MX2008005036A - Lighter device with flow restrictor and methods of manufacturing and testing same - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighter device having a flow restrictor and associated methods for manufacturing and testing such lighter device and flow restrictor are described. The flow restrictor may be formed of a porous member to achieve a substantially fixed or varying flame height. The flow restrictor may be tested before or after assembly into a lighter housing by receiving a non-combustible fluid therethrough. The flow rate of the non-combustible fluid may be correlated to the flow rate of a combustible fluid through the flow restrictor to approximate the resultant flame height of a lighter incorporating the tested flow restrictor.The flow restrictor may also be tested by receiving a combustible fluid therethrough prior to assembling the flow restrictor into the lighter housing. In this manner, flow restrictors and corresponding lighter devices may be tested without introducing combustible fluids into such lighter devices prior to shipment. Also, a vacuum may be drawn on a fuel tank of the lighter prior to shipment.

Description

LIGHTING DEVICE WITH FLOW RESTRICTOR AND METHODS TO MANUFACTURE AND TEST THE SAME Background 1 Cross Reference to Related Requests This application claims the priority of the United States of America Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 596,731, filed on October 17, 2005, entitled "Lighter device with flow restpctor and methods of manufacturing and testing same", the contents of the which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety 2 Technical Field This description relates to lighter devices and, more particularly, "open flame" lighters having a flow restpiter. Methods for making and testing open flame lighters are also described. 3 Description of the Related Art Open flame lighters are commonly used to light tobacco products such as cigars, cigars, pipes and similar. Such devices are located in contrast to devices in which a flame is complete or substantially enclosed, for example, for heating. Many open flame lighters use pressurized fuel to induce the flame. These lighters are commonly referred to as "butane" lighters, although the fuel can be butane only partially. As the term "cigarette lighter" is used, it refers to all open-flame portable devices that use a combustible fluid as a fuel, commonly known as cigar lighters, pipe lighters and / or cigar lighters and similar devices. The illustrative devices are defined in ASTM Standard F400-04. Some conventional lighters use an adjustable fuel supply mechanism in order to allow the flame height to be adjusted within a predetermined range, as defined in ASTM Standard F400-04, section 3.1.8. Other conventional lighters use a fixed fuel supply mechanism to achieve a fixed flame height. With both types of lighters, it is required that the maximum flame height is controlled. It has been found that it is necessary to test such lighters to ensure that the maximum flame height does not exceed a predetermined limit. This typically requires placing a combustible liquid inside the lighters and testing the height of the flame before selling. Once he Lighter has been filled with fuel, may incur additional restrictions on the shipment of such lighters because they can be classified by some entities as dangerous products. This adds to the cost and difficulty of distributing such lighters in commerce.

Short description The present disclosure overcomes the problem of the cost and difficulty of distributing lighters with fuel by providing an apparatus and method for manufacturing, testing and distributing "dry" lighters having flow restrictors, for example lighters that have not received a fuel, such like, butane or a mixture of butane. An illustrative flow restrictor can be formed of a porous member that regulates the flow of fuel through a lighter valve assembly to induce a substantially fixed flame height or a variable flame height. The porous member may be rigid or compressible and may include a single opening or a plurality of openings. The flow restrictor can be tested before or after assembly inside a cigarette lighter. When tested before assembly, a combustible liquid or non-combustible fluid (eg, inert gas) can be directed through the flow restrictor to determine the flow rate. If a non-combustible fluid is used, the flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid may be correlated with the flow velocity of a combustible fluid (for example, butane or butane-like mixture) through the flow restpiter to approximate the flame height resulting from a lighter incorporating the proven flow restpctor When tested after assembly of the flow restpctor inside the lighter housing, a fluid no fuel may not be directed through the flow restpiter to determine the flow velocity The flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid may be correlated with the flow velocity of a fuel fluid through the flow restpiter to approximate the flow velocity of the fuel flow. Flame height resulting from a lighter incorporating the flow restpctor In this way, the flow restpctors and corresponding lighters can be tested for the flame height without introducing combustible fluids into such lighters before shipment. Stuck a vacuum in the fuel tank of the lighter before boarding. modalities in which the flow restpiter is tested after