WO1990009553A1

WO1990009553A1 - Automatic flame extinguishing nozzle and heat collecting means for a gas lighter

Info

Publication number: WO1990009553A1
Application number: PCT/JP1990/000179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tadamichi Hattori
Original assignee: Nippon Eurotec Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1989-02-15
Filing date: 1990-02-14
Publication date: 1990-08-23
Also published as: EP0411154B1; EP0411154A1

Abstract

An automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter, wherein a valve or valve actuator for rubber valve is made of shape memorizing material working at higher temperature than the transformation point of said material, mounted in a valve chamber so as to let gas flow at normal temperature and incorporated with flame heat collecting and transmitting means so as to close a gas outlet orifice for vaporized liquid-gas at abnormally high temperature.

Description

S P E C I F I C A T I O N

Automatic Flame Extinguishing Nozzle and Heat

Collecting Means for a Gas Lighter

FIELD OF PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to an automatic flame extinguishing nozzle and effective heat collecting and transmitting means to nozzle. It is common that a cigarette gas lighter is used normally for lighting cigarette for some seconds intermittently. However when occurs incomplete closing due to, for example dust, resulting in continuous and abnormal application, it will be heated excessively sometimes causing fire hazard. The present invention is to prevent this type of trouble.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently a cigarette gas lighter has been widly used and accordingly its components have been manufactured with plastics so as to reduce cost price. Also a large quantity of disposable gas lighters have been manufactured, accordingly there is a tendency to occur more above type of trouble. These types of σas lighter are not designed to have any cap for extinguishing flame, but only one mechanical valve, for which some fire hazard preventing means is required. According to the present inven tion, when occurs an abnormal burning continuously, a shape memorizing component mounted in the nozzle restores an original shape and stops gas flow so as to extinguish residual flame.

Hereinafter, a conventional gas lighter will be explained referring to the Figure 8 and 9.

In the Figure 8, No. 1 indicates a liquid gas tank and No. la shows an upper part of the tank 1. No. 2 shows a nozzle for blowing out vaporized gas. No. 3 shows a nozzle holder. No. 3a shows a pass through orifice made on the bottom of nozzle holder. No. 4 indicates a rubber valve located on the upper part of pass through orifice 3a. No. 5 shows a threaded portion for mounting the holder 3 on the upper part of tank.

No. 6 shows an "O" ring mounted in the gap between the outer surface of nozzle holder and the inner surface of upper part of tank. No. 7 indicates a nozzle opening lever connected with a neck portion 2b of nozzle 2 and supported by a pin 8 which elevates the nozzle 2 when the other end is pressed down.

No. 9 shows a filter for regulating flame height. No. 10 shows a dust cover of sponge for preventing penetration of dust into the orifice 2a through the gap between the nozzle holder and the nozzle.

Said nozzle 2 can be risen to let gas flow into the gap between the nozzle 2a and the nozzle holder through the pass through orifice 3a when the lever 7 is pressed down, accordingly outgoing gas penetrates into the orifice 2a through orifices 2c so as to blow off through the nozzle 2.

Also, when the lever 7 is released to cease lighting oper ation and then returns back to former position so as to close the pass through orifice 3a stopping gas flow into the orifice 2a.

Furthermore, other type of gas valve is illustrated in the Figure 9, where necessary components are indicated as following:

la: upper part of tank, 2: nozzle, 2a: valve chamber, 2c: orifice, 3: nozzle holder, 4: rubber valve, 6: "0" ring, 6a: hot compressed filter of urethane foam, 9: "O" ring, II: guide for filter, 12: nozzle holder fixer, 13: wick, 14: spring.

In the gas valve illustrated in the Figure 9, the nozzle 2 is inserted so as to be movable vertically in predetermined stroke. The gas between the nozzle holder 3 and the upper part of tank la is hermetically sealed with the "O" ring 6 and 9. The nozzle can be pulled up by operating a lever not illustrated and normally pressed down by the spring 14 so that the rubber valve 4 may close the inlet orifice.

The vaporized gas absorbed from the tank through the wick 13 penetrates into the lower space of rubber valve 4 after its quantity being regulated by the filter 6a fixed by the fixer 11.

When the nozzle 2 is risen by operating a lever not illustrated, the vaporized gas in the lower space of rubber valve 4 penetrates into the gap formed by the nozzle 2 and the nozzle holder 3, and then into the valve chamber 2a of nozzle and finally blows off from the nozzle 2 .

