Prmier chemistry sets or science kits

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Apr 7, 2015 · , sent to the company May 4, 2015 · , published by CPSC May 18, 2015

   The product, in the report: Metal alcohol burners

   The information below was taken from an email sent to the CPSC Information Center:

   The consumer believes that his alcohol burners present the same exact problem as the ones in Recall# 06-061.

   The consumer has 50 unsafe wick-less metal alcohol burners (used in scientific experiments).

   Description: The metal alcohol burner consists of a stainless steel tank with a screw-on steel lid. A copper tubing wick in the shape of a loop is soldered on the top of the burner’s lid. The burner and lid measure 3-inches in diameter by 3 ½-inches high. The burner also has a separate metal top which fits over the copper wick to act as a snuffer, and a metal heat shield designed to sit on top of the lid. It has a rubber keeper to prevent vaporization of alcohol. The item number 97-5320 is printed on the burner’s packaging. The possible name of the manufacture is “Premier” located in China (see photo of shipping container). The shipping container has this information on it also: C.A PO. No.P182 BALTIMOR C/NO. MADE IN CHINA.

   A possible injury or property damage can occur due to flammable alcohol leaking from the holes located in the copper tubing on the upper coil portion of the burner. The holes are in a placement where the rubber keeper/stopper cannot prevent fuel from leaking out when tipped over or when the internal temperature of the fuel tank rises and forces fuel to rise upward through the copper tubes leading to the coil on the surface of the burner. (See photo of hole not being covered by rubber keeper/stopper) I have inspected 10 out of the 50 received and all have the same hole placement. (see photo of hole in relation to rubber keeper/stopper). On or about March 21 is when I observed the alcohol leaking from the holes in the copper coil. At that time I notified the retailer of the problem. Their response was: “as to the product recall, we checked with the manufacturer and that was for a previous model, not this one”. Dated: March 23, 2015

   On or about March 21, is when I searched the internet for information regarding this type of burner to see if anyone had experienced the fuel leakage problem. That is when I discovered there was a recall issued by CPSC. In that report it is stated that the alcohol was leaking from a soldered area at the base of the copper tube. In that report it was also stated that the package had the item number, 97-5320, on the burner’s package. That is the same number that is on the 50 packages that I received. It seems the “recalled” burners with the identification number, 97-5320, are being sold again in violation of the 2006 recall issued by CPSC.

   The commission states that it is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. I am prepared to ship the alcohol burners to CPSC, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission for their inspection and validation to my claim. Included in this claim are photos of: 1.My proof of purchase from Amazon .com/ by C and A Scientific via Medix Corp. 2. Photo of hole location on alcohol burner where fuel leaks in relation to rubber keep/stopper. 3. Photos of shipping container from Medix Corp. containing boxes of burners.

   I purchased them on March 3, 2015 (50 pcs.) see attached photo of purchase order via amazon.com filled by Medix Corp. I suspect approximately 5-7 days after shipment they were delivered to my location. All 50 were purchased at the same time.

   They were shipped in 3 shipments: 3/4/15 (1 ea.) 3/9/15 (32 ea.) 3/17/15 (17 ea.)

   I discovered the leak prior to using. I followed the instructions to test for leaks before using. I turned the burner upside down and the fuel leaked from under the rubber stopper. I continued to test the burner by igniting it. After testing for approx. 1/2 hour I blew out the flame. Shortly after that, the fuel started to slowly ooze from the holes in the coil and puddle at the base of the copper tubes where the solder is affixed to the tubes. Evidently there is residual pressure inside the body of the burner which causes fuel to rise upward via the copper tubes that extend to the bottom of burner. The tubes have a wicking material inside of them which carries fuel upward by means of capillary action. That wicking material extends all the way up to the holes where the leaks occurred. Because the body of the burner is very warm after extinguishing the flames, there is a positive pressure inside the fuel reservoir. That pressure pushes down upon the fuel and forces it up into the copper tubes. Because the rubber stoppers do not properly cover the 2 flame holes, it seeps out.

   I am extremely concerned about these burners. I need reassurance in some fashion that this will never happen again. I will refrain from returning the burners to the Medix Corp., because. I fear they will not properly dispose of them.

   Model

   97-5320

   Bought from

   (Amazon.com) Medix Corp, California

   Bought

   Mar 3, 2015

   Where

   Rockford, Illinois: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Prmier, made or sold by C & A Scientific Co.

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources