A device and method for measuring the thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaf structure

Abstract

This invention relates to a device and method for determining the thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaf structure, belonging to the field of analytical testing technology. The device features cigar structure simulation, uniform tobacco leaf heating, adjustable testing atmosphere, convenient process observation, flexible real-time measurement, non-destructive sample detection via light transmission, and data presentation of test results. The device loosely rolls regularly cut cigar tobacco leaves into multiple cylindrical layers and places them upright on a sample tray in the testing chamber, simulating the conventional rolling structure of cigars and preserving a carrier gas channel for each layer. Carrier gas is introduced into the testing chamber to control different testing atmospheres. A heating ring surrounds the sample tray to heat the tobacco leaves, and the sample tray is rotated by a motor to achieve uniform heating. Flexible fiber optic connections enable non-contact, omnidirectional light transmission detection of the tobacco leaf structure. An observation window allows for real-time monitoring of the tobacco leaf structure at different temperatures. The results of the thermal stability of the tobacco leaf structure are presented as data using calculation formulas, facilitating quantitative comparison.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of analytical testing technology, specifically relating to a device and method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves. Background Technology

[0002] Combustibility of tobacco leaves is not only an indicator of their physical properties, but also an important indicator of their sensory quality. The quality of combustibility directly affects the usability and safety of tobacco leaves. Generally speaking, tobacco leaves with a loose structure, rich in organic matter, and high in organic potassium content have better combustibility, which can reduce the number of puffs required to smoke a cigarette, thereby reducing tar production and improving smoke safety. Tobacco leaves with poor combustibility burn incompletely, producing gray or black ash and generating more harmful substances such as carbon monoxide and tar.

[0003] The combustibility of tobacco leaves generally refers to the degree of combustion after the leaves are ignited, and it has a significant impact on the quality of the smoke. The combustibility of tobacco leaves is mainly assessed through two aspects: smoldering and ash color. In conventional cigarette products, tobacco leaves are cut into shreds, which have better combustibility than whole tobacco leaves. The combustion of a cigarette in its stick form involves a continuous smoldering process between the cigarette paper and the shredded tobacco; therefore, the combustion of the shredded tobacco is also significantly influenced by the combustibility of the cigarette paper.

[0004] Unlike conventional cigarette manufacturing, where tobacco leaves are shredded and wrapped in cigarette paper, cigars are typically hand-rolled from multiple tobacco leaves in the same direction. This results in a significantly denser roll than conventional cigarettes. However, this unidirectional rolling still preserves air channels between each layer of tobacco. Tobacco leaves with good structural thermal stability maintain these air channels, ensuring the cigar doesn't extinguish during short puffs and improving its overall combustibility. Conversely, cigar tobacco leaves with poor structural thermal stability are prone to curling, structural collapse, and shrinkage when heated, easily clogging the internal air channels and resulting in poor overall combustibility. The thermal stability of the tobacco leaf structure can indirectly reflect the cigar's combustibility. However, there are few reports on the devices and methods for measuring the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problem of determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves, this invention provides an apparatus and method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to simulate the conventional rolling structure of cigars by loosely rolling regularly cut cigar tobacco leaves into multiple cylindrical layers and placing them upright on a sample tray in the detection chamber, while preserving a gas-carrying channel for each layer of tobacco leaves.

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide different testing atmospheres for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves by introducing a test carrier gas into the testing chamber.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to achieve non-contact, omnidirectional light transmission detection of cigar tobacco leaf structures through a flexibly arranged optical fiber end.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to present the results of the thermal stability of cigar tobacco structure using calculation formulas, so as to facilitate quantitative comparison between different cigar tobaccos.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solutions:

[0011] A device for measuring the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves includes: a controller, an optical fiber end, a heating ring, a detection chamber, and a sample tray;

[0012] The detection chamber is a hollow cylindrical structure made of high-temperature resistant material. It has a carrier gas inlet located on the upper side wall and a carrier gas outlet located on the lower side wall for inputting carrier gas into the detection chamber and carrying away tobacco pyrolysis products. Different measuring atmospheres can be controlled according to the detection needs. The observation window is made of transparent high-temperature resistant material and is located at the upper opening of the detection chamber and is in close contact with the edge of the opening to achieve a gas sealing effect.

