Transformable wick device and corresponding combustion device

Abstract

A transformable wick device includes a plurality of bodies connected together. The plurality of bodies has flexible connections, and therefore positionable along a line of various types.

Claims

1. A transformable wick device comprising: a plurality of bodies connected together by a connector inserted through the plurality of bodies and extending spirally along a longitudinal length thereof, such that the plurality of bodies has flexible connections and therefore positionable along a line of various types, wherein the connector is flexible such that its shape is adapted to be transformed, wherein when the connector transforms shapes, the plurality of bodies is configured to conform to a shape of the connector, wherein the plurality of bodies has first portions and the connector interconnects the first portions, wherein each of the first portions has two ends spaced from each other, wherein the plurality of bodies has second portions adapted to be immersed fuel, and wherein each of the second portions has a first section which extends axially from one of two ends of the first portion and a second section which extends axially from the other of two ends of the first portion, wherein the first section has a first length which extends axially from one of two ends of the first portion, a bend which extends from the first length, a second length which extends from the bend, a third length which extends from the second length and extends along the first length, a fourth length which extends from the third length and forms an annulus extending along the first portion from which the first section extends, and a fifth length which extends from the fourth length and extends along the second section of the second portion.

2. The transformable wick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portions define holes, and wherein the connector is inserted in the holes.

3. The transformable wick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first portions has two ends spaced from each other, wherein the plurality of bodies has second portions adapted to be immersed in fuel, and wherein each of the second portions has a first section which extends axially from one of two ends of the first portion and a second section which extends axially from the other of two ends of the first portion.

4. The transformable wick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bodies is made of fiber glass.

5. The transformable wick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bodies is made of metal.

6. A transformable wick device comprising: a plurality of bodies connected together by a connector inserted through the plurality of bodies and extending spirally along a longitudinal length thereof, such that the plurality of bodies has flexible connections and therefore positionable along a line of various types, wherein the connector is flexible such that its shape is adapted to be transformed, wherein when the connector transforms shapes, the plurality of bodies is configured to conform to a shape of the connector, wherein the plurality of bodies has first portions and the connector interconnects the first portions, wherein each of the first portions has two ends spaced from each other, wherein the plurality of bodies has second portions adapted to be immersed fuel, and wherein each of the second portions has a first section which extends axially from one of two ends of the first portion and a second section which extends axially from the other of two ends of the first portion; and a mold assembly which includes a first mold and a second mold cooperating to hold the plurality of bodies in between, wherein the first and the second molds are disposed on the second portions.

7. The transformable wick device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and the second molds partially cover the second portions.

8. The transformable wick device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first mold is pliable and adapted to be bent through a plurality of first crease lines extending therein, and wherein the second mold is pliable and adapted to be bent through a plurality of second crease lines extending therein.

9. The transformable wick device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and the second molds are made of metal.

10. A combustion device comprising: a fuel reservoir and a transformable wick device received by the fuel reservoir, wherein the transformable wick device has a plurality of bodies connected together by a connector inserted through the plurality of bodies such that the plurality of bodies has flexible connections and is positionable along a line of various types, wherein the connector extends spirally along a longitudinal length thereof, wherein each of the first portions has two ends spaced from each other, wherein the plurality of bodies has second portions adapted to be immersed fuel, and wherein each of the second portions has a first section which extends axially from one of two ends of the first portion and a second section which extends axially from the other of two ends of the first portion; a mold assembly which includes a first mold and a second mold cooperating to hold the plurality of bodies in between, and wherein the first and the second molds are disposed on the second portion of each of the plurality of bodies.

11. The combustion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the transformable wick device has a top end disposed outside the fuel reservoir.

12. The combustion device as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a connector interconnecting the plurality of bodies, wherein the plurality of bodies has first portions and the connector interconnects the first portions.

13. The combustion device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first portions define holes, and wherein the connector is inserted in the holes.

14. The combustion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the first portions has two ends spaced from each other, wherein the plurality of bodies has second portions adapted to be immersed in fuel, and wherein each of the second portions has a first section which extends axially from one of two ends of the first portion and a second section which extends axially from the other of two ends of the first portion.

