US3223139A

US3223139A - Torch attachment

Info

Publication number: US3223139A
Application number: US242517A
Authority: US
Inventors: Smith James Donald; Davies Richard Thomas
Original assignee: Ronson Corp
Current assignee: Ronson Corp
Priority date: 1962-12-05
Filing date: 1962-12-05
Publication date: 1965-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-14

Description

Dec. 14, 1965 J. n. sMrrH ETAL 3,223,139

ToRcH ATTACHMENT Filed Deo. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-sheet 1 BY una $444,,

Irfan/75 TORCH ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY mw @W United States Patent Ofi 3,223,139 Patented Dec. 14, 1965 ice 3,223,139 TGRCH ATTACHMENT .lames Donald Smith and Richard Thomas Davies, Stroudsburg, Pa., assignors to Ronson Corporation, Woodbridge, NJ.

Filed Dec. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 242,517 Claims. (Cl. 158-33) This invention relates in general to a burner or torch device, and in particular to a new and useful portable burner or torch construction operating from a container of fuel under pressure and to an improved attachment for connection to a container of pressurized fuel such as a container of the type which is employed for gas fuel for cigarette lighters and similar devices.

The present invention has particular application in respect to an attachment for small sized containers accommodating fuels such as butane under pressure which includes a discharge at the top thereof which may comprise a nozzle extension with a membrane which may be punctured by the insertion of a needle or which may comprise a nozzle extension which is depressable to open a valve for the discharge of gas from the container. Prior to the present invention, devices have been known for incorporation with containers of gas which have valves thereon which may be regulated and which may be manually operated for the control of the discharge of gas therefrom. The present invention is an improvement over prior art devices particularly in respect to the provision of an attachment for incorporation with a container of the type mentioned above which may be seated over the container in a manner to cause the element which seals the container to open and release gas into a tubular extension formed on the attachment device.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a light Weight and inexpensive tubular extension with an adapter base which is adapted to be pressed over a container of a type having a nozzle for the discharge of gas from the top thereof as mentioned above. The attachment device includes in one embodiment a needle which is adapted to puncture a membrane within the nozzle in order to permit the escape of gas from the container. In this embodiment, the gas is directed through a tubular extension through burner nozzle means at the upper end of the tubularextension having one or more ports for admitting air in a desired quantity and for introducing an even fiow of mixed air and gases for ignition at the discharge end of the burner element to generate a high temperature flame.

In accordance with another embodiment of the device, the adapter includes means for depressing a nozzle of the type wherein a valve is provided in the nozzle which is actuated by pressing the nozzle member down. The arrangement in each case is such that the gas ejected from the container is directed upwardly through a tubular extension and through a nozzle burner of a type which provides for the mixing of air with the gas so that the air and gas may combine into a regulated high temperature flame exiting from the burner nozzle.

One of the features of the invention is that the attachment includes a tubular extension portion which is covered by an inexpensive insulating material such as cloth material so that the device may be easily handled without subjecting the operator to any uncomfortable high temperatures. The attachment is shaped so that it may be angled off upwardly from the container and the container of gas may be held in the hand of the operator for easy manipulation of the torch extension.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of an improved filtering element in the attachment which is arranged in the path of gas flow and preferably includes a cylindrical pellet of a sintered metal or other porous filter material which insures that no dirt will be directed upwardly through the burner device which may cause a disruption of the continuous flame conditions or provide for poor flame conditions at the burner nozzle discharge. The lter element is advantageously contained in a bushing member which is provided with a very small size orice preferably around eight thousandths (0.008) of an inch in diameter when the device is employed with a pressure bottle containing a butane fuel of a type where the butane is maintaining approximately a pressure of 35 lbs. per square inch gauge. With this provision of the invention, it is insured that there will be no solid particles which will cause the clogging of the system and hence prevent the satisfactory operation of the burner device.

