Oil lamp and methods of using the same

Abstract

The present discussion generally describes a liquid fuel burning device such as an oil lamp having a reservoir for holding the liquid fuel and a flange substantially covering the liquid fuel holding area of the reservoir. The flange is sized and located to provide an opening between a perimeter of the flange and an inner surface of the reservoir. The opening permits a level of the liquid fuel to be monitored and/or checked during filling of the reservoir. Thus, the chance of having an overflow of liquid fuel or an under-filled reservoir is substantially reduced. The flange is configured with a downward slope to allow liquid fuel to drain toward the opening, if liquid fuel gets on the flange during filling of the device.

1 . A liquid-fueled lamp, comprising: 
 a reservoir to hold liquid fuel, the reservoir having an outer surface and an inner surface;    a wick holder supported within the reservoir;    a flange coupled with the wick holder, the flange configured with a downward slope directed from the wick holder toward the inner surface of the reservoir; and    an opening located between a perimeter of the flange and the inner surface of the reservoir, the opening sized to provide a visual indication of a fuel level of the liquid fuel in the reservoir.    
   
   
       2 . The liquid-fueled lamp of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a lid to cover the reservoir.    
   
   
       3 . The liquid-fueled lamp of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 wick material located within the wick holder.    
   
   
       4 . The liquid-fueled lamp of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir is configured with a substantially flat bottom portion.  
   
   
       5 . The liquid-fueled lamp of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an amount of oil received in the reservoir.    
   
   
       6 . The liquid-fueled lamp of  claim 1  wherein the wick holder includes a protuberance.  
   
   
       7 . The liquid-fueled lamp of  claim 6  wherein the flange coupled with the wick holder includes the flange being supported on the protuberance of the wick holder.  
   
   
       8 . The liquid-fueled lamp of  claim 1  wherein the downward slope of the flange is sufficient to permit at least some liquid on top of the flange to drain toward the opening.  
   
   
       9 . The liquid-fueled lamp of  claim 1  wherein the visual indication of the fuel level of the liquid fuel in the reservoir is obtained without manipulation of the flange.  
   
   
       10 . A lamp, comprising: 
 a reservoir comprising a wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface forming a reservoir for receiving a liquid fuel, the reservoir open at one end thereof and closed at an opposite end;    a wick holder received in the reservoir and coupled to the reservoir, the wick holder forming at least one passage for supportably receiving a wick; and    a flange extending from the wick holder toward the interior surface, the flange having a perimeter, the perimeter being spaced from the interior surface to form a gap therebetween.    
   
   
       11 . The lamp of  claim 10  wherein the reservoir is approximately circular.  
   
   
       12 . The lamp of  claim 10  wherein the reservoir has an approximately flat base.  
   
   
       13 . The lamp of  claim 10  wherein the flange is spaced below the top of the reservoir.  
   
   
       14 . The lamp of  claim 10  wherein the top of the wick holder is spaced below the top of the reservoir.  
   
   
       15 . The lamp of  claim 10  wherein the wick holder is an elongated cylinder and the passage is a longitudinally extending passage.