Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Meister

Ronald J. Meister has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8220314
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Zippo Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James M. McDonough, Ronald J. Meister, Michael W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100186233
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: ZIPPO MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. McDonough, Ronald J. Meister, Michael W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7690242
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Zippo Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James M. McDonough, Ronald J. Meister, Michael W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7654821
    Abstract: A lighter includes a butane fuel reservoir, a valve, a mixer with a choke, a movable combustion space and movable top door over the combustion space which interact to allow a wheel and flint igniter to initiate a post mix flame above the top of the combustion space followed by the opening of the top and migration of the flame into the combustion space to create a strong torch-like premixed flame thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Zippo Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Marc L. Vitantonio, Craig M. Saunders, Charles P. Althoff, David J. Boll, Michael W. Johnson, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Michael P. O'Toole, Ronald J. Meister
  • Patent number: 7214055
    Abstract: A convertible burner for gas-fueled cigarette pocket lighters for use with flint and wheel ignition, the burner including a burner body having a central gas fuel passageway and an air inlet channel in fluid communication with the central passageway and may have a plurality of integrally formed passageways around the periphery of the burner body. An air control structure in the form of a collar is movable to a first position with respect to the burner body to close the air inlet channel and form a post-mix burner for flint and wheel ignition, and to a second position with respect to the burner body to admit air via the air inlet channel to form a pre-mix burner after ignition. The relative movement can be longitudinal or peripheral, and the peripheral movement can be circumferential. In one embodiment, the collar surrounds and is immediately adjacent to the air inlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Zippo Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Meister, Charles J. Duke
  • Patent number: 6726470
    Abstract: A windproof lighter is provided having an inside unit and an exterior case. The inside unit has an interior chamber, a wick, a flint, a flint position apparatus positioned in the interior chamber, a flint wheel, and a chimney. The lighter has a disposable fuel cell containing lighter fuel. The fuel cell is designed to fit within the interior chamber and to not interfere with the flint position apparatus. When the container is to be used in a windproof lighter, it has an opening that receives the wick. The wick extends into the interior chamber and has a component that is larger than the opening so that when the container is properly positioned within the interior chamber, the component secures the container in position and prevents accidental spillage of the lighter fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Zippo Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ronald J. Meister
  • Patent number: 5893212
    Abstract: Cigar cutters having sliding blades are disclosed. The cutters are relatively flat and are designed to fit in a pocket. The inner ends of the blades have arcuate cutting edges to aid in cutting. The outer ends of the blades have handles with apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Zippo Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ronald J. Meister
  • Patent number: 5424929
    Abstract: A lighting assembly for use in a cigaret lighter shell. The lighting assembly comprises an insulative case for housing a power supply, such as batteries, and conductors for establishing an electrical circuit that includes the batteries, the conductors, and a light bulb and that does not rely on conductivity of the shell. An adjustable reflector and lens may be provided to focus and direct the beam generated by the bulb. One conductor is moved into contact with another of the conductors in response to opening of the lid of the shell to close the electrical circuit to turn the flashlight on. One of the conductors is moved out of contact with another in response to closing of the lid to turn the flashlight off. One of the conductors is positioned for preventing its contact with another conductor when the lighting assembly is removed from the shell so that it is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Zippo Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Murray, Ronald J. Meister
  • Patent number: 5180019
    Abstract: A power tool is provided with selectable remote power inlet locations by providing conduits for transmitting power from the remote location to the power switch. The remote power inlet is firmly connected to the conduit so that it is possible to support the weight of the tool by the remote power inlet. In some configurations, the power conduit or conduit cover serves as a trigger guard or hand guard on the tool grip. Both pneumatic and electrical versions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Steven A. Thiry, Ronald J. Meister, David J. Ropp
  • Patent number: 5172773
    Abstract: A power tool is provided with a rigid power cord diverter which covers and shields the cord and which guides the cord from the power inlet of the tool to a remote location on the tool. The power diverter is firmly clamped to the power cord so that it is possible for the power cord to support the weight of the tool at the remote location. In some configurations, the power cord diverter conduit cover serves as a trigger guard or hand guard on the tool grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Meister, David J. Ropp