FR2841634A1 - GAS LIGHTER - Google Patents

Abstract

Gas lighter comprising a reservoir 2 having an upper wall 5 through which a well 6 passes and intended to contain a fuel, and a gas distribution device 10 comprising at least one tubular element 22 arranged in the well. The tubular element 22 comprises at least one latching member (28; 29) adapted to cooperate with a retaining element 30 integral with the well 6 when the tubular element is assembled with the reservoir.

Description

GAS LIGHTER

  The present invention relates to lighters

gas.

  More particularly, the invention relates to a gas lighter comprising a tank having an upper wall traversed by a well and intended to contain a fuel, and a gas distribution device comprising at least one tubular element arranged in the

well.

  To maintain the tubular element of the dispensing device in the reservoir well, it is known to use an assembly comprising a threaded ring screwed into a threaded upper part of the well, as shown in FIG. 1 of document WO-A-01 / 18452. This type of assembly has the advantage of being able to be used in particular with a tank made of amorphous polymer material. Amorphous polymers among which we can cite the category of SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile) or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrenes) have several advantages for the production of gas lighter tanks. They are generally inexpensive, easy to use and certain amorphous polymers, such as SAN, are transparent, which has the advantage of being able to visualize the level of fuel in the liquid phase remaining in the tank. However, these amorphous polymers are relatively brittle at room temperature because their elongation at the elastic limit is low, generally less than 5%. The mounting of the tubular element using a threaded ring practically does not create extension constraints in the wall of the well, unlike a fitting by force fitting, and thus it avoids the appearance of micro- cracks by

  which the gas could escape.

  However, the threaded ring and the thread of the threaded part of the well require the use of relatively complex molds which lengthen the demolding operations. In addition, the operation of screwing the ring into the well during the assembly of the lighter, is relatively difficult and time-consuming to perform in an automated manufacturing process. These drawbacks have the effect of significantly increasing the manufacturing cost.

of a mass production.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing in particular a simplified mounting of the tubular element in the well, while ensuring a good seal, a reduced bulk, a perfect safety of use and remaining compatible with the use of a material such as for example a polymer

  amorphous to make the tank.

  To this end, according to the invention, a lighter of the kind in question is characterized in that the tubular element comprises at least one latching member adapted to cooperate with a retaining element secured to the well

  when the tubular element is assembled with the reservoir.

  Thanks to this arrangement, the tubular element and the well can have relatively smooth walls and are easier to mold, the latching element

  being simpler to produce than a thread.

  The mounting of the dispensing device on the reservoir is also simpler and faster because it suffices to engage the tubular element in the well until the engagement of the latching member with

the retainer.

  In preferred embodiments of the invention, recourse is also had to one or the other of the following arrangements: an annular seal is disposed between on the one hand the radially oriented wall outwardly and a radially outer rim of the tubular element, and on the other hand, the wall oriented radially inward and a radially inner rim of the well in order to improve sealing; the tubular element has a first axial distance, measured along its longitudinal axis, between the radially outer rim and the point of contact of the latching member with the retaining element, and the well has a second axial distance between the radially internal rim and the point of contact of the latching member with the retaining element, the first and second distances being chosen to exert on the annular seal a determined pressure which guarantees a perfect seal without causing extension constraints important in the wall of the well; - The retaining element is formed by the periphery of the outlet of the well in the inner face of the upper wall of the tank; - The latching member is arranged in a lower part of the tubular element; thus it is not accessible and the assembly of the tubular element in the well is non-removable; the latching member comprises a tab extending from the lower end of the tubular element in a longitudinal direction to a spout oriented radially outward and having a transverse face oriented longitudinally towards the upper end of the tubular element, said tab being elastic in a radial direction; the tubular element comprises a metal inner conduit at the lower end of which is arranged a micro-porous membrane ensuring a substantially constant flow of gas; the upper end of the tubular element comprising a radially internal rim defining an opening traversed by an outlet chimney of a valve movable along the axis of the tubular element, a compression spring is disposed between said radially internal rim and said valve to keep it closed; - the tank is formed from a material chosen from SAN and ABS;

  - the tubular element is made of semi-crystalline polymer.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will appear during the description which follows

  follow, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a lighter head comprising a gas distribution device according to a first embodiment of the 'invention; - Figure 2 is a simplified vertical sectional view of a second embodiment of the device

gas distribution.

  In the various figures, the same references have been kept to designate identical or similar elements. The gas lighter 1, represented in FIG. 1, comprises a tank 2 intended to contain a fuel under pressure and partially in the liquid phase, such as

for example isobutane.

  In the embodiment of the lighter shown, the tank 2 is formed by a tank 3 with a U-section which has a bottom, not visible in FIG. 1, and an annular side wall which extends upwards to a

upper end 4.

