PORTABLE FIREPLACE HAVING A REFRACTORY MATERIAL

Abstract

A portable fireplace is disclosed. The portable fireplace may include a receptacle and a refractory liner. The receptacle may have a base and a wall, and the wall may extend upward from the base. An interior side of the wall and an interior side of the base may define a burn chamber that is open to an environment external to the receptacle. The refractory liner may be positioned within the burn chamber, and the refractory liner may engage the interior side of the base and the interior side of the wall. The refractory liner may be configured to receive and absorb at least a portion of a flammable substance.

Claims

1. A portable fireplace comprising: a receptacle having a base and a wall, the wall extending upward from the base, wherein an interior side of the wall and an interior side of the base define a burn chamber open to an environment external to the receptacle; and a refractory liner positioned within the burn chamber, the refractory liner engaging the interior side of the base and the interior side of the wall, and the refractory liner configured to receive and absorb at least a portion of a flammable substance.

2. The portable fireplace of claim 1, wherein: the refractory liner engages the interior side of the base and at least a portion of the interior side of the wall.

3. The portable fireplace of claim 1, wherein: the refractory liner comprises at least one of aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) or silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), or a combination thereof.

4. The portable fireplace of claim 1, wherein: the refractory liner has a refractory exterior side opposite a refractory interior side, the refractory exterior side of the refractory liner engaging the interior side of the wall.

5. The portable fireplace of claim 4, further comprising: a ceramic-based mesh, the ceramic-based mesh engaging the refractory interior side of the refractory liner and configured to limit a flammability of the flammable substance by minimizing an intake of oxygen (O.sub.2).

6. The portable fireplace of claim 5, wherein: the ceramic-based mesh comprises at least one of an alumina- or silica-based ceramic fiber, or a combination thereof.

7. The portable fireplace of claim 1, wherein: the flammable material comprises at least one of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, or a combination thereof.

8. The portable fireplace of claim 1, wherein: the receptacle comprises at least one of ceramic, high-temperature refractory metal, heat-resistant stone, granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate, quartz, ceramic, concrete, ceramic, or a castable refractory material, or a combination thereof.

9. The portable fireplace of claim 1, wherein: the receptacle comprises a generally spherical geometry, a generally cylindrical geometry, or a generally polyhedral geometry.

10. The portable fireplace of claim 1, wherein: the interior side of the wall has an exterior side of the wall opposite thereto.

11. The portable fireplace of claim 10, wherein: the exterior side of the wall and the interior side of the wall co-extend upward from the base, such that the exterior side of the wall and the interior side of the wall form an upper portion of the receptacle, the upper portion defining an opening to the burn chamber.

12. The portable fireplace of claim 11, wherein: a surface of the upper portion of the receptacle is generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the interior side of the wall and a plane defined by the exterior side of the wall.

13. The portable fireplace of claim 11, further comprising: a collar positioned atop the upper portion of the receptacle, the collar having geometrical dimensions that decrease a size of the opening to the burn chamber, so as to limit exposure of the burn chamber to the environment external to the receptacle.

14. The portable fireplace of claim 11, further comprising: a collar positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the receptacle, the collar having geometrical dimensions that decrease a size of the opening to the burn chamber, so as to limit exposure of the burn chamber to the environment external to the receptacle.

15. The portable fireplace of claim 14, wherein: an inner surface of the upper portion of the receptacle defines the opening to the burn chamber; and at least a portion of the collar contacts the inner surface of the upper portion of the receptacle.

16. The portable fireplace of claim 14, wherein: the collar is removably coupleable to the upper portion of the receptacle.

17. The portable fireplace of claim 16, wherein: the collar configured to couple to the upper portion of the receptacle via an interference fit between a substantially round outer edge of the collar and an inner surface of the upper portion of the receptacle.

18. The portable fireplace of claim 1, wherein: the environment external to the receptacle comprise at least one of oxygen (O.sub.2), ammonia (NH.sub.3), butane (C.sub.4H.sub.10), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H.sub.2), methane (CH.sub.4), or propane (C.sub.3H.sub.8), or a combination thereof.

