EP1405010A1

EP1405010A1 - Lighter of multiple torch flames

Info

Publication number: EP1405010A1
Application number: EP02704547A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chi Lam Wong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-07
Filing date: 2002-02-19
Publication date: 2004-04-07
Also published as: WO2002099336A1; JP2004528524A; EP1405010A4

Abstract

A lighter of multiple torch flames comprises a nozzle and vaporizer assembly that includes a vaporizer, a mixing chamber, and at least two burner nozzles generally in V-orientation. The vaporizer has a central opening serving as an exit of combustible gas, thereby generating a burst of vaporized combustible gas. The mixing chamber has at least one air inlet such that the vaporized combustible gas in mixed with fresh air therein. Two nozzles have a joint point at upstream of the mixing chamber, and are associated with a plurality of channels extending from the nozzles for diverting few amount of the combustible gas into a flame chamber of the lighter, while most of the combustible gas passes through the nozzles into the flame chamber to form at least two torchs of flames in straight column shape when being ignited.

Description

LIGHTER OF MULTIPLE TORCH FLAMES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a lighter that is commonly used to light cigarette and cigars. More particularly, the lighter of the present invention produces multiple visible flames that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and wind resistant. But more important it generates flames, each being in a straight torch column shape, rather than drum or water drop shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A lighter is a common tool that replaces matches as a source of fire to ignite cigarettes and cigars. The lighter is easier to carry and safer than matches. The lighter is also more aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, depending on the design, a lighter is generally more wind resistant than a match. Nonetheless, a conventional cigarette lighter may still have various problems, and thus many peoples make effects to improve the cigarette lighters.

A normal lighter has a housing that defines a fuel reservoir therein, and the fuel reservoir contains a kind of liquid combustible gas. There is a valve assembly that releases the combustible gas from the fuel reservoir into a burner assembly where an igniter, such as the piezoelectric igniter or fire store igniter, may ignite the gaseous combustible gas released from the fuel reservoir. Once ignited, the visible flame can be formed to ignite or light cigarettes or cigars. Generally, the lighter flame is a single visible flame that is in the shape of a water droplet. Such a flame is relatively soft, and normally still in red. It can be easily blown away from the object to be lighted or can be even blown out by wind. Most of cheap lighters cannot burn sufficiently the combustible gas to generate a flame of higher temperature. Thus, the conventional single flame is difficult to aim the object to be lighted and difficult to ignite cigars or any objects that cannot be easily ignited. Accordingly, many effects have been made to improve cigarette lighters. Some of them are aimed to improve the efficiency of the burner so as to relatively sufficiently burn the released combustible gas to form "blue flame" instead of "red flame." Some effects are made to provide a wider flame, such as, Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP10-238773 and U. S. Patent 5,711 ,662 to Ishiguro. Both of them use two flame burnout holes or two burner nozzles arranged side-by-side such that the flames may commingle each other upon exit of the respective flame holes or nozzles. The commingled flame (a single flame) may have a width as a divergence for connecting the two holes or nozzles. It can be understood that such a wider flame may provide additional heat to ignite cigarettes and wider contact with a cigarette having a thick diameter, such as a cigar. Some of other effects are also made to provide sheltering means or the like to prevent the flame from being blown out. However, these approaches do not really solve all of the problems the cigarette lighters have.

The present inventor considered that the flame tip usually has a higher temperature than the body of the flame, and that the flame of higher temperature may ignite an object easier than a flame of lower temperature. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighter that may generate a flame of higher temperature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighter that provides a straight torch column shaped flame so as to obtain a flame of higher temperature at the flame tip.

Still the other object of the present invention is to provide a lighter that provides at least two flames in straight torch column shape. The other further object of the present invention is to provide a lighter that generates one or two forceful bursting flames to be more resistant to wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a multi-flame lighter comprises a housing, a fuel reservoir defined within said housing for containing a liquid combustible gas therein, a valve means for releasing adjustably the combustible gas from the fuel reservoir, an ignition means being operable in association with the valve means for lighting the released combustible gas, a vaporizer having a central opening serving as an exit of the released combustible gas, thereby generating a burst of vaporized combustible gas and leading to a mixing chamber that has at least one air inlet thereon such that the combustible gas is mixed with fresh air in the mixing chamber, at least two nozzles being generally in V-orientation, and a plurality of channels extending from the nozzles for diverting few amount of the combustible gas into a flame chamber, while most of the combustible gas passes through the nozzles into the flame chamber where the ignition means lights the diverting gas and bursting gas so as to form at least two torchs of flames of straight column shape.

According to the present invention, the diversion channels are extended from a focal point of the V-oriented nozzles. The focal point of the V-oriented nozzles is upstream of the mixing chamber. The central opening of the vaporizer and the mixing chamber are coaxial to form an exiting path of the combustible gas, and the V-oriented nozzles are symmetric with respect to the exiting path.

Alternatively, the diversion channels may be provided adjacent to the top of each nozzle, while the nozzle outlet is narrower than the nozzle channel leading from the exiting path of the combustible gas. However, the manufacture of such diversion channels is more complicated and costly than V-oriented nozzles of the diversion channels at the base. Such diversion channels also require more accurate machining.

The lighter of the present invention may generate multiple flames, each being in a straight torch column shape. Such a flame has a higher temperature at its tip because the bursting flame has most of heat concentrated on the tip. Along the exiting path, the combustible gas released from the central opening of the vaporizer may have a sufficient mix with fresh air in the mixing chamber and will encounter a small proper resistance at the branching joint point of V-oriented nozzles such that most of the bursting combustible gas passes through the nozzles, while few amount of the combustible gas is diverted from the branching joint point of the nozzles and goes through the diversion channels.

The primary jets of flames out of the nozzles will not commingle with each other because they come out of the nozzles forcefully, and they cannot be easily blown away or blown out by wind. The surrounding flames generated from the combustible gas coming out of the diversion channels may serve a support to the primary jets of flames, and may maintain the jets of flames provided that a strong blow of wind sweeps off the primary flame jets instantaneously.

The present invention can be better understood from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the multi-flame lighter of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the vaporizer, mixing chamber, and two V-oriented nozzles of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the vaporizer, mixing chamber, and three nozzles of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the vaporizer, mixing chamber, and two V-oriented nozzles of the present invention, having the diversion channels adjacent to the top of each nozzle.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the vaporizer and nozzle assembly of the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, but the nozzles have a gear type outer profile. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the gear type nozzles of the present invention of Figure 5, having the channeled outer surface.

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the gear type nozzles of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the vaporizer and nozzle assembly of the preferred embodiment of Figure 3 having three nozzles, but the nozzles have a gear type outer profile.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the gear type nozzles of the present invention of Figure 8, showing the channeled outer surface.

Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the gear type nozzles of Figure 8.

Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the diversion channels that are not in the form of holes but slots.

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the nozzles, that are initially in V-orientation and have an upper part of parallel nozzle channels.

Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the nozzles configuration that is similar to Figure 12, but has the diversion channels adjacent to the top of the nozzles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing 1 that defines a fuel reservoir 21 , an ignition mean 3 being attached to the housing 1 , a valve assembly 22 disposed within the fuel reservoir 21 for releasing adjustably the combustible gas from the reservoir 21 , a vaporizer and mixing assembly, and a burner nozzle assembly. The valve assembly 22 has a valve 23 and an actuation lever 5. This actuation leaver 5 is pivotally connected to the valve 23 and incorporated with the ignition mean 3. A connection tube 6 connects the valve 23 to the vaporizer and mixing assembly.

As seen in Figure 2, the adjustable valve 23 may open and close a central opening 410 of the vaporizer 41. The central opening is about 0.05 to 0.12 mm. At the upstream of the vaporizer opening 410, a mixing chamber 42 is provided approximately coaxial with the central opening 410 and has at least one air inlet 421. A throat conduit 422 is connected to the mixing chamber 42 and leads to the burner nozzle assembly. The throat conduit 422 may be of a diameter of 1.0 to 2.5 mm, and narrower than the diameter of the mixing chamber 42, but in Figure 2 they are of the same diameter. The burner nozzle assembly includes a nozzle block 43, and a flame chamber or burner 44. The nozzle block 43 is attached on the top of the throat conduit 422 at upstream of the mixing chamber 42, and has at least two nozzles or nozzle channels 431 in V-orientation. The nozzle or nozzle channel is about 0.5 to 1.5 mm in diameter. The ignition means 3 may light the combustible gas in the flame chamber 44. The nozzle block 43 is within the flame chamber 44 and they are together disposed in the upper portion of the housing 1.

By depressing the button of the ignition mean 3, it will also activate the actuation leaver 5 of the valve assembly 22 such that the combustible gas is released from the fuel reservoir 21 and passes through the connection tube 6, entering into the vaporizer 41 wherein the fuel is vaporized through the central opening 410. The vaporized combustible gas enters into the mixing chamber 42 wherein the vaporized fuel is mixed with fresh air provided through the air inlets 421 , and then passes through the throat conduit 422 to reach the nozzle block 43. The vaporizer opening 41 , mixing chamber 42, and throat conduit 422 form an exiting path of the combustible gas before the nozzle 43.

The nozzle channels 431 in V-orientation have a joint point or focal point located at upstream of the throat conduit 422, that is on the axis of the exiting path of combustible gas. The joint of the V-oriented nozzles 431 has a small surface area 433 facing the throat conduit or mixing chamber, and the surface 433 is designed to be so small that has a minimum resistance to the out-going combustible gas such that most of the combustible gas goes into the nozzle channels 431 , while few amount of the combustible gas are diverted at the joint of the V-oriented nozzles 431 and goes through the diversion channels 4311.

As seen in Figure 2, the diversion channels 4311 are cylindrical and perpendicular to the axis of the exiting path. The channels extend from the focal point of the V-oriented nozzles 431 and lead the few amount of combustible gas to form a ring of surrounding flames when the combustible gas is ignited. Each channel 4311 has a round cross section or is a hole. There is a hollow space 45 between the focal point and the top of the throat conduit 422. Thus, the combustible gas out of the V-oriented nozzle will generate at least two forceful flames in straight torch column shape as seen in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the ignition means is provided at a side of the nozzle block 43 and above but a bit further off the passage of the combustible gas coming out of the diversion channels. Thus, the igniter will ignite the combustible gas from the diversion channels before igniting the primary jets of combustible gas out of the nozzles 431. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the vaporizer, mixing chamber, and three nozzles of the present invention. The three nozzles 4311 are arranged with the two side nozzles in V-orientation and the central nozzle in the axis of the exiting path of the combustion gas. The small surface areas 433A between the nozzles are so small that will only have a minimum resistance to the out-going gas to let most of the combustible gas passes through the nozzles. The area is about 1.0 mm. The diversion channels 4311 are in the same arrangement of those of Figure 2.

The difficulty of forming three torchs or jets of flames in straight column shape is that the flames tend to commingle with each other because they are so closely located. Thus, it can be understood that the provision of the vaporizer 41 and mixing chamber 42 as well as the throat conduit 422 assures that the flames will not commingle in association with the diversion channels 4311 and the generally V-oriented burner nozzles 431. It not only assures the forceful out-going combustible gas, but also assures the sufficient burning of the gas. Therefore, the primary jets of flames from the nozzles may generate higher temperature at the tip of flames.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the vaporizer, mixing chamber, and two V-oriented nozzles of the present invention, having the diversion channels 4311 A adjacent to the top of each nozzle. In this arrangement, the outlet 432 of the nozzle 431 must be narrower and the diversion channels 4311 A must be near the outlet 432 such that the ring of surrounding flames may assist and stabilize the forceful jets of flames.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the vaporizer and nozzle assembly of the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, but the nozzles have a gear type outer profile. As seen in Figure 5, the nozzle or burner block 43 has surrounding vertical diversion channels 4311 B that lead the few amount of diverting combustible gas out in the axial direction of the exiting path of the combustible gas. This will assure a better ring of surrounding flames. Such a nozzle block 43 sits inside a seat of the vaporizer and mixing assembly and fits therewith such that the vertical wall of the seat defines the surrounding channels 4311 A together with the channeled profile of the nozzle block 43.

