BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to an improvement in a nozzle for a gas cigarette lighter.
Description of the Prior Art
[0002] In general, nozzles for gas cigarette lighters are provided with a single through
hole at the center. Particularly for the nozzle of electronic gas cigarette lighters
using piezoelectric ignition devices which are difficult to ignite, various attempts
have been made to improve the ignition efficiency. For example, it has been proposed
to incorporate a coil spring into the gas jetting aperture of a nozzle hole to divide
a jetting gas stream between the windings of the coil spring to the outside, thereby
increasing the width of the gas stream. Also, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model
Publication No. 45(1970)-4298, it has been proposed to form the nozzle hole at the
center of a nozzle as a large jetting hole section, and to fit a plug provided with
protrusions and recesses at the periphery thereof so as to position many orifices
in a ring-like pattern, thereby jetting a wide gas stream.
[0003] However, the aforesaid conventional nozzles have drawbacks with regard to practical
use, and a need exists for a further improved nozzle.
[0004] That is, in the former nozzle using a coil spring, the task of pressure-fitting the
small coil spring into the nozzle hole is troublesome, necessitating a high manufacturing
cost. Particularly in a process for manufacturing a large number of gas cigarette
lighters, the pressure-fitting work obstructs automatic operation of the process and
thus presents a very real problem with regard to manufacture. On the other hand, in
the latter nozzle using a plug provided with protrusions and recesses at the periphery
thereof, the plug adversely affects the flame shape and may not necessarily improve
the ignition efficiency. Thus the nozzle is not suitable for practical use. Further,
when the fine orifices are clogged with dust or the like, the amount of gas jetted
through the orifices becomes small, and the ignition efficiency is rather decreased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle for a gas cigarette
lighter, which is suitable for practical use and exhibits a high ignition efficiency.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle for a gas cigarette
lighter, which is suitable for automatic mass-production and thus is inexpensive.
[0007] The nozzle for a gas cigarette lighter in accordance with the present invention is
provided with a plurality of subsidiary nozzle holes around a main nozzle hole at
the center of the nozzle so that the total cross-sectional area of the subsidiary
nozzle holes is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main nozzle hole. Specifically,
the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of the subsidiary nozzle holes to the
cross-sectional area of the main nozzle hole is selected from the range between 0.2
: 1 and less than 1 : 1, i.e. from the range between 20% and less than 100%. The ratio
should be preferably within the range between 30% and 70%, and more preferably within
the range between 35% and 55%. When this ratio is smaller than 20%, the gas stream
dividing effect becomes insufficient, and the ignition efficiency cannot be improved.
If the ratio is 100% or higher, the effect of the flame around the center flame becomes
too much larger than the effect of the center flame. Thus the flame shape deteriorates,
and the ignition efficiency is decreased.
[0008] The nozzle of the present invention exhibits a markedly improved ignition efficiency.
Further, since no coil spring is used, the nozzle is easy to manufacture and suitable
for automatic mass-production. Thus the nozzle of the present invention is inexpensive
and is very suitable for practical use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009]
Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view (taken along line I-I of Figure
2) showing the gas jetting aperture portion of an embodiment of the nozzle for a gas
cigarette lighter in accordance with the present invention,
Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of Figure 1 (taken along line II-II of Figure
1),
Figure 3 is a plan view showing the nozzle plug member employed in the, nozzle of
Figures 1 and 2,
Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3,
Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view (taken along line V-V of Figure
6) showing another embodiment of the nozzle for a gas cigarette lighter in accordance
with the present invention,
Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of Figure 5 (taken along line VI-VI of Figure
5),
Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing a further embodiment
of the nozzle for a gas cigarette lighter in accordance with the present invention,
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the nozzle of Figure 7,
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the nozzle plug member employed in the nozzle
of Figures 7 and 8,
Figures 10 and 11 are a plan view and a longitudinal sectional view showing the nozzle
plug member of Figure 9,
Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a still further embodiment of the nozzle for
a gas cigarette ligher in accordance with the present invention,
Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the nozzle plug member employed in the nozzle
of Figure 12,
Figures 14 and 15 are a plan view and a longitudinal sectional view showing the nozzle
plug member of Figure 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] The present invention will hereinbelow be described in further detail with reference
to the- accompanying drawings.
