Cigarette Lighters
 

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

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...

Good Q, good A.

Thats why I visit this forum

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.

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

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?

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

Bats and Australians.

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...

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

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

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

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.

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