Patents Assigned to Duraflame, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9423124
    Abstract: A fire display assembly has a burner tray with a porous non-combustible material located in the burner tray positioned adjacent, on or in a non-combustible structure. A source of a combustible liquid positioned a distance from the burner tray is provided with conduits for flowing liquid fuel between the sources and trays. The conduits can include an adjustable valve to control the amount of fluid flowing there-through. The valves can be preprogrammed to provide a preset flow over time or controlled from a remote location by a flow controller. Ignited fuel from the porous non-combustible material provides the appearance of a burning surface on the non-combustible structure. The arrangement provides a continuous but variable feed of fuel to the porous non-combustible material and allows the fuel feed rate to be varied to provide a variable flame height or to vary the location of the flame in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DURAFLAME, INC.
    Inventor: Samir Barudi
  • Patent number: 9267681
    Abstract: A fire display assembly has a burner tray optionally located within a hollow space in the interior of a non-flammable structure. A porous element on or in the non-flammable structure has extensions from a lower surface thereof extending into fuel in the burner tray. The assembly can include a fuel tray connected to the burner tray by conduits which provide flow channels for liquid fuel between the trays. When a container of liquid fuel is placed in the fuel tray the fuel is dispensed and flows into the burner tray. Fuel in the tray is transmitted to the outer surface of the porous element. Flammable vapors from the liquid fuel at the outer surface are then ignited. The arrangement provides a continuous feed of fuel to the surface of the non-flammable structure and allows safe replenishment of the fuel in the burner while the flame is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: DURAFLAME, INC.
    Inventors: Samir Barudi, David Merrill, Chris Caron
  • Patent number: 9228739
    Abstract: An assembly for creating a fire display from a liquid fuel comprises a fuel receiving reservoir connected to a burner by a conduit, the conduit providing a flow channel for a liquid fuel from the reservoir to the burner. When a container of liquid fuel is placed in a bottle receiving tray the fuel is dispensed into the reservoir and in turn flows into the burner. Flammable vapors over the liquid fuel in the burner can then be ignited. The arrangement provides a continuous feed of fuel to the burner and allows safe replacement of the fuel container and replenishment of the fuel in the burner while the flame is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Barudi, David Merrill, Chris Caron
  • Publication number: 20140255857
    Abstract: A fire display assembly has a burner tray with a porous non-combustible material located in the burner tray positioned adjacent, on or in a non-combustible structure. A source of a combustible liquid positioned a distance from the burner tray is provided with conduits for flowing liquid fuel between the sources and trays. The conduits can include an adjustable valve to control the amount of fluid flowing there-through. The valves can be preprogrammed to provide a preset flow over time or controlled from a remote location by a flow controller. Ignited fuel from the porous non-combustible material provides the appearance of a burning surface on the non-combustible structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: DURAFLAME, INC.
    Inventor: Samir Barudi
  • Patent number: 8123824
    Abstract: An artificial firelog according to the present invention may comprise as constituents a combustible cellulosic or fiber material, a non-absorbent combustible oil- and/or fat-retaining material, and a combustible binder/fuel or wax in appropriate proportions. A combustible binding agent may be also be added as an additional constituent material to allow a further reduction of the combustible wax component. Certain naturally occurring agricultural by products and synthetic filter materials contain oils and/or fats that provide increased BTU value beyond the cellulosic or mineral components of the material. When these oil- and/or fat-retaining materials added to a blend of firelog material, the non-absorbent properties and additional BTU content of these alternative raw materials allow the amount of higher BTU wax material to be reduced without a dramatic reduction in fuel content in the finished mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander U. Cavero, Jr., Gary W. Leach, Willer de Oliveira, Alan Zachary
  • Patent number: 8007550
    Abstract: An artificial firelog of the invention includes as constituents (a) a combustible cellulosic material and (b) a combustible non-petroleum wax, wherein the relative proportions of the constituents are, by weight, from about 30% to about 70% of (a) and from about 30% to about 70% of (b) for 100 parts of (a) and (b). In one form of the invention, the combustible non-petroleum wax constituent may include one or more combustible materials derived from plant oils, vegetable oils, animal oils, fats, rosin, pitch, waxy materials and combinations thereof. In another form of the invention, the combustible non-petroleum wax constituent may include a formulated blend of individual non-petroleum wax components. In yet another form of the invention a combustible binding agent can be added to the blend of materials resulting in reduction of the portion of the more costly combustible wax component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventors: Willer de Oliveira, Gary W. Leach, Alan Zachary
  • Publication number: 20080196301
    Abstract: An artificial firelog of the invention includes as constituents (a) a combustible cellulosic material and (b) a combustible non-petroleum wax, wherein the relative proportions of the constituents are, by weight, from about 30% to about 70% of (a) and from about 30% to about 70% of (b) for 100 parts of (a) and (b). In one form of the invention, the combustible non-petroleum wax constituent may include one or more combustible materials derived from plant oils, vegetable oils, animal oils, fats, rosin, pitch, waxy materials and combinations thereof. In another form of the invention, the combustible non-petroleum wax constituent may include a formulated blend of individual non-petroleum wax components. In yet another form of the invention a combustible binding agent can be added to the blend of materials resulting in reduction of the portion of the more costly combustible wax component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventors: Willer de Oliveira, Gary W. Leach, Alan Zachary
  • Publication number: 20080196302
