AU2005283814A1

AU2005283814A1 - Heating apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2005283814A1
Application number: AU2005283814A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Antonie Johannes Opperman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-15
Filing date: 2005-09-13
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Also published as: US20080233526A1; WO2006030376A1

Description

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 1 HEATING APPARATUS FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a heating apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a heating apparatus utilising 5 liquid and/or gas fuel. BACKGROUND TO INVENTION Various types of liquid and gas fuel heating stoves are known in Africa. For example, ZA1977/0491 discloses a petroleum stove wherein inner and outer flame sleeves of a burner sleeve are mounted to engage and io disengage on an upper end of a wick guiding sleeve for guiding a burner wick. ZA1996/9850 discloses a heating device in the form of a stove comprising a body defining a flow path extending venture fashion between an adjustable air inlet as provided by a swivellable ring displaying a plurality 15 of orifices which are swivellable to a larger or lesser extent into registration with orifices through the wall of the body. ZA1988/8320 discloses a paraffin stove which includes a substantially closed housing within which one or more reservoirs supporting burners are mounted, which include burner adjustment levers and the reservoirs 20 include filler opening which are closeable by means of filler caps. ZA1994/3833 discloses a cooking apparatus which includes a portable support adapted to support a cooking vessel, and which s provided with a circular base plate supporting an electrically operable heating element in such a fashion that the heating element can radiate heat upwardly from 25 an upper side thereof into a first heating zone as well as downwardly from a lower side thereof into a second heating zone.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 2 ZA1988/3258 discloses a cooking plate for a gas lamp which comprises a substantially flat support surface and a recess at the opposite side of the support surface for engagement with the top end of a gas lamp. ZA2003/4198 discloses a combustion stove, typically for use with a liquid 5 or gas fuel such as paraffin. The stove includes a housing which defines a water tank, a pair of combustion chambers located within the water tank, and heating plates exposed to the combustion chambers. ZA1998/9499 discloses a combustion apparatus which includes a substantially thick walled pipe of combustible material adapted to io operatively stand upright independently so that air-flow is possible through the length of the inner volume if the pipe, and means t ignite the operative lower inner wall of the pipe so that combustion thereof is initiated and continues by way of natural convection through the pipe. ZA1998/5493 discloses a cooking appliance comprising a concave burner is pan having a base and a peripheral side wall which together forma windshield and a gas burner disposed within the concavity of the pan, and an engagement formation adapted to mate with a corresponding engagement formation on a cooking surface, whereby such surface is releasably secured to the burner pan. A number of inter-changeable 20 cooking surfaces are disclosed which may be utilized in conjunction with the burner pan. ZA1988/1637 discloses a cooking apparatus for cooking foodstuffs by steaming which includes a tubular body adapted to receive in its lower end region a lower perforated food support preferably a wire basket, and 25 having formation for supporting a vertically spaced upper foods perforated food support also preferable in the form of a wire basket. ZA1990/6526 discloses a compact cooker which is easy to transport and adapted to burn low grade fuel such as wood, wood chips, waste paper, and relies on the efficient combustion of the fuel by the provision of a WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 3 combustion chamber enclosed in an insulated shell in conjunction with an inner liner having holes and a lower cone formation designed to enhance air flow in to the combustion chamber. ZA2001/4826 discloses a cooking device for use with a combustible gel 5 type fuel contained within a tin and that is combusted while so contained. ZA1988/7310 discloses a paraffin-fired stove accessory in the form of a round tube open at its end. The lower edge of the tube makes a friction fit with the circumscribing wall of a conventional paraffin-fired stove and the upper edge supports the bottom of a round-bottomed cooking pot so that 1o the bottom of the pot is sited over the burner head of the stove and the legs of the pot depend downwardly to the side of the burner head. ZA1999/7565 discloses a gas cylinder stand which includes a ring, which extends around the cylinder, means for clamping the ring to the cylinder, and three legs which extend downwardly and outwardly from the ring and 15 which are relatively adjustable in length. ZA1994/4088 discloses a kit for a portable gas appliance having an elongate stem of at least 150 mm in length for conveying gas from a disposable gas canister to a burner, a kit includes an adaptor for connecting the disposable has canister to the stem, the adaptor being 20 suitable dimensioned to engage the elongate stem so that the longitudinal axes of the stem and the canister are in line with one another. ZA1980/4345 discloses a cooker having a combustion chamber surrounded by a sleeve, and having an inlet means consisting of a piper passing through the sleeve and into the combustion chamber. 