US2868244A

US2868244A - Moistening devices

Info

Publication number: US2868244A
Application number: US512743A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kirschenbaum Samuel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-06-02
Filing date: 1955-06-02
Publication date: 1959-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 1976-01-13

Description

1959 s. KIRSCHENBAUM I 2,868,

MOISTENING DEVICES Filed June 2, 1955 Fatentecl Jan. l3, i959 MOISTENING DEVICES Samuel Kirschenbaum, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application June 2, 1955, Serial No. 512,743

3 Claims. (Cl. 141-498) This invention relates generally to the field of moistening devices, and more particularly to an improved form of such device particularly adapted for use in fueling pyrophoric lighters of a type used by smokers, in which the fuel is carried within a casing having absorbent cotton stuffed therein to prevent the fuel from running out.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a device of the class described in which the flow of fuel from a container of the same to the lighter is under accurate control so that it is possible to provide all of the fuel which the absorbent cotton will hold, while yet preventing the excess flow of fuel such that it will run from the lighter to soil the hands of the users and present a possible fire hazard.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a moistening device possessed of the above advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a very low order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of integral container stopper means adapted to seal a container of fuel when the device is not in use.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of a moistening device in which accuracy of flow control to a degree hitherto impossible is obtained by those possessed of only ordinary skill.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

Before entering into a detailed consideration of the invention, a brief discussion of the theory involved in the operation of the same will assist in the comprehension of the structural aspects of the invention.

The field of organized flow of liquids from containers by natural forces takes in all liquiddispensing devices which, when brought into a pouring position, are characterized by an inner space completely isolated from the outside atmosphere. In all such dispensers, a partial vacuum develops and the flow of liquid from them takes place under the influence of normal pressure of the outside atrnosphere, and a sub-normal pressure in the isolated air space. They are designated in this application as primary dispensers, and are divided into two groups to be known as primary first stage and primary second stage.

In my Patent No. 2,576,403, granted November 27,

1951, for drop device, the action described is that of a primary first stage dispenser which gives up limited amounts of liquid by intermittently turning the dispenser to a pouring position. There is no continuous flow and the volume of liquid dispensed with each such action is determined by the relationship of the weight of the liquid and the volume of air within the container.

In my earlier Patent No. 2,411,435, the action described is that of a secondary stage dispenser in which the action is continuous as long as it is kept in a pouring position.

In accordance with the present invention, the complete dispenser, including a bottle or other container for fuel and the device, is held in an upright position, and the 2 lighter minus its screw cap or other covering device is brought down over it such that the spout is in full contact with the absorbent material disposed therein' Following this, both lighter and dispenser are turned downwardly with the original contact maintained throughout, and with the weight of the dispenser providing suflicient pressure for that purpose. At this point, there may be observed a stream of bubbles entering the container. When these bubbles stop completely, the lighter and dispenser are brought back together into an upright position. The lighter is then removed and ready for use.

The self-limiting action of the dispenser, which prevents the lighter filling to excess, takes place in the following manner. The act of turning the dispenser downward frees a small amount of liquid which is picked up by the absorbent material, which then continues to pull liquid from the container. The partial vacuum deepens until air breaks through a venting means in the wall of the spout.

A out without displacing any material is the smallest opening that can be provided for the passage of fluids, liquids or gases, and constitutes under any given set of circumstances the greatest degree of resistance to their passage. it requires a differential in pressure above a certain point to force any fluid through the cut. The resistance point therefore remains constant.

As the absorbing medium soaks up fluid, its pulling power decreases, and when it drops to the point where it equals the resistance the action stops.

The degree of wetness of any absorbing medium is determined by the degree of resistance that: is established. In cigarette lighters the venting action is stopped at a point just below the point of maximum mass tension of its absorbent material. it carried beyond that point dripping takes place and excess liquid spreads to the outside of the lighter with consequent discomfort to the user.

With the foregoing discussion in mind, reference may now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a View in perspective of a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional view of the embodiment.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation, partially broken away to show detail, and showing the position of various parts during a filling operation.

Figure 4 is av plan view of the embodiment.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 5--5 on Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view in elevation, corresponding to that seen on Figure 3, but showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the second embodiment.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 88 on Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the venting means employed in the second embodiment.

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the venting means employed in an alternate form of the first and second embodiment.

The first embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference character lit, comprises broadly: a liquid conducting element ll, venting means 12, and a stopper element 13, the device being shown on Figure 1 with the stopper element It? in position within a neck portion 114 of a conventional glass bottle of fuel. On Figure 3 there is shown a conventional pyrophoric lighter 16 having absorbent cotton means 17 for retaining fuel therein.

The liquid conducting element 11 is preferably formed completely fro-m an integral piece of polyethylene or similar synthetic resinous material possessing desired degree of resiliency and flexibility. It includes a neck engaging =member'2tl, a collar member 21 'and'a nozzle rnem ber 22 having 2. lighter engaging terminal 23 thereon. A

As may bubbles of air in the duct from interfering with the-'- flow of-fuel. The venting means 12 is in theform of an elongated slit 30 which is cut from the outer surface 31 of the nozzle 22to the inner surface 32 thereof, and

which. extends from the end surface 33 to the collarmember 21,.as best seen on Figures 1 and 3. The cut is made with a sharp instrument, in such a manner that the side surfaces 35 and-256 forming the cut are normally resiliently'urged against each other by the resilient characteristics of the material of which the device is made.

