US3895905A - Lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighter includes fuel chamber defining structure having an outlet port, a valve for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel chamber through said outlet port, the valve including a valve member mounted for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, and a valve actuator for moving the valve member. The valve actuator is a one-piece member and includes a first coupling portion secured to a fixed member, a second coupling portion secured to the movable valve member, a spring portion connecting the first and second coupling portion and normally urging the movable valve member to the valve closed position, and an actuator portion at the end of the actuator opposite the coupling portion.

Description

[ July 22, 1975 United States Patent [191 Nissen LIGHTER [75] Inventor: Warren l. Nissen, Topsfield, Mass.

[73] Assignee: The Gillette Company, Boston.

Mass.

[22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 414,267

[52] US. Cl. 431/254; 431/277 [51] Int. Cl. F23Q 2/16 [58] Field of Search 431/254, 277, 344, 130, 431/255; 222/394 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,953,284 9/1960 Prussin et a1. 222/394 3,154,935 11/1964 Ayres 431/344 X 3,414,363 12/1968 Rosfelder 431/255 X 3,439,994 4/1969 Cassan 431/254 3,493,313 2/1970 Schlamp 431/255 8/1970 Piffath ct a1. 431/277 X 11/1973 Court 431/277 Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors [57] ABSTRACT A lighter includes fuel chamber defining structure having an outlet port, a valve for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel chamber through said outlet port, the valve including a valve member mounted for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, and a valve actuator for moving the valve member. The valve actuator is a one-piece mem- 19 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures LIGHTER SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to lighters and more particularly to lighters of the disposable variety, designed to be filled with a single charge of fuel and discarded when the fuel is exhausted. An object of the invention is to provide a simple, reliable and inexpensive lighter design that provides improved flame stability and effecient use of fuel.

While the requirements of simplicity and inexpensiveness favor the elimination of relatively costly fea* tures sometimes found in rechargeable lighters, a mechanism for adjustably controlling the flame height has been found to be desirable. The adjustment mechanism should operate consistently and dependably and it is a further object to provide an improved fuel flow adjustment mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved compact lighter that is inexpensive yet reliable in operation.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a lighter is provided that has fuel chamber defining structure, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from the fuel chamber and an igniter adjacent the valve outlet for igniting fuel flowing from the valve. A compressible flow regulator is disposed between the fuel chamber and the valve outlet to regulate the rate of flow therebetween. The flow regulator comprises an absorbant medium that holds aquantity of liquid fuel and from which fuel is delivered to the valve outlet in vapor form. Adjustable means for controlling the compression of the flow regulator, and thereby the rate of fuel flow to the outlet, include a thermal isolation member bearing against the flow regulator, and means for varying the compression of the flow regulator.

In a particular embodiment, the valve comprises a fixed member and a movable stem member, thestem being normally seated in a flow blocking position and being moved to an open position by an operating lever. In accordance with another feature, the operating lever includes integral spring means which biases the stem toward its normally closed position. An integral actuator portion at the end of the operating lever opposite the spring means is depressible so as to lift the valve stem and thereby open the valve.

In accordance with still another feature, fuel vapor flow of increased stability is maintained over the useful life of the lighter by maintaining the liquid fuel under positive pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the greater part of the fuel chamber is charged with a liquid fuel, and a lesser part of the chamber contains a pressurized gas substantially insoluble in the liquid fuel in a quantity sufficient to occupy substantially the full volume of the fuel chamber at atmospheric pressure. A fuel impermeable tube having a fuel inlet adjacent the base of the fuel chamber and an outlet communicating with the flow regulator, channels fuel to the regulator.

The lighter also includes spark generation means comprising a rotatably mounted member having a directionally roughened contact surface adapted to produce sparks upon rotation in a given direction against a cooperating member, and a pair of actuating members flanking the rotatable member. Each actuating member includes two oppositely extending stub shafts, the two stub shafts being of unlike cross-sectional dimension. Cooperating shaft receiving sockets are provided in the rotatable member and the support walls, the sockets in the rotatable member being of unlike cross-sectional dimension and coordinated with the sockets in the support walls to orient the rotatable member to generate ignition sparks in the direction of the valve means when it is rotated in the given direction.

