Lighting solid fuel fires constructed of coal, charcoal, peat and the like presents a number of practical difficulties since most solid fuels are slow burning and difficult to light but release appreciable amounts of energy when lit. Coal fires are particularly difficult to light partly because coal dust can easily extinguish a newly lit flame.

Currently the ignition of coal fires can be assiste by the use of commercially available firelighters. In general these consist of a solid generally cubic firelighter block containing a paraffin based fuel.

These are used by placing the firelighter block in the hearth where the fire is to be made, lighting the block and then placing coal on top of the firelighter block in an attempt to light the coal from the block. Such blocks are difficult to light, require the use of small

lumps of coal to be placed upon the firelighter to avoid extinguishing the flame and the flame when lit can easily be smothered by coal dust.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a firelighter for a solid fuel fire, the firelighter comprising combustible material, lighting means contained substantially inside the body of the firelighter, said lighting means being substantially surrounded by a cavity and the firelighter containing ventilation means in the combustible material, the ventilation means extending through the firelighter, to allow a throughflow of air in the firelighter.

Preferably the cavity is connecte to the ventilation means.

Preferably, the lighting means is secured to the top of the cavity and extends downwards therefrom.

Preferably the ventilation means consists of at least one hole extending through the surface of the combustible material from the cavity.

Optionally, the ventilation means is provided by at least one archway supporte by the side wall of the firelighter and at least one vent hole extending through the combustible material into the cavity.

Preferably, the cavity is bisected by the lighting means.

Optionally, the cavity extends radially outwards from the centre of the firelighter. Optionally the cavity

is cylindrical in shape. Optionally the cavity is substantially cubic in shape.

Preferably the lighting means is constructed from the same material as the combustible material.

Optionally, the lighting means is hollow and has outer walls made of the combustible material.

Optionally the lighting means is constructed from candle wick or the like.

Optionally the lighting means is constructed in part from said combustible material and also from candle wick or the like, so that said candle wick is used as a means of quickly lighting the firelighter.

Optionally, the lighting means is constructed of kindling.

Preferably the lighting means extends to the outer surface of the firelighter. Optionally the lighting means extends to beyond the outer surface of the firelighter.

Preferably the combustible material is constructed from paraffin wax or the like.

Preferably the firelighter is substantially cube shaped.

Optionally the firelighter is substantially dome shaped.

Optionally the firelighter is substantially cylinder shaped.

Optionally, the firelighter is substantially pyramid shaped.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for constructing a firelighter according to the first aspect of the invention, said kit of parts comprising at least one shaped section of combustible material and a shaped lighting means.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a firelighter for lighting solid fuel fires in which the combustible material is contained within a frame.

Preferably, the combustible material is a firelighter according to the first aspect of the invention.

Optionally, a solid block of combustible material may be used.

Preferably there is a gap between the combustible material and the frame.

Preferably the gap contains kindling or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a firelighter for a solid fuel fire, the firelighter comprising combustible material, at least one lighting means contained substantially inside the

body of the firelighter, each of said lighting means being substantially surrounded by a cavity and the firelighter containing at least one vent in the combustible material, the at least one vent extending through the firelighter, to allow a throughflow of air in the firelighter.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C show a perspective view, a side cross section and a bottom view of an example of the present invention, the example having a substantially cubic shape; Fig. 2 shows the cross sectional side view of Fig.

1B with additional lines indicating air flow; Fig. 3 shows a cross section of a second example of the present invention, this embodiment having a substantially domed shape; Fig. 4 shows a cross section of a third example of the present invention, further including a frame; Fig. 5A shows a dome shaped example of the present invention, Fig. 5B shows a pyramid shaped example of the present invention and Fig. 5c shows a substantially cylindrical example of the present invention;

Fig. 6A shows an example of the present invention in which the vents are arch shaped and cut into the bottom of the side surfaces of the firelighter, Fig. 6B shows a cross sectional view of this example and Fig.

6C shows a side view of this example; Fig. 7A shows an example of the present invention in which the firelighter is moulded in a single piece, the vents being formed by two slots, Fig. 7B shows a sectional view of the firelighter of Fig. 7A along line A-A and Fig. 7C shows a cross sectional view of the firelighter of Fig. 7A along line B-B showing the lighting means which extends from the front to the back of the firelighter; Fig. 8A shows a sectional view of the moulded firelighter of Figs.. 7A, 7B and 7C in which the vents are provided by slots in the sides and top of the firelighter and Fig. 8B is a perspective view of the firelighter of Fig. ;8A Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of the moulded firelighter of Figs.. 8A and 8B in which the lighting means extends upwards from the solid base of the firelighter; Fig. 10 shows a firelighter in accordance with the present invention in which there are two cavities, each containing lighting means; Fig. 11 shows a firelighter in accordance the present invention in which an enclose mesh cage

depends from the bottom of the combustible material; and Fig. 12A shows a partial cross section of a package of firelighters formed using vacuum formed trays and Fig. 12B shows a plan view of 20 such vacuum formed trays attache together.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1A shows a firelighter 10 according to the present invention. In this example the combustible material is a solid paraffin based fuel 12 which is stable in air but will catch light when placed in contact with a naked flame. The material may be the same as that used in conventional firelighters.