assembly inside the lighter, the non-combustible fluid can be extracted from the fuel tank and a vacuum drawn into it. Providing a refillable lighter with a fuel tank under vacuum would facilitate and improve the initial supply of the tank with fuel by the consumer, allowing fuel to enter the tank without the need to compress the air sealed in the tank during normal manufacturing processes allows the consumer to maximize the initial filling of the tank with fuel, while minimizing the internal pressure in the fuel container This is also advantageous to avoid pressure increases during transport of the lighters in hot weather Brief Description of the Drawings Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a lighter useful in the practice of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the a portion of the valve assembly of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an elongated sectional side view of a flow rest device useful in the lighter of Figure 1 and otherwise in the practice of the present disclosure, Figure 4 is a view of the input end of the flow rest point of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a view of an output end of the flow rest point of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a rest point test system of FIG. useful flow in the practice of the present disclosure, Figure 7 is a sectional side view of an apparatus for Test the flow restpiter of Figure 2, Figure 8 is a logical flow diagram of a method for testing the flow restpiter of Figure 2 useful in the practice of the present disclosure, Figure 9 is a sectional side view showing a test apparatus that interfaces with the lighter of Figure 1 useful in the practice of the present disclosure; Figure 10 is a sectional side view of a batch test apparatus for testing a batch of useful flow restpctors; in the practice of the present disclosure, and Figure 11 is a top-down view of an illustrative conveyor for holding a batch of flow restpicks, which can be used with the batch test apparatus of Figure 10.

Detailed description In reference to Figure 1, a lighter 10 according to the present description is illustrated. However, it is understood that other forms of lighters can be used as alternatives to the lighter 10 shown in Figure 1, and that the lighter 10 is presented as an example to illustrate aspects of the present description In fact, the lighter 10 can be any lighter device incorporating a flow restpctor or similar device a flow restpiter The lighter 10 includes a flow restpctor assembly 12, which receives the fuel from a fuel storage compartment 14 In practice, a user can initiate a flame by activating the lighter to induce the fluid to flow from the storage compartment 14 towards Through the flow restpiter assembly 12 As used herein, the term "fluid" refers to the fluid in a gaseous state, liquid state, plasma state, or combinations thereof. Figure 2 details a portion of an assembly. valve 20 of the lighter 10 The valve assembly 20 includes a valve member 22 placed on the flow rest assembly 12, which can be placed in an inner housing 24 of the lighter 10 so that the flow rest assembly 12 located in a generally defined area adjacent to the storage compartment 14 Accordingly, the lighter 10 defines a flow path of c fuel F starting in the storage compartment 14, extending through the flow rest-collector assembly 12 and extending up through the inner housing 24 and passing the valve member 22 In other words, the arrows F denote the path and flow direction In one embodiment, the flow restpiter assembly 1 2 includes a flow rest point 26 positioned within a sleeve 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the flow rest point 26 is a porous member. The sleeve 28 may be formed of metal and it may include a plurality of flanges 30 for securely coupling the housing interior 24 The flow restpiter assembly 12 may further include a sealing element, such as a gasket 32 for sealing the fluid flow path. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the flow restpiter assembly 12 may be unitarily formed. so that the "assembly" is an integral member. The flow restpctor 26 can be formed from a variety of materials, including rigid and compressible materials. Illustrative rigid materials include metal, such as stainless steel and plastic, and can be employed to achieve a fixed flame height Illustrative compressible materials include elastomeric materials, foams, sponges, and fibrous sheets, and may be used to achieve variable flame height. For example, the lighter 10 may use a screw to compress a porous elastomer flow restpctor , thus altering the flow of fluid through it when desired It is considered that others mate rigid and compressible rials are within the scope of the present description. In addition, the flow restpiter 26 can be formed to include a single opening therethrough or a plurality of openings therethrough. In operation, the fuel is directed through of the flow restpctor 26 to achieve a substantially consistent fluid flow velocity therethrough, and finally to achieve a desired fixed flame height or a variable flame height that falls within a specified range The valve member 22 includes a sealing portion 34, which can be activated to engage a seal seat 36 of the inner housing 24. In operation, the valve member 22 can be activated downwardly (as seen in Figure 2). ) to couple the sealing portion 34 with the seal seat 