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Smoking machine

a smoke machine and smoke technology, applied in the field of smoke machines, can solve the problems of complex capture and analysis methods, large labour and sophisticated analytical instruments, and time delay between smoking and analysing the captured gases, and can be a source of bias and error

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-05-14
MOLINS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a smoking machine that can analyze the chemicals in the smoke from a smoking article in real-time without needing to prepare the smoke. This is done using electrochemical cells. The technical effect is that the machine can provide a quick and accurate way to analyze the composition of smoke.

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that the process of smoking cigarettes and cigars liberates many chemicals in the form of gases, vapours or particulates that are either harmful or noxious in character.
The removed capture pad requires a series of chemical extractions and analysis that may take many hours, considerable labour and sophisticated analytical instruments.
The known method of analysing a smoke stream is characterised by the complexity of capture and analysis and by the time delay between smoking and analysing the captured gases.
There is also a potential source of bias and error as the vapour or gas may be imperfectly captured or may be involved in a chemical reaction affected by thermodynamic factors.
Whilst this is generally acceptable for trace elements, routine analysis for major components may be hampered by this slow process.

Method used

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Experimental program
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second embodiment

[0047]FIG. 4 is a plan view of parts of a smoking machine in the invention. In this embodiment the existing chamber used for collection of the mainstream gases on a filter pad is modified to allow direct insertion of the electrochemical or fuel cells.

[0048]Referring to FIG. 4, the smoking machine comprises cigarette holder 42, flow chamber 44, and filter pad chamber 46. A cigarette 48 is inserted into holder 42, and a filter pad 50 is inserted in filter pad chamber 46. A mechanically driven pump or gas syringe (not shown) is used to draw air through the cigarette 48, flow chamber 44, and filter pad chamber 46.

[0049]As can be seen in FIG. 4, electrochemical cells 52, 54, 56, 58 are fitted to the filter pad chamber 46. In this embodiment cells 54, 56 are located before the filter pad and cells 52, 58 are located after the filter pad. The cells 52, 54, 56, 58 are sealed in place by means of elastomeric seals or o-rings (not shown). The seals may be fitted either to the face of the cell...

first embodiment

[0053]By using an array of sensors as shown in FIG. 4 the same additional benefits as described above with reference to the first embodiment can be achieved. The measurements can determine the total concentration of compound liberated under a predetermined set of conditions and also the “fingerprint” for the brand under those same conditions.

[0054]In this embodiment the electrochemical cells can be either before or after the filter pad. If required, one or more of the cells may be duplicated on the other side of the filter pad. This arrangement can not only provide information about the smoke stream composition but also information concerning the efficiency of the pad collection device.

[0055]If desired, electrochemical cells may be located in a separate analysis chamber (as in the first embodiment) as well as in the filter pad chamber 46.

third embodiment

[0056]FIG. 5 shows parts of a smoking machine in the invention. In this embodiment a dedicated chamber for analysing a side smoke stream is fitted to a chimney above the smoking article. The side stream smoke is again characteristic of the brand and the mechanical smoking regime used to generate the main stream smoke.

[0057]Referring to FIG. 5, side stream smoking machine 60 comprises collection hood 62, chimney 64 and gas analysis chamber 66. The collection hood 62 is located above cigarette 68 which is held by cigarette holder 70. The cigarette holder 70 is connected to a main stream smoking machine (not shown), such as a smoking machine in the first or second embodiment described above, in order to smoke the cigarette in a predetermined manner. Side stream smoking machine 60 also comprises a pump or mechanically driven gas syringe (not shown) which draws smoke from the cigarette 68 through the collection hood 62 and chimney 64 when the main stream smoking machine is not puffing.

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Abstract

A smoking machine for smoking a smoking article is disclosed. The smoking machine comprises one or more electrochemical cells for analyzing the composition of a smoke stream from the smoking article. This can allow a gas or vapor phase chemical to be analyzed directly in real time without the need for pre-conditioning or preparation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a National Stage filing of International Application PCT / GB2006 / 001073, filed Mar. 23, 2006, claiming priority to United Kingdom Application No. 0506120.5, filed Mar. 24, 2005, entitled “SMOKING MACHINE”. The present application claims priority to PCT / GB2006 / 001073, and to United Kingdom Application No. 0506120.5, and both references are expressly incorporated by reference herein, in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a smoking machine for smoking a smoking article, such as a cigarette or cigar, in order to analyse the composition of a smoke stream from the smoking article.[0003]It is well known that the process of smoking cigarettes and cigars liberates many chemicals in the form of gases, vapours or particulates that are either harmful or noxious in character. These chemicals are formed as the result of the pyrolysis or partial pyrolysis of the article being smoked. The...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A24B15/18A24D3/06A24C5/34
CPCG01N27/407A24C5/3406G01N27/4162G01N33/0009G01N33/0031G01N33/004
Inventor TINDALL, IAN FRANCIS
Owner MOLINS