EP2685847B1 - Self-lighting device for a cigarette - Google Patents

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for self-ignition of a cigarette.

It relates to the technical field of pyrotechnic devices and more particularly those intended for cigarette ignition and providing an alternative to traditional means such as lighters or matches.

State of the art

Cigarette self-ignition devices illustrating the prior art are described in the following patent documents: FR 2 905 231 (Charli ABISDID ) BG 407 714 (Mr. MARGOLIS ) DE 3,509,293 (LIECHTENSTEIN RICHARD VON ) EP 0 066 021 (YOO, BYUNG EON ) FR 7,539,535 (TOKYO ENGINEERING CO.) D5: GB 314 145 (Piedad and Alejandro LIFCHUZ ) FR 709 175 (Giulio TURRI ) JP 2005 5,224,232 (ISHIKAWA JOJI ) GB 406 153 (Ansley HERMAN FOX ). These devices include a firing material configured to ignite a flammable material under the effect of shock or friction. The commonly used rubs wear out as you light cigarettes. And the longer the band is worn, the more difficult it is to light a cigarette.

• soit conditionnée sur l'une des faces du paquet de cigarettes de sorte que lors de la manipulation dudit paquet, ladite matière chimique secondaire peut se détacher, entraînant, de fait, des difficultés pour allumer ultérieurement des cigarettes,
• soit conditionnée dans des contenants individuels mal adaptés.

To overcome this drawback, we know from the documents FR 1 014 899 (Louis Thomas FONDO ) BG 1 012 826 (Pierre JACQUET ) BG 97 941 (BONCHEV MIROSLAV B. ) GB 356 861 (Robert SUTHERLAND ) GB 752,365 (Hans HANNO MOSER ) GB 790 341 (Kurt KORBER ), self-igniting devices comprising a primary chemical material placed at the smoking end of the cigarette, and a secondary chemical material incompatible with the primary material. These devices use the principle of incompatibility of chemical materials that ignite spontaneously when brought into contact with each other. In practice, the secondary chemical is:

• is packaged on one of the faces of the pack of cigarettes so that when handling said pack, said secondary chemical material can come off, thereby causing difficulties to subsequently light cigarettes,
• is packaged in individual containers that are not well adapted.

We know more particularly by the documents US 2,029,186 (PETERSON), or US 3,109,435 (PALEY), a cigarette equipped with a self-ignition device comprising: a primary chemical material placed at the smoking end of the cigarette, and a secondary chemical material incompatible with said primary material. The secondary material is contained in a removable receptacle configured to be positioned against the end to be ignited, in an arrangement for contacting said secondary material with the primary material. The secondary material is placed on a buffer left in the open air. The properties of the secondary material therefore degrade rapidly over time.

In the document EP 0 171 601 (ESPARZA), the chemical is contained in capsules designed to be broken. A grid forms the bottom of the receptacle attachment area. This grid is not waterproof so that the properties of the chemical material degrade over time.

In view of this state of affairs, the main purpose of the invention is to provide a device enabling an easy ignition of a cigarette, while suppressing the deficiencies related to the conditioning of the secondary chemical material known from the prior art.

The invention also aims to provide a self-ignition device easy to use, simple and inexpensive design.

Disclosure of the invention.

• une matière chimique secondaire incompatible avec la matière primaire, lesdites matières primaire et secondaire étant susceptibles de s'enflammer lorsqu'elles sont en contact l'une de l'autre, ladite matière secondaire étant disposée dans un réceptacle configuré pour s'emmancher sur l'extrémité à allumer de la cigarette et mettre en contact ladite matière secondaire avec ladite matière primaire, ledit réceptacle étant fermé à l'une de ses extrémités,
• le réceptacle comprend une zone de fixation se présentant sous la forme d'une portion cylindrique configurée pour s'emmancher sur l'extrémité à allumer d'une cigarette.

The solution proposed by the invention is a device for self-ignition of a cigarette comprising:

• a secondary chemical material incompatible with the primary material, said primary and secondary materials being capable of igniting when in contact with each other, said secondary material being disposed in a receptacle configured to engage with the end to ignite the cigarette and bring said secondary material into contact with said primary material, said receptacle being closed at one of its ends,
• the receptacle comprises a fastening zone in the form of a cylindrical portion configured to engage on the end to be lit of a cigarette.

