U.S. patent application number 10/761957 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-05 for gas lighter.
Invention is credited to Doucet, Michel, Frigiere, Rene.
Application Number | 20040152029 10/761957 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28686157 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040152029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doucet, Michel ; et
al. |
August 5, 2004 |
Gas lighter
Abstract
A gas cigarette lighter including a fuel reservoir made of an
amorphous polymer material and having a top wall through which a
well passes, the well being provided with a gas dispensing device
which includes a tubular element engaged in the well in leaktight
manner. The top wall of the reservoir is provided with an annular
groove extending around the well, the tubular element of the
dispensing device is engaged in the well, and the top wall is
reinforced by a ring engaged in the annular groove, the top wall
forming an annular wall between the groove and the well, which wall
is clamped between the ring and the tubular element.
Inventors: |
Doucet, Michel; (Bains Sur
Ouste, FR) ; Frigiere, Rene; (Allaire, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
222 EAST 41ST ST
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
28686157 |
Appl. No.: |
10/761957 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10761957 |
Jan 20, 2004 |
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PCT/FR03/01072 |
Apr 4, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/344 ;
431/277 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q 2/162 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/344 ;
431/277 |
International
Class: |
F23Q 001/02; F23D
014/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2002 |
FR |
0204862 |
Claims
1. A gas cigarette lighter comprising: a fuel reservoir made of an
amorphous polymer material, the reservoir having a top wall, the
top wall having an annular groove and an annular wall; a well, the
well passing through the top wall; a gas dispensing device
including a tubular element, the tubular element being disposed in
the well; a ring, the ring engaging the annular groove; wherein the
annular groove surrounds the well, and at least a portion of the
annular wall is reinforced by the ring.
2. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the top wall
forms the annular wall between the annular groove and the well, and
the annular wall is clamped between the ring and the tubular
element.
3. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the annular
wall is formed by the annular groove.
4. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the annular
groove has a first annular face facing radially outwards, and the
ring has a first annular face facing radially inwards, and the
first groove face and the first ring face are engaged in
tight-fitting manner with one another.
5. A cigarette lighter according to claim 4, wherein the annular
groove has, a second annular face facing radially inwards, and the
ring has a second annular face facing radially outwards, and the
second annular groove face and the second ring face are not in
engaged in tight-fitting manner with one another.
6. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the well, the
tubular element, the ring and the groove are in the shape of a
cylinder that is circularly-symmetrical, the groove having a
certain inside diameter, and the ring having an inside diameter
that is no larger than the inside diameter of the groove, the well
having a certain diameter and the tubular element having a certain
outside diameter that is no smaller than the diameter of the
well.
7. A cigarette lighter according to claim 6, wherein the groove has
a certain outside diameter, and the ring has an outside diameter
that is no larger than the outside diameter of the groove.
8. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the lighter is
provided with a head that overlies the reservoir, the head having
an ignition device and a device for controlling the gas dispensing
device, the ring being part of the head of the lighter.
9. A cigarette lighter according to claim 8, wherein the head and
the ring are formed as a single piece made of a semi-crystalline
polymer material.
10. A cigarette lighter according to claim 8, wherein the tubular
element is engaged by force in a hole provided in the head.
11. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the gas
dispensing device includes a regulating device and a valve that are
received inside the tubular element.
12. A cigarette lighter according to claim 11, wherein the tubular
element is made of metal and has an internal shoulder against which
a micro-porous disk is held by a retaining ring, the tubular
element having one end crimped against the retaining ring.
13. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir
has a side wall against which the top wall is bonded.
14. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir
is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of ABS
or SAN.
15. A gas cigarette lighter comprising: a fuel reservoir having a
bottom wall, an annular side wall extending therefrom and a top
end; a top wall disposed on the top end, the top wall having an
annular groove and an annular wall; a head disposed on the top
wall, the head having a ring, the ring being disposed within the
annular groove; a well disposed within the top wall, the well
containing a tubular element disposed therein; and a gas dispensing
device disposed within the tubular element.
16. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the top wall
forms the annular wall between the annular groove and the well, and
the annular wall is clamped between the ring and the tubular
element.
17. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the annular
wall is formed by the annular groove.
18. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the annular
groove has a first annular face, facially radially outwards, and
the ring has a first annular face facing radially inwards; and the
first groove face and the first ring face are engaged in
tight-fitting manner with one another.
