FIRE STARTER SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A fire starter system; the device is a safe, simple and versatile fire starting recreation and survival tool. The various embodiments each provide a complete fire-starting kit, including a fuel source and igniter used to ignite the fuel source. Furthermore, the device may include a waterproof package containing the fuel source and igniter.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/426,407 filed Nov. 25, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present system relates generally to the field of fire ignition compounds and more specifically relates to fire starter systems.

2. Description of Related Art

Outdoor recreational activities are endless and take place in many different locations and environments. Some examples may include: camping, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, etc. In circumstances, such as may be encountered in an emergency or survival situation, having a fire can often make the difference between life and death. The effects of weather may have an impact on the ability to start and maintain a campfire. Rain, snow, and mud may make it difficult to start a fire due to the moisture in the ground. A suitable solution is desired.

Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in fire ignition art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,053 to Sullivan relates to a method and apparatus for starting fires. The described method and apparatus for starting fires includes an ignitable fire starting system, including the fuel and the means to ignite. A method is disclosed comprised of the steps of soaking a strip of cloth in a liquid fuel and laying one or more sources of ignition on the fuel soaked strip of cloth. The one or more sources of ignition can be one or more matches. The strip of cloth can be divided into a plurality of sections. The fuel soaked strip of cloth and the one or more sources of ignition may be rolled up to form a cylinder. When one wants to start a fire, one may unroll the cylinder and detach a first section of the fuel soaked strip of cloth. The liquid fuel may be a wax such as paraffin. The step of dividing the strip of cloth into a plurality of sections may comprise partially cutting the cloth along first and second lines where the first line and a first end of the cloth are the boundaries for a first section of the cloth and the second line and the first line are the boundaries for a second section of the cloth. If a wax such as paraffin is used, it may be hot, such as above its melting point when the strip of cloth is soaked in it, when the one or more sources of ignition are laid on top of the soaked strip of cloth, and when the soaked strip cloth is rolled up to form a cylinder. The liquid fuel can thereafter be allowed to cool down and harden and then one of the one or more sources of ignition can be ignited to cause the particular source of ignition to ignite. After the liquid fuel is allowed to cool down and harden but before one of the one or more sources of ignition is ignited, excess fuel can be removed from the source of ignition that will be ignited. This prior art is representative of stock materials used as fire starting fuel.

The above-noted patent fails to describe the system as claimed. Thus, a need exists for a reliable a fire starter assembly, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known fire ignition compounds art, the present disclosure provides a novel fire starter system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a fire starter assembly that does not require the user to supply a separate match, lighter, flint, and the like.

A fire starter system is disclosed herein. The fire starter system includes a liquid-impermeable storage package may include a plurality of sealed internal compartments, each one of the sealed internal compartments may have a separable portion adapted to produce an access opening into the sealed internal compartments when the separable portion may be separated; a combustible material disposed within a first one of the sealed internal compartments; a friction-ignitable match disposed within a second one of the sealed internal compartments, the friction-ignitable match usable to ignite the combustible material when lit; and a frictional striking surface located within a third one of the internal compartments, the frictional striking surface configured to enable the igniting of the friction-ignitable match by a user.

A method of assembling a fire starter system is also disclosed herein. The method of using fire starter system may comprise the steps of: providing a liquid-impermeable storage package having a plurality of internal compartments; providing within each one of the internal compartments, a separable portion adapted to produce an access opening into the sealed internal compartments when the separable portion is separated; sealing at least one combustible material within a first one of the sealed internal compartments; sealing a friction-ignitable match within a second one of the sealed internal compartments, the friction-ignitable match usable to ignite the combustible material when lit; and sealing a frictional striking surface within a third one of the internal compartments, the frictional striking surface configured to enable the igniting of the friction-ignitable match by a user. The method may further may comprise the step of arranging the separable portion as a tear-away segment adapted to form the access opening when removed.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a fire starter system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the fire starter system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the fire starter system of FIG. 1, during the ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the fire starter system of FIG. 1, during the ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the fire starter system of FIG. 1, during the ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of an alternate fire-starter device of the fire starter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the fire starter system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partial front view of an alternate fire-starter device of the fire starter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a cross section view through the section 8-8 of FIG. 6 showing the interior of an internal compartment, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a partial front view of an alternate fire-starter device of the fire starter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an alternate fire-starter device of the fire starter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the alternate fire-starter device of FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an alternate fire-starter device of the fire starter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an alternate fire-starter device of the fire starter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an alternate fire-starter device of the fire starter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate fire starter assembly showing the alternate fire starter assembly in a ‘ready to use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the alternate fire starter assembly showing a fire starter packet according to the embodiment of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top cross section view of the alternate fire starter assembly, according to the embodiment of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of an alternate fire-starter device of the fire starter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the alternate fire-starter device of FIG. 18, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of assembling an embodiment of the fire starter system, according to the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a fire ignition compounds and more particularly to a fire starter system and method as used to improve the fire starter system.

