AU752065B2 - Cigarette lighter - Google Patents

Description

rJ.J. i r-so Q.L j. jUU Vl LUJULL1 -1 L rr± IJ i L LA rJL.L, !JUUI Cigarette Lighter The invention relates to a cigarette lighter, especially a disposable cigarette lighter, with an electric lighting device for producing a flame. Said cigarette lighter has a noise generator which co-operates with the lighting unit and which is activated and generates noises upon actuation of said lighting unit- Cigarette lighters are used to produce a flame to light, for example, a candle, a cigarette or a fire. In the state-of-the-art both disposable as well as reusable cigarette lighters are known, whereby with the latter the fuel, occasionally petrol, but usually a liquid gas such as butane or propane, can be refilled. When the lighting device is actuated, the gas that is used emerges from an adjustable nozzle and is ignited by a spark so that a flame is produced above the nozzle.

The ignition spark is usually generated in a mechanical way, for instance, through the friction of a small ribbed steel wheel against a flint, of, for example, ferrocerium. The flint is pulverised and the fine, catapulted microcrystals are oxidised as the spark is produced. Moreover, lighting devices are known that are actuated electrically. To produce the ignition spark, they exploit, for example, the piezoelectric effect Because especially disposable cigarette lighters are very low priced and at least IfLU V u uV..V A A A 0 V .OOO rA ruiLLU r 4% rarL -r II UI.I AA"I i j uuo -2among smokers are a frequently used utensil, they are often and readily provided with a corresponding advertising imprint Such cigarette lighters used as an advertising medium have the advantage that they are frequently used and can each time convey the imprinted advertising message to the user.

On the other hand, advertising novelties and toys are known which contain, for example, an electronically functioning noise generator, which, for example, in the case of a toy car, can produce a type of engine noise. The acoustic signals created by the noise generator have the task of surprising or amusing potential customers when viewing or using the advertising novelty, thus, in a psychologically skilful way directing their attention and interest toward the advertising novelty, including the advertising message conveyed by the novelty and in this way sigiificantly improving the advertising effectiveness of the advertising novelty. In the case of toys, the noises created by the built-in noise generators are intended to increase the pleasure of play, improve its entertainment value and finally have the effect of promoting sales of the corresponding article Although DE 35 34 841 discloses a cigarette lighter with a unit for generating noises it only allows individual well defined sounds to be generated, i.e. noise at a specific frequency. The noises are generated by means of a sound converter 11/IU UU U: 14 kAA +4U UJi 15000 rA ronner rart rhihK MAAXWLL i "juus -3which is controlled by a microcomputer with a memory, whereby the system can be triggered by an electrically actuated lighting unit Against this background, the present invention has the object of creating a cigarette lighter which distinguishes itself from conventional models during use through acoustic signals, which entertain its user, awaken the impression of dynamism and mobility and thereby generate sufficient attention for an effective conveyance of advertising messages.