In a particular embodiment of the invention an annular reservoir surrounds the flow regulator, and a resilient thermal isolation and seal member is interposed between the flow regulator and the valve stem to seal the annular reservoir. In this embodiment, the flow regulator control means includes a rigid intermediate member between the flow regulator and the resilient seal member, the rigid member transmitting a compression force to the fuel regulator and including an interior passageway in registry with a passageway through the resilient seal member. A valve housing member receives the seal member and is threadably engaged in the lighter body for axial movement to adjust the compression of the flow regulator. The valve housing member also includes an elongated bore which houses the valve stem with reduced diameter guiding bore at its upper end. The valve actuator includes a resilient, generally C-shaped spring member having an upper portion which engages the valve stem and a lower portion which engages the valve housing.

The lighter is eaily operated and provides a stable flame over its useful life, the stability of the flame not being significantly affected by the frequency or duration of use of the lighter. The actuator system of the igniter is inexpensive, reliable and easy to use. Adjustment of fuel flow rate is convenient and does not adversely affect the stability of the flame.

Other objects, features, and advantages will occur to one skilled in the art from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention taken, together with the attached drawings thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially broken away sectional view in side elevation showing an adjustable lighter embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the lighter of FIG. 1;

line 2 -2 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the actuating lever employed in the lighter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the actuating lever shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view, with parts broken away, showing details of the flame height adjustment lever and the actuating lever; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views in front elevation of the flow regulation and valve apparatus, with the valve, respectively, in closed and open positrons.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT The lighter shown in FIG. 1 includes a molded plastic (Lexan)body structure 10 that includes aperipheral wall 12 that defines afuel chamber 14. Extending transversely acrosschamber 14 is a strengtheningrib 16 that has abottom surface 18 of frustoconical configuration as indicated in FIG. 2.Structure 20 formed onrib 16 defines acylindrical recess 22. Also formed inchamber 14 on the opposite side ofrib 16 fromrecess 22 is amolded tube structure 24 that has aport 26 at its upper end and itslower end 28 is disposed adjacent the bottom endsurface ofperipheral wall 12.Bottom cap 32 is secured tosurface 30 and defines the lower wall offuel chamber 14.Cap 32 includes projec tion 34 which haspassage 36 in which is disposed sealing pin 38.

Arecess 40 in the upper part ofbody structure 10 communicates withport 26. Formed in the base ofrecess 40 ispedestal 42 on which is seatedflow regulator pad 44 and analuminum plate 46. Disposed onplate 46 is anelastomeric seal member 48 that bears againstperipheral wall 50 ofrecess 40.Seal 48 receives the lower end ofvalve stem housing 52 that has peripheral threads 54in engagement withcorrespondingthreads 56 formed inwall 50 ofrecess 40.Housing 52 has a cylindricalridged portion 60 abovethreads 54 which is engaged by an adjustinglever 62. The frustoconicalupper end portion 64 ofhousing 52 is connected totoothed portion 60 byneck 66. The upper end ofstem 68 protrudes abovefrustconical portion 64. Aspringactuator member 70 has a planarupper portion 72 that each side ofspark wheel 94 and eachdisc 96 protrudes through acorresponding aperture 98 inshield 100. Shield 100 has asecond aperture 102 through which a flame passes, and athird aperture 104 through which theactuator portion 78 of actuator-spring member 70 projects and is seated in body structure, being secured in position byprojections 106 which engage recesses 108 (FIG. 2). As may be seen with reference to FIG. 2, at the upper end ofbody 10 are two upwardly projectingwebs 110, each of which has anaperture 112 which receives a projecting stub shaft of anactuator disc 96. Eachactuator disc 96 has twostub shafts 114, 1 l6, stub shaft 116 being of larger diameter thanstub shaft 114. In aparticular embodiment disc 96 has a diameter of about 0.4 inch, and the diameter of shaft 116 is about 15% greater than the diameter ofshaft 114. Spark-wheel 94 has asocket 118 that receives shaft 116 of one actuator disc and a socket 120 (of smaller diameter) that receivesshaft 1 14 of the other actuator disc. Similarly, theaperture 112 in oneweb 110 is sized to receive asmall shaft 114 while theaperture 112 in the other web is sized to receive a larger shaft 116. Thespark wheel 94 has teeth of directional (asymmetrical) characteristics as indicated in FIG. 1, and the coordination of the sizes ofshafts 114 and 116 withsockets 118 and 120 and the apertures insupport webs 110 properly orients thespark wheel 94 and ensures that the asymmetric teeth are properly oriented relative toflint 92. Whenactuator discs 96 are rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, sparks are cast towardsvalve stem 68.

