Abstract: A gas powered tool (70) comprising a housing (73) and a soldering tool element (72) releasably coupled to the housing (73). A latching element (105) pivotally mounted on a pivot pin (106) in the housing (73) is retained in a non-latching state (FIG. 26) by an abutment element (102) which is urgeable into the housing (73) by the soldering tool element (72) when the soldering tool element (72) is coupled to the housing (73). The latching element (105) is spring biased in the direction of the arrow E from the non-latching state to a latching state (FIG. 27) for latching a switching element (89) in a first state to in turn retain an isolating valve (86), which supplies fuel gas from a reservoir (78) in the housing (73) to the soldering tool element (72), in the isolating state. On decoupling of the soldering tool element (72) from the housing (73), the abutment element (102) is spring urged outwardly and disengages the latching element (105).

Abstract: An electrically powered heater unit includes a positive temperature coefficient disc heater element sandwiched between an electrically conductive contact element and an electrically and heat conductive heat transfer element. A housing defining a hollow interior region is located on a plate member, and a communicating opening formed in the plate member communicates with the hollow interior region. The heat transfer element is secured to the plate member by retaining member extending from the heat transfer element engaging a rim of the communicating opening, with the heating element and the contact element located within the hollow interior region of the housing. A first and second connecting elements extend from the contact element and heat transfer element, respectively, then through the housing for connecting to first and second wires of an electrical power supply for providing electrical power supply to first and second abutment surfaces of the heater element.

Abstract: A gas powered tool (70) comprising a housing (73) and a soldering tool element (72) releasably coupled to the housing (73). A latching element (105) pivotally mounted on a pivot pin (106) in the housing (73) is retained in a non-latching state (FIG. 26) by an abutment element (102) which is urgeable into the housing (73) by the soldering tool element (72) when the soldering tool element (72) is coupled to the housing (73). The latching element (105) is spring biased in the direction of the arrow E from the non-latching state to a latching state (FIG. 27) for latching a switching element (89) in a first state to in turn retain an isolating valve (86), which supplies fuel gas from a reservoir (78) in the housing (73) to the soldering tool element (72), in the isolating state. On decoupling of the soldering tool element (72) from the housing (73), the abutment element (102) is spring urged outwardly and disengages the latching element (105).

Abstract: An evaporator (1) comprises a housing (2) having a top wall (7) in which a receiving recess (14) is formed for receiving a container (15) for a liquid to be evaporated. A heat transfer element (30) having a first heat transfer abutment face (35) located in the receiving recess (14) transfers heat from an electrically powered heating element (25) to the container (15) through a second heat transfer abutment face (36) of a base (16) of the container (15). The heating element is planar and is located between the heat transfer element (30) and a locating element (40), which retains the heating element (25) tightly between the heat transfer element (30) and the locating element (40). A retaining magnet (48) located in the locating element (40) extends into a bore (52) in the heat transfer element (30) and co-operates with a complementary element (49) of magnetic material located in the base (16) of the container (15) for releasably retaining the container (15) in the receiving recess (14).

Abstract: A vaporizing device (80) for vaporizing vaporizable matter without burning the vaporizable matter, typically, tobacco, comprises a vaporization chamber (61) for the vaporizable matter, and a gas powered heating unit (1) for heating the vaporization chamber (61). The heating unit (1) comprises a housing (2) having a main cylindrical side wall (4) closed at its respective ends by a first end wall (5) and a second end wall (6) to form a main chamber (8) within which fuel gas is converted to heat. A secondary cylindrical side wall (62) extends from the second end wall (6) to form the vaporization chamber (61) for receiving a tobacco product (81), a cylindrical sleeve (83) of tobacco (84) for producing an aerosol of vaporizable constituents in the tobacco (84). A cylindrical partition wall (10) concentric with the main side wall (4) of the housing (2) extends into the main chamber (8) from the first end wall (5) and defines a primary combustion chamber (11) and a secondary combustion chamber (12).

Abstract: An evaporator (1) comprises a housing (2) having a top wall (7) in which a receiving recess (14) is formed for receiving a container (15) for a liquid to be evaporated. A heat transfer element (30) having a first heat transfer abutment face (35) located in the receiving recess (14) transfers heat from an electrically powered heating element (25) to the container (15) through a second heat transfer abutment face (36) of a base (16) of the container (15). The heating element is planar and is located between the heat transfer element (30) and a locating element (40), which retains the heating element (25) tightly between the heat transfer element (30) and the locating element (40). A retaining magnet (48) located in the locating element (40) extends into a bore (52) in the heat transfer element (30) and co-operates with a complementary element (49) of magnetic material located in the base (16) of the container (15) for releasably retaining the container (15) in the receiving recess (14).