  This upper end 4 is closed by an upper wall 5 which, in the example shown, is an attached part fixed for example by welding to the tank 3. The entire tank 2 is made of at least one rigid amorphous polymeric material, chosen for example from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and SANs (Styrene Acrylonitrile). For example, the tank 3 can be made of SAN and the upper wall 5 of ABS, these materials being able to be welded in a known manner, by

example by ultrasonic welding.

  The advantage of these rigid amorphous polymers is in particular that they are inexpensive and easy to use. In addition, some of them, like the SAN, are transparent, which allows the user to control the level of liquid phase fuel remaining in the tank. The upper wall 5 of the reservoir has a well 6 which extends along a vertical axis Z and which has

  a cylindrical shape of revolution.

  In this well 6 is disposed a gas distribution device 10 which is actuated by a control device 11 carried by a head 12 of the lighter, which

overcomes tank 2.

  This head 12 also forms a mounting support for a folding hood 13, as well as for a device

ignition 14.

  The ignition device, known per se, may for example comprise a friction toothed wheel 15 and a stone 16 held in pressure against the toothed wheel by a spring 17 housed in a circular bowl 18 of the head 12. A complementary bowl 19 is formed in the upper wall 5 of the reservoir to receive the bowl 18 of the head. But of course, it is possible to use other types of ignitions, such as for example a piezoelectric device. In the embodiment shown, the head 12 is retained on the upper wall 5 of the tank by lugs 20 of said head which cooperate by clipping with complementary lugs 21 coming from molding with the

upper wall 5 of the tank.

  The dispensing device 10 comprises a tubular element 22 arranged in the well 6. The tubular element 22 may comprise an internal metal conduit 23. The tubular element 22 is preferably made of a semi-crystalline polymer material such as POM (polyoxymethylene) or polyamide of type 6-6. These semi-crystalline polymers have a high resistance and thus the conduit 23 can be force-fitted to ensure sealing and immobilization with respect to

the tubular element 22.

  In a lower part 24 of the conduit 23 is arranged a micro-porous membrane 25 which ensures a constant flow of gas. This membrane can be constituted by a polypropylene film stretched axially united and having pores of elongated shape, as described in patent US4496309. The membrane 25 is held against an internal shoulder 23a of the conduit 23 which defines a

  orifice 26 for the passage of gas, by a rigid ring 27.

  The ring 27 is itself retained in the lower part by crimping the lower end 24 of the conduit

tubular 23.

  According to the invention, the tubular element 22 comprises two latching members (28, 29) adapted to cooperate with a retaining element 30 integral with the well 6 when the tubular element is assembled with the upper wall 5

tank 2.

  The tubular element 22 and the upper wall 5 of the tank which do not have a thread, can be obtained by molding using molds which allow a high production rate. In addition, the assembly is particularly easy since it suffices to engage the tubular element 22 in the well 6 until the engagement of the latching members (28, 29) with the element of

deduction 30.

  It will be noted that the well 6 and the tubular element 22 have smooth walls which are in contact over a relatively large length. This makes it possible to obtain a certain seal between the tank 2 and the gas distribution device 10. However, in the case of a SAN or ABS tank, the diameter of the tubular element 22 must not be greater than the diameter of well 6 on pain of causing micro-cracks in the

wall of the well.

  So that this assembly can be carried out with a tank previously filled, the well 6 has a cover which is broken during the introduction of the element.

tubular 22 in the well.

  To improve the seal, an annular seal 31 is arranged between on the one hand the wall oriented radially outward and a radially outer rim 32 of the tubular element 22, and on the other hand, the oriented wall radially inward and a flange

radially internal 33 of the well 6.

  The tubular element has a first axial distance Hl, measured along its longitudinal axis Z, between the radially outer rim 32 and the point of contact of the snap-in members (28,29) with the retaining element, while the well 6 has a second axial distance H2 between the radially internal flange 33 and the point of contact of the latching members with the element

of restraint.

  Advantageously, the first and second distances (Hl, H2) are chosen to exert on the annular seal 31 a determined pressure. This pressure must be sufficient to guarantee a perfect seal, without however being too high. Indeed, if the joint is crushed too strongly it risks causing extension stresses leading to micro-cracks in the wall of the

well.

  Note that unlike the assembly of the prior art using a threaded ring which can be more or less tight, the assembly according to the invention makes it possible to adjust

  precisely the pressure exerted on the joint.

  The latching members (28, 29) are preferably arranged in a lower part 22a of the tubular element. Thanks to this arrangement, they are not accessible and the assembly of the tubular element with the upper wall of the tank is removable, which increases the safety of the lighter. Indeed, with the assembly of the prior art, a malicious user can unscrew the threaded ring and cause an exit

brutal fuel.

  In the embodiment described, the retaining element 30 is formed by the periphery of the outlet of the well 6 in the inner face 5a of the upper wall 5 of the reservoir. Each latching member (28; 29) comprises a lug 35 extending from the lower end of the tubular element 22 in the longitudinal direction Z to a spout 36 oriented radially outward and having a transverse face 37 oriented longitudinally towards the upper end of the tubular element. The tab 35 has a radial elasticity allowing the spout 36 to fade inward when the tubular element is engaged in the well, and to return to position when the assembly position is reached so that the face transverse 37 of the beak

  support on the retaining element 30.

