초록 ▼

The present invention concerns a fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell particularly useful for portable electronic devices in which the fuel reservoir can deliver the liquid fuel regardless of the orientation. The fuel reservoir comprises (a) a container defining a cavity for holding the liquid fue

The present invention concerns a fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell particularly useful for portable electronic devices in which the fuel reservoir can deliver the liquid fuel regardless of the orientation. The fuel reservoir comprises (a) a container defining a cavity for holding the liquid fuel; (b) a wicking structure positioned within the cavity and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which said liquid fuel subsequently may be discharged or delivered, such as by pumping or wicking. The wicking structure is formed from a wicking material with a free rise wick height greater than at least one half of the longest dimension of the wicking structure. Among materials with such wicking capability are foams, matted, bundled or woven fibers and nonwoven fibers. The container may have a generally flat and thin profile, formed as a pouch or envelope with substantially planar top and bottom faces of flexible film material, such that the container holding the wicking structure and filled with the liquid fuel can be bent or shaped.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell, comprising: (a) a container having at least one wall and an interior defining a cavity holding a liquid fuel for the liquid fuel cell; (b) a wicking structure disposed within the cavity and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks

We claim: 1. A fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell, comprising: (a) a container having at least one wall and an interior defining a cavity holding a liquid fuel for the liquid fuel cell; (b) a wicking structure disposed within the cavity and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which the liquid fuel may subsequently be delivered, wherein substantially all of the free liquid fuel in the container is contactable by the wicking structure, wherein the wicking structure has a longest dimension and the free rise wick height of the wicking structure is greater than at least one half of the longest dimension; (c) an outlet that provides fluid communication of the wicking structure through the at least one wall of the container to a location exterior of the container, wherein a portion of the outlet contains no wicking material, said portion going through the at least one wall of the container, (d) an inlet through the container, said inlet having a one-way valve to permit gas flow into the cavity of the container; and wherein the fuel reservoir is selectively detachable from or attachable to a liquid fuel cell. 2. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the free rise wick height of the wicking structure is greater than the longest dimension. 3. The fuel reservoir of claim 2, wherein the wicking structure comprises a wicking material selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials. 4. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure comprises a wicking material selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers. 5. The fuel reservoir of claim 4, wherein the wicking material is selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane foam; melamine foam; cellulose foam; nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof; and bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof. 6. The fuel reservoir of claim 5, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate. 7. The fuel reservoir of claim 6, wherein the wicking material is selected from the group consisting of a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam and felted reticulated polyurethane foam. 8. The fuel reservoir of claim 4, wherein the wicking structure comprises a polyurethane foam with a density in the range of about 0.5 to about 45 pounds per cubic foot and pore sizes in the range of about 10 to about 200 pores per linear inch. 9. The fuel reservoir of claim 8, wherein the wicking structure comprises a polyurethane foam with a density in the range of 0. 5 to 15 pounds per cubic foot and pore sizes in the range of 40 to 200 pores per linear inch. 10. The fuel reservoir of claim 4, wherein the wicking structure is a felted reticulated polyurethane foam with a density in the range of 2 to 45 pounds per cubic foot and a compression ratio in the range of 1.1 to 30. 11. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure has a capillarity gradient. 12. The fuel reservoir of claim 11, wherein the wicking structure comprises two or more components, wherein at least two of such components have different capillarities. 13. The fuel reservoir of claim 11, wherein the wicking structure comprises a foam felted to varying degrees of compression along a length of the foam. 14. The fuel reservoir of claim 11, wherein the capillarity is greatest at a portion of the wicking structure proximate the outlet, and a distal portion of the wicking structure is of lesser capillarity. 15. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, further comprising: a liquid delivery means in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 16. A device comprising the fuel reservoir of claim 15 and an anode of a liquid fuel cell, wherein the liquid delivery means is in fluid communication with the anode. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the liquid delivery means is a pump, said pump delivering the liquid fuel to the anode. 18. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the container has flexible sidewalls. 19. The fuel reservoir of claim 18, wherein the container comprises an envelope formed from one or more sheets of a plastic film or a plastic-coated film. 20. The fuel reservoir of claim 19, further comprising a removable tape that covers the outlet passageway when the container is shipped or stored prior to use. 21. The fuel reservoir of claim 19, wherein the container is flexibly bendable. 