Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to decorative torches in general and, more specifically, to liquid fueled torches. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Liquid fueled torches are utilized for a number of purposes such as lighting, decoration, and pest repellence. However, there is often some risk associated with refueling these torches. When the torch is required to be partially disassembled to refuel (e.g., removal of the top) there is a chance the pieces may be lost. Furthermore, this can be a dirty and cumbersome operation. 
         [0003]    What is needed is a system and method for addressing the above, and related, issues. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof, comprises a torch having a fuel container with a reservoir and a top cover. The top cover defines a first wick passage, a first fill hole, and a guide slot. A fire bowl is positioned atop the fuel container and defines a second wick passage, a second fill hole, and a guide member. A wick holder passes through the first and second wick passages. The guide member fits into the guide slot to limit the degree of rotation between the fuel container and the fire bowl. At least one open rotational position is allowed between the fuel container and fire bowl such that the first and second fill holes are aligned to allow fluid into the reservoir via the fill holes. At least one closed rotational position is allowed between the fuel container and the fire bowl such that the first and second fill holes are out of alignment substantially blocking fluid flow into or out of the reservoir via the fill holes. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the first and second fill holes are substantially the same size and the guide member and guide slot limit the rotation between the fire bowl and the top cover to a degree of rotation that is less than about three times an arc occupied by a fill hole. In another embodiment, the guide member and guide slot limit the degree of rotation between the fire bowl and the top cover to a degree of rotation about two times the size of the arc occupied by a fill hole. 
         [0006]    The wick holder may be fixed to the top cover of the reservoir and protrude through the second wick passage into the fire bowl. The wick holder may provide a lip on a distal end thereof, with the lip retaining a captive biasing member that biases the fire bowl to the top cover. The fuel container may be rigidly affixed to an outer shell. Some embodiments will have a captive form fitting lid having a contour cooperating with at least a portion of the flame bowl such that the lid may be used as a snuffer. At least one magnet may be attached to the lid for retaining the lid against the fire bowl. 
         [0007]    The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof comprises a torch with a substantially hollow torch body having an opening on an end thereof. The torch includes a fuel container having a reservoir and a top cover, the reservoir being disposed substantially within the hollow torch body and the top cover being rigidly affixed to the torch body proximate the opening therein. A fire bowl is atop the top cover of the fuel container. The fire bowl and top cover each provide a fill hole such that the holes may be rotated into alignment allowing for fluid communication into and out of the fuel reservoir and the holes may be rotated out of alignment to prevent fluid communication into and out of the fuel reservoir. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the top cover defines a guide slot and the fire bowl defines a guide member such that the guide member fits within the guide slot and restricts the degree of rotation allowed between the fire bowl and the top cover. The torch may include a cap configured to fit the fire bowl to smoother flame. The cap may have at least one magnet for retaining the cap on the fire bowl. The torch body may be recessed proximate the opening thereof and the fire bowl may occupy at least a portion of the recess. The fire bowl may define a plurality of ventilation ports proximate the recess. 
         [0009]    In other embodiments of the torch, the wick holder is retained by the top cover of the reservoir and protrudes through the fire bowl. The wick holder may also provide a lip on an end thereof terminating in the fire bowl. The lip may retain a biasing member that urges the fire bowl downward toward the top cover of the reservoir. 
         [0010]    The invention of the present disclosure, in another embodiment thereof comprises a torch with a substantially hollow torch body having a round opening on a top thereof and having a toroidally defined recess relative to sides thereof around the top. A fuel container is within the hollow torch body having a fuel container top that is affixed to the opening of the torch body. The fuel container top provides a concave surface with a lipped wick passage proximate a center thereof, and defines a first fill hole and a guide slot both located radially away from the center. A fire bowl has a cooperating concave interior surface to substantially match the concave surface of the fuel container top, a conic edge that surrounds the recess defined in the torch body, a center wick passage, a second fill hole located radially away from the center wick passage, and a guide member located radially away from the center wick passage. The lipped wick passage interfits with the center wick passage to allow rotation between the fuel container top and the fire bowl. The first and second fill holes may be radially aligned to allow for fluid flow into and out of the fuel container, and may be radially misaligned to impede fluid flow into and out of the fuel container. A degree of rotation between the fire bowl and the fuel container top is limited by the distance the guide member travels within the guide slot. 