[0013] The heating ring is located inside the detection chamber and surrounds the sample plate to heat the cigar tobacco sample on the sample plate. The heating ring has three sets of symmetrical light-transmitting holes for the optical fiber end to perform light transmission detection on the cigar tobacco. The heating ring is controlled by the controller and performs programmed heating and set temperature heating according to the detection needs.

[0014] The sample tray is a circular, high-temperature resistant material located at the center of the lower part of the detection chamber, surrounded by a heating ring. The surface has multiple evenly distributed vent holes for the passage of carrier gas. Four fixing rods are evenly arranged at various positions on the upper part of the sample tray and fixed to the edge of the sample tray to fix and support the neatly cut and loosely rolled multi-layered cylindrical cigar tobacco leaves. The lower part of the sample tray is connected to the motor through a connecting rod. The motor is located below the detection chamber and is controlled by a controller to drive the sample tray to rotate at a certain speed according to the detection needs.

[0015] The optical fiber end includes three sets of one-to-one corresponding optical fiber transmitters and optical fiber receivers, located on both sides of the detection cavity and corresponding to the position of the light transmission hole, ensuring that the light beam emitted by each optical fiber transmitter is received by the corresponding optical fiber receiver through the light transmission hole. The optical fiber transmitters and optical fiber receivers are connected to and controlled by the controller.

[0016] The controller is connected to the optical fiber transmitter, optical fiber receiver, heating ring, and motor via control lines. It controls the optical fiber transmitter to emit light beams according to a program, collects the optical signals received by the optical fiber receiver, controls the heating ring to perform programmed heating and heating at a set temperature, and controls the motor to rotate at a certain speed.

[0017] A method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves, comprising the following steps:

[0018] Step 1: Equilibrate the cigar tobacco leaves under constant temperature and humidity conditions for a certain period of time;

[0019] Step 2: Test the optical path at the fiber end. Move the fixing rod by rotating the sample plate to ensure that the optical path between each fiber transmitter and the corresponding fiber receiver is completely unobstructed without being blocked by the fixing rod.

[0020] Step 3: Remove the central stem from the balanced cigar tobacco leaves, flatten them, press them with a flat wooden board to shape them, and cut long strips of tobacco leaves from the center of one side of the tobacco leaves to serve as cigar tobacco leaf samples for testing.

[0021] Step 4: Remove the observation window, roll the cigar tobacco sample into a multi-layered tube and place it in the center of the 4 fixed rods. Let it unfold naturally and observe from above the detection chamber to ensure that there are 2 to 5 layers of tobacco in the radial direction of the spiral structure of the tobacco tube. Then move the observation window back.

[0022] Step 5: Start the motor and rotate it at the set speed. The set flow rate of carrier gas is introduced into the detection chamber through the carrier gas inlet and discharged through the carrier gas outlet.

[0023] Step 6: Start the heating ring and heat it to the detection temperature according to the set program, then maintain the temperature for a certain period of time;

[0024] Step 7: Observe the structural state and changes of the tobacco leaves through the observation window during the heating process of the cigar tobacco leaves, and take photos to record them;

[0025] Step 8: After reaching the detection temperature, use each set of optical fiber ends to continuously detect the light transmission of the cigar tobacco leaves. Record the light transmission time within the time it takes for the sample tray to rotate a set number of times. The detection ends here.

[0026] Step 9: Calculate the proportion of light transmission in the total duration using the recorded light transmission time to obtain data reflecting the thermal stability of the cigar tobacco leaf structure.

[0027] Furthermore, in step 1, the cigar tobacco leaves are kept at a constant temperature and humidity of 22°C and 60% for 48 hours to achieve equilibrium.

