MXPA98005378A - Combustion appliance for liquid fuel - Google Patents

Abstract

A combustion appliance which is providedwith a combustion wick, which makes use of capillarity to suck up a liquid fuel for combustion, and easily functions to perform automatic combustion shut-off after combustion over a predetermined duration. A combustion wick (6) for sucking up a liquid fuel by capillarity with a suction portion, and burning the liquid fuel at a combustion portion, is divided at a midpoint into a combustion portion side divided section (6A) and a suction portion side divided section (6B), one of which can be moved into contact with and away from the other of the sections. When both sections contact each other, the fuel is supplied from the suction portion side divided section (6B) to the combustion portion side divided section (6A), and as both sections separate from each other, supplying of the fuel is shut off to limit a duration of combustion.

Description

COMBUSTION DEVICE FOR LIQUID FUELS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a combustion device for a liquid fuel, which is provided with a combustion fuse for sucking up a liquid fuel, such as alcohol fuel and burning it. This invention particularly relates to combustion devices, such as lighters for the smoker's requirements, other types of lighters, torches, flashlights, and other types of lighting devices that use liquid fuel, such as alcohols, benzine type hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons of the petroleum type, and having such a constitution that the combustion time may be limited and the fire may be extinguished after the fuel has burned for a predetermined time. Ordinarily they have been used until now as fuel in combustion devices such as lighters for the needs of the smoker, and other types of lighters, torches and lighting devices, alcohol fuels, such as ethyl alcohol, benzine or gasoline type fuels. petroleum or liquefied gas fuels, such as butane or propane gas. The operations, the levels of convenience in the handling and the design structures of the combustion apparatuses, vary according to the kinds of fuels used, and the fuels have their own characteristics. For example, when liquefied gaseous fuels are used as liquid fuels, since liquid fuels have high pressure at temperatures that fall within the range in which the combustion apparatus is used, the container for storing the fuels must have a structure resistant to pressure. Also the length of the flame varies according to the variations of the gas pressure. In particular, liquefied gas fuels have the characteristics that their gaseous pressures vary markedly logarithmically with respect to temperatures, and therefore, the problem arises that the length of the flame changes markedly depending on the temperatures. In order to reduce the length of the flame, a special design measure must be applied to carry out a temperature compensation in the fuel supply mechanism of the combustion apparatus. Therefore, the structure can not be kept simple and the cost can not be kept low. As for liquid fuels, such as alcohol fuels, liquids exist at normal temperatures and have comparatively low vapor pressures. Therefore, the storage section does not need to have a pressure resistant structure. Therefore, the structure of the combustion apparatus can be simple and the cost can be maintained comparatively low. In the combustion apparatus for liquid fuels, normally, as means to feed the liquid from storage to the burning section, a wick is used which sucks the liquid fuel through capillarity through open pores or small spaces formed between the thin fibers in a bundle and by the use of the surface tension of the liquid fuel, and allows the liquid fuel to burn in the upper end portion of the wick. Specifically in the wick, the liquid fuel is sucked by using a wick formed by twisted fibers, a bundle of fiberglass, a wick formed by glass fibers joined by stretches of cotton, and by weaving thin metal wires to prevent the Be loose or similar. The lower end portion of the combustion wick has 15 functions for sucking the liquid fuel, and the sucked fuel is burned at the upper end portion of the wick. Gas lighters using a liquefied gas are provided with designed mechanisms, so that the fire can be automatically extinguished after a predetermined amount of fuel has burned, and have already been proposed, for example, in patent publications Japanese Unexamined 7 (1995) -190-356, 7 (1995) -158852, and 8 (1996) -219456. Fire extinguishing functions are automatically constituted for several purposes. The mechanisms are designed so that a valve body can operate in association with an ignition operation, and fuel gas fed from a tank can be measured and burned. However, it is difficult to measure a predetermined amount with the mechanism to burn a predetermined quantity of fuel in the lighters, using a liquefied gas, since the gas used as fuel is stored at a high pressure in the fuel tank. Due to the difficulty of measuring a predetermined amount of fuel flf and the fluctuation in the gas pressure with respect to the temperatures, a great change in the combustion time occurs, also the problem arises that the valve mechanism must have a complicated structure and the cost can not be kept low. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a combustion apparatus for a. liquid fuel having functions to carry out the combustion of a predetermined amount of fuel, that is combustion during a predetermined period of time, and subsequently extinguish the fire. One of the applications where it is desired that the combustion flame be extinguished after it has burned for a predetermined time, is a cigarette lighter where, after the tobacco has been ignited, the combustion flame is no longer necessary and it should go out. In such cases, to ignite the tobacco it is sufficient that the combustion lasts a few seconds. When taking into account the failure to light the tobacco, it is sufficient that the fuel burns for ten seconds or more than twenty seconds. A longer combustion time results in fuel waste and partial overheating and damage to the parts of the lighter, in order for such problems to be eliminated, the fire preferably must be extinguished after combustion for a predetermined time. As described above, examples of combustion apparatuses for a liquid fuel that are provided with a wick for sucking a liquid fuel and burning it, include smoking lighters, other types of lighters and various types of lighting apparatus. Ordinarily, such combustion apparatuses for a liquid fuel, are provided with a mechanism to extinguish the flame when carrying out a special operation to extinguish the fire after the ignition, however, from the point of view of the functionality, it is often desirable that the Fire will automatically turn off after the combustion having been started by the ignition has been continued for a predetermined time. Also in the case of several combustion apparatuses, it may be desired that the fire be turned off after an operation has been performed to do so, and the combustion has then continued for a predetermined length of time. In addition, in other combustion appliances, it may be desirable for the combustion to continue for a period of time that has been established with a time meter and subsequently the fire has been automatically extinguished by operating the time meter. A combustion apparatus for a