Generally, a safe, simple and versatile fire starting recreation and survival tool is disclosed herein. The various embodiments of the present disclosure each provide a “complete” fire-starting kit, including a fuel source and igniter used to ignite the fuel source. Furthermore, the disclosed device may include a waterproof package containing the fuel source and igniter. The igniter may be supplied as a match and striker pad. The fuel source, match, and striker pad may each be contained in separate pockets to comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, thus allowing the fire-starting devices to be transported or stored in a vehicle.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fire starter assembly may comprise a fire starter packet that is configured to be a fire fuel source that is able to be used during outdoor activities when a fire is needed or wanted and the conditions are not conducive to start a traditional fire. When attending an outdoor activity and warmth from a fire is needed, the fire-starter packet provides a fire fuel source can be set on the ground surface, whether there is snow, swampy grasslands, or rainfall saturated ground, and provide a wet-proof holder to start the fire. The product is particularly well suited to individuals wishing to prepare for an unknown circumstance that may occur during an outdoor activity. Thus, the system is well suited to use by serious outdoorsmen.

The fire-starting packages may be subdivided to include a set of isolated pockets. The larger pockets of these designs are allocated to holding the fuel source. The smaller pockets are generally allocated to the storage of one or more matches and a striker-pad. The fuel and ignition elements are kept separate from one another when packaged.

The package may be formed from a flexible liquid-resistant sheet material and may include one or more tear-away opening strips for ease of accessing the interior of the pockets. Some versions of the device may include re-sealable closures to allow the user to re-seal the pockets after opening. The package material may be formed from non-toxic compositions that are environmentally friendly (e.g., bio-degradable corn starch or the like). The package material may include materials that may be safely burned.

The device may be implemented in a number of ways, each one having a particular mode of use. In one arrangement, a user opens the package using the tear-away opening strip to reveal the contents of the package. The user may remove the fuel material and match. The waterproof sheet forming the package may be placed into a fire pit or shallow hole and may act as a barrier to protect the fuel from wet ground and wind. This ensures that a fire can be lit and that a dry support surface is available to start the fire. The fuel material may be placed on the sheet. Next, the head of the match may be inserted into the striker pad pocket. The striker pocket may include a set of opposing strike pads or strips adhered to the interior of the pocket. The strike pads or strips may include gritty sides and may further include at least one co-reactive chemical composition configured to ignite when the match and striking surfaces are frictionally engaged. The user may press down on the tip of the inserted match to increase friction. Quickly withdrawing the match from the pocket causes the match head to catch fire. Once ignited, the match may be used to light fuel material and/or the bag.

An alternate version of the fire-starting kit may include a separate thermal-resistant sheet, a fuel source, and an ignitor. As above, alternate fire starter assembly may be configured to be placed on a ground surface or other surface suitable for sustaining a fire. The thermal-resistant sheet may be formed as a parachute-shaped sheet that may be placed in a shallow hole. The thermal-resistant sheet may be configured in a plurality of shapes and sizes. Further, the thermal-resistant sheet may be water-proof and heat-resistant so if the ground surface is damp or wet, a fire is able to be made without interference from moisture on the ground. The fuel source may be configured to be a packet. The fuel source may be made of singularly or in combination of woodchips, petroleum jelly, wax, cotton and the like. The fuel source packet may be structured and arranged in a plurality of sizes and dimensions. In addition, the fire starter assembly may include an ignition source, thus removing the need to have matches or a lighter to start a fire.

The packet may have a top surface and at least one side surface. The top surface may be defined by an inner volume having a base and at least one side surface. The inner volume may further comprise a pocket. The pocket may comprise an igniter having a first striker pad, a second striker pad, a pull-tab, and a spacer. The pull-tab may be configured to be removably-attached between the first striker pad and the second striker pad. The spacer may be configured to provide an air space between the first striker pad and the base of the inner volume, the air space useful for providing oxygen to start and feed a fire.

