Patents Assigned to Blue Rhino Corporation
  • Patent number: 6470877
    Abstract: A heating apparatus is provided which is improved in terms of its heating efficiencies over prior commercially available patio heaters. The heating apparatus includes a burner assembly housing containing a burner assembly for igniting fuel from a fuel source. The housing has a perforated wall so that the hot gases inside the housing can escape from the housing interior with the wall heating up so as to radiate infrared heat therefrom. The apparatus has a heat efficiency system which causes substantially all of the heat emanating from the housing to be used for heating of a preselected area about the apparatus. The heat efficiency system maximizes the amount of heat that is directed in a generally downward direction into the preselected area below the housing so as to minimize the heat loss and thus the amount of fuel that is necessary for heating of the preselected area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Blue Rhino Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Publication number: 20010037804
    Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a burner assembly for igniting fuel from a fuel source, an upper housing for the burner assembly, and an elongate support member extending upwardly to the burner assembly housing to space the housing from ground level. A shroud is spaced from the burner assembly by the elongate support member, is configured for slidably engaging the elongate support member and is dimensioned for surrounding the fuel source. An emitter surface of the housing is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the burner assembly for maximum efficiency in warming of a preselected area by the heat emitted from the housing. At least three legs support the elongate support member above a base and define a space for accommodating a gas cylinder serving as the fuel source. A dome is mountable above the burner assembly and a single carton is provided for enclosing the disassembled assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Blue Rhino Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Waters, Martin C. Bossler
  • Patent number: 6057012
    Abstract: A propane fuel storage tank having a fuel-containing tank body with an outer printed sleeve made of linear heat-shrink plastic material heat-shrunk in tight fitting encircling relation about the tank for preventing viewing of surface imperfections in the tank beneath the sleeve. A method of making and reconditioning propane fuel tanks is disclosed which includes loosely positioning a sleeve of such linear heat-shrinkable plastic material about the tank body and exposing the plastic sleeve to a temperature above its heat-shrink temperature to cause it to contract and tightly conform about the outer perimeter of the tank. The sleeve preferably encompasses a central cylindrical side wall of the tank, portions of the upper and lower semi-spherical end walls of the tank, and the lower foot ring, which results in a like-new reconditioned tank without the necessity for complete removal of surface imperfections and prior adhesively applied labels, or the need for complete repainting of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Blue Rhino Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Culp, Richard Belmont
  • Patent number: 5922158
    Abstract: A propane fuel storage tank having a fuel-containing tank body with an outer printed sleeve made of linear heat-shrink plastic material heat-shrunk in tight fitting encircling relation about the tank for preventing viewing of surface imperfections in the tank beneath the sleeve. A method of making and reconditioning propane fuel tanks is disclosed which includes loosely positioning a sleeve of such linear heat-shrinkable plastic material about the tank body and exposing the plastic sleeve to a temperature above its heat-shrink temperature to cause it to contract and tightly conform about the outer perimeter of the tank. The sleeve preferably encompasses a central cylindrical side wall of the tank, portions of the upper and lower semi-spherical end walls of the tank, and the lower foot ring, which results in a like-new reconditioned tank without the necessity for complete removal of surface imperfections and prior adhesively applied labels, or the need for complete repainting of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Blue Rhino Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Culp, Richard Belmont