packed with incombustible absorbent material, as
before. Instead of being of circular form, it may be oval or D-shaped, or of other
curved, or even straight, form; but the annular form above described is preferred as
the central aperture allows a freer draught of air to assist combustion.
In any case, the side of the receptacle which is to be pushed against the coal in the
grate, should be of rounded form, both in the horizontal and vertical planes, to
facilitate the introduction of the firelighter. The receptacle a is provided with a
handle e by which it may be conveniently and safely held whilst being carried and
forced into position. Or, instead of a handle, it may be a mere hook or ring for
suspending it by when not in use.
To use the firelighter, it is only necessary to saturate the packing with petroleum
or other inflammable liquid and apply a light after placing it on the bottom of the
grate and piling fuel upon it or after introducing it beneath the coal in the grate as
above mentioned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;
The herein described means of kindling fires consisting of a hollow annular
receptacle or tray a packed with incombustible absorbent material saturated with
inflammable liquid, the receptacle being open at the upper side and adapted to expose
a large area for combustion and to be introduced beneath the fuel in a grate,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 10th day of Arens 1920