Abstract: A self-kindling fuel package comprises a combustible container having four planar side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall. The container is constructed from a single planar element which is then folded to create the container. The container receives fuel, an ignitor, and a wick. Openings are provided in the walls of the container to aid in ventilation and drafting. A pull tab in the top wall of the container is selectively displaceable to aid in a "chimney" effect.

Abstract: A campfire producing element includes a hollow housing in which a plurality of layers of combustible material are located. The element has air flow conduits for adjusting the amount and rate of air flowing to the combustible material. A damper unit is associated with each air flow conduit for further adjusting the air flowing into the housing. An igniter unit includes a tubular conduit that extends into the housing and has a plurality of layers of combustible material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting heat from a combustible material are disclosed which include the formation of a solid material strip of the combustible material, the formation of a series of spaced holes in the material strip, and the combustion of the material strip. The method and apparatus are particularly useful when a mixture of coal, clay, and lime is used as the combustible material, and the products of the combustion then include a structurally intact, solid residual strip composed substantially only of dehydrated clay and calcium sulfate, and a fluegas substantially free of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and micro fly-ash. Because of the stable and uniform combustion characteristic, it is also suitable for the co-combustion and reduction of most toxic and solid wastes into safe, recyclable residues.

Abstract: A novel charcoal briquet and ignition means is disclosed. The combustible briquet of the present invention comprises a central mass and at least one easily ignited, thin member extending outwardly from the mass such that upon igniting the thin member, propagation of an ignited region proceeds rapidly to the mass. Also disclosed is a holding member for a combustible briquet having at least one configuration incised in the surface to provide a holding force sufficient to retain the briquet.

Abstract: A fire kindler particularly adapted for ease of ignition and complete combustion so as to render the initiation of a log fire in a fireplace a quick and easy task. The fire kindler comprises a combustible block having a generally V-shaped aperture therethrough and at least one slot extending across the top of the combustible block and downwardly into the block so as to be in fluid communication with the V-shaped aperture.

Abstract: An improved fuel package comprising fuel pieces, a combustible moisture proof container for holding the fuel pieces in a specific shape, and combustible binder/starter composition for binding together some of the fuel pieces into a stack within the container to promote combustion of the fuel pieces when the container is ignited.The invention is also directed toward a method of making the fuel package and hermetically sealing it.

Abstract: An artificial firelog is formed of an elongated flammable body of compressed sawdust and a wax binder which is sealed within a flammable outer protective wrapper. A groove, generally dovetailed-shaped in transverse cross section, extends throughout the longitudinal length of the body in a vertical lower portion of a front surface of the body. The upper portion of the front surface is inclined rearwardly and terminates in a horizontal top surface. The groove forms a venturi air passage within the wrapper interior which creates a draft to accelerate burning of the wrapper and the flammable body along the top of the groove when the wrapper is ignited adjacent one end of the groove. A second groove is formed in the top surface of the body to control the weight of the body during the extrusion forming thereof.

Abstract: Novel, and improved fuel articles having a plurality of novel characteristics and having a typical mass density of 0.6 to 1.2 g/cc and a bulk density of 0.2 to 0.4 times the mass density. The greatest distance dg from a point in the fuel article to the nearest point on the nearest one of the upstanding walls is between 0.15 and 0.60 times the height of the fuel article. Charcoal fuel articles of the invention ignite faster than conventional pillow-shaped charcoal fuel articles and deliver substantially more usable cooking heat flux to the cooking surface of a standard charcoal cooker than do conventional pillow-shaped briquettes. The coal article may have a central body portion having a minor circumference, a plurality of fingers projecting from the central body portion, and a hole in the central body portion. The fingers may have finger ends wherein the ratio of the major circumference defined by the finger ends to the minor circumference is at least about 1.25:1.

Abstract: A self-kindling fuel package includes a readily combustible container having four side walls and a bottom wall. A charge of fuel is held in the container together with an igniting member for igniting the charge of fuel. The igniting member includes a wick, an ignition element to which the wick is secured and an ignition cream which is applied to a surface of the ignition element. The ignition cream is in contact with a portion of the wick for igniting the ignition element.

Abstract: An improved fuel package comprising fuel pieces, a combustible moisture proof container for holding the fuel pieces in a specific shape, and combustible binder/starter composition for binding together a large proportion of the fuel pieces into a stack within the container to promote combustion of the fuel pieces when the container is ignited.The invention is also directed toward a method of making the fuel package and hermetically sealing it.