EP0299732A2

EP0299732A2 - A solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0299732A2
Application number: EP88306397A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick Murrough O'brien
Original assignee: HIGHBLEST Ltd
Current assignee: HIGHBLEST Ltd
Priority date: 1987-07-13
Filing date: 1988-07-13
Publication date: 1989-01-18
Also published as: ZA885043B; EP0299732A3; IE871241L

Abstract

A fuel container and dispensing apparatus comprises a refillable container 10, a rotatable paddle 30 having a plurality of blades 31 and a funnel 20,21 for feeding fuel to the paddle element, whereby rotation of the paddle 30 causes a quantity of fuel to be dispensed between two blades of the paddle. The funnel 20,21 has two protrusions 22,23 which co-operate with the blades 31 of the paddle 30.

Description

The present invention relates to a solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus.
In many modern houses and apartments, the storage of a reasonable quantity of fuel such as coal and the like presents many problems and in many situations is quite impractical. In some apartment buildings, coal is stored in a coal bunker on ground level and the occupant of an apartment has to transport a bucket or scuttle of coal from the bunker to his or her apartment as required.
The present invention provides a solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus, comprising a refillable container and means for dispensing a measured quantity of fuel.
Advantageously, the dispensing means comprises a rotatable paddle element having a plurality of blades and means for feeding fuel to the paddle element, whereby rotation of the paddle element causes a quantity of fuel to be dispensed between two blades of the paddle element.
Advantageously, the feeding means comprises a throat section contained within the apparatus for funnelling fuel to the paddle element.
Preferably, the paddle element is mounted within the apparatus below the throat section, and a handle for rotating the paddle element is located outside the apparatus.
Preferably, the container has at least two converging side walls, each side wall having a protrusion, the protrusions cooperating to form a throat, below which the paddle is rotatably mounted, the blades of the paddle being engageable against at least one protrusion on rotation of the paddle and the or each protrusion being movable relative to the rotational axis of the paddle to allow a measured quantity of fuel to be dispensed beyond the throat.
Conveniently, the apparatus is mounted on castors, rollers or the like. This ensures that the apparatus can be moved easily within a room.
Conveniently, the apparatus may have a separate storage space. Items for use in lighting the fire such as fire lighters and matches may be stored within the apparatus.
The apparatus may contain a cover which may function simultaneously as a table top, when in the closed position. The apparatus may have an attractive finish and can be manufactured in a variety of sizes to accommodate different quantities of fuel.
The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of a solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus according to the invention.
In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container with the cover open and the shovel removed from the container.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1, of the container in the storage mode, i.e. with the lid closed and the shovel contained within.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container along the line III-III.
Figure 3A is a view similar to Figure 3 of a slightly modified form of the container.

