Packaged charcoal briquet product

Abstract

An improved charcoal briquet having combustion aiding surfaces is packaged in a compact boxed package. A charcoal briquet having improved burning characteristics and also improved shipping and retailing characteristics is thereby provided. An improved packaged charcoal product including a flat sided box adapted to hold randomly oriented briquets and be split open at its bottom corners for use in igniting the briquets and a grooved pillow shaped briquet are also disclosed.

Having thus described there invention, it is claimed:  
     
         1 . A charcoal briquet comprising four side walls of generally identical cross section interconnected to form a rectangle, each said side wall comprising a volume surrounded by a bottom surface, an upwardly and inwardly extending lower surface and an upwardly and inwardly extending upper surface generally parallel to said lower surface, said side wall lower surfaces together forming a downwardly facing concavity and said sidewall upper surfaces together forming an upwardly facing convexity.  
     
     
         2 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 1 , wherein said side walls additionally comprise an inner surface extending from said lower surface to said upper surface, said inner surface surrounding a central hole.  
     
     
         3 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 2 , wherein said lower surface of each said side is generally parallel to the upper surface of said side.  
     
     
         4 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 3 , wherein said lower surfaces and said upper surfaces are generally disposed at an angle of about 30° to horizontal.  
     
     
         5 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 4 , wherein said lower surface of each said side diverges slightly from said upper surface of said side toward said hole.  
     
     
         6 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 5 , wherein said briquet is generally square in shape.  
     
     
         7 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 6 , wherein said briquet has a width and a height and said width is at least twice said height but not more than four times said height.  
     
     
         8 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 7 , wherein said briquet width is approximately three times said height.  
     
     
         9 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 1 , wherein said four side wall lower surfaces together form a downwardly facing concavity and said four side wall upper surfaces together form an upwardly facing convexity, said concavity being adapted to snugly engage the convexity of an identical briquet when stacked.  
     
     
         10 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 9 , wherein said side walls additionally comprise an inner surface extending from said lower surface to said upper surface, said inner surface surrounding a central hole.  
     
     
         11 . A charcoal briquet comprising: 
 a generally convex upper surface;    a generally concave lower surface adapted to engage the upper surface of an identical briquet;    a generally rectangular periphery;    whereby said briquet may be stacked on an identical briquet forming a compact stable stack.    
     
     
         12 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 11 , wherein said briquet has an overall height and a narrowest width, said narrowest width being at least twice said overall height and not greater than four times said overall height.  
     
     
         13 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 12 , wherein said narrowest width is approximately three times said overall height.  
     
     
         14 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 11 , wherein said generally concave lower surface comprises four generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending lower side surfaces extending from a briquet central portion to said periphery and said generally convex upper surface comprises four generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending upper side surfaces extending from said briquet central portion to said periphery, said upper side surfaces and said lower side surfaces being generally parallel on each side.  
     
     
         15 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 14 , wherein said central portion contains a hole extending from said concave lower surface to said convex upper surface.  
     
     
         16 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 14 , wherein said lower side surfaces and said upper side surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 30° with respect to horizontal.  
     
     
         17 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 16 , wherein said briquet is generally square.  
     
     
         18 . A package of charcoal briquets comprising at least one stack of generally identical charcoal briquets, each charcoal briquet comprising: 
 a generally convex upper surface;    a generally concave lower surface adapted to engage the upper surface of an identical briquet;    a generally rectangular periphery;    each said briquet except at least one bottom briquet being stacked on another briquet with said concave lower surface resting on the convex upper surface of the next lower briquet;    said at least one stack of charcoal briquets being contained in a cardboard box having four flat side walls, a generally flat bottom wall and a generally flat top wall creating a stackable rectangular box.    
     
     
         19 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 18 , wherein each said briquet has an overall height and a narrowest width, said narrowest width being at least twice said overall height and not greater than four times said overall height.  
     
     
         20 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 19 , wherein said briquet narrowest width is approximately three times said overall height.  
     
     
         21 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 18 , wherein said generally concave lower surface of each of said briquets comprises four generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending lower side surfaces extending from a briquet central portion to said periphery and said generally convex upper surface of each of said briquets comprises four generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending upper side surfaces extending from said briquet central portion to said periphery, said briquet upper side surfaces and said briquet lower side surfaces being generally parallel on each side.  
     
     
         22 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 21 , wherein said briquet central portion contains a hole extending from said concave lower surface to said convex upper surface.  
     
     
         23 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 21 , wherein said briquet lower side surfaces and said briquet upper side surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 30° with respect to horizontal.  
     
     
         24 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 23 , wherein each said briquet is generally square.  
     
     
         25 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 18 , wherein each said stack of generally identical charcoal briquets is contained in a single stack cardboard box and several of said cardboard boxes of briquets are bound together to form a commercial product.  
     
     
         26 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 25 , wherein said single stack boxes are bound together by an outer wrapper.  
     
     
         27 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 18 , wherein said cardboard box is wax coated.  
     
     
         28 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 27 , wherein air spaces exist between the peripheries of adjacent briquets in said stack.  
     
     
         29 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 18 , wherein said box is adapted to act as an ignition aid for said charcoal briquet.  
     
     
         30 . A charcoal briquet comprising: 
 a generally convex upper surface;    a generally concave lower surface adapted to engage the upper surface of an identical briquet;    a periphery;    whereby said briquet may be stacked on an identical briquet forming a compact stable stack.    
     
     
         31 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 30 , wherein said briquet has an overall height and a narrowest width, said narrowest width being at least twice said overall height and not greater than four times said overall height.  
     
     
         32 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 31 , wherein said narrowest width is approximately three times said overall height.  
     
     
         33 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 30 , wherein said generally concave lower surface comprises multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending lower side surfaces extending from a briquet central portion to said periphery and said generally convex upper surface comprises multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending upper side surfaces extending from said briquet central portion to said periphery, said upper side surfaces and said lower side surfaces being generally parallel on each side.  
     
     
         34 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 33 , wherein said central portion contains a hole extending from said concave lower surface to said convex upper surface.  
     
     
         35 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 33 , wherein said lower side surfaces and said upper side surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 30° with respect to horizontal.  
     
     
         36 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 35 , wherein said briquet has four sides and said periphery is generally square.  
     
     
         37 . A package of charcoal briquets comprising at least one stack of generally identical charcoal briquets, each charcoal briquet comprising: 
 a generally convex upper surface;    a generally concave lower surface adapted to engage the upper surface of an identical briquet;    a periphery;    each said briquet except at least one bottom briquet being stacked on another briquet with said concave lower surface resting on the convex upper surface of the next lower briquet;    said at least one stack of charcoal briquets being contained in a cardboard box having at least one side wall, a generally flat bottom wall and a generally flat top wall creating a box.    
     
     
         38 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 37 , wherein each said briquet has an overall height and a narrowest width, said narrowest width being at least twice said overall height and not greater than four times said overall height.  
     
     
         39 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 38 , wherein said briquet narrowest width is approximately three times said overall height.  
     
     
         40 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 37 , wherein said generally concave lower surface of each of said briquets comprises multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending lower side surfaces extending from a briquet central portion to said periphery and said generally convex upper surface of each of said briquets comprises multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending upper side surfaces extending from said briquet central portion to said periphery, said briquet upper side surfaces and said briquet lower side surfaces being generally parallel on each side.  
     
     
         41 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 40 , wherein said briquet central portion contains a hole extending from said concave lower surface to said convex upper surface.  
     
     
         42 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 40 , wherein said briquet lower side surfaces and said briquet upper side surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 30° with respect to horizontal.  
     
     
         43 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 42 , wherein each said briquet has four sides and said periphery is generally square.  
     
     
         44 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 37 , wherein each said stack of generally identical charcoal briquets is contained in a single stack cardboard box and several of said cardboard boxes of briquets are bound together to form a commercial product.  
     
     
         45 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 44 , wherein said single stack boxes are bound together by an outer wrapper.  
     
     
         46 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 37 , wherein said cardboard box is wax coated.  
     
     
         47 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 46 , wherein air spaces exist between the peripheries of adjacent briquets in said stack.  
     