In accordance with the invention, this task is solved therein that the cigarette lighter is equipped with an electronic noise generator and the noises are the engine noise of a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, a go-kart, a formula-one car or a rally saloon car The present invention is based on the idea that a cigarette lighter which generates unusual noises during use distinguishes itself significantly from conventional cigarette lighters, surprises its user and other people in the vicinity and contributes to their amusement. This holds especially when the noise is that of an engine of a motor vehicle, which, on the one hand, one does not expect from a cigarette lighter, which, however, on the other, in retrospect suggests itself in a certain way because both devices, the motor-vehicle engine and the I[/IU UU UU:1Z kAA +4 VJI 1t0I rA roMier 'art FhIhC NAAWhLL &j WI 01o -4cigarette lighter, are powered by liquid fuels as is known and where in particular petrol can be used for both. Moreover, many people combine concepts such as dynamism and mobility with a motor vehicle so that, for this reason, the engine noise from the cigarette lighter leads to positive associations. Overall, the inventive cigarette lighter is very well suited to both ordinary use for the production of flames as well as to entertaining its user and can therefore also be advantageously used as an advertising medium. To generate the engine noise, the invention proposes to equip the cigarette lighter with a noise generator which can create the engine noise of a motor vehicle and which co-operates with the lighting device of the cigarette lighter in such a way that is actuated when the lighting device is activated. Here, in the inventive sense, the term 'co-operates' means an interplay between the lighting device and the noise generator to the effect that the latter is actuated when the lighting device is activated. For the lighting device it is proposed to use an electronic, especially a piezoelectric lighting mechanism. The voltage generated by the mechanism can be used directly to control the noise generator, without requiring additional mechanical or electrical devices. To that end, it is conceivable to provide a direct contact between the lighting device and the noise generator in the sense of a line, but also the case in which, without a direct connection, the noise generator is u.f'±U uu AA +4u j. ±aava rA ronner rart fithK MAAWELL LJO11 actuated immediately when the lighting device is activated. Such embodiments are explained in greater detail later as examples. Conceivable as a noise generator for the inventive cigarette lighter is, for example, a corresponding electronic noise generator, which, due to its small dimensions, its insignificant weight and low price, is extremely suitable for integration in a cigarette lighter In the inventive sense, the characteristic noise of a motor vehicle from motor sports can be used as engine noise, for example, the engine noise of a go-kart, of a formula-one racing car or also that of a saloon car used in rallycross or a motorcycle. In this case, the inventive cigarette lighter is suitable for lending its user, or also the company advertising through the cigarette lighter, or the promoted product, an image of sporting prowess and modem innovative technology, characteristics which are generally associated with motor sport Moreover, the possibility is offered of using such an embodied cigarette lighter as motor sport fan merchandise.

In particular, the engine noise which is created when the engine is started, and/or accelerated, reflects, in an unusual way, to a degree the processes inside the cigarette lighter when the flame is ignited and is therefore especially suitable for entertaining the user. Therefore, in a preferred inventive embodiment, a noise It/iU VUU UU:IJ kAA +4UI UJI 16DtUU FA ronner Part 4-44 iiElEK MAXWELL I. 012 -6generator is used which creates this special type of noise.

One obtains an especially realistic transfer of the processes occurring when a motor vehicle is started to the cigarette lighter if a time delay is provided between the beginning of the noise generation and the actual production of the flame of at least about 2 seconds, which, supported by suitable acoustic signals from the noise generator, symbolises the delay between the start of an engine and the acceleration from rest by the vehicle.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the cigarette lighter is accommodated in a housing which is dimensioned so that the control knob of the ligting device is located outside the housing in same way as the flame to be produced. Thus it is still possible to actuate the lighter in spite of the housing and the flame can be produced without hindrance. The decisive innovation is the provision of a piezoelement between the housing and the base of the lighter and movement of the lighter relatively in respect of the housing even if only by a small distance.

With the described arrangement, the following physical processes occur when the lighting device is actuated. Through actuation of the lighting device and the simultaneous holding of the housing, a relative motion occurs between the lighter and housing, which compresses the piezo-element. This happens when the lighter is handled in the usual way, that is, the housing is held in four fingers of one hand and the lighting device is activated via the thumb. Thereby, at least one force component acts upon the lighter in the sense of pressing its base against the housing in the place where the piezo-element is disposed. The deformation of the piezo-element generates an electric signal which is used to activate the noise generator. A direct connection between the lighting device and the noise generator in the sense of a connection realised by a line is not necessary in this form of embodiment. The advantages consist therein that conventional cigarette lighters can be fitted into the housing without any adaptation or replaced. Then, too, a rigid connection between the housing and lighter in the form of a line is not necessary.

The noise generator, in its basic configuration, comprises a loudspeaker, the electronics, and a battery supplying energy. If a housing is used in the described way, two possibilities are preferred for the configuration of the noise generator.

On the one hand, it can be disposed below the piezo-element and opposite the lighter in the housing, which results in a device whose cross-section -IVYUiCUU*----U- perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is slightly larger than the cross-section of the cigarette lighter, however, in contrast, with a substantially extended axis.

In an alternative, the loudspeaker, the electronics and battery are disposed at the level of the lighter and next to the lighter in the housing. This largely retains the length of the cigarette lighter, however, the cross-section of the housing is substantially larger than that of the cigarette lighter.

