WO2003036170A2

WO2003036170A2 - Gas lighter and a disposable fuel reservoir and fuel flow control mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2003036170A2
Application number: PCT/IL2002/000846
Authority: WO
Inventors: Avraham Rosenberg
Original assignee: Avraham Rosenberg
Priority date: 2001-10-25
Filing date: 2002-10-23
Publication date: 2003-05-01
Also published as: WO2003036170A3; IL146176A0; AU2002349789A1

Abstract

A gas lighter including an ignition mechanism (41), attached to a housing (70), an actuator (46), attached to the housing (70) and cooperating with the ignition mechanism (41) and a fuel control mechanism (12) so as to initiate ignition of the fuel and to allow fuel to exit a disposable fuel reservoir (14) and fuel flow control mechanism, the disposable fuel reservoir and the flow control mechanism includes the fuel flow control mechanism; and (iii) a housing (70), operative to be releasably attached to the disposable fuel reservoir (14) and fuel control mechanism (12).

Description

GAS LIGHTER AND A DISPOSABLE FUEL RESERVOIR AND FUEL FLOW CONTROL MECHANISM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gas lighter and especially to a gas fighter in -which a housing and an ignition device are removable from a disposable -fuel resorvoir and fuel flow control mechanism

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are three main types of gas lighters, the first type includes relatively cheap disposable gas lighters, the second type includes gas fighters that can be refueled and the third type includes gas lighters that have a dispensable gas reservoir. Gas lighters of the first type have relatively short fife span. Gas fighters of the second type have a gas reservoir that has an inlet valve for receiving gas. The refueling process is executed by engaging a fuel supply source, such as a butane gas supply source, to the inlet valve of the reservoir. The refueling process is time consuming and can result in an uncontrollable release of butane gas. Furthermore,. each gas lighter has a unique inlet valve so that only a specific butane supply source ϊs operative to fill the fighter.

A prior art third type gas lighter is described at U.S patent 6, 168,774 of Butera, It.. The lighter includes an upper assembly, a lower assembly capable of releasably interlocking with the upper assembly, said lower assembly defining a foe! reservoir for storing fuel; an ignition module, the ignition module releasably attached to the upper assembly, the ignition module capable of igniting the fuel; a feel transfer mechanism interposed between the lower assembly and upper assembly, the fiiel transfer mechanism capable of transferring fuel from the fuel reservoir to a destination outside the upper assembly, for ignition by the ignition module, the fuel transfer mechanism including a valve disposed on the lower assembly, the valve responsive to the connecting -and disconnecting o the upper and lower assembly such that, when the upper and lower assemblies are connected, the valve opens so that feel is allowed to pass through the fuel transfer mechanism from the feel reservoir to the upper assembly and when the upper and lower assemblies are disconnected, the valve closes; a mating member capable of interlocking the upper assembly and the lower assembly; a pressure plate attached to the mating member and having a larger cross-sectional area than the mating member; a passageway and a raceway connection insertion portion to a terminal portion, the Insertion portion sized to receive the pressure plate and the mating member; the passageway sized to accommodate the pressure plate as it moves from the insertion portion to the terminal portion; the raceway sized to accommodate the mating member as it moves from the insertion portion to the terminal portion; the terminal portion sized to receive the pressure plate and mating member such that the upper assembly and lower assembly are interlocked.

The gas fighter of Butera Jr. has several disadvantages. First, it includes a relatively complex interlocking mechanism. Second, it includes a relatively complex fuel transfer mechanism. Third, the gas passes through the first and second disassembly, and can leak as a result of inaccuracies in the either one of the assemblies. Furthermore, feel transfer mechanism can be damaged during successive replacements of the lower assembly and during the interlocking procedure, during which pressure is appfied on the lower assembly. Fourth, as the lower assembly is visible and must be interlocked in a precise manner to the upper assembly, it must be made from durable material, and usually must be of an esthetic value. These requirements usually increase the cost of the lower assembly.

