U.S. patent application number 12/873346 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-30 for powered lighter.
This patent application is currently assigned to EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.. Invention is credited to Jean-Francois Audebert, Peter F. Hoffman, David W. Muska.
Application Number | 20100326978 12/873346 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37670278 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-30 |
![](/patent/app/20100326978/US20100326978A1-20101230-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20100326978/US20100326978A1-20101230-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20100326978/US20100326978A1-20101230-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20100326978/US20100326978A1-20101230-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20100326978/US20100326978A1-20101230-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20100326978/US20100326978A1-20101230-D00005.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20100326978 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muska; David W. ; et
al. |
December 30, 2010 |
Powered Lighter
Abstract
A powered lighter having a switch which is activated by a change
in air pressure or air flow is described. The change in air
pressure or air flow causes the switch to close thereby allowing
the lighter's direct current power supply to increase the
temperature of the lighter's heating element.
Inventors: |
Muska; David W.; (Lorain,
OH) ; Audebert; Jean-Francois; (Westlake, OH)
; Hoffman; Peter F.; (Avon, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL C. POPHAL;EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY INC
25225 DETROIT ROAD, P O BOX 450777
WESTLAKE
OH
44145
US
|
Assignee: |
EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY,
INC.
St. Louis
MO
|
Family ID: |
37670278 |
Appl. No.: |
12/873346 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11208702 |
Aug 22, 2005 |
7791002 |
|
|
12873346 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q 7/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/268 |
International
Class: |
F23Q 7/00 20060101
F23Q007/00 |
Claims
1. A lighter comprising: a heating element; and a switch to control
the heating element according to a change in air pressure.
2. The lighter of claim 1, the heating element activated on a
positive change in air pressure.
3. The lighter of claim 1, the heating element activated on a
negative change in air pressure.
4. The lighter of claim 1, further comprising a manual switch
operative to disengage the heating element.
5. The lighter of claim 1, further comprising a manual switch to
control the heating element.
6. The lighter of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage
system to deliver power to the heating element.
7. The lighter of claim 6, the energy storage system comprises a
super capacitor.
8. The lighter of claim 6, the energy storage system comprises a
fuel cell.
9. The lighter of claim 6, the energy storage system comprises a
battery.
10. A lighter comprising: a heating element; and a switch to
control the heating element according to a change in air flow.
11. The lighter of claim 10, the change in air flow comprising a
change in a rate of air flow.
12. The lighter of claim 10, the change in air flow comprising a
quantity of air flow.
13. The lighter of claim 10, further comprising a manual switch
operative to disengage the heating element.
14. The lighter of claim 10, further comprising a manual switch to
control the heating element.
15. The lighter of claim 10, further comprising an energy storage
system to deliver power to the heating element.
16. The lighter of claim 10, further comprising an inlet port and a
passageway coupled to the inlet port.
17. The lighter of claim 16, further comprising an air flow
detector disposed along the passageway, the air flow detector
coupled to the switch.
18. A lighter comprising: a housing comprising a surface having a
recessed opening to a cavity and first and second manual switches;
an electrical circuit within the housing, the circuit comprising: a
heating element proximate the recessed opening, the heating element
coupled to the first and second manual switches; a power supply to
provide electrical current to the heating element; an air activated
switch to control the electrical current provided to the heating
element; a proximity sensor coupled to the heating element; a
positive temperature coefficient switch coupled to the heating
element; and an illuminating element coupled to the power
supply.
19. The lighter of claim 18, the proximity sensor permits
activation of the heating element on an object being inserted into
the cavity.
20. The lighter of claim 18, the electrical circuit further
comprising an altimeter switch coupled to the heating element, the
altimeter switch preventing activation of the heating element above
a predetermined elevation.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/208,702, filed Aug. 22, 2005, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to portable lighters. More
particularly, this invention is concerned with battery powered
lighters for cigars and cigarettes.
[0003] Conventional cigarette lighters are used by consumers to
ignite the tobacco in one end of a cigarette as the consumer forces
air through the cigarette by inhaling. While many different devices
and sources of heat could be used to ignite a cigarette, three of
the most common ways to ignite a cigarette include using: a match;
a coil that has been heated by passing an electric current through
the coil; and a flame that is powered by a flammable liquid such as
butane which is stored in a portion of the lighter. Unfortunately,
all three of these devices can be used to ignite materials other
than cigarettes or cigars. The match and flammable liquid lighter
are considered to be particularly dangerous because both devices
produce "open flames" which can be used, either intentionally or
unintentionally, to ignite a wide range of flammable materials. In
addition to the dangers associated with matches and electrically
heated coils, lighters that contain a reservoir housing a flammable
liquid are known to be especially dangerous because of the risk
that the flammable liquid will be removed from the lighter and used
in an illegal and destructive manner.
[0004] To reduce or eliminate the risks associated with using an
open flame lighter, various attempts have been made to provide a
lighter that will ignite a cigarette without using an open flame.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,553 discloses a battery powered
lighter that uses a laser to ignite the tobacco. In another
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,157 discloses a battery powered
lighter that uses a spiral electric heating element to elevate the
temperature of the tobacco to ignite the cigarette. The same patent
discloses a recessed opening into which the cigarette must be
inserted to enable the heating element to contact the cigarette.
The recessed opening is intended to inhibit the intentional setting
of fires. Unfortunately, neither of these inventions is able to
effectively limit the use of the lighter to igniting tobacco in a
cigarette.
[0005] Therefore, there exists a need for a cigarette lighter that
will effectively ignite the tobacco in a cigarette but cannot be
used to ignite other materials such as a flammable liquid, strips
of paper or a candle's wick.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a portable battery powered
lighter that will effectively and efficiently ignite a cigarette
but cannot be used to ignite many other materials.
[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus
that includes a housing and an electrical circuit disposed in the
housing. The housing defines an opening therein. The circuit
includes a heating element, a direct current power supply that
provides an electrical current to the heating element, and a switch
for regulating the flow of the electrical current to the heating
element. The switch is activated by a change of air pressure within
the housing.
[0008] In another embodiment, the present invention also relates to
an apparatus that includes a housing and an electrical circuit
disposed in the housing. The housing defines an opening therein.
The circuit includes a heating element, a direct current power
supply that provides an electrical current to the heating element,
and a switch for regulating the flow of the electrical current to
the heating element. The switch is activated by a change in air
flow within the housing.
[0009] The present invention also relates to a process for igniting
a cigarette. The process includes the following steps. Providing an
apparatus comprising a housing and an electrical circuit disposed
within the housing. The housing defines an opening therein. The
circuit comprises a heating element, a direct current power supply
providing an electrical current to the heating element, and a
switch for regulating the flow of the electrical current to the
heating element. The switch is activated by a change in air
pressure within the housing. Providing an elongated, air permeable
cigarette having a first end and a second end. Inserting the first
end of the cigarette into the opening in the housing. Igniting the
cigarette by causing a change in air pressure within the housing
which activates the switch that allows the electrical current from
the direct current power supply to increase the temperature of the
heating element. Withdrawing the cigarette from the housing.
[0010] The present invention also relates to yet another process
for igniting a cigarette. The process includes the following steps.
Providing an apparatus comprising a housing and an electrical
circuit disposed within the housing. The housing defines an opening
therein. The circuit comprises a heating element, a direct current
power supply providing an electrical current to the heating
element, and a switch for regulating the flow of the electrical
current to the heating element. The switch is activated by a change
in air flow within the housing. Providing an elongated, air
permeable cigarette having a first end and a second end. Inserting
the first end of the cigarette into the opening in the housing.