19. A portable fireplace comprising: a receptacle having a base and wall, wherein the wall has a wall interior side opposite from a wall exterior side, and the base has a base interior side opposite from a base exterior side; the wall extending upward from the base, such that the wall exterior side and the wall interior side form an upper portion of the receptacle, and the wall interior side and the base interior side define a burn chamber; and a refractory liner positioned within the burn chamber, the refractory liner engaging the base interior side and the wall interior side, and the refractory liner configured to receive and absorb at least a portion of a flammable substance.

20. The portable fireplace of claim 19, further comprising: a collar positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the receptacle, the collar having geometrical dimensions that decrease a size of an opening to the burn chamber, so as to limit exposure of the burn chamber to an environment external to the receptacle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable fireplace, a flammable substance producing a flame within a burn chamber of the portable fireplace, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a side-elevation view of an embodiment of a portable fireplace, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, side-elevation view of an embodiment of the portable fireplace as shown in FIG. 2, a burn chamber of the portable fireplace receiving a flammable substance, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional, perspective view of an embodiment of the portable fireplace as shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional, perspective view of an embodiment of the portable fireplace as shown in FIG. 2, the portable fireplace further comprising a collar, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, side-elevation view of an embodiment of the portable fireplace as shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, side-elevation view of another embodiment of the portable fireplace as shown in FIG. 2, the portable fireplace having a ceramic-based mesh, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional, side-elevation view of yet-another embodiment of the portable fireplace as shown in FIG. 2, the portable fireplace further comprising a collar, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a side-elevation view of embodiment of a portable fireplace, the portable fireplace further comprising a collar, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional, side-elevation view of the embodiment of the portable fireplace as shown in FIG. 8, the portable fireplace further comprising a collar, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable fireplace showing relative dimensionality of a wall, a base, and a burn chamber, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a portable fireplace, a flammable substance producing a flame within a burn chamber of the portable fireplace, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet-another embodiment of a portable fireplace, a flammable substance producing a flame within a burn chamber of the portable fireplace, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth herein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

[0046] While the making and using of various embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the disclosure.

[0047] Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure. Referring generally to FIGS. 1-12, various exemplary embodiments of a portable fireplace 10 may be described in detail. Where the various figures may describe embodiments sharing various common elements and features with other embodiments, similar elements and features are given the same reference numerals and redundant description thereof may be omitted below.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, provided is an exemplary embodiment of the portable fireplace 10. The portable fireplace 10 may include a receptacle 20 having a wall 30 and a base 40. The receptacle 20 may be formed of various materials, some of which may include ceramic, high-temperature refractory metal, heat-resistant stone, granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate, quartz, ceramic, concrete, ceramic, or a castable refractory material, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the receptacle 20 may be formed of various commercially available materials, including at least Plicast Al-Tuff 3000 KK or Plicast 31000 Special KK (Plibrico Company LLC, Northbrook, Ill.), Kast-O-Lite products (Harbison Walker International, Pittsburgh, Pa.), or other heat-resistant, refractory products available on the market. When formed of any one or more of the foregoing materials, the receptacle 20 may have various temperature-service limits and/or standard operating temperatures, ranging from about 1,500 F. to about 3,500 F.

[0049] When viewed from a top plan or bottom plan view, or when viewed from a top-perspective view as in FIGS. 1, 4A, 4B, 10-12, the receptacle 20 may have a substantially spherical, cylindrical, or polyhedral geometry. In optional embodiments, the receptacle 20 may comprise a variety of geometrical configurations, including configurations in which the wall 30 and the base 40 of the receptable 20 form a prism. By way of example, the receptacle 20 may comprise a configuration in which the wall 30 and the base 40 form a polyhedral geometry, such as the square prism (or cuboid) shown in FIG. 11, and the rectangular prism (or cuboid) shown in FIG. 12. The receptacle 20 may comprise other polyhedral geometries, wherein the receptacle 20 may have a general shape of a triangle, rhombus, parallelogram, a trapezoid, a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, or a decagon, as well as a shape having any more than ten discrete edges or sides. As shown in FIGS. 1-10, and by way of example, the receptacle 20 may comprise a configuration in which the wall 30 and the base 40 form a substantially cylindrical prism. The cylindrical prism may have a general shape of a circle, half circle, semi-circle, quarter-circle, oval, or ellipsis.

