Abstract: A gas lighter valve assembly that can be fitted easily and tightly into a gas lighter body or a well as a free-floating entity not fixed to the gas lighter body or well. The valve assemblies integration as a free floating entity within the lighter body or well avoids the necessity of an interference fit. To avoid the necessity of an interference fit, valve assembly positioning and stability is achieved by the use of an o-ring which is compressed by downward force exerted by a pressing cover upon a bushing or directly upon the o-ring. By eliminating the stress and friction typically caused by an interference fit, the lighter body and reservoir can be made from a variety of materials including non-crystalline resins.

Abstract: A sealing assembly, for filling and sealing a reservoir of a gas lighter that includes a cylindrical well, a plug having a front section and a rear section, the front section having radial projections and at least one recess to provide a fluid passage, the rear section having a circular bulge/bump portion, and a weld portion adapted to be melted by welding, wherein the plug is adapted to be moved from a first position (P1) in which a gas passage is, to a second position (P2), temporary seal position, in which a gastight contact is provided between the circular bulge portion of the plug and an inner wall of the well, and further from the second position to a third axial position (P3), definitive seal position, wherein the weld portion of the plug is definitely welded to the reservoir in a gastight manner.

Abstract: A gas lighter that includes a reservoir for holding a flammable gas, a valve mounted on a top surface of the reservoir for allowing a release of the gas from the reservoir, a valve actuator having a push button on a first end and a connector at a second end for connecting the valve actuator to the valve; a first spring biased against a lower surface of the push button actuator and a wall of the reservoir; a spark wheel coaxially mounted with corresponding cheeks that are capable of rotating; a hood disposed completely or partially over the spark wheel and cheeks; at least two support arms, each arm having a first end coaxially mounted with the cheeks and a second end having a pivoting connection to bearings located on the reservoir; a sleeve disposed under the under the spark wheel; a second spring disposed in the sleeve; and a flint stone disposed in the sleeve.

Abstract: The valve assembly includes a tubular rigid body that can be arranged in the upper wall of a lighter gas reservoir and a hollow rod extending along a central axis from a lower end located within the tubular body to an upper end located outside the tubular body. A retaining member (R), on which the upper end of the tubular body is crimped, surrounds a cylindrical portion of the hollow rod. Movement of the hollow rod through the retaining member from a closed position to an opened position enables gas to flow from a lower hole of the valve assembly to the upper end of the hollow rod. The retaining member (R) made of synthetic resin has an annular shape with a slit that can be circumferentially expanded. This member has a reduced thickness at a contact area with crimped portion of the tubular body.

Abstract: A gas lighter valve assembly that can be fitted easily and tightly into a gas lighter body or a well as a free-floating entity not fixed to the gas lighter body or well. The valve assemblies integration as a free floating entity within the lighter body or well avoids the necessity of an interference fit. To avoid the necessity of an interference fit, valve assembly positioning and stability is achieved by the use of an o-ring which is compressed by downward force exerted by a pressing cover upon a bushing or directly upon the o-ring. By eliminating the stress and friction typically caused by an interference fit, the lighter body and reservoir can be made from a variety of materials including non-crystalline resins.

Abstract: The valve assembly includes a tubular rigid body that can be arranged in the upper wall of a lighter gas reservoir and a hollow rod extending along a central axis from a lower end located within the tubular body to an upper end located outside the tubular body. A retaining member (R), on which the upper end of the tubular body is crimped, surrounds a cylindrical portion of the hollow rod. Movement of the hollow rod through the retaining member from a closed position to an opened position enables gas to flow from a lower hole of the valve assembly to the upper end of the hollow rod. The retaining member (R) made of synthetic resin has an annular shape with a slit that can be circumferentially expanded. This member has a reduced thickness at a contact area with crimped portion of the tubular body.

Abstract: A gas lighter that includes a reservoir for holding a flammable gas, a valve mounted on a top surface of the reservoir for allowing a release of the gas from the reservoir, a valve actuator having a push button on a first end and a connector at a second end for connecting the valve actuator to the valve; a first spring biased against a lower surface of the push button actuator and a wall of the reservoir; a spark wheel coaxially mounted with corresponding cheeks that are capable of rotating; a hood disposed completely or partially over the spark wheel and cheeks; at least two support arms, each arm having a first end coaxially mounted with the cheeks and a second end having a pivoting connection to bearings located on the reservoir; a sleeve disposed under the under the spark wheel; a second spring disposed in the sleeve; and a flint stone disposed in the sleeve.

Abstract: Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.