Vents 14 are located throughout the firelighter and consist of substantially tubular holes in the fabric of the paraffin based fuel 12. The vents may be cylindrical, substantially square in cross section or any other suitable shape. In addition, their width may be constant or variable.

Fig. 1B shows a cross sectional view of this embodiment of the firelighter 10. This view clearly shows the paraffin based fuel 12, vents 14 extending from the external surface of the firelighter to the cavity 20 inside which is located the lighting means 16. The lighting means 16, in this example is constructed from the same paraffin based fuel as the rest of the body of the firelighter. Cavity 20 provides a space around the lighting means 16 through which air can circulate.

Fig. 1C shows a bottom view of the embodiment of Figs.

1A and 1B. As can be seen in this figure, the lighting means 16 is enclose on four sides by the paraffin based fuel 12 and separated from the fuel by the cavity 20. Vents 14 are indicated by the dotted lines.

In use the firelighter 10 is placed in the hearth 18 of a fire (not shown) so that the firelighting means 16 is pointing downwards. Prior to or after placing the firelighter 10 on the hearth 18, the lighting means 16 is lit. Once placed on the hearth the firelighter catches fire. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the construction of the firelighter 10 allows air to circulate 22 around the cavity 20. Air circulation 22 improves the efficiency of burning and keeps the flame alive by ensuring a constant supply of oxygen to the flame. Once the firelighter has been lit, coal and/or other solid fuel may simply be piled on to the firelighter.

When the firelighter is lit, the flame is contained inside the firelighter 10 at the fire lighting means 16, this allows the flame to develop free from the effects of coal dust and the weight of the coal.

This is achieved because the outer surface of the fire lighter provides a barrier against the weight of the coal and the vents 14 allow air to move past the flame preventing build up of coal dust and supplying air to the fire. As a result, it has been found that a more intense flame is produced from the same type of combustible material as compare with conventional solid block firelighters.

Fig. 3 shows a second example of a firelighter 28 according to the present invention in which the fire lighter is substantially dome shaped but may otherwise be essentially similar to the first embodiment. In this example the fire lighting means is again constructed of paraffin based fuel 32 but further inclues a wick 34. The wick 34 is made from candle wick or other readily combustible material and extends outwards from the end of the paraffin based fuel to outside the body of the fire lighter. The wick is flexible and can be long enough to allow it to protrude from one of the vents, allowing the firelighter to be lit after being placed in the hearth. The wick 34 is used to light paraffin based fuel 32. As with the example illustrated in Fig. 1, in use, the fire lighter is placed on a hearth 38 and the presence of vents 30 in the body of the firelighter 36 allow air to circulate around the cavity 42 thus ensuring a supply of oxygen to the flame. The wick 34 could be incorporated into other embodiments.

It is also envisage that the lighting means could contain a solid section constructed of wood or a similarly combustible material which protrudes out from one of the vents or below the bottom surface of the firelighter. In addition, this solid section may further contain a second combustible material which ignites on the application of friction thereto. The first and second sections resembling a match stick.

The use of this arrangement would give a firelighter which can be ignited easily by applying friction to the

second combustible material in a manner similar to that employed when striking a match.

The lighting means of the firelighter may also be adapted to contain a slot into which the bottom of a match stick can fit. The match stick being secured in the slot and extending outwards from the firelighter so that the phead of the match is outside the firelighter.

The firelighter may be lit by striking the match which will then burn down and light the lighting means of the firelighter.

Fig. 4 shows a further example of a firelighter according to the present invention. In this example, the body of the fire lighter constructed from paraffin based material is substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

Alternatively, the paraffin based material may be in the form of a solid block. A frame 52 is indicated by the broken line. The frame is constructed from plastic mesh or the like and is used to give additional protection to the firelighter from the weight of solid fuel. In addition the space 54 between the frame 52 and the body of the fire lighter may be filled with kindling or the like in order to increase the flammability of the fire lighter. In this example, the frame 52, is designed to melt once the fire has taken hold. However, it is also envisage that a re-useable frame could be constructed from a heat resistant material.

Firelighters according to the present invention can be moulded from a single piece of paraffin based fuel and

as such, are simple and cheap to make in a range of different shapes. Alternatively, individual components of the present invention such as the fire lighting means 16,32 and 34 and the top section 40 may be constructed separately and assemble together.