[0050] The wall 30 and the base 40 of the receptacle 20 may define and enclose (or otherwise contain) a burn chamber 22, as discussed further below. By and through an opening 74, as depicted in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9, the burn chamber 22 may be exposed, or otherwise open to, environmental conditions external to the portable fireplace 10, including atmospheric conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, air content or air molecular composition) and other external elements or molecules, as discussed further below. When a flammable substance 14, as depicted in FIG. 3, is ignited, a flame 12 is generated and may extend from the burn chamber 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11-12. In optional embodiments of the receptacle 20, a plurality of the wall 30 and the base 40 may define and enclose one or more of the burn chamber 22, as further discussed below.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 11-12, the receptacle 20 comprises the wall 30 and the base 40. The base 40 may be configured to rest upon a surface supporting the portable fireplace 10, such as a table, a floor, a ground, or any other surface capable of supporting the portable fireplace 10 in a generally upright position. An underside of the base 46 may include, integrally with the base 40 or by removable attachment, a scratch-proof (or scratch-resistant) material (not depicted). The scratch-proof material may be configured to prevent, or otherwise mitigate, the scuffing, marking, or damaging of the surface upon which the portable fireplace 10 rests. The scratch-proof material may be formed of various materials, some of which may include elastomers, leather, fabric, plastic, felt, rubber, or silicon, or combinations thereof. In other optional embodiments, the underside of the base 46 may include one or more supports (not shown), each of which may be adjustable or nonadjustable to vary the height or angle at which the base 40 rests upon the surface supporting the portable fireplace 10. For example, the one or more supports (not shown) may include a disc (not shown), a stop (not shown), a caster (not shown), a pad (not shown), or feet (not shown) having a threaded rod (not shown) configured to be fastened to bored holes (not shown) on the underside of the base 46, the bored holes (not shown) having a threaded configuration (not shown) that corresponds to the threaded rod (not shown).

