阅读说明：本技术 用于点火的系统 (System for ignition ) 是由 摩西·伊赛·梅西卡 于 2021-06-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的一些实施例的一个方面涉及一种用于点火的系统及方法,所述系统能够在不须所述用户直接点火的情况下点燃一物质。例如,所述装置可以以不违反犹太宗教禁忌的方式进行点火,例如,犹太宗教法禁止在安息日及/或节日点燃火焰。在某些情况下,可以允许在犹太法律中的亚拉姆语术语“Grama”所指的间接方式点燃。例如,所述装置可以设计成点燃一香烟。选择性地,所述系统可以设计成安全地被携带在口袋中。在一些实施例中,所述系统可在不需用户直接操作的情况下启动点火,并且/或者根据允许火的转移但禁止在节日启动新火的犹太法律,初始点火可用于点燃另一物体。(An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a system and method for ignition, the system being capable of igniting a substance without requiring direct ignition by the user. For example, the device may be ignited in a manner that does not violate the jewish contraindication, e.g., the jewish law prohibits ignition of flames on a restful day and/or a holiday. In some cases, the indirect mode of ignition referred to by the "Grama" term in jewish law may be allowed. For example, the device may be designed to light a cigarette. Alternatively, the system may be designed to be carried securely in a pocket. In some embodiments, the system may initiate ignition without direct user action, and/or the initial ignition may be used to ignite another object, according to jewish law that allows diversion of a fire but prohibits initiation of a new fire in the holiday.)

1. A system for ignition, characterized by: the system comprises:

an igniter configured to ignite an object when the igniter is in an activated state when the object is brought into proximity of the igniter;

an energy source for providing energy to said igniter to achieve said activated state;

a shield covering the igniter and the energy source, the shield having a closed configuration that inhibits the object from being brought into proximity with the igniter, the closed configuration inhibiting the object from being brought into proximity with the igniter;

a logic controller configured to activate the igniter according to a preprogrammed schedule.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the igniter is configured for activation regardless of whether the shield is in the configuration or the closed configuration.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein: the logic controller is configured to perform the activation according to the schedule regardless of whether the shield is in an open configuration or the closed configuration, wherein the open configuration facilitates bringing the object into proximity with the igniter.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein: the logic controller is configured to repeat the activating and deactivating the igniter according to the schedule during a 24 hour period and without interference from a user.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the object is a butt of a cigarette.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein: the shield includes a recess, and wherein the igniter is located within the recess.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein: the shield includes a cover that blocks an opening of the recess and prevents the object from being brought into proximity with the igniter in the closed configuration, and allows the object to access the igniter through the opening in an open configuration.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein: the system further comprises:

an output interface configured to notify a user of a pre-programmed firing event prior to the pre-programmed firing event.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein: the logic controller is configured to perform the activation when the shield is in an open configuration, wherein the open configuration facilitates bringing the object into proximity with the igniter, and to inhibit the activation when the shield is in the closed configuration.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein: the logic controller has at least two modes: a first mode in which the schedule is pre-programmed, and a second manual state that is activated in response to a current action by a user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein: opening the shield in the manual state to activate the igniter and closing the shield to deactivate the igniter.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein: the system also includes a trigger, wherein in the manual state, the trigger is activated to activate the igniter and deactivated to deactivate the igniter.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein: the system also includes a trigger, wherein when the trigger is activated, the logic controller is configured to perform the activation, and when the trigger is not activated, the logic controller is configured to suppress the activation.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein: the igniter includes a plasma source.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein: the shield is sized and shaped to fit a pocket of a user.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein: the system further comprises: an input interface configured for a user to program the schedule.

17. A method of igniting in jewish terms, characterized by: the method comprises the following steps: providing an ignition system comprising an igniter and a shield in a closed state, said shield in said closed state inhibiting entry of an object for ignition by said igniter;

pre-programming the ignition system according to a pre-programmed schedule prior to the holiday to repeatedly activate and deactivate an igniter during the holiday;

opening the shield during the holiday to facilitate entry of the object;

igniting the object during the holiday when the shield is open and the igniter is activated according to the schedule.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: the method further comprises the following steps: inhibiting the activation when the shield is in a closed state that inhibits the object from being brought into proximity with the igniter, and facilitating the activation when the shield is in an open configuration.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein: the method further comprises the following steps: closing the shield when the igniter is activated, and wherein after the closing, the activator remains activated when the shield is in the closed state.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein: the system includes a trigger, and further includes: inhibit the activation when the trigger is deactivated and facilitate the activation when the trigger is activated.

Technical field andbackground

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a system for ignition, also referred to herein as an ignition device (ignition device), i.e., a device that is operated by a user and can ignite a substance without requiring the user to directly cause ignition.

Us patent No. 8669501 seems to disclose "a cooking utensil control system used on jewish or rest days. The timer communicates with the oven heater assembly to provide predetermined activation and deactivation of the assembly during the holiday. The timer is programmed prior to the holiday, the oven is activated to a predetermined temperature, then a timer program is activated to activate the heating assembly to the predetermined temperature, and the timer is deactivated during the holiday according to a schedule. In addition, a switch selectively activates and deactivates the ignition circuit of the burner. This approach allows one of the gas burner heater assemblies to be ignited by the appliance before the holiday when the ignition circuit is activated, so as to provide a flame to ignite the other burners during the holiday when the ignition circuit is deactivated ".

Us patent No. 8067706 seems to disclose "a control device (timer) capable of causing an electric appliance to be activated within the framework of the kosher law on saturday and sunday, the" timer including a first timing device which activates the electric appliance from time to time for a short period of time and then deactivates the electric appliance "; and a second timing device which, when activated manually or in any other way, delays the deactivation of the appliance by the first timing device for a desired period of time, enabling the appliance to be used during said period starting from the point of time of the last activation by said first timing device. The timer may be a separate device or may be provided in the appliance ".

Us patent No. 4198576 appears to disclose "for one of a plurality of cycles, a device interrupts the normal operation of a circuit powered on by a real time clock (time clock) for a plurality of cycles. The apparatus includes a first device that is drivable via a switch that bypasses the control circuit when it is desired to interrupt normal operation of the circuit during a next period. If the circuit is energized when the switch is closed, the second device bypasses the first device. The third means bypasses the control circuit when the second means is not activated and the circuit is not operating. The second bypass means is turned off if it is turned on the next time the real time clock is turned off. The third bypass means is turned on when the real time clock is turned on again and when the real time clock is turned off again, the third bypass means restores the circuit to normal operation ".

U.S. patent No. 6703591 appears to disclose a "device control system" configured to operate an appliance in at least a normal mode and a holiday mode, wherein the normal mode operation of the appliance feature set is altered to better conform to a religious custom, such as a traditional jewish custom. In response to user operation of the control interface panel, the control system is configured to enter a holiday mode when the user operates the control interface panel using a specified key sequence. In the holiday mode, the user's response to the operation of the control interface panel may be delayed for a randomly determined time and the normal mode of device functionality violating the religious custom may be disabled ".

U.S. patent publication No. 20160213187 appears to disclose "a method of operating an appliance. The method comprises the steps of establishing a current date and time, and automatically switching the equipment to a rest day operation mode when the current date and time is the rest day. An associated appliance having a controller configured to automatically switch the appliance to a rest day mode of operation when a current date and time of the clock corresponds to a rest day.

Us 6066837 appears to disclose a "method and apparatus for controlling a cooking appliance in which a control device is capable of operating at least one cooking energy source, the control device including a plurality of switches which reduce user input required and are responsive to operation of the assembly to operate one or more cooking energy sources to perform a cooking operation. The controller is responsive to a first option for a rest day mode of operation and to a second option for setting a first cooking source and at least one related feature function. The actuator maintains the performance state of the cooking energy source and associated functions and disables the selector during performance maintenance ".

U.S. patent No. 9734961 appears to disclose "an appliance including a position switch retaining device for use with the appliance, the device including a body defining a generally cylindrical profile extending along an axis through a first portion thereof and having a first radius. The body further defines a pin-receiving channel open at least a first end thereof and positioned within the generally cylindrical profile. The device also includes a first lug extending from a side of the body. The lug defines a ramp extending from the first end of the body to the edge and an edge. A cover extends outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end. The cover is spaced apart from the edge of the lug by a first distance and has a second radius greater than the first radius ".

Us 10876742 appears to disclose a "water heating control system having a tank to hold a quantity of water heated by a heater and having a hot water outlet and a cold water inlet connected to a mains water supply, by which hot water discharged from the hot water outlet is supplemented with cold water. A temperature sensor provides a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of water in the tank, and a control unit monitors the temperature of the water based on the temperature signal and in response to selecting a weekday mode of operation to periodically activate and deactivate the heater while maintaining the average water temperature at a level less than an allowable preset threshold. In the rest day mode, the control unit closes the shut-off valve connected to the water inlet when the heater is activated, and opens the shut-off valve when the heater is not activated ".

Other background art includes israel patent application No. 111329, israel patent application No. 275595.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a system for igniting an ignition, the system comprising an igniter configured to ignite an object when the object is brought into proximity of the igniter when the igniter is in an activated state; an energy source (energy source) for providing energy to the igniter to achieve the activated state; a shield covering the igniter and the energy source, the shield having a closed configuration that inhibits the object from being brought into proximity with the igniter, the closed configuration inhibiting the object from being brought into proximity with the igniter; a logic controller configured to activate the igniter according to a pre-programmed schedule

According to some embodiments of the invention, the igniter is configured for activation regardless of whether the shield is in the configuration or the closed configuration.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the logic controller is configured to perform the activation according to the schedule, whether the shield is in an open configuration or the closed configuration, wherein the open configuration facilitates bringing the object into proximity with the igniter.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the logic controller is configured to repeat the activating and deactivating the igniter according to the schedule during a 24 hour period and without interference from a user.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the object is a butt of a cigarette.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the shield includes a recess, and wherein the igniter is located within the recess.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the shield includes a cover that blocks an opening of the recess and prevents the object from being brought into proximity with the igniter in the closed configuration, and allows the object to access the igniter through the opening in an open configuration.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system further comprises: an output interface configured to notify a user of a pre-programmed firing event prior to the pre-programmed firing event.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the logic controller is configured to perform the activation when the shield is in an open configuration, wherein the open configuration facilitates bringing the object into proximity with the igniter, and to inhibit the activation when the shield is in the closed configuration.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the logic controller has at least two modes: a first mode in which the schedule is pre-programmed, and a second manual state that is activated in response to a current action by a user.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the shield is opened to activate the igniter and closed to deactivate the igniter in the manual state.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system further comprises a trigger, wherein in the manual state, the trigger is activated to activate the igniter and the trigger is deactivated to deactivate the igniter.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system further comprises a trigger, wherein when the trigger is activated, the logic controller is configured to perform the activation, and when the trigger is not activated, the logic controller is configured to suppress the activation.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the igniter comprises a plasma source.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the shield is sized and shaped to fit a pocket of a user.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system further comprises: an input interface configured for a user to program the schedule.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of igniting in jewish law on a jewish day, the method comprising: providing an ignition system comprising an igniter and a shield in a closed state, said shield in said closed state inhibiting entry of an object for ignition by said igniter; pre-programming the ignition system according to a pre-programmed schedule prior to the holiday to repeatedly activate and deactivate an igniter during the holiday; opening the shield during the holiday to facilitate entry of the object; igniting the object during the holiday when the shield is open and the igniter is activated according to the schedule.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises: inhibiting the activation when the shield is in a closed state that inhibits the object from being brought into proximity with the igniter, and facilitating the activation when the shield is in an open configuration.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises: closing the shield when the igniter is activated, and wherein after the closing, the activator remains activated when the shield is in the closed state.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system comprises a trigger, and further comprising: inhibit the activation when the trigger is deactivated and facilitate the activation when the trigger is activated.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, a variety of exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not necessarily limiting.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, a variety of exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not necessarily limiting.

Drawings

Some embodiments of the invention are described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring now in detail and specifically to the drawings, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings make it apparent to those skilled in the art how the embodiments of the invention may be embodied.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ignition device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an ignition device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a flow chart of a method using an ignition device in a semi-automatic mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a flow chart of a method using an ignition device in an auto mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an ignition device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a block diagram of a lighter in an unfired mode according to one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of a lighter according to one embodiment of the present invention in a closed state;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of a lighter according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open state; and

fig. 8 is a perspective view of a lighter according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the internal structure of the lighter.

Detailed Description

To summarize:

in some embodiments thereof, the present invention relates to a device for ignition, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a device that can cause ignition without direct operation by a user.

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a device, also referred to herein as an ignition device (ignition device), i.e., a device that is operated by a user and can ignite a substance without requiring the user to directly cause ignition. The device selectively ignites in a manner that does not violate the jewish contraindication, e.g., the jewish law prohibits ignition of flames on the holiday and/or holiday. In some cases, the indirect mode of ignition referred to by the "Grama" term in jewish law may be allowed. For example, the device may be designed to light a cigarette. Alternatively, the device may be designed to be carried securely in a pocket. In some embodiments, the device may initiate ignition without direct user action, and/or the initial ignition may be used to ignite another object, according to jewish law that allows diversion of a fire but prohibits initiation of a new fire in the holiday.

Optionally, the ignition device may include a trigger, ignition-causing components (referred to herein as an igniter), and/or a logic controller, including, for example, a timing mechanism. Optionally, the igniter is at least partially covered by a shield. Optionally, a safety mechanism may prevent the ignition device from accidentally igniting other materials. Optionally, the ignition device further comprises a power source, for example: a battery. For example, the igniter may be located in a recess and/or covered by a cover. Optionally, the exterior of the lighter may be insulated and/or isolated from the igniter.

Alternatively, the igniter may include a resistance wire, spark generator, high voltage electrode, and or any other type of mechanism for igniting a combustible material. For example, the igniter may form an arc, plasma, and/or charged beam. Optionally, the igniter may include at least two states, for example: a deactivated state in which the igniter does not cause the material to ignite, and an activated state in which the igniter causes the material to ignite. Alternatively, the combustible material may be ignited when the combustible material is placed in proximity to the igniter in the activated state. Optionally, the timer may control the state of the igniter, such as determining a duty cycle (duty cycle) of the igniter's activation and deactivation states. Optionally, the trigger may control activation, e.g., the timer may hold the igniter in a deactivated state independent of the duty cycle state when the trigger is not activated, and/or the timer may cause the igniter to switch from the deactivated state to the activated state when the trigger is activated, e.g., at the beginning of the next activation cycle (on state). In some embodiments, the duty cycle may have random factors, such as: the length of the period may be random (within a certain range) and/or some number of firing periods may be skipped randomly. Optionally, the user may activate the trigger and place a combustible material near the igniter, in which case the timer will energize the igniter through the power source at some future time. In this way, the ignition device can cause combustion without direct user action, as activation of the trigger itself does not cause the igniter to energize.

In some embodiments, the lighter has a clock and/or timer. For example, the clock may specify a standby time when the lighter is fully off (e.g., at night) and/or an activation time when the lighter is periodically activated according to a duty cycle and/or any of the embodiments herein. Optionally, the lighter will include an indicator that informs the user of the current state of the lighter, the length of time to the next activation/ignition cycle, and/or the approximate (e.g., within 1 second and/or within 1-10 seconds and/or within 10-60 seconds) length of time to the next activation/ignition cycle.

In some embodiments, a single lighter may have multiple different modes for user selection. For example, for the workday mode, there may be a conventional manual mode (ignition on demand). For example, there may be one or more holiday patterns (YomTov), such as: a triggered (semi-automatic) timed mode in which activation is indirect (e.g. by Grama as defined below) and/or a non-triggered (automatic) mode (e.g. in which the lighter is unconditionally and periodically activated, as described in connection with fig. 5).

Exemplary embodiments:

before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an ignition device using a logic controller 114 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an ignition device using a simplified logic according to one embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the ignition device comprises: a trigger 102, a safety device 106, an igniter 110, a power supply 108, a logic controller 114, and/or a shield 112. Optionally, the shield 112 may surround the igniter 110 on one or more sides. Optionally, the shield 112 includes a window and/or cover that allows access to the igniter 110. For example, the cover reversibly covers the window.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the igniter 110 may be energized, for example, to heat and/or generate a spark and/or generate a plasma, depending on the input of the trigger 102, safety device 106, and/or logic controller 114. When the igniter 110 is energized, a user may ignite a material by placing the material near the igniter 110, such as: cigarettes. In other embodiments of the invention, the spark produced by the energized igniter 110 may ignite flammable materials such as: a gas. Optionally, the ignition includes an on/off switch that allows/prevents the power supply 108 from supplying power to other components of the ignition. Optionally, the igniter 110 can be activated and/or deactivated with the shielding of the device open and/or closed.

Power supply:

the power source 108 may include any type of power, such as: chemical batteries (e.g., rechargeable batteries such as lithium ion batteries), capacitors, generators, and/or any other power source. The power supply 108 may provide power to energize the igniter according to conditions described below. Alternatively or additionally, the power source may comprise other energy sources.