The flowing quantity of gas and flame height can be increased by opening the distance between the filter fixer 11 and the bottom of nozzle holder by using a flame regulating lever not illustrated so as to reduce compression ratio of filter 6a. Also, in order to shorten the flame height, it is sufficient to tighten the nozzle holder fixer 12 by using a flame regulating lever not illustrated so as to compress the filter 6a for reducing the penetrating quantity of vaporized gas.

Among a large amount of gas lighter manufactured with this type of valve system and widely soled, the above type of accident has been informed, of which causes can be presumed as follows :

1) When a gas valve for closing gas flow in gas lighter is not perfectly closed, it is possible to remain an extremely small flame burning. Then it is possible to cause a burns such as on fingers or pockets.

2) Normally a gas lighter is used for lighting cigarette for few seconds and intermittently. However, when it is used continuously for several minutes, for example for illuminating in the place of flash light, it comes to be heated so excessively that it may cause an unexpected fire hazard as explained above.

From this view point, it is required to extinguish residual flame automatically meeting the following conditions:

1) It is desirable to function to stop gas flow within 20 to 45 seconds or within 60 seconds at the latest after lighting operation completed.

2) In the case of gas lighter which can work repeatedly, it is desirable to restore a normal lighting condition within 15 to 40 seconds or within 60 seconds at the latest after extinguishing residual flame aυtomatically.

Furthermore, in order to resolve the problems aforementioned, the following conditions were considered:

1) It has to function perfectly to stop gas flow in various lighting positions such as normal, laid-down or inclined. Especially, this type of accident occurs frequently in inclined and laid-down positions.

2) A flame height, shape of wind guard and air inlet orifices on the wind guard were considered.

3) It has to function within intended time limits aforementioned at various environmental temperatures.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was developed considering above conditions and is to provide an automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter, whereby a fire hazard due to an extremely small flame apparently extinguished can be prevented by stopping gas flow by closing automatically an outlet orifice with sealing component or ruber valve actuated by actuator made of shape memorizing material working at higher temperature than the transformation point of said material after passing predetermined time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 to 7 illustrate vertical sections of automatic flame extinguishing nozzle according to the present inventxon. flame extinguishing nozzle according to the present invention.

Figure 8 and 9 show vertical sections of prior art.

Figure 10 to 20 show various heat collectors to be connected with said automatic flame extinguishing nozzles.

BEST FORM OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment according to the present invention will be explained referring to drawings Hereinafter, a normal condition at normal temperature and an abnormal condition at higher temperature than the tranformation point of material are indicated respectively with (a) and (b) .

As illustrated in the Figure 1 (a) and (b) , a floating bar type core 15 inserted freely in a tube of thermo-def ormable tube 16 is located in a valve chamber 2ao. The lower end of nozzle is closed with a rubber valve 17. When the valve is opened, vaporized gas penetrates into the orifice of nozzle 2a through an orifice 2c and blows out into the gap formed by the bar type core 15 and thermo-deformable tube 16.

When the nozzle is heated abnormally, the thermo-deformable tube 16 shrinks in longitudinal and radial directions resulting in closing the gap between the inner wall of valve chabmer 2ao and floating bar type core so as to stop gas flow as illustrated in the Figure 1 (b) .

In this case, if the floating bar type core 15 is made of thermo-deformable material also so as to deform more in radial direction when overheated, more rapid and firm function can be expected .

Furthermore, in an embodiment according to the present invention illustrated in the Figure 2 (a) and (b), a thermo-expansible tube in radial direction is used contrary to the embodiment illustrated in the Figure 1 (a), wherein a thermo-shrinkable tube is used. In this embodiment, a therrmo-expansible tube is inserted so as to lightly fix on the bar type core L5. When the temperature of nozzle 2 rises, the tube 16 shrinks in longitudinal direction and expands in radial direction so as to get better effect and fills the gap between the inner wall of valve chamber 2ao and bar type 15 so as to stop gas flow. In this embodiment, if the bar type, core 15 is made of thermo-deformable material so as to expand in radial direction when the temperature rises, the same effect can be obtained as in the embodiment illustrated in the Figure 1 (a) and (b) .