[0052] The wall 30 may be continuous, as shown in FIGS. 1-10, though in optional embodiments the wall 30 may be non-continuous, having a plurality of segmented, ribbed, partitioned, edged, or non-linear sections of the wall 30, as shown in FIGS. 11-12. The wall 30 may be integral with the base 40, though in optional embodiments the base 40 may be removably attached to the wall 30 or otherwise non-integral with the wall 30. In optional embodiments, the receptable 20 may be molded, sculpted, printed (three-dimensionally), or otherwise formed from a single piece of material, thereby producing an embodiment in which the wall 30 is continuous, and integral, with the base 40.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 3-7 and 9, the wall 30 may comprise a wall interior side 32 and a wall exterior side 34, wherein the wall interior side 32 is opposite to the wall exterior side 34. The base 40 may comprise a base interior side 42 and a base exterior side 44, wherein the base interior side 42 is opposite the base exterior side 44. The wall interior side 32 and the base interior side 42 may define the burn chamber 22, which is open to an environmental external to the receptacle 20, as described above. The wall interior side 32 and the wall exterior side 34 may co-extend upward from the base 40, such that the wall interior side 32 and the wall exterior side 34 form an upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20. The upper portion 70 may define the opening 74 to the burn chamber 22, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11. A plane (not shown) defined through, or along, a surface of the upper portion 70 may be generally orthogonal to a plane (not shown) defined by, or along, the wall interior side 32 (not shown) and a plane (not shown) defined by, or along, the wall exterior side 32. The wall interior side 32 and/or the base interior side 42 may be formed of various heat-resistant materials separate and distinct from other aspects of the receptacle 20 (e.g., a body of the receptacle 20, or the wall exterior side 34 and/or the base exterior side 44), including the materials listed with respect to the composition of the receptable 20.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, components of the portable fireplace 10, such as the wall 30, the base 40, and the burn chamber 22, may have certain dimensions. In embodiments where the receptacle 20 comprises a configuration in which the wall 30 and the base 40 form a substantially cylindrical prism, the receptacle 20 may have a height 80, measured from, for example, the base underside 46 of the base 40 to the upper portion 70. The height 80 may range from about 3.5 inches to about 24 inches. In embodiments where the receptable 20 is shaped circularly or in a cylindrical manner, as in FIG. 10, the receptacle 20 may have a lower diameter 82 and an upper diameter 84, which depending upon the shape and configuration of the receptacle 20, may be equal to or different from another. In optional embodiments where the wall 30 tapers from the base 40 as it extends upward from the base 40, the lower diameter 82 may range from about 5 inches to about 48 inches, and the upper diameter 84 may range from about 4.5 inches to about 48 inches. The burn chamber 22 may have a depth 86 (as defined by a length of the wall interior side 32), measuring from about 2 inches to under about 24 inches. In those embodiments in which the receptable 20 is shaped circularly or in a cylindrical manner, as in FIG. 10, the burn chamber 22 may have a diameter 88 ranging from about 2 inches to under about 48 inches. Overall, the size and shape of the receptacle 20 of the portable fireplace 10 is such that a user may move, with little ease, the portable fireplace 10. The portable fireplace 10 is thus configured to be portable and mobile, such that a user can enjoy use of the portable fireplace 10 in multiple settings, such as multiple living spaces, bedrooms, or other areas in a residential home or beyond.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 11, components of the portable fireplace 10, such as the wall 30, the base 40, and the burn chamber 22, may have certain dimensions. In embodiments where the receptacle 20 comprises a polyhedral geometry, the wall 30 and the base 40 form a substantially square prism (or cuboid), as illustratively conveyed in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, there may be one or more of the wall 30 and the base 40, such as four of the wall 30 and/or the base 40, with the wall 30 and the base 40 not being continuous with one another. The receptacle 20 may have a height 100, measured from, for example, the base underside 46 (not shown) to the upper portion 70. The height 100 may range from about 3.5 inches to about 24 inches. The receptacle may have a substantially equal width 102 and a length 104, each ranging from about 4 inches to about 48 inches. The burn chamber 22 may have a depth (not shown), as defined by a length of the wall interior side 32 (not shown), measuring from about 2 inches to under about 24 inches. The burn chamber 22 may have a substantially equal width (not shown) and length (not shown), each ranging from about 2 inches to under about 48 inches. As discussed with respect to FIG. 10, the size and shape of the receptacle 20 of the portable fireplace 10 is such that a user may move, with little ease, the portable fireplace 10.

[0056] Still referring to FIG. 11, the portable fireplace 10 may further include a lid 90, the lid 90 being removable from the receptacle 20. The lid 90 may comprise a plate 92 and a handle 98. The plate 92 may have a plate external surface 94 opposite to a plate internal surface 96. The plate 92 may have dimensions at least larger than the dimension of the opening 74; in optional embodiments, the plate 92 may have a substantially similar shape and size as the upper surface 70 of the receptacle 20, such that an outer bound 93, or an outer rim 93, aligns with a periphery of the upper surface 70 of the receptacle 20. The plate 92 may be comprised of any material suitable of withstanding exposure to the flame 12 and an operating temperature of the upper surface 70 of the portable fireplace 10; by way of example, the plate 92 may be comprised of a refractory material, a ceramic material, or a high-temperature polymer, or any material identified with respect to the receptacle 20, and in other embodiments, the plate 92 may be comprised of lightweight, non-flammable, and metallic elements, including aluminum.

