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: 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: An environmentally-safe, disposable, and combustible charcoal-based portable heat source includes a first combustible, inner, vertical, upright chimney structure, and a second combustible, outer, vertical, upright wall structure surround said chimney structure and an inner chimney flue defined by said chimney structure for receiving air for igniting and burning said charcoal-based heat source. An outer chimney flue defined by the outer wall of said first combustible, inner, vertical, upright chimney structure and the inner wall of said second combustible, outer, vertical, upright, wall structure, said outer chimney for exhausting fumes from said heat source. A removable inner chimney insert provides structural support for the heat source. An ignition ring establishes a sustained ignition to uniformly ignite the charcoal-based fuel.

Abstract: Solid state optoelectronic control apparatus responsive to manual stimulus is presented. The control apparatus comprises: a transmitter (20) having a light source (38) for projecting a beam of light along a path normally directed away from a photo sensitive detector (24); characterised in that the control apparatus further comprises: a receiver (21) for generating an enable pulse having a duration determined by a length of time for which the beam is reflected towards the detector by a digit or similarly reflective article; and conversion means (31) for varying an output signal level (44) as a function of the duration of the enable pulse. The conversion means increases the signal level (44) in response to and during a first enable pulse, and decreases the signal level in response to and during a second enable pulse occurring next to the first enable pulse.