Firelog wrapper having enclosed air pockets and artificial firelog incorporating the same

Abstract

A wrapper for an artificial firelog and an artificial firelog incorporating the same. The wrapper comprises a combustible outer layer and an inner layer having a plurality of air pockets enclosed therein. The inner and outer layers may be wrapped separately around the artificial firelog or they may be bonded together and then wrapped around the firelog. The air pockets of the inner layer may include scented material. As the wrapper burns along with the artificial firelog, the air in the air pockets of the inner layer expands and eventually the air pockets explode individually. The exploding air pockets emit a sound. If the air pockets include a scented material, the scented material is released when the air pockets explode.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to wrappers for firelogs and to artificial firelogs incorporating the same. Specifically, the invention relates to an artificial firelog having a wrapper which includes an inner layer with enclosed air pockets which make a crackling sound when the firelog burns.

2. Background Information

Various types of fuel bodies have been developed, most of which are formed of particulate flammable materials compressed into a predetermined shape. The particulate materials are combined with various binders that maintain the desired final shape of the fuel body. These fuel bodies may additionally contain various types of additives to enhance burning characteristics or to produce colored flames. Certain of these fuel bodies, and in particular the elongated fuel body known as an artificial firelog, are formed of compressed sawdust, coal particles, or other combustible particulate materials. The particulate materials are combined with the binder materials to form a component mixture that is usually passed through a continuous extrusion process wherein the component mixture is compressed within an extrusion bore and is then cut into predetermined lengths to form artificial firelogs. The firelogs are then typically enclosed in a protective outer wrapper made from paper.

Artificial firelogs generate a desirable amount of heat and also create an aesthetically pleasing fire. Inasmuch as the vast majority of homes are built with furnaces or other heating appliances, artificial firelogs are desired for their aesthetic qualities to a greater extent than for their heat generation qualities. As such, much of the design and development efforts employed in producing firelogs are focused on the final aesthetic qualities of the artificial firelog. One of the most important aesthetic qualities desired in an artificial firelog is the reproduction of a crackling sound such as that produced when natural wood logs burn. In previously known artificial firelogs, the crackling sound has typically been created in by including components such as seeds in the firelog mixture. These seeds heat upon as the firelog burns and eventually explode, thereby creating the desired crackling sound. While the previously known firelogs crackle as they burn, there is still a need in the art for an artificial firelog which produces an enhanced crackling sound as it burns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device in accordance with the present invention includes a wrapper, having an inner layer and an outer layer, which is wrapped around a body formed from a mixture of combustible particulate matter and a binder material. The inner layer of the wrapper is made from a plastic film which includes a plurality of air pockets, such as the plastic film sold under the trademark BUBBLE WRAP®. The outer layer of the wrapper is made from a combustible material such as paper. The inner and outer layers may be separately wrapped around the firelog or may be bonded together and then wrapped around the firelog.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of an artificial firelog in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the wrapper through line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a second embodiment of an artificial firelog in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the wrapper through line 3-3- of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention showing a scented material enclosed within the bubbles of the inner layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an artificial firelog 10 wrapped in a wrapper generally indicated at 12. Wrapper 12 comprises an inner layer 14 and an outer layer 16. Inner layer 14 preferably is made from what is commonly known as “bubble-wrap”, i.e., a plastic film with enclosed air pockets 18. Outer layer 16 is made from a combustible material such as paper. Inner and outer layers 14, 16 are bonded together in any suitable manner such as by heat sealing or applying an adhesive therebetween. Inner layer 14 preferably lies in abutting contact with the outer surface 10a of firelog 10. Inner layer 14 may however be separated from outer surface 10a by a layer of air to aid in combustion of firelog 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a second embodiment of artificial firelog, generally indicated at 110, wrapped in a wrapper, generally indicated at 112. Wrapper 112 comprises an inner layer 114 and an outer layer 116. As before, inner layer 114 is made from bubble wrap and outer layer 116 is made from a combustible material such as paper. Inner layer 114 is wrapper around firelog 110 and then outer layer 116 is wrapped around inner layer 114. Inner and outer layers 114, 116 preferably are separated from each other over substantially the entire area of firelog 110. Inner layer 114 may be separated from outer layer 116 by a layer of air. Inner layer 114 preferably lies in abutting contact with outer layer 110a of firelog 110, but may be separated from outer layer 110a by a layer of air.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a third embodiment of a wrapper in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 212. Wrapper 212 comprises an inner layer 214 and outer layer 216. As with the previous embodiment, outer layer 216 is made from a combustible material such as paper. Inner layer 214 is formed from a plastic film and has enclosed air pockets 218 which have a scented material 220 enclosed therein. Scented material 220 may be seeds impregnated with a scent. Alternatively, scented material 220 may be scent pellets or a liquid. The scent can be pine, vanilla, lavender or any other desirable scent. Of course, the scented pellets of FIG. 5 could be added to the inner layer of the first embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, artificial firelog 10 is used in the following manner. (It will be understood that the other embodiments of the firelog are used in substantially the same way.) Artificial firelog 10 is placed on a grate 22 and a flame 24 is applied to outer layer 16 of wrapper 12. As wrapper 16 begins to burn, both outer layer 16 and inner layer 14 heat up and burn. As inner layer 14 heats up, the air inside the individual air pockets 18 expands and the air pockets 18 begin to rupture individually (FIG. 2). As the air pockets 18 rupture, they emit a sound, which to the hearer, sounds like a crackle or minor explosion of the type heard when wood logs burn. The crackling sounds of the individually rupturing air pockets 18 may be augmented by including seeds within the combustible materials of artificial firelog 10. In the embodiments of the invention which include scented materials 220 and 320, as air pockets 218 and 318 heat up, and scented materials 220 and 320 respectively, heat up. When air pockets 318 and 318 rupture, they not only emit a sound, but they also release the scented materials 220 and 320. The firelog therefore has both an enhanced crackling sound and a pleasant scent.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A wrapper for an artificial firelog comprising:

an outer layer; and

an inner layer having a plurality of enclosed air pockets therein.

2. The wrapper as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner layer is adapted to abut the artificial firelog.

3. The wrapper as set forth in claim 2, wherein the inner layer is comprised of a plastic film having a plurality of enclosed air pockets formed therein.

4. The wrapper as set forth in claim 3, wherein the outer layer is comprised of a combustible material.

5. The wrapper as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a scented material enclosed within a plurality of the air pockets.

6. The wrapper as set forth in claim 5, wherein the scented material comprises seeds impregnated with a scented liquid.

7. The wrapper as set forth in claim 6, wherein the scented material comprises scented pellets.

8. The wrapper as set forth in claim 6, wherein the scented material is a liquid.

9. The wrapper as set forth in claim 6, wherein the scented material has a scent selected from the group consisting of pine, vanilla and lavender.

10. The wrapper as set forth in claim 2, wherein the inner and outer layer and bonded together.

11. The wrapper as set forth in claim 2, wherein the inner layer and outer layer are wrapped separately around the artificial firelog.

12. An artificial firelog comprising:

a body formed from a combustible particulate matter;

a binder material;

a wrapper having: an outer layer; and an inner layer having a plurality of enclosed air pockets therein.

13. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 12, wherein the inner layer abuts an outer surface of the body.

14. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 12, wherein the inner layer is comprised of a plastic film having a plurality of enclosed air pockets formed therein.

15. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 13, wherein the outer layer is comprised of a combustible material.

16. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a scented material enclosed within a plurality of the air pockets.

17. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 15, wherein the scented material comprises seeds impregnated with a scented liquid.

18. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 16, wherein the scented material comprises scented pellets.

19. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 16, wherein the scented material is a liquid.

20. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 16, wherein the scented material has a scent selected from the group consisting of pine, vanilla and lavender.

21. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 12, wherein the inner and outer layer and bonded together.

22. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 12, wherein the inner layer and outer layer are wrapped separately around the artificial firelog.

23. The artificial firelog as set forth in claim 12, wherein the combustible material further comprises a plurality of seeds therein.