As the thickness between the outer surface 31 and inner surface 32 at the slit formedby the

mutuallycontacting surfaces

35 and 36 is appreciable, an effective seal requiring a substantial pressure differential for thepassage of air therethrough is obtained. On Figure 5, the sur-'

faces

35 and 36 are shown in slightly spaced relation shipfor purposes of clarity, but it is to be understood that the space between the same is exaggerated, and nor mally the space between the same is practically immeasurable'. Thus, during operation, only very small amounts of air are admitted provided the surface 23 is kept in contact with the cotton 17, these amounts occurring at regular'intervals at such time as the pressure differential between the inside of the container and the ambient air is suthciently great to force air through the slit 30.

The stopper element I3 is preferably formed of solid material, as shown on Figure 2, and may be alternately positioned with the neck engaging member within the opening in the container 15, as shown on Figure 3. If desired-the stopper element 13 may be eliminated, and separate stopper means (not shown) may be employed.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention as shown on Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated by similar references characters to avoid needless repetition.

The second embodiment of the invention differs from.

the first embodiment in the construction of the venting means, wherein the slit is substituted by a small hole 41, the nozzle member being provided with a knit or woven sock 42 having a side portion 43 adapted to cover the hole 41, and an end portion 44 adapted to lie across the end of the duct 24 During use, the first stage liquid flowing from the container'completely saturates the sock 42, to a degree sulficient to seal the hole 41. When the device reaches the second stage of operation, the capillary action of the cotton 17 'will draw liquid from the sock, to a degree sufi'icient to permit a small amount of air to flow through the hole 4-1, thus permitting additional liquid to flow through the duct. excess liquid again saturates the sock, and closes the hole 41 to prevent further flow.

Turning now to the alternate form of the first or second embodiment, this differs from the principal form in the provision of a duct 24a of rectangular cross section,'further supplementing the action of the groove 24';

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in moistening devices par ticularly adapted for use in filling pyrophoric lighters and similar devices, in which the liquid flowing from thedevice-is accurately controlled and ceases upon reaching a point wherein the lighter is completely saturated with When a saturation point is reached,

fuel. The device maybe formed entirely from a single injection molding of a type well known in the art, thus keeping the cost of manufacturing the same at a very low figure. As there are no moving parts in the device, there are no points of potential failure which might cause faulty operation with continued usage. No unusual skills are needed in the operation. of the; device, nor can the device get out of adjustment with continued usage.

I Wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the exact details of structure shown and set forth in .this specification, for obvious modific tions will occur'to 'those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates...

I claim:

l. A moistening device for use in conjunction with a container of fuel for filling a pyrophoric lighter and similar devices having at fuelireservoir containing absorbent-- material comprisingzvan elongated tube formed substantially entirely of a resilient material and having a principal axis-and first andsecond end portions, means on said first endportion for engaginganopening in said container tionuandza slit. extending from said second end portion in a direction toward said first: end portion, said slit extending'com'pletely through said tube from'the outer sur- K face :thereof' to the 'surfaceof said channel and having firstand second sopposed side surfaces which are main-- tained in contact forming a: substantially sealed-relationship by'thernormalres-iliency of the material fromwh-ich the .device is formed; said second end portion being p0 sitionable in contact with said absorbent material to permit fuel to flow under capillary action to a point where said absorbent material is completely saturated during which process: said slit permits the passage of a suflicient quantity: of air'therethrough to substantially equalize .the pressure differential:between-the interior of said fuel containerand the ambient atmosphere, the resilientcontact of said side surfaces'preventingfurther flow of air to the interior of said fuel container upon termination of capil: I lary action with the complete saturationof said absorbent-:

material.

2. A moistening device for use in conjunction. with'a container: of fuel'for fillinga pyrophoricrlighter or similar device having a fuel reservoir containing absorbent material, comprising: a liquid conduct :element providing.

a channel through whichfuel mayaflow from said containensand. .ven'ting'meansin theform of :a small opening extending through said liquid conducting elementfa'djacentaone end. thereof, providing communication with said channel and'theam'bient atmosphere,.a textile sock member covering'saidzopening and extending into the pathtof liquid flowing through-said.liquid conducting element,-

wherebyrsaid sock member will become moistened dur- 1 ing :theucourse of filling said fuel I'6SIV0i1,"8.11d absorb fuel by capillary action when the filling of said reservoir has been completed .to preventthe flow of air through-said small opening.

3. A moisteningrdeviceforuse in conjunction with =a container of fuel'fontfilling a pyrophoric lighter or-similar devicehaving a fuel reservoir containingabsorbentmaterial, comprising:- a liquid conducting element pro-'- viding a channel-through Whichfuel mayafiow from said container, andventing meanscommunicating with said channel and the ambientatmosphere; said-venting'means' including means to prevent theflow of airtherethroughuntil a predetermined pressuredifferential is reached 'be--- tween the :pressure in saidcontainer and the atmospheric pressure surrounding said tube.

References: Cited in the file' of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS" 2,188,802 Beckett Jan. 30, 1940 Pritchard Dec. 29, 1908'