Lump combustible packaging devices, systems and methods

Abstract

A charcoal or other lump combustible packaging device having a container, a plurality of lump charcoal positioned in the container, and at least one fire starter stick extending from the container. The container is a small, lightweight container that is sealed to prevent charcoal dust from escaping from the container. The container is formed from a combustible material that turn to ash as the fire burns.

Description

LUMP COMBUSTIBLE PACKAGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS ANDMETHODSField of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to devices, systems and methods for packaging lump charcoal. More particularly, this invention relates to lump charcoal containers that are lightweight, clean and / or formed from a combustible material.Background of the Invention

[0002] Loading conventional lump charcoal into a BBQ grill requires that the user opens a large bag of charcoal, typically 10-25 pounds, and pours a desired amount of charcoal into the grill. This process generates a considerable amount of unpleasant dust as the lump falls from the bag into the BBQ grill. After pouring the lump charcoal, the user must rearrange the charcoal manually inside the BBQ grill for effective lighting and cooking. A secondary method of loading lump charcoal into the BBQ grill is to individually pick the lump pieces from the large 10-25-pound bag while it is resting on the ground and manually place them into the BBQ grill. This method, however, is tedious and while less dusty than pouring the lump charcoal, it is still dirty.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need in the industry for devices, systems and methods for packaging lump charcoal containers that are lightweight and / or clean. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described herein.SUMMARY

[0004] The application relates to devices, systems and methods for packaging lump charcoal. More particularly, this invention relates to lump charcoal containers that are lightweight, clean and / or formed from a combustible material.

[0005] In one aspect, the charcoal packaging device of the present application can package lump charcoal into small, manageable containers weighing between approximately (+ / - 20%) 1 and 2, 1 and 2.5 or 1 and 3 pounds. These containers can be easy to hold, easy to place into a BBQ grill, and clean such that any dust created bythe charcoal can be contained inside the container. Thus, the user will not be exposed directly to the charcoal and any dust. Moreover, the user can place a desired amount of charcoal into the BBQ grill without getting dirty. In another aspect, the container can be formed from a combustible material such that once the container and / or charcoal are ignited, the container can burn away.

[0006] In one aspect, a charcoal or combustible lump matter packaging device includes a container, a plurality of lump charcoal or other combustible lump matter in the container and at least one fire starter stick associated with the container.

[0007] The fire starter sticks can be any kind of elongate combustible material that retains its structure well until ignited. At such point it bums generally more readily at lower temperatures than the container and the lump charcoal. Materials for the fire starter stick may be wood, paper or other cellulose based materials but could also be other flammable materials alone or in combination. Some fire starter sticks may have polymeric or natural sap components like from heart wood in pine trees. Generally, the need only be elongate, flammable and have some stiffness to maintain shape during shipping and use to be a fire starter stick.

[0008] The fire stater stick or sticks can be associated with the container in different ways, such as be being attached externally, running through walls of package materials, running along walls of package materials or extending through the package and its internal charcoal. Different combinations of these approaches may be employed, such a fire starter stick through the package and one attached to a wall. Or yet another running within a wall of the container.

[0009] A fire starter stick may extend from the container. For example, the fire starter stick may have an exposed tip extending from an edge of the container. Alternatively, or in addition, the fire starter stick may have a long edge extending from the container.

[0010] A fire starter stick may, optionally or additionally, span the length of the container. An additional fire starter stick could be used that also spans the length of the container. In one instance, these two fire starter sticks could parallel each other for better distribution of combustion to start the charcoal lumps.[OOH] Two fire starter sticks may be used and configured in the shape of an X. To form the X, the two fire starter sticks may extend from a corner to an opposite corner of the container. The ends of the two sticks may terminate within the container or some or all of the ends extend through the corners of the container.

[0012] In another aspect, that may occur alone or be combined with those above, the fire starter stick is embedded in a wall of the container.

[0013] In another aspect, the fire starter stick may avoid extending through the lump combustible.

[0014] In another aspect, the container includes a plurality of wall structures. For this aspect, and additionally for the other aspects where the fire starter stick avoids the lump charcoal, the fire starter stick may extend along or within one of the wall structures.[0015| A second fire starter stick may extend within or along another one of the wall structures. The two wall structures may extend opposite each other.

[0016] One configuration that would have opposite wall structures for instance would be a “ravioli” style configuration where the wall structures would come together at their edges - along with the fire starter sticks themselves.

[0017] When the fire starter sticks are aligned, they and the opposing walls may converge at the peripheral edges, for example, and then connect each other to seal the charcoal packaging device.

