"It is the plaintiff's position that the accused structure represents an addition to its patented combination.
![ronson lighter patent 19023 ronson lighter patent 19023](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2t8AAOxyni9TD~W6/s-l400.jpg)
This contention, denied by plaintiff, presents the decisive question in this case. Defendant asserts that the substitution of the gas burner with the actuating lever and use of butane gas is a substantial change from the wick burner and snuffer cap of plaintiff's lighter. The snuffer cap, as plaintiff calls the part on the accused device, will put out the gas flame when used in the ordinary manner but it does not stop the flow of gas. The finger piece causes an actuating lever to open the gas fuel valve and simultaneously the abradant wheel moving across the flint causes sparks to ignite the gas. A fuel valve is opened when the finger piece is pressed on the accused device. A gas burner is placed in approximately the same position on the accused device as the wick burner on plaintiff's device.
![ronson lighter patent 19023 ronson lighter patent 19023](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vnYAAOSw4MNZleZ5/s-l300.jpg)
The gas, under pressure, is forced into the receptacle part of the lighter from a small gas container, the end of which is screwed into the bottom of the lighter for filling. The accused device uses butane gas for fuel.
![ronson lighter patent 19023 ronson lighter patent 19023](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/203078307474_/Ronson-Whirlwind-Lighter-Patent-Ending-June-12-1952.jpg)
The flame is extinguished by the snuffer cap. There it is ignited by sparks from the flint by operation of the abradant wheel. "What is the apparent difference between the two lighters? The lighter of plaintiff operates by lighting a wick of some absorbent material such as cotton, which carries an inflammable material, such as benzene or alcohol, as fuel from a container to the end of the wick.