Additional details of the spring-actuator member 70 may be had with reference to FIGS. 3-5. That member, formed of a single piece of sheet metal stock, includes aplanar portion 72 at one end in which is formed a slot that has parallel side surfaces 132.Rearwar'dlyof slot 130 are two spacedlegs 134, 136, each of which is bent downwardly and then forwardly, forming acurved spring portion 138 and a forwardly extendingleg portion 76 disposed belowportion 72. Eachleg portion 76. in unstressed condition, is disposed at an upwardly inclined angle of about 10 as indicated in FIG. 5. The inner surfaceofeach leg portion 76 includes acurved recess surface 140 which is adapted to snap over the connectingneck portion 66 ofstem housing 52. At each outside edge ofportion 72 is a connector portion 142 thatis bent downwardly and extends rearwardly toactuator portion 78. Formed in each connectorportion is an inwardly extendingprojection 144 and extending-downwardly from each connector 142 is aleg 146.Legs 146 are received inrecesses 148 ofbody 10, as may be seen with reference to FIG. 2, andprojections 144 provide lateral positioning as indicated in FIG. 6.

Additional details of the valve assembly may be seen with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. That valve assembly is received withinrecess 40. In this embodiment,pedestal 42 has a diameter of 0.14 inch and a height of 0.02 inch so that an annular channel about 0.03 inch in width is defined in which fuel supply port 26 (of 0.025 inch diameter) is formed. Seated onpedestal 42 is aflow control pad 44 of thermally reticulated polyester foam that has been compressed by a factor of approximately 25 times to a thickness of about 0.04 inch. Disposed onflow control pad 44 is analuminum spacer disc 46, 0.0l5 inch thick that has a central port 162, 0.035 inch in diameter. Disposed onspacer 46 is aseal member 48 on Buna N rubber having a Shore A hardness of 60 durometer that includes a base 164 in which is formed aport 166 of about 0.02 inch diameter which is surrounded by a frustoconicalvalve seat portion 168 that projects about 0.01 inch above the upper surface of base 164. At the periphery of base 164 and upstanding therefrom is anannular wall 170 that has acircumferential projection 172 formed in its outer surface in sealing engagement withrecess surface 50.

Received in the recess formed byannular wall 170 of the sealing member is the base 174 ofstem housing 52 which acts to urge sealingsurface 172 outwardly into firm sealing engagement withrecess surface 50. Thebody portion 176 ofhousing 52 includes anexternal thread portion 54 which engagesthread portion 56. Eachthread portion 54, 56 has forty threads per inch, and a 75 rotation ofhousing 52 produces a vertical movement of slightly more than 0.005 inch.

Rotation ofhousing member 52 is produced by movement of adjustinglever 62 which is a sheet metal member that hasarcuate finger portions 190, 192, each of which includes alatch tooth 194 at its end and driveteeth 196 that engages groove of thehousing portion 60. Slot 198 increases the resilient motion offingers 190, 192 so that they may be snapped into engagement withteeth 60.Lever 62 has ahandle portion 200 that projects beyondshield 100 and enables rotation ofhousing 52 over a 75 range.

Abovegrooved portion 60 ofhousing 52 isneck portion 66 andfrustoconical head portion 64. Bore 202 of about 0.07 inch diameter extends down throughhousing 52 and has a lip or guide portion 204 at the upper end that defines a passage of about 0.06 inch diameter. Received withinbore 202 in guided fit with lip 204 is .term 68, theannular space 208 betweenstem 68 and bore 202 providing a gas flow passage. Anarcuate recess 210 formed in the wall ofcylindrical stem 68 provides communication withaxial passage 212 at the upper end of the stem.Stem 68 has reducedneck portion 74 which receivesslot 130 of spring-actuator member 70.Legs 76 ofmember 70 engageneck 66 ofhousing 52 so thatportions 76 are parallel toportion 72, thusstressingcurved portions 138 providing a bias ing force that urgesstem 68 downward relative tohousing 52. In thatportion, thebase surface 216 ofstem 68 is seated onboss 168 of the seal member, blocking flow throughport 166.

