Charcoal briquet having a grooved surface

Abstract

A generally pillow-shaped charcoal briquet having a convex upper surface and a convex lower surface, wherein at least one of these surfaces contain an enhanced surface feature comprising one or more grooves. When two or more grooves are located on one or both convex surfaces, the grooves are generally parallel to each other and to two opposing sides of the briquet, and generally perpendicular to two opposing sides of the briquet. The briquets have improved ignition characteristics and enhanced burn phase properties.

1 . A charcoal briquet comprising: 
 a convex upper surface;    a convex lower surface; and    a periphery;    wherein the upper surface comprises a plurality of parallel grooves and the lower surface comprises a plurality of parallel grooves.    
   
   
       2 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 1  wherein the briquet has three grooves in the upper surface and three grooves in the lower surface  
   
   
       3 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 1  wherein the upper and the lower surfaces have a generally elliptical periphery having a minor axis.  
   
   
       4 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 1  wherein the briquet has two grooves in the upper surface and two grooves in the lower surface/  
   
   
       5 . A charcoal briquet comprising: 
 a convex upper surface;    a convex lower surface; and    a periphery;    wherein the upper surface comprises a plurality of parallel grooves and the lower surface comprises a plurality of parallel grooves,    wherein the periphery is an ellipse having a major axis and the grooves are parallel to the major axis.    
   
   
       6 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 5  wherein the briquet has two grooves in the upper surface and two grooves in the lower surface.  
   
   
       7 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 5  further comprising a generally square-shaped configuration having opposing sides A and C, and B and D, 
 wherein the plurality of grooves are approximately parallel to opposing sides B and D, and approximately perpendicular to opposing sides A and C.    
   
   
       8 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 7  wherein the briquet has three grooves on the upper surface and three grooves on the lower surface.  
   
   
       9 . A charcoal briquet comprising: 
 a generally pillow-shaped configuration having opposing sides A and C, and B and D;    an upper surface;    a lower surface;    a periphery; and    a first groove and a second groove on at least one of the upper and the lower surfaces;    wherein the first and second grooves are approximately parallel to opposing sides B and D, and approximately perpendicular to opposing sides A and C.    
   
   
       10 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 9  wherein the upper and the lower surfaces each have a generally convex shape.  
   
   
       11 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 9  wherein the first and second grooves are present on both the upper and the lower surfaces.  
   
   
       12 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 9  having a generally square configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 9  further comprising a third groove on at least one of the upper and the lower surfaces; 
 wherein the third groove is approximately parallel to opposing sides B and D, and approximately perpendicular to opposing sides A and C.    
   
   
       14 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 13  wherein the first, second and third grooves are each present on both the upper and the lower surfaces.  
   
   
       15 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 9  wherein the upper and the lower surfaces have a generally elliptical periphery.  
   
   
       16 . A charcoal briquet comprising: 
 a generally pillow-shaped configuration having opposing sides A and C, and B and D;    an upper surface;    a lower surface; and    a first groove on at least one of the upper and the lower surfaces;    wherein the first groove is approximately parallel to opposing sides B and D, and approximately perpendicular to opposing sides A and C.    
   
   
       17 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 16  wherein the upper and the lower surfaces each have a generally convex shape.  
   
   
       18 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 17  wherein the upper and the lower surfaces have a generally elliptical periphery.  
   
   
       19 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 16  wherein the first groove is present on both the upper and lower surfaces.  
   
   
       20 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 19  further comprising a second groove generally parallel to the first groove, wherein the second groove is only present on the lower surface.  
   
   
       21 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 20  further comprising a third groove generally parallel to the first and second grooves, wherein the third groove is only present on the lower surface.  
   
   
       22 . The charcoal briquet of  claim 16  having a generally square configuration.