Metallic wick

Abstract

A metallic wick includes at least one mesh member having first and second ends disposed opposite to each other, first and second surfaces respectively extended from the first end to the second end thereof and arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of meshes penetrating the first and second surfaces between the first and second ends thereof; and a transport channel extending from the first end to the second end thereof and drawing fuel by capillary action.

Claims

1. A lamp device comprising: a metallic wick consisting of at least one mesh member made of metal, with the at least one mesh member having first and second ends disposed opposite to each other, first and second surfaces respectively extended from the first end to the second end thereof and arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of meshes penetrating the first and second surfaces between the first and second ends thereof, and a transport channel communicating with the plurality of meshes and extending from the first end to the second end thereof; a fuel tank providing a space adapted to store fuel and having an open end adapted to provide an entrance for fuel; and a cap connected to the open end of the fuel tank and includes a bottom portion, a through hole extending through the bottom portion and communicating with the space of the fuel tank, an annular wall portion extending around the bottom portion, and an abutted portion extending away from the bottom portion; and a supporting assembly mounted on the cap, wherein the supporting assembly has a fixing member connected to the bottom portion of the cap and having a through bore communicated with the through hole of the cap, wherein the through hole of the cap and the open end of the fuel tank are interconnected to each other; wherein the metallic wick is inserted through the cap and contacts with fuel, with fuel to be drawn from the second end to the first end of the at least one mesh member via the transport channel by capillary action to reach a flame produced at the first end of the at least one mesh member, with the abutted portion abutting an outer periphery of the metallic wick to retain the metallic wick, and with the first end inserting through the through bore.

2. The lamp device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mesh member is rolled and has an Archimedean spiral cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at continuously increasing radial distance from the longitudinal axis to form the transport channel, and wherein the transport channel extends spirally.

3. The lamp device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transport channel has a closed end at which the first surface is connected with and abutted against the second surface.

4. The lamp device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mesh member includes a plurality of mesh members disposed concentrically, and wherein the transport channel has a circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. The lamp device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mesh member includes a plurality of mesh members stacked, and wherein the transport channel extends linearly.

6. The lamp device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mesh member is bent to from a stacked array, and wherein the transport channel extends linearly.

7. The lamp device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank and the cap are formed integrally as a single piece, and wherein the cap includes a pull tab removably connected thereto and closing the through hole to avoid fuel leaking out of the fuel tank.

8. The lamp device as claimed in claim 1, a wherein the supporting assembly includes a shield member mounted into the through bore of the fixing member and including a bottom section, a connecting hole extending through the bottom section, and a wall section formed around a periphery of the bottom section, and wherein the connecting hole, the through hole of the cap, and the open end of the fuel tank being interconnected to each other.

9. A lamp device comprising: a metallic wick consisting of at least one mesh member made of metal, with the at least one mesh member having first and second ends disposed opposite to each other, first and second surfaces respectively extended from the first end to the second end thereof and arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of meshes penetrating the first and second surfaces between the first and second ends thereof, and a transport channel communicating with the plurality of meshes and extending from the first end to the second end thereof; a fuel tank providing a space adapted to store fuel and having an open end adapted to provide an entrance for fuel; a cap connected to the open end of the fuel tank and includes a bottom portion, a through hole extending through the bottom portion and communicating with the space of the fuel tank, an annular wall portion extending around the bottom portion, and an abutted portion extending away from the bottom portion; and a supporting assembly including a fixing member and a shield member, with the fixing member connected to the bottom portion of the cap and having a through bore communicated with the through hole of the cap, with the shield member mounted into the through bore of the fixing member and including a bottom section, a connecting hole extending through the bottom section, and a wall section formed around a periphery of the bottom section, with the connecting hole, the through hole of the cap, and the open end of the fuel tank being interconnected to each other; wherein the metallic wick is inserted through the cap and contacts with fuel, with fuel to be drawn from the second end to the first end of the at least one mesh member via the transport channel by capillary action to reach a flame produced at the first end of the at least one mesh member, and with the abutted portion abutting an outer periphery of the metallic wick to retain the metallic wick; and wherein the at least one mesh member is rolled and has an Archimedean spiral cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at continuously increasing radial distance from the longitudinal axis to form the transport channel, and wherein the transport channel extends spirally.