A further feature of the construction is the burner nozzle which comprises an elongated tubular member with a fiared base portion and contains the bushing for the filter element with the orifice for the passage of fuel upwardly through the burner nozzle. The orifice in the bushing element is located directly below a side port defined in the burner nozzle through which combustion air is admitted. The upper or discharge end of the burner nozzle is fiared and the gas and air mixture may exit both directly outwardly through a lcentral annular orifice and also through a plurality of openings arranged around the central orifice at circumferentially spaced locations. The construction is such that the air and gas mixture will exit through the nozzle openings at high velocity in a manner to provide a central high temperature blue conical flame which is surrounded by the outer flame portions which tend to be directed inwardly by the direction of the air and gas flow.

A further feature of the invention is the cap construction for the torch attachment which is adapted to overlie a cylindrical container of the well known type which is employed for containing cigarette lighter gas. The attachment cap comprises a portion which extends laterally for facilitating gripping with the fingers and particularly the thumb of the hand, both for insertion onto a container of gas and for removal therefrom. The cap also includes one or more prong elements arranged to extend downwardly which are of a configuration to ensure that the cap may be clamped over the container and held thereon by resilient clamping action. The interior of the cap connects directly to the tubular extension of the burner device and means are provided on the cap interior for either depressing the nozzle extension of the gas container or for puncturing the membrane thereof for the purpose of effecting the gas discharge upwardly through the cap and into a tubular extension with a burner nozzle.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a cap member which includes a plug projection formed on its lower face having a groove which carries a cornpressible ring. In a preferred arrangement the groove :of the plug accommodates a split metal ring, and the groove diameter is slightly larger than the ring topermit the ends o-f the ring to be pressed together. This construction permits the torch attachment to be snapped onto a gas container or bottle with the ring being compresed when it passes the rim portion 22a and with the ring engaging beneath the rim when the cap is seated in an operative position.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an impnoved burner or torch device.

A further object of the invention yis to provide a device for attachment to a bottle of pressurized gas which includes means for effecting the discharge of the gas from the container and the mixing thereof with air for burning at the end thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which, when attached to a container of gas such as gas employed in lighters, will cause the opening of the container for the discharge of gas through the tubular element to permit the burning thereof.

A further object of the invention is to puov-ide an attachment for a container such as a bottle of butane gas which is employed for supplying gas-type cigarette lighters and which includes a circular rim portion 'at the top with a central discharge nozzle extending upwandly, the attachment including a cap portion which is adapted to engage over the rim portion and which has a tubular extension with means therein for actuating the nozzle to permit discharge of the gas through the tubular extension.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment for a container fof gaseous fuel which includes a tubular element terminating in a burner nozzle having means fior filtering gas and discharging it through an orifice of small dimension 'which is arranged below a port dened therein for the admission of combustion air, the tubular element being arranged for delivering the combined gas and air mixture upwardly for discharge through one or more orifices in a flared nozzle member for burning purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment for Ia gas container which includes a tubular member terminating in a nozzle having discharge openings for the exit of gas arranged -in a manner toy promote a conical blue-type flame with surrounding high temperature flame portions, and wherein 4the tubular member includes an insulating sleeve arnanged therearound.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attaohment for a gas container, of a type used for storing gas employed in cigarette lighters. which includes a light weight tubular element with a cap attachmentwhich may be simply mounted over the container in la manner permitting the container to be transformed .with the attachment into a torch member manipulatable by grasping the container in a persons hand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a burner attachment and a burner assembly which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features fof novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding \of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a burner or torch attachment for a gas container constructed in anccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of a torch assembly including the gas container constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed section of the burner nozzle;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the burner nozzle indicated in FIG. 4; A

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary transverse section similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of another embodiment of the cap construction for a torch attachment in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a burner assembly including an attachment or burner device generally designated 10 employed in association with a container or bottle generally designated 12 of a type which is employed for the supply of a gaseous fuel for gas-type cigarette lighters and the like. Containers or bottles for this purpose are of twlo general types, one in which an upright nozzle element 14 is mounted so as to be depressable to actuate a valve to release the gas element for discharge through an 'opening in the nozzle element (not illustrated) and the other type which is illustrated wlhich comprises the cylin dri-cal nozzle extension 14 with a top wall 16 having an opening 18 for the discharge of the gas therethrough but which is blocked by -a rupturable membrane 20. A washer 21 is friction'ally wedged within the nozzle below membrane 20 and supports the latter during its operation. The container cr bottle 12 also includes an annular rim 22 which is reinforced by a metal covering and wlhich forms a recessed annular portion 24 at the top of the container 12. The container 12 includes an internal projecting ring or bead 22a which provides a lip extension for locking the attachment device in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. The container 12 also advantageously may include a bottom inlet valve member (not illustrated) which is provided for recharging the container.

In accordance with the invention, the attachment 10 comprises a cap portion 26 having a lateral lip extension 28 provided for manipulation of the cap onto and oif the container 12 by the fingers of the hand. A bottom face 3G of the cap is provided with two sets of

prong elements

32, 32 and 34, 34 arranged in an arcuate manner in spaced relationship. The

elements

32 and 34 are made of a material such as spring steel and are shaped so that they must be deiiected inwardly and resiliently engaged around the bead or projection 22a of the rim 22 of the container 12 when the cap portion 26 is seated thereon.

The cap 26 includes a centralV hollow tubular eXtension orv element 36 which has a large diameter bore 38 which is iiared at its lower end to permit easy entrance of the npr-ight nozzle 14 of the container 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the container 12 includes a nozzle 14 which has the puncturable membrane 20 which, when punctured, will permit escape of the gas from the container 12. The tubular element 36V includes a larger diameter upper portion which forms a ledge or seat to receive the container nozzle actuating member generally designated 40 which, in the embodiment indicated in FIG. 1, is designed to function with the nozzle 14 having the puncturable membrane 20.

The container nozzle actuating member 40 includes the central disc portion which is arranged above the shoulder formed between the upper bore and the lower bore 38 of the tubularelement 36 and held on each side by

gasket members

42 and 44. The container nozzle actuating means 40` also includes, in the embodiment of FIG. l, the needle extension 40b which will penetrate the membrane 20 when the cap 26 is positioned over the container with the

elements

32, 32 and 34, 34 engaged around the bead 22a.

In the alternate embodiment illustrated in-FIG. 6 the container nozzle actuatingmeans comprises an inner ledge or wall 48 of a cylindrical cap member generally designated 49. The cap member 49 includes a wide diameter portion 49b which accommodates a nozzle 14' of a type which includes a valve (not shown) which is actuated by downward movement of the nozzle. The nozzle 14' includes a small diameter opening 14a which is aligned with a larger opening 48b of the nozzle actuating means. When the cap 49 is seated on the container the nozzle member 14' is pushed downwardly to actuate the valve and cause the discharge of gas through the opening 14'a of the nozzle and the opening 48b of the nozzle actuating meansI for flow upwardly through a tubular extension 51 which is secured to the cap 49.

In all embodiments, the tubular element 36 is provided with a threaded upper end to receive a tubular extension or angled member generally designated 50. The angled member has a central bore 52 which communicates with the bore of the needle 40b or with the opening 48b in accordance with which embodiment of the nozzle actuating means is employed. The upper end of the angled member 50 is externally threaded to receive the internal threads of a burner nozzle generally designated 54.

The lower end of the burner nozzle assembly 54 is flared as indicated at 56 in order to receive an orifice and filter member generally designated 58 therein. The upper inner end of the tubular angled extension 50 is shaped to conform to the configuration of the orifice and filter member 58.