liquid fuel according to the present invention, which solves the problems described above, is characterized in dividing a combustion fuse, which comprises a suction section of a liquid fuel, by the use of capillarity and a 10 burnt section for burning the sucked liquid fuel, in an intermediate position within a lateral subdivision of the suction section and a lateral subdivision of the burning section, and locating the combustion wick in such a way that either the lateral subdivision of suction section 15 and the lateral subdivision of the burning section, can move in a direction that comes into contact with the other and in a direction that separates it, the liquid fuel that is fed from the lateral subdivision of the suction section to the lateral subdivision of the burned section, when they are contacted by blocking the supply of the liquid fuel when the lateral subdivision of the suction section and the lateral subdivision of the burning section are separated from one another, thereby limiting the combustion time. With the combustion apparatus mentioned in accordance with the present invention, in its non-use state, the two subdivisions are in contact with each other, and the fuel is fed from the lateral subdivision of the suction section to the lateral subdivision of the section. of burned. Before combustion begins, or after the combustion has started, the two subdivisions are separated from each other, and in this way the fuel supply to the lateral subdivision of the burning section ceases. In this state, the liquid fuel that has permeated the lateral subdivision of the burning section is used for combustion. Subsequently, the flame goes out. From the point of view of eliminating the need for fire extinguishing operation, the separation of the lateral subdivision of the suction section and the lateral subdivision of the burning section should be made in conjunction with an operation to light the wick. The present invention also provides a combustion device for a liquid fuel, characterized by the division of a wick comprising a suction section of a liquid fuel by the use of the capillarity of a burning section, to burn the sucked liquid fuel, in an intermediate position within the lateral subdivision of the suction section and a lateral subdivision of the burning section, and locating the wick in such a way that at least, whether the lateral subdivision of the suction section and the burning section, can move in an # ~ direction that puts them in c. 8ta between them. and in a direction that separates them, the movements being performed in association with the opening and closing operations of a closing hood to close the burning section, the liquid fuel is fed from the lateral subdivision of the suctioning section to the lateral subdivision of the burning section when they come in contact, and the liquid fuel supply is blocked when the lateral subdivision of sucking section and the lateral subdivision of the burning section are separated by 10, therefore the time of combustion. The last combustion apparatus mentioned according to the present invention must be formed in such a way that the lateral subdivision of the burning section of the wick can be forced by an elastic means in the direction that separates it from the suction section, and in such a way that the lateral subdivision of the burning section upon movement comes into contact with the lateral subdivision of the suctioning section and in association with the closing operation of the closing cap. Alternatively, the aforementioned combustion apparatus 20 according to the present invention can be made so that the lateral subdivision of the burning section of the wick can be brought into contact with the lateral subdivision of the suctioning section when the lid is closed, and so that the burning section can be moved in the direction separating it from the suctioning section and in association with the opening operation of the closing lid. With the aforementioned combustion apparatus, according to the present invention, the burning section of the combustion wick is separated from the suction section in association with the operation to open the closure cap, and the fuel supply to the section Burning therefore ceases. In this state, combustion is carried out for a period of time corresponding to the amount of fuel permeated to the burning section, subsequently the flame goes out. In the mentioned combustion apparatuses for a liquid fuel according to the present invention, a fuel container may be located in an intermediate position in the wick, and the wick may be divided in a position closer to the suction section than the combustion vessel. In such cases, the combustion time can be extended. Also the divided end faces of the wick will preferably constitute oblique or curved surfaces, in such cases, the contact area of the lateral subdivision of the suctioning section and the lateral subdivision of the burning section, can be set to be large. In this way, a high rate at which the fuel that is fed from the lateral subdivision of the suctioning section to the burning section when contacting each other can be established. In addition, as regards the position where the wick is divided, in cases where the burning section and the suction section of the combustion wick are made of different materials, the combustion wick can be divided into an intermediate position of the material constituting the burning section, with the lateral subdivision of the suction section and the lateral subdivision of the burning section, so that at least one or the other of the subdivisions or both can move in one direction that puts it in contact with the other , and in another direction in which it separates from each other. Alternatively, the wick can be divided into an intermediate position in the material constituting the suction section within the suction subdivision and the burn subdivision, so that at least one, whether the suction subdivision and the lateral subdivision of the burn section can be move in one direction that puts you in contact with the other, and in that direction that separates you from each other. As another alternative, the combustion fuse can be divided into a boundary between the material, which constitutes the suction section and the material constituting the burning section, in the lateral subdivision of the suction section and in the lateral subdivision of the burning section. , so that at least one of the two subdivisions of suction or burn can move in one direction that puts it in contact with the other, and in another direction that separates it from it. In cases where the burning section and the suction section of the wick are made of the same material, the combustion wick can be divided into an arbitrary intermediate position according to the desired combustion time. The separation of the suction section side and the burning section side of the wick from each other can be carried out before the burning section is ignited. Alternatively, the separation may be performed at the time the burning section is ignited, or after the burning section has been ignited in association with the ignition operation. As another alternative, the separation can be performed manually after the burning section has been turned on. As another alternative, the separation can be done in association with a time meter and at the time when the period established by the time meter has passed. The