There is a need to provide a gas lighter that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art lighters.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims, other features of the invention are disclosed by the following detailed description taken In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1-2 are cross sectional views of the disposable feel reservoir having a feel flow control mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Tigures 3 is a cross sectional view of the gas lighter, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the housing, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5-6 are perspective views of the gas lighter, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the gas lighter, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the gas lighter, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 9-11 are perspective views of the gas fighter, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be noted that the particular terms and expressions emplo ed and the particular structural and operational details disclosed in the detailed description and accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention as described in the appended claims. The invention provides a gas fighter including an ignition mechanism, attached to an housing, for igniting the feel; an actuator, attached to the housing and co-operable with the ignition mechanism and a feel flow control mechanism, such as to initiate an ignition of the feel and to allow feel to exit a disposable feel reservoir -aiϊdiuelilow control mechanism, the disposable feel reservoir and fuel flow control mechanism includes the feel flow control mechanism ; and a housing, operative to be releasably attached to the disposable feel reservoir and feel control mechanism.

The invention provides a gas lighter that includes a disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism having a fuel outlet, an actuator for causing the feel flow control mechanism to release gas from the feel outlet and causes an ignition mechanism to generate a spark in the vicinity of the feel outlet thereby causing ignition of gas escaping from the feel outlet. Conveniently, the integrally formed disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism can be easily replaced.

The invention provides a disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism that includes a single gas valve that is normally closed at to prevent feel from exiting the disposable feel reservoir, but can also be opened to allow feel to exit the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism through the feel outlet. When the valve is open the feel can flow through a single cavity that passes -completely through the fuel How control mechanism. In other configurations the fuel may flow through that cavity and additional cavities that form a part of the feel flow control mechanism.

The invention provides a disposable feel reservoir that has a male engagement member such as a male pivot means or a projection that fits to a female engagement means such as a female pivot means, a recess or a cavity of the housing. This allows for fast and reliable engagement of the disposable feel reservoir feel flow control mechanism to the housing. This arrangement allows for precise -posrtiαhing of an actuator such that it engages the fuel -flow control mechanism. The actuator and the ignition mechanism are positioned such as to ignite gas that exits the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism. Conveniently, the actuator causes the feel flow control mechanism to start allowing feel to exit from the ^disposable feel reservoir and causes the ignition mechanism to generate a spark at the same time.

The invention provides a housing that has a two parts, wherein a first part is pivota ly mounted to the second part, such that the housing can be opened to allow a replacement of the releasably attached disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism. The housing is conveniently made of a durable material, such as metal, and can be of an esthetic value. The actuator and the ignition mechanism are attached to the housing and at least are partly surrounded by the housing. The upper part of the housing has an aperture positioned above the feel outlet such that a flame can pass through the aperture. The housing can have additional cavities for allowing air to flow to a combustion chamber defined by the lower left side of the housing, the upper part of the feel flow control mechanism and the ignition 'mechanism. The housing is sized to receive the actuator, the ignition mechanism and the disposable feel reservoir and the feel control mechanism.

Referring to Figure 1, illustrating a cross section of disposable feel reservoir

14 and feel flow control mechanism 12, both collectively denoted 10. Disposable feel reservoir 14 Is a hollow rectangular, but can be of other shapes, as long that it fits the housing 70 of the fighter 8. Disposable feel reservoir 14 has a bottom wall

13, an upper wall 11 and sidewalls, such as walls 15 and 17 illustrated in Figure 1 and two additional sidewali that are not shown. The sidewalls are interposed between bottom w ll 13 and upper -wall 11. Upper wall 13 is attached to male engagement means 18 and to a hollow vertical cylinder, the hollow vertical cylinder has at upper end a feel outlet 34 and its lower end is connected to a feel transfer mechanism for receiving feel. Fuel flow control mechanism 12 is interposed between fuel outlet 34 and the lower end such as to selectively allow or prevent the flow of feel to feel outlet 34. It is noted that feel flow control mechanism 12 can ferther include a feel regulator for controlling an amount of feel that exits feel outlet

34. Many feel regulators are known in the art and will not be set forth in greater detail.

A cavity 32 passes through the entire vertical cyfinder to allow gas that arrives through the feel flow control mechanism to exit through feel outlet 34. A feel transfer mechanism, such as straw 20 has an upper end that is connected to a lower end of the vertical cylinder. A lower end of the feel transfer mechanism is conveniently positioned slightly above bottom wall 13.

