CA1243733A - Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighter - Google Patents
Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighterInfo
- Publication number
- CA1243733A CA1243733A CA000492433A CA492433A CA1243733A CA 1243733 A CA1243733 A CA 1243733A CA 000492433 A CA000492433 A CA 000492433A CA 492433 A CA492433 A CA 492433A CA 1243733 A CA1243733 A CA 1243733A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lighter
- plunger
- heater
- knob
- cartridge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/14—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of electrically-heated lighters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
- A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
- A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H3/00—Other air-treating devices
- B60H3/0007—Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
- F23Q7/00—Incandescent ignition; Igniters using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettes; Electrically-heated glowing plugs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S261/00—Gas and liquid contact apparatus
- Y10S261/88—Aroma dispensers
- Y10S261/89—Electrically heated aroma dispensers
Abstract
AROMA-GENERATING AUTOMOBILE CIGARETTE LIGHTER
Inventor: Donald Spector, a citizen of the United States of America and resident of Union City, New Jersey ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
An automobile cigarette lighter adapted to generate an aromatic vapor, the lighter being releasably retained within a dashboard socket having terminals therein connected to the battery of the vehicle. The lighter is constituted by a cylindrical shell having telescoped therein a spring-biased plunger. A disc-shaped heater element attached to the front end of the plunger is normally disposed at a position spaced from the socket terminals. A knob attached to the rear of the plunger projects beyond the rear end of the shell. When the knob is pressed in by a user, the plunger is advanced relative to the shell to cause the heater contact to engage the socket terminals and to be latched thereto by a bi-metallic element, thereby activating the heater. When the heat generated thereby reaches a level causing the bimetallic element to bend, it releases the plunger which then returns to its normal inactive position. Formed in the plunger and the knob is a central duct extending from the heater element to an end opening in the knob. Receivable in the duct is a replaceable tubular cartridge having a heat-responsive, aroma-producing member therein which is activated by the heat to exude an aromatic vapor into the interior of the vehicle.
Inventor: Donald Spector, a citizen of the United States of America and resident of Union City, New Jersey ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
An automobile cigarette lighter adapted to generate an aromatic vapor, the lighter being releasably retained within a dashboard socket having terminals therein connected to the battery of the vehicle. The lighter is constituted by a cylindrical shell having telescoped therein a spring-biased plunger. A disc-shaped heater element attached to the front end of the plunger is normally disposed at a position spaced from the socket terminals. A knob attached to the rear of the plunger projects beyond the rear end of the shell. When the knob is pressed in by a user, the plunger is advanced relative to the shell to cause the heater contact to engage the socket terminals and to be latched thereto by a bi-metallic element, thereby activating the heater. When the heat generated thereby reaches a level causing the bimetallic element to bend, it releases the plunger which then returns to its normal inactive position. Formed in the plunger and the knob is a central duct extending from the heater element to an end opening in the knob. Receivable in the duct is a replaceable tubular cartridge having a heat-responsive, aroma-producing member therein which is activated by the heat to exude an aromatic vapor into the interior of the vehicle.
Description
,I BACKGROUND OF IN~ENTION
~ j ' Field of In~ention This in~ention relates genexally tb a~ aroma-generating li I
lautomobile cigarette lighter, and more particularly to a lighter j provided with a replaceable heat-responsi~e ragrance cartridge which gives off an aromatic ~apor that is discharged i~to the iinterior of the vehicle when the lighter is acti~ated by the user.
¦¦Status of Art:
1 As used herein, the term '`aroma" is ~ot limited to !pleasant or savory smells but encompasses scents that function as air fresheners, deodorants or an~ other odor that acts to condi-tion, modify or otherwise change the atmosphere, ¦ I The aroma of perfumes and perfume-base~ produc-ts such as colognes and toilet waters was originally deri~ed from the ¦lessential oils of plants. Howe~er, since the early l9th century, chemists have succeeded ~.n analyzing many essential oils and in llcreating thousands of synthetics, some simulating natural products - 20 ~and others yielding altogether new scents~ Perfumes today are Illargely blends of natural and synthetl.c scents and of fixati~es wh.ich equalize ~aporization and enhance pungency~ In most liquid scents, the ingredients are combined with alcohol.
ll ~arious types of spray deYices or dispensers are known for emitt.ing aromas. Thus the patent to Dearling, U.S. Pat. No.
3,330,481, discloses a dispenser for wafting into the atmosphere an insecticide, a pleasant smelling scent or any other aroma, ' this being accomplished by means of a pressurized container. When the actuating button of this container is pressedr a dispersant is .1, i ll ~
,
~ j ' Field of In~ention This in~ention relates genexally tb a~ aroma-generating li I
lautomobile cigarette lighter, and more particularly to a lighter j provided with a replaceable heat-responsi~e ragrance cartridge which gives off an aromatic ~apor that is discharged i~to the iinterior of the vehicle when the lighter is acti~ated by the user.