Flip-flop (Trigger):

in some embodiments, the ignition device may include a trigger 102. Optionally, the trigger 102 comprises a mechanical device that reacts to a user action. For example, the trigger may transfer at least a portion of the force exerted on the trigger to the logic controller 114 and/or power supply 108. Alternatively or additionally, the trigger 102 may transfer a signal to another component in response to a user action. The trigger 102 may include, for example: a lever, button, switch, knob, faucet, handle, and/or any other type of device that reacts to a person's action and/or is capable of translating at least a portion of an applied force. Alternatively or additionally, the trigger 102 may include a touch-sensitive surface and/or a capacitance-sensitive component. In some embodiments, the devices include a power supply 108, a security device, and/or a logic controller 114. Alternatively or additionally, a portion of the shield of the device may serve as the trigger 102. For example, opening the shield can activate the trigger 102. The trigger 102 may be activated when the trigger is stimulated (e.g., by a force, touch, change in capacitance, etc.), for example, a force sufficient to activate the input interface of the timer, as described below. For example, the trigger 102 and/or the safety device 106 switch may include a light sensitive sensor and/or a capacitive sensor. Alternatively, the trigger 102 may be a device that transmits the applied pressure for the duration of the time the pressure is applied to the trigger. Alternatively, the trigger 102 may comprise a switch and/or a separate switch that may switch the device state. Optionally, the trigger 102 and/or the switch 106 may be shielded, e.g., to avoid an accidental trigger condition.

A safety device:

in some embodiments, the lighter may include a security device 106. For example, the safety device 106 may include mechanical, electrical, and/or electronic devices that prevent the igniter 110 from being activated. For example, the security device 106 may be sensitive to light and/or touch and/or electric fields (e.g., capacitance) and/or applied forces (e.g., force applied to a trigger) and/or heat. For example, the safety device 106 may interfere with movement of the trigger 102 and/or may interfere with the transmission of force from the trigger 102 to the logic controller 114 and/or the power source 108 and/or any other mechanism that may cause the circuitry required to activate the igniter 110 to be disabled, and/or prevent the igniter 110 from being activated. For example, the safety device 106 may be configured to prevent the igniter 110 from being energized when the igniter 110 is within a user's pocket. In some embodiments, the igniter may not include a timer and/or trigger 102.

Optionally, activating the safety device 106 may prevent the trigger from transferring signals and/or forces to the logic controller 114, input interface 116, and/or prevent the logic controller 114 from responding and/or prevent the timer from outputting signals when the trigger 102 is activated.

Timer (Timer):

in some embodiments of the invention, the ignition device comprises a timing device (also referred to as a timer). Optionally, the timer is part of the logic controller 114, and the logic controller 114 may include a timing mechanism and/or receive input signals, e.g., from the trigger 102 and/or the safety device 106, and/or send output signals, e.g., to the igniter 110 and/or the power supply 108. Optionally, the logic controller 114 is a discrete component from the timer.

Optionally, the timer may generate and/or output a signal from the timer to the igniter 110, logic controller 114, and/or the power supply 108 via a mechanical, electrical, and/or electronic connection.

A timing mechanism:

optionally, the timing mechanism may comprise a mechanical, electrical and/or electronic timing device. Optionally, the timing mechanism may output a signal related to a duty cycle of an open state (on state) and an off state (off state). Optionally, the duration of the open state and/or the closed state may be 1 to 2 seconds, 2 to 4 seconds, 4 to 6 seconds, 6 to 8 seconds, 8 to 10 seconds, 10 to 15 seconds, 15 to 30 seconds, and/or greater than 30 seconds. Alternatively, the closed state may last longer than the open state, for example: between 2 to 10 times and/or 10 to 100 times and/or 100 to 1000 times and/or 1000 to 10000 times and/or 10000 to 100000 times long. For example, the duration of the off state may be between 1 minute to 30 minutes and/or 30 minutes to 2 hours and/or 2 hours to 12 hours. In some embodiments, the timer may be programmed according to the time of day. For example, the igniter 110 may be triggered more frequently while awake (e.g., daytime) than during nighttime, and/or the igniter 110 may be triggered more frequently than when the intended user is at home when the intended user is outside of his home. For example, the controller 114 may include a real-time clock to facilitate such timed actions. Alternatively or additionally, the automatic triggering of the igniter may rely on other sensors, such as: a motion sensor and/or a GPS location sensor (e.g., the device may not fire in certain locations) and/or a gyroscope (e.g., the device may wait and fire only if it is right side up). Optionally, the timing mechanism may cycle continuously between the on and off states of the duty cycle and/or when the on/off switch is in the on position. Alternatively or additionally, the timing period may be random and/or include a random portion.

Optionally, the timer may energize the igniter 110. For example, the timer and/or the controller 114 may signal the igniter 110 to energize and/or signal the power source 108 to energize the igniter 110. Alternatively, the state of the output signal of the timer may be determined by the logic controller 114.

Interface (interface):

optionally, the interface may comprise a user interface. For example, the mechanical interface may operate according to an applied force. The interface 116 may send control signals and/or indicate signals received from the timer and/or the controller 114. Optionally, activating the trigger 102 may allow and/or cause the timer to energize the igniter 110 and/or power supply 108 for a period of time as described below. For example, activating the trigger 102 may close an inactive circuit and/or remove a mechanical block that would otherwise prevent the timing mechanism from closing the circuit.

In some embodiments, the user interface 116 may include a touch screen and/or an interface that enables an external device to be used as the user interface 116. For example, the apparatus may include a communication channel that allows communication with and/or programming via a user's personal computing device (e.g., a cell phone). For example, the communication may be over a wireless channel and/or a network (e.g., Bluetooth).

Optionally, the output signal may be sent to a user. Optionally, there may be an output interface 116 determined by the timing mechanism and the state of the logic controller. For example, the trigger and/or timer may comprise a mechanical toggle switch, the state of which is visible to the user. Optionally, the timer output signal may comprise two or more states, for example: an on state (turn on state) and an off state (turn off state) and/or time to the next state that can be displayed. For example, the display may include a screen, a touch screen, and/or a light.

Logic controller (logic controller):

alternatively, the state of the timer output open and close signals may be determined by the logic controller 114. The logic controller 114 may be a mechanical, electrical, and/or electronic device and/or a state machine that determines an output signal based on an input signal. Optionally, the logic controller 114 may include input interfaces from one or more mechanical timers, the safety device 106 and/or the trigger 102, and/or output interfaces to one or more power sources 108 and/or igniters 110.

Delay/Duty Cycle (Delay/Duty Cycle):

optionally, the trigger 102 may be prevented from directly activating the igniter when the device is in the holiday mode or the holiday mode. For example, the logic controller 114 may not immediately activate the igniter 110 when the trigger 102 has been activated. For example, the igniter 110 may only be activated when the timing mechanism begins the next on state (e.g., if the trigger 102 is not activated at the beginning of an on state, activation of the trigger 102 may not cause ignition until the next on state). Alternatively or additionally, the timer may inhibit activation of the trigger 102 and/or may inhibit the trigger 102 from directly and/or immediately causing the igniter 110 to be energized when the timing mechanism is in the open state. This may avoid violations of the jewish law that prohibits flame ignition on the holiday and/or festival, for example.

In some embodiments, deactivating the trigger 102 may not immediately deactivate the igniter 110. For example, deactivating the trigger may not be effective (e.g., deactivating the trigger may not be effective when the igniter 110 is activated and/or the igniter 110 may be deactivated in the next off state of the logic controller 114 regardless of whether the trigger 102 is activated). Alternatively or additionally, deactivating the trigger 102 may cause the igniter 110 to be deactivated after a time interval (which may be fixed and/or random). For example, the user may optionally be notified of the time of deactivation by outputting an on-screen message and/or audio signal and/or a message sent to the user's computing device. Alternatively or additionally, the release and/or deactivation of the trigger 102 may immediately cause the igniter to deactivate.

Optionally, the logic controller 114 changes the output state from on to off as a result of an event. For example, an event may be the passage of a certain amount of time, the timing mechanism changing its state from on to off one or more times, the timing mechanism changing its state from off to on one or more times, the trigger 102 being deactivated, the safety device 106 being activated, and/or any other triggering event detectable by the controller 114. In some embodiments, the device will activate the igniter 110 regardless of the state of the trigger 102. For example, the igniter may be activated on a time and/or random basis.

In some embodiments, activating the ignitor 102 may cause the igniter 110 to ignite only after a fixed and/or random time delay. For example, the trigger 102 may be any type of switch and/or button. In the holiday mode, the trigger 102 can trigger a timer that causes the igniter 110 to delay activation. For example, the delay may be between 0.5 to 1 second and/or 1 to 10 seconds and/or 10 to 100 seconds. Optionally, once activated, in the holiday mode, the igniter 110 will remain activated regardless of the state of the trigger (e.g., the igniter 110 may remain activated for a fixed and/or random time). Alternatively, activating the trigger 102 may activate the igniter 110 when the device is in an on state, but not activate the igniter 110 when the device is in an off state. Optionally, the closed and open states may be changed randomly and/or based on a time delay and/or based on other factors.

An igniter:

optionally, the igniter 110 may be any manner of heating assembly and/or spark generator and/or ionization source and/or arc source and/or discharge source. For example, the igniter may be electrically powered. Optionally, the igniter 110 can be activated and/or deactivated with the shield of the device opened and/or closed. For example, the igniter 110 may not require air and/or may be activated with the lid of the device closed. For example, the igniter 110 may be electrically powered.

Optionally, the igniter 110 may include a resistive heating assembly, such as: coiling the metal assembly.

Optionally, the igniter 110 may include a radiant heater, such as: infrared and/or incandescent elements. Optionally, the igniter 110 may include a plasma generator.

Optionally, the igniter may include a mechanism for generating a spark, such as: igniting the flammable gas. For example, the igniter may include a plasma generator, a gap spark generator, a flint-based spark mechanism, a friction-based spark generating device, and/or any other spark generating mechanism.

Geometry and/or housing:

optionally, the igniter 110 and/or any portion thereof may be shaped, formed and/or fashioned as a wire, ribbon, membrane, a pair of electrodes, and/or any other contour and/or shape and/or geometry.

Alternatively, the shape of the igniter 110 and/or any portion thereof may be substantially straight, coiled, and/or any other shape. Optionally, the igniter 110 and/or any portion thereof may be encased and/or insulated within a shield. For example, the shield may include: an electrical insulator, a thermally conductive housing, and/or any other type of housing for a heating assembly. Alternatively or additionally, the shape of the igniter and/or the shield may have a decorative and/or symbolic meaning (e.g., a plasma source (e.g., an electrode) may form an arc having a star shape).

Optionally, the igniter 110 may include a spark gap igniter (spark gap igniter), a spark plug, and/or any other type of spark generator and/or spark generating device.

Optionally, the igniter 110 may include metals such as: nichrome, chrome aluminum cobalt heat resistant steel (Kanthal), cupronickel, and/or any other metal used to form a heating element.

Optionally, the igniter 110 may include a heating assembly including: ceramic, semiconductor, thick film and/or polymer PTC. Alternatively, the igniter 110 may be a composite heating assembly, such as: tubular and/or sheathing elements, screen printed cermets.

Optionally, the igniter 110 may include a power source as an integrated unit or as a connectable module.

The application comprises the following steps:

in some embodiments, the lighter may be designed to ignite a particular object, such as: cigarettes. Optionally, the lighter is designed to be small enough to fit in a pocket (e.g., weigh less than 50 grams and/or between 50-100 grams and/or 100-200 grams and/or 200-500 grams, and/or the lighter may have a long dimension (e.g., length) of less than 2 centimeters and/or between 2-5 centimeters and/or 5-10 centimeters and/or 10-20 centimeters optionally, the device may have a short dimension (e.g., thickness) of less than 0.5 centimeters and/or 0.5-1 centimeters and/or 1-3 centimeters and/or 3-5 centimeters, for example, the lighter may include slots and/or grooves into which the tips of a cigarette and/or another object of a lighting point are inserted. Optionally, the slots and/or grooves may have a width of less than 5 mm and/or between 5-10 mm and/or 10-20 mm. Optionally, an object (e.g. the butt of a cigarette and/or the tip of a match) is inserted into the slot or groove to contact the lighter, for example: plasma, flame and/or hot surface. Alternatively or additionally, the lighter may emit and/or generate a spark and/or a stream of flammable gas and/or a stream of hot material and/or a stream of electrically charged material (e.g., plasma).