10. A lamp device comprising: a metallic wick consisting of at least one mesh member made of metal, with the at least one mesh member having first and second ends disposed opposite to each other, first and second surfaces respectively extended from the first end to the second end thereof and arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of meshes penetrating the first and second surfaces between the first and second ends thereof, and a transport channel communicating with the plurality of meshes and extending from the first end to the second end thereof; a fuel tank providing a space adapted to store fuel and having an open end adapted to provide an entrance for fuel; a cap connected to the open end of the fuel tank and includes a bottom portion, a through hole extending through the bottom portion and communicating with the space of the fuel tank, an annular wall portion extending around the bottom portion, and an abutted portion extending away from the bottom portion; and a supporting assembly including a fixing member and a shield member, with the fixing member connected to the bottom portion of the cap and having a through bore communicated with the through hole of the cap, with the shield member mounted into the through bore of the fixing member and including a bottom section, a connecting hole extending through the bottom section, and a wall section formed around a periphery of the bottom section, with the connecting hole, the through hole of the cap, and the open end of the fuel tank being interconnected to each other; wherein the metallic wick is inserted through the cap and contacts with fuel, with fuel to be drawn from the second end to the first end of the at least one mesh member via the transport channel by capillary action to reach a flame produced at the first end of the at least one mesh member, and with the abutted portion abutting an outer periphery of the metallic wick to retain the metallic wick; and wherein the at least one mesh member includes a plurality of mesh members disposed concentrically, and wherein the transport channel has a circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

11. A lamp device comprising: a metallic wick consisting of at least one mesh member made of metal, with the at least one mesh member having first and second ends disposed opposite to each other, first and second surfaces respectively extended from the first end to the second end thereof and arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of meshes penetrating the first and second surfaces between the first and second ends thereof, and a transport channel communicating with the plurality of meshes and extending from the first end to the second end thereof; a fuel tank providing a space adapted to store fuel and having an open end adapted to provide an entrance for fuel; a cap connected to the open end of the fuel tank and includes a bottom portion, a through hole extending through the bottom portion and communicating with the space of the fuel tank, an annular wall portion extending around the bottom portion, and an abutted portion extending away from the bottom portion; and a supporting assembly including a fixing member and a shield member, with the fixing member connected to the bottom portion of the cap and having a through bore communicated with the through hole of the cap, with the shield member mounted into the through bore of the fixing member and including a bottom section, a connecting hole extending through the bottom section, and a wall section formed around a periphery of the bottom section, with the connecting hole, the through hole of the cap, and the open end of the fuel tank being interconnected to each other; wherein the metallic wick is inserted through the cap and contacts with fuel, with fuel to be drawn from the second end to the first end of the at least one mesh member via the transport channel by capillary action to reach a flame produced at the first end of the at least one mesh member, and with the abutted portion abutting an outer periphery of the metallic wick to retain the metallic wick; and wherein the at least one mesh member includes a plurality of mesh members stacked, and wherein the transport channel extends linearly.