Firelighters according to the present invention may be wrapped in cellophane, foil or the like for ease of storage and handling and can be packaged individually or in multi-packs. In addition, one end of the wick may be located outside the wrapper and as such may provide a means for lighting the firelighter without removing it from its wrapper. Alternatively, the wrapper could be made from a flammable material such as paper or the like.

Examples of different shaped fire lighters according to the present invention can be seen in Fig. 5. Fig. 5A shows a dome shaped firelighter, Fig. 5B shows a pyramid shaped fire lighter and Fig. 5C shows a cylinder shaped firelighter.

Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C show a further embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the firelighter is substantially square. The vents are provided by sections 60 cut into the bottom of the firelighter block. In this case, the vents are arch shaped. It will, however, be appreciated that other shaped vents could be made. The vents are arrange around the entire bottom surface of the firelighter in this example. This design simplifies the manufacturing process whilst including all the features which make

the improved firelighter burn efficiently. The lighting means 66 is constructed of firelighter material and in-this case has been hollowed out to form a tube shape. It will be appreciated that the lighting means could be of any other suitable type as exemplified herein.

Figs. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate a particularly preferred embodiment of a firelighter 70 which can be manufactured by setting the combustible material in a mould. Fig. 7A shows the firelighter 70, containing two ventilation holes. In this case, the holes are in the form of two elongated slots 72 which extend from the top surface of the firelighter to the cavity 74 located inside the body of the firelighter as shown in Fig. 7B. The cavity is bisected by the lighting means 76 which is formed integrally with the remainder of the firelighter and extends along the length of the firelighter as shown in Fig. 7C. In addition to providing the means for lighting the firelighter, the design of lighting means 76 shown in Figs. 7B and 7C provides the firelighter with added strength whilst allowing air to circulate through the cavity to allow efficient burning. The ventilation means of this embodiment also inclues arches 73 formed around the periphery of the bottom of the firelighter and communicating with the cavity 74.

Figs. 8A and 8B show an embodiment of the present invention 80 in which vents are provided by slots in the sides and top of the firelighter. In addition, the firelighter 80 has a solid flat base 82 and vents 84

are provided by enclose slots 84 in the side of the firelighter. The lighting means 86 depends downwards from the inside top surface of the cavity 88.

Fig. 9 shows a firelighter 90 of a similar type to that disclosed in Figs. 8A and 8B. In this case, however, the lighting means is connecte to the solid base 92 and extends upwards into the cavity 98.

Fig. 10 shows a firelighter 100 in accordance with the present invention, of a similar construction to that disclosed in Fig. 1B. In this example, two cavities 102 and 104 are present, each of which contain a lighting means 106 and 108 respectively. The cavities are separated by a partition 110 preferably made from combustible material. It will be appreciated that the use of a firelighter with more than one partition is not restricted to this example but may be applied to any of the firelighters of the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows a firelighter 112 in accordance with the present invention in which the combustible material 114 is attache to an enclose cage 116. The cage 116 is fitted to the bottom of the firelighter and provides a vent for the circulation of air up through the base portion of the firelighter 112 to allow a through-flow of air. This is assiste further by the presence of vent 120. The firelighter 112 is lit by wick 122.

Moulded firelighters of the type described above can be manufactured in a known manner by pouring firelighter mix into a vacuum formed tray and leaving it to set. A

foil lid can then be attache to the tray and the firelighter sold to the customer in this form. The firelighter can-be removed from the tray by depressing the bottom of the tray, which causes the foil lid to break and the firelighter to pop out. The embodiments of Figs. 6 and 7 in particular lend themselves to one- piece moulding in this manner and are particularly preferred for this reason, being especially simple and inexpensive to manufacture, using existing plant requiring only the use of suitable moulding trays.

Fig. 12A shows a partial cross section of a package of firelighters formed in this manner, showing part of a vacuum formed tray 150 which defines an array of individual moulds 152, each containing combustible material 154 forming a plurality of firelighters of the type illustrated in Fig.. 7 and covered by a sheet of foil 156. Fig. 12B shows a plan view of 20 such trays, in this case, attache together to form a large tray 160. The connections between each individual trays 152 contain perforations which allow them to be separated easily from the others. The large tray is particularly convenient for filling the trays with firelighter material during production and for storing the firelighters post production.

Alternatively, firelighters in accordance with the present invention can be made by pouring a quantity of liquid firelighter mix into trays. Once the firelighter material has partially solidifie hydraulically operated moulds are used to create an impression in the

material in the shape of either complete firelighters or parts thereof for assembly.

The present invention can also be used outdoors for barbecues and the like. Tests have shown that the firelighter will remain lit in high winds and that damp fuel may be ignited by the firelighter. As the design provides a firelighter with a more intense flame when used with known kerosene firelighter materials, a further modification to the design is envisage in which a mixture of slower burning and faster burning materials are used in a single firelighter. This combination will allow the firelighter to remain lit for longer than if it were constructed only of the faster burning material.

Improvements and modifications may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.