[0018] Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

[0019] Related methods of operation are also provided. Other apparatuses, methods, systems, features, and advantages of the charcoal package will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures anddetailed description. It is intended that all such additional apparatuses, methods, systems, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the charcoal package, and be protected by the accompanying claims.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a charcoal packaging device according to one aspect, showing lump charcoal and a plurality of fire starter sticks positioned in a lump charcoal container;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a top sectional view of the lump charcoal container of FIG. 1 ;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a side elevational sectional view of a charcoal packaging device according to a second aspect, showing lump charcoal and a plurality of fire starter sticks positioned in a lump charcoal container;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of a charcoal packaging device according to a third aspect, showing lump charcoal and a single fire starter stick positioned in a lump charcoal container;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a side elevational sectional view of a charcoal packaging device according to a fourth aspect, showing lump charcoal and a plurality of fire starter sticks positioned in a lump charcoal container; and

[0025] FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of the lump charcoal container of FIG. 5.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, and claims, and their previous and following description. Before the present system, devices, and / or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and / or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0027] The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known aspect. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the aspects described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.

[0028] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an “element” includes aspects having two or more such elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0029] Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0030] As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0031] A charcoal packaging device is illustrated in Figures 1 -6, according to various aspects. In one aspect, the charcoal packaging device can comprise a container B, a plurality of lump charcoal A positioned in the container B, and at least one fire starter stick C extending from the container B. The fire starter stick C can be positioned entirely in the container B. Alternatively, or in addition, at least a portionof the fire starter stick C can extend outside and away from the container B. In another aspect, the fire starter stick C can comprise a single stick, as shown in Figure 4. Optionally, or in addition, the fire starter stick C can comprise two sticks, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, or more than two sticks (not shown). In still another aspect, the plurality of starter sticks C can be arranged substantially parallel to each other, as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, or in addition, the plurality of starter sticks C can be positioned at an acute angle relative to each other, as shown in Figure 3. The fire starter sticks C may also be positioned at oblique angles. In yet another aspect, additionally, alternatively or optionally, at least a portion of the fire starter stick C can be embedded in a wall of the container B, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0032] The at least one fire starter stick C can aid in ignition of the lump charcoal A by extending through at least a portion of the container B and by being mixed in with the lump charcoal A. That is, the fire starter stick C can extend through the container B while being surrounded by the lump charcoal A. Optionally, the at least one fire starter stick C can extend from one side of the container B to the other side to optimize exposure of the at least one fire starter stick C to the lump charcoal A. This increased exposure enables charcoal ignition faster and more evenly which then enables the BBQ grill to achieve cooking ready temperatures more quickly. A tip of the at least one fire starter stick C can extend away from the container B so that the tip is exposed to the user to be easily ignited. Tip size and shape can impact ease of ignition. For example, tips with rounded surfaces are easier to ignite than flat surfaces. The exposed portion of the fire starter stick needs enough calorific mass to reliable ignite but not so much mass as to be harder to mediate the transition through the walls of the container. For example, more mass means more cost and more difficulty sewing the edge around the fire starter stick C. Generally, anything less than 0.5 inch in diameter would be too small for reliable ignition and anything over 1.0 inch in diameter would be excessively costly and / or increase difficulty of sewing. This would vary however with the caloric content of the fire starter stick C itself.

[0033] Lump charcoal A and at least one fire starter stick C can be positioned in the container B such that each container B is a relatively small manageable container weighing between about .5 and 25 pounds, between about .5 and 20 pounds, between about .5 and 15 pounds, between about .5 and 10 pounds,between about .5 and 5 pounds, between about 1 and 5 pounds, between about 1 and 3 pounds, between about 1 and 2.5 pounds, or between about 1 and 2 pounds. Each container B can be easy to hold in one hand by a user. Each container B can be easy to place into the BBQ grill with one hand by a user. Each container B can contain the charcoal A and any charcoal dust inside of the container B such that hands of the user are not exposed to the charcoal A or to any charcoal dust. This allows the user to place a desired amount of charcoal A into the BBQ grill without getting dirty.

[0034] In one aspect, the container B can be formed from a combustible material such that, once the charcoal is lit on fire, the container B can burn away. For example, the container B can be formed from paper, cardboard, plastics and the like. Other materials include bamboo, cotton, rice, grass, hemp, wood or corn-based materials or combinations of all of the aforementioned materials. Natural fibers are particularly desired for clean burning, and the fibers could be felted to produce a thicker layer that is more protective or flammable than non-felted fibers.

