SCREEN FOR GAS FIREPLACE WINDOW
A means for avoiding the build up of a film on the inside surface of the transparent window of a gas fireplace comprises providing a mesh screen spaced a short distance of the inside surface. The mesh screen is believed to interrupt the flow of gases toward the window thereby preventing the build up.
This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Application XXXXXXXX, filed 20 Mar. 2008, the specification of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to gas-burning fireplaces. In particular, this invention relates to a means of preventing the buildup of milky film on the inside of the transparent front panel of a gas-burning fireplace.
2. Description of the Related Art
A common but persistent problem with gas-burning fireplaces is the buildup on the inside surface of the front window of a milky or hazy film. The film detracts from the appearance of a fireplace and from the ability to appreciate the fire within.
While the cause of the film is not clearly known, some manufacturers have speculated that it is the result of the curing process of the paint and log sets used in the fireplaces. It has also been suggested that the white film deposit arises from additives used in the gas and reference has been made in industry literature to a mineral residue left from water vapor as the gas burns. Regardless of the cause, the film is perceived to be a problem and detrimental to the look of the fireplace.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention offers a solution to the film problem in gas fireplace windows.
The inventor has found that providing a mesh screen spaced a short distance from the inside surface of the transparent front panel of a gas-burning fireplace has the effect of preventing or alleviating the buildup of the film.
It is postulated that the effectiveness of the invention is due to the interruption or modification of the air flow from the inside of the fireplace towards the inside surface of the panel. However, the preferred and other contemplated embodiments are effective and the claims made herein are not dependent on a definitive understanding of why the invention works.
The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Various aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the invention and to the claims.
The invention will be described by reference to the detailed description of the invention and to the drawings thereof in which:
Referring to
Referring now to
In one or more embodiments, the screen is made of steel wire cloth mesh but other materials that are capable of withstanding the environmental conditions in the fireplace are likely to be equally effective, including notably Teflon™-coated fiberglass.
The parameters of mesh size and spacing d that will be effective for the purposes of the invention will be dependent on the size of the fireplace, the distance of the burners and log sets from the front panel and the air and gas flows within the fireplace. These vary with different fireplace designs and configurations, but in one or more embodiments and ranges discussed herein should be effective for the majority of commercial gas fireplaces on the market.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments have been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.
Claims
1. A gas-burning fireplace having a window panel for viewing an inside of said gas-burning fireplace, comprising a mesh screen spaced from an inside surface of the window panel for reducing a buildup of hazy film on the inside surface of said window panel during operation of said fireplace.
2. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 1 wherein said mesh screen is spaced from said inside surface of said window panel a distance of between ¼ inch and 8 inches.
3. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 1 wherein said mesh screen is spaced from said inside surface of said window panel a distance of between ¼ inch and 1 inch.
4. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 1 wherein said mesh screen is substantially planar and substantially spans the inside surface of said window panel.
5. A gas-burning fireplace having a window panel for viewing an inside of said fireplace, comprising a mesh screen spaced from an inside surface of the window panel for reducing a buildup of hazy film on the inside surface of said window panel during operation of said fireplace, said mesh screen having a mesh size of between 1/16 and ⅜ of an inch.
6. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 5 wherein said mesh screen is spaced from said inside surface of said window panel a distance of between ¼ inch and 8 inches.
7. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 5 wherein said mesh screen is spaced from said inside surface of said window panel a distance of between ¼ inch and 1 inch.
8. A mesh screen adapted to be installed on an inside of a gas-burning fireplace having a transparent panel, wherein said mesh screen is substantially planar, has a mesh size of between 1/16 and ⅜ of an inch and comprises means at least one edge of said mesh screen configured to retain said mesh screen in spaced relationship against an inside surface of said transparent panel.
9. The mesh screen of claim 8 wherein said means comprise a frame for said mesh screen, said frame comprising a bent portion adapted to fit within a gap between a window panel and a window panel frame of said fireplace.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 17, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 24, 2009
Inventor: Dan Binzer (Langley)
Application Number: 12/105,252
International Classification: F24B 1/192 (20060101);