FI ELD OF THE I NVENTI ON

The Present I nvention relates to a fire transm ission device suitable for transm itting fire to adjacent combustible materials. The invention also relates to a kit composed of a fire transm ission device and a suitable fire lighting element.

I n particular, the invention is situated in the technical field of combustion devices for igniting and lighting fires C10L1 1 /06 and C10L5/44.

BACKGROUN D

There are many different fire transm ission devices and methods known to be able to transfer fires, for exam ple to ignite a wood fire. Traditionally, a fire is ignited with paper or cardboard, which creates an initial flame that ignites small woods or twigs sorted next to it and above it. Once ignited, these in turn ignite larger pieces of material that are more difficult to ignite and that burn for a longer time, such as cleaved pieces of wood, stumps of wood or also logs.

Nowadays, fire accelerators are mostly used, in the form of so-called firelighters, which are stacked between smaller pieces of wood. These fire accelerators have compact shapes and are made of a m ixture of naturally combustible materials, such as a combination of oil and wood shavings.

Finally, quite recently, there are also 'super starters' on the market, which consist of a com bustible paper coating, containing a pressed solid fuel (‘briquette’), which consists of combustible materials such as a m ixture of (natural) oils or fats and (wood) fibers.

I n general, for a good and smoke-free ignition, the methods mentioned above require the use of small wood or twigs that are stacked according to a certain method. There are two basic methods for this.

I n the traditional method, kindling wood is placed crosswise at the bottom of the fire base. A sufficient number of firelighters and/or paper are then placed in between the kindling wood. Further, two to three fine logs are placed on the kindling wood at a small distance from each other. Finally, once the fire has been ignited, one or more large logs are placed on top of the fire. Due to the imperfect ignition of the larger pieces of wood and the obstruction of a good air circulation to and around the kindling wood, a lot of smoke is easily generated with this method.

With the reverse method, the 'top down method' or 'Swiss method', to ignite the fire, the smallest combustible material is placed on top, and the larger logs at the bottom . The advantage of this method of combustion is that, from the very start, an almost complete combustion arises, which quickly causes fire without a lot of harmful smoke due to the imperfect ignition. The speed and success of a good ignition of the fire (even when using super starters) depends on a number of factors, such as the kind of fire, the firelighters, the amount of smaller pieces of wood, the amount of wood logs, the kind of wood, the way in which the wood is stacked, etc... Even external circumstances can have an im pact; for example, in cold and hum id weather, flue gases can 'kick back' when igniting a fire because the chim ney has not yet warmed up. After all, the chimney can only draw well when the inside is warmer than the open air. Often the chim ney is heated prior by rolling up a piece of newspaper into a torch and holding it burning in the stove or in the wood fire. Igniting an outer fire can be hindered by weather conditions such as wind.

I mperfect com bustion is a problem for the environment; it releases harmful flue gases and more fine dust than with good com bustion. For example, imperfect combustion also leads for example to soot and dust particles hitting the windows of the stove, thus reducing the visibility of the fire.

Those who wish to ignite the stove or fireplace must therefore generally have firelighters, kindling wood and wood logs, which he must stack properly to prevent the development of visible flue gases due to imperfect combustion, and whereby he must regularly check the fire during the first quarter of an hour, adjusting and top up if necessary. Additionally, kindling wood is not always enjoyable to bring in or stack at the wood fire, as it leaves wood dust and chips indoors. When igniting coals, briquettes or other combustible materials, sim ilar problems arise. As an example, reference can be made to igniting coals or briquettes for barbecues, which often goes hand in hand with the development of smoke because, for example, the initial firelighter is placed underneath the coals or briquettes, or they are poured over the firelighter, which leads to imperfect combustion and the development of smoke. A combustible smoke-free briquette is described in US2006/0162244. The briquette consists of two parts containing air channels. The two parts of the briquette are stacked on top of each other, internally creating a space for the lighting material. The disadvantages are that igniting the briquette due to the internal space is cumbersome, that the briquette contains non-combustible adhesives and that it is not intended for fire transfer.

US2016/0075960 describes a torch intended for fire transm ission. The torch has a central bore with lighting material in one or more locations. These locations have air supply via a radial channel. With this solution, there are no additional vertical channels that boost equal combustion of the torch, which is detrimental for the fire transm ission.