22. The fuel reservoir of claim 19, wherein the envelope has a first face and a second face and said first and second faces are substantially planar. 23. The fuel reservoir of claim 19, wherein the envelope is a pouch formed by heat-sealing or ultra-sonic welding. 24. A fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell, comprising: (a) a container having at least one wall and an interior defining a cavity holding a liquid fuel for the liquid fuel cell; (b) a wicking structure disposed within the cavity and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which the liquid fuel may subsequently be delivered, wherein substantially all of the free liquid fuel in the container is contactable by the wicking structure, wherein the wicking structure has a longest dimension and the free rise wick height of the wicking structure is greater than at least one half of the longest dimension; and (c) an outlet that provides fluid communication of the wicking structure through the at least one wall of the container to a location exterior of the container, wherein a portion of the outlet contains no wicking material, said portion going through the at least one wall of the container, wherein the fuel reservoir is selectively detachable from or attachable to a liquid fuel cell; wherein the fuel reservoir is recyclable; and wherein the outlet has a valve that allows liquid fuel to be introduced into the cavity. 25. A fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell, comprising: (a) a container having at least one wall and an interior defining a cavity holding a liquid fuel for the liquid fuel cell; (b) a wicking structure disposed within the cavity and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which the liquid fuel may subsequently be delivered, wherein substantially all of the free liquid fuel in the container is contactable by the wicking structure, wherein the wicking structure has a longest dimension and the free rise wick height of the wicking structure is greater than at least one half of the longest dimension; and (c) an outlet that provides fluid communication of the wicking structure through the at least one wall of the container to a location exterior of the container, wherein a portion of the outlet contains no wicking material, said portion going through the at least one wall of the container, wherein the fuel reservoir is selectively detachable from or attachable to a liquid fuel cell; wherein the fuel reservoir is recyclable; and wherein the outlet has a sealable cap that allows liquid fuel to be introduced into the cavity. 26. The fuel reservoir of claim 25, wherein the sealable cap has a membrane that upon puncture allows the introduction of the liquid fuel into the cavity, and after liquid fuel introduction the membrane reseals the cavity. 27. The fuel reservoir of claim 26, wherein the membrane comprises rubber. 28. The fuel reservoir of claim 12, wherein the wicking structure comprises first and second components, said first component having a higher capillarity than the second component, wherein said first component has a longest dimension, and the free rise wick height of the first component is greater than one half of the longest dimension of said first component. 29. The fuel reservoir of claim 28, wherein the free rise wick height of the first component is greater than the longest dimension of said first component. 30. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure is made of a permanently compressed wicking material. 31. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure is made of a reversibly compressed wicking material. 32. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure has a wicking structure volume and the wicking structure volume is no more than about 50% of a volume of the cavity. 33. The fuel reservoir of claim 32, wherein the wicking structure volume is no more than about 25% of the volume of the cavity. 34. The fuel reservoir of claim 33, wherein the wicking structure volume is no more than about 10% of the volume of the cavity. 35. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure has an external volume and void volume, which void volume is at least about 50% of the external volume of the wicking structure. 36. The fuel reservoir of claim 35, wherein the void volume of the wicking structure is about 65% to about 98% of the external volume of the wicking structure. 37. The fuel reservoir of claim 36, wherein the void volume of the wicking structure is about 70% to about 85% of the external volume of the wicking structure. 38. The fuel reservoir of claim 37, wherein the void volume of the wicking structure is about 75% of the external volume of the wicking structure. 39. The fuel reservoir of claim 37, wherein the void volume of the wicking structure is about 80% of the external volume of the wicking structure. 40. The fuel reservoir of claim 37, wherein the void volume of the wicking structure is about 85% of the external volume of the wicking structure. 41. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the liquid fuel comprises methanol. 42. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the liquid fuel is pure methanol. 43. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the liquid fuel is an aqueous mixture of methanol. 44. The fuel reservoir of claim 43, wherein the methanol concentration of the aqueous mixture is at least 25% by weight. 45. The fuel reservoir of claim 44, wherein the methanol concentration of the aqueous mixture is at least 50% by weight. 46. The fuel reservoir of claim 45, wherein the methanol concentration of the aqueous mixture is about 70% to 99% by weight. 47. The fuel reservoir of claim 46, wherein the methanol concentration of the aqueous mixture is about 90% by weight. 48. The fuel reservoir of claim 46, wherein the methanol concentration of the aqueous mixture is about 95% by weight. 49. The fuel reservoir of claim 46, wherein the methanol concentration of the aqueous mixture is about 99% by weight. 