¦¦Status of Art:
1 As used herein, the term '`aroma" is ~ot limited to !pleasant or savory smells but encompasses scents that function as air fresheners, deodorants or an~ other odor that acts to condi-tion, modify or otherwise change the atmosphere, ¦ I The aroma of perfumes and perfume-base~ produc-ts such as colognes and toilet waters was originally deri~ed from the ¦lessential oils of plants. Howe~er, since the early l9th century, chemists have succeeded ~.n analyzing many essential oils and in llcreating thousands of synthetics, some simulating natural products - 20 ~and others yielding altogether new scents~ Perfumes today are Illargely blends of natural and synthetl.c scents and of fixati~es wh.ich equalize ~aporization and enhance pungency~ In most liquid scents, the ingredients are combined with alcohol.
ll ~arious types of spray deYices or dispensers are known for emitt.ing aromas. Thus the patent to Dearling, U.S. Pat. No.
3,330,481, discloses a dispenser for wafting into the atmosphere an insecticide, a pleasant smelling scent or any other aroma, ' this being accomplished by means of a pressurized container. When the actuating button of this container is pressedr a dispersant is .1, i ll ~
,
-2- ~ .
r ~2~3~733 r released onto an absorbent material, the absorbe~t dispersant permeating the atmosphere.
~
'I While the prior art discloses ~arious embodiments of aroma dispensers, none of these devices is particularly adapted for use in an automotive interior, an e~vironment ha~ing special Irequirements. The atmosphere in most au-tomobiles is somewhat iiunpleasant, for it is often permeated by exhaust and engine fumes, ~¦by odors emanating from the road, and in many cases by tobacco ¦¦smoke. Hence it becomes desirable to mask or supplant these odors by more agreeable scents.
Whlle a perfume odor may he desirab~e in a vehicle, linasmuch as personal tastes differ and the choice of fragrance 15 ¦I may also depend on other variables, the a~ailability of an aroma dispenser providing a single scent falls short o what is required.
¦Moreover, in some instances the aroma called for is not a perfume but a scent acting as a stimulan-t to keep the driver awake under ~ driving conditions that may be soporific. Thus the type of - 20 ll pleasing scent that may be appropriate for a morning drive is iusually not the same as that suitable for dusk, whereas when driv-¦¦ing late at night, what may then be desirable is an odor which, !!though perhaps unpleasant, functions to stimulate and awaken llrather than relax the driver.
~5 ', Sfa7~cs , My prior~patent 4,200,229 discloses an aroma-dispenser !
which is mountable under the dashboard of an automobile and takes the form of a replaceable cartridge receivable in a stationary holder so that the user can insert therein whicheyer cartridge gives off an aroma suitable for a given occasion or satisfying a personal preference. The cartridge, in this instance, includes a ,, .
~ 3-L3~33 I
1' ' bottle contzining a liquid scent and a hand-operated suction pump ¦Iwhich when actuated serves to spray a liquid scent into the car interior.
¦I The Mange~s patent 2,721,098 is also concerned with ~the disagreeable nature of tobacco smoke and other fumes permeat-i ing automobile interiors, and provides a deodorizer structure that ,lis mountable in the vehicle.
I . ~ ', ¦ In an automobile, the act of smoking is related to the !standard cigarette lighter releasably held in a dashboard socket.
~In order for the driver or passenger in a front seat of the Ivehicle to light up, he must press the knob of the lighter. This ¦action causes a spring-biased plunger having a disc-shaped heater 1S ¦! element at its front end to advance and to bring the heater con-l tacts into engagement with terminals connected to the car battery, ¦~thereby energizing the heater and causing it to glow. The plunger ¦ is retained in its advanced position by a bimetallic latching llelement; but when the heat produced by the heater reaches a pre-- 20 ~¦determined temperature level, the latching element disengages the plunger which returns to its normal position.
.1 Though the heater is then deactivated, it has a rela-Itively high heat capacity and continues to glow so th~t when the 'luser withdraws the lighter from the dashboard socket, he can then Illight his cigarette from the still glowing heater.
Thus, in an automobile, the act of smoking is associated llwith the manipulation of a standard dashboard lighter. The dele-Iterious effects of cigarette smoking are now widely recognized, and literally millions of smokers have tried to break this harmful ,.
.~ . I, .
r 7~3 habit, but have usually -Eailed to do so.
l l l n addiction to cigarette smoking is extremely difficult to overcome, for this addiction is tied in not only to the physio-llogical effects of nicotine, but also to the psychological grati-fication gained from the familiar steps o lighting up and mani-pulating a cigarette. Thus one device in common use to break the 'smoking habit i~ a dummy cigarette which contains no tohacco but Ican be held in the mouth like a real cigarette and manipulated by the user.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, the main object of this in- !
Ivention is to provide an automobi].e cigarette lighter which when l~operated by the user, generates an aromatic vapor which is exuded into the interior of the vehicle.
More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide a cigarette lighter adapted to receive a replaceable heat-, I~responsive fragrance cartridge, which, when the lighter is activat-20 1 ed, discharges an aromatic vapor. I
ll . ' .1 A significant feature of the invention lies in the fact ¦ that the cartridge is rendered effective only in the interval during which the heater is hot, this relatively short interval Ibelng predetermined by the characteristics of the heater structure Hence each time the lighter is pressed i~, a limited dosage o-E
; aromatic vapor is generated. In this way, the user can avoid an ~excessive concentration o-E fragrance within the confines of the vehicle; and by intermittently pressing in the lighter to activate i the heater, the user can maintain whatever concentration is de-1 !;
; sired. I ~
., ~
l~ _5_
r ~2~3~733 r released onto an absorbent material, the absorbe~t dispersant permeating the atmosphere.