     
         48 . A package of charcoal briquets comprising at least one stack of generally identical charcoal briquets, each charcoal briquet comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface adapted to engage the upper surface of a generally identical briquet over a substantial portion of said identical briquet upper surface; and, a briquet periphery; said at least one stack of charcoal briquets being contained in a cardboard box having at least one side wall, a generally flat bottom wall and a generally flat top wall, said at least one side wall engaging at least a portion of said periphery of said briquets.  
     
     
         49 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 48 , wherein each said briquet has a surface area and a volume and said surface area in square inches is at least five times said volume in cubic inches.  
     
     
         50 . The package of charcoal briquets of  claim 49 , wherein said surface area in square inches is at least six times said volume in cubic inches.  
     
     
         51 . A charcoal briquet having a total surface area measurable in square inches and a total volume measurable in cubic inches, the ratio of said total surface area to said total volume being about 13.7 to about 2.16.  
     
     
         52 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 51 , wherein said briquet has an overall height and a narrowest width, said narrowest width being at least twice said overall height and not greater than four times said overall height.  
     
     
         53 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 52 , wherein said narrowest width is approximately three times said overall height.  
     
     
         54 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 51 , having a generally concave lower surface comprising multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending lower side surfaces extending from a briquet central portion to a periphery and a generally convex upper surface comprising multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending upper side surfaces extending from said briquet central portion to said periphery, said upper side surfaces and said lower side surfaces being generally parallel on each side.  
     
     
         55 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 54 , wherein said central portion contains a hole extending from said concave lower surface to said convex upper surface.  
     
     
         56 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 54 , wherein said lower side surfaces and said upper side surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 30° with respect to horizontal.  
     
     
         57 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 56 , wherein said briquet has four sides and said periphery is generally square.  
     
     
         58 . A charcoal briquet having a total surface area measurable in square inches and a weight measurable in pounds, the ratio of said total surface area in square inches to said weight in pounds being about 13.7 to about 0.056.  
     
     
         59 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 58 , wherein said briquet has an overall height and a narrowest width, said narrowest width being at least twice said overall height and not greater than four times said overall height.  
     
     
         60 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 59 , wherein said narrowest width is approximately three times said overall height.  
     
     
         61 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 58 , having a generally concave lower surface comprising multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending lower side surfaces extending from a briquet central portion to a periphery and a generally convex upper surface comprising multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending upper side surfaces extending from said briquet central portion to said periphery, said upper side surfaces and said lower side surfaces being generally parallel on each side.  
     
     
         62 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 61 , wherein said central portion contains a hole extending from said concave lower surface to said convex upper surface.  
     
     
         63 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 61 , wherein said lower side surfaces and said upper side surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 30° with respect to horizontal.  
     
     
         64 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 63 , wherein said briquet has four sides and said periphery is generally square.  
     
     
         65 . A selected number of substantially identical charcoal briquets sold as a packaged unit adapted for ignition in a home cooking appliance, said selected number of briquets achieving a cooking temperature of about 1000 degrees about fifteen minutes after ignition and holding said temperature for at least fifteen minutes thereafter.  
     
     
         66 . The charcoal briquets of  claim 65 , each having a generally concave lower surface comprising multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending lower side surfaces extending from a briquet central portion to a periphery and a generally convex upper surface comprising multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending upper side surfaces extending from said briquet central portion to said periphery, said upper side surfaces and said lower side surfaces being generally parallel on each side.  
     
     
         67 . The charcoal briquets of  claim 66 , wherein said central portions contain a hole extending from said concave lower surface to said convex upper surface.  
     
     
         68 . The charcoal briquets of  claim 66 , wherein said lower side surfaces and said upper side surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 30° with respect to horizontal.  
     
     
         69 . The charcoal briquets of  claim 67 , wherein said briquets have four sides and said peripheries are generally square.  
     
     
         70 . A packaged charcoal briquet products comprising a selected number of charcoal briquets and a container for said selected number of charcoal briquets having a generally flat bottom and generally flat sides, said briquets being shaped such that adjacent briquets may lie closely adjacent one another covering substantially all said container bottom.  
     
     
         71 . The packaged charcoal briquet product of  claim 70  wherein each said briquet product of  claim 70  wherein each said briquet covering said container bottom is the lowermost in a stack of several vertically aligned charcoal briquets.  
     
     
         72 . The packaged charcoal briquet product of  claim 71  wherein each charcoal briquet comprises: 
 a generally convex upper surface;  
 a generally concave lower surface adapted to engage the upper surface of an identical briquet; and,  
 a periphery.  
 
     
     
         73 . The packaged charcoal briquet product of  claim 72 , wherein each said briquet has an overall height and a narrowest width, said narrowest width being at least twice said overall height and not greater than four times said overall height.  
     
     
         74 . The packaged charcoal briquet product of  claim 73 , wherein said briquet narrowest width is approximately three times said overall height.  
     
     
         75 . The packaged charcoal briquet product of  claim 72 , wherein said generally concave lower surface of each of said briquets comprises multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending lower side surfaces extending from a briquet central portion to said periphery and said generally convex upper surface of each of said briquets comprises multiple generally planar downwardly and outwardly extending upper side surfaces extending from said briquet central portion to said periphery, said briquet upper side surfaces and said briquet lower side surfaces being generally parallel on each side.  
     
     
         76 . The packaged charcoal briquet product of  claim 75 , wherein said briquet central portion contains a hole extending from said concave lower surface to said convex upper surface.  
     
     
         77 . The packaged charcoal briquet product of  claim 75 , wherein said briquet lower side surfaces and said briquet upper side surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 30° with respect to horizontal.  
     
     
         78 . The packaged charcoal briquet product of  claim 77 , wherein each said briquet has four sides and said periphery is generally square.  
     
     
         79 . A packaged charcoal product comprising: 
 an inner container fabricated from combustible sheet material comprising a continuous bottom wall, a plurality of side walls and a closed top, said side walls interconnected at creased corners, said creased corners having weakened lower portions;    a removable outer wrap surrounding at least a portion of said side walls including said corner weakened lower portions in a continuous band, said inner container and said outer wrap forming a completely closed container when said outer wrap forms said continuous band;    a quantity of charcoal briquets contained in said inner container;    said corner weakened lower portions adapted to open when said outer wrap is removed and said inner container is vertically compressed.    
     
     
         80 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 79  where said band formed by said outer wrap is combustible paperboard.  
     
     
         81 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 79  wherein said inner container has four planar side walls.  
     
     
         82 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 81  further comprising vertical internal walls extending diagonally across the interior of said inner container, said internal wall having a heights substantially less than the height of said inner container.  
     
     
         83 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 79  wherein said sidewalls have horizontal scored lines allowing said side walls to bulge outwardly in a controlled manner when said inner container is vertically compressed.  
     
     
         84 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 80  wherein said outer wrap is a band of combustible paperboard having a first end and a second end, said first end overlaying said second end when said band surrounds said inner container, said packaged charcoal product further comprising at least one ignitor fixed between said band and said inner container.  
     
     
         85 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 84  wherein said at least one ignitor is a book of matches.  
     
     
         86 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 79  wherein said weakened lower portions of said inner container corners are vertical slits.  
     
     
         87 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 79  wherein said inner container corners extend above said weakened portions, whereby an upper portion of said inner container remains intact upon application of vertical compression to said inner container, said intact inner container upper portion forming a heat retaining cap over said quantity of charcoal.  
     
     
         88 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 79  further comprising a carrying handle attached to said top.  
     
     
         89 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 79  wherein said quantity of charcoal briquets comprises a plurality of unattached pillow shaped briquets having grooves in their surfaces.  
     
     
         90 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 79  wherein said quantity of charcoal briquets comprises a plurality of unattached briquets having a convex upper surface having an elliptical periphery and a plurality of grooves; and, a convex lower surface having an elliptical periphery identical to the periphery of said upper surface and a plurality of grooves, said upper surface joined to said lower surface at said peripheries.  
     