In some embodiments, the lighter may be configured to ignite a stove and/or match. For example, a stove lighter may be designed to rest on a surface (e.g., a counter) and/or ignite a flame transfer (e.g., a match). Alternatively or additionally, the stove lighter may also have an elongated form, with the ignition assembly of the stove lighter remote from the handle and/or trigger. For example, the length of the elongate rod may be between 1 to 3 cm and/or 3 to 6 cm and/or 6 to 15 cm and/or 15 to 30 cm. In some embodiments, the stove lighter may comprise a plasma lighter and/or a spark lighter and/or a flame. Alternatively or additionally, a stove lighter may be provided in the stove.

Ignition interface and/or status:

optionally, the igniter 110 is connected to one or more of a timer, a trigger 102, a logic controller 114, a safety device and/or a power supply 108. Optionally, the igniter 110 has two or more states, such as: open and closed states. When the igniter 110 is in the on state, the igniter 110 is selectively energized by power from the power source 108, such as: heating the igniter and/or causing the igniter to generate a spark and/or generate a plasma. When the igniter 110 is in the off state, the power supply 108 selectively prevents the igniter 110 from being energized, e.g., prevents the igniter 110 from heating and/or generating a spark and/or generating a plasma. The state of the igniter 100 is selectively determined by one or more of a timer, a trigger 102, a logic controller 114, a safety device 106, and a power supply 108.

A shielding member:

in some embodiments, the igniter includes a shield 112. Optionally, the shield 112 at least partially surrounds the igniter 110. The shield 112 may be in contact with the igniter 110 or a portion thereof and/or the shield 112 may be separated from the igniter 110 by a gap (e.g., air). In some embodiments, the shield 112 may include windows, grooves, and/or holes, referred to herein as slots, that may allow insertion of objects that approach and/or contact the igniter 110. For example, when the lighter 110 is in an on state, a cigarette may be inserted through the slot and lit by the lighter 110. Optionally, the shield 112 may have a closed configuration in which the lighter is protected (e.g., cigarettes and/or other objects may be prevented from contacting and/or accessing the lighter).

In some embodiments of the invention, the lighter further comprises a base, e.g., an assembly having a flat surface, the weight of which is similar to or greater than the weight of the ignition device. The base may allow the device to be placed upright on a flat surface, for example: on the kitchen table-board.

In some embodiments, the interface between the trigger 102 and the timer is mediated by the security device 106. For example, when the security device 106 is activated, interaction between the trigger 102 and the timer 104 may be suppressed. Optionally, the output of the timer to the power supply 108 is suppressed. For example, the power supply 108 may begin supplying power to the igniter 110 in response to a signal from the controller 114. Alternatively or additionally, the power supply 108 may stop supplying power to the igniter 110 in response to a shutdown signal from the timer.

FIG. 3A is a flow chart of a method using an ignition device in a semi-automatic mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the method of igniting a substance using an ignition device includes all or part of the following steps, and does not have to be performed in the following order. Optionally, the device may be set 319 to a semi-automatic state prior to the rest day and/or the holiday. Setting the state may optionally include pre-programming a schedule of on and off states that are repeated during holidays or holidays. For example, the open and closed states may depend on time and/or other factors that are not directly controlled by the user during the rest day or holiday. Optionally, deactivating 306 the security device facilitates activating a trigger to signal a timer. For example, the signal from the timer to the trigger to the timer may be suppressed until the security device is deactivated 306 and/or the timer may be disabled until the security device is deactivated 306. Alternatively or additionally, activating 302 the trigger may result in sending a signal to the timer. For example, the trigger may cause the timer to begin timing operations. Optionally, the timer may delay 304 activation of the igniter until the timing operation is complete. For example, as described above, the activation 310 of the igniter may be caused directly and/or indirectly by a timer. For example, the timer energizes and/or activates 310 the igniter at the end of the delay time, thereby energizing 310 the igniter and/or enabling ignition of a combustible substance. The timer may continue to energize the igniter 310 until an event causes the timer to stop 312 energizing the igniter. For example, the event may be the passage of a period of time, the release of a trigger, and/or any other event, e.g., as described herein above or below.

FIG. 3B is a flow chart of a method using an ignition device in an auto mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the method of igniting a substance using an ignition device includes all or part of the following steps, and does not have to be performed in the following order. Optionally, the device may be set 320 to an automatic state prior to the rest day and/or holiday. Setting the automatic state may optionally include pre-programming a schedule of on and off states that are repeated during holidays or holidays. For example, the open and closed states may depend on time and/or other factors that are not directly controlled by the user during the rest day or holiday. For example, the automatic mode may allow a timer to activate the igniter 310 regardless of whether or not a trigger is present or in what state. The timer may begin a timing operation and/or wait for an activation period. At the beginning of an activation period, the timer selectively causes the igniter to activate 310, e.g., energize the igniter and enable ignition of a combustible substance. The timer may continue to cause the igniter to activate 310 until an event occurs. For example, after the event, the timer selectively stops 312 energizing the igniter (e.g., deactivates the igniter). The event may be the passage of a period of time and/or a random event (e.g., a random period of time, a random state) and/or any other event, such as the examples described above or below.

Optionally, the method further comprises the step of inserting a combustible material (e.g., a cigarette) into a slot in the shield surrounding the ignition device and removing the combustible material when it is ignited. Optionally, the combustible material is inserted when the igniter is energized. Alternatively or additionally, the combustible material may be inserted before the igniter is energized. Optionally, the user may be notified (accurately or approximately) when the igniter is energized 310.

Optionally, the method further comprises: a step of introducing a combustible gas into proximity of the ignition device and the igniter that produces a spark to ignite the combustible gas.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an ignition device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the ignition device further comprises a handle 422. Optionally, the handle 422 may be axially aligned with the length of the igniter 410 and shield 412, forming an axial extension of the ignition device. In this embodiment, the handle 422 and igniter 410 may include a rod-like outer dimension. Optionally, an opening 424 in the shield 412 allows access to the igniter 410.

Optionally, the handle 422 may be connected to the ignition device by an adjustable hinge, for example, a hinge having friction and/or discrete position resistance to change the angle of the hinge. For example, the handle 422 may be aligned with the axis of the stick-shaped form of the ignitor device and/or the handle may be aligned at an acute angle with the pistol-shaped ignitor device. Optionally, a safety device 406 is included that prevents activation of the igniter 410. For example, the security device 406 may inhibit activation of the trigger 402. Optionally, the lighter may have various ignition modes and/or methods, for example, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B. For example, a lighter may auto-ignite according to a time period and/or the device may directly ignite in response to activating the trigger 402. Alternatively or additionally, ignition is performed by a combination of various factors. For example, activating the trigger may activate the logic controller 414. For example, the controller 414 and/or a random factor that will activate a timer and/or a random factor that will cause ignition after a fixed and/or random delay.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an un-triggered auto-mode ignition device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the lighter may be activated automatically (e.g., at intervals and/or according to the manner of timer 504) without user action. For example, the lighter may include a shield 512, a power source 508, and/or a safety igniter 510 in such a way that the plasma will be safe even if activated in the user's pocket. Optionally, the igniter 510 may be repeatedly activated and/or deactivated at intervals without user intervention. In some embodiments, the lighter may include a logic controller and/or a user interface. For example, the interface may comprise a display and/or a toggle switch and/or a communication interface. For example, the communication interface may communicate with a personal computing device of a user. Optionally, the user will use the user interface of their computing device as the user interface for adjusting the settings of the lighter. Optionally, any components (the timer 504, the power source 508, the igniter 510, and/or the shield 512 may be as described in any of the other embodiments described herein). Optionally, the igniter 510 can be activated and/or deactivated with the shield of the device opened and/or closed.

Optionally, the safety device 406 includes a mechanism that mechanically prevents activation of the trigger 402 (e.g., by preventing movement of the trigger 402). Alternatively, the lighter may have the appearance of a pistol (hand gun) and/or pistol (pistol) with a handle 422 and a reverse trigger 402, a mechanical safety device 406, and/or the shield igniter 410 instead of a barrel. Optionally, the handle 422 allows a user to hold and operate the lighter without placing a finger on the igniter 410 and/or near the igniter 410.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a lighter according to one embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. In some embodiments, the lighter is designed to be placed in a pocket of a user. For example, the dimensions may be as described above in the description of fig. 1 and 2. Optionally, in the closed configuration, the igniter 610 (see, e.g., fig. 7) is shielded. For example, the lighter may be activated and/or deactivated periodically without user action. Optionally, the igniter 110 can be activated and/or deactivated with the shield of the device opened and/or closed. Further, the shield may have a closed configuration in which the lighter does not cause a fire. For example, in the closed configuration, the igniter 610 may be surrounded by a shield including a housing 612a and/or a cover 612 b. Optionally, the igniter comprises a user output interface, for example: a display screen 616. For example, display screen 616 may display to a user the lighter settings (e.g., the time interval between activation events) and/or the lighter status (e.g., the time until the next time the lighter is activated). In these exemplary figures, the display screen shows that the igniter will ignite after 1 minute and 15 seconds. Optionally, the lighter includes an input interface. For example, the input interface may include a trigger 602 and/or a security device 606. In some embodiments, the trigger 602 and/or the safety device 606 comprise a status switch. For example, the trigger 602 may comprise a three-way toggle switch (e.g., automatic, combination, and/or manual) and/or the safety 606 may comprise a two-way toggle switch (e.g., activated and deactivated). Optionally, the trigger 602 and/or the safety 606 are protected to prevent accidental alteration of the settings. For example, trigger 602 and/or safety device 606 are recessed within the housing of the lighter.

In some embodiments, the lighter may have multiple modes. For example, the trigger 602 may switch between some or all of a manual mode, a semi-automatic mode, and a fully-automatic mode. For example, in the manual mode, the igniter 610 may be directly ignited and/or turned off by a user action. For example, the igniter 610 may be ignited when the user opens the cover 612 b. For example, the igniter 610 may be closed when the user closes the cover 612 b. In the semi-automatic mode, the igniter 610 may be ignited by a combination of internal states and/or user actions. For example, a timer may switch the lighter between an activated (on) state and an inactivated (off) state. For example, when the system is switched to an active state, the igniter can be ignited when the cover 612b is opened. The igniter 610 may remain deactivated when the lid is closed. This means, for example, that the lighter will safely shut off as long as the lid is closed. However, opening the lid may not result directly in ignition, but indirectly in ignition at the beginning of the next open cycle. Other methods of integrating user actions and automatic functions (e.g., methods including random states as shown in fig. 3A and 3B) may be programmed into the lighter. For example, this may allow a user to control the ignition of the igniter while complying with the jewish law restrictions on holidays and/or holidays. In a fully automatic mode, the igniter 610 of the device may ignite and turn off without user action (e.g., according to a schedule, ignite at the beginning of an on state and turn off at the beginning of an off state). Optionally, the igniter 610 and/or shields 612a, 612b are configured so that the igniter is not dangerous to the user even if it is ignited in the user's pocket.

