Abstract: The subject of the invention is a device for the detection of imminent gas depletion of a liquified gas tank, comprising a bundle of fiber optics (22), one end of which, forming an observation surface is visible from the outside of the tank, and other end of which, placed inside of the tank, is in optical contact with a flat surface of a transparent element (20), comprising, on its opposite surface, at least one dioptricelement (26). According to the invention, the lateral walls of the element (26) form with said surface an angle, preferably obtuse, the dimensions of which are such that it is capable, as long as there is liquid gas remaining in the reservoir, of being covered, almost totally, by a mensicus formed of a liquid gas condensate, which thus prevents any total reflection on said surface, of the rays directed by the fiber beams.

Abstract: An improvement in a ballpoint pen having an ink cartridge with a writing nib slidably mounted in the body of the pen and translatable between a resting position wherein the nib is retracted within the body of the pen and a writing position wherein the nib is disposed outside of the pen body, the ink cartridge being provided in the vicinity of the nib with at least one orifice for supplying the ink cartridge with air, the improvement including a chamber sealed from the ambient atmosphere in both the resting and writing positions, the orifice being disposed within the chamber, and an interruptable sealing mechanism for establishing communication between the chamber and the ambient atmosphere whenever the ink cartridge is translated between the resting and writing positions.

Abstract: A valve for a liquefied gas lighter, which includes an expander-evaporator and a flow limiter for limiting flow of the liquefied gas to the expander-evaporator, the flow limiter including a rigid member, a deformable sleeve of a gas permeable material surrounding the rigid member, an elastically deformable element in contact with the sleeve, and a compression member for compressing the elastically deformable element and deforming it radially in the direction of the sleeve and the rigid member. The rigid member includes a support member for supporting the sleeve and the expander-evaporator, the elastically deformable member is an O-ring surrounding the sleeve, and the expander-evaporator is a deformable and permeable element whose permeability is varied by movement of the rigid member, effected through an adjustment member.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the fluid flowrate through a system whose through flowrate is to be measured, which includes a first chamber in fluid communication and substantial pressure equilibrium with a constant pressure source, a second chamber in fluid communication with the constant pressure source through a flow restrictor whose through flowrate is substantially equal to the through flowrate of the system to be measured, a valve having an upstream port in fluid communication with the second chamber and a downstream port adapted to receive and connect with the system to be measured, the valve being selectively actuable to establish or block fluid communication between the second chamber and the system to be measured, and a measuring device for measuring the pressure difference between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A liquefied gas apparatus, in particular a gas lighter for smokers, is disclosed, utilizing a vaporizer-pressure reducer assembly including a pressure reducing device situated generally within a vaporizer. All solid materials with which the assembly is in contact have a thermal conductivity in the range 0.3 to 5 kcal/m/h/.degree. C.