liquid fuel can be a type of combustible alcohol, such as a fuel containing as a main constituent a lower monohydric alcohol selected from the group consisting of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and propyl alcohol and containing a saturated hydrocarbon, such as hexane or heptane, for Give color to the flame. Alternatively, a benzine or petroleum type hydrocarbon or the like can be used as a liquid fuel. With the combustion apparatuses for a liquid fuel according to the present, a liquid fuel is used, and the combustion fuse is divided into two subdivisions, so that at least one of the two subdivisions can move in that direction where it comes in contact with the other, and in that direction that separates it from it. Thus, the mechanism by which the flame is extinguished after combustion has existed for a predetermined duration of time, can be simple. Specifically, in cases where the apparatus uses the liquid fuel, the lower end portion of the wick serves as the suction fuel section using the capillarity, is fed through the suction section to the burning section, and the combustion continues as follows. . In cases where the wick is divided into an intermediate position and the fuel supply has ceased from the lateral subdivision of the suction section to the lateral subdivision of the burning section, the fire can automatically extinguish when the fuel that was retained in the burnt section has finished burning, since the fire extinguishes after combustion has continued for a predetermined duration of time, the amount of fuel used for combustion may be small, and the number of times of use of the fuel can be great. It can also be prevented that the combustion apparatus overheats. Therefore, combustion apparatuses for a liquid fuel according to the present invention have a high enhanced value as an article of commerce.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a first embodiment of the combustion apparatus for a liquid fuel according to the present invention which, by way of example, takes the form of a lighter which is in a combustion state; FIGURE 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the lighter of FIG. 1, in a state of non-use; FIGURE 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a second embodiment of the combustion device for a liquid fuel according to the present invention in the form of a lighter; FIGURE 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a third embodiment of the combustion device for a liquid fuel according to the present invention that takes the form of a lighter; FIGURE 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the combustion device for a liquid fuel according to the present invention, which takes the form of a lighter; FIGURE 6A is a schematic sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the combustion apparatus for a liquid fuel according to the present invention, which takes the form of a lighter and is in the combustion state; FIGURE 6B is a schematic sectional view showing the lighter of FIG. 6A, in a non-use state; FIGURE 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a region of combustion fuse in a sixth embodiment of the combustion device for a liquid fuel according to the present invention; FIGURE 8 is a schematic sectional view showing a region of combustion fuse in a seventh row. mode of the combustion device for a liquid fuel according to the present invention; FIGURE 9 is a schematic perspective view showing an eighth embodiment of the combustion device for a liquid fuel according to the present invention; FIGURE 10 is a schematic sectional view showing a main body of the burn section in the embodiment of Fig. 9; FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 are graphs showing the results obtained by the combustion tests carried out in experimental example 1, and FIGURE 14 is a graph showing the results obtained in a combustion test carried out in the example experimental 2. The embodiments of the combustion device for liquid fuel according to the present invention, will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 25 First Mode: # Figs. 1 and 2, show a structure in schematic section of a first embodiment of the combustion device for a liquid fuel according to the present invention, which takes the form of a lighter for the needs of a smoker. Fig. 1 shows the lighter in the combustion state, and Fig. 2 shows it in a non-use state. In the drawings, the structures assembling the parts and the like are not shown in detail, but only the principles of the mechanisms. In this embodiment, a lighter 1, is provided with a tank at the bottom in the form of a box 2. A fiber material 3, is inserted into the tank 2. A top cover 4, is fixed to the top of the tank 2 In this way, the storage section 5 is formed for the liquid fuel. By way of example, tank 2, is formed of a polypropylene molded product and has an internal volume of 5cm3, as material? Tk of fiber 3, polypropylene fibers with a thickness of 1 to 2 denier are pushed to a density of O.lg / cm3, inside tank 2, also 4cc of liquid fuel is injected into tank 2, of this way fiber material 3, is impregnated with liquid fuel and this is stored in tank 2. As fuel liquid a mixed liquid fuel containing 95% by weight of ethyl alcohol and 5% by weight of n-hexane is used. A combustion fuse 6, it is inserted vertically in the tank 2, through the central portion of the cover ^ _ ^ top 4. The combustion fuse 6, is divided in an intermediate position, in a subdivision 6A, side of burned section to burn the fuel in a burning section located in the upper part of the wick 6, and a subdivision 5 6B, lateral suction section to suck the liquid fuel through a suction section, is located in the lower part of the wick of combustion 6, and feed the liquid fuel to subdivision 6A, lateral to the section of ~ W 'burned. The burning section 6A is supported by the upper cover 4, so that it is the subdivision 6A, it can slide vertically. An upper end portion of the lateral subdivision of the suction section 6B is affixed to the upper cover 4, and a lower end portion thereof is inserted into the fuel storage section 5. The burning section 6A, se. slides vertically in a direction along which the lower end of subdivision 6A comes into contact with the upper end of the lateral subdivision of sucker section 6B, as illustrated 20 in Fig. 2, and in that direction along which the lower end of the subdivision 6A, is separated from the upper end of the subdivision 6B, of the suction section, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The burning section 6A, comprises a burning member 7 , located at the top and made of heat-resistant material "J" *, and a fuel retaining member 8, located at the bottom and made of a porous material. The burning member 7, and the fuel retaining member 8, are fixed to a cylindrical sliding member 9. The sliding member 9 is inserted for sliding movement in a hole of the upper cover 4. The burning member 7, It is made of a sintered porous glass material or a porous ceramic material * sintered and is formed as a bar. The burning member 7, 10 contains open cells (capillary paths). The upper end portion of the burning member 7 projects a predetermined length from the upper end of the sliding member 9, and constitutes the burning section. The size of the combustion flame is determined by placing the projection length of the burning member 7, the diameter of the