US2942601A

US2942601A - Hand warmer

Info

Publication number: US2942601A
Application number: US675593A
Authority: US
Inventors: John W Smith
Original assignee: Aladdin Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Aladdin Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 1957-08-01
Filing date: 1957-08-01
Publication date: 1960-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1977-06-28

Description

June 28, 1960 J. w. SMITH HAND WARMER Filed Aug. 1, 19s? INVENTOR. Jomv Mn. SM/ 11/ ,4 rramvsys United States Patent Ofiice 2,942,601 Patented June 28, 1960 HAND WARMER John W. Smith, caste Point, assignor to Aladdin Manufacturing Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Aug. 1, 1957, Ser. No. 675,593

1 Claim. (Cl. 126208) This application is a continuation-in-part of my abandoned applications Serial No. 352,609, filed May 4, 1953; Serial No. 503,533, filed April 25, 1955; Serial No. 575,457, filed April 2, 1956; and Serial No. 651,497, filed April 8, 1957; each for a hand warmer.

The object of the invention is to provide a hand warmer of the general character as disclosed in the above identified applications including a new and improved burner unit seated in a holder of the hand warmer in novel and improved manner.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken on line 55 in Fig. 4. e

A receptacle 10 of the hand warmer is provided by' spaced, parallel side walls 11, spaced, parallel end walls 12 and spaced, substantially parallel top and bottom walls, denoted 13 and 14, respectively. The receptacle consists of upper and lower hollow elements, represented 15 and 16, respectively, a lower end portion of said upper hollow element being fixedly secured as at 17, in an upper end portion of said lower hollow element.

A cover cap 18 for a burner unit 19 of the hand warmer is removably fitted upon the upper end portions of the side and

end walls

11 and 12 of the receptacle in such manner that a lower edge 20 of said cover cap is engaged against an upper'edge 21 of the lower hollow element 16. When the cover cap is in position upon the receptacle, side and end Walls, represented 22 and 23, respectively, of said cover cap are in longitudinal alinement with lower portions of the side and end walls of said receptacle.

The receptacle 10 is loaded with absorbent material 24, which can be of any character suitable to its purpose, and said absorbent material is impregnated with liquid fuel uniformly distributed throughout the whole of the absorbent material by capillary attraction.

The burner unit 19 consists of an elongated combustion member 25, an elongated support 26 for the combustion member and a tubular combustion element 27 housing said combustion member and support.

The elongated combustion member 25 is of asbestos or other suitable fibrous material impregnated with a catalytic agent, such, for example, as platinic chlorid or palladium chlorid, which aids in oxidation of fumes from the liquid fuel and causes combustion at a relatively slow rate.

The elongated support 26 is a length of wire having some rigidity coiled to form spaced convolutions upon said inwardly extending, curved flanges.

. 2 which the elongated combustion member 25 is Wound. Opposite coiled end portions, each indicated 28, of said elongated support are disposed in longitudinal alinement with the elongated combustion member at and exteriorly of the opposite ends of said elongated combustion memher, and coils of said opposite end portions of the elongated support extend transversely of the burner unit 19 and are of equal diameter. The coils of the opposite end portions 28 of said elongated support are in longitudinally alined relation with the body thereof, as Well as longitudinally alined with the elongated combustion member 25.

The tubular combustion element 27 desirably may be of spun glass impregnated with a catalytic agent. In the disclosure as made, the catalytic agent which impregnates the spun glass of the tubular combustion element is platinum black, so-called. The catalytic agent of the tubular combustion element aids in oxidation of fumes and causes relatively slow combustion. Said tubular combustion element is in free surrounding relation to the elongated support 26 and the elongated combustion member 25 wound thereon, and the body of said elongated support, said elongated combustion member and said tubular combustion element are of substantially equal length. The opposite ends of said body of the elongated support are substantially in transverse alinement with the opposite ends of the tubular combustion element, and the coiled end portions, or coils, 28 extend or project to desirably equal distances beyond the opposite ends, respectively, of the body of said elongated support and said tubular combustion element.

The top wall 13 of the receptacle 10 is struck upwardly at the center thereof to provide an upwardly extending, substantially elliptical flange 29 bounding an elliptical opening through said top wall and upwardly extending, elliptical flange.

A holder 39 for the burner unit 19 is constituted as an-elongated hood providing an elliptical skirt 31 removably, more or less loosely, fitted upon the upwardly extending, elliptical flange 29 to be readily and easily detachable therefrom, and oppositely disposed, inwardly facing, parallel arms 32 extending upwardly from said elliptical skirt in perpendicular relation thereto. Each of the parallel, upstanding arms 32 merges at each of the opposite sides'thereof in an inwardly extending, curved flange 33 in perpendicular relation to the elliptical skirt 31 and at its upper end in an inwardly extending curved flange 34. The inwardly extending, curved flanges 34 are integrally interconnected by a longtiudinally extending bar 35 which is disposed at the longitudinal center of the holder 30 and extends between the inner edges of The inner edges of the curved flanges 33 at each end of the holder are in the same transverse plane and parallel with and in spaced relation to the upwardly extending arm 32 at the corresponding end of said holder, as well as perpendicular to the elliptical skirt 31.

length approaching the length of said tubular combustion element. The curved flanges 33 at each end of the holder are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the burner unit, the curved flanges 34 and the longitudinal bar 35 are spaced from the elliptical skirt 31 a distance slightly greater than the diameter of said burner unit, and the inner'edges of the curved flanges 33 at opposite ends of said holder as shown are spaced bustion element of the burner unit.