[0011] The nozzle shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a nozzle body 1 provided with a center
hole lA. The center hole 1A comprises a large diameter portion la formed at the upper
end portion thereof, a small diameter portion 1b below the large diameter portion
la, and a tapered portion lc positioned between the large diameter portion la and
the small diameter portion lb. Into the large diameter portion la is pressure-fitted
a nozzle plug member 2 having a main large diameter nozzle hole 2A at the center thereof
and a plurality of small diameter grooves 2a for constituting subsidiary nozzle holes
in the peripheral surface of the nozzle plug member 2. By pressure-fitting the nozzle
plug member 2 into the large diameter portion la of the nozzle body 1, a single main
nozzle hole 2A and a plurality of subsidiary nozzle holes 2B are obtained.
[0012] The nozzle plug member 2 may, for example, have an outer diameter of lmm and a length
of 3.3mm. The diameter of the main nozzle hole 2A may, for example, be 0.5mm. The
depth of the grooves 2a in the peripheral surface of the nozzle plug member 2 may
be 0.1mm, and the number of the grooves 2a may be six. In this case, in the nozzle
thus completed, the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of the subsidiary nozzle
holes 2B to the cross-sectional area of the main nozzle hole 2A is about 47%. As described
above, the ratio should be within the range between 20% and less than 100%.
[0013] By "cross-sectional area" is meant the cross-sectional areas of the subsidiary nozzle
holes 2B and the main nozzle hole 2A at the gas jetting apertures thereof, i.e. at
the upper end of the nozzle body 1. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the cross-sectional
areas are the same both at the gas jetting apertures at the upper end of the nozzle
body 1 and at the inner portion of the nozzle body 1 below the upper end thereof.
However, when there is a difference between the cross-sectional areas of the holes
at the upper end of the nozzle body 1 and the inner portion thereof, it is the cross-sectional
areas of the holes at the upper end of the nozzle body 1 which should be adjusted
to within the range described above.
[0014] In the aforesaid embodiment, the grooves 2a for the subsidiary nozzle holes 2B are
formed in the peripheral surface of the nozzle plug member 2. However, it is also
possible to position the grooves in the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle
body 1 and to make the peripheral surface of the nozzle plug member 2 cylindrical
in shape with no grooves. Figures 5 and 6 show such an embodiment. In Figures 5 and
6, similar elements are numbered with the same reference numerals and characters with
respect to Figures 1 to 4. In this embodiment, a plurality of grooves la' are provided
in the inner circumferential surface of the large diameter portion la of the nozzle
body 1, and a cylindrical nozzle plug member 2 having no grooves is pressure-fitted
into the large diameter portion la. As a result, a plurality of subsidiary nozzle
holes 2B is defined between the peripheral surface of the nozzle plug member 2 and
the grooves la' in the inner circumferential surface of the large diameter portion
la of the nozzle body 1. In this case, the tapered portion lc of the nozzle body 1
must be provided with grooves lc' communicating with the grooves la'.
[0015] In the embodiments described above, the upper end of the nozzle plug member 2 is
flush with the upper end of the nozzle body 1. However, it is also possible to construct
the nozzle so that the upper end of the nozzle plug member 2 projects from the upper
end of the nozzle body 1.
[0016] In the aforesaid embodiments, when the nozzle plug member 2 is pressure-fitted into
the nozzle body 1, it may happen that the lower end portion of the nozzle plug member
2 is inserted excessively into the nozzle body 1. In such a case, the lower end portion
of the nozzle plug member 2 is struck against the tapered portion lc in the center
hole 1A of the nozzle body 1, and there is the risk of the subsidiary nozzle holes
2B being closed at least partially. This problem can be eliminated by defining the
pressure-fitting depth of the nozzle plug member 2 by the provision of step-like portions
on the peripheral surface of the nozzle plug member 2. Figures 7 to 11 and Figures
12 to 15 show such embodiments. In Figures 7 to 11 and Figures 12 to 15, similar elements
are numbered with the same reference numerals and characters with respect to Figures
l.to 4.
