[0001] The invention relates to an assembly of a heater and a fuel holder placeable on the
heater, the fuel holder being provided with a metering part with a fuel outflow opening,
the metering part being provided with a closing means which can be brought in a first
or a second position, respectively, for closing off or not closing off, respectively,
the outflow opening, the metering part being further provided with spring means arranged
for applying a spring force to the closing means, such that under the influence of
this spring force the closing means is brought into the first position, the heater
being provided with a fuel filling opening provided with means for bringing the closing
means of the fuel holder in the second position, against the spring force of the spring
means, when the fuel holder with the metering part is placed in a filling position
in the filling opening of the heater.
[0002] Such an assembly is known from practice. When the fuel holder is not used in combination
with the heater, for instance during storage and/or transport, the outflow opening
of the holder is closed off by the closing means. The closing means has then been
brought into the first position by the spring means.
[0003] In order to provide the heater with fuel, the metering part of the fuel holder is
coupled by way of the outflow opening to the filling opening of the heater. In this
filling position, the fuel holder is, as a rule, in an upside-down position, at least
with the metering part and the outflow opening turned downwards.
[0004] The filling opening of the heater is arranged for bringing the closing means of the
fuel holder into the second position when the holder has been placed on the heater
in the filling position so that fuel present in the holder can flow into the heater.
To this end, the heater is provided at the filling opening with an upwardly projecting
pin which pushes the closing means of the holder to the second position against the
spring force of the spring means. After the fuel holder is positioned on the heater,
the pin applies an upwardly directed normal force to the closing means, which normal
force is a reaction force of the gravitational force applied by the mass of the fuel
holder to the pin.
[0005] The fuel outflow opening of the metering part of the fuel holder is relatively small,
as during burning of the heater, as a rule, a relatively small fuel flow flows to
the heater via the opening. Furthermore, the small size of the fuel outflow opening
is desired to prevent fuel from being spilled during placement of the fuel holder
onto the heater or taking the fuel holder from the heater. Moreover, as a result,
refilling the fuel holder by a user is considerably hampered or even made impossible.
[0006] An advantage of the known assembly is that at any location, the heater can be provided
with fuel by the fuel holder. Furthermore, the heater and the fuel holder detachable
therefrom can be transported and stored safely and separate from each other, while
the outflow opening of the fuel holder is safely closed off by the closing means.
Furthermore, coupling the fuel holder to the heater proceeds in a relatively simple
manner by simply placing the holder onto the heater in the desired filling position.
The holder can then be retained in position, by means of, for instance, retaining
means such as clamping and/or strapping means or the like, connected to the heater,
and/or wall parts of the heater extending along the holder.
[0007] In the known assembly, the fuel holder comprises a relatively large metal fuel can,
while the metering part comprises a detachable metal cap. The outflow opening and
the spring means of the fuel holder are provided in this cap. When the fuel holder
is empty, the cap can be taken from the fuel holder so that relatively large fuel
holder filling opening is cleared. Then, the holder can be refilled via the holder
filling opening. This has the advantage that each time the same fuel holder can be
used in combination with the heater.
[0008] A drawback of the known assembly is that refilling the fuel can is relatively cumbersome
and requires great accuracy. Fuel may then be spilled. When fuel is spilled, for instance
clothes of bystanders may be ruined. An important drawback of the known assembly is
that the fuel can is relatively large and heavy, which will complicate transport,
handling and storage of this fuel holder. By contrast, small fuel cans have the drawback
that they have a limited content.
[0009] The present invention contemplates solving problems of the known assembly while maintaining
its advantages. In particular, the invention contemplates an assembly of a heater
and a fuel holder, while the assembly can be used in a relatively safe manner.
[0010] According to the invention, the assembly is characterized to this end in that the
fuel holder metering part is undetachably connected to a wall of the fuel holder.
[0011] In this manner, the fuel holder is suitable to be used once, which is relatively
safe compared with reuse of the holder. The metering part cannot easily be removed
from the fuel holder, at least not without damaging the holder and rendering it unfit
for use, in that the metering part is undetachably connected to the holder, for instance
in that it forms an integral part of the wall of the holder. Accordingly, after use,
when fuel stored in the holder has been used up by the heater, the fuel holder is
to be replaced by a new, filled fuel holder to provide the heater with fresh fuel.