Each of the parallel, upwardly extending arms 32-of the holder is struck'inwardyj and upwardly to provide a 39 at a midportion of the length of the correspondmg'upwardlyextending arm including an upwardly facing supporting surface it) for'tl1e1 burnerunit19."The supporting surfaces 4:) are situated interiorly of and in alined V relation betweenthe parm lehupwardly extending arms 32,

in a plane parallel with the longitudinal bar 35 and per;

pendicuiar to saidupwmdly extending and spaced from the inwardly extending ciuvedflanges 34 a distance but a trifle greater than a measurement representing the dia'meterof each of the coiled end portions, or coils, 28 of the elongated support as. l The lug 39 at each end of the holder. is in vert-ical alinement with the curved flange 34 at the corresponding end of said holder. Striking the lugs 39inwardly and upwardly from the parallel, up-

is assembled with the upwardly extending, elliptical flange 29. To accomplish assembly of the burner unit with the holder said burner unit is slid into-the open lower end portion of the elliptical skirt and upwardly along the inner surfaces of the parallel, upwardly extending arms "32' until the .coiled end portions, or coils, 28 of the elongated support 26 approach the elevation of the inwardly and upwardly struck lugs 39. Then said elongated support is collapsed longitudinally to be clear of the inner. ends of said lugs and the'burner unit is moved fur ther upwardly until situated at, elevation above thelugs. Or the elongated support 26 of 'the burner unit canbe- I collapsed longitudinally to be shorter than a measurement representing the length of one of the rectangular openings 39 and made to enter the interior of the holder by way j apart a distance less than the length of the tubular comtop wall 42 of the cover cap provides apertures 44 for passage of atmospheric air to the burner unit. Apertures 45in the side walls 11 and top wall 42 of the cover cap also are for the admission of atmospheric air.

An opening 46 in the cover cap, adjacent to a midportion of the rectangular opening 38 in the holder 30 and in contiguous relation toi a midportion of the tubular combustion element 27 when the, receptacle 10, said holder, the burner unit 19 and said cover cap are assembled, s'fnr e r ing nfi d'por t a cigarette isarj to be; ignited. by employment of;the handwarmer. I

A wick 47, by employment of which theburner'unit can be ignited,..extends' upwardly fronra position where irnbedded in the-absorbent material 24 to a position where in contiguous relation to said burner unit.

A volatile liquid fuel will be poured into the receptacle 10 through the elliptical opening in the upstanding flange 29 while the holder 30 and the burner unit 19 retained thereby are removed from said; upwardly extending flange. Theabsorbent material 2 4- will absorb the [liquid fuel and capillary attraction will cause it to be dispersed throughout said absorbent material. Z'Ihe holder 30 will be placed upon the upwardly extending elliptical flange 29 after the receptacle is supplied with liquid fuel, and heat applied to the burner unit, as by a flame provided at'the wick 47 when ignited, will cause combustion tube initiated. 1 Of course, the cover cap 13 will be removed. while the. burner unit is being lighted, and replaced'upon said receptacle after combustion is established. The flame: at; the wick 47 will be extinguished after ignition of the burner unit, andwhen'said burnerunit becomes ignited, combustion 'there at will be continuously sustained' The catalytic agent formed upon or within the elongated com:

bustion member 25 and the' tubular combustion element 27 will assist in maintaining combustion as longi-"as there is 'fuel in the absorbent material 24. .Bothsaid elongated combustion member and-saidtubular,combustionrelement will glow. No flame will be produced. Heatcreated at the burner unit 'will be imparted 'to the covercap- 18,

of said rectangular opening and seated atits proper and a intended position in .said' holder. In the disclosure as made, the elongated support 26 is constituted as a compression coil spring. Each of the coiled end portions, or coils, 28 of said elongated support will, be closely circumferentially surrounded by the inwardly extending, curved flanges 33,134 and seated upon the inwardly and upwardly struck lug 39 at the corresponding end of'the holder, and the elongated support will be under compression between the parallel, upwardly extending arms of said holder, as in Fig. 5 of the drawing, when the burner unit is in its assembled position. That is, each coiled end portion, or coil, 2801? said elongated support will be positively confined between the internal surfaces ofthe

curved flanges

33, 34 and the upper surface 40 of the lug 39 at the same end of the holder when the burner 7 unit and'said holder arein assembled relation. The'construction and arrangement will be such that approximately the whole of each of opposite sides of the tubular combustion element, adjacent the rectangular openings 38,

will beuncovered.

