Method and apparatus for using, cleaning, and maintaining electrical heat sources and lighters useful in smoking systems and other apparatuses

US5878752A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Philip Morris Inc. · US

Inventors

• John M. Adams · Mechanicsville, US
• William J. Crowe · Chester, US
• Grier S. Fleischhauer · Midlothian, US
• Jay A Fournier · Richmond, US
• Mohammad R. Hajaligol · Richmond, US
• Willie G. Houck, Jr. · Richmond, US
• Donald B. Losee · Richmond, US
• Constance H. Morgan · Midlothian, US
• John D. Naworal · Midlothian, US
• H. Neal Nunnally · Richmond, US
• John B. Paine, III · Midlothian, US
• Wynn R. Raymond · Oviedo, US
• Robert L. Ripley · Stratford, US
• Jeffrey I. Seeman · Richmond, US
• Francis M. Sprinkel · Glen Allen, US
• Michael L. Watkins · Richmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 25, 1996
• Grant date: Mar 9, 1999
• Expiry date: Nov 25, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A24F40/90
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for cleaning an electrical lighter are provided. A sleeve, e.g., ceramic or metal, surrounds the heater fixture, and a resistive heating element is in thermal proximity with the sleeve. The resistive heating element is either a dedicated element or the cigarette heating elements. The sleeve serves as a aerosol barrier and condensate accumulator to protect other components. Periodically, e.g., substantially contemporaneously with a battery recharge, the heating element is activated to thermally liberate condensates deposited on the sleeve during smoking and also heats, and thereby cleans, other components. Also, a cleaning element is optionally inserted into the cigarette receptacle of the electrical lighter or placed at the exit thereof to absorb, attract and/or catalytically break down the thermally liberated condensates. The sleeve also directs a desired flow path for drawn air within an electrical lighter toward the cigarette.