Patents by Inventor Rodney K. Sprules

Rodney K. Sprules has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6793697
    Abstract: A solid fuel composition of spent coffee grounds and/or green coffee bean waste, sawdust and a wax binder is useful for manufacturing a fire-log with more flame output. This combination of solid particulate together with wax burns with a natural-sounding sizzling and crackling. The fuel composition also develops cracks as it burns, in much the same way as natural wood logs do. The cracks expose more surface area to combustion air, thereby enhancing flame output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Rodney K. Sprules, Joanne M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020189159
    Abstract: A solid fuel composition of spent coffee grounds and/or green coffee bean waste, sawdust and a wax binder is useful for manufacturing a fire-log with more flame output. This combination of solid particulate together with wax burns with a natural-sounding sizzling and crackling. The fuel composition also develops cracks as it burns, in much the same way as natural wood logs do. The cracks expose more surface area to combustion air, thereby enhancing flame output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Rodney K. Sprules, Joanne M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6113662
    Abstract: A solid burnable fuel composition which contains a major proportion of spent dried coffee grounds is described. The fuel composition includes at least 50% dried spent coffee grounds and a combustible wax which are mixed together and compressed into a suitable shape for combustion. The fuel composition may further include a small amount, 10% or less, of a coking agent useful to control burn rate and to prevent cracking of compressed fuel during combustion. Small amounts of cellulosic material may also be incorporated to improve the structural properties of the composition. Due to its superior heat and flame production, dried spent coffee grounds are an excellent fuel source for processed fuel products such as fire-logs and fuel pellets. The advantage is a hotter, cleaner burn which produces less soot and smoke, releases fewer harmful pollutants and provides a brighter flame over a longer period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Rodney K. Sprules
  • Patent number: 5910454
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid burnable fuel composition which contains a major proportion of spent dried coffee grounds for forming into high density pellets, synthetic fire-logs and fire kindling products. A homogeneous mixture of at least 50% coffee, with 30% or less by weight of a combustible binder is compressed and extruded in the form of fire-logs. A pellet fuel comprising entirely coffee provides a higher energy fuel source than prior art fuel sources. Coffee has a higher calorific value than hardwood, providing an efficient fuel material requiring less combustible binder, such as wax, than prior art fire-logs, and offering a higher energy value pellet than wood without added binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventor: Rodney K. Sprules