Finally, the inventive cigarette lighter or the housing can be provided with an imprint on its exterior, which, for example, can comprise designs, images or texts. Therefore, an imprint can, on the one hand, be applied for design reasons to lend it the corresponding exterior appearance. It is, however, especially suitable for use as an advertisement, whereby the imprint can contain information about the advertising company or business or also about the promoted product itself Further details, features and advantages of the invention can be taken from the following description part in which with the aid of a drawing a typical embodiment of the invention is explained in greater detail.

r i '--'YXWIDDLLIPO5I1LI~L~OD~IIL~e~A m Figure 1 shows a side view of an inventive cigarette lighter in a diagrammatic representation.

Figure 2 shows a cigarette lighter in a housing, whereby the noise generator is disposed below the base of the cigarette lighter.

Figure 3 shows a cigarette lighter with a housing with a noise generator next to the cigarette lighter.

The inventive cigarette lighter shown in Figure 1 comprises a storage container which contains the fuel, for example, liquid butane, and a here in the example mechanical lighting unit which generates the ignition spark through friction of the ribbed steel wheel against a flint not shown here. This spark then ignites the gas which escapes from a nozzle when the valve is opened, which then combusts in the flame The flame size can be adjusted using the setting screw to regulate the gas flow emitted through the nozzle. The noise generator of the inventive cigarette lighter in the example is disposed below the storage container and, when the lighting device is actuated, it generates the noise of a starting formula-one racing car. Through the production of this noise, the inventive cigarette lighter astonishes and causes amusement for its user and other persons in listening distance, and in this way contributes to the dissemination of the advertising message contained in the imprint on the exterior of the storage container and draws associations with sporting prowess and technical innovation.

Figure 2 shows, in an longitudinal section, a cigarette lighter disposed in a housing The lighting device and the flame to be produced project beyond the housing and jut outwards. Thus unhindered access to the lighting device and unhindered access to the flame to be produced is possible. Below the storage container, similar to Figure 1, is disposed the noise generator comprising a loudspeaker the electronics (11) and the battery The decisive difference, however, to Figure 1 consists therein that the base plate of the storage container fits against a piezo-element with the result that when the lighting device is actuated it is pressed against the element and an electric signal is generated which is used to trigger the noise generator. A relative motion between the housing and the cigarette lighter is indispensable to that end. The cigarette lighters can be replaced without problem through removal from the housing and replacement by a different cigarette lighter of the same dimensions.

In contrast, the device shown in Figure 3 has a noise generator also consisting of a loudspeaker the electronics (11) and a battery which is disposed next to the housing areally.

f -11- The piezo-element on the other hand remains below the base of the cigarette lighter or its storage container In contrast to the embodiment described in Figure 2, one obtains an embodiment of less height but greater diameter. The replacement of the cigarette lighter is possible in the same unproblematic manner. Here, too, a direct material connection in the sense of a line is not necessary.

Claims (9)

1. A cigarette lighter having a gas chamber, a piezo-electric lighting device for producing a flame from gas contained in the chamber and an electronic noise generator, the arrangement being such that the noise generator is actuated when the lighting device is activated to generate a noise which is the noise of an engine of a motor vehicle, a motor-cycle, a go-kart, a formula-one car or a rally saloon car.

2. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein the engine noises are those that occur when the engine is started and/or accelerated. 0

3. A cigarette lighter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein there is a time .oooo 0 delay of at least 2 seconds between the commencement of the noise 0 0 generation and production of the flame.

4. A cigarette lighter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cigarette lighter is surrounded by a housing, wherein the cigarette lighter is movable relatively with respect of the housing and wherein the piezo-element is disposed between the housing and the base of the lighter which when moved 0.0 activates the noise generator.

A cigarette lighter according to claim 4, wherein a loudspeaker electronics and a battery are disposed in the housing on the piezo-element side opposite to the cigarette lighter. 02/07/02 13

6. A cigarette lighter according to claim 4, wherein a loudspeaker electronics and a battery are disposed in the housing next to and at the level of the cigarette lighter.

7. A cigarette lighter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing or the cigarette lighter is printed outside with an imprint.

8. A cigarette lighter according to any one of the preceding claims which is a disposable cigarette lighter.

9. A cigarette lighter according substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 2nd day of July 2002 Sybille Lauterbach Patent Attorneys for the Applicant PETER MAXWELL ASSOCIATES ogo* 02/07/02