This device is remarkable in that a seal seal forms the bottom of the attachment zone, the secondary material being disposed between said seal and the closed end of the receptacle, said seal being provided with a cannula oriented towards said zone. and configured to cause said secondary material to flow out of said cannula when pressure is exerted on said receptacle.

• la matière secondaire n'est pas au contact de l'air, ce qui lui permet de conserver intacte toutes ses propriétés pendant longtemps,
• la matière secondaire peut être injectée avec précision et en profondeur dans l'extrémité à allumer de la cigarette.

The fact of using such a unitary receptacle allows the user to systematically have a sufficient dose of secondary material at his disposal, ensuring him an effective ignition of his cigarettes. In addition the design of such a receptacle is easily achievable at the industrial stage and its use attractive to users. Finally, the use of a cannula for delivering the secondary material is particularly advantageous:

• the secondary material is not in contact with the air, which allows it to keep intact all its properties for a long time,
• the secondary material can be accurately and deeply injected into the smoking end of the cigarette.

Other remarkable features of the device which is the subject of the invention are listed in the secondary claims, each of these characteristics being able to be considered alone or in combination, independently of the characteristics defined above.

Description of the figures.

• les figures 1 à 4 représentent schématiquement les différentes étapes permettant d'allumer une cigarette au moyen d'un dispositif auto-allumable conforme à l'invention,
• les figures 5a et 5b sont des vues en coupe longitudinale d'un réceptacle de matière secondaire non conforme à l'invention et non couvert par les revendications, dans différentes formes de réalisation,
• la figure 5c est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un réceptacle de matière secondaire conforme à l'invention, dans une forme de réalisation,
• les figures 6a à 6c schématisent différentes dispositions envisageables de la matière primaire au niveau de l'extrémité à allumer de la cigarette,
• les figures 7a à 7b schématisent la mise en place des réceptacles des figures 5a et 5b, au niveau de l'extrémité à allumer de la cigarette,
• la figure 7c schématise la mise en place du réceptacle de la figure 5c, au niveau de l'extrémité à allumer de la cigarette.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which will follow, with reference to the accompanying drawings, carried out as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which:

• the Figures 1 to 4 schematically represent the various steps for lighting a cigarette by means of a self-igniting device according to the invention,
• the Figures 5a and 5b are views in longitudinal section of a secondary material receptacle not according to the invention and not covered by the claims, in different embodiments,
• the figure 5c is a longitudinal sectional view of a secondary material receptacle according to the invention, in one embodiment,
• the Figures 6a to 6c schematize different conceivable provisions of the primary material at the end of the cigarette,
• the Figures 7a to 7b schematize the establishment of receptacles Figures 5a and 5b , at the end to light the cigarette,
• the Figure 7c schematizes the establishment of the receptacle of the figure 5c at the end to light the cigarette.

Embodiments of the invention

The invention makes it possible to self-ignite a cigarette 1. "Cigarette" means a conventional cigarette with or without a filter, a cigarillo, a cigar, or other similar object likely to be consumed by a smoker. As schematized on Figures 1 to 4 , a cigarette 1 is generally in the form of a cylinder formed of a sheet of paper 2 and within which are disposed minced tobacco leaves 3. It has a diameter that can vary from 3 mm to 7 mm and a length that can vary from 60 mm to 100 mm. It has an end to ignite 4 and an inhalation end 5 opposite to said end to be ignited. The inhalation end 5 may in particular comprise a filter 6.

The self-ignitable device object of the invention comprises a primary chemical material 7 (or material "to be lit") intended to be placed at the end to ignite 4 of the cigarette 1. The primary chemical material 7 can be put in place by impregnation, coating, compression, insertion into the tobacco leaves 3, a liquid, gel, solid, powder, microcapsules, crystals, granules, etc. In practice, the primary material 7 is present to a depth of a few millimeters from the end to ignite 4. The establishment of the primary material 7 is preferably performed at the time of manufacture of the cigarette 1.