Disposable feel reservoir is made of less durable materials then those of the housing. Conveniently, disposable feel reservoir 14 is made of a relatively low-cost material, such as plastic.

Fuel flows from feel reservoir 16, through feel transfer mechanism 20, cavity

32 to feel outlet 34, unless the flow is prevented by feel flow control mechanism 12. The vertical cyfinder has three parts 19, 21 and 23, whereas the radius of middle part 21 is smaller than the radius of the two other parts 19 and 23, such as to define a circular recess. A spring 22 is placed at the upper part of the circular recess, and an upper member 24 of feel flow control mechanism is allowed to slide upwards and downwards within the circular recess. Fuel flow control mechanism 12 includes spring 22, upper member 24 having cavities 26, and lower member 28 having cavity 30. Cavities 30 and 26 do not overlap such that when upper member 24 contacts lower member 28 feel is not allowed to flow through cavities 32, 30 and 26 towards feel outlet 34. It is noted that upper and lower members 24 and 28 can be replaced by a valve. Such a valve can be controlled by a control member that has at least two positions, including a lower and an upper position, such as upper member 24.

Normally, spring 22 forces upper member 24 to contact lower member 28. When upper member 24 is elevated, gas is allowed to flow through cavities 26, 28 and 38 and through feel outlet 34.

Referring to Figures 3 and 7, illustrating cross sections of disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism 12, Ignition mechanism 41 and first and second parts 62 and 60 of housing 70.

Igmtion mechanism 41 is operable to generate a spark at the vicinity of feel outlet 34. Igmtion mechanism 41 includes a female engagement means 54, to which is attached striker 42, supported by striker support 44, and connected to striker 42 by pin 49. Flint 47 is forced to contact striker 42 by a spring (not shown) inserted within a cavity (not shown) within female engagement means 54. An actuator that includes lever 46 has a first end for contacting upper member 24 and a second end that is operable to be contacted by a users finger. Lever 46 has a vertical projection that fits mto a cavity 50 formed within female engagement means 54. A spring 48 is placed within cavity 50 and engages a lower end of the vertical projection. A vertical projection 52, projecting from female engagement means 54 contacts level at approximately the middle of lever 46. Spring 51 forces lever 46 and accordingly feel Sow control mechanism 12 to prevent the flow of gas from disposable feel reservoir 14 through feel outlet 34, unless lever 46 is depressed.

Housing 70 has two parts 62 and 20 respectively. First part 62 is pivotaily mounted to second part 60 by pins 56. A combustion chamber includes cavities 66 for allowing air to Sow to the combustion chamber. It is noted that housing 70 partly surrounds ignition mechanism 41 and surrounds disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism 12. It is noted that Figure 3 Illustrates an ignition mechanism that includes a striker and a flint that is forced to contact the striker butt other ignition mechanism, such as but not limited to electrical ignition mechanisms, such as illustrated at Figure 4, may be utilized.

Tigure 7 illustrates that level 46 can partly surround a lower portion of the vertical hollow cylinder, and that igmtion mechanism 41 can also be releasably attached to housing 70. Releasably attached Ignition mechanisms are known in the art, such an ignition mechanism is described in U.S patent 6,168,774 ofButera, 3r.. Igmtion mechanism 41 can be supported by a member that is shaped to fit into a cavity that is formed within male engagement means 54. The member can have horizontal cavities to support horizontal springs that force balls that are prevented from exiting f om the cavities against annular recesses within the sidewalls of the cavity. The mentioned above cavities and member are denoted 99.

Figures 4 and 9 are perspective views of housing 70 in accordance ith embodiments of the invention, and Figures 5, 10 and 11 are perspective views of housing 70 that is releasably attached to disposable feel reservoir and gas flow mechanism 10, In accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Housing 70 has a rectangular shape and is configured to surround and hold a rectangular shaped disposable feel reservoir (shown in dashed fines in Figure 5). First part 62 includes a central wall 80 that is connected to two sidewalls 81 and 82 that are -perpendicular to central wall 80. Sidewalls 81 and 82 of second part 62 -are shaped to match sidewalls 85 and 86 of second part 60 of housing 70 such that when housing 70 Is closed sidewalls 81 and 85 define a sidewall of housing 70 and sidewalls 82 and 86 define another sidewall of housing 70. Figure 4 illustrates a housing In which sidewalls 81 and 82 have a concave edge and sidewalls 85 and 86 have a matching convex edge, but other shapes can be implemented. A lower end of each of sidewalls 81 and 85 are pivotally mounted to a lower end of sidewalls 85 and 86.

Second part 60 has a bottom wall 88 and three vertical walls, such as -sidewalls 85, 86 and 87, interposed between bottom wall 88 and the upper wall 90 of second part 60. A combustion chamber is defined by a left side of upper wall 90, the upper left side of two sidewalls 85 and -8 and a vertical rectangular plate having a upper end that is connected to a left end of the upper wall 88 and a lower end that is releasably attached to the upper end of middle wall 80 by a projection and a recess. Housing 70 is attached to actuator 74 and to ignition mechanism 41, such actuator 74 that has an upper position and a lower position, as illustrated at Figure 5. When actuator 74 is at the upper position gas feel is not allowed to exit disposable feel reservoir 14 and the ignition mechanism does not generate a spark. When actuator 74 is moved from the upper position to the lower position it engages the Ignition mechanism and a spark is generated. As long as actuator 74 is positioned at the lower position it engages feel flow control mechanism 12 and allows a release of feel to the combustion chamber. The lower part of ignition mechanism 41 ends at a female engagement means, as indicated by dashed lines 78. Cavities 66 within the right upper portion of first part allow air to flow into the combustion chamber. An aperture 72 at the left side of an upper wall of second part 60 is positioned above feel outlet 74 such that a flame that is Ignited near feel outlet 74 can project can through aperture 72.

It Is noted that a supporting member can be attached to the housing. An upper side of supporting member supports ignition mechanism 41 and actuator 54, -while a lower part of the supporting member is shaped as a female engagement -means.

A person of skill in the art will appreciate that the housing can be releasably attached to the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism by various attaclmient means, and that the various attaclmient means may be positioned at various locations. Tor example, Figure 6 illustrates gas fighter 8 wherein a male engagement means 84 is attached to the lower wall of housing 70. A disposable feel reservoir and feel control mechanism that is sized to be releasably attached to housing 70 has a female engagement means at its lower end. Figure 8 illustrates the first part 62 can be pivotally attached to second part

60 by pins that positioned at the upper part of sidewalls 81 and 82.

Thus, there has been described herein an embodiment including at least one preferred embodiment of a gas lighter. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodmients other than the preferred form specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter Is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and to the maximum extent allowed by law, it is Intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the Invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents rather than the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. A gas lighter comprising: an Ignition mechanism, attached to an housing, for igniting the feel; an actuator, attached to the housing and cooperable with the ignition mechanism and a feel flow comrol mechanism, such as to initiate an ignition of the feel and to allow feel to exit a disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechamsm, the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism includes the feel flow control mechanism ; and a housing, operative to be releasably attached to the disposable feel reservoir and feel control mechanism.

2. The gas fighter of claim 1 wherein the housing is operable to open, thus allowing a detachment of the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism.

3. The gas lighter of claim 1 wherein the housing has two parts, a first part is pivotally mounted to the second past, such that the housing is opened by a rotational movement of the first part.

4. The gas lighter of claim 1 wherein the housing is configured to at least partly surround the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism.