After assembly of the components, liquid fuel (e.g. butane) is introduced intochamber 14 throughport 36. The air initially inchamber 14 is compressed as the chamber is filled. Typically, about 85% ofchamber 14 is occupied by liquid fuel, so that the compressed air creates a pressure of approximately 96 psi. in thechamber 14. After filling, pin 38 is promptly inserted inport 36 to seal the fuel chamber. Due to the air pressure inchamber 14, liquid fuel is forced up throughfuel supply tube 24 and throughport 26 into theannular chamber 160 that is sealed byseal member 48. The liquid fuel saturatesflow control pad 44.

When it is desired to open the valve,actuator surface 78 is depressed. As the spring-actuator lever member 70 is supported relative to the fuel chamber and valve assembly solely by the engagement oflegs 76 with theunder surface 77 offrustoconical housing portion 64, this action tends to raisestem connection portion 72 against the stem surface immediately aboveneck 74 and then raisingstem 68 to the position shown in FIG. 8. In that position, stemsurface 216 is spaced fromvalve seat 168 and the liquid fuel is exposed to atmospheric pressure. The liquid fuel vaporizes and fuel vapor flows upward through theannular passage 208 betweenstem 68 and housing bore 202, intorecess 210 and out throughstern passage 212. Fuel vapor continues to flow at a rate con-trolled principally by the compression offlow control pad 44 from the fuel chamber throughport 26,pad 44,plate 46 andvalve member 48. When the pressure onactuator surface 78 is released, thespring portions 138 tend to causelegs 72, 76 to return towards the position shown in FIG. 5, forcingstem 68 downwardly so thatsurface 216 seats on cooperatingsurface 168, closing the valve.

In operation, the lighter may be held in one hand with the operators thumb in engagement withactuator discs 96. A downward stroke of the thumb rotates the actuating discs which drivespark wheel 94 acrossflint 92, generating sparks which are cast towards thestem orifice 212. Continued downward motion of the thumb engagesactuator surface 78, depressing that surface and opening the valve as described above. Gaseous fuel flows fromorifice 212 and is ignited by the sparks to produce theflame 220 as indicated in FIG. 1. The height of this flame aboveshield 100 is adjusted by rotation ofvalve housing 52 bylever 62. In a device constructed as shown in the drawings, the height of the flame can be adjusted over a range of about one-fourth inch to approximately 6 inches. The closing forces on the valve are independent of this fuel flow adjustment. Fuel flow to orifice 26 continues even with low fuel levels due to the pressurized gas and theelongated supply tube 24 and a more stable fuel vapor flow rate is maintained throughout the useful life of the lighter.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore it is not intended that the invention be limited to the disclosed embodiment or to thedetails thereof, and departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A lighter comprising fuel chamber defining structure having an outlet port, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel chamber through said outlet port, said valve means including a first valve member and a second valve member mounted for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, a naive actuator for moving said movable member, said valve actuator being a one-piece member and including a first coupling portion secured to said first member, a second coupling portion juxtaposed to said first coupling portion and secured to said second member, a spring portion connecting said first and second coupling portions and normally urging said first and second coupling portions towards one another to move said first and second valve members towards said valve closed position, and an exposed surface portion at the end of said actuator remote from said coupling portions, and manually operated ignition means adjacent said exposed surface portion for operation in coordination with opening of said valve by said valve actuator in response to manual engagement of said exposed surface.

2. A lighter as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said spring portion comprises a resilient, generally C-shaped member disposed between said first and second juxtaposed valve member coupling portions.

3. A lighter as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said second valve member is a cylindrical stern and said first valve member is a resilient member that defines a valve port and a valve seat surrounding said valve port, and said spring portion biases said stern against valve seat to close said valve port.

4. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 and further including a compressible flow regulator member between said fuel chamber and said valve means to regulate the rate of fuel flow therebetween, and further including a threadedly mounted stem housing member, said resilient member being secured on the base of said stern housing member and acting against said flow regulator member so that rotation of said housing member adjusts the compression of said flow regulator and thereby controls the rate of fuel flow to said valve means.