The invention in US2013/0247455 is a combustible object for starting a fire. I t consists of a log containing at least one vertical channel and at least one horizontal channel for air supply. I n this form , the object is not optim ized for a quick and equal combustion and fire transm ission.

US201 1 /0126452 describes a simple combustible object with a vertical internal cavity, with a radial channel for air supply at the bottom . The object burns equally from the inside to the outside. It is intended to burn long and not for fire transm ission.

JPS5774951 is the description of a briquette with a hole containing a lighting plate. There are air channels in the briquette, in the lighting plate and between both parts. The inside of the hole is covered with and the lighting plate consists of specific ignition materials. The lighting plate ignites the briquette, but is not intended to transm it fire to other com bustible materials.

The invention aims to solve at least some of the disadvantages mentioned above. It aims at a successful and simple fire transm ission without preparation and independent of the user’s knowledge of igniting fires in the most natural and simplest way possible, and this without the need for kindling wood, only with the help of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE I NVENTI ON

The invention provides therefore a fire transmission device according to claim 1 , namely a fire transm ission device m ade of a combustible m aterial capable of transm itting fire to adjacent combustible materials such as cokes, wood, wood pellets, charcoal, coconut or other briquettes, being made of a block shaped combustible material having two levels, an upper and a lower level; the upper level having standing openings, indentations or bores and the lower level having recumbent openings, indentations or grooves whereby continuous air channels are provided throughout the two levels. I n a preferred embodiment, the fire transm ission device contains a fire lighting element in a vertical opening, also called a firelighter in this application, which in a preferred embodiment should preferably be slightly recessed in this opening.

The invention thus responds to the problems described in the technical background, by providing a solid form of a combustible device with optimal shape and optimal airflows.

The invention is simple to use, requires no use of newspaper or cardboard, no small pieces of wood or twigs, no stacking of small pieces of wood and wood logs in the fireplace or stove, and only one firelighter (whether or not integrated in the invention) to ignite a fire. The invention ensures by its shape optimal airflows so that smoke hardly develops, which is better for the environment. Because hardly any smoke is produced when igniting the fire, the window of the stove needs less cleaning. The invention protects the firelighter against the wind. The invention reduces the risk of flue gas kickbacks, even on cold winter days. The invention takes up almost no space and keeps the surroundings of the stove or fireplace cleaner than is the case with the stacking of kindling wood and twigs. It is, in an embodiment, a 1 00% natural product, made from branches, easy to produce, and thus meets environmental concerns. The invention increases the combustible surface. With the invention, the fire ignites easily, quickly and in a way that is beautiful to look at.

The device is preferably ignited through the firelighter. The ignition consecutively first ensures the initial heating of the chim ney, then an optimal ignition of the device and finally a smooth ignition of the larger combustible m aterial on the basis of the aforementioned Swiss method, without further kindling wood being required.

I n the same way, a barbecue can be ignited by putting the invention on charcoal or on top of a so-called charcoal starter filled with charcoal, coconut or other briquettes, or other combustible material that is more difficult to ignite because of its size itself. The invention can also be dimensioned so that there is sufficient com bustible material on hand, in order that it is not necessary to refill the barbecue with other combustible material, e.g. for cooking the meat. The invention can therefore be used to ignite all types of fire, such as a wood fire, stove, outer fire, barbecue, etc. These devices can be filled with all classically used combustible materials, such as wood, coal, briquettes of lignite, charcoal, compressed wood waste or biomass (or a combination of those) .

The invention preferably consists of a natural m aterial, e.g. a piece of wood, in which in two levels standing indentations or openings, or more specifically vertical, and recumbent indentations or openings, or more specifically horizontal, openings are made that are connected by an air connection. These openings and holes combine three aspects: solidity, optimal airflows and an optim al arrangem ent of the wood around the indentations, thereby increasing the combustible outer surface that serves as kindling wood.

Preferably, the invention includes a small firelighting elem ent according to claim 2 in the form of an adapted firelighter, preferably made of 1 00% natural materials, which is inserted into the intersection of a recumbent and standing indentation and which provides the initial flame. Due to the shape of the invention, airflows cause the invention and the combustible material to ignite quickly. I n addition, the optimal ignition produces a m inimum of smoke, so that less toxic substances are produced by imperfect combustion.