19. A cigarette lighter according to claim 18, wherein the annular
groove has a second annular face facing radially inwards, and the
ring has a second annular face facing radially outwards; and the
second groove face and the second ring face are not engaged in
tight-fitting manner with one another.
20. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the well,
the tubular element, the ring and the groove are in the shape of a
cylinder that is circularly-symmetrical.
21. A cigarette lighter according to claim 20, wherein the groove
has an inside diameter, and the ring has an inside diameter; the
ring diameter being no larger than the groove diameter.
22. A cigarette lighter according to claim 20, wherein the well has
a diameter and the tubular element has an outside diameter; the
tubular element diameter being no smaller than the well
diameter.
23. A cigarette lighter according to claim 20, wherein the groove
has an outside diameter, and the ring has an outside diameter; the
ring diameter is no larger than the groove diameter.
24. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the head has
an ignition device and a device for controlling the gas dispensing
device.
25. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the head and
the ring are formed as a single piece made of a semi-crystalline
polymer material.
26. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the tubular
element is engaged by force in a hole provided in the head.
27. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the gas
dispensing device includes a regulating device and a valve that are
received inside the tubular element.
28. A cigarette lighter according to claim 27, wherein the tubular
element is made of metal and has an internal shoulder against which
a micro-porous disk is held by a retaining ring, the tubular
element having one end crimped against the retaining ring.
29. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the
reservoir has a side wall against which the top wall is bonded.
30. A cigarette lighter according to claim 15, wherein the
reservoir is made of an amorphous polymer material.
31. A cigarette lighter according to claim 30, wherein the
reservoir is formed of a material selected from the group
consisting of ABS or SAN.
32. A gas cigarette lighter comprising a reservoir including a top
wall for containing a fuel supply; a gas dispensing device for
releasing fuel from the fuel supply; a control device for actuating
the gas dispensing device and releasing the fuel; and an ignition
mechanism for igniting the released fuel; the lighter further
comprising: a well disposed within the top wall of the reservoir; a
tubular element disposed within the well; the tubular element be
provided with the gas dispensing device; and a means for sealing
the tubular element to the top wall; wherein the sealing means
results from direct contact of the tubular element to the top
wall.
33. A cigarette lighter according to claim 32, wherein the
reservoir is made of an amorphous polymer material.
34. A cigarette lighter according to claim 33, wherein the
reservoir is formed of a material selected from the group
consisting of ABS or SAN.
35. A cigarette lighter according to claim 32, further comprises a
ring, and the top wall has an annular wall and an annular groove,
wherein the ring engages the groove.
36. A cigarette lighter according to claim 35, wherein the annular
wall is clamped between the ring and the tubular element.
37. A cigarette lighter according to claim 35, wherein the annular
groove has a first annular face, facially radially outwards, and
the ring has a first annular face facing radially inwards; and the
first groove face and the first ring face are engaged in
tight-fitting manner with one another.
38. A cigarette lighter according to claim 37, wherein the annular
groove has a second annular face facing radially inwards, and the
ring has a second annular face facing radially outwards; and the
second groove face and the second ring face are not engaged in
tight-fitting manner with one another.
39. A cigarette lighter according to claim 35, wherein the well,
the tubular element, the ring and the groove are in the shape of a
cylinder that is circularly-symmetrical.
40. A cigarette lighter according to claim 39, wherein the groove
has an inside diameter, and the ring has an inside diameter; the
ring diameter being no larger than the groove diameter.
41. A cigarette lighter according to claim 39, wherein the well has
a diameter and the tubular element has an outside diameter; the
tubular element diameter being no smaller than the well
diameter.
42. A cigarette lighter according to claim 39, wherein the groove
has an outside diameter, and the ring has an outside diameter; the
ring diameter is no larger than the groove diameter.
43. A cigarette lighter according to claim 35, further comprising a
head having an ignition device and a device for controlling the gas
dispensing device.
44. A cigarette lighter according to claim 43, wherein the head and
the ring are formed as a single piece made of a semi-crystalline
polymer material.
45. A cigarette lighter according to claim 43, wherein the tubular
element is engaged by force in a hole provided in the head.
46. A cigarette lighter according to claim 32, wherein the gas
dispensing device includes a regulating device and a valve that are
received inside the tubular element.
47. A cigarette lighter according to claim 46, wherein the tubular
element is made of metal and has an internal shoulder against which
a micro-porous disk is held by a retaining ring, the tubular
element having one end crimped against the retaining ring.