[0057] The plate 92 may be lowered, or otherwise placed, atop the upper surface 70 of the receptacle 20, such that the plate internal surface 96 engages the upper surface 70 to seal the opening 74 of the burn chamber 22 from environmental conditions external to the portable fireplace 10. Where the flammable substance 14 is ignited, such that the flame 12 is produced, the plate 92 of the lid 90 may be lowered, or otherwise placed, atop the upper surface 70 to extinguish the flame 12. Moreover, the plate 92 may cover the upper surface 70 from a user's inadvertent contact with the upper surface 70, where the receptacle 20 was heated by combustion of the flammable substance 14. The handle 98 may be connected or otherwise attached to the external surface 94 of the plate 92. The handle 98 may enable a user of the portable fireplace 10 to removably engage the plate 92 of the lid 90 on and away from the upper surface 70 of the receptacle 20. In optional embodiments, the handle 98 comprises a centrally located knob connected with the plate 92, such that the plate 92 additionally shields the user's hand from the flame 12 as the plate 92 is positioned atop the receptacle 20 of the portable fireplace 10.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 12, components of the portable fireplace 10, such as the wall 30, the base 40, and the burn chamber 22, may have certain dimensions. In embodiments where the receptacle 20 comprises a polyhedral geometry, the wall 30 and the base 40 form a substantially rectangular prism (or cuboid). As in this embodiment, there may be one or more of the wall 30 and the base 40, such as four of the wall 30 and/or the base 40, with the wall 30 and the base 40 not being continuous with one another. The receptacle 20 may have a height 100, measured from, for example, the base underside 46 (not shown) to the upper portion 70. The height 100 may range from about 3.5 inches to about 24 inches. The receptacle 20 may have a width 102 and a length 104, with the width ranging from about 4 inches to about 42 inches, and the length ranging from about 6 inches to about 48 inches. The burn chamber 22 may have a depth (not shown), as defined by a length of the wall interior side 32 (not shown), measuring from about 2 inches to under about 24 inches. The burn chamber 22, as shown here, may have a shape that does not conform or align with the geometry of the receptacle 20, though in optional embodiments, the shape of the burn chamber 22 may be non-linearly curved, rounded, angular, or otherwise. The burn chamber 22 may have a length 108 that is proportionally co-extensive with the length 104 of the receptacle 20, which may range from about 4 inches to about 46 inches; further, the burn chamber 22 may have a width 106 that is proportionally co-extensive with the width 102 of the receptacle 20, which may range from about 2 inches to about 40 inches. As discussed with respect to FIGS. 10-11, the size and shape of the receptacle 20 of the portable fireplace 10 is such that a user may move, with ease, the portable fireplace 10.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the portable fireplace 10 may comprise a liner 50 having properties of a refractory material. The liner 50, which may be referred to as a flammable mesh 50, a flammable fiber 50, or a refractory liner 50, may be positioned, or otherwise disposed, within the burn chamber 20 by engaging the wall interior side 32 and the base interior side 42. The refractory liner 50 may have a refractory interior side 52 opposite to a refractory exterior side 54, and the refractory exterior side 54 may engage the wall interior side 32. In optional embodiments, the refractory liner 50, by way of the refractory exterior side 54, may engage the base interior side 42 and at least a portion of the wall interior side 32. As shown in FIGS. 3-7 and 9, the upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20 may lip, or otherwise extend over, at least a portion of the refractory liner 50. When positioned within the burn chamber 22, the refractory liner 50 may accommodate the dimensions of the burn chamber 22, as discussed with respect to FIGS. 10-12. The refractory liner 50 may have a generally uniform thickness, defined by the distance from the refractory interior side 52 to the refractory exterior side 54. This generally uniform thickness may range from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch.

[0060] The refractory liner 50 may be configured to not only receive the flammable substance 14 in the burn chamber 22, as shown in FIG. 3, but also to absorb at least a portion of the flammable substance 14, as further discussed below. The flammable substance 14 may comprise at least one of ethanol (C.sub.2H.sub.5OH), such as bioethanol, or isopropyl alcohol (C.sub.3H.sub.7OH), or a combination thereof. In optional embodiments, the flammable substance 14 comprising isopropyl alcohol may have a chemical composition having between about fifty percent (50%) to about ninety-nine percent (99%) of isopropyl alcohol, and in embodiments where the flammable substance 14 comprises ethanol, the flammable substance 14 may have a chemical composition having between about fifty percent (50%) to about ninety-nine percent (99%) of ethanol. In other embodiments, the flammable substance 14 may comprise a burn gel fuel, such as an alcohol-based gel fuel. When the flammable substance 14 is ignited by a source providing combustion, such as a struck matchstick or gas-fueled lighter, the flammable substance 14 may produce the flame 12 in the burn chamber 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11-12. While producing the flame 12, the ignited flammable substance 12 generates minimal (or no) harmful byproducts, such as methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, dioxins, aldehydes, cadmium, arsenic, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or other volatile chemicals, or carcinogenic chemicals, nor does it produce an undesirable odor or generate soot, smoke, or other unwanted or noxious deposits or discharge.