Abstract: A vaporising device (80) for vaporising vaporisable matter without burning the vaporisable matter, typically, tobacco, comprises a vaporisation chamber (61) for the vaporisable matter, and a gas powered heating unit (1) for heating the vaporisation chamber (61). The heating unit (1) comprises a housing (2) having a main cylindrical side wall (4) closed at its respective ends by a first end wall (5) and a second end wall (6) to form a main chamber (8) within which fuel gas is converted to heat. A secondary cylindrical side wall (62) extends from the second end wall (6) to form the vaporisation chamber (61) for receiving a tobacco product (81), a cylindrical sleeve (83) of tobacco (84) for producing an aerosol of vaporisable constituents in the tobacco (84). A cylindrical partition wall (10) concentric with the main side wall (4) of the housing (2) extends into the main chamber (8) from the first end wall (5) and defines a primary combustion chamber (11) and a secondary combustion chamber (12).

Abstract: A device (1) for producing an aerosol from vaporizable constituents of tobacco comprises a vaporizing chamber (24) within which the tobacco is placed. A main housing (9) which forms a portion of the vaporizing chamber also forms a combustion chamber (18) within which a gas catalytic combustion element (19) is located for converting fuel gas to heat by catalytic action. A temperature responsive control valve (61) controls the supply of fuel gas to the combustion chamber for maintaining the temperature in the vaporizing chamber A thermal mass (96) secured to a tab portion (95) of the gas catalytic combustion element maintains the temperature of the tab portion at or above the ignition temperature of the gas catalytic combustion element during periods of fuel gas interruption by the control valve. Vaporised constituents of the tobacco are drawn from the vaporizing chamber through an aerosol accommodating tube (37) through a mouthpiece (38).

Abstract: A portable handheld vaporising device (1) comprises a housing (2) within which a vaporising chamber (7) is formed, wherein a liquid in a container (11) is vaporised to form an aerosol. A heatable element (21) having a dished abutment surface (22) is located in the vaporising chamber (7), and is heated by a gas powered heater (20) located in a main chamber (8) of the housing (2). A wick (18) extending through a port (17) of the container (11) is located spaced apart from the heatable element (21) when the container (11) is in a first state illustrated in FIG. 3. The container (11) is depressable into the housing (2) into a second state for engaging the wick (18) with the abutment surface (22) of the heatable element (21) for evaporating liquid which is wicked through the wick (18) from the container (11). A draw pipe (27) terminating in a mouthpiece (29) draws an aerosol of the vapour evaporated from the liquid for inhaling thereof.

Abstract: A glue gun (10) comprising a body member (3) in which a glue accommodating and melting chamber (4) for receiving stick glue is formed and combustion chamber 910) is also formed for accommodating a gas catalytic combustion element (14). A temperature responsive valve (25) controls the supply of fuel gas to the combustion chamber 910) for maintaining the temperature of the body member (3) at approximately 140° C.

Abstract: A disposable sachet of tobacco for use with a gas powered vaporizing device for vaporizing vaporizable constituents of the tobacco comprises a side wall of an impermeable paper based material and an upstream end cap and a downstream end cap which together define a hollow interior region for the tobacco. The sachet is shaped and sized to releasably and snugly engage a vaporizing chamber of the vaporizing device with a heat transfer member therein extending into the hollow interior region of the sachet. The upstream end cap and the downstream end cap are of a paper based permeable material which are permeable to air and an aerosol of vaporized constituents from the tobacco, respectively, to accommodate air into the hollow interior region of the sachet and the aerosol therefrom.

Abstract: A vaporising device (1) for vaporising herbal matter comprises a body member 7, within which a vaporising chamber (9) is formed for the herbal matter (2). A heat conducting spigot (43) extends into the vaporising chamber (9). A heat transfer element (45) comprising a carrier ring (46) and three equi-spaced apart heat transfer spigots (47) extending from the carrier ring (46) is removeably engageable in the vaporising chamber (9) for transferring heat directly into the herbal matter. A gas catalytic combustion element (12) located in a combustion chamber (10) formed in the body member (7) converts fuel gas to heat which is transferred through the body member (7), the heat conducting spigot (43) and the heat transfer spigots (47) of the heat transfer element (45) to the herbal matter in the vaporising chamber (9). The heat transfer element (45) is removable and replaceable by hand in the vaporising chamber (9) for cleaning thereof and for permitting cleaning of the vaporising chamber (9).

Abstract: A vaporising device (80) for vaporising vaporisable matter without burning the vaporisable matter, typically, tobacco, comprises a vaporisation chamber (61) for the vaporisable matter, and a gas powered heating unit (1) for heating the vaporisation chamber (61). The heating unit (1) comprises a housing (2) having a main cylindrical side wall (4) closed at its respective ends by a first end wall (5) and a second end wall (6) to form a main chamber (8) within which fuel gas is converted to heat. A secondary cylindrical side wall (62) extends from the second end wall (6) to form the vaporisation chamber (61) for receiving a tobacco product (81), a cylindrical sleeve (83) of tobacco (84) for producing an aerosol of vaporisable constituents in the tobacco (84). A cylindrical partition wall (10) concentric with the main side wall (4) of the housing (2) extends into the main chamber (8) from the first end wall (5) and defines a primary combustion chamber (11) and a secondary combustion chamber (12).