The pull-tab may have a first end and a second end, and the pull-tab may be substantially made of environmentally-friendly, and alternately other materials. The first end may be configured to with a loop-grip to pull with fingers. The second end may be configured to ignite when frictionally-removed from between the first striker pad and the second striker pad by making a spark to ignite the fire starter packet. The pocket may include the igniter having the first striker pad, the second striker pad, and the pull-tab and may be attached to the inner volume of the fire starter packet with stitching to retain the first striker pad, the second striker pad and the pull-tab in a ready-to-use-condition.

The parachute-shaped sheet may comprise a substantially round shape. The substantially round shape may be configured in a plurality of diameters. The substantially round shape may also be configured with the center able to be placed in a fire pit or shallow hole in the ground with the fire starter packet placed thereupon. The substantially round shape may be made of materials that provide a moisture barrier from the ground and may also have fire-resistant properties when in use with the fire starter packet to make a fire.

A method of using the above-described alternate fire starter assembly may include the steps of placing the parachute-shaped sheet on the ground in a shallow hole, and alternately a fire pit or other surface suitable for sustaining a fire; placing a fire starter packet in the center; gripping the pull-tab; frictionally-removing the pull-tab, which will start the combustion of the fire fuel source; and adding kindling, twigs, and fuel wood about the fire starter assembly to sustain a fire.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-19, various embodiments of a fire starter system 100. FIG. 1 shows a fire-starter device 102A of the fire starter system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device is useful for starting a camp-style fire for purposes of pleasure or for starting a fire in a survival situation where having a fire may be critical for survival.

As illustrated, the fire-starter device 102A may include a liquid-impermeable storage package 104 having a plurality of sealed internal compartments 106 configured to hold a combustible fuel material and igniter elements used to light the combustible fuel. As illustrated, the storage package 104 contains three isolated internal compartments 106. These include a first sealed internal compartment 108, a second sealed internal compartment 110, and a third sealed internal compartment 112.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the fire starter device 102A of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As noted above, each one of the sealed internal compartments 106 may be accessed by removal of a pull-tab strip 114 or similar separable portion. The pull-tab strip 114 is adapted to produce one or more access openings 116 into the sealed internal compartments 106 when the pull-tab strip 114 is removed. The pull-tab strip 114 may include tear-away segments, bands, tape, etc. In the present disclosure, a single pull-tab strip 114 is located along a peripheral edge 118 of the storage package 104. In the depicted arrangement, a user 40 may open the storage package 104 by manually tearing away the pull-tab strip 114 to produce a set of openings allowing access to the contents of the internal compartments.

As illustrated, a combustible fuel material 120 may be disposed within the first sealed internal compartment 108 of the package. A friction-ignitable match 122 may be disposed within the second sealed internal compartment 110, as shown. A frictional striking surface 124 may be located within the third sealed internal compartment 112. The frictional striking surface 124 may be configured to enable the user to ignite the friction-ignitable match 122 by engaging the friction-ignitable match 122 within the third sealed internal compartment 112. The friction-ignitable match 122 may be usable to ignite the fuel material 120 after lighting (as shown in FIG. 4).

After opening the package, the user 40 may remove the fuel material 120 and the friction-ignitable match 122. The friction-ignitable match 122 may include an elongated shaft having a graspable portion and an end portion containing a combustible composition, as shown. The waterproof sheet forming the storage package 104 may be placed into a fire pit or shallow hole and may act as a barrier to protect the fuel from wet ground and wind (see also FIG. 4). The fuel material 120 may be placed on the upper surface of sheet material forming the storage package 104, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Alternately, if the ground is dry, the fuel may be place on any user-selected surface. Other embodiments of the present disclosure may include a larger parachute-like sheet, as disclosed in FIG. 15.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the fire-starter device 102A of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of the fire-starter device 102A of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

After removing and placing the fuel material 120 on the storage package 104, the friction-ignitable match 122 may be used to ignite the combustible fuel material 120. The user 40 may ignite the friction-ignitable match 122 using the frictional striking surfaces 124 located within the third sealed internal compartment 112. As noted above, the third sealed internal compartment 112 may include a set of opposing strike pads or strips adhered to the interior of the pocket (see also FIG. 8). The user may quickly insert and withdraw the match 122 from the third sealed internal compartment 112 to ignite the match 122. The user may press down on the outside of the package to increase friction between the match head and striking surface during the operation.