The tobacco may be previously impregnated with gum arabic to make sticky the tobacco fibers, before they are mixed with the primary material 7 in the form of solid, powder, microcapsules, crystals, granules, etc.

Depending on the shape chosen, drying of the primary material 7 may be provided to ensure the compatibility of the technology prior to storing the cigarette 1 in a package over a long period. In fact, a dry material could pollute the package, could cause the sticking of cigarettes between them, could soil the fingers, the clothes of the user or objects (such as tables or ashtrays) on which the cigarette 1 would be asked, etc.

Also, the use of a pre-encapsulated liquid primary material 7 makes it possible to protect said primary material from being accidentally spread, while allowing the user to break this encapsulation by an appropriate voluntary action (for example, by pressure crushing). the end of the cigarette 1 between two fingers). The encapsulation technique can also be envisaged with a solid primary material.

By referring to the figure 6a the primary material 7 is disposed directly at the end to ignite 4, for example by means of a spray. The end 4 can then be covered with a hydrophobic varnish to prevent the penetration of water molecules into the cigarette 1.

In the example of the figure 6b , a "buffer" of tobacco impregnated with primary material 7 is disposed at the end to ignite 4 and then covered with a "buffer" of untreated tobacco 70.

In the example of the Figure 6c , a "buffer" of tobacco impregnated with primary material 7 is disposed at the end to ignite 4. The end 4 may then be covered with a protection 71 previously cut out of a sheet of absorbent paper to retain the "buffer" of tobacco and prevent any loss of primary material 7.

The self-ignitable device object of the invention also comprises a secondary chemical substance 8 (or "ignition" material) chosen to be incompatible with the primary chemical material 7. In fact, the primary and secondary materials are likely to react and ignite when they are contact each other. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "igniting" means producing a heat energy (for example from 150 ° C. to 700 ° C.), with or without a flame, capable of igniting the cigarette 1. The secondary material 8 may be present in the form of a liquid, a gel, a solid, microcapsules, crystals, granules, etc.

The primary material pair 7 / secondary material 8 may for example be an oxidation / fuel pair of the potassium permanganate / glycol type; silver nitrate / red phosphorus; silver nitrate / sulfur; chlorates and boric acid / glycols; aluminum / iodine tincture; sodium metal or other metals of the same family / water or alcohol-terminated reactants; Ranley nickel or phosphoric / oxidative materials (MnO ₂ , chlorate); nitrocellulose / strong acids (sulfuric, chloridic); etc.

Additional substances may be used to dilute, bind, bind, activate or otherwise slow down or passivate the incompatible basic chemical materials used in the invention. Other substances may furthermore make it possible to reinforce the resistance of the primary 7 and secondary 8 materials at ambient conditions, in particular moisture (for example water-repellent substances). It is possible to improve the flammability of the tobacco by impregnating the end to ignite 4 with a "sensitizing" material such as nitrocellulose, before depositing the primary material 7. This has the advantage of making the ignition reliable while allowing the reduction of the primary material 7 to the strict minimum.

The respective amounts of primary 7 and secondary 8 chemical may vary from 0.1 mg to 5 mg per cigarette.

Preferably, to comply with the health standards in force and eliminate any risk of toxicity, the primary material 7 may comprise potassium permanganate and the secondary material 8 may comprise glycerine. Glycerin is a product commonly used as an additive food: it is in the form of a viscous liquid, transparent, colorless, odorless, nontoxic and sweet taste. As for potassium permanganate, it is an inorganic salt commonly used as a disinfectant and as a deodorant. It is used in particular for the treatment of drinking water.

The chemical reaction initiated by this couple of chemical materials is not instantaneous, a small incubation period of a few seconds being necessary, without this leading the user to believe that the cigarette has not been lit. The reaction is announced by a prior release of non-toxic smoke consisting only of carbon dioxide and water vapor. The reaction is not too intense, the effect being similar to that caused by the flame of a lighter or a match. Once the reaction is complete, the end 4 of the cigarette is sufficiently lit to allow time for the smoker to carry the cigarette to his lips and begin to suck tobacco smoke assuring that it will not suck the smoke from the incompatibility reaction. This state of affairs secures the self-ignition of the cigarette 1 and reassures the user. In addition, these two chemical materials are sufficiently stable to ensure a sufficient duration of use over time.