~
'I While the prior art discloses ~arious embodiments of aroma dispensers, none of these devices is particularly adapted for use in an automotive interior, an e~vironment ha~ing special Irequirements. The atmosphere in most au-tomobiles is somewhat iiunpleasant, for it is often permeated by exhaust and engine fumes, ~¦by odors emanating from the road, and in many cases by tobacco ¦¦smoke. Hence it becomes desirable to mask or supplant these odors by more agreeable scents.
Whlle a perfume odor may he desirab~e in a vehicle, linasmuch as personal tastes differ and the choice of fragrance 15 ¦I may also depend on other variables, the a~ailability of an aroma dispenser providing a single scent falls short o what is required.
¦Moreover, in some instances the aroma called for is not a perfume but a scent acting as a stimulan-t to keep the driver awake under ~ driving conditions that may be soporific. Thus the type of - 20 ll pleasing scent that may be appropriate for a morning drive is iusually not the same as that suitable for dusk, whereas when driv-¦¦ing late at night, what may then be desirable is an odor which, !!though perhaps unpleasant, functions to stimulate and awaken llrather than relax the driver.
~5 ', Sfa7~cs , My prior~patent 4,200,229 discloses an aroma-dispenser !
which is mountable under the dashboard of an automobile and takes the form of a replaceable cartridge receivable in a stationary holder so that the user can insert therein whicheyer cartridge gives off an aroma suitable for a given occasion or satisfying a personal preference. The cartridge, in this instance, includes a ,, .
~ 3-L3~33 I
1' ' bottle contzining a liquid scent and a hand-operated suction pump ¦Iwhich when actuated serves to spray a liquid scent into the car interior.
¦I The Mange~s patent 2,721,098 is also concerned with ~the disagreeable nature of tobacco smoke and other fumes permeat-i ing automobile interiors, and provides a deodorizer structure that ,lis mountable in the vehicle.
I . ~ ', ¦ In an automobile, the act of smoking is related to the !standard cigarette lighter releasably held in a dashboard socket.
~In order for the driver or passenger in a front seat of the Ivehicle to light up, he must press the knob of the lighter. This ¦action causes a spring-biased plunger having a disc-shaped heater 1S ¦! element at its front end to advance and to bring the heater con-l tacts into engagement with terminals connected to the car battery, ¦~thereby energizing the heater and causing it to glow. The plunger ¦ is retained in its advanced position by a bimetallic latching llelement; but when the heat produced by the heater reaches a pre-- 20 ~¦determined temperature level, the latching element disengages the plunger which returns to its normal position.
.1 Though the heater is then deactivated, it has a rela-Itively high heat capacity and continues to glow so th~t when the 'luser withdraws the lighter from the dashboard socket, he can then Illight his cigarette from the still glowing heater.
Thus, in an automobile, the act of smoking is associated llwith the manipulation of a standard dashboard lighter. The dele-Iterious effects of cigarette smoking are now widely recognized, and literally millions of smokers have tried to break this harmful ,.
.~ . I, .
r 7~3 habit, but have usually -Eailed to do so.
l l l n addiction to cigarette smoking is extremely difficult to overcome, for this addiction is tied in not only to the physio-llogical effects of nicotine, but also to the psychological grati-fication gained from the familiar steps o lighting up and mani-pulating a cigarette. Thus one device in common use to break the 'smoking habit i~ a dummy cigarette which contains no tohacco but Ican be held in the mouth like a real cigarette and manipulated by the user.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, the main object of this in- !
Ivention is to provide an automobi].e cigarette lighter which when l~operated by the user, generates an aromatic vapor which is exuded into the interior of the vehicle.
More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide a cigarette lighter adapted to receive a replaceable heat-, I~responsive fragrance cartridge, which, when the lighter is activat-20 1 ed, discharges an aromatic vapor. I
ll . ' .1 A significant feature of the invention lies in the fact ¦ that the cartridge is rendered effective only in the interval during which the heater is hot, this relatively short interval Ibelng predetermined by the characteristics of the heater structure Hence each time the lighter is pressed i~, a limited dosage o-E
; aromatic vapor is generated. In this way, the user can avoid an ~excessive concentration o-E fragrance within the confines of the vehicle; and by intermittently pressing in the lighter to activate i the heater, the user can maintain whatever concentration is de-1 !;
; sired. I ~
., ~
l~ _5_
3~3 Another object of the invention is to provide, in con-junction with an automobile cigarette lighter, a fragrance car-tridge which resembles a cigarette, such that when an occupant of the vehicle who is addicted to cigarettes feels an urge -to smoke, he can suppress this impulse, yet obtain gratifica-tion, by substituting for a cigarette the fragrance cartridge which he inserts in the lighter to generate a pleasing fragrance. The fragrance supplied by the cartridge may be one simulating the odor of tobacco wi-thout, however, its accompanying noxious effects.
Also an object of this invention is to provide an aroma-generating cigare-t-te liyh-ter which is also fully capable of functioning as an ignition source for cigare-ttes, so tha-t -the lighter may be used ei-ther to llgh-t a cigare-t-te or -to genera-te a pJeasing aroma.