Igniting the cigarette by causing a change in air flow within the
housing which activates the switch that allows the electrical
current from the direct current power supply to increase the
temperature of the heating element. Withdrawing the cigarette from
the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of battery powered cigarette
lighter of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a
battery powered cigarette lighter of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a
battery powered cigarette lighter of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a
battery powered cigarette lighter of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a
battery powered cigarette lighter of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the opening in the housing
of a battery powered cigarette lighter of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a chart showing the steps in a process of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] As used herein the term "cigarette" generally refers to an
elongated, rolled tube that contains tobacco or other similar
products. A sheet of coiled paper may be used to contain the
tobacco. The cigarette has a first end, a second end, and is air
permeable. The second end may contain a filter. At least the first
end contains tobacco that can be ignited. The cigarette is
considered to be air permeable if an individual can manually draw
air into the first end, through the length of the cigarette, and
out the second end.
[0019] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG.
1, there is shown a perspective view of a cigarette lighter 10 of
this invention. Lighter 10 has a generally rectangular housing 11
that includes first surface 12, second surface 14, third surface
16, fourth surface 18, fifth surface 20, sixth surface 22 and
recessed opening 24. Heating element 26 is disposed within the
recessed opening. First manual switch 28 is incorporated into fifth
surface 20 which may also be described herein as the leading edge.
Second manual switch 30 is incorporated into sixth surface 22 which
may be referred to herein as the trailing edge. Manual switches 28
and 30 are located on opposite sides of the housing at
approximately the same distance from fourth surface 18 to
facilitate simultaneous pressing of both switches between a
consumer's thumb and index finger. The rectangular housing is sized
to easily fit into a consumer's pocket or purse. If desired, the
housing could be adapted to hang from a key chain.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a
lighter of this invention. Lighter 10 includes housing 11 and an
electrical circuit disposed therein. The electrical circuit
includes heating element 26, a direct current power supply 32, and
at least one switch 34 that regulates the flow of electrical
current from the power supply to the heating element. Switch 34 is
activated by a change of air pressure within the housing. The word
"activated", as used herein, means that the switch is electrically
closed thereby allowing an electric current to pass through the
circuit. Switch 34 is preferably located adjacent cavity 42 and is
activated by a change in air pressure within the housing.
Preferably, the change in air pressure occurs after the consumer
inserts the first end of a cigarette into cavity 42 and then
manually draws air through the length and second end of the
cigarette by inhaling while sealing their lips against the second
end of the cigarette. Alternatively, the change in air pressure
could be caused by changing the altitude of the lighter as will be
explained below with reference to FIG. 4. The negative pressure
created by the consumer inhaling air through the cigarette
immediately activates switch 34 which allows an electrical current
to pass through the heating element. The temperature of the heating
coil rises rapidly until it exceeds the ignition temperature of the
tobacco. After the tobacco begins to burn, the consumer stops
inhaling thereby terminating the negative pressure detected by
switch 34 and causing an electrical disconnect in the circuit which
turns the lighter "off".
[0021] In an alternative embodiment, switch 34 can be activated by
the exertion of positive air pressure. For example, after the first
end of the cigarette has been inserted into the cavity, the
consumer can activate switch 34 by manually forcing air from the
second end of the cigarette to the first end of the cigarette which
exerts a positive pressure on switch 34. As long as switch 34 is
activated, an electrical current flows to the heating element which
becomes sufficiently hot to ignite the tobacco.
[0022] The advantage of using a cigarette lighter with a switch
that is responsive to a change in air pressure within the housing
of the lighter is that the lighter can only be activated when an
air permeable article, such as a cigarette or cigar, is inserted
into the cavity and the switch detects the change in air pressure.
If a solid object, such as a candle's wick or match, is inserted
into the cavity, the lighter will not ignite the wick or match
because the consumer cannot close switch 34. Similarly, if the
lighter's heating element is allowed to contact flammable fumes or
a flammable liquid, the element will not become hot because the
consumer cannot exert pressure on switch 34. Consequently, the
lighter of this invention is inherently limited to igniting objects
that are sufficiently air permeable to allow the consumer to exert
air pressure on a switch that is enclosed within the housing.
Accidental activation of the lighter while it is stored in a purse
or backpack is virtually precluded by the design of the lighter.
Similarly, intentionally burning any material in an illegal manner
is effectively thwarted by the existence of the switch which can
only be activated by exerting air pressure on the switch which is
protected by the housing.