Referring to the drawings, the fuel container and dispensing apparatus 10 is of a shape which may generally be described as an inverted, truncated pyramidal construction. Coal is emptied into the top of the apparatus 10 where it is received in a funnel 20. The throat 21 of the funnel 20, i.e. the constricted portion of the funnel, is formed by two inwardly facing protrusions 22 and 23. Coal is funnelled through the protrusions 22 and 23 where it falls onto a blade 31 of a paddle 30 with four blades 31. The blades 31 of the paddle 30 are of flexible rubber material and at least one of the blades engages with one of the protrusions 22 and 23 when the paddle 30 is rotated. As the paddle 30 is rotated clockwise (Figure 3) the blade 31 with fuel thereon is forced past the protrusion which is movable as is the protrusion 22. When the paddle 30 has been rotated through one quarter turn i.e. through 90° by means of a handle 52, coal falls from between two of the blades onto a shovel 40, which is located within the apparatus 10. The handle 52 used to rotate the paddle 30 is located on the front face of the container.
Referring in particular to Figure 1, the container 10 comprises a front wall 11, rear wall 12, two identical side walls 13, a base 14 and cover 15. The hinged cover 15 when closed may function as a table top or the like. An opening 16 is provided in the front wall 11 to allow shovel 40 to be inserted and removed from the container. The opening 16 is covered by a hinged lid 17 and held in the closed position by means of a pivotable clip 18. Underneath the container 10 two legs 50 are provided towards the front and three rollers 51 are provided at the rear thus enabling the container 10 to be moved around a room. A handle 53 is located on the rear wall 13, (see Figure 2), to assist in moving the container which is done by tilting the container 10 onto the rollers 51 so as to enable the container be wheeled along.
Figures 2 and 3 show the container 10 with the cover 15 in the closed position and the lid 17 also in the closed position with the shovel 40 located inside. The bottom ends of the funnel 20 (Figure 3) are fixed to the base 14 of the container while the upper ends 27,28 of the funnel are freely movable up and down the side walls 12 of the container 10 in the direction of the arrows A in Figure 3. Also the walls of the funnel are flexible and biased inwardly. In this way the protrusions 22 and 23 can move in and out in a general horizontal direction as indicated by arrows B in Figure 3. The opening between protrusions 22 & 23 is about 100 mm but because of the flexibility these can open to about 150 mm to allow large lumps to be dispensed. One quarter revolution of the paddle 30 dispenses a shovel measure of coal onto the shovel 40 inserted into the opening 16 in the front wall 12. The blades 31 are located at right angles to each other and are arranged in such a manner that when the paddle is rotated the quantity of fuel contained between two blades approximates a shovel measure of coal. The shovel 40 comprises a base,two side walls and a rear wall with a handle. When the shovel 40 has been filled it is removed from the container 10. Coal can be emptied from the shovel 40 directly into the fire.
As can be seen in Figure 3 the container 10 includes a separate storage space 60 which can be accessed through the opening 16. The storage space 60 may be used to store small items such as fireside brushes, fire lighters and the like.
A screening member, not shown, may optionally be provided in the top portion of the funnel 20. This is to prevent large pieces of fuel clogging the throat 21 or paddle element 30.
The lid of the container may function as a table top and the entire apparatus may have an attractive finish such as for example, it may have an epoxy or powder coated finish. The apparatus may be of a size to accommodate a standard bag of coal such as 25 kilograms or 12 kilograms, for example.
In another embodiment not shown, the handle 52 is disengageable from the shaft of the paddle 30 and may be used also as handle for the shovel 40.
Referring to Figure 3A, in this embodiment the internal structure is the same as is shown in Figure 3, except that the funnel may be anchored top and bottom and be substantially rigid. However, the contour of the portion below the throat or constriction 21 is arcuate and the radius of curvature of the parts 41 and 42 corresponds approximately with the radius of the paddle wheel. In this way there are always at least 2 paddles in close proximity to portions 41 & 42 at any time and there is no gap for coal to fall directly from the hopper into the shovel 40.

Claims

1. A solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus comprising a refillable container and means for dispensing a measured quantity of fuel.

2. A solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the dispensing means comprising a rotatable paddle element having a plurality of blades and means for feeding fuel to the paddle element, whereby rotation of the paddle element causes a quantity of fuel to be dispensed between two blades of the paddle element.

3. A solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus according to Claim 2, in which the feeding means comprises a throat section contained within the apparatus for funnelling fuel to the paddle element.

4. A solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus according to Claim 3, in which the paddle element is mounted within the apparatus below the throat section.

5. A solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the container has at least two converging side walls, each side wall having a protrusion, the protrusions cooperating to form a throat, below which the paddle is rotatably mounted, the blades of the paddle being engageable against at least one protrusion on rotation of the paddle and the or each protrusion being movable relative to the rotational axis of the paddle to allow a measured quantity of fuel to be dispensed beyond the throat.

6. A solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a separate storage space.

7. A solid fuel container and dispensing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is mounted on castors, rollers or the like.