Briefly stated, the inven-tion is an automobile cigare-tte lighter adapted to genera-te an aromatic vapor, the lighter being releasably retained within a dashboard socket pro-vided with terminals connected to a battery of the vehicle, said lighter comprising:
_ a cylindrical shell;
B a spring-biased plunger telescopically received in the shell;
C a disc-shaped heater at-tached to a fron-t end of the plunger and having contacts which in an inactive position of the lighter are spaced from the terminals;
D a knob attached to a rear end of the plunger and projecting beyond the shell, whereby when -the knob is pressed in, the plunger is advanced to an activated position in which -the con-tacts of the heater engage the terminals in the socket to effect energization of the heater;
E a latching element to retain -the plunger in i-ts activated state and to release the plunger when the heater temp-erature reaches a predetermined level, said plunger and said knob having a central duct therein extending longitudinally from a point adjacent the heater to an opening in the knob; and F a replaceable tubular fragrance cartridge inserted in the duct and having an open-ended heat-responsive aroma-producing element -therein which is activated by the heat to exude an aromatic vapor into the vehicle interior, said cartridge hav-ing a length relative to that of said duct whereby a Eront end of the inserted cartridge lies adjacent sai.d heater in heat exchange relationship therewith, and a rear end thereof extends beyond the opening in the knob whereby the cartridge may readily be removed from the duct, the aroma being discharged Erom the open rear end of the cartrldge.
For a better understanding of the inven-tion as well as further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accom-panying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aroma~generating cigarette lighter received in an automobile dashboard socket, the lighter being shown in its activated state;
Figure 2 illustrates the same lighter in its normal inactive state;
Figure 3 is a front view of the electrical heater included in the lighter;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the replaceable fragrance cartridge, partly cut away to expose the heat-responsive aroma-producing member therein; and Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken through the lighter.
Referring now to the drawing, a lighter in accordance with the invention includes a cylindrical metal shell 10 having an annular flange 11 at its rear end, the flange lying against the ringed end of a tubular socket 12 mounted on the dashboard 13 of -7a-3~3 an automobile. The socket and the dashboard are conventional and ',are indicated by dashed lines.
~ Telescopically recei~ed within shell lO and coaxially disposed therein is a plunger 14 formed of porcelain or other heat-resistant insulating material having a conical front end 15 , to which is attached a disc-shaped electrical heater, generally l designated by numeral 16.
~ Heater 16 is formed by a metal bezel 1~ within which is a spiral strip 18 of electrical resistance material. The inner ~end of the spiral is connected to a central electrode l9, and the outer end to bezel 17. Hence to energize the heater, a voltage 'Imust be applied between electrode 19 and bezel 17, the resultant 'Icurrent flow acting to heat the spiral.
~ Terminating the rear end of plunger 14 is a metal collar " 20, Shell lO is pro~ided at an intermediate position therein with l'a circumferential dimple 21. A helical spring 22 surrounding the - 20 plunger occupies the annular space between plunger 14 and shell lO
lthe spring being confined and compressed between collar 20 and ',¦dimple 20.
Il Attached to the rear end of plunger 14 and projecting Illrearwardly therefrom beyond the rear of shell lO is a knob 22 whose front section has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the shell. Formed centrally in plunger 14 and in knob 22 is ja cylindrical duct 23. This duct extends along the longitudinal ~axis of the plunger and knob from a poin~ directly adjacent heater ,16 at the front end of the plunger to an opening at the end of the knob.
lll .
~8--!
r ~ 733 i l Small openings may be fo~nd in the insulating barrier between the heater spiral and the duct to permit hot air flow - lltherethrough.
li Receivable within duct 23 is a tubular fragrance car-tridge 24 housing at its front end at a position close to heater ll16 when the cartridge is ully inserted, a plug 25 of porous mat-j'lerial, such as cotton fibers or open cell foam plastic. The plug ¦¦is impregnated with a volatile liquid fragrance whose aroma is ¦pleasing or stimulating, depending on the intended purpose of the ¦cartridge. Alternatively, the plug or aroma-producing member may Ibe in the form of a gel or soft plastisol ha~ing the liquid frag-¦ rance disposed therein.
When, as shown in Fig. l, the ylunger knob is pressed in by the user, the plunger is projec-ted from the front end of shell lO and advanced to cause a socket terminal Tl to engage the central electrode l9 of the heater and a latching terminal T2 to engage the bezel 17 and to retain the plunger in its activated ~-20 lposition in the socket.
, Terminals T~ and T2 are connected to the opposite ends ~
of the car battery 26, as a consequence of which the engaged heater ll16 is energized and the spiral heater element 18 is caused to heatl lup and glow, this action taking a few seconds. When the tempera- ¦
ture of the heater rises to a predetermined level, latching ter-minal T2, which is formed of bimetallic, t/frmostatic material, bends to an extent releaslng bezel 17. As a result, helical ' spring 22, which is compressed when the lighter is pressed in, ,lexpands to return the plunger to its inacti~e normal position, as ' shown in Fig. 2~ the terminals TI and T2 then being disengaged.
I
_g_ 2~3733 The heater has a substantial heat capacity and remains glowing for a few seconds after it is disconnected from the battery for a period sufficient to permlt the-user, if he wishes, to remove the lighter from socket 12 and light up a cigarette.