25 ZA1983/6610 discloses a stove comprising one or more housing, a corresponding number of removable vented receptacles in the form of wire mesh baskets which are adapted to receive burning fuel. The baskets are adapted for location in the housing above an air vent formed therein, WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 4 means being provided to supply additional air under pressure into each housing and the receptacle therein. ZA1972/7770 discloses a liquid fuel combustion device with an automatic igniting device, comprising a combustion sleeve, a wick guide sleeve, a 5 combustion wick and operating means, the operating means being so constructed that one operation from the exterior of the combustion device is adapted automatically to effect an operation for lifting the combustion sleeve, for igniting the combustion wick exposed from the wick guide sleeve by the lifting operation, for locking the combustion sleeve after its 10 ignition, and for releasing the lock. ZA1981/3030 discloses a liquid fuel burner comprising a vaporizing chamber sealed except for a liquid fuel inlet, and a fuel vapour outlet with combustion openings therein, the outlet being located sufficiently near the chamber to cause burning vapour in use to heat the chamber and vaporize is fuel therein. ZA1971/5646 discloses a fuel container having at least one concave wall and having means for increasing the pressure within the container. ZA1973/8374 discloses a cooking device comprising a pan and a lid to fit on the pan so that a cooking space is-defined between the pan and the lid, 20 the pan having a side wall and a bottom and a tubular projection extending from the bottom into the pan towards the lid and terminating in an aperture, and the Id having at least one venting aperture. ZA1998/9854 discloses a cooking device which comprises a hollow body which defines an enclosed compartment within which a cooking pot can be 25 supported above a lamp. The hollow body is thermally insulated and is disposed with respect to the lam in a configuration in which heat generated by the lamp is effectively trapped in the enclosed compartment. The heat so trapped can then serve to cook foodstuffs contained in a cooking port supported in the compartment.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 5 ZA1997/2154 discloses a stove comprising a base and a firebox mounted in the base. The base comprises a tubular body and a pair of support plates or feet connected to the lower end of the body so as to space the lower edge of the body fro the ground. 5 Unfortunately, the known liquid fuel operated heating apparatuses and stoves pose either a fire-danger or are considered impractical as a result of their construction and way of design. This often results in explosions, destructive fires and time wasting impracticalities when transported, stored or operated at either campsites ad informal settlements or other io indoor and outdoor environments where paraffin or other liquid or gas fuel are used to operate the stoves or apparatus. None of the above inventive prior patent specifications solve this problem. It is an object of the invention to suggest a heating apparatus for overcoming the aforementioned problems. 15 SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the invention, a heating apparatus includes a housing frame consisting of conduits for containing gas and/or liquid fuel and includes (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated; (b) burning means for heating the object supported on the 20 supporting means; and (c) inlet means for supplying the gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means. Also according to the invention, a heating apparatus includes (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated; 25 (b) burning means for heating the object supported on the supporting means; WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 6 (c) inlet means for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means; and (d) valve means associated with the burning means, and being adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the 5 burning means if the supporting means is not substantially horizontal. Yet further according to the invention, a heating apparatus includes (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated; (b) burning means for heating the object supported on the 10 supporting means; (c) inlet means for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means; and (d) valve means associated with the burning means, and being adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the 15 burning means if an object is not supported by the supporting means. Yet further according to the invention, a method of heating an object includes the steps (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supporting means; 20 (b) of providing gas and/or liquid fuel in a housing frame consisting of conduits; (c) of supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to burning means by valve means; and (d) heating the object supported on the supporting means by 25 means of the burning means.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 7 Yet further according to the invention, a method of heating an object includes the steps (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supporting means; (b) of supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to burning means by valve 5 means only if an object is being supported on the supporting means and which valve means is adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if an object is not supported by the supporting means; and (c) heating the object supported on the supporting means by 10 means of the burning means. Yet further according to the invention, a method of heating an object includes the steps (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supporting means; (b) of supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to burning means by valve 15 means only if the supporting means is substantially horizontal and which valve means is adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if the supporting means is not substantially horizontal; and (c) heating the object supported on the supporting means by 20 means of the burning means. The heating apparatus may be provided with further valve means. associated with the burning means, and being adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if an object is not supported by the supporting means. 