     
         91 . A packaged charcoal product comprising: 
 an inner container fabricated from a combustible sheet material comprising a flat rectangular flat bottom wall, four flat side walls interconnected at four right angular corners, said four side walls all being perpendicular to said bottom wall, a generally flat top generally parallel to said bottom wall, said four corners having weakened lower portions adapted to split open when said inner container is vertically compressed;    a quantity of charcoal briquets contained in said inner container; and,    a removable outer wrap surrounding at least a portion of said four side walls in a continuous band adapted to restrain said side walls and prevent said corners from splitting.    
     
     
         92 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 91  further comprising vertical internal walls extending diagonally across the interior of said inner container, said internal walls having a heights substantially less than the height of said inner container.  
     
     
         93 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 91  wherein said sidewalls have horizontal scored lines allowing said side walls to bulge outwardly in a controlled manner when said inner container is vertically compressed.  
     
     
         94 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 91  wherein said outer wrap is a band of combustible paperboard having a first end and a second end, said first end overlaying said second end when said band surrounds said inner container, said packaged charcoal product further comprising at least one ignitor fixed between said band and said inner container.  
     
     
         95 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 94  wherein said at least one ignitor is a book of matches.  
     
     
         96 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 91  wherein said weakened lower portions of said inner container corners are vertical slits.  
     
     
         97 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 91  wherein said inner container corners extend above said weakened portions, whereby an upper portion of said inner container remains intact upon application of vertical compression to said inner container, said intact inner container upper portion forming a heat retaining cap over said quantity of charcoal.  
     
     
         98 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 91  further comprising a carrying handle attached to said top.  
     
     
         99 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 91  wherein said quantity of charcoal briquets comprises a plurality of unattached pillow shaped briquets having grooves in their surfaces.  
     
     
         100 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 91  wherein said quantity of charcoal briquets comprises a plurality of unattached briquets having a convex upper surface having an elliptical periphery and a plurality of grooves; and, a convex lower surface having an elliptical periphery identical to the periphery of said upper surface and a plurality of grooves, said upper surface joined to said lower surface at said peripheries.  
     
     
         101 . A packaged charcoal product comprising: 
 an inner container fabricated from a combustible sheet material comprising a flat bottom wall, four rectangular flat side walls interconnected at four right angular corners, said four side walls all being perpendicular to said bottom wall, four rectangular top panels extending from said four side walls, at least two of said top panels being selected top panels having a selected width and a selected height, said top panel selected height being about one half said top panel selected width, said select top panels being folded into a first isosceles triangular portion, a second isosceles triangular portion and a third isosceles triangular portion, said first isosceles triangular portion having abase adjoining said side wall, said base being equal in length to said selected width, said first triangular portion having a height about equal to said selected height, said second and third isosceles triangles flanking said first isosceles triangle and occupying the remaining portions of said selected top panels; four top panel extensions extending from said four top panels, said four top panel extensions being fixed together thereby closing said inner container;    a quantity of charcoal briquets contained in said inner container, and    a removable outer wrap surrounding at least a portion of said side walls in a continuous band adapted to restrain said sidewalls and prevent said corners from splitting.    
     
     
         102 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 101  further comprising vertical internal walls extending diagonally across the interior of said inner container, said internal wall having a heights substantially less than the height of said inner container.  
     
     
         103 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 101  wherein said sidewalls have horizontal scored lines allowing said side walls to bulge outwardly in a controlled manner when said inner container is vertically compressed.  
     
     
         104 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 101  wherein said outer wrap is a band of combustible paperboard having a first end and a second end, said first end overlaying said second end when said band surrounds said inner container, said packaged charcoal product further comprising at least one ignitor fixed between said band and said inner container.  
     
     
         105 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 104  wherein said at least one ignitor is a book of matches.  
     
     
         106 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 101  wherein said weakened lower portions of said inner container corners are vertical slits.  
     
     
         107 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 101  wherein said inner container corners extend above said weakened portions, whereby an upper portion of said inner container remains intact upon application of vertical compression to said inner container, said intact inner container upper portion forming a heat retaining cap over said quantity of charcoal.  
     
     
         108 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 101  further comprising a carrying handle attached to said top.  
     
     
         109 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 101  wherein said quantity of charcoal briquets comprises a plurality of unattached pillow shaped briquets having grooves in their surfaces.  
     