burning member 7, and the like. The fuel retaining material 8 is made of a porous material obtained by sintering polyethylene powder. The upper portion of the fuel retaining member 8 has the same shape as that of the lower end portion of the burning member 7. The upper portion of the retaining member 8 is inserted into the sliding member 9, and fixed so that the upper end may be in contact with the lower end of the burning member 7. The lower end portion 25 of the fuel retaining member has an increased cross-sectional area and faces the lower end of the sliding member 9. The fuel member 8, serves as fuel container having a volume capable of retaining a quantity of the fuel necessary to obtain combustion during a predetermined period of time in the lateral subdivision of the burning section 6A. The subdivision 6B, lateral of the suction section is constituted by a suction member 11, which is made of porous material obtained by sintering polyethylene powder, the porous material is of the same type as that of the fuel retaining member 8. The member of suction 11, is formed as a bar and has a head HA, where the diameter increases. The head HA, is inserted in the hole of the upper cover 4, and coupled with it. The lower end of the suction member 11, is in contact with the fiber material 3, contained in the tank 2, and constitutes the suction section for the liquid fuel. By way of example, the suction member 11, and the fuel member 8, are formed by introducing into a mold the polyethylene powder which is a mixture of particles having sizes from 70 to 200 meshes and an average particle size. of 140 meshes, and sinter the polyethylene powder at 170 ° C, for 10 minutes. The suction member 11, of the lateral subdivision of the suction section 6B, and the fuel retaining member 8, of the lateral subdivision of the burning section 6A, can be made of another material that exerts the function of sucking the liquid fuel by capillarity. Also, the suction member 11, and the fuel retaining member 8, can be made of different materials. For example, in addition to the sintered material of the polyethylene powder, a bundled fiber material, a fiber material that has been formed into a stick using an adhesive or the like, can be used for both the suction member 11, and the fuel retention member 8. The lateral subdivision of the burning section 6A, is forced by a helical spring 12, which serves as elastic means in the direction separating it from the subdivision 6B, lateral of the suction section (that is towards up in Fig. 1). The coil spring 12 is located contracted between the upper surface of the cover 4, and the upper end of the sliding member 9. When the lateral subdivision of the burning section 6A moves upwards by the force of the spring 12, the lower end of the lateral subdivision of burning section 6A, is separated from the upper end of the lateral subdivision of suction section 6B, and a light remains between them. A sealing material 13 is interposed between the upper cover 4, and the sliding member 9, and seals the hole in the cover 4. The suction section in the lower part of the suction member 11, of the lateral subdivision of the suction section 6B, comes into contact with the fiber material 3, which is contained in the tank 2. By the use of capillarity, the suction section sucks up the liquid fuel, which is contained in the fiber material 3. The fuel thus sucked is fed from the upper end of the lateral subdivision of the suction section 6B, to the burning member 7, through the fuel retaining member 8, of the burning subdivision 6A, the retaining member is in contact with the upper end of subdivision 6B, lateral of the suction section. The liquid fuel ignites in the burning section located in the upper end part of the burning member 7, of the subdivision 6A, of the combustion wick 6, and burns with a flame that is produced. As described above, the projection length of the burning member 7, from the sliding member 9, is adjusted so that a predetermined flame length can be obtained. An ignition means 15, fits in the upper cover 4, so that the ignition means 15, can be opposite the upper end portion of the burning member 7, of the burning subdivision 6A. The ignition means 15 comprises a clamp 16, which is fixed to the upper cover 4, and an ignition stone 17, which is inserted in the clamp 16, so that it can move vertically. The ignition means 15, also comprises a rotary file 18, which is located at the upper end of the clamp 16, and a spring 19, which pushes the stone 17, so that its end can be pushed against the peripheral surface of the rotary file 18, by the force of spring 19, which pushes the stone. When the rotary file 18 rotates, sparks are thrown from the ignition stone 17 towards the combustion wick 6. A closure cap 20 covers the region above the wick 6, and the ignition means 15, the closure lid 20, is pivotally supported for rotation by a pin 21, on an end portion of the upper surface of the cover 4. A stop means 22 is formed on the inner surface of the closure cap 20. The stop member 22, comes into contact with and pushes the upper end of the sliding member 9, downwardly with the upper end being located in the position corresponding to the subdivision 6A, of burning the wick 6. As illustrated in Fig. 2, when the cap closure 20, closed, stop member 22, comes into contact with sliding member 9, and pushes it down against the force of coil spring 12, as a result the lower end of fuel retainer member 8, and subdivision 6A , he gets in touch with the upper end of the suction member 11, of the subdivision 6B, suction. Also the stop member 22 covers and closes the portion of the burning member 7, that is, the burning section projecting upwards from the sliding member 9, and thus preventing the liquid fuel from volatilizing. In the state in which the closure cap 20 is closed as illustrated in Fig. 2, the subdivision 6B, sucker and subdivision 6A, of combustion of the combustion wick 6A, come into contact with each other. Therefore, the liquid fuel that has been sucked through the subdivision 6B, is fed to the lateral subdivision of the burning section 6A, and moistens the fuel retaining member 8, and the burning member 7. In this way, a predetermined quantity of the fuel is retained in the fuel retaining member 8, and in the burning member 7. As illustrated in Fig. 1, when the closure cap 20 is opened, the subdivision 6A ceases to receive the force of driving the stop member 22, and moving upwards by the force of the coil spring 12. As a result, the subdivision 6A, of burning is separated from the suction subdivision 6B, and the fuel supply is blocked from subdivision 6B, lateral of suction section to subdivision 6A, lateral of section of burn. When the ignition means 15 is operated to ignite the upper end of the burning member 7, the combustion is carried out with a flame that is produced from the upper end portion of the burning member 7. At the time in which the fuel has been retained in subdivision 6A, burned and has been used for combustion and burned, the combustion flame is automatically turned off. In the case where the closure cap 20, is closed before the fuel has been retained in the subdivision 6A, and burned, the upper portion of the burning member is closed by the stop member 22, of the cap 20, and the fire is extinguished. At the same time the subdivision 6A, of burning and the subdivision 6B, sucker are brought into contact and the