25 The apparatus may be intended for domestic use, indoor and/or outdoor use.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 8 The fuel may be paraffin. The object to be heated may include at least one cooking pot, other cooking container or utensil and/or food. The apparatus may be provided with a base supporting structure. 5 The apparatus may be foldable. The apparatus may be transportable and/or portable. The housing frame may be disposable The supporting means may be moveable relative to the burning means. The valve means may include a ball valve, flow valve and/or a pressure io valve. The supporting means may be associated with a lever adapted to open the valve means when the supporting means moves downwardly due to an object placed on it. The supporting means may be associated with a lever adapted to operate 15 the pressure valve to allow the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel when the supporting means moves downwardly due to an object placed on it. The apparatus may be provide with movable means for moving the supporting means and the burning means relatively away from each other. 20 The valve means may be integrated into the inlet means and/or the housing frame. The inlet means may be removably connected to a gas and/or liquid fuel container. The inlet means may be integrated into a housing frame.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 9 The housing frame may consist of conduits for containing liquid and/or gas fuel. The conduits may include 16mm class II piping. The inlet means may include a master valve for manually preventing the 5 supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means. The apparatus may include illumination means. The illumination means may be connected to the conduits of the housing frame. The illumination means may be adapted to be fuelled by the supplying gas io and/or liquid fuel of the heating apparatus. The apparatus may include accessories and/or a combination of accessories for heating, cooking, transporting, storing and operating purposes. The accessories may be moveable relatively to the housing frame. 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. In the drawings there is shown in: Figure 1: a sectional side view of a heating apparatus in accordance 20 with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2: a sectional side view of the heating apparatus shown in Figure 1, but with supporting means not substantially horizontal and the valve means in a close position; WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 10 Figure 3: a sectional side view of a heating apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4: a sectional side view of the heating apparatus shown in Figure 3, but without supporting an object to be heated; 5 Figure 5: a perspective view of a heating apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 6: a top view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow VI in Figure 5; Figure 7: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow VII in 10 Figure 5; Figure 8: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow VIII in Figure 5; Figure 9: a perspective view of the piping of the heating apparatus shown in Figure 5; 15 Figure 10: a top view of the piping as seen from arrow X in Figure 9; Figure 11: a side view of the piping as seen from arrow XI in Figure 9; Figure 12: a side view of the piping as seen from arrow XII in Figure 9; Figure 13: a perspective view of the heating apparatus shown in Figure 5, but in a folded-away position; 20 Figure 14: a top view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XIV in Figure 13; Figure 15: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XV in Figure 13; WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 11 Figure 16: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XVI in Figure 13; Figure 17: a perspective view of a heating apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; 5 Figure 18: a top view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XVIII in Figure 17; Figure 19: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XIX in Figure 17; Figure 20: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XX in 10 Figure 17; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 of the drawings, a heating apparatus in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown. 15 The heating apparatus 10 includes (a) a housing frame 12 consisting of conduits for containing gas and/or liquid fuel, (b) supporting means 14 for supporting an object 16 to be heated; (c) burning means 18 for heating the object 16 supported on the 20 supporting means 14; (d) inlet means 20 for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means 18; and (e) valve means 22 associated with the inlet means 20, and which is adapted to close off the inlet means 20 if the supporting means 25 14 is not substantially horizontal.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 12 Either the inlet means 20 or the housing frame 12 are removably connected to a gas and/or liquid fuel container (not shown). The fuel is mainly paraffin. The object 16 to be heated can be a cooking pot, other cooking container 5 or utensil and/or food. The heating apparatus 10 is also transportable, portable and disposable. The valve means may be integrated into the inlet means. The conduits of the housing frame include 16mm class II piping. The inlet means 22 is integrated into the housing frame 12. io The inlet means 22 includes a master valve (not shown) for manually closing off fuel flow to the burning means 18. The heating apparatus 10 generally intended for domestic use and aims to reduce the danger of fires, in that the inlet means 20 are closed-off by means of the valve means 22 should the heating apparatus 10 is tilted 15 and whereby the object 16 can fall as it is not located on a substantially horizontal supporting means 