Flue cleaner
| Title: | Flue cleaner |
|---|---|
| Patent Number: | 7,857,873 |
| Publication Date: | December 28, 2010 |
| Appl. No: | 10/821902 |
| Application Filed: | April 09, 2004 |
| Abstract: | A flue cleaner comprising a containment vessel having an opening providing restricted communication between the interior and exterior of the vessel, the vessel being formed of a non-combustible heat resistant material, the interior of the vessel containing a soot removal agent. |
| Inventors: | Hutchison, Peter Leonard (Gelorup WA 6230, AU) |
| Claim: | 1. A flue cleaner comprising an enclosed container having an opening providing restricted communication between the interior and exterior of the enclosed container, the enclosed container being formed of a non-combustible heat resistant material for placement in a fuel burning stove or fireplace, said material having a melting point sufficient to withstand the heat of a fire in said stove or fireplace, the interior of the enclosed container containing a sacrificial soot removal agent which is melted and then vaporized when heated by the fire in the stove or fireplace so as to generate cleaning vapors, said enclosed container and said opening being sized and shaped to exhaust said vapors from said enclosed container so as to clean the flue of the stove or fireplace. |
| Claim: | 2. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the enclosed container is formed of metal. |
| Claim: | 3. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the enclosed container is formed of steel. |
| Claim: | 4. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the opening is closed by a closure formed of a material which will be consumed slowly upon the flue cleaner being placed in a fire. |
| Claim: | 5. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the soot removal agent is encased within the enclosed container within a settable composition which will harden once being introduced into the enclosed container and which will be consumed slowly upon the flue cleaner being placed in a fire. |
| Claim: | 6. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 5 wherein the composition comprises a mixture of sawdust and a binding agent. |
| Claim: | 7. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 6 wherein the composition controls and restricts the consumption of the soot removal agent when the flue cleaner is placed in a fire. |
| Claim: | 8. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the soot removal agent is selected from zinc, tin, aluminum or any combination thereof. |
| Claim: | 9. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the soot removal agent is coated on a substrate. |
| Claim: | 10. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 9 wherein the substrate comprises a metal foil and/or sheeting. |
| Claim: | 11. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the soot removal agent comprises a quantity of particles and/or granules of the soot removal agent. |
| Claim: | 12. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the soot removal agent is formed as a single body. |
| Claim: | 13. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 12 wherein the soot removal agent is formed as an ingot. |
| Claim: | 14. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein the enclosed container comprises a length of tube, at least one end of the tube being open. |
| Claim: | 15. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 14 said at least one end being partially closed. |
| Claim: | 16. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 15 said at least one end being partially closed by an inwardly directed flange to define the opening. |
| Claim: | 17. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 15 wherein the at least one end is closed by crimping the at least one end. |
| Claim: | 18. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 1 wherein said soot removing agent generates soot removing vapors when subjected to heat to clear soot and residue; and wherein said opening is sized and shaped to restrict the release of said vapors to render the flue cleaner effective for an extended period of time. |
| Claim: | 19. A flue cleaner comprising a containment vessel arranged and constructed for placement in a fuel burning stove or fireplace and having an opening providing restricted communication between the interior and exterior of the vessel, the vessel being formed of a non-combustible heat resistant material, said material having a melting point sufficient to withstand the heat of a fire in said stove or fireplace, the interior of the enclosed container containing a sacrificial soot removal agent which is melted and then vaporized when said container is placed in the fire so as to generate soot removing vapors; wherein the vessel comprises a length of tube, at least one end of the tube being partially closed by an inwardly directed flange to define the opening, said opening releasing said vapors from said containment vessel so as to clean the flue of the stove or fireplace. |
| Claim: | 20. A flue cleaner for cleaning the flue or chimney of a fuel burning stove or fireplace while a fire is burning therein, said flue cleaner comprising: an enclosed container forming a containment vessel made of a non-combustible heat resistant material, said material having a melting point sufficient to withstand the heat of a fire in said stove or fireplace; and a sacrificial soot removing agent which is melted and then vaporized when subjected to heat so as to generate soot removing vapors to clear soot and residue from the flue or chimney of the stove or fireplace; wherein said containment vessel has opening means sized and shaped to release said vapors from said containment vessel in a restricted manner to render the flue cleaner effective for an extended period of time when said enclosed container is disposed in the stove or fireplace. |
| Claim: | 21. A flue cleaner as claimed at claim 17 wherein the tube has a substantially elliptical cross-section and each end is provided with a dumbbell or “figure-8” profile. |
| Current U.S. Class: | 44/640 |
| Patent References Cited: | 2014686 September 1935 Lubovitch et al. 4019493 April 1977 McCullough 4442024 April 1984 Crone, Jr. 4481010 November 1984 Mackowiak et al. 4571247 February 1986 Barbieri 5882365 March 1999 Farjon et al. 6129774 October 2000 Owens |
| Primary Examiner: | Toomer, Cephia D |
| Attorney, Agent or Firm: | Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman |
| Accession Number: | edspgr.07857873 |
| Database: | USPTO Patent Grants |
| Language: | English |
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