fuel is fed from the subdivision 6B, to the lateral subdivision of the burning section 6A. In the structure described above, the stop member 22, of the closure cap 20, closes the upper end portion of the burn subdivision 6A. Alternatively, the stop member 22 can be provided only to move the subdivision 6A, of burning up and down, and the entire region above the wick 6, and of the ignition means 15, can be closed by the cover 20. In such In some cases, the portion in which the tank 2, or the upper cover 4, comes into contact with the closure cap 20, can be equipped with a sealing material, in such a way that the portion can be hermetically sealed and prevent the liquid fuel from evaporate. Second Mode: As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the second embodiment of the combustion apparatus (the lighter 1), the combustion fuse 6 is divided into subdivision 6A, lateral of the burning section and in subdivision 6B, lateral of suction section as in the first modality. The structure of the subdivision T 6A is different from • 2a4 that is presented in the first modality. The entire region of subdivision 6A, lateral of the burning section of the wick 6, is constituted by the burning member 7, made of a heat resistant material. Specifically, the portion of subdivision 6A, corresponding to the fuel retention member 8, which is formed in the first embodiment, is also made of the material resistant to the "BF heat." The entire region of the lateral subdivision of the suction section 6B , is constituted by the suction member 11, made of porous material The other characteristics are the same as those of the first embodiment Third Modality: As illustrated in Fig. 4, in the third mode 15 of the combustion device (FIG. the lighter l), as in the second embodiment, the entire region of subdivision 6A, lateral of the burning section of the wick 6, is constituted by the burning member 7, made of heat resistant material. The top of the head, of the suction member 20, which is made of porous material in the subdivision 6B, is formed by a contact member 71, made of the same material as the suction member. the burning member 7. The other characteristics are the same as those of the first modality. 25 Fourth Mode:? ß As illustrated in Fig. 5, in the fourth embodiment of the combustion apparatus (lighter l), the wick 6 is divided into the lateral subdivision of burning 6A, and in the suction subdivision 6B, as in the described modalities. Both the burn subdivision 6A, and the suction subdivision 6B, are made of the same material having heat resistance and suction characteristics, for example, heat-resistant fibers, such as ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or fibers of carbon. 10 By way of example, as heat resistant fibers, ceramic fibers having a thickness of 2.8μm, can be formed from a starting material that mainly contains alumina and silicone and a small amount of an organic binder added to the ceramic fibers. The ceramic fibers thus obtained can be formed in a predetermined form, so that the packing density is 200mg / cm3. Fifth Modality: As illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B, in the fifth embodiment of the combustion device (the lighter 1), the sliding mechanism for the subdivision of burning 6A, of the wick 6, mechanism associated with the operations of opening and closing the closure cap 20, is different from that of the first modality, and it is not provided with an elastic medium. The basic structure of the wick 6, and of the structures of the fuel storage section 5, and ^ of the ignition means 15, are the same as in the first embodiment. The subdivision 6A, of burning of the combustion fuse 6, is inserted for the sliding movement in the hole of the upper cover 4, a coupling portion 5a, is formed in the upper end portion of the sliding member 9. The portion of coupling 9a, extending to a pivotably supported portion 20a, of the closure cap 20, the pivotable portion 20a, of the closure cap 20, is Wj provided with an interlocking member 25, lever type that rotates up and down with the opening and closing operations of the closure cap 20. The interlock member 25, of the closure cap 20, can couple with the coupling portion 9a, in the burn subdivision 6A, of the combustion wick 6. How to illustrates in Fig. 6A, when the closure lid 20 is opened, the interlocking member 25, rotates upward and comes into contact with the coupling portion 9a. The interlock member 25 thus pushes the coupling portion 9a upwards and causes the subdivision 6A, sectional side burned up. As a result, the lateral subdivision of burning section 6A is separated from the lateral subdivision of suctioning section 6B, and the fuel supply of subdivision 6B to burning subdivision 6A is blocked. As illustrated in Fig. 6B, when the closure cap 20, the interlock member 25 is closed, rotates downward and disengaged from the coupling portion 9a, in the lateral subdivision of the burnout section 6A. Also the stop member 22, of the closure cap 20, comes into contact with the upper end of the sliding member 9, in the burning subdivision 6A, and pushes down the sliding member 9. The subdivision 6A, of burning is moved downwards, its lower end is brought into contact with the upper end of the subdivision 6B, and the sucked fuel is fed from the lateral subdivision of the suction section 6B, to the lateral subdivision of the burning section 6A. The other characteristics of the structure are the same as those of the first modality. In Figs. 6A and 6B, similar elements are numbered with the same reference figures with respect to Fig. 1. Also with respect to the automatic extinction of the fire after combustion has been carried out for a predetermined period of time, and other similar things, the same effects will be obtained as with the first modality. Sixth Mode: As illustrated in Fig. 7, in the sixth embodiment of the combustion apparatus according to the present invention, the structure of the combustion fuse is different from that shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 7, only the main parts are shown, the other parts of the combustion apparatus are constituted in the same manner as those of Fig. 1. A combustion fuse 3 is divided into an intermediate position in a subdivision 30A , of burning and in a subdivision 30B, suction, so that the lateral subdivision of burning section 30A, can move in a direction in which it comes into contact with the lateral subdivision of the suctioning section 30B, and in another direction in the which is separated from the lateral subdivision of suction section 30B. Burning subdivision 30A comprises a burn member 32, which is located at the top, and a fuel holding member 33, which is located at the bottom. The burning member 32, and the fuel retaining member 33, are fixed to a cylindrical sliding member 31. The retaining member 33 is made of a sintered material of polyethylene powder or of a fiber material. jj ^ The burning member 32, is formed by fiberglass yarns made in a bundle by bending the bundle in its intermediate part and inserting the folded portion of the bundle in the sliding member 20, pushing a fixing member as a wedge 34, in the space that is defined by the bent portion of the bundle that has been inserted in the sliding member 31, and thus fixing the bent portion of the bundle. The lower end portion of the burn member is in contact with the upper end of the fuel retainer member 33.