[0028] Furthermore, the dimensions of the cut strip-shaped tobacco leaves used as cigar tobacco leaf test samples are 20*100mm.

[0029] Furthermore, in step 3, the conditions for cutting long strips of tobacco leaves into cigar tobacco leaf samples should meet the requirements of the longitudinal opening height at the fiber optic end to ensure the integrity of the light transmission detection data.

[0030] Furthermore, the fixing rod is made of a high-temperature resistant material and will not bend or deform at a high temperature of 600℃. The fixing rod is a slender cylindrical rod with a circular cross-section diameter of ≤1mm and a height of 22mm~30mm.

[0031] Furthermore, the sample disk rotates slowly under the drive of a motor, with the rotation speed set to 1-5 r / min.

[0032] Furthermore, by changing the composition of the carrier gas, different detection atmospheres can be set for the detection chamber. The carrier gas includes one or more mixed gases selected from air, nitrogen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide, and the carrier gas flow rate is set to 20-200 mL / min.

[0033] Furthermore, the heating ring is electrically heated without producing an open flame. The heating ring's heating program can be set as needed, with a heating rate of 10-200℃ / min, a holding temperature of 200-600℃, and a holding time of 5-30min.

[0034] Furthermore, the frequency of continuous light transmission detection at each fiber end is 1 to 5 times per second, and the position of light transmission detection at the fiber end corresponds to the upper, middle, and lower parts of the cigar tobacco roll.

[0035] Furthermore, during continuous light transmittance testing, the light transmittance data is recorded within 2 to 5 complete rotations of the sample disc. The formula for calculating the light transmittance of the sample at this temperature is: light transmittance time / test time × 100%. This represents the structural thermal stability of the sample at this temperature. The lower the light transmittance, the better the thermal stability of the cigar tobacco structure. The data is used to quantitatively compare the structural thermal stability of different cigar tobaccos.

[0036] Furthermore, cigar tobacco leaves with poor structural thermal stability will curl, collapse, and shrink when heated, which can easily block the gas channels inside the cigar and result in poor overall combustibility. The thermal stability of the tobacco leaf structure can indirectly reflect the combustibility of the cigar.

[0037] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0038] 1. This invention features a simulated cigar rolling structure. By loosely rolling regularly cut cigar tobacco leaves into multiple cylindrical layers and placing them upright on a sample tray in the detection chamber, it simulates the conventional rolling structure of cigars and preserves a gas-carrying channel for each layer of tobacco leaves.

[0039] 2. The present invention features adjustable measurement atmosphere, allowing different test carrier gases to be introduced into the detection chamber to provide different measurement atmospheres for the detection.

[0040] 3. This invention features uniform heating of tobacco leaves. It utilizes a heating ring surrounding a sample tray to heat the tobacco leaves, and the sample tray is rotated by a motor to achieve uniform circumferential heating of the cigar tobacco leaves.

[0041] 4. The present invention has the advantage of convenient process observation. A transparent observation window is provided at the upper opening of the detection chamber, which can be used to observe the structural state of tobacco leaves at different temperatures at any time.

[0042] 5. This invention features real-time and flexible measurement, enabling real-time measurement of the thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaf structure at different temperatures through short-term light transmission detection.

[0043] 6. This invention features non-destructive light transmission for sample detection, utilizing a flexibly arranged optical fiber end to achieve non-contact, omnidirectional light transmission detection of tobacco leaf structures.

[0044] 7. This invention features the ability to present test results in data form, using calculation formulas to present the results of the thermal stability of tobacco leaf structure in data form. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the apparatus for measuring the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves according to the present invention.

[0046] Reference numerals: 1. Controller; 2. Control line; 3. Fiber optic transmitter; 4. Light aperture; 5. Carrier gas inlet; 6. Observation window; 7. Cigar tobacco leaf; 8. Fixing rod; 9. Heating ring; 10. Detection chamber; 11. Fiber optic receiver; 12. Carrier gas outlet; 13. Motor; 14. Connecting rod; 15. Sample tray. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention, the application and implementation scheme of the device and method for measuring the thermal stability of cigar tobacco structure proposed in accordance with the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. However, the content of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] A device for measuring the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves includes: a controller 1, an optical fiber end, a heating ring 9, a detection chamber 10, and a sample tray 15.