[0061] As stated above, the refractory liner 50 may be configured to receive the flammable substance 14 in the burn chamber 22. The refractory liner 50 may further be configured to absorb at least a portion of the flammable substance 14. The refractory liner 50 may be configured to absorb the entirety of the flammable substance 14, or a portion of the flammable substance 14. For example, the refractory liner 50 may absorb an amount of flammable substance 14 such that the refractory liner 50 is fully or substantially saturated. The refractory liner 50 may be formed by woven ceramic, or the refractory liner 50 may comprise a material comprising alumina and/or silica, such as aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) and silica oxide (SiO.sub.2). In embodiments where the refractory liner 50 comprises aluminum oxide and silica oxide, the chemical composition may range as follows: from about forty-five percent (45%) to about fifty-five percent (55%) of aluminum oxide, and from about forty-five percent (45%) to about fifty-five percent (55%) of silicon oxide. As to embodiments chemically composed of aluminum oxide and silica oxide, the refractory liner 50 may have the physical properties, as shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Physical Property Composition No. 1 Composition No. 2 Color Before Combustion Cream or Gray Cream or Gray Color after Combustion White White Maximum Temperature 2300 F. 2300 F. Recommended Operating Temperature 2100 F. 2100 F. Melting Point 3200 F. 3200 F. Nominal Density (lb/ft.sup.3) 14-16 18-22 Chemical Composition Al.sub.2O.sub.3: 47%-52% Al.sub.2O.sub.3: 47%-52% SiO.sub.2: 48%-53% SiO.sub.2: 48%-53% Loss on Ignition - Percent by Weight 4%-7% 4%-7% Typical Shrinkage (Percentage) within 24 <5% <5% Hours at 2000 F. Modulus of Rupture (PSI) Before Firing: 125 Before Firing: 150 After Firing: 65 After Firing: 65

[0062] The refractory liner 50 has low thermal conductivity and high-temperature stability, with resistance to thermal shock upon experiencing combustion. The refractory liner 50, which may derive from a vacuum-formed ceramic fiberboard, may further comprise organic and inorganic binders as part of the chemical composition comprising, in optional embodiments, aluminum oxide and silicon oxide. In those embodiments in which the refractory liner 50 contains organic and inorganic binders, the binders will dissipate or vaporize upon being submerged or dipped into colloidal silica and thereby subjected to a temperature between about 400 F.-500 F.as when the refractory liner 50 is set aflame vis--vis combustion of the flammable material 14. In optional embodiments, the refractory liner 50 may be comprised of a heat-resistant material, such as ISAFORM 2300, as prepared by Insulation Specialties of America Inc.

[0063] As stated above, the refractory liner 50 may be configured to receive and absorb at least a portion of the flammable substance 14, as deposited, poured, or otherwise provided to the refractory liner 50 through the opening 74 of the burn chamber 22. Where the refractory liner 50 receives and absorbs at least a portion of the flammable substance 14, the flammable substance 14 may burn for a period of time (the burn time) corresponding to the amount or quantity of the flammable substance 14 deposited, poured, or otherwise provided to the refractory liner 50 in the burn chamber 22. For example, with 4 ounces of flammable substance 14, in this case 99% isopropyl alcohol, the refractory liner 50 can allow the flammable substance 14 to burn for around 91 minutes, whereas a comparable receptacle not having the refractory liner 50 can only burn for around 43 minutes using 4 ounces of the same flammable substance 14. In another example, with 12 ounces of flammable substance 14, the refractory liner 50 can allow the flammable substance 14 to burn for around 200 minutes, whereas a comparable receptacle not having the refractory liner 50 can only burn for 45 minutes using 5 ounces of flammable substance 14. Burn time, however, may increase in conjunction with the quantity of the flammable substance 14 deposited, poured, or otherwise provided to (and/or absorbed by) the refractory liner 50 in the burn chamber 22. Burn time may also depend upon a number of other factors, including: a percentage of isopropyl alcohol or ethanol present in the chemical composition of the flammable substance 14, where such flammable substance 14 comprises isopropyl alcohol or ethanol; ambient air temperature or humidity conditions, i.e., the temperature or humidity of the environment external to the portable fireplace 10; the then-current temperature of the receptable 20, and, in particular, the then-current temperature of the burn chamber 22 defined, at least in part, by the wall interior side 32 and the base interior side 42; and the thickness of the refractory liner 50, as measured by the distance from the refractory interior side 52 to the refractory exterior side 54.

