Inverting Pocket Lighter With Finger Opening

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pocket lighters require users to twist their hands into uncomfortable positions to invert them, obstructing the view of the flame and increasing the risk of accidental burns when trying to light objects like pipes or other upward-facing receptacles.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an opening through the body of the pocket lighter, allowing users to insert their finger and activate the lighter without turning their hand, enabling comfortable use in an inverted position while maintaining a direct line of sight to the flame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the pocket lighter is used in an inverted position to light upward-facing receptacles, then the flame can reach the target object, but the user's hand must be twisted into an uncomfortable position and the view of the flame is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to light upward-facing receptaclesVSAvoidhand position comfort and flame visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional lighter design by placing the button at the open top rather than at the bottom. This allows the lighter to be held in a natural hand position even when inverted, with the thumb accessible from above to press the button while the flame exits downward to light upward-facing objects. The indexing hole is also repositioned to maintain finger access in the inverted orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional element by adding an indexing hole through the body of the lighter. This hole provides a third dimension for finger insertion, allowing the index finger to pass through and position itself correctly on the button regardless of the lighter's orientation. This additional dimensional access point solves the problem of button accessibility when the lighter is inverted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the pocket lighter is grasped conventionally with the button at the bottom, then the design is simple, but the user cannot maintain a direct line of sight to the flame when inverting it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighter design simplicityVSAvoidflame visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional lighter design by placing the button at the open top rather than at the bottom. This allows the lighter to be held in a natural hand position even when inverted, with the thumb accessible from above to press the button while the flame exits downward to light upward-facing objects. The indexing hole is also repositioned to maintain finger access in the inverted orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The indexing hole acts as an intermediary element that facilitates proper finger positioning and maintains operational control. The hole allows the index finger to pass through and position itself correctly on the button, serving as a mediator between the user's hand and the lighter's activation mechanism, ensuring proper alignment and visibility regardless of orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11913644B2Inverting pocket lighters

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 VPR BRANDS LP

AI summary

Inverting pocket lighters are described herein. An example pocket lighter includes a body having a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, an end wall between the first side and the second side, and an opening extending through the body between the first side wall and the second side wall. The opening is dimensioned to receive a finger of a person. The example pocket lighter also includes a lighter assembly at least partially disposed in the body. The lighter assembly includes a nozzle and a button to open the nozzle when activated.