Spill proof alcohol burner

Abstract

The present invention relates general to an alcohol burner that uses liquid alcohol as a fuel source and has an increased burn time, controlled combustion and a smaller footprint. In various embodiments, the present invention introduces a system of double stacked baffles with two separate functions. The upper baffle area optimizes controlled combustion, while the lower baffle area optimizes heat transfer from the combustion area down into the fuel storage area. The lower baffle also provides a steady vapor supply to the upper baffle area. By dividing these functions, the burner in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can store fuel vertically, rather than needing to be spread out horizontally. Embodiments of the present invention thus facilitate a wide range of practical configurations for consumer uses not previously possible.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A burner, comprising:
 a housing including an open first end and a bottom plate;   a first cylinder including a body, a first end, a second end, a first opening extending through said body between said first end and said second end and a plurality of openings throughout said body, wherein said first end is configured to abut said bottom plate;   a first ceramic fiber ring configured to be positioned between said first cylinder and said housing;   a first ceramic fiber column configured to be positioned in said first opening of said first cylinder;   a baffle including a first end, a second end and a plurality of holes extending between said first end and said second end, wherein said first end of said baffle is configured to abut said second end of said first cylinder;   a second cylinder including a body, a first end, a second end, a first opening extending through said body between said first end and said second end and a plurality of openings throughout said body, wherein said first end of said second cylinder is configured to abut said second end of said baffle;   a second ceramic fiber ring configured to be positioned between said second cylinder and said housing; and   a top housing plate including an opening and configured to abut said second end of said second cylinder and said first end of said housing,   wherein said first ceramic fiber ring, first ceramic fiber column, and said second ceramic fiber ring are configured to store a flammable material.   
     
     
         2 . The burner of  claim 1 , wherein said baffle further includes a wick opening extending between said first end and said second end. 
     
     
         3 . The burner of  claim 2 , wherein said first ceramic fiber column includes a wick configured to be positioned in said wick opening such that an end of said wick protrudes beyond said second end of said baffle. 
     
     
         4 . The burner of  claim 1 , wherein a number of said plurality of holes in said second cylinder is less than a number of said plurality of holes in said first cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . The burner of  claim 1 , wherein an area formed by said baffle and said second cylinder is configured to house combustion. 
     
     
         6 . The burner of  claim 1 , wherein said first cylinder, said baffle and said second cylinder are made of a material capable of conducting heat. 
     
     
         7 . The burner of  claim 1 , wherein first cylinder includes a first flange at said first end and a second flange at said second end and said second cylinder includes a first flange at a first end and a second flange at a second end. 
     
     
         8 . The burner of  claim 7 , wherein said first flange of said first cylinder is configured to be coupled to said bottom plate of said housing and said second flange of said first cylinder is configured to be coupled to said baffle and said first flange of said second cylinder is configured to be coupled to said baffle and said second flange of said second cylinder is configured to be coupled to said top housing plate. 
     
     
         9 . The burner of  claim 1 , further including a snuffing plate configured to couple with said top housing plate, wherein when said snuffing plate is coupled with said top housing plate combustion is prevented in said burner. 
     
     
         10 . The burner of  claim 1 , wherein said flammable material is alcohol. 
     
     
         11 . The burner of  claim 1 , further comprising a surround configured to enclose said housing. 
     
     
         12 . The burner of  claim 11 , wherein said surround includes a channel configured to store oil. 
     
     
         13 . A burner, comprising:
 a housing including an open first end and a bottom plate;   a first cylinder including a body, a first end, a second end, a first opening extending through said body between said first end and said second end and a plurality of openings throughout said body, wherein said first end is configured to abut said bottom plate;   a first ceramic fiber ring configured to be positioned between said first cylinder and said housing;   a first ceramic fiber column configured to be positioned in said first opening of said first cylinder; and   a second cylinder including tapered sides, a bottom, an open end and a plurality of openings throughout said sides and said bottom, wherein said second cylinder is configured to abut said open end of said housing and said second end of said cylinder;   wherein said first ceramic fiber ring, first ceramic fiber column, and said second ceramic fiber ring are configured to store a flammable material.   
     
     
         14 . The burner of  claim 13 , wherein said second cylinder further includes a wick opening extending between said first end and said second end. 
     
     
         15 . The burner of  claim 14 , wherein said first ceramic fiber column includes a wick configured to be positioned in said wick opening such that an end of said wick protrudes beyond said bottom of said second cylinder. 
     
     
         16 . The burner of  claim 13 , further including a snuffing plate configured to couple with said second cylinder, wherein when said snuffing plate is coupled with said second cylinder combustion is prevented in said burner. 
     
     
         17 . The burner of  claim 13 , wherein said flammable material is alcohol. 
     
     
         18 . The burner of  claim 13 , further comprising a surround configured to enclose said housing. 
     
     
         19 . The burner of  claim 18 , wherein said surround includes a channel configured to store oil.