Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02664509 2009-06-09
Background Art
Lighters are typically filled with a combustible liquid which is set aflame by
one of
various means. There are lighters dubbed "flameless" which are marketed by
Colibri, but even
these lighters produce a blue flame and bum a combustible liquid. Common
lighters are
generally difficult to refill, and the fumes produced during combustion can
reduce the enjoyment
of a fine cigar by drawing the fumes up into the tobacco leaf during lighting.
Furthermore, the
flame produced by most lighters is of insufficient diameter to evenly light
the foot of a cigar, and
the excess heat often leads to charred uneven bums.
In considering prior art, U.S. patent 5,235,157 was examined although it
describes a
lighter that is not fit for lighting cigars. The prior art does use a nichrome
element to provide
heat, however the patent describes a lighter using disposable batteries and a
small element that is
meant to be used for cigarettes which are of a small standard diameter. The
prior art provides no
suggestion regarding rechargeable batteries, sturdy construction of a larger
heating element
suitable for evenly lighting the end of a large diameter cigar, protection
from accidental
movement of switches while stored in a pocket, or sturdy construction of a
visually appealing
enclosure.
Summary Of Invention
The lighter consists of five primary parts:
1. The outer shell and optional sliding cover made of a visually appealing,
sturdy material such as brushed aluminum with optional decorative finishings.
2. A rechargeable battery capable of providing sufficient current to the
heating element. For example, a 3.7 or 7.4 volt lithium ion polymer cell or
battery
pack could be used.
3. A small charging port providing a means to connect the battery for
recharging. The system may be configured to recharge via USB connection, or
AC adapter.
4. Circuitry required to power the element. This may be direct wire
connections with a SPDT switch, or a printed circuit board for the USB
charging
method having a tact switch mounted on the PCB.
5. A heating element consisting of a length of nichrome wire spirally wound
into a tight, flat spiral shape and set into a mass of thermally insulating
material
and covered with a thin coat of thermally conductive material to protect the
element and provide an even heating surface. This thermally conductive
covering
will distribute the heat evenly over the end of a cigar of any reasonable
diameter.
The primary purpose of this invention is to provide a portable, elegant,
flameless cigar
lighter that is reusable for many years and fully functional in any wind
condition. A further
purpose is to provide a means to light a cigar which produces no fumes or
smoke which could
alter the enjoyment of the cigar's character. A final purpose is to provide a
safe invention that is
easy to use.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
Drawings have been provided to assist in the visualization of the invention.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a potential case configuration. It contains
an
opening for the element, charge port, and recessed button area to prevent
CA 02664509 2009-06-09
unintentional button pressing.
Figure 2 is a potential configuration for the heating element wire.
Figure 3 demonstrates the heating element seated in a thermally insulating
material covered by a thermally conductive material.
Figure 4 is a potential circuit design for a configuration that is recharged
through
an adapter connected directly to the battery.
Figure 5 is a potential circuit design for a configuration that is recharged
through
USB connection. The circuit contains a charging chip, power mosfet, and
tactile
switch all of which could be mounted to a printed circuit board.
Detailed Description Of The Invention
This description is provided as a means of illustration of the invention and
is not meant to
limit elements of the design or scope from reasonable changes in keeping with
the overall
purposes stated above.
The enclosure depicted in figure 1 is approximately 40mm by 90mm by 10mm and
houses a battery, button, charge port, and heating element as well as the
necessary conductive
elements for the operation of the circuit. It is a rectangular prism shape
made of a sturdy
material such as metal, hard plastic, carbon fiber, etc. An alternative case
configuration could
contain a sliding cover, or be cylindrical in shape, or possess other
potential enhancements.
Figure 2 illustrates the spiral configuration for the heating element wire
connected to
copper terminations. The wire used to terminate the nichrome spiral may be a
relatively thick
gauge wire welded onto the nichrome through brazing, or a solid metal
conductor fixed onto the
housing case. Other typical nichrome termination methods may also be applied.
Figure 3 illustrates the placement of the element within a thermally
insulating material
while the upper half of the element is covered in a thin layer of thermally
conductive material
which provides an even distribution of heat as well as a strong, durable
protective shell to fix the
nichrome wire in place.
Figure 4 illustrates a sample circuit design for a configuration that is
recharged via wall
plug-in adapter. This circuit feature a single pole, double throw switch that
disconnects the
charging port from the battery whenever the element is on. In this
configuration, the wiring can
be directly soldered to all connection points and contained within the casing.
Alternatively, solid
metal conductive paths can be built directly into the casing.
Figure 5 illustrates a sample circuit design that features a USB chargeable
port. The
circuit includes a lithium polymer charging integrated circuit, a tactile
switch, and a power
mosfet to control current flow through the heating element. In this
configuration a printed circuit
board would be required to mount the components.
Summary Of Claims
As previously described, these are the claims made pertaining to the
invention:
1. A cigar lighter having a solid outer casing housing the following elements:
