Combustion – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-04
2001-07-10
Price, Carl D. (Department: 3743)
Combustion
Combined
C431S126000, C040S299010, C040S306000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257872
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to apparatus for use with a cigarette lighter. More specifically, the present invention pertains to decorative apparatus for removable attachment to a cigarette lighter for enhancing the appearance and/or identification of the lighter.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Cigarette lighters have existed for many years. The body of such lighters enclose a reservoir in which lighter fluid is carried for supplying a flame producing element which is ignited as needed.
In the past, cigarette lighters have been manufactured as a relatively permanent devices which may be kept by the owner for many years, lighter fluid being replenished through a filler opening. Most of the bodies of such lighters were made of metal and many were very decorative in appearance, some being provided with precious metal or stone decorations or designs.
In more recent years, the disposable cigarette lighter has become much more popular. The body of such disposable cigarette lighters are usually made of plastic and are relatively cheap. Once the lighter fluid of a disposable lighter is depleted, the lighter is simply thrown away and a new one purchased by the user. Such lighters are much safer in that they do not require refilling and are not as likely to leak. Furthermore, the user does not have to worry as much about losing an expensive lighter.
Since disposable cigarette lighters are mass produced and vary little in appearance, they are rather plain and non-descriptive in appearance. Thus, they are lacking in characteristics of individual design and identification, characteristics often desired by the users thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a removable attachment to a cigarette lighter which comprises a rigid band which may be placed around a cigarette lighter in a position snugly engaging a mid-portion thereof. One or more distinctive design members may be affixed to the band enhancing the appearance and/or identification of the lighter. Since most cigarette lighters are tapered upwardly and inwardly from the base thereof, the band is formed with an interior which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the lighter base but larger than the cross-sectional area of the lighter at the top thereof. This allows the apparatus to be placed around the top of the lighter and moved to a position snugly engaging the mid-portion of the lighter body. If the lighter is a disposable lighter, the apparatus may be removed when fluid in the lighter is depleted by simply grasping it and removing it from the top of the lighter. It may then be placed on a newly purchased lighter.
The decorative apparatus of the present invention may be made from precious metals, such as silver and gold, and provided with one or more distinctive design elements for enhancing the appearance and/or individualized identification of the lighter. While the apparatus of the present invention is simple in design and use, it is unique in providing decorative apparatus for disposable cigarette lighters which may be used again and again to enhance the appearance of the lighter and to identify it as belonging to a particular individual. Many other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from reading the description which follows in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 386211 (1997-11-01), Taparaushas, Jr.
patent: 405102 (1889-06-01), Kraus
patent: D. 407343 (1999-03-01), Dickhaut
patent: D. 412938 (1999-08-01), Kesselring et al.
patent: 415116 (1889-11-01), Michel
patent: 1298621 (1919-03-01), Wrigley
patent: 2812652 (1957-11-01), Conley
patent: 3706523 (1972-12-01), Kumm
patent: 3965591 (1976-06-01), Le Sueur
patent: 5283969 (1994-02-01), Weiss
patent: 5651388 (1997-07-01), Faran, Jr.
patent: 0870684 (1998-10-01), None
patent: 2410323 (1979-07-01), None
Berryhill Bill B.
Price Carl D.
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