The ignitable match 122 and the frictional striking surface 124 may include a grit-containing face and may further include at least one co-reactive chemical composition configured to ignite when the match and striking surfaces are frictionally engaged. More specifically, ignitable match 122 and the frictional striking surface 124 may contain a well-known chemical composition commonly used in safety matches. By way of example, the frictional striking surface 124 may contain powdered glass or other abrasive material, red phosphorus, neutralizer, carbon black, and binder; and the match head may be composed of potassium chlorate, with a small amount of sulfur and starch, a neutralizer (ZnO or CaCO3), siliceous filler, diatomite, and glue.

The combustible fuel material 120 may consist of, singularly or in combination, woodchips, petroleum jelly, wax, cotton, paraffin wax, paraffin wax blend, wood pellets, perlite, and the like. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other fuel such as, for example, oils, petroleum distillates, sawdust, alcohols, etc., may be sufficient.

The fire-starter device 102A may be placed on the ground 5 or other surface prior to assembling and placing the components needed to make a camp-style fire, namely a tinder bundle, kindling, twigs, and fuel wood 7, as shown. The fire starter may be used in a plurality of locations and ground surfaces and may be particularly useful for use when the ground surface is damp, rain soaked, snow-covered, and the like.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section view of an alternate fire starter device 102B of the fire starter system 100, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The alternate fire starter device 102B of FIG. 5 may include the above-described features of the prior embodiment; however, the composition of the sheet material forming the package differs in that the sheet material forming the alternate package may utilize a non-hazardous combustible material. This allows the user 40 to light the entire storage package 104 with the combustible fuel material 120 remaining within the interior of the package, as shown. In this arrangement, the combustible sheet material may include moisture-resistive layers, layers impregnated with paraffin or other non-toxic hydrocarbon compounds, etc. In some embodiments, the friction-ignitable match 122 may be supplied as a flexible pull-tab designed to ignite the combustible fuel material 120 when pulled.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the fire-starter device 102A of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 6, the liquid-impermeable package 104 of the fire-starter device 102A may include a front wall 128, a back wall 130 (the back wall 130 being a mirror image of the front wall 128), and a peripheral edge 118 interconnecting the front wall 128 and the back wall 130. Each internal compartment 106 is separated from the others by a continuous seal 132, as shown. The seals 132 may be formed by joining the front wall 128 and the back wall 130 using heat sealing, chemical bonding, mechanical fastening (sewing), or combinations of the aforementioned methods.

The pull-tab strip 114 may include a score line 134 formed within a portion of the peripheral edge 118 adjoining the sealed internal compartments 106. The sheet material at the score line 134 has a strength less than the adjacent regions so that the sheet material will tear along the score line 134 and the pull-tab strip 114 will separate along its length with the tearing of the sheet. The score line 134 may include end notches 136 configured to facilitate commencement of tearing of the separable pull-tab strip 114.

The peripheral edge 118 of the package may include a top edge 138, a bottom edge 140, a first side edge 142, and a second side edge 144. In the present disclosure, the first sealed internal compartment 108, the second sealed internal compartment 110, and the third sealed internal compartment 112 each adjoin a contiguous portion of the peripheral edge 118, as shown. The separable portion forming the pull-tab strip 114 may be configured to extend along the contiguous portion such that the access openings into sealed internal compartments may be concurrently produced by the removal of the pull-tab strip 114. More specifically, at least one portion of the first sealed internal compartment 108, the second sealed internal compartment 110, and the third sealed internal compartment 112 adjoin the top edge 138, as shown. Furthermore, the second sealed internal compartment 110 adjoins the first side edge 142 and the third sealed internal compartment 112 adjoins the second side edge 144, as shown. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other compartment arrangements such as, for example, including internal pockets or compartments, including additional pockets or compartments, providing fewer pockets or compartments, etc., may be sufficient.

The flexible sheet materials forming the liquid-impermeable package may include one or more plastics. The plastics may include High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE), Polystyrene, Polypropylene (PP), BoPET (Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, also known as Mylar), and the like. Alternately, the flexible sheet materials forming the liquid-impermeable package may consist of at least one bio-degradable material. Biodegradable materials may include treated paper, cardboard, compostable bio-plastics, starches, other cellulose compositions, biopolymers, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows a partial front view of an alternate fire-starter device 102C of the fire starter system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the fire-starter device 102C may include a pull-tab strip 114 formed within a portion of the peripheral edge 118 adjoining the sealed internal compartments 106. In some versions of the device, the pull-tab strip 114 may include a loop-grip 133 to assist in pulling with fingers.

The depicted alternate fire-starter device 102C may further comprise a re-sealable closure 131 extending along the peripheral edge adjoining the sealed internal compartments. The re-sealable closure 131 may be implemented as a set of interlocking plastic strips such as found on zipper storage bags.