  As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, the tubular element comprises two latching members (28, 29), the cross section of the legs 35 of which forms two diametrically opposite arcs of circle. But of course, it is possible to multiply the number of these latching members, or to reduce it to a single latching member. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the distribution device 10 also includes a valve 40 comprising a chimney 41 for the outlet of the gases opening out near the ignition means 14. The chimney 41 is movable along the axis Z of l tubular element and comprises in its lower part a shutter 42 of elastomeric material suitable for closing the gas passage orifice 26. Slits 43 formed in the chimney near the shutter 42, ensure communication with the interior

of conduit 23.

  The control device 11 includes a fork 45 tilting about an axis integral with the head 12. A first end 46 of the fork 45 cooperates with a lower shoulder 47 and an upper shoulder 48 formed on the upper end of the

  chimney 41 which emerges from conduit 23.

  When the user presses on the second end 49 of the fork 45, the chimney 41 is raised and the valve 40 is open. In order to keep the valve 40 closed in the rest position, a compression spring 50 is disposed between the underside of the second end 49 of the fork and the bottom 51 of a

  well formed in the upper wall 5 of the tank.

  According to a variant of the dispensing device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the upper end 52 of the tubular element 22 has a radially internal circular flange 53 which defines an opening 54 traversed by the outlet duct 41. A compression spring 55 is disposed between said circular flange 53 and the lower shoulder 47 of the chimney in order to keep the valve closed. As before, to open the valve, simply tilt the fork (not shown in Figure 2) so that the first end of the fork is supported on the upper shoulder 48 of the chimney 41 and lifts the chimney by compressing the spring 55 It will be noted that the spring 50 placed under the second end

  49 of the fork is no longer necessary.

  In this embodiment, the dispensing device 10 forms a complete assembly comprising a device for regulating the gas flow formed by the microporous membrane 25, and a valve 40 for controlling the flow. The valve 40 has the advantage of being naturally in the closed position, thus during assembly of the tubular element 22 in the well 6, the gas leaks which could escape through the micro-porous membrane after the piercing of a seal located in the well and before the installation of the valve, are eliminated. In addition to reducing gas losses, this arrangement simplifies the gas recovery devices on the

production line.

Claims (10)

  1. A gas lighter comprising a tank (2) having an upper wall (5) through which a well (6) passes and intended to contain a fuel, and a gas distribution device (10) comprising at least one tubular element (22 ) arranged in the well, characterized in that the tubular element (22) comprises at least one latching member (28; 29) adapted to cooperate with a retaining element (30) integral with the well (6) when the element   tubular is assembled with the tank.   2. A gas lighter according to claim 1, in which an annular seal (31) is disposed between on the one hand the wall oriented radially outward and a flange (32) radially external of the tubular element ( 22), and on the other hand, the wall oriented radially inwards and a flange radially internal (33) of the well.   3. Gas lighter according to claim 2, wherein the tubular element (22) has a first axial distance (H1), measured along its longitudinal axis, between the flange (32) radially external and the contact point of the latching member (28; 29) with the retaining element (30), and the well (6) has a second axial distance (H2) between the flange (33) radially internal and the point of contact of the member latching with the retaining element, the first and second distances (H1, H2) being chosen to exert on the joint   annular (31) a determined pressure.   4. Gas lighter according to any one of   claims 1 to 3, wherein the retainer (30)   is formed by the periphery of the outlet of the well (6) in the inner face (Sa) of the upper wall (5) of the tank.   5. Gas lighter according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, in which the latching member   (28; 29) is arranged in a lower part (22a) of the tubular element (22).   6. Gas lighter according to claim 5, wherein the latching member (28; 29) comprises a tab (35) extending from the lower end of the tubular element (22) in a longitudinal direction ( Z) up to a spout (36) oriented radially outward and having a transverse face (37) oriented longitudinally towards the upper end of the tubular element (22), said tab (35) being elastic in a radial direction.   7. Lighter according to any one of   claims 1 to 6, wherein the tubular member (22)   comprises an inner metal conduit (23) at the lower end of which is arranged a micro-porous membrane   (25) ensuring a substantially constant flow of gas.   8. Lighter according to any one of   claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper end   (52) of the tubular element (22) comprising a radially internal flange (53) defining an opening (54) traversed by a chimney (41) outlet of a valve (40) movable along the axis (Z) of the tubular element, a compression spring (55) is disposed between said radially internal flange (53) and said valve (40) in order to keep it closed.   9. Lighter according to any one of   claims 1 to 8, wherein the reservoir (2) is   formed from a material chosen from SAN and ABS.   10. Lighter according to any one of   claims 1 to 9, wherein the tubular member (22) is made of semi-crystalline polymer.