However, if the lighter is not removed from the socket and has a ¦fragrance cartridge inserted therein, then heat from the heater 16 in the period during which it is energized and in the post-energi-zation interval in which it remains hot, acts to ~olatilize the liquid in the plug to produce an aromatic vapor which is discharged ~o from the open end of the tubular cartridge into the automobile interior.
,.
The cartridge has an effecti~e life that depends on how much liq~id fragrance is contained therein~ One can, when the ¦~cartridge is exhausted, replace it with a fresh car-tridge having ¦the same or a different fragrance. And, in practice, one may ¦supply the user with a carton of cigarette-like cartridges having different aromas, as indicated, for example, by a color-coded tip on the front end of the cartridge. One of the fragrances avail-able may simulate cigarette smoke, so that if the user has a craving for such smoke and yet doesn't wish to indulge, he may insert the tobacco fragrar.ce cartridge into the lighter.
While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of AROMA-GENERATING AUTOMOBILE CIGARETTE LIGHTER in accordance with the invention, it will be appreciated that many ~changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing ~ro~ the essential spirit thereof~
'.i ~
j~ 733 Thus the cartridge, instead of being in the form of 1 a straight tube, may be provided at its exposed end with a I~ flared section forming an annular flange which fits against the ,~1 outer face of knob 22 when the cartridge is inserted in the 1l lighter. Hence to activate the lighter, one presses the flange of the cartridge, thereby pushing in the knob.
Also, rather than a plug 25 of impregnated porous material in the cartridge, this material may take the form of !~ an inner liner in the cartridge to form an open core therein I to permit air flow to promote volatilization of the impregnant.
1~
:.
,., . I .
I
i ;
-lOa-
Also an object of this invention is to provide an aroma-generating cigare-t-te liyh-ter which is also fully capable of functioning as an ignition source for cigare-ttes, so tha-t -the lighter may be used ei-ther to llgh-t a cigare-t-te or -to genera-te a pJeasing aroma.
Briefly stated, the inven-tion is an automobile cigare-tte lighter adapted to genera-te an aromatic vapor, the lighter being releasably retained within a dashboard socket pro-vided with terminals connected to a battery of the vehicle, said lighter comprising:
_ a cylindrical shell;
B a spring-biased plunger telescopically received in the shell;
C a disc-shaped heater at-tached to a fron-t end of the plunger and having contacts which in an inactive position of the lighter are spaced from the terminals;
D a knob attached to a rear end of the plunger and projecting beyond the shell, whereby when -the knob is pressed in, the plunger is advanced to an activated position in which -the con-tacts of the heater engage the terminals in the socket to effect energization of the heater;
E a latching element to retain -the plunger in i-ts activated state and to release the plunger when the heater temp-erature reaches a predetermined level, said plunger and said knob having a central duct therein extending longitudinally from a point adjacent the heater to an opening in the knob; and F a replaceable tubular fragrance cartridge inserted in the duct and having an open-ended heat-responsive aroma-producing element -therein which is activated by the heat to exude an aromatic vapor into the vehicle interior, said cartridge hav-ing a length relative to that of said duct whereby a Eront end of the inserted cartridge lies adjacent sai.d heater in heat exchange relationship therewith, and a rear end thereof extends beyond the opening in the knob whereby the cartridge may readily be removed from the duct, the aroma being discharged Erom the open rear end of the cartrldge.
For a better understanding of the inven-tion as well as further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accom-panying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aroma~generating cigarette lighter received in an automobile dashboard socket, the lighter being shown in its activated state;
Figure 2 illustrates the same lighter in its normal inactive state;
Figure 3 is a front view of the electrical heater included in the lighter;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the replaceable fragrance cartridge, partly cut away to expose the heat-responsive aroma-producing member therein; and Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken through the lighter.
Referring now to the drawing, a lighter in accordance with the invention includes a cylindrical metal shell 10 having an annular flange 11 at its rear end, the flange lying against the ringed end of a tubular socket 12 mounted on the dashboard 13 of -7a-3~3 an automobile. The socket and the dashboard are conventional and ',are indicated by dashed lines.
~ Telescopically recei~ed within shell lO and coaxially disposed therein is a plunger 14 formed of porcelain or other heat-resistant insulating material having a conical front end 15 , to which is attached a disc-shaped electrical heater, generally l designated by numeral 16.
~ Heater 16 is formed by a metal bezel 1~ within which is a spiral strip 18 of electrical resistance material. The inner ~end of the spiral is connected to a central electrode l9, and the outer end to bezel 17. Hence to energize the heater, a voltage 'Imust be applied between electrode 19 and bezel 17, the resultant 'Icurrent flow acting to heat the spiral.
~ Terminating the rear end of plunger 14 is a metal collar " 20, Shell lO is pro~ided at an intermediate position therein with l'a circumferential dimple 21. A helical spring 22 surrounding the - 20 plunger occupies the annular space between plunger 14 and shell lO
lthe spring being confined and compressed between collar 20 and ',¦dimple 20.
Il Attached to the rear end of plunger 14 and projecting Illrearwardly therefrom beyond the rear of shell lO is a knob 22 whose front section has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the shell. Formed centrally in plunger 14 and in knob 22 is ja cylindrical duct 23. This duct extends along the longitudinal ~axis of the plunger and knob from a poin~ directly adjacent heater ,16 at the front end of the plunger to an opening at the end of the knob.
lll .