[0023] To further improve the safety of the lighter, the circuit
disposed within the housing may also contain components such as
first manual switch 28, second manual switch 30, energy storage
system 36, proximity sensor 38 and a positive temperature
coefficient switch 40. As shown in FIG. 3, a suitable lighter could
contain a single manual switch, such as first manual switch 28, in
addition to air pressure activated switch 34. The first manual
switch could be used to complete an electrical circuit between the
power supply and an illuminating element 44 such as a light
emitting diode (LED) or an incandescent bulb. The LED could be made
to illuminate the area beyond the lighter's housing thereby
facilitating easy location of the cavity and insertion of a
cigarette into the lighter during low or no ambient light lighting
conditions. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the LED could also be
made to illuminate the cavity into which the cigarette is inserted.
If desired, a lighter with an illuminating element incorporated
therein could be used as a conventional flashlight by configuring a
switching mechanism that would provide electrical current to the
LED or incandescent bulb but not to the heating element.
[0024] Referring again to FIG. 2, a suitable lighter could contain
a first manual switch 28 and a second manual switch 30.
Simultaneous closing of both switches would be needed to complete
the lighter's electrical circuit. The use of double activation
manual switches and the air pressure activated switch would further
deter accidental activation of the lighter by unauthorized
individuals such as young children who might try to imitate an
adult igniting a cigarette.
[0025] Energy storage system 30, which could be a capacitor, super
capacitor or a rechargeable battery, is an optional component that
could be used to provide a burst of electrical energy to insure
reliable operation of the lighter in adverse conditions such as
extreme cold, damp or windy conditions. For example, if a consumer
is attempting to ignite a cigarette while camping outdoors during
the winter, the cigarette lighter's heating element may need to
receive an abnormally large amount of electrical current to
sufficiently heat the cold tobacco above the ignition point. To
facilitate delivering a large burst of electrical current, the
consumer would close at least one of the manual switches which
would allow electrical energy from the power supply to charge the
energy storage system. An indicating light, such as a green LED
(not shown) could be used to notify the consumer that the energy
storage system is ready to ignite the cigarette. Upon seeing the
illumination of the green LED, the consumer would insert the first
end of the cigarette into the lighter's cavity, exert a negative
pressure on the air pressure switch in the housing by inhaling
through the cigarette which would subsequently cause the heating
element to become hot and ignite the tobacco.
[0026] Another safety feature is proximity sensor 38 which is
preferably positioned proximate cavity 42. The function of the
proximity sensor is to detect the presence of a cigarette in cavity
42. If a cigarette is present, the proximity sensor moves to an
electrically closed position thereby enabling electrical current
from the power supply to flow to the heating element if all other
switches in the circuit are activated. If the proximity sensor does
not detect the presence of a cigarette, the sensor remains
electrically open and thereby prevents activation of the
circuit.
[0027] Shown in FIG. 4 is another embodiment of a cigarette lighter
of the present invention. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG.
1, the lighter shown in FIG. 4 includes a housing 11 with an
electrical circuit disposed therein. The housing defines an opening
24. The circuit includes heating element 26, direct current power
supply 32 that provides an electrical current to the heating
element, a first manually operated switch 46 and an altimeter
switch 58 that is activated by a change in air pressure caused by
changing the altitude of the lighter. The function of the altimeter
switch is to electrically disable the circuit if the altitude of
the lighter exceeds a first predetermined elevation. The altitude
switch would then form a closed circuit when the lighter was moved
below a second predetermined elevation. As soon as the lighter is
below the second predetermined elevation, the consumer would be
able to ignite a cigarette by pressing first manual switch 28 after
inserting the first end of a cigarette into cavity 42. Cigarette
lighters with an altimeter switch incorporated therein are
particularly useful to travelers who smoke and travel via airplanes
where cigarette lighters that generate an open flame are prohibited
due to the risk of fire during flight. If desired, the altimeter
switch could also be made to inactivate the lighter's circuit if
the elevation of the lighter was less than a third predetermined
value which is less than the first predetermined value. A cigarette
lighter that would not work below a third predetermined value could
be used to prevent the lighting of cigarettes in mines that extend
far below the earth's surface and from which material such as coal,
iron ore and salt are mined. Preventing the ignition of a cigarette
far below ground is potentially important due to the potential
accumulation of flammable gas in the mine.