The invention can be placed on top of the combustible materials to ignite the combustible m aterials according to the Swiss method. The height of the flame and the speed of ignition are regulated by the shape of the invention, as well as the shape and position of the firelighter.

Specific preferred embodiments of the invention relate to devices according to any of the dependent claims 3- 12. I n a preferred em bodiment, the invention relates to a wooden cylindrical segment from a trunk or branch in which the indentations or openings are made by means of drilling, sawing and/or m illing adjustments.

I n another preferred embodiment, the invention relates to pre-processed alternatives m ade from charcoal, compressed (waste) wood, cardboard, biomass or any other highly combustible product or combination of products. I n a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to alternatives made of pressed charcoal, briquettes or other combustible materials, which not only perm its to, for example, ignite a barbecue, but also to have sufficient combustible material due to the solid shape and size of the invention, so that, only with the help of the invention, the barbecue is ignited and becomes sufficiently hot to start cooking food, without refilling the barbecue with coals or briquettes, which is accompanied by the development of smoke.

DESCRI PTI ON OF FI CURES

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail, referring to drawings that are not restrictive, and wherein references to identical reference num bers in different drawings indicate identical elements, and wherein:

FI G 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention in a simple cylindrical shape, with two levels, viewed from below at an oblique angle, with three circular openings and two indentations. FI G 1 A is a top plan view of FI G 1 ; FI G 1 B is a side view of FI G 1 ; FI G 1 C is a bottom view of FI G 1 .

FI G 2 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention in a cylindrical shape, with two levels, viewed from below at an oblique angle, with five circular openings and six indentations, where each opening has two indentations connected. FI G 2 A is a top plan view of FI G 2; FI G 2 B is a side view of FI G 2; FI G 2 C is a bottom view of FI G 2.

FI G 3 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention in a cylindrical shape, with two levels, viewed from below at an oblique angle, with five circular openings and six indentations, where each opening, except for the m iddle one, has three indentations connected. FI G 3 A is a top plan view of FI G 3; FI G 3 B is a side view of FI G 3; FI G 3 C is a bottom view of FI G 3.

FI G 4 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention in a square shape, with two levels, viewed from below at an oblique angle, with nine square openings and six indentations, where each opening has two indentations connected. FI G 4 A is a top plan view of FI G 4; FI G 4 B is a side view of FI G 4; FI G 4 C is a bottom view of FI G 4.

FI G 5 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention in a square shape, with three levels, viewed from below at an oblique angle, with nine circular openings and six indentations, where each opening has two indentations connected. FI G 5 A is a top plan view of FIG 5; FI G 5 B is a side view of FIG 5; FI G 5 C is a bottom view of FIG

5.

FI G 6 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention in an oval shape, with two levels, viewed from below at an oblique angle, with twenty-one circular openings and eight indentations, where each opening has two indentations connected. FI G 6 A is a top plan view of FIG 6; FI G 6 B is a side view of FIG 6; FI G 6 C is a bottom view of FIG 6. FI G 7 shows a use of the invention according to FI G 2 to ignite a wood fire.

FI G 8 shows a use of the invention according to FI G 2 to ignite coals or briquettes.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTI ON OF THE I NVENTI ON

The present invention will now be described in more detail, referring to examples or drawings that are not restrictive.

According to a first embodiment, the invention relates to a cylindrical piece of wood with a height h, consisting of two levels, in which the device has, at a upper side, with a height hi (the first level or upper level), at least one or more bores or standing holes (openings) with a depth of at least hi to h, and has, at the opposite lower side (the second level or lower level), at least one or more recumbent grooves ('indentations) of a height h2, wherein the sum of the heights h1 + h2 is equal to h, and the openings and indentations are connected to each other forming continuous air channels. The bores should preferably extend axially.