.A top wall 42 of the cover cap 18 is in parallel relation to the bottom wall 14 of the receptacle 10, as well as,in spaced, parallel' relation to thelongitudinally extending bar 35 of the holder 30 when said cover cap is on said receptacle. Spaced, downwardly projecting tabs, each denoted 43, struck from the top wall of they of i the. receptacle 10. Striking of: the tabs 43 from the aswelljas to the receptacle-10, and said povergcap and receptacleiwill beco'mewarmed to give otf heat at a predeterminedly intended temperature I suitable to the purposes of the hand warmer. 1 The cover cap will cont nuously 'conduct heat from the vicinitypf the w ck suflicient in amount to preclude the wick after ext nguished from becoming re-ignited;

The parallel,

V inwardly and upwardly struck lugs 39 will retain the elongated support 26 -tive, to become readily and easily ignited.

burner unit becoming. extinguished a and the coiled end portions, or coils, 28. thereof in proper and intended position 1n the holder 30, as well as retain the burner unit 19 and the tubular combustion element 27 thereof; in adjacent relationto. the opening 46 for, reception of the end portions of cigarettes. and. cigars; Said tubular combustion catalytic agent thereon, or impregnated thereim will re.- tain glowing heat at temperature sufliciently high to cause placed in the opemng 46 Proper spacing between the burner V V p absorbent material 24 is necessary. Otherw1se,,the-cata lytic action will cease.

The elliptical skirt 31 ofthe holder-"3d an be mare led with the upward extending,

or less loosely assem elliptical flange 29 on holder 30 with burner displaced from said'receptacle. a with burner unit from the receptacle will the receptacle 10 in order that the unit 19 can be readily and easily Removal of the holder result in the kind .as herein presented is of A hand warmer oflthef .The" holder with necessity subjectedtosevere'usage; v burnerunit suffers 'a-fall, with consequent burner unitwill become extinguished, Jor fail'to ignite,.

upwardly extending arms-Gland the element andthe and made Q 19' as he:

shock tend ingto displacethe burnenu'nit from the holder, each; 7

if it becomes displaced from its proper and intended spaced position relative to the fuel outlet. It is essential both that the burner unit 19 be fixedly seated in the holder 30 in order that it will not become displaced during practical use of the hand warmer, or when the holder with burner unit is knocked off from the receptacle 10, and that said holder be fixedly positioned upon said receptacle while the hand warmer is in use, as well as loosely assembled with the receptacle to be readily and easily displaceable therefrom. The holder 30, assembled with the burner unit 19 in the manner as hereibefore set forth, stationarily retains said burner unit in said holder and the construction and arrangement are such that when the cover cap 18 is applied to the receptacle 10, with the lower edge 20 of said cover cap engaged against the upper edge 21 of the lower hollow element 16 of said receptacle, the side and end

walls

22 and 23 of the cover cap will be removably fitted upon upper portions of the side and end

walls

11 and 12, respectively, of the receptacle sufiiciently tightly to preclude relaitve movement of said cover cap and receptacle during practical use of the hand warmer. That is, the cover cap and the receptacle will be fitted together much more tightly than will be the elliptical skirt 31 of the holder 30 and the upwardly extending, elliptical flange 29 on said receptacle. The spaced, downwardly projecting tabs 43 on the top wall 42 of the cover cap, seated against midportions of the upper external surface of the longitudinal bar 35 when the cover cap and receptacle are assembled, are for maintaining the holder in fixed relation to said receptacle. The holder offers no obstruction to eificient combustion.

The simply and economically constructed device of the invention is, in fact, a combination hand warmer 6 and lighter. The device will be operative for hours upofi a single filling of the receptacle with liquid fuel. The temperature will be a function of the amount of air permitted to contact the burner unit.

What is claimed is:

In a hand warmer, a holder including spaced, oppositely disposed arms in facing relation, ledges struck inwardly from said spaced arms providing spaced, oppositely disposed supporting surfaces contiguous with inner surfaces of the spaced arms at a side of said ledges, and a burner unit constituted as an elongated support, an elongated combustion member Wound thereon and a tubular combustion element housing said combustion member and elongated support and situated between said spaced arms, the elongated support including coiled end portions projecting beyond opposite ends, respectively, of a body thereof, the elongated combustion member and the tubular combustion element, said coiled end portions of said elongated support being in parallel relation to the spaced arms, peripheral surfaces of the coiled end portions being seated on said supporting surfaces, respectively, and outermost fiat surfaces of said coiled end portions being resiliently engaged against inner surfaces, respectively, of said spaced arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,579,620 Smith Dec. 25, 1951 2,670,728 Smith Mar. 2, 1954 2,715,400 Butler Aug. 16, 1955 2,746,138 Smith May 22, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 34,460 Austria May 1, 1908