48. A cigarette lighter according to claim 32, wherein the
reservoir has a side wall against which the top wall is bonded.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to gas cigarette lighters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a gas cigarette
lighter including a fuel reservoir, preferably made of an amorphous
polymer material. The reservoir having a top wall through which a
well passes, the well being provided with a gas dispensing device
which includes a tubular element engaged in the well in leaktight
manner.
[0003] The above-mentioned amorphous polymers are polymers having
chains of monomers disposed in disordered or random manner, unlike
semi-crystalline or crystalline polymers, in which the chains are
disposed uniformly. Certain amorphous polymers offer advantages for
making fuel reservoirs for lighters, with particular examples worth
mentioning being the categories of acrylonitrile butadiene styrenes
(ABSs) or of styrene acrylonitriles (SANs). Certain amorphous
polymers are also transparent, which makes it possible to see the
level of liquid fuel remaining in the reservoir. Amorphous polymers
are also generally less expensive and easier to use than
semi-crystalline polymers.
[0004] However, amorphous polymers are relatively brittle at
ambient temperature because their elongation at the elastic limit
is small, generally less than 5%.
[0005] Furthermore, typically, when using fuel reservoirs
constructed out of amorphous polymers, complex fitting means must
be used to fit the gas dispensing device in the top wall of such
reservoirs. For example, WO 01/18452 A1 discloses a tubular element
with an 0-ring gasket for sealing the tubular element in the well
in the top wall of the reservoir. The tubular element being held in
the well by means of a threaded ring that is screwed into a tapped
portion of the well. This device suffers from having numerous and
complex parts, which complicates assembly of the lighter, and thus
increases its manufacturing cost and reduces its reliability.
Furthermore, the large overall size of such a dispensing device
limits the possibilities of miniaturizing the lighter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a cigarette lighter with a
top wall of the reservoir having an annular groove extending around
the well, the top wall preferably is reinforced by a ring engaged
in the annular groove. The ring preferably is formed on the head of
the lighter which overlies the reservoir. A dispensing device
having a tubular element is engaged in the well. The top wall
forming an annular wall between the annular groove and the well,
the annular wall being clamped between the ring and the tubular
element, so as to obtain sealing between the tubular element and
the well by mutual contact only.
[0007] This provides a lighter with a relatively inexpensive
reservoir since the reservoir can be constructed from an amorphous
polymer, which provides excellent sealing because of the presence
of the reinforcing ring engaged in the annular groove that
surrounds the well. This reinforcing ring resists extension
stresses in the top wall of the reservoir and in particular in the
annular wall situated between the groove and the well, but also
generates compression stresses in the annular wall, thereby
resisting the formation of micro-cracks. Thus, the tubular element
of the gas dispensing device is fitted in the well of the reservoir
with improved sealing.
[0008] Furthermore, manufacturing of the present device is
particularly simple because it is not necessary to use a separate
gasket interposed between the wall and the tubular element, nor to
use a screw-fastenable ring to affix the tubular element.
[0009] In addition, it is optionally possible to use any of the
following provisions singularly or in combination:
[0010] the annular groove has a first annular face facing radially
outwards, and the ring has a first annular face facing radially
inwards and engaged in tight-fitting manner against the first
annular face of the groove;
[0011] the annular groove has a second annular face facing radially
inwards, and the ring has a second annular face facing radially
outwards and engaged without being in a tight-fit with the second
annular face of the groove;
[0012] the well, the tubular element, the ring and the groove are
preferably in the shape of a cylinder that is
circularly-symmetrical, the groove having a certain inside
diameter, and the ring having an inside diameter that is preferably
no larger than the inside diameter of the groove, the well having a
certain diameter and the tubular element having a certain outside
diameter that is preferably no smaller than the diameter of the
well;
[0013] the groove has a certain outside diameter, and the ring has
an outside diameter that is preferably no larger than the outside
diameter of the groove;
[0014] the gas dispensing device preferably includes a regulating
device and a valve that are received inside the tubular
element;
[0015] the lighter is preferably provided with a head that overlies
the reservoir, which preferably includes an ignition device and a
control device for controlling the gas dispensing device, the ring
preferably being part of the head of the lighter;
[0016] the head and the ring are preferably formed as a single
piece made of a semi-crystalline polymer material;
[0017] the tubular element preferably is forced-fitted into a hole
provided in the head;
[0018] the tubular element is preferably made of metal and has an
internal shoulder against which a micro-porous disk is held by a
retaining ring, the tubular element having one end crimped against
the retaining ring;
[0019] the reservoir preferably has a side wall against which the
top wall is bonded; and
[0020] the reservoir preferably is formed of a material chosen from
ABS and from SAN.