To make available to the user, in a single operation, all that he needs to light his cigarette as soon as he extracts it from the package, the secondary material 8 is contained in a receptacle 9.

The receptacle 9 is preferably initially separated from the cigarette 1 and / or the pack. In this case, the user may have at his disposal a plurality of receptacles 9 packaged in a specific bag or box. The unitary conditioning of the secondary material 8 makes it possible to limit to the minimum the quantity of said secondary material used.

In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle 9 may initially be disposed at one end of the cigarette, in an arrangement preventing any contact of said secondary material with the primary material 7.

In this case, this receptacle 9 is removable, and configured to be positioned against the end to ignite 4, in an arrangement for contacting the secondary material 8 with the primary material 7. When the user purchases a package, each cigarette can therefore already be provided with its own receptacle 9, which allows to minimize the amount of secondary material used.

Another solution is to place a single receptacle or a series of unitary receptacles 9, directly on the cigarette pack, for example on the top of the closure flap.

In practice, the receptacle 9 is configured to engage at the end to ignite 4. For "hafting" means in the sense of the present invention, the possibility that the receptacle 9 to position on, against and / or around the end to ignite 4, with the possibility of remaining or not fixed at said end.

The receptacle 9 may have a cylindrical, spherical, parallelepipedal, or other shape, and be made of paper, cardboard preferentially plasticized, plastic, rubber, wadded material or "expanded" of the type used for the manufacture of cigarette filters, etc. It may have one or more open ends to the outside or be completely closed. In practice, the receptacle 9 is in the form of a cylindrical tube, preferably closed at one of its ends 12 and whose outer diameter substantially corresponds to that of the cigarette 1. The diameter of the receptacle 9 may for example vary from 2 mm to 8 mm. Its length can vary from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.

By referring to Figures 5a to 5b which schematize embodiments of the receptacle not according to the invention and not covered by the claims, the receptacle 9 comprises a fastening zone 11 configured to engage on the end to ignite 4. This fastening zone 11 is present in the form of a cylindrical portion which is opposite to the closed end 12 of the tube forming the receptacle 9. A frangible seal 10 forms the bottom of the fastening zone 11, the secondary material 8 being disposed between said and the closed end 12. The other end of the attachment zone 11 is open so as to allow it to fit onto the end to be ignited 4. The attachment zone 11 has an internal diameter equal to or greater than (for example 0.1 mm to 1 mm), the outer diameter of the cigarette 1, and a length that can vary from 3 mm to 10 mm.

The secondary material 8 can be directly introduced into the receptacle 9 when in solid form, gel or cream. When in a fluid form, a spongy material of the sponge type can be inserted into the receptacle 9, so as to contain said secondary material 8, a simple pressure on said spongy material for releasing said secondary material.

It may also be initially packaged in one or more capsules or capsules, themselves subsequently arranged in the receptacle 9. In such a configuration with capsules, the receptacle 9 preferably comprises one or more flexible walls for breaking said capsules by crushing when a lateral pressure force (perpendicular to the axis of the cigarette) or longitudinal (in the axis of the cigarette) is exerted on said flexible wall or walls.

Referring to the embodiment of the figure 5a not in accordance with the invention and not covered by the claims, and to prevent the secondary material 8 from escaping the receptacle 9, the latter can be closed by a sealing cap 10. In this embodiment, the opercule 10 is frangible, made of paper, plastic, aluminum, etc. By referring to the figure 7a a simple pressure of the end to ignite 4 on the cover 10 allows to open and release the secondary material 8. In practice, the secondary material 8 being intended to exit the receptacle 9 from the zone 11, the frangible seal 10 is located at this zone.

Referring to the embodiment of the figure 5b not according to the invention and not covered by the claims, a tip 120 is disposed inside the receptacle 9, at the bottom wall 12, said tip being directed towards the attachment zone 11. Following a pressure on the receptacle 9, the tip 120 pierces the cap 10 to release the secondary material 8 ( figure 7b ). The latter then enters the cigarette and ignites the primary material 7.