15. The combustion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first mold is pliable and adapted to be bent through a plurality of first crease lines extending therein, and wherein the second mold is pliable and adapted to be bent through a plurality of second crease lines extending therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combustion device in accordance with the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a transformable wick device of the combustion device.

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the transformable wick device of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the transformable wick device of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a transformable wick device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) A combustion device 10 includes a fuel reservoir 20 and a transformable wick device 30 received by the fuel reservoir 20.

(7) The fuel reservoir 20 defines a space in which fuel is disposed.

(8) The transformable wick device 30 has a plurality of bodies 33 connected together. The plurality of bodies 33 has flexible connections, and therefore positionable along a line of various types. The plurality of bodies 33 is made of fiber glass or metal.

(9) Moreover, a connector 34 interconnects the plurality of bodies 33. The connector 34 interconnects portions 331 of the plurality of bodies 33. The portions 331 define holes 332 and the connector 34 is inserted in the holes 332. The connector 34 is flexible such that its shape is adapted to be transformed. When the connector 34 transforms shapes, the plurality of bodies 33 is arranged in a shape conforming to a shape of the connector 34. The connector 34 extends spirally

(10) Each of the plurality of bodies 33 has a bottom end 31 and a top end 32 and extends upwards from the bottom end 31 to the top end 32. When the transformable wick device 30 is lit, the plurality of bodies 33 includes the bottom ends 31 immersed in the fuel and the top ends 32 holding the flame.

(11) Each of the plurality of bodies 33 includes the portion 331 and the top end 32 adjacent to each other. Each of the first portions 331 has two ends spaced from each other.

(12) Each of the plurality of bodies 33 has a portion 333 adapted to be immersed in fuel to supply the fuel to a flame when the transformable wick device 30 is lit. Each of the plurality of bodies 33 includes the portions 331 and 333 adjacent to each other.

(13) Each of the portions 333 has a first section which extends axially from one of two ends of the first portion 331 and a second section which extends axially from the other of two ends of the first portion 331.

(14) A mold assembly which includes a mold 35 and a mold 36 cooperating to hold the plurality of bodies 33 in between. The molds 35 and 36 are made of metal. The molds 35 and 36 are disposed on the portions 333. The molds 35 and 36 partially cover the portions 333, The mold 35 is pliable and adapted to be bent through a plurality of crease lines 351 extending therein. The mold 36 is pliable and adapted to be bent through a plurality of crease lines 361 extending therein.

(15) FIG. 5 show a tool transformable wick device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same numbers are used to correlate similar components of the first embodiment, but bearing a letter a. Similarly, a plurality of bodies 33a is connected together and has flexible connections. Each of the plurality of bodies 33a has a bottom end 31a. Each of the plurality of bodies 33a includes a portion 331a having two ends spaced from each other and a portion 333a which includes a first section extending axially from one of two ends of the portion 331a and a second section extending axially from the other of two ends of the portion 331a. When a connector 34a transforms shapes, the plurality of bodies 33a are arranged in a shape conforming to a shape of the connector 34a.

(16) The second embodiment differentiates from the first embodiment in that the first section of the second portion 333a has a first length which extends axially from one of two ends of the first portion 331a, a bend 335a which extends from the first length, a second length which extends from the first length, a third length which extends from the second length and extends along the first length, a fourth length which extends from the third length and forms an annulus 334a extending along the first portion 331a from which the first section extends, and a fifth length which extends from the fourth length and extends along the second section of the second portion 333a and has a free end 336a.

(17) In view of the foregoing, each of the transformable wick devices 30 includes a plurality of bodies 33 and 33a connected together. The plurality of bodies 33 and 33a has flexible connections, and therefore positionable along a line of various types. Further, when the connectors 34 and 34a transforms shapes, the plurality of bodies 33 and 33a are arranged in a shape conforming to a shape of the connectors 34 and 34a. Thus, the wick devices 30 are transformable and the shape of the flame changes in response to transformation of the wick devices 30.

(18) The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.