Also, if a bar type core is made of thermo-shrinkable plastic, which is of large diameter at high temperature as illustrated in the Fiugure 3 (b) and is located in the valve chamber 2ao with an "O" ring 10 so as to let gas flow at normal temper- ature, it shrinks in longitudinal direction when the nozzle is abnormally heated and expands in radial, direction expanding the "O" ring externally put on the core 18.

Accordingly, the gap between the inner wall of the valve chamber and the "O" ring is closed stopping gas flow in the gap.

In addition, if a bar type core 20 made of shape memorizing plastic which shrinks in longitudinal direction and expands in radial direction at high tempearture as illustrated in the Figure 4 (b) is mounted in the valve chamber 2ao so as to let gas flow at normal temperature, the same effect can be obtained.

In this type of nozzle, when it is overheated abnormally, the core 20 shrinks in longitudinal direction consequently stopping gas flow in the valve chamber 2ao and extinguishing flame.

Also, another bar type core 21 is made of shape memorizing plastic in such original dimension that may close the orifice in the valve chamber 2ao at higher temperature than the transformation point by expanding in longitudinal direction as illustrated in the Figure 5 (b).

This core is compressed and is put in the valve chamber 2ao as illustrated in the Figure 5 (a).

When the nozzle is overheated abnormally, the core restores the original shape expanding in longitudinal direction closing the orifice 2a.

Thus gas flow in the orifice can be stopped.

Referring to the Figure 6, a coil 22 is made of shape memorizing alloy so as to expand more than the lower part of orifice at higher temperature than the transformation point.

It is compressed and inserted in the valve chamber 2ao jointly with a valve 23 on top so as to let gas flow at normal temperature.

According to this type of nozzle for a gas lighter, when the temperature of nozzle is elevated excessively, the coil 22 restores the original shape and expands as illustrated in the Figure 6 (b) closing the lower part of orifice 2a with the valve

23. In consequence, gas flow in the orifice 2a can be stopped extinguishing flame. Also, as illustrated in the Figure. 7, (A) and (B) , the nozzle 2 may be designed in another type, which corresponds to the basic type in the Figure 6, where the positions of valve 23a are illustrated with double chain lines.

In these cases, the round portion of valve 23a closes the outlet orifice 2a or an inlet orifice 2f. A rubber valve 2e is provided on an end plug 2d.

A spiral coil made of shape memorizing alloy 22a is mounted in the valve chamber 2ao so as to hold the rubber valve 23a on the top. In the case of Figure 7 (A), the coil 22a expands at higher temperature than the transformation point so as to close the inlet orifice 2f of end plug 2d with the rubber valve 2e. At normal temperature, the coil is compressed to reduce its length and mounted in the valve chamber 2ao.

In this case, when remains an extremely small flame at the top of nozzle, the coil 22a expands due to the heating up of nozzle 2 and closes the inlet orifice 2f of end plug 2d. Accordingly, gas flow in the nozzle can be stopped so as to prevent the accident in question.

In the Fiqure 7 (B), a set of rubber valve 23a and coil 22a is mounted upside down in comparison with the embodiment illustrated in the Figure 7 (A) . When the end plug 2d is made of non-metallic material of less thermal conductivity, the heat produced by the residual flame on the point of nozzle or by abnormally continuous burning of gas is transmitted through the environmental temperature of the valve chamber 2ao. Therefore the valve in the Figure 7 (B) functions more slowly than the case illustrated in the Figure 7 (A) when the coils are made of same material.

If the coil 22a made of shape memorizing alloy is used after giving unidirectionability, it is necessary to use a return spring so as to restore lighting position after stopping gas flow.

For example, a return spring 24 is used as illustrated in the Figure 7 (B) . In this case, a common spring may be used and a spring made of shape memorizing alloy which works inversely in relation to the transformation point may be used too.

If a coil 22 made of shape memorizing alloy is used after applying bidirectionability, it is not necessary to use return spring and still it is possible to realize a repetitive action of "functioning and restoring".

Hereinafter various types of flame heat collecting and transmitting device will be explained. The functioning and restoring times of valve aforementioned are controllable by selecting nozzle with different type of valve or valve actuator, also by selecting various types of heat collecting and transmitting device to be explained now.

Figure 10 illustrates an auxiliary bridge type flame heat collector 35 incorporated with nozzle head 2, whereby flame heat can be collected by the collector and transmitted directly to the nozzle to actuate valve. Figure 11 illustrates an auxiliary fin type flame heat collector 36 incorporated with nozzle head 2.