As indicated best in FIG. 4, the orifice and filter member 58 comprises a plug-type element having widened upper walls which are wedged in the burner nozzle at the junction between the flared portion 56 and a central or intermediate portion 60. It has a central bore 62 for the flow of gas therethrough which is occupied by a lter element 64. The filter element 64 is advantageously made in the form of a cylindrical pellet of sintered metal such as stainless steel or other porous type filter material. The filter element functions to insure that no impurities will remain with the gas which may cause improper burning or may even disrupt the continuous burning of the gas. A further safety feature is that the orifice and filter member 58 is provided with an orifice-size opening 66 which is set at a diameter or size which has proven to efficiently permit the burning of the gas which is accommodated in the container 12. For the operation with the usual commercial container of this type, a diameter of 0.008 inch has been found satisfactory for employment with the container which contains gas at a pressure of around 35 lbs. per square inch.

The intermediate portion 60 of the nozzle burner is provided with a plurality of air inlet openings 68 arranged directly above the orifice 66 at a location to cause induction of combustion air and mixing with the gas as it flows upwardly through the intermediate section 60. The openings 68 are arranged at a location with respect to the orifice 66 to provide for the injection of combustion air due to the decreased pressure which will exist within the tubular portion 60 caused by the expansion of the gas exiting through the nozzle 66.

The burner nozzle 58 also includes an upper flared portion 70 terminating in an outer nozzle discharge 72. The flared portion 70 permits outward flow of the air and a portion of the air and gas mixture for direction upwardly through annular openings 74 defined in a plate 76 which separates the upper flared portion 70 from the nozzle discharge 72. The plate is formed with a central raised projection 78 having a central bore 80 for the flow of gases therethrough.

When the attachment is placed on the container 12, gas will automatically exit from the container through the attachment and be discharged through the openings 74 and the opening 80. When the gas and air mixture is ignited, it will form a central conically-shaped blue flame 82 and the outer portion of the flame will be of red and yellow color and will be directed inwardly by the air flow as indicated at 84. Thus, an extremely high temperature flame will be generated with the heat being centralized at a location about one or two inches from the end of the opening 80.

A further feature of the construction is that at the angled portion of the angled tubular element 50 there is provided a ring 86 which may be of an insulating material such as asbestos, cloth and the like and which is held on by means of encircling clamping rings 88 and 90 at each end,

The device is such that when the attachment 10 is secured to the container 12, an operator may grasp the container in his hand, as indicated at FIG. 3, and aim the burner nozzle 58 in any manner he desires. If the operator prefers, he may switch the angling of the nozzle 58 by rotating the cap 26. In some instances, it may be necessary for the operator to work extremely close, in

6 which case he may easily grasp the insulated portion 86 for the operation of the upper portion of the device.

In the embodiment indicated in FIG. 7 a cap assembly generally designated 92 is provided which includes a tubular extension 94 similar to that provided in the other embodiments. In this embodiment there is provided a central disc portion 96 and a depending plug portion 98. The plug portion has an annular groove 100 which carries a metal ring 102 which is compressible. When the cap assembly 92 is positioned on the container, the disc portion overlies the container rim and the plug portion is inserted within the rim. The metal band 102 extends outwardly sufliciently so that it is snapped around the bead 22a to lock the assembly in position.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a cylindrical container having a top face with an annular rim with a recessed top face portion, said rim defining a projection extending into said recessed top face portion, a nozzle actuatable to release fluid from said container and centered in said face portion including an upright member for the discharge of gas from the container, an attachment comprising a cap having a flat disc portion adapted to close the end of said container over said rim and a plurality of inwardly extending resilient members adapted to engage around the projecting portion of the rim, a tubular portion extending upwardly from said flat `disc portion and surrounding the nozzle of the container, means in said tubular portion for engaging the nozzle to actuate the latter for the discharge of gas from the container, a tubular angled extension connected into said tubular portion and having a hollow bore aligned with the bore of the tubular portion for receiving gases from the container and, a burner member connected to the outer end of said tubular extension.

