Log-like block for a gas burner and a method for producing the same

Abstract

A log-like block for a gas burner is provided. The block having a pipe with a distal part at least partially made of flexible material and associated with at least one distal end of the pipe, and a pipe proximal part associated with a proximal end of the pipe. The block further includes a passage with shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the distal part. The distal part being built-in the passage so that the distal end is closed therein and the distal part is incapable of being moved relative to the passage. The proximal part being configured to be brought into gas communication with a gas supply source. The block further comprises a pipe outlet opening formed in the pipe distal part, exposed to an exterior of the block so as to allow gas to exit the pipe through the opening.

1 . A log-like block, comprising:
 a pipe having a pipe distal part made at least in part of a flexible material and associated with at least one distal end of the pipe, and a pipe proximal part associated with a proximal end of the pipe;   a block body having a passage with a passage shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the pipe distal part, the pipe distal part being built-in in said passage so that the at least one pipe distal end is closed therein and the pipe distal part is free of a capability of being moved relative to the passage, the pipe proximal part with the proximal end of the pipe being configured to be brought into a gas communication with a gas supply source; and   at least one pipe outlet opening formed in the pipe distal part, and exposed to an exterior of the block so as to allow a gas within the pipe to exit the pipe distal part through said opening.   
     
     
         2 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , wherein the block body has an elongated shape. 
     
     
         3 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , wherein the pipe has a circumferential surface and the passage has an inner surface, which is in intimate contact with an entire circumferential surface of at least the pipe distal part. 
     
     
         4 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , being molded around at least the pipe distal part. 
     
     
         5 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , being extruded around the pipe distal part. 
     
     
         6 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , wherein the block body has at least one elongated groove formed therein so as to allow the exposure therethrough of the pipe outlet opening to the exterior of the block. 
     
     
         7 . The log-like block according to  claim 6 , further comprising metal wool placed within said groove. 
     
     
         8 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , wherein the pipe distal part has a pipe main portion and at least one pipe branch portion extending transversely thereto, and the passage has a passage main portion and at least one passage branch portion corresponding in shape and dimensions to, and receiving, the pipe main and branch portions, respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , constituting a part of a gas burner comprising a gas supply conduit configured to receive therein at least the proximal end of the pipe proximal part. 
     
     
         10 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , wherein the block body is made of a heat resistant material such as ceramic material, ceramic fiber, concrete or the like. 
     
     
         11 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , wherein the pipe distal part has at least a portion which is not straight, said portion being made of a flexible material, and wherein the passage has a corresponding non-straight portion. 
     
     
         12 . The log-like block according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pipe outlet opening is formed in the portion of the pipe distal part made of a flexible material. 
     
     
         13 . A gas burner for a fireplace, comprising at least one log-like block according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The gas burner according to  claim 11 , further comprising a holder configured to detachably hold the log-like block in a desired orientation in an interior of the fireplace, the holder comprising a gas outlet port configured to receive therein the proximal end of the pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The gas burner according to  claim 14 , further comprising fixation means configured to fix the holder to the interior of the fireplace. 
     
     
         16 . The gas burner according to  claim 15 , wherein an orientation, in which the holder holds the log-like block, is adjustable at least during installation of the gas burner. 
     
     
         17 . The gas burner according to  claim 14 , further comprising an aeration chamber disposed within the holder, and configured to be brought in gas communication with the gas source to allow gas flow into the combustion chamber and with the interior of the fireplace to allow access of air to the chamber for aeration of the gas, and an air input valve configured for adjusting the amount of air accessing the aeration chamber. 
     
     
         18 . A method for producing the log-like block according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 providing a pipe having at least one first end intended to constitute a pipe distal end and a second end intended to constitute a pipe proximal end;   providing a material which is configured to rigidify from a first non-rigidified state into a second rigidified state;   surrounding a distal part of the pipe comprising the at least one pipe distal end by said material in the first non-rigidified state within a mold so as to allow a remainder of the pipe with the pipe proximal end to be brought via the pipe proximal end into a gas communication with gas supply source;   allowing the material within the mold to rigidify into the block body so that the pipe distal part surrounded thereby appears to be built-in in the block body, being disposed in a passage within the block body, and being free of a capability of being moved relative to the block body and so that the at least one pipe distal end is closed therein, the block body together with the pipe distal part being built-in therein constituting the log-like block;   removing the log-like block from the mold; and   providing fluid communication through the block body between and opening in the pipe distal part and an exterior of the block so as to allow a gas within the pipe to exit the pipe distal part through said opening.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the mold has such a shape that the block body is formed with at least one elongated groove having a configuration similar to that, and aligned with, the pipe distal part, and wherein the step of forming the openings is performed through said groove. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising placing a metal wool within said groove.