36, thereby effectively blocking the upward flow of fluid (as seen in Figure 2). Referring now to Figures 3-5, the flow rest 26 shows in greater detail to illustrate a plurality of pores, which cooperatively allow the passage of butane, butane component, or butane-like fluid. The flow rest 26, in part or in its entirety, may be a porous medium that it provides a continuous release path for fluid to flow through it. The porosity and the exposed surface area of the flow restpiter 26 in combination with the properties and conditions of the fluid regulate the flow rate of the fluid through the flow restpiter Such fluid properties and conditions, eg, density, flow rate, vapor pressure and temperature, can affect the resulting flow velocity through the flow restpiter. The permeability of the flow rest-factor 26 results from its porosity, which is a function of the relative size, shape and number of pores, and the percentage of pores that are connected to form a continuous flow path. It will be appreciated that the flow restpiter 26 may adopt different alternative configurations. to the porous configuration in so much that the flow restpctor allows the flow of fluid therethrough in a consistent manner. For example, an alternative flow restpctor may include a tube that restricts the flow of fluid therethrough. it is manufactured so that the flow through it is highly repeatable. By controlling both the design and manufacturing parameters of the flow restpiter 26, fluid flow is controlled closely (particularly for gaseous fluids). The flow rate through of the flow restpctor 26, and hence the resulting flame height, can be determined accurately through the flow restpiter test. Referring now to Figure 6, in an implementation of the present disclosure, a 60 test system to test the flow restpctor 26, which can be placed in the flow restpiter test block 80. The test system 60 can include a flow tester 62 which measures the flow velocity and other parameters of a gas from a gas supply 66 through of the flow restpctor 26 Although gas is used to illustrate this mode, it will be appreciated that a fluid in another state (eg, a liquid, plasma, or a combination of states thereof) can be used to test the flow velocity of the fluid. flow restpctor Examples of the gas from the gas supply 66 include nitrogen, air or other non-combustible fluid. The test system 60 may further include a computer 64 in order to provide a user interface for the test system 60, as well as to execute instructions to control and operate the flow tester 62, collect data, calculate, analyze and record results, provide network connectivity for a LAN / WAN, and execute other detailed instructions in the flowchart Figure 8 The test system 60 may be configured to measure the flow allowed by the flow rest point 26 In other words, the test system 60 is configurable to measure the flow velocity of the test gas through the rest point. Flow 26 The test system 60 can be used in a controlled temperature / humidity environment to maintain accurate and consistent results In other embodiments, the test system 60 can be used in any environment with the computer 64 conditioning and correcting the results based on its reading of environmental conditions The flow tester 62 can include a gas preparation unit 72, with gas flow regulator 74, gas temperature sensor 76, gas inlet pressure sensor 78, flow restpiter test block 80 (to accommodate the proven flow restpiter 26), flow rest-retainer clamping controller 82 , gas outlet detector 84, gas vent 86, room temperature detector 88, and barometric pressure detector 90 Although the flow tester 62 can detect a fluid flow with fewer components, for example, just a flow sensor, this illustrative mode measures the parameters of temperature, pressure, and pressure barometric to apply the pressure and viscosity corrections to determine a standardized mass flow rate through the flow rest 26 that is tested For example, for nitrogen gas, the standard volumetric flow rates are determined using the following formula Ms = Mo * ((Pg + 2Ps) * V0 * To) / ((Pg + 2Pb) * Vs * Ts), where Ms is the standardized mass flow, Mo is the mass flow measured, P9 is the gas pressure in inches of mercury ("Hg"), Ps is the standard pressure (that is, 29 92"Hg" at 15 ° C and the mean sea level), Pb is the barometric pressure ("Hg), vo is the viscosity of gas (ie, 1664 + 045 * Tg, where Tg is the temperature of the gas), To is the ambient temperature in degrees Kelvm (ie, 272 + T (° C), vs is the standard nitrogen viscosity ( that is, 175 9), and Ts is the standard temperature (i.e., 294 1 K) The gas supply 66 may be configured to provide the flow tester 62 with a non-combustible test gas such as air, or it may be configured to supply a combustible liquid, such as butane or a butane-like mixture. Preferably, the gas will be of a high purity that is transparent, dry and free of charge. Oil The gas is received in the gas preparation unit 72, which may include an oil / moisture trap in order to reduce the risk of contamination The gas passes to the flow controller of the gas unit 74, which regulates the gas flow in order to provide a desired gas pressure. The temperature sensor of the gas unit 76 measures the The temperature of the gas (T9), and the gas in the detector unit 78 can measure the gas pressure before passing through the flow restpiter test block 80. It will be appreciated that the same flow