[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the
art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of an embodiment
of a cigarette lighter of the invention; and
[0023] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the cross sectional
view of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] In the figures, the same references are used to designate
identical or similar elements.
[0025] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to
an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. As
shown, the gas cigarette lighter 1 includes a reservoir 2 intended
to contain a fuel under pressure and partially in the liquid phase,
such as, for example, isobutane.
[0026] In the embodiment shown, the reservoir 2 is formed of a bowl
3, the bowl preferably being U-shaped in cross section, and having
a bottom wall 4 and an annular side wall 5 that extends upwards
from the bottom wall 4 to a top end 6.
[0027] The top end 6 may be closed off by a top wall 7 which, in
the example shown, may be a separate part fixed by any method known
in the art including, but not limited to bonding, gluing, welding,
friction or press fit, etc., to the side wall 5. Alternatively, the
top wall 7 may be manufactured as an integral part with the bowl
3.
[0028] The reservoir 2 preferably is manufactured from at least one
amorphous polymer material, including, for example, from
acrylonitrile butadiene styrenes (ABSs), styrene acrylonitriles
(SANs), etc. Alternatively, by way of example, the bowl 3 may be
manufactured from SAN, and the top wall 7 may be manufactured from
ABS, and vice versa, it being possible, in known manner, to bond
these materials together, for example, by ultrasonic sealing,
bonding, ultrasonic welding, gluing, etc.
[0029] As previously stated, the advantage of such amorphous
polymers is that they are relatively inexpensive, and easy to
implement, process, manufacture and form parts from. In addition,
certain amorphous polymers, such as SANs, may be transparent,
making it possible for the cigarette lighter user to see the level
of liquid fuel remaining in the reservoir 2.
[0030] Other amorphous-type polymers may also be used, provided
that their mechanical and chemical properties are compatible with
them being used as a gas lighter reservoir.
[0031] To accommodate the gas pressure prevailing inside the
reservoir 2, the bowl 3 and the top wall 7 may have walls that are
relatively thick, and the bowl 3 may optionally be provided with a
bridge 8 that extends vertically from the bottom wall 4 while
interconnecting two opposite faces of the side wall 5.
[0032] The top wall 7 preferably may further be provided with a
well 9 that in the example shown, extends vertically and which may
preferably be in the shape of a cylinder that is circularly
symmetrical. The well 9 preferably being capable of receiving a gas
dispensing device 10, which includes a tubular element 19, which is
preferably made of metal and also in the shape of a cylinder that
is circularly symmetrical.
[0033] The gas dispensing device 10 preferably is actuated by a
control device 11 that is carried on the head 12 of the lighter,
the head 12 of the lighter overlying the reservoir 2 as shown.
Preferably, as shown, the head 12 is retained against the top wall
7 of the reservoir 2 by catches 17 (i.e., studs) on the head 12
that co-operate by snap-fastening or clipping with complementary
catches 18 molded in the top wall 7 of the reservoir 2.
[0034] The head 12 may also form a support for fitting an ignition
device 14 and a windshield 13 forming a screen or shield against
the wind or draft. The ignition device 14, which are generally
known in the art, may comprise, for example, a serrated friction
wheel 15 and a flint 16 held pressed against the serrated friction
wheel 15 by a spring received in a cavity in the head 12. A
complementary cavity is formed in the top wall 7 of the reservoir 2
to accommodate the cavity of the head 12. However, it is of course
possible to use other types of ignition devices 14, such as a
piezoelectric device, etc.
[0035] The dispensing device 10 may further include: a regulating
device for regulating the gas flow rate, which device may, for
example, comprise a microporous disk 20. The microporous disk 20
preferably is manufactured by a uniaxially stretched polypropylene
film provided with slot-like pores, as described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,496,309 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference. The microporous disk 20 preferably is disposed within
the bottom portion of the tubular element 19.
[0036] Preferably, the microporous disk 20 is held against an
internal shoulder 21 in the tubular element 19, the shoulder 21
being formed in the vicinity of the bottom end of the tubular
element 19. The microporous disk 20 covers an orifice 21a formed in
the center of the shoulder 21. The microporous disk 20 is
preferably pressed against the bottom face of the shoulder 21 by a
retaining ring 22, which is itself retained at the bottom portion
of the tubular element 19 by crimping the bottom end 23 of the
tubular element 19.