[0035] The container materials may also be employed in layers for additional strength and improved combustion properties. For example, layers of polymer and paper are particularly combustible, while still being tough for shipping and handling and retaining the charcoal A. The container can be a bag or a more structured shape depending on the desired stacking or combustion properties. Structured shapes for example may be cubic or rectangular with dimensions best adapted for the common sizes of natural lump charcoal.

[0036] In use, a user can place a container B onto a BBQ grill at a desired location. Optionally, the user can add multiple containers B to the grill as desired to control the size of the fire and / or the temperature of the grill. Because the container B or containers B are lightweight, it is easy for any user to add the desired amount charcoal to the grill. Because the container B or containers B are sealed, the user will not get charcoal dust on their hands, clothes and the like when adding the charcoal to the grill.

[0037] With the container B or containers B in the desired position, the user can ignite at least one of the fire starter sticks C extending from one of the containers B. The flame can travel along the fire starter stick C to ignite the lump charcoal Aand the container B itself. That is, igniting the fire starter stick C leads to the charcoal A and the container B also igniting. The container B can then bum so that when the fire is extinguished, the container will be ash that is easily disposed of with ash from the charcoal.

[0038] The containers B can be assembled using a sheet of combustible material that is folded and sealed on its sides where there is no interaction with the fire starter sticks C. The fire starter sticks C could be inserted during the manufacturing process of the containers C before it is filled with charcoal. Alternatively, or in addition, fire starter sticks C could be attached to the containers C after they are filled with charcoal.

[0039] The fire starter sticks C could be clipped, sewn, or glued into the container B. For example, where the fire starter sticks C pass through the container B the container material would be sewn or glued shut around the sticks. In another aspect, or optionally or additionally, a string could be wrapped around the circumference of the first starter stick C, trapping the bag material around the stick and sealing the contents therein. As another option, the sheet material of the container may be coated with a flexible and / or resilient laminate such as a tape or polymer which is more likely to maintain its peripheral integrity around the adjacent stick material. For example, piercing the container B with the stick material is more likely to result in a discretely sized hole matching the cross-sectional shape and size of the stick when coated with the resilient layer.

[0040] Containers B could be formed with flexible sheets into bags that can be packed in multiples of 4X, 6X or 12X (for example) into a larger protective container. The larger container itself could also be flammable and have its own fire starter sticks C. The packaging devices disclosed herein may be used with any lump combustible, not just charcoal. For example, wood chunks, wood pulp compositions, pellets, etc. that are able to fuel fires especially various types of cooking fires.

[0041] Although several aspects of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoingdescription and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific aspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A lump combustible packaging device comprising a container, a pl urality of lump combustible positioned in the container, and at least one fire starter stick extending from the container.

2. The lump combustible packaging device of claim 1, wherein the container, the plurality of lump combustible, and the at least one fire starter stick combined weigh between 1 and 3 pounds.

3. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the container is formed from a combustible material that turns to ash when ignited.

4. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the container is sealed such that particles of lump combustible dust from the lump combustible are contained in the container.

5. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the container ensures that the hands of the user do not get dirty from lump combustible matter.

6. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the at least one fire starter includes a fire starter stick spaning the length of the container and having at least one exposed tip that extends from an edge of the container.

7. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one fire starter stick comprises two fire starter sticks configured in the shape of an X and wherein each of the two fire starter sticks extends from a comer to an opposite comer of the container.

8. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the at least one fire starter stick includes a fire starter stick embedded in a wall of the container.

9. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the at least one fire starter stick includes a fire starter stick that does not extend through the lump combustible.

10. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the container includes a plurality of wall structures and the fire starter stick that does not extend through the lump combustible extends along or within one of the wall structures.

11. The lump combustible packaging device of claim 10, further comprising a second fire starter stick extending along or within another one of the wall structures.

12. The lump combustible packaging device of claim 11, wherein the one and another one of the wall structures extend opposite each other.

13. The lump combustible packaging device of claim 12, wherein the one and another one of the wall structures converge at peripheral edges and are connected to each other to seal the lump combustible packaging device.

14. The lump combustible packaging device of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one fire starter stick comprises two fire starter sticks that extend approximately parallel to each other.

15. A method of assembling a combustible lump matter packaging device comprising allocating a plurality of combustible lump matter between walls of a container and associating a fire starter stick with the container.

16. The method of claim 15 for making lump combustible packaging devices of any one of claims 1-14.

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