[0064] The refractory liner 50 provides a number of advantages. First, by burning the flammable substance 14, wherein the flammable substance 14 is received and absorbed by the refractory liner 50, the base exterior side 44 of the base 40 and/or the wall exterior side 34 of the wall 30 may have a lower temperature by plus (+) or minus () 70 F. By having a lower temperature, a user may safely touch, grab, hold, or otherwise manipulate the receptacle 20 of the portable fireplace 10, with a minimized risk of bodily injury to the user. Second, because the refractory liner 50 absorbs at least a portion of the flammable substance 14, the flammable substance 14 may not be intentionally or unintentionally spilled out of the burn chamber 22 of the receptacle 20. Absorption of the flammable substance 14 by the refractory liner 50 thus reduces a risk of personal injury, property damage, or fire hazard, given that tip-over (or another inversion) will not spill the flammable substance 14, especially when the flammable substance 14 has already been ignited.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 6, the portable fireplace 10 may further include a woven refractory material 60, such as a ceramic-based mesh 60. The ceramic-based mesh 60 may have a mesh interior side 62 opposite to a mesh exterior side 64. The ceramic-based mesh 60 may be positioned, or otherwise disposed, within the burn chamber 22, such that the mesh exterior side 64 of the ceramic-based mesh 60 engages the refractory interior side 52 of the refractory liner 50. When positioned within the burn chamber 22, the ceramic-based mesh 60 may accommodate the dimensions of the refractory liner 50, and by extension, the dimensions of the burn chamber 22, as discussed with respect to FIGS. 10-12. The ceramic-based mesh 60 may have a generally uniform thickness, defined by the distance from the mesh interior side 62 to the mesh exterior side 64. This generally uniform thickness may range from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch.

[0066] The ceramic-based mesh 60 may be formed by a material comprising alumina- and/or silica-based ceramics or ceramic-fibers, and in optional embodiments, may be mechanically reinforced with fiberglass filaments or various metal alloys, including steel wire or threads. The ceramic-based mesh 60 has low thermal conductivity, resistance to thermal shock, and high-temperature resistance, and in optional embodiments, the ceramic-based mesh 60 may have the physical properties shown in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Physical Property Mesh Maximum Temperature 2300 F. Recommended Operating Temperature 2100 F.-2300 F. Melting Point 3200 F. Specific Heat 0.27 tu/lb F.

[0067] While the ceramic-based mesh 60 is heat-resistant and non-flammable, the ceramic-based mesh 60 may influence the combustion of the flammable substance 14 or the magnitude of the flame 12. This is referred to as the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the ceramic-based mesh 60. The LOI is defined as a minimum concentration of oxygen (O.sub.2), expressed as a volume percentage, in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that support a combustion of a material resting at room temperature until ignited. The ceramic-based mesh 60, particularly in those embodiments reinforced by fiberglass filaments or various metal alloys, may reduce the flammability of the flammable substance 14, thereby resulting in a decreased magnitude of the flame 12 or the scope of combustion of the flammable substance 14. The ceramic-based mesh 60 may function as fillers and thermal insulators, thereby increasing the LOI of the materials in the burn chamber 22, which in turn limits, reduces, or minimizes an intake of oxygen in the burn chamber 22. By reducing the combustion of the flammable substance 14 or the scope of the flame 12, the portable fireplace 10 may be configured for safer use, such that a user may move, operate, place on a surface, or otherwise manipulate the portable fireplace 10 without a greater risk for personal injury or property damage due to the breadth of flame 12.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 4B and 7-9, the portable fireplace 10 may further include a collar 72. In accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure, the collar 72 may be positioned atop the upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20, as shown in FIGS. 8-9. The collar 72 may be removably coupleable or attachable to the upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20, or it may otherwise be integral or continuous with the upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20.