FIG. 8 shows a cross section view through the section 8-8 of FIG. 6 showing the interior of third sealed internal compartment 112, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As noted above, the friction-ignitable match 122 and frictional striking surface 124 may comprise at least one co-reactive chemical composition configured to ignite when the friction-ignitable match and frictional striking surface are frictionally engaged. The frictional striking surface 124 may include a set of opposing strike pads adhered to the inside of the third sealed internal compartment 112. The set of opposing strike pads are structured and arranged to permit the friction-ignitable match 122 to be inserted and removed therebetween. The user may press down on the third sealed internal compartment 112 to increase friction between the inserted match and frictional striking surfaces. Quickly withdrawing the match from the striker compartment ignites the match head. Once ignited, the match may be used to light the fuel material.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of an alternate fire starter device 102D of the fire starter system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the alternate fire starter device 102D may include all of the features of the embodiment of FIG. 1; however, the alternate fire starter device 102D includes an alternate arrangement of sealed internal compartments 106, as shown. Here, the first sealed internal compartment 108 adjoins the top edge 138 and the second sealed internal compartment 110 and the third sealed internal compartment 112 each adjoin the bottom edge 140, as shown. The alternate fire starter device 102D also includes two pull-tab strips 114 located along the top edge 138 and bottom edge 140 respectively.

The alternate fire starter device 102D may further include a line of perforations 146 formed within a peripheral edge of the sealed internal compartments 106, the line of perforations 146 surrounded by the moisture-impervious seal 132 configured to prevent the passage of moisture through the line of perforations 146. The line of perforations 146 may allow a user to separate the sealed internal compartments 106 from one another. In some embodiments, the line of perforations 146 may be used in place of the score line 134.

FIG. 10 shows a front perspective view of an alternate fire starter device 102E of the fire starter system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 shows a front view of the alternate fire starter device 102E of FIG. 10. As above, the alternate fire starter device 102E may include all of the features of the embodiment of FIG. 1; however, the alternate fire starter device 102E may include another alternate arrangement of sealed internal compartments 106. Here, the first sealed internal compartment 108 is joined with the second sealed internal compartment 110 and the third sealed internal compartment 112 along the top edge 138 only. Removal of the pull-tab strip 114 may separate the first sealed internal compartment 108 from the second sealed internal compartment 110 and the third sealed internal compartment 112, as shown in FIG. 11. Removal of the pull-tab strip 114 may also function to open the sealed internal compartments 106.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of an alternate fire starter device 102F of the fire starter system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the alternate fire starter device 102F may include all of the features of the embodiment of FIG. 1; however, the alternate fire starter device 102F may include an alternate arrangement of sealed internal compartments 106, as shown. Here, the first sealed internal compartment 108, the second sealed internal compartment 110, and the third sealed internal compartment 112 each adjoin both the top edge 138 and the bottom edge 140, as shown.

According to one embodiment, the fire starter system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. The kit 105 may include a set of instructions 155. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the fire starter system 100 (such that the fire starter system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

FIG. 13 shows a front view of an alternate fire starter device 102G of the fire starter system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the alternate fire starter device 102G may include the features of the embodiment of FIG. 1; however, the alternate fire starter device 102G may be supplied with only two sealed internal compartments 106, as shown. Here, the first sealed internal compartment 108 may contain the combustible fuel material 120. The second sealed internal compartment 110 may contain an alternate igniter, such as a friction-ignitable match having a “strike-anywhere” chemical composition. The second sealed internal compartment 110 may contain other ignition apparatus. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other ignition arrangements such as, for example, using an electrical ignitor having a battery configured to heat a thin metallic strip when triggered, chemical compositions formulated to ignite when mixed, etc., may be sufficient.

FIG. 14 shows a front view, in partial section, of an alternate fire starter device 102H of the fire starter system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the alternate fire starter device 102H may include the features of the embodiment of FIG. 1; however, the alternate fire starter device 102H may include an alternate arrangement of sealed internal compartments 106, as shown. Here, the first sealed internal compartment 108 may be designed to contain the second sealed internal compartment 110, as shown.

The storage package of above-described embodiments may be produced in various sizes. For convenience of use, the storage package may have an outer dimension of about five inches square. It should be appreciated that the all of above-described embodiments could take a variety of other forms, for example, embodiments of the fire starter system 100 may be of larger or smaller sizes and may be formed in alternate shapes. Those in the art will understand that a number of variations may be made in the disclosed embodiments, all without departing from the scope of the disclosed system.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate fire starter assembly 200 of the fire starter system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 shows the alternate fire starter assembly 200 in a ‘ready to use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present system. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the alternate fire starter assembly 200 showing a fire starter packet 202 according to the embodiment of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a top cross section view of the alternate fire starter assembly 200, according to the embodiment of FIG. 15.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 15, a fire starter assembly 200. As above, the device is useful for starting a camp-style fire for purposes of pleasure or for starting a fire in a survival situation where having a fire may be critical for survival. The alternate fire starter assembly 200 may be removed from a sealed liquid-impermeable package (similar to the arrangement depicted in FIG. 1) and placed on the ground or other surface prior to assembling and placing the components needed to make a camp-style fire, namely a tinder bundle, kindling, twigs, and fuel wood. The alternate fire starter assembly 200 may include a fire starter packet 202 a thermal-resistant sheet 204 and an ignitor 212. The fire starter packet 202 is able to be placed on a thermal-resistant sheet 204. The thermal-resistant sheet 204 may comprise a substantially round shape. The substantially round shape may also be configured with the center able to be placed in a fire pit or shallow hole in the ground with the fire starter packet placed thereupon. The substantially round shape may be made of materials that provide a moisture barrier from the ground and may also have fire-resistant properties when in use with the fire starter packet to make a fire. When placed in a fire pit or shallow hole in the ground, the parachute-shaped sheet may provide wind protection to ensure the fire starter packet and subsequent fire are able to sustain the fire. In addition, the substantially round shape may be configured in a plurality of diameters.

Referring again to FIG. 16, showing the substantially cuboid shape of the fire starter packet 202. As described above, the alternate fire starter assembly 200 may include the igniter 212 as the ignition source and a user may not need to have additional matches or a lighter to start the fire. The fire starter packet 202 may be configured in a plurality of sizes, and alternately a plurality of shapes. The fire starter packet 202 may contain the previously-described combustible fuel material 120. As above, the combustible fuel material 120 may be made of, singularly or in combination, wood chips, petroleum jelly, wax, cotton, and the like. The fire starter packet 202 may have a top surface and at least one side surface. The top surface may be defined by an inner volume 208. The inner volume 208 may include a base and at least one side surface. The inner volume 208 may further define a secondary internal compartment identified herein as pocket 210.

In continuing to refer to FIG. 16, the pocket 210 may comprise a friction igniter, having a first striker pad 216, a second striker pad 218, and a pull-tab strip 214. The pull-tab strip 214 may be removably-attached between the first striker pad 216 and the second striker pad 218. A spacer may be included within the pocket 210 to provide an air space between the first striker pad 216 and the base of the inner volume, the air space useful for providing oxygen to start and feed the fire.

As above, the first striker pad 216, the second striker pad 218, and the pull-tab strip 214 may contain at least one co-reactive chemical composition configured to ignite when the pull-tab strip 214 and striker pads are frictionally engaged. By way of example, the first striker pad 216 and the second striker pad 218 may incorporate materials including red phosphorus, powdered glass, and an adhesive such as gum arabic or urea formaldehyde and configured to form a rough surface. The pull-tab strip 214 may be a pliable plastic having a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured to be a loop-grip to pull with fingers and may be initially be affixed to the outside of the product. The second end may be configured to be covered in a friction-ignitable compound containing antimony trisulfide, potassium chlorate, sulfur, powdered glass, inert fillers, and glue. As in the above-described embodiments, second end may be able to ignite when frictionally-removed from between the first striker pad 216 and the second striker pad 218 by making a spark to ignite the fire starter packet. The pull-tab strip 214 may further be substantially made of environmentally-friendly, and alternately, other materials.

Referring again to FIG. 17 showing a sectional view through the section 17-17 of FIG. 16. Here, the substantially cuboid-shaped packet 205 is illustrated in particular detail including the inner volume and the pocket 210. The pocket 210 may have the igniter 212, which may include a first striker pad 216, a second striker pad 218, and the pull-tab strip 214 and may be attached to the inner volume of the fire starter packet 202 with stitching. The fire starter packet 202 may be configured in a plurality of sizes, and alternately a plurality of shapes, to allow for a customizable fire size. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other packet arrangements such as, for example, cuboid packets consisting of two or more inner pockets self-contained within the packet, wherein the cuboid packet could be sealed at the top with an option to have a tear away seal, similar to a re-sealable zipper bag, wherein the self-contained pockets and/or tear away seals could be placed on any side of the cuboid packet or on multiple sides, wherein two or more self-contained pockets within the cuboid packet would have their openings overlap the seal at the top of the cuboid packet, wherein when the seal is torn and pulled away from the packet the opening of the two pockets are exposed giving access to the inside of the self-contained pockets which would hold both the pull tab and the striker pad, etc., may be sufficient.

