Ready to use campfire

• US 5,967,769 A
• Filed: 08/26/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CAMPFIRE, Inc. (Conagra Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CAMPFIRE, Inc. (Conagra Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Thompson, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COCKS, JOSIAH C
• Application Number:
  US08/920,086
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 431/288, 431/289, 431/125, 431/126, 431/291, 431/320, 431/325, 126/25 R, 126/59, 126/266, 126/267, 126/262, 126/500, 126/43, 126/25 B, 44/265, 44/275, 44/519, 44/542, 44/543, 44/562, 44/571
• US Class Current: 431/288
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/40 essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 3/16 using candles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

A portable, contained, fueled, ready-to-use campfire assembly having a fire resistant container with an upwardly facing mouth. The container is filled with a mixture of mineral spirits, paraffin wax and hardwood chips. No additional fuel, mixing, pouring, or lighting is required and a long lasting fire is provided that resists moderate winds, is readily extinguished and does not give out dangerous sparks.

Claims

1. A portable, fueled, assembly for providing an instant campfire, fireplace burner, or cooker comprising:

a) a portable, substantially hollow, heat and flame resistant container having at least one interior wall surface, said container being configured to have a base so that it can be placed in a stable position on the ground or a base support surface and having an open, upwardly facing mouth through which flame can rise;

b) a combustible composition capable of supporting combustion for an extended period of time disposed in said container, said composition comprising by weight about 5% to 15% mineral spirits, about 50% to 85% paraffin wax, and about 0% to 40% combustible cellulose filler;

c) a wick of generally sheet-like configuration at least partially embedded in said composition having a portion thereof extending above the upper surface of the said composition, said wick extending a substantial distance across said surface, and said wick being accessible through said upwardly facing mouth, and whereby when said wick is lighted a useful fire is produced across the upper surface of said composition in said container which will burn for an extended period.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the container comprises fire resistant metal selected from the group consisting of generally right circular cylinders and generally truncated cones shape with a smaller circular surface forming the bottom of the container and a larger circular surface being open to provide said upwardly facing mouth.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said combustible composition is a pre-formed refill.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said wick comprises paper.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said wick is embedded in said composition and is spaced apart from said wall.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said cellulose filler comprises hardwood chips.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said wick comprises paper, said cellulose filler comprises hardwood chips, and said composition comprises, by volume, about 7% mineral spirits, about 65% paraffin wax and about 28% hardwood chips.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said wick is of generally annular form.