    Abstract: An artificial firelog according to the present invention may comprise as constituents a combustible cellulosic or fiber material, a non-absorbent combustible oil- and/or fat-retaining material, and a combustible binder/fuel or wax in appropriate proportions. A combustible binding agent may be also be added as an additional constituent material to allow a further reduction of the combustible wax component. Certain naturally occurring agricultural by products and synthetic filter materials contain oils and/or fats that provide increased BTU value beyond the cellulosic or mineral components of the material. When these oil- and/or fat-retaining materials added to a blend of firelog material, the non-absorbent properties and additional BTU content of these alternative raw materials allow the amount of higher BTU wax material to be reduced without a dramatic reduction in fuel content in the finished mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander U. Cavero, Gary W. Leach, Willer de Oliveira, Alan Zachary
  • Patent number: 6719816
    Abstract: An artificial firelog is provided comprising combustible cellulosic material, a combustible wax binder and an amount of sodium bicarbonate effective to reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO). The sodium bicarbonate comprises about 1% to about 10% by weight of the artificial firelog. Preferably, the sodium bicarbonate comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight of the artificial firelog. Besides substantially reducing PM and CO emissions during combustion of the artificial firelog, the undesirable odor associated with combustion of the wax binder is decreased and the firelog's total burn time is extended. Moreover, the sodium bicarbonate increases the “poke resistance” of the firelog making the log suitable for outdoor use and a natural appearing white ash develops during the course of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric D. Barford
  • Patent number: 6602306
    Abstract: An artificial firelog comprising a mixture of combustible materials and a combustible binder further contains particulate coke comprising about 1% to about 35% by weight of the firelog, the coke particles having a size less than about 4 mm, to create a realistic crackling sound that mimics the sounds produced during the burning of natural logs. The particulate coke has a preferred moisture content between about 2% and about 20% by weight. The particulate coke may be combined in predetermined ratios with other established crackle additives including natural additives such as coriander seed to extend the time period during which the burning artificial firelog crackles. Preferably, the particulate coke comprises metallurgical coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Scott, Eric D. Barford, James E. Houck
  • Publication number: 20020194779
    Abstract: An artificial firelog is provided comprising combustible cellulosic material, a combustible wax binder and an amount of sodium bicarbonate effective to reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO). The sodium bicarbonate comprises about 1% to about 10% by weight of the artificial firelog. Preferably, the sodium bicarbonate comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight of the artificial firelog. Besides substantially reducing PM and CO emissions during combustion of the artificial firelog, the undesirable odor associated with combustion of the wax binder is decreased and the firelog's total burn time is extended. Moreover, the sodium bicarbonate increases the “poke resistance” of the firelog making the log suitable for outdoor use and a natural appearing white ash develops during the course of combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: DURAFLAME, INC.
    Inventor: Eric D. Barford
  • Patent number: 6136054
    Abstract: A low cost and an environmentally-friendly synthetic firelog is made by mixing specially processed waxed-cardboard or other wax coated papers of varying proportions with a binder/fuel. The binder/fuel consists of a petroleum wax or a mixture of waxes, the nature and extent of which is suitably modified by in situ admixture with the paraffin wax already present in the waxed-cardboard. Sawdust or other wood fillers may also be added. Upon thorough incorporation of the materials, the resulting mixture is extruded, molded, compressed, or otherwise formed, such that the resulting mass is sufficiently solid to hold its shape at normal room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventors: Lohit V. Tutupalli, Alan Zachary, Charles K. Hall, Roger S. Barron
  • Patent number: 6050811
    Abstract: A hand held, flammable gas igniter includes a handle with a thumb activated trigger extending, out of the handle top, a child safety lock mounted in the handle bottom, a cylinder filled with a flammable gas enclosed within the handle and a hollow tube extending forward from the handle to deliver the gas, when ignited, to a desired location, such as charcoal in a barbecue or wood in a fireplace. When the child safety lock is activated the trigger is released so that it can move downward and forward into the handle causing an L-shaped rocker to pivot forward, opening a gas flow valve on the cylinder, delivering the flammable gas to the end of the hollow tube. The movement of the trigger also activates a piezoelectric spark generator, delivering an igniting spark to the gas at the end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Stein
  • Patent number: 6017373
    Abstract: An artificial firelog which contain 2% to about 6%.sub.w coriander seed added to create a crackling sound that mimics the sounds produced during the burning of natural logs. The random crackling sound continues for approximately the same time period as observed with the burning of natural wood firelogs and has an amplitude and frequency of crackling sound that mimics burning natural wood logs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Frisch
  • Patent number: 4104034
    Abstract: An artificial fireplace log is formed with a groove in its surface extending axially along the length of the log. The log is provided with a paper wrapper having a flap, located near the upper limit of the groove, which flap extends outwardly from the log such that the flap can be easily ignited. On the inside surface of the paper wrapper directly opposite the location of the groove is placed a combustible material. This material extends along the length of the log and is of a width less than the width of the groove. By reason of the placement of the flap, groove and combustible material, the combustible material is easily ignited which in turn causes the log to become uniformly lighted over its length in a very short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Yengtsu Wu, Roger S. Barron
  • Patent number: D424374
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Duraflame, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Stein