     
         110 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 101  wherein said quantity of charcoal briquets comprises a plurality of unattached briquets having a convex upper surface having an elliptical periphery and a plurality of grooves; and, a convex lower surface having an elliptical periphery identical to the periphery of said upper surface and a plurality of grooves, said upper surface joined to said lower surface at said peripheries.  
     
     
         111 . A charcoal briquet having a convex upper surface, a convex lower surface and a periphery, said upper surface having a plurality of parallel grooves and said lower surface having a plurality of parallel grooves.  
     
     
         112 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 111  wherein said periphery is an ellipse having a minor axis.  
     
     
         113 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 112  wherein said grooves are parallel to said minor axis.  
     
     
         114 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 113  wherein said briquet has three grooves in said upper surface and three grooves in said lower surface.  
     
     
         115 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 111  wherein said grooves have a maximum depth and said briquet has a maximum height dimension, said maximum depth being about one fourth said maximum height dimension.  
     
     
         116 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 115  wherein said grooves have a maximum width, said maximum width being approximately equal to said groove maximum depth.  
     
     
         117 . A charcoal briquet having a convex upper surface, a convex lower surface and a periphery, said upper surface having a plurality of parallel grooves and said lower surface having a plurality of parallel grooves; 
 said periphery is an ellipse having a major axis; and    said grooves are parallel to said major axis.    
     
     
         118 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 117  wherein said briquet has two grooves in said upper surface and two grooves in said lower surface.  
     
     
         119 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 117  wherein said grooves have a maximum depth and a maximum width, said groove maximum depth being approximately equal to said groove maximum width.  
     
     
         120 . A packaged charcoal product comprising: 
 an inner container fabricated from combustible sheet material comprising a continuous bottom wall, a plurality of side walls and a closed top, said side walls interconnected at creased corners, said creased corners having weakened lower portions;    an outer wrap including a selectively removable band portion surrounding at least a portion of said side walls including said corner weakened lower portions in a continuous band, said inner container and said outer wrap forming a completely closed container;    a quantity of charcoal briquets contained in said container; and,    said corner weakened lower portions adapted to open when said band portion of said outer wrap is removed and said inner container is vertically compressed.    
     
     
         121 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 120  where said outer wrap is combustible paperboard.  
     
     
         122 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 120  wherein said inner container has four planar side walls.  
     
     
         123 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 122  further comprising vertical internal walls extending diagonally across the interior of said inner container, said internal wall having a heights substantially less than the height of said inner container.  
     
     
         124 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 120  wherein said sidewalls have horizontal scored lines allowing said side walls to bulge outwardly in a controlled manner when said inner container is vertically compressed.  
     
     
         125 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 120  wherein said band portion of said outer wrap includes upper and lower perforated horizontal lines.  
     
     
         126 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 125  wherein said band portion of said outer wrap further includes a vertically oriented perforated line connecting said upper and said lower perforated lines, wherein said vertically oriented perforated line can be separated for grasping and separating said band portion from said outer wrap.  
     
     
         127 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 126  wherein said separating being along said upper and said lower perforated lines, whereby an upper portion of said outer container remains intact.  
     
     
         128 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 126  wherein said separating being along said upper and lower perforated lines, whereby a lower portion of said outer container remains intact.  
     
     
         129 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 120  wherein said weakened lower portions of said inner container corners are vertical slits.  
     
     
         130 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 120  wherein said inner container corners extend above said weakened portions, whereby an upper portion of said inner container remains intact upon application of vertical compression to said inner container, said intact inner container upper portion forming a heat retaining cap over said quantity of charcoal.  
     
     
         131 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 120  wherein said quantity of charcoal briquets comprises a plurality of unattached pillow shaped briquets having grooves in their surfaces.  
     
     
         132 . The packaged charcoal product of  claim 120  wherein said quantity of charcoal briquets comprises a plurality of unattached briquets having a convex upper surface having an elliptical periphery and a plurality of grooves; and, a convex lower surface having an elliptical periphery identical to the periphery of said upper surface and a plurality of grooves, said upper surface joined to said lower surface at said peripheries.