50. The fuel reservoir of claim 15, wherein the liquid delivery means is a pump. 51. The device of claim 16, wherein the liquid delivery means is a pump. 52. A fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell, comprising: (a) a container having at least one wall and an interior defining a cavity holding a liquid fuel for the liquid fuel cell; (b) a wicking structure disposed within the cavity and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which the liquid fuel may subsequently be delivered, wherein substantially all of the free liquid fuel in the container is contactable by the wicking structure, wherein the wicking structure has a longest dimension and the free rise wick height of the wicking structure is greater than at least one half of the longest dimension; (c) an outlet that provides fluid communication of the wicking structure through the at least one wall of the container to a location exterior of the container, wherein a portion of the outlet contains no wicking material, said portion going through the at least one wall of the container; (d) an inlet through the container, said inlet having a one-way valve to permit gas flow into the cavity of the container; and (e) a liquid delivery means interspersed between the outlet and the location exterior of the container, wherein the liquid delivery means delivers the liquid fuel from the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 53. A fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell, comprising: (a) a container having at least one flexible wall and an interior defining a cavity holding a liquid fuel for the liquid fuel cell; (b) a wicking structure disposed within the cavity and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which the liquid fuel may subsequently be delivered, wherein substantially all of the free liquid fuel in the container is contactable by the wicking structure, wherein the wicking structure has a longest dimension and the free rise wick height of the wicking structure is greater than at least one half of the longest dimension; and (c) an outlet that provides fluid communication of the wicking structure through the at least one flexible wall of the container to a location exterior of the container, wherein a portion of the outlet contains no wicking material, said portion going through the at least one flexible wall of the container, and (d) an air inlet through the container, said air inlet having a one-way valve to permit gas flow into the cavity of the container. 54. A device, comprising: (i) a recyclable fuel reservoir, wherein said recyclable fuel reservoir comprises; (a) a container having at least one wall and an interior defining a cavity holding a liquid fuel for the liquid fuel cell; (b) a wicking structure disposed within the cavity and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which the liquid fuel may subsequently be delivered, wherein substantially all of the free liquid fuel in the container is contactable by the wicking structure, wherein the wicking structure has a longest dimension and the free rise wick height of the wicking structure is greater than at least one half of the longest dimension; and (c) an outlet that provides fluid communication of the wicking structure through the at least one wall of the container to a location exterior of the container, said outlet having a valve or a sealable cap containing a membrane, wherein the membrane can be punctured by a needle for liquid fuel introduction and the membrane seals the cavity after the liquid fuel introduction, wherein a portion of the outlet contains no wicking material, said portion going through the at least one wall of the container; (d) an air inlet through the container, said air inlet having a one-way valve to permit gas flow into the cavity of the container; and (ii) a liquid fuel cell comprising an anode; wherein the anode is in fluid communication with the outlet of the recyclable fuel reservoir. 55. The device of claim 16, wherein the wicking structure comprises a wicking material selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers. 56. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure extends to extreme parts of the cavity so that substantially all of the free liquid fuel in the container is contactable by the wicking structure. 57. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein at least some of the extreme parts of the cavity are internal corners of the cavity. 58. The fuel reservoir of claim 57, wherein at least some of the extreme parts of the cavity are some internal edges of the cavity. 59. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein a central portion of the cavity is substantially devoid of the wicking structure. 60. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein a central portion of the cavity is substantially devoid of the wicking structure. 61. The fuel reservoir of claim 57, wherein a central portion of the cavity is substantially devoid of the wicking structure. 62. The fuel reservoir of claim 58, wherein a central portion of the cavity is substantially devoid of the wicking structure. 63. The liquid fuel reservoir of claim 56, further comprising a liquid delivery means in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 64. The liquid fuel reservoir of claim 57, further comprising a liquid delivery means in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 65. The liquid fuel reservoir of claim 58, further comprising a liquid delivery means in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 66. The liquid fuel reservoir of claim 59, further comprising a liquid delivery means in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 67. The liquid fuel reservoir of claim 60, further comprising a liquid delivery means in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 68. The liquid fuel reservoir of claim 61, further comprising a liquid delivery means in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 69. The liquid fuel reservoir of claim 62, further comprising a liquid delivery means in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet to the location exterior of the container. 