Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for starting a fire, comprising a stack of combustible fuel elements (340,350,460,462,464) and a flammable ignition element (450) located in a combustible container (200) configured to provide at least one aperture (202) for igniting the flammable ignition element located therein. A kit of parts and a method of assembling the kit are also provided.

Abstract: Described are combustible structures. For example, a combustible structure includes a starter fuel chamber with a starter fuel, an external lighter opening, and an external air opening. The combustible structure includes a conveying fuel chamber adjacent to the starter fuel chamber and including a conveying fuel. The combustible structure includes a partition between the conveying fuel chamber and the starter fuel chamber, the partition including an opening such that combustion in the starter fuel chamber can spread to the conveying fuel chamber through the opening. The combustible structure includes a fuel chamber that includes an artificial fire log and an external vent. The combustible structure includes a retaining structure that provides for ease of transport and holds the artificial fire log in place such that combustion in the conveying fuel chamber spreads to the fuel chamber.

Abstract: Fire ignition systems, combustible ignition structures, and methods of manufacturing and using such systems and devices are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a fire ignition system may include a combustible container and a combustible ignition structure removably insertable into an interior of the combustible container. In various embodiments, the combustible ignition structure may include a base having a top surface and a chimney extending from the top surface. In various embodiments, the chimney may have an inner flue, a top opening into the flue, and an aperture through a side of the chimney into the flue. Other embodiments may be disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an auto-combustible log comprising at least one air intake connected to a chimney wherein the log is made of wood, wood particle or wood residues wherein the wood, wood particles or wood residues have been treated to destroy any invasive pests, such as insects and fungi.

Abstract: A fire log has one or several longitudinal incisions, which penetrate the log but do not reach the side surface and intersect in the log's midsection. A lower part of the log has at least one air duct from the side surface to the log's midsection in case the log is set on a surface which obstructs airflow to the log's lower part. The log's midsection contains an ignition device, which can be an ignition strip, tablet, briquette or other that has been permeated with an ecologically friendly flammable substance that burns fast and evenly.

Abstract: A stack, to be used in a fuel cell or electrolyzer, includes a collector layer, at least one diffusion layer and at least one anchoring layer. The collector layer being a metal foil or metal plate or foamed metal sheet, the diffusion layer can be a metal mesh or expanded metal sheet. An anchoring layer having a thickness of less than 0.5 mm can include metal fibers and be sintered between the collector layer and the diffusion layer.

Abstract: Combustible packages for containing a fuel source and a fire started are provided. A combustible package may include a cardboard outer wall and top and bottom lids for substantially closing top and bottom openings defined by the outer wall. Each lid may define a central panel for extending across an opening and a plurality of tabs for facilitating a press fit between the lids and the outer wall. Each lid may also define a central opening for receiving an end of a fire starter. The fire starter may be wound paper tube impregnated with an accelerant. The fuel source may be a plurality of charcoal briquettes contained between the outer wall, the top and bottom lids and the fire starter. The outer wall may define one or more ventilation openings between the bottom edge and the bottom lid. Or the bottom edge may be scalloped to provide ventilation openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating implement which comprises at least two frame parts (1, 2) which have been made from wood and are placed one on top of the other, at least one of which has at least one groove (3), or corresponding formation, for leading the combustion air into the structure of the heating implement. A heating implement formed in accordance with the invention has one or more spacing pieces (4) located in the groove (3), which are placed between the frame parts to form an air gap between them.

Abstract: A portable incendiary apparatus. The apparatus may include a combustible container having an interior; a separator dividing the interior into a plurality of burn chambers; and, flammable contents contained within at least one of the burn chambers. The apparatus may include flammable contents; and, a combustible, substantially planar member holding the flammable materials and defining at least one extension positioned with respect to the materials so as to promote ignition of the flammable contents upon ignition of the apparatus. The apparatus may include a combustible container; a separator dividing the container into a plurality of burn chambers and partially extending from the container so as to facilitate ignition of the apparatus; and, at least one container extension for promoting ignition of the at least one firelog upon ignition of the apparatus and facilitating transporting of the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable, stackable, all-in-one, combustible fuel package composed of a carton without internal structure and containing a fire starting material and charcoal or other combustible material, a one-piece carton blank for forming the carton, and methods of assembling and using the carton and its components to provide a heat source are provided. The carton blank is a simple design for easy assembly of the carton. The container maintains the firestarter separate from the charcoal material and allows direct access to the firestarter for its removal from the container. The carton includes selectively deployable legs structured to raise the carton off of a surface sufficient for placement of the firestarter under the carton and allow air flow to the base of the container to maintain the burning of the firestarter and charcoal material inside the container.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained heating apparatus has a container filled with a plurality of vertically oriented, elongated combustible objects defining a plurality of passages for allowing the flow of air. The container has a first plurality of vent openings formed near the lower end of the container, and a second plurality of vent openings formed near the upper end of the container. The vent openings allow air into the container. A wax material substantially coats the elongated combustible objects without filling all of the passages or the container. First and second bands are movably disposed on the container and move between a first location over the vent openings, and a second location away from the openings. The bands control the flow of air into the container, and thus the rate at which the elongated combustible objects burn.