[0028] Shown in FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a cigarette lighter
of this invention. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
lighter shown in FIG. 5 includes a housing 11 with an electrical
circuit disposed therein. The housing defines an opening 24
therein. The circuit includes heating element 26, direct current
power supply 32 that provides an electrical current to the heating
element and a switch 46 that regulates the flow of electrical
current to the heating element. Switch 46 is activated by a change
in air flow within the housing. The change in air flow could be a
change in the quantity of air flowing through the housing and/or a
change in the rate of air flowing through the housing. In this
embodiment, air enters the housing via air inlet port 48 and is
then channeled along passageway 50 toward cavity 42. An air flow
detector 52 is disposed along passageway 50 to detect changes in
the quantity, direction or rate of flow of air in the passageway.
Upon activation of the air flow detector by an appropriate change
in the air flowing through the passageway, electrical current is
allowed to pass through the circuit to the heating element provided
all other switches in the circuit are electrically closed. Air that
flows from the passageway into cavity 42 is drawn from the cavity
via the cigarette. The movement of air through the cigarette helps
to ignite the cigarette and delivers flavor to the consumer. The
quantity, direction and rate of flow of the air past the air flow
detector is controlled by the consumer when they inhale.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, the ability of the lighter to
respond to either a change in air pressure, as shown in FIG. 1, or
a change in air flow, as shown in FIG. 5, can be improved by
disposing an air flow restrictor 52 in opening 24. The purpose of
the restrictor is to prevent air from entering the cavity by
flowing between the outer surface of the cigarette and the inner
surface 56 of cavity 42. The restrictor should be made of a
flexible material that will create an interference fit against the
side of the cigarette thereby preventing the unwanted flow of air
into cavity 42. Preferably the interference fit will form
essentially a continuous seal around the perimeter of the
cigarette. The preferred embodiment utilizes one or more flexible
members that cooperate with one another to essentially stop the
undesirable movement of air into the cavity when the consumer is
inhaling. If an air flow restrictor is not used, air from around
the cigarette could flow through the cigarette instead of through
the air passageway thereby failing to activate the air flow
detector which would cause the air flow detector to remain
electrically open thereby preventing the flow of electrical current
to the heating coil. Similarly, if an air flow restrictor is not
used with a lighter having an air pressure switch, the air flowing
around the cigarette and into the cavity might prevent activation
of the air pressure switch. Consequently, restricting the influx of
air around the cigarette improves the reliability of the air
pressure switch and the air flow switch.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 7, a consumer that ignites a cigarette
according to a process of this invention begins the process by
providing in step 100 a cigarette lighting apparatus having a
housing that defines an opening therein and an electrical circuit
comprising a switch that is activated by a change in air pressure
or air flow within the housing. In step 102, a cigarette having a
first end and a second end is provided. The first end of the
cigarette is inserted into the opening in the housing in step 104.
The cigarette is ignited by causing a change in air pressure or air
flow within the housing in step 106. The burning cigarette is then
withdrawn from the housing in step 108.
[0031] The direct current power supply disclosed in FIG. 2 could
incorporate a fuel cell or one or more batteries. Suitable
batteries may be either rechargeable or nonrechargeable. The
battery's anode could be selected from the group consisting of
zinc, lithium, cadmium and a metal hydride. Suitable cathode
materials include manganese dioxide, nickel hydroxide, nickel
oxyhydroxide and iron disulfide. The electrolyte may be aqueous or
nonaqueous. A preferred battery contains a lithium anode, a cathode
comprising iron disulfide and a nonaqueous electrolyte.
[0032] The above description is considered that of the preferred
embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to
those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the
invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown
in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative
purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention,
which is defined by the following claims.
* * * * *