摘要 |
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 sleev e. 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 batte ry 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 light er 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.
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申请人 |
PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS INC. |
发明人 |
LOSEE, DONALD B.;PAINE, JOHN B., III;NAWORAL, JOHN D.;MORGAN, CONSTANCE H.;FLEISCHHAUER, GRIER S.;CROWE, WILLIAM J.;NUNNALLY, H. NEAL;HAJALIGOL, MOHAMMAD R.;WATKINS, MICHAEL L.;SPRINKEL, FRANCIS M.;ADAMS, JOHN M.;SEEMAN, JEFFREY I.;RAYMOND, WYNN R.;RIPLEY, ROBERT L.;HOUCK, WILLIE G., JR.;FOURNIER, JAY A. |