         [0011]    Some embodiments of this torch include a wick holder traversing both wick passages, and providing friction retention of a wick that passes from the fire bowl to an interior of the fuel container. The wick holder may be affixed to the fuel container top with a biasing member interposing the wick holder and the fire bowl. The biasing member urges the fire bowl against the fuel container top. In some embodiments, the fire bowl defines a flat shelf and receives a snuffer cap thereon. The snuffer cap may affix to the flat shelf with at least one magnet and may also be tethered to the fire bowl. The fire bowl may define a plurality of perforations to serve as ventilation of the torch body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a torch with a twist open fire bowl according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the torch of  FIG. 1  with a lid removed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top down view of the torch of  FIG. 1  partially disassembled. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side cutaway view of the torch of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the torch of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a torch with a twist open fire bowl according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In the present embodiment, the torch  100  comprises a shell or body  102  which may be generally cylindrical or conic in profile. The body  102  may be made from a metal or polymer and may be configured to sit on a table top or attached to a pole for mounting into the ground. A fire bowl  104  integrates with the shell  102 . The fire bowl  104  may be made from sheet metal or another material. A number of perforations  106  may be defined in the fire bowl  104 . The perforations  106  may be decorative, but may also serve to provide ventilation and/or heat dispersal. 
         [0018]    As will be described in greater detail below, the torch  100  may be opened or closed by rotation of the fire bowl  104  relative to the shell  102 . In some embodiments, this is done by hand (e.g., no specialized tools or snuffer lids are needed). The fire bowl  204  and/or the perforations  106  thus provide a gripping surface for opening or closing the torch  100 , while the shell  102  provides the counteracting gripping surface. 
         [0019]    In the view of  FIG. 1 , a lid  108  sits atop the fire bowl  104 . In some embodiments, the lid  108  also serves as a flame snuffer. The lid  108  may provide one or more magnets  110  integrated therewith to secure the lid  108  to the fire bowl  104 . A chain  112  or other tethering device may serve to keep the lid  108  attached to the torch  100  when it is not being utilized as a snuffer or cap. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the torch  100  of  FIG. 1  is shown with the lid  108  removed. The fire bowl  104  can be seen to further comprise an interior  202  surrounded by a sloped edge  204 . A flat shelf  206  may also be defined circumscribing the interior  202 . In some embodiments, the flat shelf  206  provides a location for attachment of the magnets  110  of the lid  108 . A wick holder  208  can be seen proceeding upward from the interior  202  of the fire bowl  104 . In the present embodiment, a lip  210  protrudes laterally away from the wick holder  208 . In the present embodiment, the lip  210  retains a biasing member  212  which presses downward against the interior  202  of the fire bowl  104 . The full functionality of the wick holder  208  and biasing member  212  will be explained in greater detail below. 
         [0021]    A number of other features are defined in the interior  202  of the flame bowl  104 . For example, a guide member  204  may be formed as a depression in the surface of the interior  202 . A fill hole  216  may also be provided for introducing liquid fuel into an interior of the torch  100 . In some embodiments, the fire bowl  104  may be made from sheet metal or another relatively thin material. In such cases, one or more structural ridges  218  may be provided on the interior  202  in order to ensure that the fire bowl  104  retains the appropriate shape in light of twisting forces and the relatively high temperatures that may be encountered form operation of the torch  100 . 
         [0022]    In operation, the torch  100  may be placed in a closed configuration by rotating the fire bowl  104  relative to the shell  102 . In the present embodiment, the fire bowl  104  rotates axially with respect to the shell  102  as shown by the arrow C. As will be explained in greater detail below, the fire bowl  104  may be rotated such that the file hole  216  aligns with a second fill hole that provides for fluid access to an interior of the torch. When the filling operation is complete, the fire bowl  104  may be rotated such that the two fill holes are no longer aligned and thus flames or embers will be prevented from entering the fuel storage. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top down view of the torch of  FIG. 1  is shown. For purposes of illustration in this viewpoint, the fire bowl  104  has been removed. With the fire bowl  104  removed, a fuel container  302  may be seen situated within the shell  102 . A top cover  303  of the fuel container  302  may substantially match the shape of the interior  202  of the fire bowl  104  (e.g., they may both have a concave shape). A wick passage  304  may be provided for passing the wick  211  into an interior of the fuel container  302 . In the present embodiment, a lip  305  is provided surrounding the wick passage  304 . A guide slot  306  is provided in the top cover  303  located radially away from the wick passage  304 . In some embodiments, the guide slot  306  retains the guide member  214  of the fire bowl  104  to limit the degree of rotation between the fire bowl  104  and the shell  102 . A second file hole  308  is also provided in the top cover  303  of the fuel container  302 . When this second fill hole  308  is aligned with the fill hole  216  of the fire bowl  104 , fuel may flow freely into the fuel container  302 . When the torch  100  is operational, the fire bowl  104  may be rotated such that the fill holes  308 ,  216  are not aligned. 