A method of using the fire starter assembly 200 may include the steps of removing the above-noted components from a liquid-impermeable storage package; placing the parachute-shaped sheet on the ground in a shallow hole, and alternately a fire pit or other surface suitable for sustaining a fire; placing the substantially cuboid packet in the center; gripping the pull-tab; frictionally-removing the pull-tab to generate heat that will convert the red phosphorus into white phosphorus that will subsequently react with the potassium chlorate and produce enough heat to ignite the antimony trisulfide and start the combustion of the fire fuel source; and adding kindling, twigs, and fuel wood about the fire starter assembly to sustain a fire. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the fire starter assembly may vary upon manufacturing.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of an alternate fire-starter device 300 of the fire starter system 100, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the alternate fire starter device 300 may include the features of the embodiment of FIG. 1; however, the alternate fire starter device 300 may include an alternate liquid-impermeable storage package 304. Here, the liquid-impermeable storage package 304 may be arrange in the form of a box-shaped container having a removable lid 306 arranged to slide over and cover an internal compartment of the box, as shown. The internal compartment may contain the second sealed internal compartment 110 and the combustible fuel material 120 in solid form, as shown. In other versions of the device, the second sealed internal compartment 110 and the combustible fuel material 120 may be stored in a pull-out drawer (not shown).

The alternate liquid-impermeable storage package 304 may be constructed from a rigid material. Moreover, the composition of the sheet material forming the alternate liquid-impermeable storage package 304 may be constructed from at least one non-hazardous combustible material, thus allowing the user 40 to light the entire alternate fire starter device 300, as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the alternate fire-starter device 300 of FIG. 18, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An exterior side of the liquid-impermeable storage package 304 may include the frictional striking surface 124, as shown. The frictional striking surface 124 may be configured to enable the user to ignite the friction-ignitable match 122 by drawing the friction-ignitable match 122 across the frictional striking surface 124. The friction-ignitable match 122 may then be used to ignite the liquid-impermeable storage package 304 containing the fuel material 120 (see also FIG. 18). In this arrangement, the combustible sheet material may include moisture-resistive layers, layers impregnated with paraffin or other non-toxic hydrocarbon compounds, etc. In some embodiments of the system, the friction-ignitable match 122 may be supplied as a flexible pull-tab designed to ignite the combustible fuel material 120 when pulled.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of assembling a fire starter 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of assembling a fire starter 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a liquid-impermeable storage package may have a plurality of internal compartments; step two 502, providing within each one of the internal compartments, a separable portion adapted to produce an access opening into the sealed internal compartments when the separable portion may be separated; step three 503, sealing at least one combustible material within a first one of the sealed internal compartments; step four 504, sealing a friction-ignitable match within a second one of the sealed internal compartments, the friction-ignitable match usable to ignite the combustible material when lit; and step five 505, sealing a frictional striking surface within a third one of the internal compartments, the frictional striking surface configured to enable the igniting of the friction-ignitable match by a user. The method 500 further may comprise the step six 506, of arranging the separable portion as a tear-away segment adapted to form the access opening when removed.

It should be noted that step 506 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 18 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for the fire starter system 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the system described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A fire starter system, the system comprising:

a liquid-impermeable storage package including a plurality of sealed internal compartments, each one of said sealed internal compartments having a separable portion adapted to produce an access opening into said sealed internal compartments when said separable portion is separated;

a combustible material disposed within a first one of said sealed internal compartments;

a friction-ignitable match disposed within a second one of said sealed internal compartments, the friction-ignitable match usable to ignite the combustible material when lit; and

a frictional striking surface located within a third one of said internal compartments, the frictional striking surface configured to enable the igniting of the friction-ignitable match by a user.

2. The fire starter system of claim 1, wherein each one of said sealed internal compartments is fully isolated from the others.

3. The fire starter system of claim 1, wherein the liquid-impermeable package includes a front wall, a back wall, and a peripheral edge interconnecting the front wall and the back wall.

4. The fire starter system of claim 1, wherein the separable portion comprises a tear-away segment extending along a portion of said sealed internal compartments.

5. The fire starter system of claim 4, wherein the tear-away segment comprises a line of perforations formed within peripheral edge, the line of perforations surrounded by a moisture-impervious seal configured to prevent the passage of moisture through the line of perforations.