14. Thus the heating apparatus 10 provides means for heating an object with the following steps (a) of supporting the object 16 to be heated on the supporting 20 means 14; (b) of opening the inlet means 20 for supplying the gas or liquid fuel to the burning means 18 by valve means 22 only if the supporting means 14 is substantially horizontal and which valve means 22 is adapted to close off the inlet means 20 if the 25 supporting means 14 is not substantially horizontal; and WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 13 (c) of heating the object 16 supported on the supporting means 14 by means of the burning means 18. In addition, the heating apparatus 10 has a lower centre of gravity due to the construction of the housing frame 12 consisting of conduits and 5 containing the gas and/or liquid fuel. The heating apparatus 10 is therefore more stable and increases the safety factor thereof. Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 of the drawings, a heating apparatus in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 30, is shown. io The heating apparatus 30 includes (a) a housing frame 32 consisting of conduits for containing gas and/or liquid fuel, (b) supporting means 34 for supporting an object 16 to be heated; (c) burning means 38 for heating the object 36 supported on the 15 supporting means 34; (d) inlet means 40 for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means 38; and (e) valve means 42 associated with the inlet means 40, and which is adapted to close off the inlet means 40 if an object is not 20 supporting by the supporting means 34. Either the inlet means 40 or the housing frame 32 are removably connected to a gas and/or liquid fuel container (not shown). The fuel is mainly paraffin. The object 36 to be heated can be a cooking pot, other cooking container 25 or utensil and/or food.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 14 The heating apparatus 30 is also transportable. The supporting means 34 is moveable relative to the burning means 38 by means of movable means (not shown) for moving the supporting means 34 and the burning means 38 relatively away from each other. 5 The valve means may be integrated into the inlet means. The conduits of the housing frame include 16mm class II piping. The inlet means 42 is integrated into the housing frame 32. The inlet means 42 includes a master valve (not shown) for manually closing off fuel flow to the burning means 38. 10 The heating apparatus 30 generally intended for domestic use and aims to reduce the danger of fires, in that the inlet means 40 are closed-off by means of the valve means 42 should the heating apparatus 30 fall over whereby the object 36 is not supported by the supporting means 34 anymore. 15 Thus the heating apparatus 30 provides means for heating an object with the following steps (a) of supporting the object 36 to be heated on the supporting means 34; (b) of opening the inlet means 40 for supplying the gas or liquid fuel 20 to the burning means 38 by valve means 42 only if the object 36 is being supported on the supporting means 34 and which valve means 42 is adapted to close off the inlet means 40 if the object 36 is not supported by the supporting means 34; and (c) of heating the object 36 supported on the supporting means 34 25 by means of the burning means 38.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 15 In addition, the heating apparatus 30 has a lower centre of gravity due to the construction of the housing frame 32 consisting of conduits and containing the gas and/or liquid fuel. The heating apparatus 30 is therefore more stable and increases the safety factor thereof. 5 Referring to Figures 5 to 16 of the drawings, a heating apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 50, is shown. The heating apparatus 50 includes (a) a housing frame 52 consisting of conduits for containing gas 10 and/or liquid fuel, (b) supporting means 54 for supporting an object 56 to be heated; (c) burning means 58 for heating the object 56 supported on the supporting means 54; and (d) inlet means 60 for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning 15 means 58. The fuel is mainly gas/liquid fuel such as paraffin. The object 56 to be heated is a cooking pan. The heating apparatus 50 is foldable to be compact to facilitate transporting the heating apparatus 50 (c.f. Figures 13 to 16). 20 The conduits of the housing frame include 60 to 120 mm tubing/piping. The inlet means 60 includes a master valve (not shown) for manually closing off fuel flow to the burning means 58. The heating apparatus 50 generally intended for domestic use and aims to reduce the danger of fires, in that the heating apparatus 50 has a lower 25 centre of gravity due to the construction of the housing frame 52 WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 16 consisting of piping and containing the gas and/or liquid fuel. The heating apparatus 50 is therefore more stable and increases the safety factor thereof, while the shape of the housing frame enables various practical modular accessories to be connected therewith and facilitating 5 transporting, storing and operating of the heating apparatus 50. Referring to Figures 17 to 20 of the drawings, a heating apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 70, is shown. The heating apparatus 70 includes 10 (a) a housing frame 72 consisting of conduits for containing gas and/or liquid fuel, (b) supporting means 74 for supporting an object (not shown) to be heated; (c) burning means 76 for heating the object supported on the 15 supporting means 74; (d) inlet means 78 for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means 76; and (e) illumination means 80 The fuel is mainly paraffin. 20 The heating apparatus 70 is foldable to be compact to facilitate transporting the heating apparatus 70. The conduits of the housing frame 72 include 32mm class II piping. The inlet means 78 includes a master valve (not shown) for manually closing off fuel flow to the burning means 76.

WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 17 The heating apparatus 70 generally intended for either camping and domestic use and aims to ensure stability, safety and practicality and reduce the danger of fires, in that the heating apparatus 70 has a lower centre of gravity due to the construction of the housing frame 72 5 consisting of piping and containing the gas and/or liquid fuel, which together with the inherent space frame design allows for a single accessory or a combination of accessories (which could also include extensions) to be store, transported and operated as a practical modular concept. The heating apparatus 70 is therefore more stable and practical. 10 WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 18 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 10 heating apparatus 12 housing frame 14 supporting means 5 16 object to be heated 18 burning means 20 inlet means 22 valve means 10 30 heating apparatus 32 housing frame 34 supporting means 36 object to be heated 38 burning means 15 40 inlet means 42 valve means 50 heating apparatus 52 housing frame 20 54 supporting means 56 object to be heated 58 burning means 60 inlet means 25 70 heating apparatus 72 housing frame 74 supporting means 76 burning means 78 inlet means 30 80 illumination means

Claims

1. A heating apparatus, which includes a housing frame consisting of conduits for containing gas and/or liquid fuel and which includes (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated; 5 (b) burning means for heating the object supported on the supporting means; and (c) inlet means for supplying the gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which includes valve means 10 associated with the burning means, and being adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if the supporting means is not substantially horizontal.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes valve means associated with the burning means, and being adapted to 15 prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if an object is not supported by the supporting means.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is intended for domestic use, indoor and/or outdoor use.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in 20 which the fuel is paraffin.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the object to be heated includes at least one cooking pot, any type of cooking container or utensil and/or food.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which 25 includes a base supporting structure. WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 20

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing frame and/or accessories are foldable relative to each other.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which 5 is transportable, portable and/or disposable.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the supporting means is moveable relative to the burning means.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in 10 which the valve means includes a ball valve, flow valve and/or a pressure valve.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the supporting means is associated with a lever adapted to open the valve means when the supporting means moves 15 downwardly due to an object placed on it.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the supporting means is associated with a lever adapted to operate the pressure valve to allow the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel when the supporting means moves downwardly due to an 20 object placed on it.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes movable means for moving the supporting means and the burning means relatively away from each other.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in 25 which the valve means is integrated into the inlet means and/or the housing frame. WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 21

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inlet means is removably connected to a gas and/or liquid fuel container.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in 5 which the inlet means is integrated into the housing frame.

18. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the conduits include 16mm class II piping.

19. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inlet means includes a master valve for manually 10 preventing the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means.

20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes at least one cooking, heating and/or illumination means.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which the cooking, heating 15 and/or illumination means is connected to the conduits of the housing frame.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, in which the cooking, heating and/or illumination means is adapted to be fuelled by the supplying gas and/or liquid fuel of the heating apparatus. 20

23. A heating apparatus, which includes (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated; (b) burning means for heating the object supported on the supporting means; (c) inlet means for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the 25 burning means; and WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 22 (d) valve means associated with the burning means, and being adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if an object is not supported by the supporting means. 5

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23, which is intended for domestic use, indoor and/or outdoor use.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, in which the fuel is paraffin.

26. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25, in which the 10 object to be heated includes at least one cooking pot, any type of cooking container or utensil- and/or food.

27. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, which includes a base supporting structure.

28. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27, which 15 includes a housing frame and/or accessories which are foldable relative to each other.

29. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28, which is transportable, portable and/or disposable.

30. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 29, in which the 20 supporting means is moveable relative to the burning means.

31. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 30, in which the valve means includes a ball valve, flow valve and/or a pressure valve.

32. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 31, in which the 25 supporting means is associated with a lever adapted to open the WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 23 valve means when the supporting means moves downwardly due to an object placed on it.

33. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 32, in which the supporting means is associated with a lever adapted to operate the 5 pressure valve to allow the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel when the supporting means moves downwardly due to an object placed on it.

34. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 34, which includes movable means for moving the supporting means and the burning means relatively away from each other. 10

35. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 34, in which the valve means is integrated into the inlet means.

36. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 35, in which the inlet means is removably connected to a gas and/or liquid fuel container. 15

37. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 36, in which the inlet means is integrated into the housing frame.

38. An apparatus as claimed in claims 37, in which the housing frame includes conduits.

39. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 38, in which the 20 inlet means includes a master valve for manually preventing the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means.

40. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 39, which includes ate least one cooking, heating and/or illumination means.

41. An apparatus as claimed in claim 40, in which the cooking, heating 25 and/or illumination means is connected to the conduits of the housing frame. WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 24

42. An apparatus as claimed in claim 40 or claim 41, in which the cooking, heating and/or illumination means is adapted to be fuelled by the supplying gas and/or liquid fuel of the heating apparatus.

43. A heating apparatus, which includes 5 (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated; (b) burning means for heating the object supported on the supporting means; (c) inlet means for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means; and 10 (d) valve means associated with the burning means, and being adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if the supporting means is not substantially horizontal.

44. An apparatus as claimed in claim 43, which is intended for domestic 15 use, indoor and/or outdoor use.

45. An apparatus as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44, in which the fuel is paraffin.

46. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 45, in which the object to be heated includes at least one cooking pot, any type of 20 cooking container or utensil and/or food.

47. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 46, which includes a base supporting structure.

48. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 47, which includes a housing frame and/or accessories are foldable relative to 25 each other. WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 25

49. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 48, which is transportable, portable and/or disposable.

50. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 49, in which the supporting means is moveable relative to the burning means. 5

51. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 50, in which the valve means includes a ball valve, flow valve and/or a pressure valve.

52. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 51, in which the supporting means is associated with a lever adapted to open the 10 valve means when the supporting means moves downwardly due to an object placed on it.

53. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 52, in which the supporting means is associated with a lever adapted to operate the pressure valve to allow the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel when the 15 supporting means moves downwardly due to an object placed on it.

54. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 54, which includes movable means for moving the supporting means and the burning means relatively away from each other.

55. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 54, in which the 20 valve means is integrated into the inlet means.

56. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 55, in which the inlet means is removably connected to a gas and/or liquid fuel container.

57. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, in which the inlet means is 25 integrated into the housing frame. WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 26

58. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, in which the housing frame includes conduits.

59. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 58, in which the inlet means includes a master valve for manually preventing the 5 supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means.

60. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 59, which includes at least one cooking, heating and/or illumination means.

61. An apparatus as claimed in claim 60, in which the cooking, heating and/or illumination means is connected to the conduits of the 10 housing frame.

62. An apparatus as claimed in claim 60 or claim 61, in which the cooking, heating and/or illumination means is adapted to be fuelled by the supplying gas and/or liquid fuel of the heating apparatus.

63. A method of heating an object, which includes the steps 15 (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supporting means; (b) of providing gas and/or liquid fuel in a housing frame consisting of conduits; (c) of supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to burning means by valve means; and 20 (d) heating the object supported on the supporting means by means of the burning means.

64. A method of heating an object, which includes the steps (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supporting means; (b) of supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to burning means by valve 25 means only if the supporting means is substantially horizontal WO 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 27 and which valve means is adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if the supporting means is not substantially horizontal; and (c) heating the object supported on the supporting means by 5 means of the burning means.

65. A method of heating an object, which includes the steps (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supporting means; (b) of supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to burning means by valve means only if an object is being supported on the supporting 10 means and which valve means is adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if an object is not supported by the supporting means; and (c) heating the object supported on the supporting means by means of the burning means. 15

66. A heating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings.

67. A method of heating an object substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings. 20