~8--!
r ~ 733 i l Small openings may be fo~nd in the insulating barrier between the heater spiral and the duct to permit hot air flow - lltherethrough.
li Receivable within duct 23 is a tubular fragrance car-tridge 24 housing at its front end at a position close to heater ll16 when the cartridge is ully inserted, a plug 25 of porous mat-j'lerial, such as cotton fibers or open cell foam plastic. The plug ¦¦is impregnated with a volatile liquid fragrance whose aroma is ¦pleasing or stimulating, depending on the intended purpose of the ¦cartridge. Alternatively, the plug or aroma-producing member may Ibe in the form of a gel or soft plastisol ha~ing the liquid frag-¦ rance disposed therein.
When, as shown in Fig. l, the ylunger knob is pressed in by the user, the plunger is projec-ted from the front end of shell lO and advanced to cause a socket terminal Tl to engage the central electrode l9 of the heater and a latching terminal T2 to engage the bezel 17 and to retain the plunger in its activated ~-20 lposition in the socket.
, Terminals T~ and T2 are connected to the opposite ends ~
of the car battery 26, as a consequence of which the engaged heater ll16 is energized and the spiral heater element 18 is caused to heatl lup and glow, this action taking a few seconds. When the tempera- ¦
ture of the heater rises to a predetermined level, latching ter-minal T2, which is formed of bimetallic, t/frmostatic material, bends to an extent releaslng bezel 17. As a result, helical ' spring 22, which is compressed when the lighter is pressed in, ,lexpands to return the plunger to its inacti~e normal position, as ' shown in Fig. 2~ the terminals TI and T2 then being disengaged.
I
_g_ 2~3733 The heater has a substantial heat capacity and remains glowing for a few seconds after it is disconnected from the battery for a period sufficient to permlt the-user, if he wishes, to remove the lighter from socket 12 and light up a cigarette.
However, if the lighter is not removed from the socket and has a ¦fragrance cartridge inserted therein, then heat from the heater 16 in the period during which it is energized and in the post-energi-zation interval in which it remains hot, acts to ~olatilize the liquid in the plug to produce an aromatic vapor which is discharged ~o from the open end of the tubular cartridge into the automobile interior.
,.
The cartridge has an effecti~e life that depends on how much liq~id fragrance is contained therein~ One can, when the ¦~cartridge is exhausted, replace it with a fresh car-tridge having ¦the same or a different fragrance. And, in practice, one may ¦supply the user with a carton of cigarette-like cartridges having different aromas, as indicated, for example, by a color-coded tip on the front end of the cartridge. One of the fragrances avail-able may simulate cigarette smoke, so that if the user has a craving for such smoke and yet doesn't wish to indulge, he may insert the tobacco fragrar.ce cartridge into the lighter.
While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of AROMA-GENERATING AUTOMOBILE CIGARETTE LIGHTER in accordance with the invention, it will be appreciated that many ~changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing ~ro~ the essential spirit thereof~
'.i ~
j~ 733 Thus the cartridge, instead of being in the form of 1 a straight tube, may be provided at its exposed end with a I~ flared section forming an annular flange which fits against the ,~1 outer face of knob 22 when the cartridge is inserted in the 1l lighter. Hence to activate the lighter, one presses the flange of the cartridge, thereby pushing in the knob.
Also, rather than a plug 25 of impregnated porous material in the cartridge, this material may take the form of !~ an inner liner in the cartridge to form an open core therein I to permit air flow to promote volatilization of the impregnant.
1~
:.
,., . I .
I
i ;
-lOa-
Claims (7)
1. An automobile cigarette lighter adapted to generate an aromatic vapor, the lighter being releasably retained within a dashboard socket provided with terminals connected to a battery of the vehicle, said lighter comprising:
A a cylindrical shell;
B a spring-biased plunger telescopically received in the shell;
C a disc-shaped heater attached to a front end of the plunger and having contacts which in an inactive position of the lighter are spaced from the terminals;
D a knob attached to a rear end of the plunger and projecting beyond the shell, whereby when the knob is pressed in, the plunger is advanced to an activated position in which the contacts of the heater engage the terminals in the socket to effect energization of the heater;
E a latching element to retain the plunger in its activated state and to release the plunger when the heater temperature reaches a predetermined level, said plunger and said knob having a central duct therein extending longitudinally from a point adjacent the heater to an opening in the knob; and F a replaceable tubular fragrance cartridge inserted in the duct and having an open-ended heat-responsive aroma-producing element therein which is activated by the heat to exude an aromatic vapor into the vehicle interior, said cartridge having a length relative to that of said duct whereby a front end of the inserted cartridge lies adjacent said heater in heat exchange relationship therewith, and a rear end thereof extends beyond the opening in the knob whereby the cartridge may readily be removed from the duct, the aroma being discharged from the open rear end of the cartridge.