Figure 6 shows the gear type nozzle block of Figure 5. It shows the channeled outer surface of the nozzle block 43. The surrounding channels

4311 A are uniformly formed. As further seen in Figure 7, the bottom portion of the diversion channels are now actually a layer of space 451 defined by the top surface of the vaporizer and mixing assembly and the bottom surface of the nozzle block 43. However, the layer of space 451 functions actually as multiple diversion channels 4311 extending from the focal point of the

V-oriented nozzles 431. Each of such virtual channels 4311 has a corresponding surrounding channel 4311B. The space 451 substitutes the multiple diversion channels 4311 and eases machining of the parts. As seen in Figure 7, the joint area 433 is about 1.0 mm. It can be understood that the igniter positioned properly above the surrounding combustible gas channels will ignite accurately the ring of surrounding gas before igniting the primary jets of combustible gas.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the vaporizer and nozzle assembly of the preferred embodiment of Figure 3 having three nozzles, but the nozzles have a gear type outer profile. Similar to Figure 5, the gear type nozzle assembly sits inside the seat at the top of the vaporizer and mixing assembly, and fits therewith such that a plurality of vertical channels 4311B are defined between the vertical wall of the seat and the channeled outer profile of the nozzle block 43. Figure 9 shows channeled outer surface of the gear type nozzle block of the present invention of Figure 8, and Figure 10 shows that the diversion channels 4311 are now a layer of space 451 extending at the plane of the focal point of the basically V-oriented nozzles 431. The gear type nozzle block is for easy manufacture, and may also assure the uniform ring of surrounding flames.

In an alternative embodiment of Figure 11 , the diversion channels are not in round cross section or holes, but slots 4311C. These slots 4311C are provided at the bottom or base of the V-oriented nozzles or nozzle channels 431. The downward slots 4311C substitute the hollow space 45 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the nozzles. The nozzles 431 are first in V-orientation and then have an upper part of parallel nozzle channels 431 A. Figure 13 shows a further embodiment of the nozzles configuration that is similar to Figure 12, but has the diversion channels 4311 A adjacent to the top of the nozzles 431. The outlet 432 of the nozzles 431

There could be other further variations based on the teaching of the present application. However, they will be all within the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

1 o

Claims

1. A lighter of multiple torch flames comprising a housing; a fuel reservoir being defined within the housing for containing a liquid combustible gas therein; a valve means for releasing adjustably the combustible gas from the fuel reservoir; an ignition means being operable in association with the valve means for lighting the released combustible gas; characterized by comprising a vaporizer having a central opening serving as an exit of the released combustible gas, thereby generating a burst of vaporized combustible gas; a mixing chamber of at least one air inlet thereon such that the combustible gas is mixed with fresh air in the mixing chamber; at least two nozzles being generally in V-orientation; and a plurality of channels extending from the nozzles for diverting few amount of the combustible gas into a flame chamber, while most of the combustible gas passes through the nozzles into the flame chamber where the ignition means lights the diverting gas and bursting gas so as to form at least two torchs of flames in straight column shape.

2. The lighter of claim 1 , characterized in that the diversion channels are extended from a focal point of the V-oriented nozzles, and the focal point of the V-oriented nozzles is upstream of the mixing chamber.

3. The lighter of claim 1 , characterized in that the central opening of the vaporizer and the mixing chamber are coaxial to form an exiting path of the combustible gas, and the V-oriented nozzles are symmetric with respect to the exiting path.

4. The lighter of claim 1 , characterized in that the diversion channels are alternatively provided adjacent to the top of each nozzle, and each of the nozzles has an outlet narrower than the nozzle.