Figure 12 shows an auxiliary tongue-formed flame heat collector 60 pressed in the outlet orifice of nozzle 2a. In this case, flame heat can be collected and transmitted rather slowly than the bridge type and fin type heat collectors aforementioned.

Figure 13 illustrates an auxiliary cap type heat collector 71 pressed in the top of nozzle 2, where the combustion chamber works as a flame heat collector..

Figure 14 shows an auxiliary rod type flame heat collector 65 fixed on the extension 71d of nozzle heat collector aforementioned, of which point is located in an internal combustion chamber 49, which is made of, for example less thermal conductive material such as ceramics. Flame heat can be collected by the upper part of heat collecting rod 65 inserted in the internal combustion chamber 49 and transmitted to the extension 71d of nozzle.

Figure 15 shows an auxiliary coil type heat collector 63 mounted on the extension 52c of nozzle. The upper part of coil is mounted on the lower part of combustion chamber 49, where air inlet orifices 55 are provided.

In the case of auxiliary rod type heat collector 65 illustrated in the Figure 16, a heat collecting rod 65 is fixed on the extension 52c of nozzle so as to keep good thermal conductivity. Thus flame heat can be collected by the upper part of rod and transmitted directly to the nozzle. When the second nozzle is elevated by operating lever, the flame heat collecting rod is pushed up to the combustion chamber 49.

Figure 17 a and 17 b show an auxiliary crown type heat collector 64 mounted on the extension 52c of nozzle, of which heat collecting fingers 64a are pressed on the outer and lower part of combustion chamber 49. Flame heat collected by the lower part of combustion chamber 49 can be transmitted to the nozzle through fingers 64a.

Figure 17 c and d show cylinder type heat collector also to be mounted in the same way.

Figure 18 a and b show various types of nozzle point, which are notched vertically or horizontally, or perforated so as to divide gas flow to get higher temperature in the proximity of nozzle so that flame heat may be collected and transmitted to valve or valve actuator through the nozzle.

Figure 19 shows an auxiliary coil type gas flow divider 37 whereby flame heat collected by the coil 37 is transmitted to the nozzle 2.

Figure 20 shows an auxiliary coil type flame heat collector 38a made of shape memorizing alloy and incorporated with the upper part of valve actuating coil 38b made of shape memorizing alloy, of which top is projecting on the top of nozzle 2. In this case, flame heat collected by the collecting coil 38a can be transmitted directly to the coil type valve actuator 38b.

Other types of combination of nozzle and flame heat collector may be used in addition to the embodiment illustrated above. Also, other types of valve or valve actuator not according to the embodiment aforementioned may be used as far as they are made of shape memorizing material. Also other types of flame heat collector may be used as far as they are designed to collect flame heat and transmit it to said valve or valve actuator.

Claims

SCOPE OF CLAIMS

1) An automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter characterized in that a valve made of shape memorizing material working at higher temperature than the transformation point of said material is mounted in a valve chamber so as to let gas flow at normal temperature and to restore an original shape memorized to close a gas outlet orifice at said higher temperature.

2) An automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter characterized in that a valve actuator made of shape memorizing material working at higher temperature than the transformation point of said material is mounted in a valve chamber so as to let gas flow at normal temperature and to restore an original shape memorized to actuate valve to close a gas outlet orifice at said higher temperature.

3) An automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter according to the claim 1 or 2 characterized by comprising a metallic nozzle.

4) An automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter according to the claim 1 or 2 characterized by comprising an auxiliary heat transmitting means for collecting and transmitting flame heat to gas closing components. 5) An automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter according to the claim 1 or 2 charaterized in that the top portion of nozzle is notched or perforated so as to divide gas flow.

6) An automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter according to the claim 4 characterized in that said auxiliary flame heat collecting and transmitting means comprises a bridge type, fin type, tongue formed, cap type, rod type, coil type, crown type or tube type flame heat collecting and transmitting device mounted on the top of nozzle, on the extension of said nozzle or on the extension of heat collecting and transmitting cap mounted on the top of nozzle.

7) An automatic flame extinguishing nozzle for a gas lighter according to the claim 2 characterized in that said coil type valve actuator is made of shape memorizing alloy.