W The lower end portion of the fuel retainer member 33 extends downward from the bottom of the sliding member 31, a lower outer face 33A, of the fuel retainer member 33, constitutes a convex curved surface. A suction member 35, of the lateral subdivision of suction section 30B, is made of a sintered material of polyethylene powder or of a fiber material. A lower end portion of the suction member 35 is inserted into the fuel storage section 5. An upper end 10 of the suction member 35, is supported in the hole of the upper cover 4, with a sealing member 36, placed immediately. An upper end face 35a of the suction member 35 forms a concave curved surface and comes into contact with the lower end face 33a of the fuel retainer member 33. With the burnout member 32, of the lateral subdivision 30A, the Burning rate of fuel, the shape of the flame and the length of the flame, are established according to the thickness, the number, and the length of the glass fibers constituting the burning member 32. Also the length of time in that the combustion can continue before the fire is extinguished, are established by the size of the fuel retainer member 33. As for the suction member 35, of the lateral subdivision of the suction section 30B, the pore formation state The internal dimensions depend on the thickness of the suction member 35, the particle diameter of the sifted polyethylene powder, the sintering density and other similar factors. The fuel suction and feeding characteristics thereof, of the suction member 35, are established by these factors. For example, in cases where the combustion wick 30 is that incorporated in the lighter 1, for the needs of a smoker, the burning member 32 is made of glass fibers having a thickness of 6 microns, a density fiber (this is a weight per unit area), 150mg / cm3, and a length of 20mm. A bundle of glass fibers is bent in its central part and a bent beam having an external diameter of 3mm, and a length of 10mm, is obtained in that way. Then, the folded bundle is inserted into the sliding member 31, so that the folded bundle can be projected to a length of 5mm, from the upper end of the sliding member 31. The suction member 35, is formed by introducing the polyethylene powder. , which is a mixture of particles with particle sizes of 70 to 200 meshes and which has an average size of 140 meshes. In a mold and sintering the polyethylene powder at 170 ° C, for 10 minutes. As described above, the lower end face 33A, of the fuel retaining member 33, of the lateral subdivision 30A, of burning and the upper end face 35a, of the suction member 35, of the suction subdivision # 30B, end faces which come into contact with one another, are constituted by curved surfaces. Therefore, the contact area of the end faces in contact is quite large, and the fuel supply capacity can be kept large, the fuel supply being carried out quickly after the end faces come into contact with each other. Seventh Modality: _ ^ r fy As illustrated in Fig. 8, in the seventh modality, a different type of combustion fuse is used. A combustion fuse 40 is divided into a lateral subdivision of burning section 40A, and into a lateral subdivision of suctioning section 40B. Although not shown in detail, subdivision 40A may be moved in the direction in which it enters 15 in contact with subdivision 40B, lateral of sucking section and in the other direction separating it from subdivision 40B, of the suctioning section. The lateral subdivision of burning section 40A comprises a burn member 42, which is made of glass fibers and a fuel holding member 43, which is made of a sintered polyethylene powder material. The burning member 42 is fixed to an upper part of a cylindrical sliding member 41 by a fixing member 44, pushed within the space, which is defined by the bent portion of the burning member 42, which has been inserted in the sliding member f 41. The fuel retaining member 43 is fixed to the lower part of the sliding member 41. A suction member 45 of the lateral subdivision of the suction section 40B is made of a sintered material of polyethylene powder or the like, and is formed in the form of a bar.

