Title: Method and apparatus for using cleaning and maintaining electrical-heating source and lighters
Application Number: 97191895 Application Date: 1997.11.25
Publication Number: 1209731 Publication Date: 1999.03.03
Approval Pub. Date: 2003.12.10 Granted Pub. Date: 2003.12.10
International Classifi-cation: A24F47/00
Applicant(s) Name: Philip Morris Products Inc. Address:
Inventor(s) Name: John M. Adams;William J. Crowe;Grier S. Fleischhau
Attorney & Agent: zheng xiuzhe
Abstract:
    Methods and apparatuses for cleaning an electrical lighter are provided. A sleeve, e.g., ceramic or metal, surrounds the heater fixture, and a resistive heating element (210) is in thermal proximity with the sleeve. The resistive heating element (210) is either a dedicated element or the cigarette heating elements (210). The sleeve serves as an aerosol barrier and condensate accumulator to protect other components. Periodically, e.g., substantially contemporaneously with a battery recharge, the heating element (210) is activated to thermally liberate condensates deposited on the sleeve during smoking and also heats, and thereby cleans, other components. Also, a cleaning element is optionally inserted into the cigarette receptacle of the electrical lighter or placed at the exit thereof to absorb, attract and/or catalytically break down the thermally liberated condensates. The sleeve also directs a desired flow path for drawn air within an electrical lighter toward the cigarette.
Time: 8