In some embodiments, the lighter may include mechanical, electrical, and/or electronic timing mechanisms. Optionally, the timing mechanism comprises repeated open and closed states. For example, the controller 814 may output signals related to the duty cycle of the on state and the off state. Optionally, the duration of the open state and/or the closed state may be 1 to 2 seconds, 2 to 4 seconds, 4 to 6 seconds, 6 to 8 seconds, 8 to 10 seconds, 10 to 15 seconds, 15 to 30 seconds, and/or greater than 30 seconds. Alternatively, the closed state may last longer than the open state, for example: between 2 to 10 times and/or 10 to 100 times and/or 100 to 1000 times and/or 1000 to 10000 times and/or 10000 to 100000 times long. For example, the duration of the off state may be between 1 minute to 30 minutes and/or 30 minutes to 2 hours and/or 2 hours to 12 hours. In some embodiments, the timer may be programmed according to the time of day. For example, the igniter 110 may be triggered more frequently while awake (e.g., daytime) than during nighttime, and/or the igniter 110 may be triggered more frequently than when the intended user is at home when the intended user is outside of his home. For example, the controller 114 may include a real-time clock to facilitate such timed actions. Alternatively or additionally, the automatic triggering of the igniter may rely on other sensors, such as: a motion sensor and/or a GPS location sensor (e.g., the device may not fire in certain locations) and/or a gyroscope (e.g., the device may wait and fire only if it is right side up). Optionally, the timing mechanism may cycle continuously between the on and off states of the duty cycle and/or when the on/off switch is in the on position. Alternatively or additionally, the timing period may be random and/or include a random portion.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a lighter according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open state. In some embodiments, the igniter 610 is in a shielding position (e.g., within a recess 626 in the shield 612 a). Optionally, when the cover 612b is opened, the opening of the recess 626 is exposed and/or a combustible object (e.g., a cigarette butt) may enter the recess 626 to contact the igniter 610 and/or be ignited upon activation of the igniter. Optionally, when the lid 612b is closed, the igniter 610 may be completely surrounded by the shields 612a, 612b and/or the device may be protected from igniting foreign objects (e.g., the lighter may be safely carried in a pocket even if the igniter is in an ignited state).

In some embodiments, the igniter includes a plasma source. For example, the igniter may have a plurality of electrodes that arc when the power source is energized. For example, the electrodes may be positioned to provide an enhanced appearance of the arc (e.g., a hexagram).

In some embodiments, the lighter may be designed to ignite a particular object, such as: cigarettes. Optionally, the lighter is designed to be small enough to fit in a pocket (e.g., weigh less than 50 grams and/or between 50-100 grams and/or between 100-200 grams and/or 200-500 grams, and/or the lighter may have a long dimension (e.g., length) of less than 2 centimeters and/or between 2-5 centimeters and/or between 5-10 centimeters and/or between 10-20 centimeters optionally, the device may have a short dimension (e.g., thickness) of less than 0.5 centimeters and/or between 0.5-1 centimeters and/or between 1-3 centimeters and/or between 3-5 centimeters, for example, the lighter may include slots and/or grooves into which the tips of a cigarette and/or another object to be lit may be inserted In the meantime. Optionally, the slots and/or grooves may have a width of less than 5 mm and/or between 5-10 mm and/or between 10-20 mm. Optionally, an object (e.g. the butt of a cigarette and/or the tip of a match) is inserted into the slot or groove to contact the lighter, for example: plasma, flame and/or hot surface. Alternatively or additionally, the lighter may generate a stream of spark and/or flammable gas and/or hot material and/or a stream of electrically charged material (e.g., plasma).

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a lighter according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the internal structure of the lighter. In some embodiments, the lid includes a linkage (linkage mechanism)832 for holding the lid open and/or closed when opened or closed by a user. The cover 612b may include an insulator 834 to prevent the igniter from damaging or igniting the lighter and/or foreign objects. In some embodiments, the lighter includes a logic controller 814. For example, the controller may comprise an integrated circuit mounted on a semiconductor chip. Optionally, the chip may include toggle switches 602 'and 606' mounted thereon (e.g., toggle switches 602 'and 606' may be connected to trigger 602 and/or security device 606). Additionally or alternatively, the chip may be connected to a battery 830 and/or a charging port 828.

Optionally, the controller 814 may be programmed. For example, the user interface may be used to place the device in a programming mode. For example, in a programming mode, a user may adjust the ignition timing in an automatic and/or semi-automatic mode. Alternatively, the time may be fixed and/or have a random component. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 814 can be placed in communication with an external user interface. For example, the charging port 828 may also include a communication port for hard wired communication (hard wired communication) and/or the controller 814 may include a wireless transceiver. For example, the controller 814 can communicate with external devices, including, for example, a user's personal computing device (e.g., a cell phone and/or personal computer) and/or a communication network. Optionally, the user may program the controller 814 using an external device (e.g., through an application on his cell phone). For example, the user may set various conditions to activate the ignitor 614 in an automatic and/or semi-automatic mode (e.g., depending on the time of day, day of week, environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, light, electric field), orientation of the lighter).

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant technologies will be developed (e.g., igniter, controller, insulation material), and the scope of these terms is to be interpreted as including all such new technologies a priori.

The term "about" as used herein means. + -. 10%

The terms "comprising," including, "" containing, "" having, "and similar words are intended to mean" including, but not limited to.

The term "consisting of …" means "including and limited to".

The term "consisting essentially of …" means that the composition, method, or structure may include additional ingredients, steps, and/or components, but that the additional ingredients, steps, and/or components do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method, or structure.

As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

In this application, various embodiments of the invention may be presented in a range format. It is to be understood that the description of the range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, descriptions such as ranges from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed sub-ranges, such as: from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., and individual numbers within the stated ranges, such as: 1. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. This applies to any range of widths.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any reference number (fractional or integer) within the indicated range. The phrases "range between a first indicated number and a second indicated number" and "range between a first indicated number and a second indicated number" are used interchangeably herein and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all fractions and integers therebetween. When multiple ranges are listed for a single variable, combinations of ranges are also included (e.g., a range from 1 to 2 and/or a range from 2 to 4 also includes a combined range from 1 to 4).

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments should not be considered essential features of those embodiments unless the embodiments are inoperable without those elements.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, any reference herein to or identified in this application is not to be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. Where section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.