         [0024]    An indentation or recess  404  can be seen circumscribing the fuel container  302 . In the present embodiment, the recess  404  is uniform about the fuel container and can thus be considered a toroidal recess. The recess may be sized to correspond to a portion of the fire bowl  104  such that when the fire bowl  104  is attached to the shell  102  the sides of the shell  102  and fire bowl  104  present a smooth profile. The recess  404  also allows the interior  202  of the fire bowl  104  and the top cover  303  of the fuel container  302  to be reduced in size relative to the shell  102 . This may be for aesthetic reasons or to control or reduce heat or burn rate. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side cutaway view of the torch of  FIG. 1  is shown. In this viewpoint, the fire bowl  104  is shown attached to the shell  102  such that the relationship of the various components can be appreciated. In the view of  FIG. 4 , the fill holes  216 ,  308  are shown aligned such that a fuel reservoir  402  of the fuel container  302  can be filled. Here it can also be seen how the wick  211  passes from the fire bowl  104  to the wick holder  208  and into the fuel reservoir  402 . 
         [0026]    The wick holder  208  provides a plurality of retention clips  209  that retain the wick holder  208  in the wick passage  304 . This prevents the wick holder  208  from being pulled completely of the passages  220 ,  304  out and into the fire bowl  104  by the biasing member  212 . The retention clips  209  may be an interference fit clip. In another embodiment the clips  209  have a one way retention mechanism such that when the wick holder  208  is inserted into the wick passage  304 , the clips  209  will expand and prevent its retraction. In other embodiments, the wick holder  208  may be integrated with, or otherwise permanently affixed to, the top cover  303  of the fuel container  302 . The biasing member  212  is a coil spring in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . However, the biasing member could also be a leaf spring or biasing device. The biasing member  212  may be made from metal or another heat resistant material. 
         [0027]    The guide member  214  can be seen resting within the guide slot  306 . As discussed, this limits the degree of rotation between the fire bowl  104  and the shell  102 . The fuel container  302  is affixed to the shell  102  at the rim  406 . In one embodiment, the fuel container  302  will be rolled into the rim  406  such that the fuel container  302  and the shell  102  are rigidly joined together. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  also illustrates the relationship of the recessed area  404  relative to the fire bowl  104 . The fire bowl  104  fits partially into the recess  404  such that the exterior of the torch  100  is presents adjacent smooth surfaces that may be twisted by a user to open or close the torch  100  for filling. In order to reduce the temperature of the fire bowl  104 , particularly where it may be touched by a user who is opening or closing the torch  100 , the perforations  106  provide for ventilation and/or dispersion of heat. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an exploded view of the torch of  FIG. 1  is shown. In this view, the structure of the wick holder  208  is fully visible with the lip  210  on one end and the retainer clips  209  on an opposite end. It can also be appreciated how the wick passages  220  and  304  align to pass the wick  211  and wick holder  208 . 
         [0030]    During assembly, the fuel container  302  may be rolled, welded, or otherwise affixed to the rim  404  of the shell  202 , thereby integrating the fuel reservoir  402  with the torch shell  102 . The fire bowl  104  may be placed atop the torch  102  with the lip  305  providing alignment within the wick passage  220 . The recess  404  on the torch body  102  will also serve to properly guide and align the fire bowl  104 . When these pieces have been fitted together, the biasing member  212  may be placed upon the wick holder  208  and the wick holder  208  inserted through both wick passages  220  and  304 , whereupon the retainer clips  209  will expand inside the fuel container  302 , which will affix the fire bowl  104  to the shell  102 . As previously described, the guide member  214  will ride within the guide slot  306  such that the degree of rotation between the fire bowl  104  and the shell  102  will be limited. In some embodiments, the degree of rotation allowed between the fire bowl  104  and the shell  102  will be roughly two to three times the radial distance occupied by one of the fill holes  216  or  308 . In this way, the fire bowl  104  is allowed to rotate sufficiently to open and close the fuel reservoir  402 , but is not allowed to completely rotate such that the user may have to make a long turn or rotation of the fire bowl  104  in order to fill the torch  100 . 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the wick  211  will be a durable fiberglass wick with a long service life. The wick  211  may be retained by the wick holder  208  in a friction fit relationship. The wick  211  can be extended or retracted within the interior  202  of the fire bowl  104  in order to produce a larger or smaller flame. The flame produced by the wick  211  will be relatively large owing to the size of the interior  202  of the fire bowl  104 . In order to safely and effectively extinguish an operational torch, the lid  108  may have a shape that fits the contour of the fire bowl  104  for use as a snuffer such that oxygen is effectively denied the flame. The tether  112  may affix the lid  108  to the fire bowl  104  such that when the lid  108  is not in use it will remain within easy reach and will not be subject to being lost. 
         [0032]    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.

Technology Category: 2