FI G 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention in a simple cylindrical shape, with two levels, level 1 (1 01 ) and level 2 (102), in which at least one opening has been made (1 04), in this case three (104 and 105), which cross both levels, and at least one indentation has been made, in this case two (103), at the second level. The openings and indentations are connected to each other. The first level (101 ) provides the solidity of the device. The indentations (103) provide an optimal airflow and divide the full-scale wood into smaller pieces (107), obtaining optimally sorted kindling wood. The smoke is sucked out through the openings (104 and 105), which also act as a chimney. I n use, the invention is placed on top of two wood logs or branches (1 1 3) of a sim ilar height, with a small gap in the m iddle of the wood logs (FI G 7) for optimal ignition, or on top of combustible material such as charcoal or coconut briquettes (1 1 4) (FI G8). The invention is ignited by a firelighter, which, in a preferred embodiment, is slightly recessed in the m iddle (1 06), or in another preferred embodiment vertically recessed in the opening. For the convenience of the user and to prevent the development of smoke, the firelighter can be ignited from above with the help of e.g. a match.

Once ignited, the flue gases are initially discharged through the opening in which the firelighter is fixed (1 04), which acts as a chim ney. The fire spreads through the indentations (1 03) and the lower side of the smaller pieces (1 07). The indentations also serve to supply oxygen. Thus, the fire first reaches the other openings (1 05) and subsequently the edge of the invention (1 08), after which the invention ignites com pletely. As the invention is positioned on top of the combustible material (FI G 7 - FI G 8), there is an optimal oxygen aspiration and canalization of the burned gases, so that almost no smoke arises, and the underlying wood logs ignite quickly. With larger wood logs (+ 40 cm) , once the invention burns completely, a wood log can be placed on top of the invention in such a way that the openings are covered. I n this way, the air circulation is altered and the flames are pushed outside through the edges of the indentations (1 09) , causing the wood logs on which the invention rests to ignite over their entire length.

The invention, in an em bodiment, consists of natural wood. Different types of wood have a different calorific power and do not all burn in the same way. For example, hard woods such as oak, beech, ash and fruit trees burn longer; soft woods such as pinewood and poplar burn faster and extend more heat.

For the invention it is not im portant which type of wood is used, although, for a number of reasons, softer types of wood are preferred; they burn faster and are less sustainable, so it is ecologically more justified to choose those for igniting a fire. The type of wood will have an effect on the rate of ignition, among other things, together with other variables described in more detail in the table below, and wherein the parameters will have an effect on, among other things, the rate of ignition, the development of smoke and the duration of the structural maintenance during ignition:

Legend:

$

' represents slow (in connection to speed), a lot of smoke (in connection to smoke development) and little structural maintenance during ignition (in connection to structural maintenance) and '+ + + ' represents fast combustion, hardly any smoke development and long structural maintenance during ignition.

FI G 2 shows an isometric view of a more optimal embodiment made of natural wood in view of the relationship between speed, smoke development and structural maintenance with the following features, wherein a fire can be fully ignited in less than 15 m inutes with virtually no smoke development:

Height level 1 (1 01 ) : 2,5 cm .

Height level 2 (1 02) (= depth of indentations) : 3 cm .

Cross section of shape: 15 cm .

Number of openings (1 04 - 1 05) : 5.

Number of indentations (1 03) : 6.

Shape: cylindrical (natural wood of branches or trunks)

Width of indentations (1 03) : 1 .2 cm .

Diam eter of openings (1 04- 1 05) : 2.8 cm .

Distance between the openings (edge to edge) (1 04-1 05) : 0.5 cm .

Number of indentations that cross openings: 2 (making a total of 4 indentations at an angle of 90°) .

Number of firelighters (1 06) : 1

Number of created kindling woods (1 07) : 1 6

FI G 3 shows an alternative of FI G 2 with the same features, where the indentations are m ade in such a way that every time three indentations cross the holes, except for (1 04).

The shape of the openings and indentations in the aforementioned drawings is solely illustrative. Therefore, the openings can be circular or have a different shape (e.g. triangular, square, ...). The indentations can be e.g. run straight or curved, or can be applied rounded or angled. The standing openings or bores should preferably have a diameter of 15 to 35 m m , with natural wood this is preferably 24 to 28 mm , with coconut it can be smaller, up to 15 m m .