Abstract: Fuel charcoal having a plurality of air-passing portions in the shape of through holes or grooves in its body so as to supply combustion air thereto while burning, by which it keeps a burning state once catching fire.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition suitable for making fuel elements for smoking articles, which comprises at least about 50 weight percent, preferably at least about 60 weight percent, and most preferably at least about 70 weight percent powdered elemental carbon, preferably carbon obtained from the controlled carbonization of hardwood paper pulp. The fuel composition also comprises at least about 1 weight percent, preferably at least about 5 weight percent, and most preferably at least about 10 weight percent of a suitable binder. The fuel composition of the present invention can include at least about 3 weight percent, preferably at least about 5 weight percent, and most preferably at least about 8 weight percent powdered graphite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a heat source comprising metal carbide and a method for preparing the same using a reducing/carbidizing atmosphere. The metal carbide heat sources of this invention have ignition temperatures that are substantially lower than conventional carbon particles normally used in carbonaceous heat sources, while at the same time provide sufficient heat to release a flavored aerosol from a flavor bed for inhalation by the smoker. Upon combustion, the heat sources produce substantially no carbon monoxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods for making a composite heat source comprising carbon and metal species. The composite heat source made by the methods of this invention have ignition temperatures that are substantially lower than carbonaceous heat sources, while at the same time provide sufficient heat to release a flavored aerosol from a flavor bed for inhalation by the smoker. Upon combustion, the heat source produces substantially no carbon monoxide. The metal species may be prepared by mixing a metal oxide, metal and a carbon source, pre-forming the metal oxide/metal/carbon source mixture into a shape and converting the mixture to metal species in situ, without substantially altering the original shape of the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cigarettes and other smoking articles which contain a catalytic composition, preferably as part of the fuel element, that substantially decreases the amount of carbon monoxide contained in the mainstream smoke during smoking. The present invention also relates to the catalyst-containing carbonaceous fuels themselves, as well as to methods of making such carbonaceous fuels. Fuel elements which contain a catalytic composition in accordance with the presentation are especially useful in smoking articles having an aerosol generating means which is physically separate from the fuel element.

Abstract: A cigarette includes a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying tobacco extract and glycerin positioned physically separate from the fuel element. The fuel element is composed of a carbonaceous material and is extruded in such a manner that when positioned within the cigarette, its extrusion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The fuel element includes a burning segment at one end, a base segment at the opposite end, and an isolation segment between the burning and base segments. A metal cartridge is radially spaced from the longitudinal outer periphery of the burning segment of the fuel element. A retaining member grasps the base segment of the fuel element and holds the fuel element securely in place within the cigarette.

Abstract: This invention relates to a heat source comprising a mixture of metal carbide, metal nitride and metal which undergo a staged ignition process, particularly useful in smoking articles. The metal carbide/metal nitride/metal mixtures making up the heat source have ignition temperatures that are substantially lower than conventional carbonaceous heat sources, while at the same time provide sufficient heat to release a flavored aerosol from a flavor bed for inhalation by the smoker. Upon combustion the heat source produces substantially no carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: A carbonaceous heat source for a smoking article is provided. The heat source is designed to maximize heat transfer to a flavor bed in the smoking article. The heat source undergoes substantially complete combustion leaving minimal residual ash, has a relatively low degree of thermal conductivity and ignites under normal lighting conditions for a conventional cigarette.

Abstract: A combustible package for purposes of outdoor cooking and barbecuing is disclosed. The combustible package consists of an octagonally-shaped platform, a centrally located chimney, a wall attached along the platform's perimeter, a plurality of legs, and an igniter. The platform has a central aperture which is contiguous with the chimney, a plurality of secondary apertures uniformly located between the central aperture and the platform's perimeter, and a plurality of peripheral apertures. The wall is composed of an inner and outer wall portion which form a peripheral air space around the platform's entire perimeter. The peripheral air space is in communication with the peripheral apertures. When placed below the platform and ignited, the igniter produces hot combustion gases which flow through the central aperture and chimney, the secondary apertures, and the peripheral apertures and air space, thereby uniformly and rapidly heating the charcoal for more uniform burning.

Abstract: An improved fuel package comprising fuel pieces, a combustible moisture proof container for holding the fuel pieces in a specific shape, and combustible binder/starter composition for binding together some of the fuel pieces into a stack within the container to promote combustion of the fuel pieces when the container is ignited.The invention is also directed toward a method of making the fuel package and hermetically sealing it.

Abstract: Novel, and improved fuel articles having a plurality of novel characteristics and having a typical mass density of 0.6 to 1.2 g/cc and a bulk density of 0.2 to 0.4 times the mass density. The greatest distance dg from a point in the fuel article to the nearest point on the nearest one of the upstanding walls is between 0.15 and 0.60 times the height of the fuel article. Charcoal fuel articles of the invention ignite faster than conventional pillow-shaped charcoal fuel articles and deliver substantially more usable cooking heat flux to the cooking surface of a standard charcoal cooker than do conventional pillow-shaped briquettes. The coal article may have a central body portion having a minor circumference, a plurality of fingers projecting from the central body portion, and a hole in the central body portion. The fingers may have finger ends wherein the ratio of the major circumference defined by the finger ends to the minor circumference is at least about 1.25:1.

Abstract: An improved fuel package comprising fuel pieces, a combustible moisture proof container for holding the fuel pieces in a specific shape, and combustible binder/starter composition for binding together a large proportion of the fuel pieces into a stack within the container to promote combustion of the fuel pieces when the container is ignited.The invention is also directed toward a method of making the fuel package and hermetically sealing it.