[0037] The dispensing device 10 preferably also includes a valve 24
having a gas outlet duct 27 opening near the ignition means 14. The
valve being formed by a tubular hollow body 25 which, in its bottom
portion, preferably carries closure means such as an elastomer disk
26 adapted to shut off the above-mentioned orifice 21a as the duct
is moved along the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 19. The
hollow body, which defines the gas outlet duct 27, communicates
with the inside of the tubular element 19 via slots 28, etc.
provided in the hollow body.
[0038] The valve and the regulating device for regulating the gas
flow rate are preferably received inside the tubular element
19.
[0039] Preferably the lighter also includes a control device 11.
The control device 11 preferably includes a fork mounted to tilt
about a pin secured to the head 12. A first end 31 of the fork
cooperates with a setback 32 formed on the top portion of the
hollow body 25, which emerges from the tubular element 19 thus
permitting the gas dispensing device 10 to be raised as the user
depresses the second end 33 of the fork. When the user depresses
the second end 33 of the fork raising the hollow body, the valve is
opened releasing gas from the reservoir 2.
[0040] Preferably, a compression spring 34 is disposed between the
bottom face of the second end 33 of the fork and the bottom 35 of a
well formed in the head 12.
[0041] As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the tubular element 19 of
the dispensing device 10 preferably is engaged in the well 9.
[0042] In addition, around the well 9, the top wall 7 of the
reservoir 2 is provided with an annular groove 36 which may, for
example, be in the shape of a cylinder that is
circularly-symmetrical and which opens upwards. A reinforcing ring
37 is engaged in the annular groove 36 so that the annular wall 38
that separates the groove 36 from the well 9 is clamped between the
ring 37 and the tubular element 19. This clamping provides sealing
between the well 9 and the tubular element 19 merely by contact
between these two parts, without requiring an additional
gasket.
[0043] Preferably, the annular groove 36 and the ring 37 are
concentric with the well 9 and with the tubular element 19.
[0044] Preferably, the tubular element 19 is engaged in snug or
tight fitting manner into the well 9, while the annular face 39 of
the ring 37 that faces radially inwards is engaged in tight-fitting
manner against the annular face 40 of the annular groove 36 that
faces radially outwards. The tight-fitting engagement of the ring
37 in the groove 36 compressing the annular wall 38 against the
tubular element 19 without generating any extension stress in the
annular wall 38. It should be noted however that it is possible to
have some clearance (a few hundredths of a millimeter) between the
tubular element 19 and the well 9.
[0045] Preferably, the annular face 41 of the ring 37 that faces
radially outwards is engaged without being in a tight-fit with the
annular face 42 of the groove 36 that faces radially inwards.
[0046] More precisely, the outside diameter of the tubular element
19 preferably is at least equal to and more preferably
substantially equal to the inside diameter of the well 9; the
inside diameter of the ring 37 preferably is less than (e.g. about
3 to 12 hundredths of a millimeter less than) the inside diameter
of the groove 36; and the outside diameter of the ring 37
preferably is not more than, and more preferably less than the
outside diameter of the groove 36 so that the ring 37 does not
generate any extension stresses in the portion of the top wall 7
that is situated outside the groove 36.
[0047] These various provisions make it possible for excellent
sealing to be obtained between the tubular element 19 and the well
9.
[0048] Preferably, the material of which the ring 37 is made must
be relatively rigid and capable of withstanding a relatively large
amount of elongation, preferably greater than 5%. By way of
example, the ring 37 preferably is made of a semi-crystalline
polymer material, e.g. polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyamide, e.g. of
the 6-6 type.
[0049] For the purpose of reducing the number of parts, the ring 37
may preferably be made integrally with the head 12 and of
semi-crystalline material. Furthermore, using semi-crystalline
material makes it possible to fit the tubular element 19 simply by
force fitting the tubular element 19 into a hole 43 in the head
12.
[0050] Naturally, this embodiment is in no way limiting, and, in
particular, it is possible to make the head 12, the ring 37, and
the tubular element 19 integrally, and either of metal or of
semi-crystalline polymer.
[0051] The present invention has been described in connection with
the preferred embodiments. These embodiments, however, are merely
for example and the invention is not restricted thereto. It will be
understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and
modifications can easily be made within the scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims, thus it is only intended that
the present invention be limited by the following claims.
* * * * *