FIRE STARTING STRIP

Abstract

A fire starting strip 10 for igniting a bed of charcoal or for lighting a log fire, without the need for any one or more of: kindling, lighter fluid or newspaper, the fire starting strip 10 comprising an elongate body 12 which is covered or impregnated with fuel, the elongate body 12 having a length substantially in the range of 15 to 100 cm and being substantially at least five times longer than it is wide.

Claims

1. A fire starting strip, for igniting a bed of charcoal or for lighting a log fire without using any one or more of: kindling, lighter fluid, accelerant, or newspaper, the fire starting strip comprising an elongate body which is impregnated with fuel, the elongate body having a length in the range of 15 cm to 100 cm, the elongate body having a diameter, and the elongate body being at least five times longer than the diameter is wide, wherein the elongate body includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are opposing ends of the elongate body, wherein the diameter of the elongate body is constant between the first and second ends, wherein the elongate body comprises a plurality of individual strands of wood wool which are twisted or woven together, the plurality of individual strands being twisted or woven together to a first degree of tightness in an inner region or core of the fire starting strip, and the plurality of individual strands being twisted or woven together to a second degree of tightness in an outer region of the fire starting strip, wherein the outer region is disposed around the inner region or core of the strip, and the second degree of tightness is less tight than the first degree of tightness, wherein during use the fire starting strip is laid underneath the bed of charcoal or logs without any kindling, lighter fluid, accelerant, or newspaper and wherein subsequently igniting the fire starting strip is sufficient to ignite the bed of charcoal or logs.

2. (canceled)

3. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the elongate body is rigid.

4. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the fuel includes a wax.

5. The fire starting strip of claim 4, in which the fuel includes paraffin wax or refined paraffin wax.

6. (canceled)

7. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the length of the elongate body is in the range 15 cm to 75 cm.

8. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the length of the elongate body is in the range 15 cm to 50 cm.

9. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the length of the elongate body is in the range 15 cm to 40 cm.

10. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the length of the elongate body is in the range 15 cm to 25 cm.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the elongate body is at least 5 times longer than it is wide.

14. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the elongate body is at least 1.5 cm wide and 1.5 cm long.

15. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in the form of a piece of rope.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. A pack comprising one or more fire starting strips as claimed in claim 1, the fire starting strips being packed such that each fire starting strip is parallel to each other fire starting strip.

20. A method of manufacturing one or more fire starting strips as claimed in claim 1 for igniting a bed of logs or charcoal when laid or arranged underneath the same without any one or more of: kindling, lighter fluid, accelerant or newspaper, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a fire starting strip formed of a plurality of strands of wood wool which are twisted and/or woven together, the strands being impregnated with a fuel; and b) cutting the fire starting strip to generate one or more elongate bodies, each elongate body having a length in the range of 15 to 100 cm and being at least five times longer than it is wide.

21. The fire starting strip of claim 1, in which the elongate body is at least 7.5 times longer than it is wide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a fire-starting strip according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0058] Referring to FIG. 1, a fire starting strip is indicated generally at 10. In this embodiment, the strip 10 is a portion of rope. The strip 10 in FIG. 1 is shown in its standard length (or linear) format. However, if suitably long, the strip 10 can also be arranged as a coil.

[0059] The strip 10 is made of wood wool. The wood wool is provided in the shape of an elongate body, indicated generally at 12. The strip 10 may in some embodiments be referred to as a stick, a rod, or a baton. These terms are considered to be applicable to any embodiment of the invention.

[0060] The body 12 is approximately cylindrical. The body 12 is approximately 25 cm long in this embodiment. The width of the body 12 is about 2.5 cm in diameter along its length, give or take up to 0.5 cm. This means that strip 10 is about ten times longer than it is wide.

[0061] Strands 14 of wood wool are twisted or woven together to form the body 12. The strands 14 are combustible because they are made of wood. However, they are more combustible than wood wool alone because it includes a refined paraffin wax.

[0062] Although there are some loose or splayed strands, most of the strands 14 remain wrapped together. The strands 14 are twisted together relatively tightly so that they maintain their shape. However, there are small air gaps between the strands 14. An example of such a gap is indicated at 16. This is particularly true for an outer region of the strip 10, but air gaps may still be present in an inner region of the strip 10. The outer region may be less tightly twisted together than the inner region.

[0063] The wood wool strands 14 includes refined paraffin wax as a fuel for improving combustion. The refined paraffin wax impregnates or coats the strands 14. The wax can help to bind the strands 14 together. The wax also mitigates against water ingress.

[0064] The wax may only impregnate or coat outer strands 14 of the strip 10. The extent to which inner strands (not visible) of the strip 10 are impregnated or coated with refined paraffin wax depends on how the wax is applied, and on how tightly the strands are twisted together (and the size of gaps between the strands 14).

[0065] Due to its length, the strip 10 is flexible, or at least flexible for a firelighter. One end or end face of the strip 10 can be moved relative to the other end or end face. In other embodiments, the strip 10 is substantially rigid.

[0066] The degree of flexibility is affected to some extent by how tightly the strands 14 are wrapped together, and how brittle the strands 14 are. Less tightly wrapped strands and/or less brittle strands will allow greater flexibility. Similarly, a longer strip 10 is more flexible than a shorter strip of the same width/diameter.

[0067] To make the strip 10, the first step is to produce (or acquire) a rope of wood wool. The rope is normally on the order of tens of metres long, but any suitable length may be used.

[0068] Refined paraffin wax is then added to the rope strands. In this embodiment, the rope is dipped in hot, liquid refined paraffin wax for a period of time. This allows the wax to impregnate and/or adhere to the strands. The rope is then withdrawn from the source of paraffin wax and allowed to cool and dry. In other words, the liquid paraffin wax is allowed to solidify or set.

[0069] The rope can subsequently be cut into a series of fire starting strips or lengths of rope. In this embodiment, the rope is cut into strips of about 25 cm in length. Of course, the rope may instead be cut into shorter strips, longer strips, or strips of a variety of lengths in other embodiments, within the scope of the claims.

[0070] To use the fire starting strip (or rope) 10 for lighting a charcoal barbecue, a single strip 10 is laid on a grill or grate (not shown) and charcoal added over the top.

[0071] For log fire lighting, the strip can (if suitably long) be provided in a semi-coiled arrangement and laid on the grate with two or three (or more) smaller logs added across the strip. Alternatively, two (or more) small logs can be laid across the grate and the single length laid between the logs.

[0072] In each case, suitable air gaps should be left between the logs or briquettes. This is done so that the strip is not smothered whilst burning. The strip 10 is positioned centrally relative to the logs or charcoal around it. Ideally, there should be means to allow air to circulate under the strip 10 to help it burn.

[0073] The strip 10 can then be ignited at one or more places by using a match or lighter. Of course, another suitable ignition source or source of fire can be used instead, if needed. The burning match(es) can be extended through one of the gaps and/or touched to an end of the strip 10 (if exposed). If the strip is lit at several points along its length at the start, this can help the logs or charcoal to catch fire at about the same time and so the fire reaches an even temperature across the grill more quickly.

[0074] It will be appreciated that a substantially similar series of steps can be used for starting a log fire in a wood-burning stove, for example.

[0075] The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.