5. A lighter as claimed in claim 4 wherein said compressible flow regulator comprises a porous member that is saturated with liquid from said fuel chamber and from which fuel vaporizeswhen said valve means is open whereby fuel flows from said valve means in vapor form.

6. A lighter as claimed in claim 5 wherein said porous member is of plastic foam material.

7. A lighter as claimed in claim 6 wherein said porous member is of thermally reticulated polyester foam.

8. A lighter as claimed inclaim 1 and further including a fuel impermeable tube integral with said fuel chamber defining structure, said tube having a fuel inlet adjacent the lower end of said chamber and a fuel outlet communicating with said valve means, said chamber being charged with a liquid fuel supply that occupiesthe greater part of said chamber and a compressed gas substantially insoluble in the liquid fuel that occupies the remainder of said chamber, said substantially insoluble gas in said chamber having a volume at atmospheric pressure at least substantially equal to the volume of said fuel chamber so that said compressed gas in said chamber urges liquid fuel in said chamber through said tube toward said valve means under positive pressure throughout the entire useful life of the lighter,

9. A lighter comprising fuel chamber defining structure having an outlet port, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel chamber through said outlet port, said valve means including a first valve member and a' second valve member mounted for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, a valve actuator for moving said movable member, said valve actuator being a one-piece member and including a first coupling portion secured to said member, a second coupling portion juxtaposed to said frist coupling portion and secured to said second member, a spring portion connecting said first and second coupling portions and normally urging said first and second portions towards one another to move said first and second valve members towards said valve closed position, and an exposed surface portion at the end of said actuator remote from said coupling portions, and manually operated ignition means adjacent said exposed surface portion for operation in coordination with opening of said valve by said valve actuator in response to manual engagement of said exposed surume of said fuel chamber so that said compressed gas in said chamber urges liquid fuel in said chamber through said tube toward said valve means under positive pressure throughout the entire useful life of the lighter, a flow regulator between said fuel chamber and said valve means, said liquid fuel saturating said flow regulator and the fuel being transmitted to said valve means in vapor form for ignition by said ignition means when said valve means is open, and means for moving said first valve member to change the compression of said flow regulator to vary the fuel vapor flow rate.

'10. A lighter as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second valve member is a cylindrical valve stem and said first valve member is a resilient member defining a valve seat surrounding a valve port, and said spring portion biases said stern against said valve seat to close said valve port.

11. A lighter as claimed inclaim 10 wherein said flow regulator is a plastic foam member.

12. In a gas lighter having structure defining a fuel chamber, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said chamber, and ignition means adjacent said valve means for igniting fuel flowing from said valve means, the improvement comprising a fuel impermeable tube integral with said chamber defining structure, said tube having a fuel inlet port at its lower end adjacent said lower end of said chamber and a'fuel outlet port at its upper end communicating with said valve means, said chamber being charged with a liquid fuel supply that occupies the greater part of said chamber and a compressed gas substantially insoluble in the liquid fuelthat occupies the remainder of said chamber, said substantially insoluble gas in said chamber having a volume at atmospheric pressure at least substantially equal to the volume of said fuel chamber so that said compressed gas in said chamber urges liquid fuel in said chamber through said tube toward said valve means under positive pressure throughout the entire useful life of the lighter.

13. A lighter comprising structure defining a fuel chamber adapted to receive a liquid fuel supply,

structure defining a valve chamber,

barrier structure between said fuel chamber defining structure and said valve chamber defining structure, i a passage in said barrier structure providing communication between said fuel chamber and said valve chamber, a compressible flow regulator disposed at the base of said valve chamber,

a stem housing member in said valve chamber, said stem housing member having an axially extending passage therethrough,

an elastomeric member secured at the base of said stern housing member and bearing against said flow regulator, said elastomeric member including a peripheral seal portion engaging the wall of said valve chamber, aport in said elastomeric member in alignment with said axial passage, and a valve seat portion surrounding said port,

a stem member disposed in said axial passage, said stem member having an end surface normally biased into sealing engagement with said valve seat portion,

means for axially moving said stem housing member in said valve chamber for varying the compression of said flow regulator thereby controlling the rate of fuel flow from said fuel chamber through said flow regulator to said port in said elastomeric member,

a valve actuator for moving said stem member axially away from said elastomeric member, and

manually operated ignition means adjacent said actuator for operation in coordination with movement of said stem away from said valve seat portion to open said valve to ignite gaseous fuel flowing from said valve chamber through said axial passage in response to manual engagement of said exposed surface.

