Lighter with timer-controlled igniter

Abstract

A lighter comprises two spaced apart electrodes, a fuel emitting structure adjacent at least one of the electrodes, a voltage generating device electrically connected to each one of electrodes and timer circuitry electrically connected between the voltage generating device and at least one of the electrodes. The timer circuitry precludes operation of the voltage generating device causing ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure during a wait time interval and enables operation of the voltage generating device to cause ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure after the wait time interval passes.

1 . A lighter, comprising:
 two spaced apart electrodes;   a fuel emitting structure adjacent at least one of said electrodes;   a voltage generating device electrically connected to each one of electrodes; and   timer circuitry electrically connected between the voltage generating device and at least one of said electrodes, wherein the timer circuitry precludes operation of the voltage generating device causing ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure during a wait time interval and enables operation of the voltage generating device to cause ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure after the wait time interval passes.   
   
   
       2 . The lighter of  claim 1  wherein the timer circuitry precludes a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device from causing electrical current to arc across said electrodes during the wait time interval thereby precluding ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure and enables a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device to be provided across said electrodes after the wait time interval passes thereby enabling ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure. 
   
   
       3 . The lighter of  claim 1  wherein:
 the wait time interval is at least one of user-adjustable and self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic; and   said pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.   
   
   
       4 . The lighter of  claim 1  wherein:
 the timer circuitry includes a visual display; and   the timer circuitry displays at least one of a time of day and a remaining portion of the wait time interval.   
   
   
       5 . The lighter of  claim 4  wherein:
 the wait time interval is at least one of user-adjustable and self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic; and   said pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.   
   
   
       6 . The lighter of  claim 5  wherein the timer circuitry precludes a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device from causing electrical current to arc across said electrodes during the wait time interval thereby precluding ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure and enables a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device to be provided across said electrodes after the wait time interval passes thereby enabling ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure. 
   
   
       7 . The lighter of  claim 6  wherein:
 the timer circuitry includes a visual display output selector button; and   depression of the visual display output selector button enables selection of the time of day to be displayed on the visual display and the remaining portion of the wait time interval to be displayed on the visual display.   
   
   
       8 . The lighter of  claim 7  wherein:
 the voltage generating device includes a piezoelectric igniter; and   the timer circuitry is connected between the piezoelectric igniter and at least one of said electrodes.   
   
   
       9 . A piezoelectric cigarette lighter, comprising:
 a fuel storage tank;   a first electrode including a fuel delivery nozzle;   a second electrode in spaced apart relationship with respect to the first electrode;   a fuel flow regulating valve connected between the fuel storage tank and the fuel delivery nozzle, wherein the fuel flow regulating valve is manually operable for selectively enabling and disabling flow of fuel from the fuel storage tank to the fuel delivery nozzle;   a piezoelectric igniter electrically connected to each one of said electrodes; and   timer circuitry electrically connected between the piezoelectric igniter and at least one of said electrodes, wherein the timer circuitry precludes a voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter from causing electrical current to arc across said electrodes during a wait time interval and enables a voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter to cause electrical current to arc across said electrodes after the wait time interval passes.   
   
   
       10 . The lighter of  claim 9  wherein:
 the wait time interval is at least one of user-adjustable and self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic; and   said pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.   
   
   
       11 . The lighter of  claim 9  wherein:
 the timer circuitry includes a visual display; and   the timer circuitry displays at least one of a time of day and a remaining portion of the wait time interval.   
   
   
       12 . The lighter of  claim 11  wherein:
 the wait time interval is at least one of user-adjustable and self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic; and   said pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.   
   
   
       13 . The lighter of  claim 12  wherein:
 the timer circuitry includes a visual display output selector button; and   depression of the visual display output selector button enables selection of the time of day to be displayed on the visual display and the remaining portion of the wait time interval to be displayed on the visual display.   
   
   
       14 . The lighter of  claim 9  wherein:
 the timer circuitry includes a visual display output selector button; and   depression of the visual display output selector button enables selection of the time of day to be displayed on the visual display and the remaining portion of the wait time interval to be displayed on the visual display.   
   
   
       15 . A method for aiding in the cessation of a smoking habit, comprising:
 providing a lighter suitable for lighting a smoked tobacco product;   precluding operation of a voltage generating device of the lighter from causing ignition of fuel dispensed from within a fuel storage tank of the lighter for a first prescribed time interval; and   enabling operation of the voltage generating device of the lighter to cause ignition of fuel dispensed from within the fuel storage tank of the lighter for at least one of a second prescribed time interval after the first time interval passes and a prescribed number of operating instances after the first time interval passes.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 increasing a duration of the first time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait first time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 displaying a time of day on a visual display of the lighter; and   displaying a remaining portion of the first time interval on the visual display in response to depressing a visual display output selector.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein:
 said precluding includes precluding electrical current from arcing across said electrodes; and   said enabling includes enabling electrical current to arc across said electrodes.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 increasing a duration of the first time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait first time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 displaying a time of day on a visual display of the lighter; and   displaying a remaining portion of the first time interval on the visual display in response to depressing a visual display output selector.