The shape of the invention itself also depends on the number of operations during the production process. I n a most natural shape, dry straight trunks or branches with a cross section of 13-20 cm are stripped of all lateral branches and eventual their bark. I n this case, the invention will have the outer shape of the edge of the trunk or branch from which the invention is made. Optionally, the wood can be adapted to equalize the cross section in order to obtain the cylindrical shape of FI G 1 -3, or another shape, such as that of FI G 4 , which shows an alternative with a square shape, and square openings (1 04- 1 05), just like the invention can be triangular, rectangular or multi-angular, whether it consists of one log of wood or of composed wood.

For further production, the trunks or branches are rolled to a band which saws cylinders of 5.5 cm with a vertically mounted saw blade. These cylinders are rolled, fixed and pierced with five holes. The cylinders are then guided with a conveyor belt to a number of m illing cutters or‘dado blades' that make the indentations. Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the firelighter is already placed during the production process.

I n each em bodiment, the invention can consist of other combustible materials, such as charcoal, pressed coconut, cardboard, combined wood waste, biomass or any other pressed combustible product. I n such case, the production process will consist of pressing the combustible m aterial, or a combination of combustible materials in the desired shape of the invention.

I n a further em bodiment, depending on the use of the invention, additional elements m ay be added to the device, as shown in FI G 5, i.e. one or more upper grooves (1 1 1 ) , or lower grooves that cause a faster disintegration of the device in case of ignition, which can be useful when the invention is used for barbecue, e.g. made out of pressed coconut briquettes.

Likewise, in a further embodiment, a third level can be added, in any form , in FI G 5 represented as a cylinder with a width and a height of half a centimeter (1 1 2) , so that the lower side (1 07) ignites more easily when used on an even surface without air supply at the bottom , e.g. when used on an outdoor kitchen or barbecue grill. This third level can also be used to facilitate and strengthen the stacking, by providing an indentation on the top surface of the first level (1 1 0). I n a further embodiment, the size and shape can be adapted to the barbecue or outdoor kitchen, as illustrated in FI G 6, so that the invention does not only fit optimally in the barbecue but also ensures a nice equal distribution and combustion of the combustible m aterial, without any additional action on the part of the user, or any additional com bustible material needed to be added to have sufficient heat to prepare the food. I f necessary, the ignition can be accelerated by adding more firelighters (1 06) .

I n a preferred embodim ent, the fire transm ission device has the following dimensions and specifications:

These dimensions and specifications have been carefully determ ined and are based on extensive testing. They guarantee an optimal functioning where the fire transm ission device ignites quickly, develops little smoke, the structure is maintained long enough to ignite completely, and also disintegrates quickly enough to form several burning kindling woods.

The tests show that a m inimum of four and a maximum of eight standing openings are required to allow the fire transm ission device to ignite quickly and without smoke. With a smaller number of standing openings, the ignition is slow and involves considerable smoke development. With more than 8 standing openings, the fire transm ission device loses its structure too quickly to achieve a good transfer of the fire to the adjacent com bustible materials. Ultimately, 5 standing openings provided the most optimal effect in terms of rate of ignition, smoke development and structural maintenance.

Further tests showed that the diameter of the standing openings also plays an important role. If a diameter of less than 2.5 cm is used, smoke will develop. If the diameter is more than 3.0 cm, the fire transm ission device ignites more difficult and slower. A diameter of 2.8 cm for the standing openings gives the best results.

The tests revealed that the edge-to-edge distance between the standing openings played an important role in the speed of ignition of the fire transm ission device. The optimal choice for this distance is 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm . At higher values, the rate of ignition of the fire transm ission device decreases, and at shorter distances, the structural maintenance is too bad.

The tests showed that the m inimum number of indentations in order to have a sufficiently fast ignition and lim ited smoke development was 6, i.e. two times 3 indentations at an angle of 90° . The depth of the indentations must be at least 2.5 cm to have a sufficiently rapid ignition of the fire transm ission device and maximally 3.5 cm because of the structural maintenance. If the width of the indentations is less than 1 .0 cm , there is again smoke development, and if the width is more than 1 .5 cm , the ignition is slower and the air supply is less optimal. The optimal dimensions for the indentations are 3.0 cm depth and 1 .2 cm width.

Because of the structural maintenance and an optimal air flow supply, the number of indentations that pass through one single opening is determ ined at 2 indentations at an angle of 90° , allowing four channels to be made at an angle of 90° which ensures an optimal air supply.