By each time using a new fuel holder, the cumbersome step of refilling the fuel holder
need not be carried out. Each used-up, empty fuel holder can, for instance, be recycled.
[0012] Preferably, some or all parts of the fuel holder are manufactured from plastic. As
a result, the holder can be of relatively light and yet sufficiently strong design.
Manufacturing the holder entirely from plastic, the spring means included, is particularly
advantageous because, as a result, the holder is more easily recyclable than a holder
composed from various materials. Further, a plastic holder can be manufactured in
large quantities relatively inexpensively, which is advantageous when the holder is
used as a disposable container. By designing each holder to be relatively light, the
holder can contain more mass in fuel before reaching a particular total weight relative
to a comparatively heavy holder, which is advantageous from the point of view of transport.
[0013] An advantageous plastic to be used in the holder is the relatively inexpensive high
density polyethylene (HDPE). This plastic has a low density, so that weight can be
economized on. Further, HDPE is somewhat translucent, so that the fuel level in the
holder can be observed from the outside when the holder wall is manufactured from
HDPE. Furthermore, HDPE in itself is relatively fuel impermeable, which is requisite
for the durability and safety of the fuel holder.
[0014] The invention further provides a fuel holder characterized by the subject matter
of claim 17. This holder is very safe in use as the fuel holder metering part is undetachably
connected to a wall of the fuel holder. Undesired refilling of the holder is thus
prevented. For that reason, the holder is particularly suitable for single use, which
offers the above-mentioned advantages.
[0015] Further elaborations of the invention are described in the subclaims. Presently,
the invention will be clarified with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the
drawing. In the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows a cross section of an assembly of a heater and a fuel holder according
to the state of the art;
Fig. 2 shows detail Q of the cross section represented in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows, represented in a partly cut-away manner, a side view of a metering part
with a closing means of a fuel holder according to the invention;
Fig. 4 shows a top plan view of the side view represented in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 shows, represented partly in cross section, a side view of the closing means
of the metering part represented in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 shows a top plan view of the side view represented in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 shows, represented in a partly cut-away manner, a side view of the metering
part represented in Fig. 3.
[0016] Fig. 1 shows an assembly of a heater 1 with a fuel holder 110 known from the state
of the art. The heater 1 is provided with a burner head 30 and a wick 4 for soaking
up fuel B from a lower container 5, transporting it to an evaporation surface 6 and
evaporating it there for the purpose of burning the fuel. Furthermore, the heater
1 comprises an air lock 7 for feeding air to the evaporated fuel B for the purpose
of burning the fuel B in the burner head 30. The air flow is indicated by arrows in
Fig. 1.
[0017] The known fuel holder 110 comprises a fuel reservoir enclosed by a wall 115. As shown
in Fig. 1, the holder 110 is placed, during use, by a metering part 114 on a filling
opening 2 of the lower container 5 of the heater 1 for continuously refilling this
lower container 5 with fuel B to a filling level represented by a dotted line 8. In
the filling opening 2, a filter 9 is arranged for filtering the fuel flowing via this
opening 2 to the lower container 5. By means of a threaded connection, the metering
part 114 is detachably connected to the holder 110.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the metering part 114 of the fuel holder is provided with a fuel
outflow valve comprising an assembly of a plug 112, a metal spring 113 and a fuel
outflow opening 111. With the plug 112 in a first position (not shown), the outflow
opening 111 is closed off by that plug 112. In Figs. 1 and 2, a second position of
the plug 112 is represented with the plug 112 not closing off the outflow opening
111. The spring 113 is arranged for applying a spring force to the plug 112 such,
that under the influence of that spring force, the plug 112 can be brought from the
second position to the first position. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the filter of the
fuel filling opening 2 of the heater 1 is provided with an upwardly projecting pin
3 for bringing and retaining the plug 112 of the fuel holder 110 in the second position,
against the spring force of the spring means 113 when the fuel holder is placed on
the heater in the filling position shown.