12. A lamp device comprising: a metallic wick consisting of at least one mesh member made of metal, with the at least one mesh member having first and second ends disposed opposite to each other, first and second surfaces respectively extended from the first end to the second end thereof and arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of meshes penetrating the first and second surfaces between the first and second ends thereof, and a transport channel communicating with the plurality of meshes and extending from the first end to the second end thereof; a fuel tank providing a space adapted to store fuel and having an open end adapted to provide an entrance for fuel; a cap connected to the open end of the fuel tank and includes a bottom portion, a through hole extending through the bottom portion and communicating with the space of the fuel tank, an annular wall portion extending around the bottom portion, and an abutted portion extending away from the bottom portion; and a supporting assembly including a fixing member and a shield member, with the fixing member connected to the bottom portion of the cap and having a through bore communicated with the through hole of the cap, with the shield member mounted into the through bore of the fixing member and including a bottom section, a connecting hole extending through the bottom section, and a wall section formed around a periphery of the bottom section, with the connecting hole, the through hole of the cap, and the open end of the fuel tank being interconnected to each other; wherein the metallic wick is inserted through the cap and contacts with fuel, with fuel to be drawn from the second end to the first end of the at least one mesh member via the transport channel by capillary action to reach a flame produced at the first end of the at least one mesh member, and with the abutted portion abutting an outer periphery of the metallic wick to retain the metallic wick; and wherein the at least one mesh member is bent to from a stacked array, and wherein the transport channel extends linearly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a metallic wick of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of the metallic wick of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a top view of the metallic wick of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the metallic wick of FIG. 1, and illustrates the metallic wick mounted to a lamp device.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross section view of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the metallic wick of FIG. 1, and illustrates three metallic wicks mounted to another lamp device.

(8) FIG. 7 shows an exploded, perspective view of the metallic wick of FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a cross section view of FIG. 6.

(10) FIG. 9 shows an exploded, perspective view of the lamp device of FIG. 6.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a cross section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

(12) FIG. 11 shows a continued view of FIG. 10, and illustrates a film detached from a cap of the lamp device.

(13) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a metallic wick of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

(14) FIG. 13 shows an exploded, perspective view of the metallic wick of FIG. 12.

(15) FIG. 14 shows a top view of the metallic wick of FIG. 12.

(16) FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a metallic wick of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

(17) FIG. 16 shows an exploded, perspective view of the metallic wick of FIG. 15.

(18) FIG. 17 shows a partial, enlarged side view of FIG. 15.

(19) FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a metallic wick of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

(20) FIG. 19 shows an exploded, perspective view of the metallic wick of FIG. 18.

(21) FIG. 20 shows a top view of the metallic wick of FIG. 18.

(22) All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the illustrative embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood.

(23) Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms first, second, third, fourth, end, portion, longitudinal, radial, diameter, width, thickness, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(24) FIGS. 1 through 3 show a first embodiment of a metallic wick according to the present invention shown in the drawings. The metallic wick 1 generally includes a mesh member 10 made of metal and rolled into a tubular shape and having a plurality of circles spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis A to form an Archimedean spiral cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The mesh member 10 includes first and second ends 11 and 12 disposed opposite to each other along the longitudinal axis A, and first and second surfaces 13 and 14 respectively extended from the first end 11 to the second end 12 thereof and arranged opposite to each other. Furthermore, the mesh member 10 essentially includes a plurality of metallic wires interlacing and overlapping each other to form into a plurality of meshes 15 penetrating the first and second surfaces 13 and 14 between the first and second ends 11 and 12 thereof. Each of the plurality of meshes 15 is formed in a quadrilateral shape, such as a square or rhombus. Moreover, the mesh member 10 has the plurality of circles winding around the longitudinal axis A at a continuously increasing radial distance from the longitudinal axis A to form a transport channel 16 extending from the first end 11 to the second end 12 thereof along the longitudinal axis A. The transport channel 16 includes a central section 17 disposed adjacent to the longitudinal axis A and an annular section 18 connected with and winding around the central section 17. The first surface 13 of the innermost one of the plurality of circles is arranged around the longitudinal axis A to form the central section 17. The first and second surfaces 13 and 14 of the other circles face each other, except the innermost one is defined with the annular section 18. The first surface 13 of the outermost one of the plurality of circles is connected with and abutted against the second surface 14 of the other circle arranged adjacent to the outermost one.