14. The lighter as claimed in claim 13 wherein said compressible flow regulator comprises a porous member that is saturated with liquid fuel from said fuel chamber and from which fuel vaporizes when said valve means is open whereby fuel flows from said valve means in vapor form.

15. The lighter as claimed inclaim 14 wherein said flow regulator is a plastic foam member.

16. The lighter as claimed in claim 15 wherein said porous member is of thermally reticulated polyester foam.

17. A lighter as claimed inclaim 16 and further including a fuel impermeable tube integral with said fuel chamber defining structure, said tube having a fuel inlet adjacent the lower end of said chamber and a fuel outlet communicating with said valve means, said chamber being charged with a liquid fuel supply that occupies the greater part of said chamber and a compressed gas substantially insoluble in the liquid fuel is in the remainder of said chamber, said substantially insoluble gas in said chamber having a volume at atmospheric pressure at least substantially equal to the volume of said fuel chamber so that said compressed gas in said chamber urges liquid fuel in said chamber through said tube toward said valve means under positive pressure throughout the entire useful life of the lighter.

18. A lighter comprising structuredefining a fuel chamber adapted to receive a liquid fuel supply,

structure defining a valve chamber, barrier structure between said fuel chamber defining structure and said valve chamber defining struc:

an elastomeric member secured at the base of said stem housing member and bearing against said flow regulator, said elastomeric member including a peripheral portion engaging the wall of said valve chamber, a port in said elastomeric member in alignment with said axial passage, and a valve seat portion surrounding said port,

a stem member disposed in said axial passage, said stem member having an end surface in alignment with said valve seat portion,

means for axially moving said stem housing member in said valve chamber for varying the compression of said flow regulator thereby controllingthe rate of fuel flow from said fuel chamber through said flow regulator to said port in said elastomeric member,

a valve actuator for moving said stem member axially away from said elastomeric member. said valve actuator being a one-piece member and including a first coupling portion secured to said stem housing member. a secondcoupling portion secured to said stern member, a spring portion connecting said first and second coupling portions and normally urging said end surface of said stem member into sealing engagement with said seat portion, and an exposed surface portion at the opposite end of said valve actuatorfrom saidcoupling portions and manually operated ignition means adjacent said exposed surface for operation in coordination with movement of said stem away from said valve seat portion to open said valve to ignite gaseous fuel flowing from saidvalve chamber through said axial exposed surface. 19. The improvement as claimed inclaim 18 wherein said spring portion comprises a resilient, generally C- shaped member disposed between said first and second coupling portions.

passage in response to manual engagement of said UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO.: 3, 95,9 5 DATED July 975 INV ENTOR(S) Warren I. Nissen It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 9, "effe-" should be --effiline 28, before "flow", insert -fuel,Column 2,line 28, "eaily" should be --easily. Column 3, line 19, "frustconical" should be -frustoconical--.

Column line 29, "on" should be --of--.

3 Column 5, line 6, "portion" should be -position-. Column 6, line 31, before "stem", insert -valve-; line 49, after "liquid", insert -f.uel-.,Column line 16, "frist" should be --first.

7 Column 8, line 6O, "16" should. be --l 4-. Column 9,line 26, after "ripheral", insert seal--.

Signed and Sealed this fourth Day Of November 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTll C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oflalems and Trademarks

Claims (19)

1. A lighter comprising fuel chamber defining structure having an outlet port, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel chamber through said outlet port, said valve means including a first valve member and a second valve member mounted for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, a valve actuator for moving said movable member, said valve actuator being a one-piece member and including a first coupling portion secured to said first member, a second coupling portion juxtaposed to said first coupling portion and secured to said second member, a spring portion connecting said first and second coupling portions and normally urging said first and second coupling portions towards one another to move said first and second valve members towards said valve closed position, and an exposed surface portion at the end of said actuator remote from said coupling portions, and manually operated ignition means adjacent said exposed surface portion for operation in coordination with opening of said valve by said valve actuator in response to manual engagement of said exposed surface.