[0019] With the position of the plug 112 represented in Figs. 1 and 2, fuel can flow via
the outflow opening 111 from the fuel holder 110 to the lower container 5 of the heater
1, while air flows into the fuel holder 110. Naturally, the fuel flow from the holder
110 stops each time the fuel level 8 in the lower container 5 has reached the outflow
opening 111 of the fuel holder 110, since, in that case, no air can flow back into
the holder 110 any longer. In this manner, during use of the heater 1, the fuel in
the lower container 5 is continuously kept at the desired level 8 by the holder 110.
[0020] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the holder 110 known from the state of the art comprises
a metering part 114 which can be unscrewed, entailing the drawbacks mentioned in the
introduction.
[0021] Figs. 3 - 4 show a part of a fuel holder 10 according to the invention. This fuel
holder 10 is provided with a convex metering part 14 integrally connected to the fuel
holder wall 15. The metering part 14 is provided with a circular outflow opening 11.
In the metering part 14 a closing means 12 is arranged, which can be brought in a
first or second position, respectively, for closing off or not closing off, respectively,
the outflow opening 11. In Fig. 3, the first position of the closing means is represented.
Via spring means 13, the closing means 12 is connected to an inside 23 of the metering
part 14. The spring means 13 are arranged for applying a spring force to the closing
means 12 such that under the influence of this spring force, the closing means 12
is brought into the first position.
[0022] As shown in Fig. 5, the closing means 12 comprises a frustoconical body 16 which,
in the first position of the closing means 12, is contiguous to an inside of the outflow
opening 11 for closing off that opening 11. An outer side 17 of the frustoconical
body 16, which side is engaged by the pin 3 of the filling opening 2 of the heater
1 for bringing the closing means 12 to its second position, is of concave design.
The concave outer side 17 of the closing means 12 comprises a segment of a spherical
surface, such that the closing means 12 engages the pin 3 in a self-centering manner
as the holder 10 is being placed in the filling position onto the heater 1 in the
above-described manner. At right angles to an inside 19, remote from the outer side
17, of the frustoconical body 16 extends a cylindrical guiding element 20. At an outside,
this guiding element 20 is provided with four guiding ribs 21 extending in longitudinal
direction of this element. The spring means 13 comprise a spiral spring 13 extending
around the guiding element 20. By one end, the spiral spring 13 is integrally connected
to the inner side 19 of the frustoconical body 16. By means of three cross connections
24, the other end of the spiral spring 13 is connected to a fastening ring 22. This
fastening ring 24 is connected to the inner wall 23 of the metering part 14, for instance
by a snap and/or glue connection.
[0023] When the holder 10 represented in Fig. 3 is placed on the filling opening 2 of the
heater 1, the closing body 12 is moved by the pin 3 of the heater 1 in a direction
R, against the spring force of the spring 13, so that fuel can flow from the holder
10 via the outflow opening 11 to the container 5 of the heater 1.
[0024] Preferably, the spring means 13 comprise a plastic spiral spring. In addition, it
is advantageous when the closing means 12 is designed substantially from plastic.
The closing means can, for instance, be an integral part of the spring means. Further,
the fuel holder 10 can be manufactured entirely from plastic. Preferably, the wall
15 of the fuel holder is manufactured from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
[0025] With the closing means 12 in the first position, the spring means 13 of the closing
means 12 preferably apply a spring force to the closing means such that the fuel filling
opening 2 of the heater 1 retains the closing means 12 of the fuel holder 10 in the
second position, at least under the influence of the weight of the fuel holder 10,
when the fuel holder 10 is in the filling position. What is achieved in this manner
is that the spring means do not apply so large a spring force that the closing means
is already moved back by the spring means to the closed, first position while the
holder 10 still contains a certain amount of fuel. Further, the spring means 12 do
need to apply a sufficiently large spring force, such that the closing means is moved
completely to the first position when the fuel holder 10 is in a position of rest,
moved away from the heater 1.
[0026] The heater 1 and fuel holder 10 according to the invention are relatively safe in
use as the holder 10 is only suitable for single use.
[0027] It is self-evident that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment
described. Various modifications are possible within the framework of the invention
as outlined in the following claims.
[0028] For instance, the fuel holder can be manufactured from various materials. Preferably,
the holder is manufactured completely from disposable material. Further, it is advantageous
when the holder 10 does not comprise metal parts, in particular for designing the
holder to be relatively light.
[0029] The outflow opening 12 can have different sizes. In particular, the diameter of the
outflow opening is not more than approximately 1 cm.