(25) FIGS. 4 and 5 show the metallic wick 1 cut into a predetermined length and mounted to a lamp device 2. The lamp device 2 includes a fuel tank 21 and a cap 22 removably and adaptably mounted on an open end of the fuel tank 21. The cap 22 has an essentially circular cross section and includes a bottom portion 221, a through hole 222 longitudinally extending through the bottom portion 221, an annular wall portion 223 formed around a periphery of the bottom portion 221, and an abutted portion 224 formed around a periphery of the through hole 222 and extending opposite to the bottom portion 221. The metallic wick 1 is inserted through the through hole 222 of the cap 22 and connects with fuel 23 stored in the fuel tank 21. The bottom portion 221 hinders the flame produced at the first end 11 to ignite fuel 23. A diameter of the through hole 222 is equal to or bigger than a diameter of the cross section of the metallic wick 1 causing the mesh member 10 to maintain its tubular shape. The annular wall portion 223 provides a windproof function. The abutted portion 224 abuts against the metallic wick 1 to maintain the metallic wick 1 in an upright position. Thus, fuel 23 is drawn from the second end 12 to the first end 11 of the metallic wick 1 via the transport channel 16 by capillary action between the plurality of meshes 15 and the central and annular sections 17 and 18 to reach the flame produced at the first end 11 and then vaporizes and combusts. Moreover, the size of each of the plurality of meshes 15 is unchanged or only has a very small deformation when the mesh member 10 is rolled into the plurality of circles, so that appearance factors of the metallic wicks 1, such as height and diameter are practically unchanged. Thus, the metallic wicks 1 can precisely adjust and maintain the flame scale during combustion. Furthermore, the number and size of transport channel 16 can be adjusted to transfer fuel 23 quickly for fuel igniting, even for high viscosity fuels.

(26) FIGS. 6 through 11 show three metallic wicks 1 respectively cut into a predetermined length and mounted to another lamp device 2a. The lamp device 2a includes a fuel tank 21a and a cap 22a formed integrally as a single piece. The cap 22a has an essentially circular cross section and includes a bottom portion 221a and a through hole 222a longitudinally extending through the bottom portion 221a. A pull tab 23a is removably and adaptably connected to and closes the through hole 222a to avoid fuel 23 leaking out of the fuel tank 21a. The pull tab 23a has a ring 231a. A film 24a is removably connected to one end of the cap 22a and opposite to the bottom portion 221a. A user can hook his/her finger through the ring 231a and can remove the pull tab 23a from the through hole 222a, so that the through hole 222a is interconnected with an open end of the fuel tank 21a.

(27) The lamp device 2a further includes a supporting assembly 3 mounted on the cap 22a. The supporting assembly 3 includes a fixing member 31 and a shield member 32. The fixing member 31 is connected to the bottom portion 221a of the cap 22a and has a through bore 311 communicated with the through hole 222a of the cap 22a. The shield member 32 is mounted into the through bore 311 of the fixing member 31. The shield member 32 includes a bottom section 321, three connecting holes 322 longitudinally extending through the bottom section 321, and a wall section 323 formed around a periphery of the bottom section 321. The three connecting holes 322, the through hole 222a of the cap 22a, and the open end of the fuel tank 21a are interconnected to each other, and the three metallic wicks 1 are respectively inserted therethrough. Thus, fuel 23 is drawn from the second end 12 to the first end 11 of each of the three metallic wicks 1 via the transport channel 16 by capillary action between the plurality of meshes 15. The bottom section 321 hinders the flame produced at the first end 11 to ignite fuel 23. A diameter of each of the three connecting holes 322 is equal to or bigger than a diameter of the cross section of the metallic wick 1, maintaining the mesh member 10 in its tubular shape. The wall section 323 provides a windproof function.