2. A lighter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring portion comprises a resilient, generally C-shaped member disposed between said first and second juxtaposed valve member coupling portions.

3. A lighter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second valve member is a cylindrical stem and said first valve member is a resilient member that defines a valve port and a valve seat surrounding said valve port, and said spring portion biases said stem against valve seat to close said valve port.

4. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 and further including a compressible flow regulator member between said fuel chamber and said valve means to regulate the rate of fuel flow therebetween, and further including a threadedly mounted stem housing member, said resilient member being secured on the base of said stem housing member and acting against said flow regulator member so that rotation of said housing member adjusts the compression of said flow regulator and thereby controls the rate of fuel flow to said valve means.

5. A lighter as claimed in claim 4 wherein said compressible flow regulator comprises a porous member that is saturated with liquid from said fuel chamber and from which fuel vaporizes when said valve means is open whereby fuel flows from said valve means in vapor form.

6. A lighter as claimed in claim 5 wherein said porous member is of plastic foam material.

7. A lighter as claimed in claim 6 wherein said porous member is of thermally reticulated polyester foam.

8. A lighter as claimed in claim 1 and further including a fuel impermeable tube integral with said fuel chamber defining structure, said tube having a fuel inlet adjacent the lower end of said chamber and a fuel outlet communicating with said valve means, said chamber being charged with a liquid fuel supply that occupies the greater part of said chamber and a compressed gas substantially insoluble in the liquid fuel that occupies the remainder of said chamber, said substantially insoluble gas in said chamber having a volume at atmospheric pressure at least substantially equal to the volume of said fuel chamber so that said compressed gas in said chamber urges liquid fuel in said chamber through said tube toward said valve means under positive pressure throughout the entire useful life of the lighter.

9. A lighter comprising fuel chamber defining structure having an outlet port, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel chamber through said outlet port, said valve means including a first valve member and a second valve member mounted for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, a valve actuator for moving said movable member, said valve actuator being a one-piece member and including a first coupling portion secured to said member, a second coupling portion juxtaposed to said frist coupling portion and secured to said second member, a spring portion connecting said first and second coupling portions and normally urging said first and second portions towards one another to move said first and second valve members towards said valve closed position, and an exposed surface portion at the end of said actuator remote from said coupling portions, and manually operated ignition means adjacent said exposed surface portion for operation in coordination with opening of said valve by said valve actuator in response to manual engagement of said exposed surface, a fuel impermeable tube integral with said fuel chamber defining structure, said tube having a fuel inlet adjacent the lower end of said chamber and a fuel outlet communicating with said valve means, said chamber being charged with a liquid fuel supply that occupies the greater part of said chamber and a compressed gas substantially insoluble in the liquid fuel is in the remainder of said chamber, said substantially insoluble gas in said chamber having a volume at atmospheric pressure at least substantially equal to the volume of said fuel chamber so that said compressed gas in said chamber urges liquid fuel in said chamber through said tube toward said valve means under positive pressure throughout the entire useful life of the lighter, a flow regulator between said fuel chamber and said valve means, said liquid fuel saturating said flow regulator and the fuel being transmitted to said valve means in vapor form for ignition by said ignition means when said valve means is open, and means for moving said first valve member to change the compression of said flow regulator to vary the fuel vapor flow rate.

10. A lighter as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second valve member is a cylindrical valve stem and said first valve member is a resilient member defining a valve seat surrounding a valve port, and said spring portion biases said stem against said valve seat to close said valve port.

11. A lighter as claimed in claim 10 wherein said flow regulator is a plastic foam member.

12. In a gas lighter having structure defining a fuel chamber, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said chamber, and ignition means adjacent said valve means for igniting fuel flowing from said valve means, the improvement comprising a fuel impermeable tube integral with said chamber defining structure, said tube having a fuel inlet port at its lower end adjacent said lower end of said chamber and a fuel outlet port at its upper end communicating with said valve means, said chamber being charged with a liquid fuel supply that occupies the greater part of said chamber and a compressed gas substantially insoluble in the liquid fuel that occupies the remainder of said chamber, said substantially insoluble gas in said chamber having a volume at atmospheric pressure at least substantially equal to the volume of said fuel chamber so that said compressed gas in said chamber urges liquid fuel in said chamber through said tube toward said valve means under positive pressure throughout the entire useful life of the lighter.