[0069] In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 7, the collar 72 may be positioned adjacent to the upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20 such that at least a portion of the collar 72 contacts an inner surface 76 of the upper portion 70. The collar 72 may further be removably coupleable to the inner surface 76 of the upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20. More specifically, the collar 72 may be configured to couple to the upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20 via an interference fit between a substantially round outer edge 78 of the collar 72 and an inner surface 76 of the upper portion 70 of the receptacle 20. The dimensions of the opening 74 may vary such that an upper end of the opening 74 is larger than a lower end of the opening 74, allowing the collar 72 to slide into the opening 74 only a certain distance before an interference fit is achieved.

[0070] Like the wall interior side 32 and/or the base interior side 42 of the receptacle 20, the collar 72 may be formed of various heat-resistant materials separate and distinct from other aspects of the receptacle 20 (e.g., the wall exterior side 34 or the base exterior side 44), including the materials listed with respect to the composition of the receptable 20. The collar 72 may have geometric dimensions configured to limit exposure of the burn chamber 22 to the environment external to the burn chamber 22 of the receptacle 20. Stated differently, the collar 72 may be of a size, shape, or configuration that decreases a size of the opening 74 to the burn chamber 22, thereby limiting exposure of the burn chamber 22 to external conditions, which could include any one or more of oxygen (O.sub.2), ammonia (NH.sub.3), butane (C.sub.4H.sub.10), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H.sub.2), methane (CH.sub.4), or propane (C.sub.3H.sub.8), or a combination thereof. In the case of oxygen, the collar 72 may reduce the intake of oxygen (O.sub.2) into the burn chamber 22, thereby reducing the combustion of the flammable substance 14 or the scope of the flame 12. Like the mesh-based ceramic 60, the collar 72 may render the portable fireplace 10 safer, such that a user may move, operate, place on a surface, or otherwise manipulate the portable fireplace 10 without a greater risk for personal injury or property damage due to the breadth of the flame 12.

[0071] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms have been defined above (and below). The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present disclosure. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the disclosure, but their usage does not delimit the disclosure, except as set forth in the claims.

[0072] The terms attached, connected, and engaged, and the like, or any variation thereof, should generally be interpreted to mean any manner of joining two objects including, but not limited to, the use of any fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pin and clevis, and the like allowing for a stationary, translatable, or pivotable relationship; welding of any kind such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, inductive welding, and the like; using any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; being integrally formed as a single part together; any mechanical fit such as a friction fit, interference fit, slidable fit, rotatable fit, pivotable fit, and the like; any combination thereof; and the like.

[0073] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of a, an, and the may include plural references, and the meaning of in may include in and on. The phrase in one embodiment, in optional embodiments, or in another embodiment, and variations thereof, as used herein, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. As used herein, the phrase one or more of, when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the items may be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. For example, one or more of item A, item B, and item C may include, for example, without limitation, item A or item A and item B. This example also may include item A, item B, and item C, or item Band item C.

[0074] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, can, might, may, e.g., and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. The conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0075] As used herein, the term about is used to mean approximately, roughly, around, or in the region of. When the term about is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term about is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of twenty-five percent (25%) up or down (higher or lower), unless stated otherwise in the disclosure.

[0076] The previous detailed description has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of a new and useful PORTABLE FIREPLACE HAVING A REFRACTORY MATERIAL, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the following claims. Thus, it is seen that the apparatus, methods, and/or systems of the present disclosure readily achieve the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described for present purposes, numerous changes in the arrangement and construction of parts and steps may be made by those skilled in the art, which changes are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.