6. The fire starter system of claim 4, wherein the tear-away segment comprises a score line formed within a portion of the peripheral edge adjoining said sealed internal compartments.

7. The fire starter system of claim 6, wherein the score line comprise end notches configured to facilitate commencement of tearing of the separable portion.

8. The fire starter system of claim 6, further comprising a resealable closure extending along the peripheral edge adjoining said sealed internal compartments.

9. The fire starter system of claim 3, wherein said peripheral edge includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge.

10. The fire starter system of claim 1, wherein

the first one, the second one, and the third one of said sealed internal compartments each adjoin a contiguous portion of the peripheral edge; and

the separable portion is configured to extend along the contiguous portion said that the access openings into the first one, the second one and the third one of said sealed internal compartments may be concurrently produced by the removal of the separable portion.

11. The fire starter system of claim 9, wherein the first one, the second one and the third one of said sealed internal compartments each adjoin the top edge.

12. The fire starter system of claim 1, wherein

the friction-ignitable match and frictional striking surface comprise at least one co-reactive chemical composition configured to ignite when the friction-ignitable match and frictional striking surface are frictionally engaged; and

the friction-ignitable match comprises an elongated shaft having a graspable portion and an end portion containing at least one component of the at least one co-reactive chemical composition.

13. The fire starter system of claim 12, wherein the frictional striking surface comprises a set of opposing strike pads adhered to the inside of the third one of said internal compartments, the set of opposing strike pads structured and arranged to permit the friction-ignitable match to be inserted and removed therebetween.

14. The fire starter system of claim 9, wherein the second one and the third one of said internal compartments each adjoin the top edge and the bottom edge.

15. The fire starter system of claim 14, wherein the second one of said internal compartments adjoins the first side edge and the third one of said internal compartments adjoins the second side edge.

16. The fire starter system of claim 1, wherein the liquid-impermeable package is formed from at least one bio-degradable material.

17. A fire starter system, the system comprising:

a liquid-impermeable storage package including a plurality of sealed internal compartments, each one of said sealed internal compartments having a separable portion adapted to produce an access opening into said sealed internal compartments when said separable portion is separated;

a combustible material disposed within a first one of said sealed internal compartments;

a friction-ignitable match disposed within a second one of said sealed internal compartments, the friction-ignitable match usable to ignite the combustible material when lit; and

a frictional striking surface located within a third one of said internal compartments, the frictional striking surface configured to enable the igniting of the friction-ignitable match by a user;

wherein each one of said sealed internal compartments is fully isolated from the others;

wherein the liquid-impermeable package includes a front wall, a back wall, and a peripheral edge interconnecting the front wall and the back wall;

wherein the separable portion comprises a tear-away segment extending along a portion of said sealed internal compartments;

wherein the tear-away segment comprises a score line formed within a portion of the peripheral edge adjoining said sealed internal compartments;

wherein the score line comprise end notches configured to facilitate commencement of tearing of the separable portion;

wherein said peripheral edge includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge;

wherein the first one, the second one, and the third one of said sealed internal compartments each adjoin a contiguous portion of the peripheral edge; and the separable portion is configured to extend along the contiguous portion said that the access openings into the first one, the second one and the third one of said sealed internal compartments may be concurrently produced by the removal of the separable portion;

wherein the friction-ignitable match and frictional striking surface comprise at least one co-reactive chemical composition configured to ignite when the friction-ignitable match and frictional striking surface are frictionally engaged; and the friction-ignitable match comprises an elongated shaft having a graspable portion and an end portion containing at least one component of the at least one co-reactive chemical composition; and

wherein the frictional striking surface comprises a set of opposing strike pads adhered to the inside of the third one of said internal compartments, the set of opposing strike pads structured and arranged to permit the friction-ignitable match to be inserted and removed therebetween;

18. The fire starter system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and

wherein the fire starter system is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of assembling a fire starter, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a liquid-impermeable storage package having a plurality of internal compartments;

providing within each one of said internal compartments, a separable portion adapted to produce an access opening into said sealed internal compartments when said separable portion is separated;

sealing at least one combustible material within a first one of said sealed internal compartments;

sealing a friction-ignitable match within a second one of said sealed internal compartments, the friction-ignitable match usable to ignite the combustible material when lit; and

sealing a frictional striking surface within a third one of said internal compartments, the frictional striking surface configured to enable the igniting of the friction-ignitable match by a user.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of arranging the separable portion as a tear-away segment adapted to form the access opening when removed.