Abstract: A disposable sachet (1) of tobacco (2) for use with a gas powered vaporising device (5) for vaporising vaporisable constituents of the tobacco (2) comprises a side wall (45) of an impermeable paper based material and an upstream end cap (49) and a downstream end cap (53) which together define a hollow interior region (46) for the tobacco (2). The sachet (1) is shaped and sized to releasably and snugly engage a vaporising chamber (15) of the vaporising device (5) with a heat transfer member (25) therein extending into the hollow interior region (46) of the sachet (1). The upstream end cap (49) is of a paper based permeable material which is permeable to air and the downstream end cap (53) is of a similar permeable paper based material which is permeable to an aerosol formed by vaporised constituents from the tobacco (2) entrained in air drawn through the hollow interior region (46) of the sachet (1) when the sachet (1) is in the vaporising chamber (15).

Abstract: A glue gun (1) for melting a glue stick (2) comprises a heating device (3) which in turn comprises a main housing (4) having a combustion chamber (6) and a working body member (5) having a heating chamber (20) within which the glue stick (2) is melted. A gas catalytic combustion element (10) in the combustion chamber (6) converts fuel gas to heat for heating the main body member (4) for in turn melting the glue stick (2). Melted glue is dispensed through a dispensing nozzle (25). A cover (30) around the dispensing nozzle (25) forms a pair of exhaust gas passageways (33) on respective opposite sides of the dispensing nozzle (25) for conducting exhaust gases form an exhaust gas port (15) form the combustion chamber (6) to an exhaust gas outlet (34). Heat exchange fins (45, 46) form the passageway (33) into a circuitous tortuous passageway and transfer heat from the exhaust gases into the dispensing nozzle (25) for cooling the exhaust gases to a safe temperature.

Abstract: A glue gun (10) comprising a body member (3) in which a glue accommodating and melting chamber (4) for receiving stick glue is formed and combustion chamber 910) is also formed for accommodating a gas catalytic combustion element (14). A temperature responsive valve (25) controls the supply of fuel gas to the combustion chamber 910) for maintaining the temperature of the body member (3) at approximately 140° C.

Abstract: A gas powered soldering tool (1) comprising a handle (2) and a tubular carrier member (15) extending therefrom. A combustion chamber (22) is formed in a distal end (19) of the carrier member (15) within which a catalytic combustion element (23) of cylindrical construction is located. Fuel gas/air mixture is supplied to the combustion chamber (22) through the carrier member (15). A receiving member (30) is crimped onto the carrier member (15) at the distal end thereof and releasably carries a soldering tip tool (18). A spigot (40) extending from the soldering tip tool (18) into the combustion chamber (22) conducts heat from the combustion chamber (22) to a soldering tip portion (36) of the soldering tool tip (18). A plug member (37) of the soldering tool tip (18) is threaded for engaging corresponding threads in a bore (31) of the receiving member (30) for facilitating replacement of the soldering tool (18).

Abstract: A soldering iron (1) comprises a soldering head (4) connected to a handle (2). A cylindrical catalytic element (20) located in a combustion chamber (8) converts gas to heat for heating a soldering tip (15). An electrode (40) located within the catalytic element (20) initially ignites a fuel gas/air mixture to burn in a flame (42) within the catalytic element (20) for raising the temperature of a downstream portion (50) of the catalytic element (20) to its ignition temperature. Heat from the downstream portion (50) raises an upstream portion (51) of the catalytic element (20) upstream of the flame (42) to its ignition temperature, which then commences to convert the fuel gas/air mixture to heat. This starves the flame (42) of fuel gas/air mixture, thus extinguishing the flame (42) so that the catalytic element (20) continues to convert fuel gas/air mixture to heat in a catalytic reaction.

Abstract: A gas powered soldering tool (1) comprising a main body member (4) terminating in a soldering tip portion (8) has a combustion chamber (10) located therein. A gas catalytic combustion element (12) is located in the combustion chamber (10), and fuel gas is delivered into the combustion chamber (10) from a jet nozzle (15) and an air mixing venturi bore (17). A temperature responsive controller (28) for controlling the fuel gas supply to the jet nozzle (15) comprises a valve (39) having a valving member (58) which is operable by a permanent magnet (63) slidably located in a bore (64). A first member (70) of thermomagnetic material the Curie point of which is substantially similar to the temperature at which the main body member (4) is to be controlled is located at one end of the bore (64).

Abstract: A soldering tool (1) comprising a main housing (2) within which is located a fuel gas reservoir (4). A soldering body member (5) terminates in a rearwardly extending combustion chamber (11) within which is located a gas catalytic combustion element (14). A gas/air mixture is delivered through a jet outlet (21) where it is initially burnt with a flame in a flame combustion chamber (24) for raising the catalytic combustion element (14) to its ignition temperature. A piezoelectric ignition element (50) provides a spark across a spark gap (56) adjacent an electrode (55) for igniting the gas/air mixture to burn with a flame. An interrupt member (67) located downstream of a nozzle bore (28) temporarily interrupts the flow of fuel gas to the jet outlet (21) for extinguishing the flame after the catalytic combustion element (14) has been raised to its ignition temperature. A slidable actuator member (60) in the housing (2) sequentially operates the piezoelectric ignition element (50) and the interrupt member (67).