[0030] Further, the outflow opening 12 can be shaped in various manners, such as circular,
angular, or comprise a combination of these and other shapes. The outflow opening
12 can be designed in different manners, for instance in that the opening 12 comprises
a bore, is provided with a porous mass or a porous dispensing body or in that the
outflow opening 11 is designed in a different manner.
[0031] Further, the holder can be placed on the heater in various orientations, for instance
horizontally, vertically and/or at an inclination, depending on the position of the
metering part and the outflow opening of the holder.
[0032] In addition, the holder can be placed on the heater in different positions, depending
on the position of the filling opening of the heater.
[0033] Further, the spring means 13 can for instance be arranged for allowing the closing
means 12 to be brought from the first to the second position when the means 3 of the
fuel filling opening 2 apply a force to the closing means which is less than approximately
3 N, in particular less than approximately 2 N. In this manner, a fuel holder of relatively
light design can still be opened by the means 3, such as the pin 3, for the purpose
of fuel supply to the heater 1, in particular in the event that the holder 1 is only
filled with fuel to a limited extent. Thus, the outflow opening of the holder is prevented
from being closed off prematurely by those spring means, so that the holder can entirely
empty into the heater 1.
[0034] Preferably, the mass of the holder, at least in a non-filled condition, is less than
approximately 0.3 kg, in particular less than approximately 0.2 kg, so that the holder
can be made with relatively little material.
1. An assembly of a heater and a fuel holder placeable on the heater, the fuel holder
(10) being provided with a metering part (14) with a fuel outflow opening, the metering
part (14) being provided with a closing means (12) which can be brought into a first
or second position, respectively, for closing off or not closing off, respectively,
the outflow opening (11), the metering part (14) being further provided with spring
means (13) arranged for applying a spring force to the closing means (12), such that
under the influence of that spring force, the closing means (12) is brought into the
first position, the heater (1) being provided with a fuel filling opening (2) which
is provided with means (3) for bringing the closing means (12) of the fuel holder
(10) into the second position, against the spring force of said spring means (13)
when the fuel holder (10) is placed by the metering part (14) in a filling position
in the filling opening (2) of the heater (1), characterized in that the fuel holder metering part (14) is undetachably connected to a wall (15) of the
fuel holder (10).
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said spring means (13) are substantially
manufactured from plastic.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said spring means comprise a plastic spiral
spring (13).
4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing means
(12) is manufactured from plastic.
5. An assembly according to at least claims 2 and 4, wherein the closing means (12) comprises
an integral part of the spring means (13).
6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel holder (10) is manufactured entirely from plastic.
7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall (15) of the fuel holder (10) is manufactured from High Density Polyethylene
(HDPE).
8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metering part
(14) is a convex part (14) of the wall (15) of the fuel holder (10).
9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, with the closing
means (12) in the first position, said spring means (13) apply a spring force to the
closing means (12) such that the fuel filling opening (2) of the heater (1) retains
the closing means (12) of the fuel holder (10) in the second position, at least under
the influence of the weight of the fuel holder (10), when the fuel holder (10) is
in said filling position.
10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel holder
(10) is manufactured completely from disposable material.
11. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel holder
(10) does not comprise metal parts.
12. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a diameter of the
outflow opening (12) is approximately 1 cm or less.
13. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel filling opening (2) of the heater (1) is provided with a substantially upwardly
projecting pin-shaped body (3) for bringing the closing means (12) of the fuel holder
(10) in the second position.
14. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spring means (13) are arranged for allowing the closing means (12) to be brought
from the first to the second position when said means (3) of the fuel filling opening
(2) apply a force to the closing means which is less than approximately 3 N.
15. An assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that said spring means (13) are arranged for allowing the closing means (12) to be brought
from the first to the second position when said means (3) of the fuel filling opening
(2) apply a force to the closing means which is less than approximately 2 N.
16. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least said spring means (13) are substantially
manufactured from metal.
17. A fuel holder, evidently intended for an assembly according to any one of the preceding
claims.
18. A fuel holder according to claim 17, characterized in that the holder in a non-filled condition has a mass which is less than approximately
0.3 kg.
19. A fuel holder according to claim 18, characterized in that said mass is less than approximately 0.2 kg.