restpiter 26, the gas rest point flow 12 or the entire valve assembly 20 can be placed in the flow restpiter test block 80 to execute the flow test. For example, by briefly referring to Figure 7, the flow restpctor assembly 12 can be placed between the test blocks 92, 94 to provide a stable configuration of the flow restpiter for testing Additionally, a pair of toning seals 96 may be employed to seal the interface between the flow restpiter assembly 12 and the test blocks 92, 94 In addition, a clamping apparatus can be used to apply sufficient pressure to effect a seal on the interface between the flow restpiter assembly 12 and the test blocks., 94 In other embodiments, the flow rest 26 can only be tested prior to assembly in the lighter 10, or the entire valve assembly 20 can be tested prior to assembly in the lighter 10, referring again to Figure 6 , the flow rest pin retainer controller 82 controls the clamping of the test blocks 92, 94 in the flow rest device 26 to effect a secure seal. Other suitable sealing arrangements and test apparatus are considered, for example, for testing the restpctor of flows in an assembled lighter, and to test a batch of restpctors of flow A gas outlet detector 84 can measure the mass flow of gas leaving the flow rest 26 to determine the variable Mo The gas is then directed to the gas ventilation unit 86, where it is collected, or vented to the atmosphere, in accordance with the appropriate environmental removal requirements of the gas The ambient temperature sensing unit 88 measures the ambient temperature (T), and the barometric pressure sensing unit 90 measures the barometric pressure (Pb) The variables measured from the units 76, 78, 84, 88 and 90 are transmitted to the computer 64, which is operable to calculate the flow rate (e.g., volumetric flow rate) through the flow rest-factor 26, as well as to provide other functions in the modes where a non-combustible fluid is used for testing, a known correlation, eg vapor pressure, density, temperature, etc., between the non-combustible test fluid (eg, nitrogen gas) and the combustible fluid (eg, butane) can be used to extrapolate a predicted fluid flow velocity for the fuel fluid through the flow rest-cap 26 Figure 8 illustrates a logical flow diagram of a method for testing a flow rest-press. A desired clamping pressure is set at 102 is then set for the desired test pressure, at 104 A flow rest point is inserted into the flow rest point test block, at 106, and the flow restrictor is clamped to secure a seal, at 108. The clamping pressure will be sufficient to effect a seal on the flow restrictor to prevent leakage. Next, a gas flow is initiated through the flow restrictor, at 110. When determining that the flow gas is in a steady-state condition, at 112, mass flow, gas pressure, temperature of the gas are measured. gas, room temperature, and barometric pressure at 114. Next, the flow rate through the flow restrictor is determined at 116. The gas flow is then stopped at 118, and the flow restrictor can be released to the flow restrictor. drop it, at 120, and remove the flow restrictor from the test apparatus, at 1 22. In modes where a non-combustible fluid is used for testing, the correlation between the test fluid (for example, air or inert gas) and the product fluid (eg, butane) can be confirmed by taking a sampling of flow restrictors and using the test fluid to determine their individual flow rates using a qualified test instrument. After determining the flow rates with the instrument, the flow restrictors can then be assembled inside the test lighters, which are filled with butane. The test lighters can then be activated to test the flame height. The results of this test would give a direct correlation between the flow velocity of the test fluid and the actual flame height, while only a few test lighters are filled with butane or similar material. butane It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the flow restpctors could be tested by measuring the differential pressure at a predetermined pressure and temperature and controlled with the particular test fluid. Accordingly, a determined flow rate of combustible liquid or a corresponding flow velocity of a non-combustible fluid through the flow rest 26 will produce an indication of a maximum resultant flame height of a lighter incorporating the flow rest. In practice, a desired maximum flame height of Thus, a flow rest point will not allow a flame height beyond the designated flame height. The flow rest point can then be manufactured in accordance with this specification (ie, which has a maximum flame height), thus resulting in a desirable porosity flow restpiter. In certain cases, a specified range of butane flow velocity will correspond to a desirable flame height. In one example, the flame height desired can be achieved by providing a flow restpiter that establishes butane flow at a rate of 6 5 standard cubic centimeters per minute (seem) +/- 0 75 seem Accordingly, flow restpctors can be tested in accordance with this specification As can be seen from the above description, the flow restpctors 26 can be tested before placement on lighters, minimizing the need to introduce a combustible fluid into said lighters. lighters before shipping In certain embodiments, the flow restpctors 26 may alternatively be inserted into a lighter housing before the test. In these embodiments, the test may be