5. The gas lighter of claim 1 wherein the housing, a gas outlet of the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism define a combustion chamber.

6. The gas lighter of claim 1 wherein the housing is made of a durable material.

7. The gas lighter of claim 1 wherein the actuator engages the ignition mechanism to generate a spark to ignite the feel that exits the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism.

8. The gas lighter of claim 7 wherein the feel flow control mechanism has a control member, "wherein when the control member is at a first position fuel is prevented from exiting the disposable fuel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism and when the control member Is at a second position feel is allowed to exit the disposable fiiel reservoir and flow control unit and wherein the actuator engages the feel flow control mechanism to change he position of the control valve froma first position to a second position.

9. The gas lighter of claim 1 wherein the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism has a male engagement means configured to fit to a female engagement means of the housing, for releasably attaching the housing with the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechamsm.

10. The lighter of claim 1$ wherein the female engagement means of the housing and the male engagement means of the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism are configured to for precisely positioning of the actuator such that the actuator engages the feel flow control mechanism.

11. The fighter of claim 1 wherein the feel fiow control mechanism comprises a valve.

12. The fighter of claim 1 wherein the feel control mechanism comprises a lower member and an upper member, each having at least one cavity for allowing selective floe of gas through the cavities.

13. A gas lighter comprising: an ignition mechanism, attached to an housing, for igniting the feel; an actuator, attached to the housing and cooperable with the Ignition mechanism and with a feel flow control mechanism, such as to initiate an ignition of the feel and to allow feel to exit a disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism, the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism includes the feel flow control mechanism ; a disposable fuel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism releasably attached to the housing; and a housing.

14. The gas lighter of claim 12 wherein the housing is operable to open, thus allowing a detachment of the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechamsm.

15. The gas lighter of claim 12 wherein the housing has two parts, a first part ϊs pivotally mounted to the second past, such that the housing is opened by a rotational movement of the first part.

16. The gas fighter of claim 12 wherem the housing is configured to at least partly surround the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism.

17. The gas lighter of claim 12 wherein the housing, a gas outlet of the disposable fuel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism define a combustion chamber.

18. The gas fighter of claim 12 wherem the housing is made of a durable material.

19. The gas lighter of claim 12 wherein the actuator engages the ignition mechanism to generate a spark to ignite the feel that exits the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechamsm.

20. The gas lighter of claim 12 wherem the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism has a male engagement means configured to fit to a female engagement means of the housing, for releasably attaching the housing with the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism.

21. The lighter of claim 19 wherein the female engagement means of the housing and the male engagement means of the disposable feel reservoir and fuel flow control mechanism are configured to for precisely positioning of the actuator such that the actuator engages the fuel flow control mechanism.

22. A disposable fuel reservoir and fuel flow control mechanism sized to be releasably attached to a housing of a gas lighter, the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechamsm comprising a feel reservoir; a feel transfer mechamsm having a first end positioned within the feel reservoir and another end connected to the feel flow control mechanism; and a feel flow control mechanism.

23. The disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism of claim 21 is releasably attached to the housing by a male engagement means sized to fit a female engagement attached to the housing.

24. The disposable feefreservoir and fuel flow control mechanism of claim 21 wherein the other end of the feel transfer mechamsm is connected to a hollow vertical cyfinder; wherein a controller member selectively allows the feel to flow through the hollow vertical cylinder.

25. The disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism of claim 21 ferther comprising a feel regulator for controlling an amount of feel that exits the disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control mechanism.

26. The disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control according to any of the claims 21-24 substantially as illustrated in any of the drawings.

27. The gas fighter according to any of the claims 1-11 substantially as Illustrated In any of the drawings.

28. The gas lighter according to any of the claims 12-20 substantially as Illustrated In any of the drawings.

29. The disposable feel reservoir and feel flow control according to any of the claims 21-24 substantially as described herein above.

30. The gas lighter according to any of the claims 1-11 substantially as substantially as described herein above.

31. The gas lighter according to any of the claims 12-20 substantially as substantially as described herein above.