2. A torch attachment readily attachable and detachable from a fuel supply container of combustible fluid, said container having an end closure including an annular rim and a central face portion recessed within the rim, which rim also has a portion extending inwardly over said face portion, and a fluid outlet means operable to release fluid from the container, the outlet means being positioned within the annular rim and in communication with the interior of the container, the torch attachment comprising a cap portion having a surface adapted to overlie and engage the axially outermost portion of a container rim, a plurality of resilient members fixed to said cap portion and extending therefrom and adapted to releasably engage the inwardly extending portion of the rim of a container to hold said cap portion in place thereon, a fluid receiving bore in said cap portion and adapted to receive therein the fluid outlet means of a container, outlet operating means on said cap portion for actuating the outlet means of a container upon the torch attachment being attached thereto by said resilient members, a tubular angled extension fixed at one end to said cap portion having a bore therethrough in communication with said fluid receiving bore, and a burner member fixed to the other end of said angled extension.

3. A torch attachment readily attachable and detachable from a fuel supply container of combustible fluid, said container having an end closure including an annular rim and a central face portion recessed within the rim, which rim also has a portion extending inwardly over said face portion, and a fluid outlet means operable to release fluid from the container, the outlet means being positioned within the annular rim and in communication with the interior of the container, the torch attachment comprising a cap portion having a surface adapted to overlie and engage the axially outermost portion of a container rim, a plurality of resilient members fixed to said cap portion and extending therefrom and adapted to releasably engage the inwardly extending portion of the rim of a container to hold said cap portion in place thereon, a fluid receiving portion mounted on said cap portion and having an internal bore adapted to receive therein the uid outlet means of a container, means in said uid receiving means for actuating the outlet means of a container upon the torch attachment being attached thereto by said resilient members, a tubular angled exten- Sion fixed at one end to said fluid receiving means and having a bore therethrough in communication with the 1 bore of said uid receiving means, and a burner member xed to the other end of said angled extension.

4. A torch attachment according to claim 3 and in which said cap portion further comprises a lateral extension which is adapted to extend outwardly beyond the rim of a container, whereby the torch operator may, when said attachment is mounted on a container to Which it is adapted, change the orientation of the burner nozzle about the axis of a container upon which the attachment is adapted to `be mounted by pushing on said lateral extension to Slidably rotate said cap portion and resilient members about the annular rim of a container,

5. A torch attachment according to claim 3 in which the fluid outlet means of a container is an upstanding i nozzle centrally positioned on the face portion, and in which the iluid receiving means is a tubular extension of said cap portion having a bore adapted to receive the References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 433,440 8/1890 Bevington 158-21 547,863 10/1895 Radford 158-21 2,455,221 11/1948 Brody 158-35 2,518,544 8/1950 Anthes 158-116 2,683,484 7/1954 Fallingant 158-33 X 2,744,809 5/ 1956 Fallingant 158-33 X 2,804,763 9/1957 Russell et al 67-7.1 2,804,994 9/1957 Nebinger 158-33 X 2,858,729 11/1958 Keyes 158-116 X 2,860,820 11/1958 Fallingant 158-33 X 2,892,251 6/1959 Felt 67-7.1 2,932,349 4/1960 Ferguson 158-116 JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner.

JOHN J. CAMBY, CHARLES SUKALO, Examz'neias`

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION, A CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER HAVING A TOP FACE WITH AN ANNULAR RIM WITH A RECESSED TOP FACE PORTION, SAID RIM DEFINING A PROJECTION EXTENDING INTO SAID RECESSED TOP FACE PORTION, A NOZZLE ACTUATABLE TO RELEASE FLUID FROM SAID CONTAINER AND CENTERED IN SAID FACE PORTION INCLUDING AN UPRIGHT MEMBER FOR THE DISCHARGE OF GAS FROM THE CONTAINER, AN ATTACHMENT COMPRISING A CAP HAVING A FLAT DISC PORTION ADAPTED TO CLOSE THE END OF SAID CONTAINER OVER SAID RIM AND A PLURALITY OF INWARDLY EXTENDING RESILIENT MEMBERS ADAPTED FOR ENGAGE AROUND THE PROJECTING PORTION OF THE RIM, A TUBULAR PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID FLAT DISC PORTION AND SURROUNDING THE NOZZLE OF THE