13. A lighter comprising structure defining a fuel chamber adapted to receive a liquid fuel supply, structure defining a valve chamber, barrier structure between said fuel chamber defining structure and said valve chamber defining structure, a passage in said barrier structure providing communication between said fuel chamber and said valve chamber, a compressible flow regulator disposed at the base of said valve chamber, a stem housing member in said valve chamber, said stem housing member having an axially extending passage therethrough, an elastomeric member secured at the base of said stem housing member and bearing against said flow regulator, said elastomeric member including a peripheral seal portion engaging the wall of said valve chamber, a port in said elastomeric member in alignment with said axial passage, and a valve seat portion surrounding said port, a stem member disposed in said axial passage, said stem member having an end surface normally biased into sealing engagement with said valve seat portion, means for axially moving said stem housing member in said valve chamber for varying the compression of said flow regulator thereby controlling the rate of fuel flow from said fuel chamber through said flow regulator to said port in said elastomeric member, a valve actuator for moving said stem member axially away from said elastomeric member, and manually operated ignition means adjacent said actuator for operation in coordination with movement of said stem away from said valve seat portion to open said valve to ignite gaseous fuel flowing from said valve chamber through said axial passage in response to manual engagement of said exposed surface.

14. The lighter as claimed in claim 13 wherein said compressible flow regulator comprises a porous member that is saturated with liquid fuel from said fuel chamber and from which fuel vaporizes when said valve means is open whereby fuel flows from said valve means in vapor form.

15. The lighter as claimed in claim 14 wherein said flow regulator is a plastic foam member.

16. The lighter as claimed in claim 15 wherein said porous member is of thermallY reticulated polyester foam.

17. A lighter as claimed in claim 16 and further including a fuel impermeable tube integral with said fuel chamber defining structure, said tube having a fuel inlet adjacent the lower end of said chamber and a fuel outlet communicating with said valve means, said chamber being charged with a liquid fuel supply that occupies the greater part of said chamber and a compressed gas substantially insoluble in the liquid fuel is in the remainder of said chamber, said substantially insoluble gas in said chamber having a volume at atmospheric pressure at least substantially equal to the volume of said fuel chamber so that said compressed gas in said chamber urges liquid fuel in said chamber through said tube toward said valve means under positive pressure throughout the entire useful life of the lighter.

18. A lighter comprising structure defining a fuel chamber adapted to receive a liquid fuel supply, structure defining a valve chamber, barrier structure between said fuel chamber defining structure and said valve chamber defining structure, a passage in said barrier structure providing communication between said fuel chamber and said valve chamber, a compressible flow regulator disposed at the base of said valve chamber, a stem housing member in said valve chamber, said stem housing member having an axially extending passage therethrough, an elastomeric member secured at the base of said stem housing member and bearing against said flow regulator, said elastomeric member including a peripheral portion engaging the wall of said valve chamber, a port in said elastomeric member in alignment with said axial passage, and a valve seat portion surrounding said port, a stem member disposed in said axial passage, said stem member having an end surface in alignment with said valve seat portion, means for axially moving said stem housing member in said valve chamber for varying the compression of said flow regulator thereby controlling the rate of fuel flow from said fuel chamber through said flow regulator to said port in said elastomeric member, a valve actuator for moving said stem member axially away from said elastomeric member, said valve actuator being a one-piece member and including a first coupling portion secured to said stem housing member, a second coupling portion secured to said stem member, a spring portion connecting said first and second coupling portions and normally urging said end surface of said stem member into sealing engagement with said seat portion, and an exposed surface portion at the opposite end of said valve actuator from said coupling portions and manually operated ignition means adjacent said exposed surface for operation in coordination with movement of said stem away from said valve seat portion to open said valve to ignite gaseous fuel flowing from said valve chamber through said axial passage in response to manual engagement of said exposed surface.

19. The improvement as claimed in claim 18 wherein said spring portion comprises a resilient, generally C-shaped member disposed between said first and second coupling portions.

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