(28) FIGS. 12 through 14 show a second embodiment of the metallic wick 1a. Specifically, the second embodiment of the metallic wick 1a includes a plurality of mesh members 10a respectively rolled into the plurality of different-sized tubes assembled and radially spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis A1 to form a concentric circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1. Each of the plurality of mesh members 10a includes first and second ends 11a and 12a disposed opposite to each other along the longitudinal axis A1, and first and second surfaces 13a and 14a respectively extended from the first end 11a to the second end 12a thereof and arranged opposite to each other. Each of the plurality of mesh members 10a further includes two side edges 101a extending from the first end 11a to the second end 12a and connected with each other. Furthermore, each of the plurality of mesh members 10a essentially includes a plurality of metallic wires interlacing and overlapping each other to form a plurality of meshes 15a penetrating between the first and second ends 11a and 12a thereof. Each of the plurality of meshes 15a is formed in a rhombus shape. Moreover, the plurality of mesh members 10a is radially spaced from each other to form a transport channel 16a extending from the first end 11a to the second end 12a thereof along the longitudinal axis A1. The transport channel 16a includes a central section 17a disposed adjacent to the longitudinal axis A1 and a plurality of annular sections 18a surrounding the central section 17a. The first surface 13a of the innermost one of the plurality of mesh members 10a is arranged around the longitudinal axis A1 to form the central section 17a. The first and second surfaces 13a and 14a of the other mesh members 10a face and are spaced from each other except the innermost one is defined with the annular sections 18a.

(29) FIGS. 15 through 17 show a third embodiment of the metallic wick 1b. Specifically, the third embodiment of the metallic wick 1b includes a plurality of mesh members 10b spaced from each other and arranged in a longitudinal stacked array. Each of the plurality of mesh members 10b is formed in a flat shape and includes first and second ends 11b and 12b disposed opposite to each other, and first and second surfaces 13b and 14b respectively extended from the first end 11b to the second end 12b thereof and arranged opposite to each other. Furthermore, each of the plurality of mesh members 10b essentially includes a plurality of metallic wires interlacing and overlapping each other to form a plurality of meshes 15b penetrating between the first and second ends 11b and 12b thereof. Moreover the plurality of mesh members 10b is spaced from each other to form a transport channel 16b extending from the first end 11b to the second end 12b thereof.

(30) FIGS. 18 through 20 show a fourth embodiment of the metallic wick 1c. Specifically, the fourth embodiment of the metallic wick 1c includes a mesh member 10c bent to form a stacked array. The mesh member 10c includes first and second ends 11c and 12c disposed opposite to each other, and first and second surfaces 13c and 14c respectively extended from the first end 11c to the second end 12c thereof and arranged opposite to each other. Furthermore, the mesh member 10c essentially includes a plurality of metallic wires interlacing and overlapping each other to form a plurality of meshes 15c penetrating between the first and second ends 11c and 12c thereof. Moreover, the mesh member 10c further includes a plurality of bending sections 19c, so that the plurality of bending sections 19c and first and second surfaces 13c and 14c thereof form a transport channel 16c.

(31) The metallic wick according to the present invention includes the following advantages:

(32) 1. The metallic wick 1; 1a; 1b; 1c is made of metal, so that it cannot be carbonized or consumed, to fix its shape and height thereof to maintain the flame combustion scale.

(33) 2. The metallic wick 1; 1a; 1b; 1c includes an end producing the flame thereon and heated by the flame to cause fuel drawn to the end thereof to be vaporized and combusted more completely due to a higher metal wick temperature.

(34) 3. The number of circles, the size of meshes 15; 15a; 15b; 15c, the surface roughness and the coating materials of the mesh member 10; 10a; 10b; 10c are adjustable to control the ability of capillary action adapted for wicking various fuels with different viscosity, so that the metallic wick 1; 1a; 1b; 1c can draw more viscous fuel faster to the tip thereof and can be ignited shortly (one minute or less) after dipping the metallic wick 1; 1a; 1b; 1c in fuel.

(35) 4. The metallic wick 1; 1a; 1b; 1c does not loosen at its terminal end after cutting a predetermined length or trimming to be mounted on the lamp device 2; 2a.

(36) 5. The metallic wick 1; 1a; 1b; 1c is made of metal reducing manufacturing costs to provide a popular price. In a preferred form, the metallic wick 1; 1a; 1b; 1c can be formed by a common metal wire mesh.

(37) Thus since the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.