70. The liquid fuel reservoir of claim 63, wherein the liquid delivery means is a pump. 71. A device comprising the fuel reservoir of claim 63 and an anode of a liquid fuel cell, wherein the liquid delivery means is in fluid communication with the anode. 72. The device of claim 71, wherein the liquid delivery means is a pump. 73. The fuel reservoir of claim 1, wherein the container has multiple walls, all the walls being flexible. 74. The fuel reservoir of claim 52, wherein the container has multiple walls, all the walls being flexible. 75. The fuel reservoir of claim 53, wherein the container has multiple walls, all the walls being flexible. 76. The device of claim 54, wherein the container has multiple walls, all the walls being flexible. 77. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein the container has first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth walls with the first wall opposite the second wall, the third wall opposite the fourth wall, and the fifth wall opposite the sixth wall, the outlet going through one of the first, second, third and fourth walls; wherein the wicking structure has first, second, third and fourth members with the first member opposite the second member and the third member opposite the fourth member, each of the members having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the first member is connected to the first end of the third member, the second end of the first member is connected to the first end of the fourth member, the first end of the second member is connected to the second end of the third member and the second end of the second member is connected to the second end of the fourth member, and wherein the first member is disposed proximate an inner surface of the first wall, the second member is disposed proximate an inner surface of the second wall, the third member is disposed proximate an inner surface of the third wall, and the fourth member is disposed proximate an inner surface of the fourth wall. 78. The fuel reservoir of claim 56; wherein the container has six walls with a first wall opposite a second wall, a third wall opposite a fourth wall, and a fifth wall opposite a sixth wall, the outlet going through one of the first, third and fourth walls; wherein the wicking structure comprises first, second and third elongate members with the first member disposed proximate an inner surface of the third wall, the second member disposed proximate an inner surface of the first wall, and the third member disposed proximate an inner surface of the fourth wall, each of the first, second and third elongate members comprising first and second ends with the second end of the first elongate member connected to the first end of the second elongate member and the second end of the second elongate member connected to the first end of the third elongate member; and wherein the outlet goes through the first, third or fourth wall. 79. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein the container comprises six walls with a first wall being opposite a second wall, a third wall being opposite a fourth wall and a fifth wall being opposite a sixth wall, each wall of the container being connected to the other walls of the container except the opposite wall, the outlet going through the first wall; wherein the wicking structure comprises first, second, third and fourth substantially planar members with the first member being opposite the second member and the third member being opposite the fourth member, each of the members having first and second ends with the first end of the first member connected to the first end of the third member, the second end of the first member connected to the first end of the fourth member, the first end of the second member connected to the second end of the third member, and the second end of the second member connected to the second end of the fourth member; wherein the first member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the first wall, the second member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the second wall, the third member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the third wall, and the fourth member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the fourth wall. 80. The fuel reservoir of claim 79, wherein the first member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the first wall, the second member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the second wall, the third member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the third wall, and the fourth member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the fourth wall. 81. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein the container comprises six walls with a first wall being opposite a second wall, a third wall being opposite a fourth wall and a fifth wall being opposite a sixth wall, each wall of the container being connected to the other walls of the container except the opposite wall, the outlet going through the first wall; wherein the wicking structure comprises first, second, third and fourth substantially rectangular members with the first member being opposite the second member and the third member being opposite the fourth member, each of the members having first and second ends with the first end of the first member connected to the first end of the third member, the second end of the first member connected to the first end of the fourth member, the first end of the second member connected to the second end of the third member, and the second end of the second member connected to the second end of the fourth member; wherein the first member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the first wall, the second member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the second wall, the third member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the third wall, and the fourth member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the fourth wall. 82. The fuel reservoir of claim 81, wherein the first member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the first wall, the second member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the second wall, the third member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the third wall, and the fourth member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the fourth wall. 83. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein the container comprises six walls with a first wall being opposite a second wall, a third wall being opposite a fourth wall and a fifth wall being opposite a sixth wall, each wall of the container being connected to the other walls of the container except the opposite wall, the outlet going through the first wall; wherein the wicking structure comprises first, second, and third substantially planar members with the second member being opposite the third member, each of the members having two ends with one of the ends of the first member connected to one of the ends of the third member, and the other end of the first member connected to one of the ends of the second member; wherein the first member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the first wall, the second member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the third wall, and the third member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the fourth wall. 84. The fuel reservoir of claim 83, wherein the first member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the first wall, the second member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the third wall, and the third member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the fourth wall. 85. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein the container comprises six walls with a first wall being opposite a second wall, a third wall being opposite a fourth wall and a fifth wall being opposite a sixth wall, each wall of the container being connected to the other walls of the container except the opposite wall, the outlet going through the first wall; wherein the wicking structure comprises first, second, and third substantially rectangular members with the second member being opposite the third member, each of the members having two ends with one of the ends of the first member connected to one of the ends of the third member, and the other end of the first member connected to one of the ends of the second member; wherein the first member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the first wall, the second member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the third wall, and the third member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the fourth wall. 86. The fuel reservoir of claim 85, wherein the first member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the first wall, the second member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the third wall, and the third member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the fourth wall. 87. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein the container comprises six walls with a first wall being opposite a second wall, a third wall being opposite a fourth wall and a fifth wall being opposite a sixth wall, each wall of the container being connected to the other walls of the container except the opposite wall, the outlet going through the first wall; wherein the wicking structure comprises first and second opposite members and a connecting member, the first and second opposite members and the connecting member being substantially planar, each of the first and second opposite members and the connecting member having first and second ends with the first ends of the first and second opposite members disposed opposite to each other and the second ends of the first and second opposite members disposed opposite to each other; wherein the first end of the connecting member is connected to the first end of the first opposite member and the second end of the connecting member is connected to the first end of the second opposite member forming the wicking structure in the shape of a substantially rectangular frame having first and second supports and a span, each of the supports and span having outer and inner surfaces with the inner surface closer to a center of the cavity of the container than the outer surface; wherein the connecting member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the first wall, the first opposite member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the third wall, and the second opposite member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the fourth wall. 88. The fuel reservoir of claim 87, wherein the connecting member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the first wall, the first opposite member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the third wall, and the second opposite member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the fourth wall. 89. The fuel reservoir of claim 87, wherein each of the inner surfaces of the first, third and fourth walls comprises four edges and four corners, and wherein each of the outer surfaces of the first and second supports and the span of the wicking structure comprises four edges and four corners, with the four edges of the outer surface of the span disposed proximate the four edges of the inner surface of the first wall, the four corners of the outer surface of the span disposed proximate the four corners of the inner surface of the first wall, the four edges of the outer surface of the first support disposed proximate the four edges of the inner surface of the third wall, the four corners of the outer surface of the first support disposed proximate the four corners of the inner surface of the third wall, the four edges of the outer surface of the second support disposed proximate the four edges of the inner surface of the fourth wall, and the four corners of the outer surface of the second support disposed proximate the four corners of the inner surface of the fourth