Cigarette Lighters - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

TIO · 10-12-2003, 12:25 AM

Why are the reservoirs in cigarette lighters (cheap ones, not zippos or the like) always divided down the middle?

mr sticky · 10-12-2003, 06:07 AM

Just a guess, but even though the butane is under pressure and has a rather high expansion rate, there is a small capilliary tube that the liquid travels up. This tube stays immersed (sp?) better with the channels divided as the lighter is tilted. If I manipulate the liquid on the non-tube side my lighter seems to want to go out.
Just a theory...

tekaweni · 10-13-2003, 10:18 AM

Good Q, good A.

Thats why I visit this forum

Ripsaw · 10-13-2003, 11:51 AM

Structural integrity. The plastic they use might crack easier if it wasn't divided the way it is. As said previously, that stuff blows up.

splck · 10-13-2003, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ripsaw
Structural integrity. The plastic they use might crack easier if it wasn't divided the way it is. As said previously, that stuff blows up.

That's the way I see it too.

gloveshot3 · 10-19-2003, 06:35 AM

it was done so the tf project could use up bandwidth seeking the answer

numist · 10-19-2003, 07:26 AM

The main reason - as I see it, has already been stated. Tilt the thing, the gas never leaves the area where the tub is, except when inverted, and even then 50% of the time theres enough gas near the tube to make a flame.

and who lights cigarettes upside down anyway?

elfuq · 10-21-2003, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by numist
and who lights cigarettes upside down anyway?

People in bed, usually directly after sex. Well, that's my experience anyway.

Doos · 10-21-2003, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by numist

and who lights cigarettes upside down anyway?

Bats and Australians.

TIO · 10-22-2003, 03:09 AM

lol & doos

I can't think of many who light cigarettes upside down...but I know of certain other smoking habits which require the application of a flame in a downward direction...

petergriffin24 · 10-23-2003, 10:07 AM

interesting definetly so it doesn't blow up I'll buy that theory

KnifeMissile · 10-23-2003, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mr sticky
Just a guess, but even though the butane is under pressure and has a rather high expansion rate, there is a small capilliary tube that the liquid travels up. This tube stays immersed (sp?) better with the channels divided as the lighter is tilted. If I manipulate the liquid on the non-tube side my lighter seems to want to go out.
Just a theory...

Butane is a gas. That liquid is irrelevant. Here's an experiment you can try. When the lighter is low enough on fuel, swish all the fluid onto the other side where the tube is not. Then try lighting the lighter and see what happens.
It will light up just fine.

The divide is for structural integrety...

KnifeMissile · 10-23-2003, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KnifeMissle
Butane is a gas. That liquid is irrelevant. Here's an experiment you can try. When the lighter is low enough on fuel, swish all the fluid onto the other side where the tube is not. Then try lighting the lighter and see what happens.
It will light up just fine.

Now that I think about it, what's the tube for?

nofnway · 10-25-2003, 08:42 PM

The tube could be used as a metering device......in air conditioning we meter the flow of freon...a gas...through a capillary tube the length and inside diameter determine the rate of flow and help control the pressure of the release...

Just a thought

TWISTEDBADGER · 10-26-2003, 03:43 AM

I'm going with the structural integrity thingy. The cheaper ones are typically made from a rather brittle acrylic. Bics on the other hand appear to be polyethylene or polypropylene. I have a friend who gnaws on his lighter(a BIC) until its flattened and unrecognizable. Try that with a cheap one and you'll end up with frostbite on your lips.

junglistic · 10-27-2003, 10:53 AM

another positive for the manuf. of the lighter could be with the space occupied by the center divider, you are filling it with less fuel. therefore saving money. the difference may only be 10ml to 11ml but still after 50k lighters, that makes a difference

10-12-2003, 12:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
TIO Addict Location: The Land Down Under	Cigarette Lighters Why are the reservoirs in cigarette lighters (cheap ones, not zippos or the like) always divided down the middle? __________________ Strewth

10-12-2003, 06:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
mr sticky Psycho Location: NC	Just a guess, but even though the butane is under pressure and has a rather high expansion rate, there is a small capilliary tube that the liquid travels up. This tube stays immersed (sp?) better with the channels divided as the lighter is tilted. If I manipulate the liquid on the non-tube side my lighter seems to want to go out. Just a theory... __________________ The sad thing is... as you get older you come to realize that you don't so much pilot your life, as you just try to hold on, in a screaming, defiant ball of white-knuckle anxious fury

10-13-2003, 10:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
tekaweni It wasnt me Location: Scotland	Good Q, good A. Thats why I visit this forum __________________ If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten

10-13-2003, 11:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	Structural integrity. The plastic they use might crack easier if it wasn't divided the way it is. As said previously, that stuff blows up. __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

10-22-2003, 03:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
TIO Addict Location: The Land Down Under	lol & doos I can't think of many who light cigarettes upside down...but I know of certain other smoking habits which require the application of a flame in a downward direction... __________________ Strewth

10-19-2003, 06:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
gloveshot3 Crazy	it was done so the tf project could use up bandwidth seeking the answer

10-19-2003, 07:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
numist Banned Location: UCSD, 510.49 miles from my love	The main reason - as I see it, has already been stated. Tilt the thing, the gas never leaves the area where the tub is, except when inverted, and even then 50% of the time theres enough gas near the tube to make a flame. and who lights cigarettes upside down anyway?

10-23-2003, 10:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
petergriffin24 Insane	interesting definetly so it doesn't blow up I'll buy that theory

10-25-2003, 08:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
nofnway Insane Location: under the freeway bridge	The tube could be used as a metering device......in air conditioning we meter the flow of freon...a gas...through a capillary tube the length and inside diameter determine the rate of flow and help control the pressure of the release... Just a thought __________________ "Iron rusts with disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in cold water freezes. Even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind" Leonardo Da Vinci

10-26-2003, 03:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
TWISTEDBADGER Tilted	I'm going with the structural integrity thingy. The cheaper ones are typically made from a rather brittle acrylic. Bics on the other hand appear to be polyethylene or polypropylene. I have a friend who gnaws on his lighter(a BIC) until its flattened and unrecognizable. Try that with a cheap one and you'll end up with frostbite on your lips.

10-27-2003, 10:53 AM	#16 (permalink)
junglistic Insane	another positive for the manuf. of the lighter could be with the space occupied by the center divider, you are filling it with less fuel. therefore saving money. the difference may only be 10ml to 11ml but still after 50k lighters, that makes a difference