5. The lighter of claim 4, characterized in that the generally V-oriented nozzles are of two sections, a lower section of V-oriented nozzles and an upper section of parallel nozzles.

6. A nozzle and vaporizer assembly for a cigarette lighter of multiple torch flames, characterized by comprising: a vaporizer having a central opening serving as an exit of combustible gas, thereby generating a burst of vaporized combustible gas; a mixing chamber having at least one air inlet thereon such that the vaporized combustible gas is mixed with fresh air therein; at least two nozzles being generally in V-orientation; and a plurality of channels extending from the nozzles for diverting few amount of the combustible gas into a flame chamber of the lighter, while most of the combustible gas passes through the nozzles into the flame chamber where the combustible gas forms at least two torchs of flames in straight column shape when being ignited.

7. The assembly of claim 6, characterized in that the diversion channels are extended from a focal point of the V-oriented nozzles, and the focal point of the V-oriented nozzles is upstream of the mixing chamber.

8. The assembly of claim 6, characterized in that the central opening of the vaporizer and the mixing chamber are coaxial to form an exiting path of the combustible gas, and the V-oriented nozzles are symmetric with respect to the exiting path.

9. The assembly of claim 7, characterized in that the V-oriented nozzles are formed in a gear shape block that has a channeled outer surface, and has two spaced apart nozzle outlets on the top end of the gear shape block and two adjacent nozzle inlets on the bottom thereof where defines a space at the plane of the focal point of the nozzles.

10. The assembly of claim 7, characterized in that there are three generally V-oriented nozzles being formed in a gear shape block that has a channeled outer surface, and has three spaced apart nozzle outlets on the top end of the gear shape block and three adjacent nozzle inlets on the bottom end thereof where defines a space at the plane of the focal point of the nozzles.

1 1. The assembly of claim 6, characterized in that the generally V-oriented nozzles are of two sections, a lower section of V-oriented nozzles and an upper section of parallel nozzles.

12. The assembly of claim 6, characterized in that the diversion channels are in form of slots that extend downwardly, said diversion slots extend downwardly to fit into a seat on the top of a throat conduit that connects and communicates with the mixing chamber.

13. The assembly of claim 8, characterized in that said at least two V-oriented nozzles have a surface at their joint point, said surface being at the axis of the exiting path and facing the mixing chamber such that the surface has a predetermined area that has a minimum resistance to the out-going combustible gas.

14. The assembly of claim 13, characterized in that said joint surface is less than 1.0 mm.

15. The assembly of claim 13, characterized in that the surface and the

V-oriented nozzles are so arranged to let most of combustible gas pass through the nozzles and to divert few amount of combustible gas toward the diversion channels.

16. A lighter of multiple torch flames comprising a housing; a fuel reservoir being defined within the housing for containing a liquid combustible gas therein; a valve means for releasing adjustably the combustible gas from the fuel reservoir; an ignition means being operable in association with the valve means for lighting the released combustible gas; characterized by comprising a vaporizer having a central opening serving as an exit of the released combustible gas, thereby generating a burst of vaporized combustible gas; a mixing chamber of at least one air inlet thereon such that the combustible gas is mixed with fresh air in the mixing chamber; at least two nozzles being generally in V-orientation; and a plurality of channels extending adjacent to the top of the nozzles for diverting few amount of the combustible gas into a flame chamber, while most of the combustible gas passes through the nozzles into the flame chamber where the ignition means lights the diverting gas and bursting gas so as to form at least two torchs of flames in straight column shape.

17. The lighter of claim 16, characterized in that the diversion channels are provided adjacent to the top of each nozzle, and each of the nozzles has an outlet narrower than the nozzle.

18. The lighter of claim 16, characterized in that the nozzles have their upper portions protruded beyond a top surface of the nozzle block that sits in a seat of the vaporizer and mixing assembly.

19. The lighter of claim 18, characterized in that the upper portions of the nozzles are parallel with each other.