performed on the lighters incorporating the flow restpctors, but without the need to introduce a combustible liquid into the lighter. That is, a non-combustible fluid can be used to test the assembled lighters, solving the need to fill the lighters with a combustible liquid before shipment. The test of the flow restpctors 26 prior to the assembly of said flow restpctors in the lighters allows the manufacture of "dry" lighters with a known and controlled maximum flame height. As used herein, the term "dry lighter" refers to a lighter, which has not been loaded (filled) with fuel In fact, the use of a non-combustible test gas to measure the flow or allowed by the flow restpiter 26 allows the manufacture of lighters without any parts of the lighter having been placed in contact with the butane fuel. In practice, the flow rest 26 that remain within the predetermined flow parameters are used in the assembly and manufacture of the lighters, such as the lighter 10 The flow rest 26 that exceed or fall below the predetermined flow parameters are rejected and not used in the manufacture of the lighters For example, those flow restpters that were found not to provide the flow of butane or butane-like material within the range of 6 5 seem +/- 75 seem are discarded. Inspection of the flow rate of the flow restpiter allows the pre -qualification of the flow restpctor for the lighter assembly, and therefore minimizes or eliminates the rejection potential of partial or finished lighters by not meeting the quality and performance requirements for fluid flow rates. established, by testing the flow characteristic of the flow restpiter 26 before it is placed in the igniter, either through the use of a non-combustible fluid or a combustible liquid, the flow characteristic of the flow rest-factor can be determined 26 for butane fuel in the lighter Again, it will be understood that "butane fuel" may include a butane form, or may include a mixture of various s forms of butane, or may include butane and one or more other gases, or may be one or more other fuels that do not contain butane that are similar to butane Use of the methods of the present description to verify the flow characteristic for the lighter allows the complete assembly of the lighter without having been charged with combustible liquid. Such "dry lighters" have fewer restrictions on boarding for distribution. By providing verification of the flow characteristic, the height can be controlled of maximum flame, without having to load and test the lighter with liquid fuel. The flow restrictor test 26 according to the present description can be executed only in the flow restrictor, or it can be carried out after the flow restrictor is assembled in the lighter. Figure 9 shows an illustrative test apparatus 140 designed to interface with a lighter 10 in which a flow restrictor 26 is already assembled in the lighter. The test apparatus 140 includes a gas filling nozzle 142 and a gas exit port 144. The seals 146, 148 ensure a secure fit to prevent gas leakage. A seal can be applied by applying appropriate pressure to both the gas filling nozzle 142 and the gas outlet port 144. In this embodiment, a non-combustible fluid is used to test the assembled lighter in order to avoid introduction of the fuel liquid inside the lighter before boarding. In the operation, the gas enters the lighter 10 through the gas filling nozzle 142 and exits through the gas outlet port 144. In certain embodiments, the fuel tank can be filled with non-combustible fluid to facilitate testing. The test can be conducted using the test apparatus and the methods described above. After the test, any non-combustible fluid in the fuel tank can be removed and a vacuum can be stuffed into the fuel tank. Providing a refillable lighter with a tank Low-vacuum fuel would facilitate and improve the initial filling of the tank with fuel by the consumer, allowing fuel to enter the tank without the need to compress the air sealed in the tank during normal manufacturing processes. This allows the consumer to maximize the initial filling of the tank with fuel In a mass production environment, it is also considered that the flow restpctors can be tested in batches or with sequential automation or with continuous motion automation. A side view of an illustrative batch test apparatus 150 is shown in Figure 10. The batch test apparatus 150 includes lower fastener 162, upper fastener 164, and toning seals 166 to provide a seal. The conveyor 168 may contain a batch of flow restpctors 26 or flow restpiter assemblies 12. , for ease of handling, automation and distribution In this illustrative modality, the conveyor 168 provides a four-by-four arrangement in which it tests and handles the flow restpctors 26, although it will be appreciated that the arrangement may have other configurations having various dimensions, shapes and directions. The additional features of an illustrative conveyor are shown with reference to Figure 11, which exhibits a top-down view of the conveyor 168 carrying a batch of sixteen flow rest-ectors 26 The conveyor 168 can include alignment guides 170 at each corner to assist in the batch placement and alignment, a batch identification label 172, and a bar code 174 for automated batch identification The batch identification label 172 and a bar code 174 can identify the batch, as well as other associated batch details , such as origin and