wall. 90. The fuel reservoir of claim 56, wherein the container comprises six walls with a first wall being opposite a second wall, a third wall being opposite a fourth wall and a fifth wall being opposite a sixth wall, each wall of the container being connected to the other walls of the container except the opposite wall, the outlet going through the first wall; wherein the wicking structure comprises first and second opposite members and a connecting member, the first and second opposite members and the connecting member being substantially rectangular, each of the first and second opposite members and the connecting member having first and second ends with the first ends of the first and second opposite members disposed opposite to each other and the second ends of the first and second opposite members disposed opposite to each other; wherein the first end of the connecting member is connected to the first end of the first opposite member and the second end of the connecting member is connected to the first end of the second opposite member forming the wicking structure in the shape of a substantially rectangular frame having first and second supports and a span, each of the supports and span having outer and inner surfaces with the inner surface closer to a center of the cavity of the container than the outer surface; wherein the connecting member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the first wall, the first opposite member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the third wall, and the second opposite member is disposed proximate the inner surface of the fourth wall. 91. The fuel reservoir of claim 90, wherein the connecting member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the first wall, the first opposite member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the third wall, and the second opposite member covers substantially the entire inner surface of the fourth wall. 92. The fuel reservoir of claim 90, wherein each of the inner surfaces of the first, third and fourth walls comprises four edges and four corners, and wherein each of the outer surfaces of the first and second supports and the span of the wicking structure comprises four edges and four corners, with the four edges of the outer surface of the span disposed proximate the four edges of the inner surface of the first wall, the four corners of the outer surface of the span disposed proximate the four corners of the inner surface of the first wall, the four edges of the outer surface of the first support disposed proximate the four edges of the inner surface of the third wall, the four corners of the outer surface of the first support disposed proximate the four corners of the inner surface of the third wall, the four edges of the outer surface of the second support disposed proximate the four edges of the inner surface of the fourth wall, and the four corners of the outer surface of the second support disposed proximate the four corners of the inner surface of the fourth wall. 93. The fuel reservoir of claim 92, wherein the free rise wick height of the wicking structure is greater than the longest dimension. 94. The fuel reservoir of claim 92, wherein the wicking structure comprises a wicking material selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials. 95. The fuel reservoir of claim 94, wherein the wicking structure comprises a wicking material selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers. 96. The fuel reservoir of claim 95, wherein the wicking material is selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane foam; melamine foam; cellulose foam; nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof; and bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof. 97. The fuel reservoir of claim 96, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate. 98. The fuel reservoir of claim 97, wherein the wicking material is selected from the group consisting of a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam and felted reticulated polyurethane foam. 99. The fuel reservoir of claim 92, wherein the wicking structure comprises a polyurethane foam with a density in the range of about 0.5 to about 45 pounds per cubic foot and pore sizes in the range of about 10 to about 200 pores per linear inch. 100. The fuel reservoir of claim 99, wherein the wicking structure comprises a polyurethane foam with a density in the range of 0. 5 to 15 pounds per cubic foot and pore sizes in the range of 40 to 200 pores per linear inch. 101. The fuel reservoir of claim 92, wherein the wicking structure is a felted reticulated polyurethane foam with a density in the range of 2 to 45 pounds per cubic foot and a compression ratio in the range of 1.1 to 30. 102. The fuel reservoir of claim 92, wherein the wicking structure has a solid volume no more than about 50% of a volume of the cavity within the container. 103. The fuel reservoir of claim 102, wherein the wicking structure has a solid volume no more than about 25% of the volume of the cavity within the container. 104. The fuel reservoir of claim 103, wherein the wicking structure has a solid volume no more than about 10% of the volume of the cavity within the container. 105. The fuel reservoir of claim 92, wherein the wicking structure has a void volume at least about 50% of an external volume of the wicking structure. 106. The fuel reservoir of claim 105, wherein the wicking structure has a void volume at least about 65% to 98% of the external volume of the wicking structure. 107. The fuel reservoir of claim 106, wherein the wicking structure has a void volume at least about 70% to 85% of the external volume of the wicking structure. 108. The fuel reservoir of claim 77, wherein the first member covers substantially an entire inner surface of the first wall, the second member covers substantially an entire inner surface of the second wall, the third member covers substantially an entire inner surface of the third wall, and the fourth member covers substantially an entire inner surface of the fourth wall.