An upper end face 45a of the suction member 45 and a lower end face 43a of the fuel retainer member 43, are formed on oblique surfaces. The contact area of the end faces remains large, and the capacity of fuel supply is improved. Eighth Mode As illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the eighth embodiment of the combustion device according to the invention is used in the same manner as a candlestick or light. 15 A combustion device 50 comprises a bed 51, a support base 52, located in the bed 51, and a combustion device main body 53 located in the support base 52. Also a structure 54 and a plate material 55 are erected at the outer periphery of the base 20 52. As shown in Figure 10, the main body of the combustion device 53 comprises the tank 2 filled with the fiber material 3, and the cover 4 fixed to the top of the tank 2. The region defined by the tank 2 and cover 4, serves as a fuel storage section 5 for storing the liquid fuel, the combustion fuse 6, which has the same structure as in the fifth mode (shown in Figure 6A) is inserted through the upper cover 4. The lateral subdivision of burning section 6A of the combustion wick 6 located so that it can slide vertically in a direction in which it contacts the suction subdivision 6B and in another direction in which it separates from the suction subdivision 6B. The coupling portion 9a of the sliding member 9 is connected to a fire extinguishing lever 58 through a link 57. The link 57 is pivotally supported in an intermediate part. One end of the link 57 is connected to the coupling portion 9a of the sliding member 9, and the other end thereof is connected to the upper end of the fire extinguishing lever 58, which extends vertically. The lower end portions of the fire extinguishing lever 58 is bent in the horizontal direction and constitutes an operating portion 58a. The operating portion 58a of the fire extinguishing lever 58 is forced upwardly by a spring 59. In the normal state, the burner section subdivision 6A is thus placed in the lowered position and in contact with the suction subdivision 6B. When the fire extinguishing lever 58 is pushed down, the link or link 57 is broken. # ^ and the coupling portion 9a is lifted. Also, the lateral subdivision of burning section 6A moves upward and separates from suctioning subdivision 6B. The main body of the combustion device 53 is not provided with ignition means, since it is ignited with a match, a lighter or the like. With the combustion device 50, in the ordinary state in which the lever 58 is not pushed down, * the burner subdivision 6A of the wick 6, is put on the lowered position, its lower end in contact with the suction subdivision 6B, and the sucked liquid fuel is fed from subdivision 6B to subdivision 6A. When the burning member 7 is ignited, combustion is carried out continuously with a flame that is produced. 15 When the fire is extinguished, the fire extinguishing lever 58 is pushed down. As a result, fek subdivision 6A rises and separates from subdivision 6B, and the fuel supply is blocked. Therefore, the fire is extinguished after the combustion 20 is carried out for a predetermined period of time. At this time, the lever 58 is continuously pushed down or is locked in the extinguishing position by the rotation of a locking member 60. In the mechanism for simply extinguishing the fire 25 as in the combustion device 50, the retaining member of Fuel 8 does not necessarily need to be provided in the lateral subdivision of burning section 6A. Specifically, the lower end of the burning member 7 can be brought directly into contact with the lateral subdivision of suctioning section 6B, and the combustion time that occurs after the lateral subdivision of burning section 6A has been separated from the suctioning subdivision. 6B, it can be made short. A time meter can also be used, so that a fire extinguishing operation can be carried out after the combustion has existed for the time established by the time control A by way of example, as liquid fuel in the above modalities, it can be employing an alcohol fuel, containing as its main constituent, an alcohol, such as alcohol, lower monohydric selected from the group consisting of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and propyl alcohol, and containing at least one class of hydrocarbon compound having approximately same boiling point as the main constituent, such as a saturated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, cyclohexadiene, and cycloheptene. With alcohol alone, a colorless flame is produced. Adding the saturated hydrocarbon described above, the extreme upper portion of the flame acquires a yellow-orange color due to the emission of high temperature light from the released carbon.

It is also possible to employ a liquid fuel, which is composed of at least one class of compound selected from the group consisting of heptane, octane and nonane. A liquid fuel composed of a benzine-type hydrocarbon can also be used. In the experimental examples, described below, the lighter mentioned with the requirements for a smoker was used, and the ratio between the size of the container 'j _ ^ ______ f_ fuel, this is the fuel retention member, in the burned subdivision and the combustion time, which occurs before the automatic extinguishing of the fire, was investigated. According to the results obtained, a change in the length of the flame and the combustion time were established for the design. EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 1 The experiments were carried out using a wick of the type shown in Figure 8 (the contact faces were perpendicular surfaces). The outer diameter of the fuel retainer member in the burned subdivision was set to 2.0 mm, 3.00 mm and 4.00 mm and the length of the fuel retainer member was set to 10mm, 5mm and 2.5mm. According to the establishment of the outer diameter and the length of the fuel retaining member, the outer diameter of the suction member was set at 2.00mm, 3.00mm and 4.0025mm. A change in the length of the flame with respect to the burning time was measured after the burn subdivision was separated from the suctioning subdivision. Experiments were also performed in the same way with respect to the wick, which was not provided with a fuel retaining member and in which the burning member directly contacted the suction member. The results shown in Figures 11, 12, 13 were obtained. As for the conditions of the experiment, the basic structure of the lighter was the same as that shown in Figure 1. The alcohol fuel (95% by weight of ethyl alcohol + 5% by weight of n-hexane) used as liquid fuel. The fiber material contained in the fuel storage section were polypropylene fibers (thickness: 1 to 2 denier, density: 0.1g / cm3). The burning member of the wick was made by joining glass fibers together and bending the bundle in its central part. Specifically, the glass fibers each had a diameter of 6 microns and were bonded such that there would be a fiber density (ie, weight per unit area) of 150 mg / cm 3 -. The beam of the glass fibers is bent into a beam with an outer diameter of 3mm and a length of 10mm. The folded bundle was then inserted into the sliding member, so that the bundle protruded a length of 5mm from the upper end of the sliding member, and such that an initial flame of approximately 20mm in length existed. The suction member was made by sintering polyethylene powder. Specifically, the powder had the same particle diameter as described above and was sintered under the same temperature conditions. Figure 11 shows the results obtained when the outer diameter of the fuel retainer member was 2mm. Since the outer diameter of the fuel retaining member was small, the length of the flame clearly became short with the passage of the combustion time. Figure 12 shows the results obtained when the outer diameter of the fuel retaining member was 3mm. Since the outer diameter of the fuel retaining member was large, the length of the flame was retained for a long time. Figure 13 shows the results obtained when the outer diameter of the fuel retaining member was 4 mm. Since the outer diameter of the fuel retainer member was set to be longer, stable conditions were obtained. From the results described above, it was found that the functions, with which the fire is automatically extinguished after the predetermined combustion is made and used in the combustion device upon completion, can be obtained. It has also been found, that the necessary adjustments for a change in the length of the flame, and the like, can be made.

Experimental Example 2 Experiments were performed using the igniter and the wick (the contact faces were oblique surfaces), which were of the same types as those of Experimental Example 1. In the experiments, after the fire was finished automatically, the Burning section was contacted with the suction subdivision. After a predetermined period of time, the burn subdivision was separated from the sucking subdivision and ignited. In this state a change in the length of the flame with respect to the passage of the combustion time was measured. In the experiments, the outer diameter of the fuel retaining member of the burn subdivision was 4.0 mm. The extreme contact face of the fuel retainer member was formed by cutting at an angle of 45 ° in the portions of the limb lengths 2mm to 4mm. According to the j fuel retainer member, the diameter of the suction subdivision was set to 4mm. The results shown in Figure 14 were obtained. With the contact time of 20 seconds, the same characteristics as the initial characteristics were obtained. It was found that the combustion device can be designed to have characteristics corresponding to the purposes of use. 25

Claims (11)

1. "" CLAIMS l.-A combustion device for a liquid fuel that is provided, with a combustion fuse comprising a suction section for suctioning upwards a 5 liquid fuel by capillarity and a burning section for burning the sucked liquid fuel, wherein, the combustion wick is divided into an intermediate position in a lateral subdivision of suction section and a lateral subdivision of burning section, and 10 is located so that at least one of the suction and burning subdivisions can be moved in one direction that brings it into contact with the other and in another direction that separates it from the other, the liquid fuel is fed from the subdivision 15 lateral to the section suctioning the lateral subdivision of the burning section when they come into contact with each other, the supply of the liquid fuel is blocked when the lateral subdivision of the suctioning section and the lateral subdivision of the burning section are separated from each other, thereby the combustion time is limited.
2. 2. - A combustion device according to claim 1, wherein the separation of the lateral subdivision of the suction section and the lateral subdivision of the The burning section, one of the other, is performed in association with an operation for the ignition of the combustion fuse.
3. 3. - A combustion device for a liquid fuel that is provided with a wick comprising a suction section for sucking a liquid fuel through 5 capillarity and a burning section to burn the sucked liquid fuel, wherein, the combustion wick is divided into an intermediate position in a lateral subdivision of suction-section and in a lateral subdivision of burning section, 10 and is located so that at least one of the two previous subdivisions can move in one direction that brings it into contact with the other subdivision, and in another direction that moves it away from the other subdivision, the movements being performed in association with the opening and closing operations. of a closing cap to close the burning section, the liquid fuel is fed from the lateral subdivision to suction section to the lateral subdivision of the burning section when they are brought into contact with each other, the supply of the liquid fuel is blocked when the lateral subdivision of the suction section and the lateral subdivision of the burn section is they separate from each other, thereby limiting the combustion time.
4. 4. - A combustion device according to claim 3 wherein the lateral subdivision of the burning section of the combustion wick is forced by an elastic means in the direction separating the lateral subdivision of suction section, and the The lateral subdivision of the burning section is moved in the direction in which it comes into contact with the lateral subdivision of the suction section in association with the closing operation of the closure lid.
5. 5. A combustion device according to claim 3, wherein the lateral subdivision of the burning section is brought into contact with the lateral subdivision of the suction section when the closing lid is closed, and the lateral subdivision of the burning section. it moves in the direction that separates it from the suction section subdivision in association with the opening operation of the closure lid.
6. 6. - A combustion device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the end faces of division of the combustion fuse have oblique or curved surfaces.
7. 7. A combustion device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein a fuel container is located in an intermediate position in the combustion wick, and the wick is divided into a position closer to the suction section than to the fuel container.
8. 8. - A combustion device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the burning section and the suction section of the wick are made of different materials, and the wick is divided into an intermediate position in the material constituting the burning section, in the lateral subdivision of the burning section and in the lateral subdivision of the suction section, so that at least one of the two previous subdivisions can move in one direction in which it comes in contact with the other and in one direction in which it separates from the other.
9. 9. - A combustion device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the burning section and the suction section of the combustion wick are made of different materials, and the combustion wick is divided into an intermediate position in the material, which constitutes the suction section, in the lateral subdivision of the suction section and the lateral subdivision of the burning section, so that at least one of the two previous subdivisions can move in a direction in which it comes into contact with the another and in one direction in which it separates from the other.
10. 10. A combustion device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the burning section and the suction section of the combustion fuse are made of different materials, and the combustion fuse is divided into a boundary between the combustion fuse. material, which constitutes the suction section and the material, which constitutes the burning section, in the lateral subdivision of the burner section and in the lateral subdivision of the suction section, so that at least one of the previous subdivisions can move in one direction in which you come in contact with the other and in one direction in the * which is separated from the other.
11. 11. A combustion device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the burning section and the suction section of the combustion fuse are made of the same material, and the combustion fuse is divided into an intermediate position. in the material, in a lateral subdivision of the burner section and in the lateral subdivision of the suction section, so that at least one of the previous subdivisions can move in one direction in which it comes in contact with the other and in one direction in the which is separated from 20 the other.