Combustible package for charcoal briquettes and a fire starter

Abstract

A package made from all combustible materials for containing a fuel source, such as charcoal briquettes, and a fire starter. The package includes a wound paper tube with an interior space where the charcoal briquettes are stored along with the fire starter. The top of the interior space is closed off by a top lid made from combustible material. The fire starter is located underneath the charcoal briquettes at the lower end of the interior space. The fire starter may also function as bottom lid or a separate bottom lid may be employed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the packaging of charcoal briquettes and fire starters. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Charcoal briquettes are compressed blocks of black porous carbonaceous material used to provide the heat for barbequing or grilling food. Although the blocks can come in several shapes, the blocks are generally pillow-shaped. Typically, charcoal briquettes are placed in a bottom of a grill, ignited, and burn to coals over time providing the heat for cooking the food. [0003] Charcoal briquettes are very messy, often leaving a black residue on items, such as a user's clothes or skin, upon contact. Therefore it is desirable to keep the manual handling of charcoal briquettes to a minimum. [0004] One of the most common packages for charcoal briquettes is a large bag containing a predetermined weight of charcoal briquettes. The size and weight of the bags vary usually from five pounds to 20 pounds. [0005] Typically the bag package contai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The package of the present invention has several advantages. The wound paper tube structure is inexpensive to produce. The paper tube is also easy to make in a variety of sizes allowing for packages ranging in sizes from ones for a single food portion to ones suitable for very large events requiring numerous food portions. Furthermore the cylindrical shape of the paper tube functions as a chimney, which is ideal for charcoal preparation. Another advantage of the package is its combustibility. The wound paper tube as well as the top lid, the annular fire starter, and the separate bottom lid, when present, are combustible, leaving only coals and ashes after use. Additionally, the complimentary shapes of the annular fire starter and the paper tube allow for the annular fire starter to serve as a bottom lid and thus eliminate the need for a separate bottom lid. Also by containing the annular fire starter within the package, the need for an additional package for a fire starter is eliminated. The annular fire starter also facilitates air flow through its central hole. The chimney structure of the tube and the enclosed fire starter allow for the use of unsoaked charcoal briquettes which are safer and burn longer than the required presoaked charcoal briquettes of other packages. Other advantages are retail shelving attractiveness and storage and transport effectiveness provided by the neat and orderly stackability of the package, including allowing for point of purchase displays.

Problems solved by technology

Charcoal briquettes are very messy, often leaving a black residue on items, such as a user's clothes or skin, upon contact.

Due to the bag's weight and shape and the messiness associated with charcoal, this transfer step is undesirable.

However, lighter fluid by design is very flammable and thus dangerous.

Lighter fluid also may leave an unpleasant odor and / or taste on the food being cooked.

However, these packages are more expensive because the packages often require complex structures, such as internal panels to create flues or chimneys.

However, this also causes the charcoal to burn too quickly and is not desirable.

Cost is always an issue with packaging.

However, the cost of charcoal briquettes packaging is especially sensitive.

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