[0017] In the embodiment of Figures 7 to 11, the nozzle plug member 2 is provided with step-like
portions 2C on the peripheral surface at a predetermined intermediate position in
the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plug member 2. When the nozzle plug member
2 is pressure-fitted into the nozzle body 1, the lower end faces of the step-like
portions 2C of the nozzle plug member 2 come into contact with the upper end face
of the nozzle body 1 and prevent the nozzle plug member 2 from being further inserted
into the nozzle body 1. Thus the step-like portions 2C define the pressure-fitting
depth of the nozzle plug member 2, and eliminate the risk of the subsidiary nozzle
holes 2B being closed due to excessive insertion of the nozzle plug member 2.
[0018] In the embodiment of Figures 12 to 15, the nozzle plug member 2 is provided with
step-like portions 2D extending from a predetermined intermediate position on the
peripheral surface of the nozzle plug member 2 to the upper end of the nozzle plug
member 2. In this embodiment, too, the lower end faces of the step-like portions 2D
define the pressure-fitting depth of the nozzle plug member 2 when the nozzle plug
member 2 is pressure-fitted into the nozzle body 1, and eliminate the risk of the
subsidiary nozzle holes 2B being closed due to excessive insertion of the nozzle member
2.
[0019] In the embodiments as described above, the nozzle plug member 2 is fabricated as
a part pressure-fitted into the nozzle body 1. However, it is also possible to fabricate
the nozzle plug member 2 integrally with the nozzle body 1. In this case, the center
of the integral nozzle plug member 2 is perforated by the large diameter main nozzle
hole 2A, and a plurality of small diameter subsidiary nozzle holes 2B is perforated
around the main nozzle hole 2A. This modification is advantageous in that the step
of pressure-fitting the nozzle plug member 2 into the nozzle body 1 is unnecessary.
1. A nozzle for a gas cigarette lighter comprising a main nozzle hole (2A) at the
center of the nozzle (1), and a plurality of subsidiary nozzle holes (2B) positioned around said main nozzle hole, the total cross-sectional area of said
subsidiary nozzle holes (2B) being within the range between 20% and less than 100%
of the cross-sectional area of said main nozzle hole (2A).
2. A nozzle as defined in Claim 1 wherein the total cross-sectional area of said subsidiary
nozzle holes (2B) is within the range between 30% and 70% of the cross-sectional area of said main
nozzle hole (2A).
3. A nozzle as defined in Claim 2 wherein the total cross-sectional area of said subsidiary
nozzle holes (2B) is - within the range between 35% and 55% of the cross-sectional
area of said main nozzle hole (2A).
4. A nozzle as defined in Claim 1 wherein the nozzle comprises a nozzle body (1) having
a center hole (1A), and a nozzle plug member (2) having said main nozzle hole (2A)
at the center thereof and a plurality of grooves (2a) in the peripheral surface thereof,
said nozzle plug member (2) being fitted into said center hole (1A) of said nozzle
body (1) to define said subsidiary nozzle holes (2B) between the surfaces of said
grooves (2a) of said nozzle plug member (2) and the inner circumferential surface
of said center hole (1A) of said nozzle body (1).
5. A nozzle as defined in Claim 1 wherein the nozzle comprises a nozzle body (1) having
a center hole (1A), a plurality of grooves (2a) being positioned in the inner circumferential
surface of said center hole (1A), and a nozzle plug member (2) having said main nozzle
hole (2A) at the center thereof, said nozzle plug member (2) being fitted into said
center hole (1A) of said nozzle body to define said subsidiary nozzle holes (2B) between
the peripheral surface of said nozzle plug member (2) and the surfaces of said grooves
(1a') in the inner circumferential surface of said center hole (1A) of said nozzle
body (2).
6. A nozzle as defined in Claim 4 or 5 wherein said nozzle plug member (2) is provided
with step-like portions on the peripheral surface thereof, said step-like portions
(2C) extend partially from a predetermined intermediate position in the longitudinal
direction of said nozzle plug member (2) towards the upper end of said nozzle plug
member (2), and the lower end faces of said step-like portions are rested on the upper
end face of said nozzle body (1).
7. A nozzle as defined in Claim 4 or 5 wherein said nozzle plug member (2) is provided
with step-like portions (2D) on the peripheral surface thereof, said step-like portions
(2D) extend from a predetermined intermediate position in the longitudinal direction
of said nozzle plug member (2) up to the upper end of said nozzle plug member (2),
and the lower end faces of said step-like portions are rested on the upper end face
of said nozzle body (1).