manufacturer Operationally, a batch can be tested using a technique similar to that described above in relation to the single flow rest point test 26 The flow restpctors can be tested all at once (ie in parallel), or sequentially (ie, in senes), and the volumetric flow characteristics can be calculated by means of a computer. The lot results can be stored and analyzed, and the results used to accept or reject a single rest point of flow 26 or a batch of flow restpctors Additionally, the flow restpoint 26 test, either as an individual component, assembled in a lighter, or in a batch, can be executed on a statistical sampling basis or on a 100% manufacturing basis. By "100% manufacturing base" it is represented that each assembled flow restpiter inside a lighter is tested as to flow to verify that it complies with the predetermined flow characteristic specification While herein vain embodiments of lighters with flow restpctors and manufacturing and testing methods such as flow restpicks have been described in accordance with principles described herein, it will be understood that they have been presented only by way of example, and not as limitation. For example, where a combustible liquid is used to test the flow restpctors prior to assembly in a lighter, the flow restpiter may undergo a ventilation procedure after the test in order to substantially completely release the residual fuel before it is inserted into a lighter OR the flow restpiter can be flushed with another fluid (for example air or an inert gas) to expel any residual fuel Rather, the following claims will be widely interpreted to cover any modality adapted to achieve the principles described herein. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the (n) nvenc? on (s) will not be limited by any of the illustrative modalities described previously, but will be defined only in accordance with any of the claims and their equivalents issued from this description. In addition, the above advantages and features are provided in the described embodiments, although they will not limit the application of said published claims for processes and structures that In addition, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions in accordance with 37 CFR 1 77 or otherwise to provide organization keys. These headings shall not limit or characterize the ) invention (s) set forth in any of the claims that may be issued from this description. Specifically, and by way of example, although the headings refer to "Technical Field", said claims will not be limited by the language selected under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. In addition, a description of a technology in the "Background" will not be construed as an admission that the technology is the prior art for any (any) invention (s) in this description. The "Brief Description" will also not be considered as a charrization of the invention (s) established in the published claims. In addition, any reference in this description in this description to the "invention" in the singular will not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this description. Multiple inventions may be established in accordance with the limitations of the various claims published from this description, and said claims accordingly define the invention (s), and their equivalents, which are thus protected. In all cases, the scope of said claims will be considered on its own merits in light of this description, although it will not be restricted by the headings set forth herein.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1 A method for testing a lighter, the method comprising providing a lighter having a flow restpctor device assembled therein, directing a non-combustible fluid through the flow rest device, and measuring a flow rate of the non-combustible fluid through the flow restpctor device 2 A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighter further comprises a fuel tank, and where when the flow rate tested it is complete to embed a vacuum in the fuel tank 3 according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighter further comprises a fuel tank, the method further comprising placing the non-combustible fluid inside the fuel tank before directing the non-combustible fluid through the flow rest device, extracting the non-combustible fluid from the fuel tank after measuring the speed d flow through the flow rest device, and stuff a vacuum in the fuel tank 4 A method according to claim 1, characterized in that when the flow rate is within a specified range of flow rates, the lighter is selected by passing the flow rate test, and when the measured flow rate is outside the specified range of flow rates, categorize the lighter for not having passed the flow velocity test 5 A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the specified range of flow rates corresponds to a specified range of flow velocities of a combustible fluid 6 A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-combustible fluid is an inert gas 7 A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-combustible fluid is selected from the group comprising air and nitrogen 8 A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow restpctor is a porous member 9 A method of conforming as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the flow restpiter is an inner diameter tube which restricts the flow rate therethrough. A method for manufacturing a lighter, the method comprising providing a flow rest point, lighter adapted for receiving the flow restpctor, the lighter housing having a fuel tank, assembling the flow restpctor in the cigarette lighter housing, the cigarette lighter housing which is adapted to receive a non-combustible fluid initially inside the fuel tank, directing the non-combustible fluid through the flow restpiter, and measuring a flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid through the flow restpctor 11 A method according to claim 10, further comprising removing the non-combustible fluid from the igniter housing, and embedding a vacuum in the fuel tank 12 A method according to claim 10, further comprising analyzing the flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid through the flow restpiter against a specified range of flow rates, the specified range of Flow velocities that correspond to a specified range of flow velocities of a fluid com fuel 13 A method according to claim 12, the method further comprising when the measured flow rate is within the specified range, accepting the lighter 14 A method according to claim 12, the method further comprising when the speed of measured flow It is outside the specified range, to reject the igniter 15 A method according to claim 10, characterized in that directing a non-combustible fluid through the flow rest-pector comprises directing inert gas through the flow rest-stop 16 A method according to claim 10, characterized in that directing a noncombustible fluid through the flow restpctor comprises directing air or nitrogen through the flow restpctor 17 A method for manufacturing a lighter having a flow restpiter to establish a noncombustible fluid flow rate within of a specified range, comprising providing a flow restpctor for the lighter, the flow restpiter having a substantially constant flow velocity therethrough, directing a non-combustible fluid through the flow restpiter, measuring the flow rate of the non-combustible fluid through the flow restpiter, correlating the measured flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid with a flow velocity of a combustible fluid, and when the flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid is within the specified range, install the restpctor of flow in the lighter and stuff a vacuum in a fuel tank lighter 18 A met in accordance with claim 17, characterized in that the correlation of the measured flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid with the flow velocity of the combustible fluid indicates a maximum flame height. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that directing a non-combustible fluid through the flow restrictor comprises: directing an inert gas through the flow restrictor, wherein the flow velocity of the inert gas correlates with the flow velocity of a combustible fluid. 20. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that directing a non-combustible fluid through the flow restrictor comprises: directing air or nitrogen through the flow restrictor, wherein the flow velocity of air or nitrogen correlates with a flow rate of combustible fluid. A method for manufacturing a refillable lighter having a flow restrictor to establish a non-combustible fluid flow rate within a specified range, comprising: providing a flow restrictor for the refillable lighter, the flow restrictor having a substantially constant flow velocity therethrough; direct a non-combustible fluid through the flow restrictor; measure the flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid through the flow restrictor; correlating the measured flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid with a flow velocity of a combustible fluid; and when the flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid is Within the specified range, install the flow restpctor in the refillable lighter 22 A method according to claim 21, characterized in that the correlation of the measured flow velocity of the non-combustible fluid with the flow velocity of the combustible fluid indicates a height of maximum flame 23 A method according to claim 21, characterized in that directing an uncombustible fluid through the flow restpiter comprises directing an inert gas through the flow restpiter, wherein the flow velocity of the inert gas correlates with a flow rate of combustible fluid 24 A method according to claim 21, characterized in that directing a non-combustible fluid through the flow rest-collector comprises directing air or nitrogen through the flow rest-stop, wherein the flow rate of the flow air or nitrogen correlates with a flow rate of combustible fluid 25 A met The method according to claim 21, further comprising embedding a vacuum in a fuel tank of the refillable lighter. A method for manufacturing a refillable lighter having a flow rest-stop to establish a fuel fluid flow rate within a specified range. , which comprises providing a flow restpctor for the refillable lighter, the flow restpiter having a flow rate substantially constant therethrough; directing a fuel fluid through the flow restrictor; measure the flow velocity of the fuel fluid through the flow restrictor; When the flow velocity of the combustible fluid is within the specified range, install the flow restrictor on the refillable lighter. 27. A method according to claim 26, further comprising stuffing a vacuum in a fuel tank of the refillable lighter.