Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with a replaceable filter cartridge system. The valve assembly includes a head member having an interior valve chamber defining a central axis, and inlet and outlet passages extending parallel to and communicating with the interior valve chamber. The valve assembly further includes a valve member having an inlet path and an outlet path, adapted for rotation within the interior valve chamber of the head member between a filter position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is in communication with the inlet passage of the head member and a bypass position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is out of communication with the inlet passage of the head member. The valve assembly further includes a seal member seated in an upper surface of the valve member and positioned to seal against an opposing surface of the interior valve chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a new fluid filter system including, but not limited to, structure for enabling a filter cartridge to be installed and removed from a manifold with a straight line push/pull motion, an innovative latching mechanism and an innovative water manifold, the latching mechanism providing a unique mechanism interface between an innovative manifold and a filter cartridge, the latching mechanism providing a compact and simple mechanism between the innovative manifold and the filter cartridge that significantly reduces the installation and removal force previously found with fluid filtration cartridges by including a low force filter cartridge installation and removal mechanism for utilization by the end consumer and the manifold assembly includes an inlet and an outlet port, the manifold assembly having structure for maintaining a substantially constant volumetric cavity of the fluid filtration system that contains fluid during installation and operation of the filter therein and remov

Abstract: A filter cartridge and spool valve manifold assembly includes a filter cartridge and a spool valve manifold. The filter cartridge includes a filter element and inlet/outlet portion in fluid communication with the filter element. The inlet/outlet portion has a cartridge inlet port and a cartridge outlet port. The spool valve manifold includes a housing and a body. The housing has a housing inlet port and a housing outlet port adapted for fluid communication with a fluid supply system. The body is located within the housing and configured to rotate around a first axis relative to the housing. The inlet/outlet portion of the filter cartridge is fluidly coupled to the body via insertion of the inlet/outlet portion into the body in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: An anti-drip filter assembly includes a filter cartridge assembly, a sump and an anti-drip element. The filter cartridge assembly includes a filter element and an end cap permanently attached to the filter element. The sump encloses the filter cartridge assembly. The anti-drip element is separate and distinct from the filter cartridge and the sump and is configured for insertion into the unfiltered fluid flow path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with a replaceable filter cartridge system. The valve assembly includes a head member having an interior valve chamber defining a central axis, and inlet and outlet passages extending parallel to and communicating with the interior valve chamber. The valve assembly further includes a valve member having an inlet path and an outlet path, adapted for rotation within the interior valve chamber of the head member between a filter position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is in communication with the inlet passage of the head member and a bypass position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is out of communication with the inlet passage of the head member. The valve assembly further includes a seal member seated in an upper surface of the valve member and positioned to seal against an opposing surface of the interior valve chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter which a user actuates by at least two different modes of operation. In the first mode, a biasing member is positioned to oppose movement of an actuating assembly so that a user releases fuel and ignites the lighter only if a high-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. In this first mode, the lighter resists operation by unintended users by requiring a user to have a predetermined level of strength to actuate the lighter. In the second mode, the biasing member is moved to a different position which does not oppose movement of the actuating assembly to the same extent as the first mode so that a user may release fuel and ignite the lighter if a low-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. Moving the biasing element from the first position to the second position preferably requires the user to have a predetermined level of cognitive abilities and/or physical characteristics in order to resist use by unintended users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter which a user actuates by at least two different modes of operation. In the first mode, a plunger member is positioned to allow a biasing member to oppose movement of an actuating assembly so that a user releases fuel and ignites the lighter only if a high-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. In this first mode, the lighter resists operation by unintended users by requiring a user to have a predetermined level of strength to actuate the lighter. In the second mode, the plunger member is moved to a different position so that the biasing member does not oppose movement of the actuating assembly to the same extent as the first mode so that a user may release fuel and ignite the lighter if a low-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. Moving the plunger member from the first position to the second position preferably requires the user to have a predetermined level of cognitive abilities and/or physical characteristics in order to resist use by unintended users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a utility lighter platform which includes a lighting mechanism configured to selectively ignite fuel supplied from a fuel supply container, and a frame configured to operatively house the lighting mechanism and configured to receive an outer shell thereon. The frame includes a fuel supply container housing structure configured to hold a fuel supply container at a first end of the frame and an insulating cap holding structure configured to receive an insulating cap at a second end of the frame and configured to house a nozzle operatively connected to the fuel supply. The frame also includes an ignitor assembly holding structure configured to house an ignitor assembly, and a trigger holding structure configured to operatively hold a trigger stem with which to activate the ignitor assembly and to release fuel from the fuel supply in order to ignite fuel received at the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter which a user actuates by at least two different modes of operation. In the first mode, a plunger member is positioned to allow a biasing member to oppose movement of an actuating assembly so that a user releases fuel and ignites the lighter only if a high-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. In this first mode, the lighter resists operation by unintended users by requiring a user to have a predetermined level of strength to actuate the lighter. In the second mode, the plunger member is moved to a different position so that the biasing member does not oppose movement of the actuating assembly to the same extent as the first mode so that a user may release fuel and ignite the lighter if a low-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. Moving the plunger member from the first position to the second position preferably requires the user to have a predetermined level of cognitive abilities and/or physical characteristics in order to resist use by unintended users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighter including a housing having a handle at one end and a nozzle at another end and including a fuel supply connected for selective fluid communication with the nozzle. A release member is cooperatively connected to the housing to initiate the flow of fuel from the fuel supply to the nozzle. An ignitor, such as a piezoelectric mechanism, is provided for generating a spark proximate the nozzle. A trigger spaced from the release member is operatively connected to the housing for actuating the ignitor for the generation of a spark igniting the fuel present at the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a utility lighter platform which includes a lighting mechanism configured to selectively ignite fuel supplied from a fuel supply container, and a frame configured to operatively house the lighting mechanism and configured to receive an outer shell thereon. The frame includes a fuel supply container housing structure configured to hold a fuel supply container at a first end of the frame and an insulating cap holding structure configured to receive an insulating cap at a second end of the frame and configured to house a nozzle operatively connected to the fuel supply. The frame also includes an ignitor assembly holding structure configured to house an ignitor assembly, and a trigger holding structure configured to operatively hold a trigger stem with which to activate the ignitor assembly and to release fuel from the fuel supply in order to ignite fuel received at the nozzle.