A a cylindrical shell;
B a spring-biased plunger telescopically received in the shell;
C a disc-shaped heater attached to a front end of the plunger and having contacts which in an inactive position of the lighter are spaced from the terminals;
D a knob attached to a rear end of the plunger and projecting beyond the shell, whereby when the knob is pressed in, the plunger is advanced to an activated position in which the contacts of the heater engage the terminals in the socket to effect energization of the heater;
E a latching element to retain the plunger in its activated state and to release the plunger when the heater temperature reaches a predetermined level, said plunger and said knob having a central duct therein extending longitudinally from a point adjacent the heater to an opening in the knob; and F a replaceable tubular fragrance cartridge inserted in the duct and having an open-ended heat-responsive aroma-producing element therein which is activated by the heat to exude an aromatic vapor into the vehicle interior, said cartridge having a length relative to that of said duct whereby a front end of the inserted cartridge lies adjacent said heater in heat exchange relationship therewith, and a rear end thereof extends beyond the opening in the knob whereby the cartridge may readily be removed from the duct, the aroma being discharged from the open rear end of the cartridge.
2. A lighter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latching element is formed by one of said terminals which is of bimetallic construction.
3. A lighter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said aroma-producing element is constituted by a plug housed in said cartridge.
4. A lighter as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plug is of porous fibers impregnated with a volatile liquid fragrance.
5. A lighter as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plug is formed of a plastisol having a liquid fragrance dispersed therein.
6. A lighter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plunger at its front end has openings therein which communicate with said duct to permit hot air flow from the heater to the duct.
7. A lighter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said replaceable tubular cartridge which is inserted in said duct is selected from a plurality of such cartridges which have a cigarette-like form and have elements therein producing different aromas whereby the user may readily change the aroma generated by the lighter.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US658,778 | 1984-10-09 | ||
| US06/658,778 US4574181A (en) | 1984-10-09 | 1984-10-09 | Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighter |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1243733A true CA1243733A (en) | 1988-10-25 |
Family
ID=24642655
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000492433A Expired CA1243733A (en) | 1984-10-09 | 1985-10-08 | Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighter |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4574181A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0178119A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS6193314A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1243733A (en) |
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| US4686353A (en) * | 1984-10-09 | 1987-08-11 | Donald Spector | Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighter |
| US4692590A (en) * | 1984-10-09 | 1987-09-08 | Donald Spector | Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighter |
| US4731521A (en) * | 1987-04-10 | 1988-03-15 | Casco Products Corporation | Electric cigar lighter having aromatic emitting means |
| JPS63282421A (en) * | 1987-05-13 | 1988-11-18 | Nippon Chem Kogyo Kk | Aroma spreader for automobile |
| IT223276Z2 (en) * | 1991-08-07 | 1995-06-21 | Fiat Auto Spa | DEVICE FOR THE REDUCTION OF ODORS INSIDE A VEHICLE CABIN. |
| IT227669Y1 (en) * | 1992-10-30 | 1997-12-15 | Imos Italia Srl | STOVE FOR CIGAR LIGHTERS IN PARTICULAR OF THE TYPE MOUNTED ON CARS. |
| CN2166101Y (en) * | 1993-04-20 | 1994-05-25 | 卜冠华 | Gas generator for perfume solvent |
| US5394506A (en) * | 1993-05-03 | 1995-02-28 | Stein; Robert D. | Fragrance dispenser for an automobile |
| US5432882A (en) * | 1993-09-13 | 1995-07-11 | Ideal Ideas, Inc. | Automatic electrically heated cigarette lighter socket inserted motor vehicle deodorizer device |
| AT135U1 (en) * | 1994-04-27 | 1995-03-27 | Suritsch Martin Suritsch Marti | ELECTRICAL DEVICE FOR EVAPORATING LIQUID FLAVORS IN AUTOMOTIVES |
| GB9604942D0 (en) * | 1996-03-08 | 1996-05-08 | Jones Gareth | Device for vaporising essential oils |
| USD384435S (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1997-09-30 | Fish Head Enterprises, Inc | Automobile cigarette lighter pipe |
| US5710406A (en) * | 1996-04-12 | 1998-01-20 | Garris; Louie G. | Deodorizing cigarette lighter |
| DE69719719T2 (en) * | 1996-06-17 | 2004-03-25 | Japan Tobacco Inc. | FLAVORING ITEMS AND FLAVORING DEVICE |
| US6021254A (en) * | 1998-02-05 | 2000-02-01 | Hunter; James R. | Timed electric vehicular air freshener |
| DE19934380A1 (en) * | 1999-06-12 | 2000-12-14 | Dieter Preu | Car cigarette lighter for acting as a car perfume dispenser incorporates a large chamber for a concentration of a perfume or fragrance substance, a part able to be heated up, a valve for injecting the perfume and an outlet for the perfume |
| US20050048279A1 (en) * | 2001-08-31 | 2005-03-03 | Ekin Group, Llc | Composition and methods for applying a scent to an article |