In the embodiment of the figure 5c , the lid 10 is provided with a cannula 100 facing the attachment zone 11. The cannula 100 is similar to an injection needle. By referring to the Figure 7c by pressing on the receptacle 9, the secondary material 8 is forced to flow through the cannula 100 and then enters the cigarette. This solution is particularly advantageous when the primary material 7 is covered with untreated tobacco. In an alternative of this solution, the cover 10 can slide inside the receptacle 9 then made of rigid material. Just insert the cigarette and press it against the lid 10 to slide the latter in a direction that empties the receptacle 9 in the cigarette by the cannula 100.

Other technical solutions can however be envisaged. The primary material 7 may for example be placed in a small receptacle whose walls are configured (for example micro-perforated) to pass through a secondary material 8 fluid. This solution has the advantage of being able to keep a primary material 7 in the powdery state, without prior treatment likely to change its crystalline characteristics.

Similarly, it is conceivable that the primary material 7 is deposited by dusting on a paper covered with an adhesive on which the particles of said primary material are bonded. The adhesive loaded with particles of primary material 7 is then wound around the end to ignite 4 of the cigarette 1.

The cigarette paper itself can also incorporate an adhesive tape on the side of the end to ignite 4 of the cigarette 1: the paper is previously loaded with particles of primary material 7 and used as such before tobacco loading of the cigarette 1.

The Figures 1 to 4 illustrate how a smoker can light his cigarette with simple gestures, whether he holds the cigarette in one hand or the door not yet lit in his mouth.

The user takes hold of the receptacle 9 ( figure 1 ) and positions it vis-à-vis the end to ignite 4. The receptacle 9 is then brought into contact with the end to ignite 4 so that the secondary material 8 comes to moisten the primary material which is coated the end to light 4 ( figure 2 ). When the receptacle 9 is closed, the user can bring the secondary material 8 into contact with the primary material 7 by crushing said receptacle ( figure 3 ). When the receptacle 9 is closed by a sealing cap 10, the user can bring the secondary material 8 into contact with the primary material 7 by piercing said cap by means of the end to be ignited 4 (FIG. figure 7a ), or piercing said operculum by means of the tip 120 ( figure 7b ) or directly using the cannula 100 ( Figure 7c ). When the receptacle 9 is open to the outside, the user can contact the secondary material 8 with the primary material 7 by directly pressing the end to ignite 4 of the cigarette 1 inside said receptacle. Once the secondary material 8 is in contact with the primary material 7, the user removes the receptacle 9 from the end to be ignited 4 ( figure 4 ). The reaction is initiated and the end to ignite 4 ignites.

Claims (7)

1. Self-lighting device for a cigarette comprising:

   - a primary chemical material (7) to be placed at the end (4) to be lit of the cigarette (1),

   - a secondary chemical material (8) that is incompatible with the primary material (7), said primary and secondary materials being capable of igniting when they are in contact with each other, said secondary material being arranged in a receptacle (9) configured to fit over the end (4) to be lit of the cigarette (1) and bring into contact said secondary material with said primary material, said receptacle being closed at one of its ends (12),

   - the receptacle (9) comprises a fastening zone (11) having the shape of a cylindrical portion configured to fit over the end (4) to be lit of a cigarette (1),

   characterised in that a seal (10) forms the bottom of the fastening zone (11), with the secondary material (8) being arranged between said seal and the closed end (12) of the receptacle (9), said seal being provided with a cannula (100) directed towards said fastening zone, and configured so that said secondary material can flow outside of said cannula when a pressure is exerted on said receptacle.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the receptacle (9) has the shape of a cylindrical tube of which the outer diameter corresponds substantially to that of a cigarette (1).
3. Device according to either one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the primary chemical material (7) comprises potassium permanganate and the secondary chemical material (8) comprises glycerin.
4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the secondary material (8) has a solid, gel or cream form, said material being directly introduced into the receptacle (9).
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cannula (100) is similar to an injection needle.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fastening zone (11) has an inner diameter greater or equal to the outer diameter of the cigarette (1), and a length that varies from 3 mm to 10 mm.
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the primary material (7), liquid or solid, is encapsulated.

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