| US6640715B1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2003-11-04 | Patrick L. Watson | Wearing apparel with scented ink |
| US20030064009A1 (en) * | 2001-10-02 | 2003-04-03 | Tracey Baaset | Aromatic accessory and method thereof |
| US6885811B2 (en) * | 2002-08-16 | 2005-04-26 | The Dial Corporation | Methods and apparatus for dual-outlet vapor dispenser |
| US7155116B2 (en) | 2002-08-16 | 2006-12-26 | The Dial Corporation | Methods and apparatus for a discrete vapor-dispensing device |
| US6895177B2 (en) * | 2002-08-16 | 2005-05-17 | The Dial Corporation | Vapor dispensing device having improved transverse loading stability |
| US20040033067A1 (en) | 2002-08-16 | 2004-02-19 | He Mengtao Pete | Methods and apparatus for a controllable vapor-dispensing device |
| US7002114B2 (en) * | 2002-08-30 | 2006-02-21 | The Dial Corporation | Methods and apparatus for a variable resistor configured to compensate for non-linearities in a heating element circuit |
| US7249719B2 (en) * | 2002-08-30 | 2007-07-31 | The Dial Corporation | Method and apparatus for a multiple source vapor-dispensing device |
| US7083162B2 (en) * | 2002-08-30 | 2006-08-01 | The Dial Corporation | Intermediary device |
| US6897381B2 (en) * | 2002-08-30 | 2005-05-24 | The Dial Corporation | Wall-mounted electrical device having adjustable outlet prongs |
| JP4434017B2 (en) | 2002-08-30 | 2010-03-17 | ザ ダイアル コーポレイション | Evaporator |
| US6772757B2 (en) * | 2002-10-25 | 2004-08-10 | Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated | Concentric controlled temperature profile fluid vaporizing device |
| CN100381083C (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2008-04-16 | 韩力 | Electronic nonflammable spraying cigarette |
| US20050281718A1 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-12-22 | Elizabeth Echevarria | Electric air freshener for a vehicle |
| US20070098376A1 (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2007-05-03 | Givaudan Sa | Vapour dispersion |
| KR100877020B1 (en) * | 2005-03-29 | 2009-01-07 | 가시오게산키 가부시키가이샤 | Vaporizing device and liquid absorbing member |
| GB0523142D0 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2005-12-21 | British American Tobacco Co | Cigarette lighter |
| FR2895644B1 (en) * | 2006-01-03 | 2008-05-16 | Didier Gerard Martzel | SUBSTITUTE OF CIGARETTE |
| US7544331B1 (en) | 2006-07-10 | 2009-06-09 | Romano Pettaway | Vehicle lighter air freshener |
| US20090255534A1 (en) * | 2008-04-11 | 2009-10-15 | Greg Paterno | Sealed Vaporization Cartridge and Vaporization Systems for Using |
| DE102011085637B4 (en) * | 2011-11-02 | 2022-02-03 | Trumpf Laser Gmbh | Optical transport fiber and method of making same and method of bonding |
| CN102861694A (en) * | 2012-10-18 | 2013-01-09 | 深圳市博格科技有限公司 | Plant essential oil mist atomizer and production method thereof |
| US9877508B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2018-01-30 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
| US11317647B2 (en) * | 2014-12-02 | 2022-05-03 | Monarch Media, Llc | Coconut water removal device and method therefor |
| US20160345619A1 (en) * | 2014-12-02 | 2016-12-01 | Monarch Media Llc. | Coconut removal device and method therefor |
| NL2014079B1 (en) * | 2014-12-31 | 2016-10-07 | Metalmembranes Com B V | Heater element, device provided therewith and method for manufacturing such element. |
| US11077221B2 (en) | 2016-01-25 | 2021-08-03 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Volatile dispenser for use in volatile dispensing systems |
| US10994042B2 (en) | 2016-01-25 | 2021-05-04 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Heated air freshener |
| US10940226B2 (en) | 2016-03-01 | 2021-03-09 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Dispenser |
| CN205597118U (en) * | 2016-03-14 | 2016-09-28 | 深圳市合元科技有限公司 | Cigarette heating device and electron cigarette |
| WO2019010680A1 (en) * | 2017-07-13 | 2019-01-17 | 深圳市赛尔美电子科技有限公司 | Low-temperature non-burning smoking set |
| US10850690B2 (en) | 2018-01-17 | 2020-12-01 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Electronic devices for use in a vehicle and methods of operating the same |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2010675A (en) * | 1934-02-26 | 1935-08-06 | Fielding H Lewis | Lighter for cigarettes and the like |
| US2701836A (en) * | 1952-08-20 | 1955-02-08 | Pavenick Stanford | Automobile cigarette lighter |
| US2902579A (en) * | 1956-06-27 | 1959-09-01 | Alton E Hutchinson | Electric lighter |
| US3006042A (en) * | 1959-05-27 | 1961-10-31 | Fred M Calandra | Auto air freshener |
| FR1322977A (en) * | 1962-02-22 | 1963-04-05 | Automatic cigarette lighter | |
| CH508173A (en) * | 1968-05-11 | 1971-05-31 | Masson Wicht Lucien | Electric cigarette lighter on a vehicle |
| DE2312908A1 (en) * | 1973-03-15 | 1974-09-19 | Ross Geb Postawska Krystyna | ELECTRIC IGNITION DEVICE |
| GB2046419A (en) * | 1979-04-12 | 1980-11-12 | Uzion International Ltd | Automobile cigarette lighter |
-
1984
- 1984-10-09 US US06/658,778 patent/US4574181A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1985
- 1985-10-02 EP EP85307052A patent/EP0178119A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1985-10-08 CA CA000492433A patent/CA1243733A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-10-09 JP JP60223858A patent/JPS6193314A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS6193314A (en) | 1986-05-12 |
| EP0178119A3 (en) | 1987-06-24 |
| US4574181A (en) | 1986-03-04 |
| EP0178119A2 (en) | 1986-04-16 |
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| MKEX | Expiry |