[0050] The detection chamber 10 is a hollow cylindrical structure made of high-temperature resistant material. It has a carrier gas inlet 5 located on the upper side wall and a carrier gas outlet 12 located on the lower side wall for inputting carrier gas into the detection chamber 10 and carrying away tobacco pyrolysis products. Different measuring atmospheres can be controlled according to the detection needs. The observation window 6 is made of transparent high-temperature resistant material and is located at the upper opening of the detection chamber 10 and is in close contact with the edge of the opening to achieve a gas sealing effect.

[0051] The heating ring 9 is located inside the detection chamber 10 and surrounds the sample plate 15 for heating the cigar tobacco leaf 7 sample on the sample plate 15. The heating ring 9 has three sets of symmetrical light-transmitting holes 4 for the optical fiber end to perform light transmission detection on the cigar tobacco leaf 7. The heating ring 9 is controlled by the controller 1 and performs programmed heating and set temperature heating according to the detection needs.

[0052] The sample tray 15 is made of a circular, high-temperature resistant material and is located at the lower center of the detection chamber 10. It is surrounded by a heating ring 9. The surface has multiple evenly distributed vent holes for the passage of carrier gas. Four fixing rods 8 are evenly arranged at various positions on the upper part of the sample tray 15 and are fixedly connected to the edge of the sample tray 15 to fix and support the neatly cut and loosely rolled multi-layered cylindrical cigar tobacco leaves 7. The lower part of the sample tray 15 is connected to the motor 13 through the connecting rod 14. The motor 13 is located below the detection chamber 10 and is controlled by the controller 1 to drive the sample tray 15 to rotate at a certain speed according to the detection needs.

[0053] The optical fiber end includes three sets of one-to-one corresponding optical fiber transmitters 3 and optical fiber receivers 11, located on both sides of the detection cavity 10 and corresponding to the position of the light transmission hole 4, ensuring that the light beam emitted by each optical fiber transmitter 3 is received by the corresponding optical fiber receiver 11 through the light transmission hole 4. The optical fiber transmitters 3 and optical fiber receivers 11 are connected to and controlled by the controller 1.

[0054] The controller 1 is connected to the optical fiber transmitter 3, the optical fiber receiver 11, the heating ring 9, and the motor 13 via the control line 2. It controls the optical fiber transmitter 3 to emit a light beam according to the program, collects the light signal received by the optical fiber receiver 11, controls the heating ring 9 to perform programmed heating and set temperature heating, and controls the motor 13 to rotate at a certain speed.

[0055] Example 2

[0056] Determination of the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves

[0057] Cigar tobacco leaves 7 were equilibrated for 48 hours under constant temperature and humidity conditions of 22℃ and 60%;

[0058] To test the optical path at the fiber end, the fixing rod 8 is removed by rotating the sample disk 15, ensuring that the optical path between each group of fiber transmitter 3 and the corresponding fiber receiver 11 is completely unobstructed without being blocked by the fixing rod 8.

[0059] Remove the central stem from the balanced cigar tobacco leaf 7, flatten it, press it with a flat wooden board for 10 minutes to shape it, and cut a long strip of tobacco leaf 20*100mm from the center of one side of the tobacco leaf as the cigar tobacco leaf 7 test sample.

[0060] Remove the observation window 6, roll the cigar tobacco leaf 7 into a multi-layered tube and place it in the center of the 4 fixed rods 8. Let it unfold naturally and observe from above the detection chamber 10. The spiral structure of the tobacco leaf tube has 3 layers of tobacco leaf in the radial direction. Move the observation window 6 back.

[0061] Start motor 13 and rotate it at the set speed of 2r / min. Nitrogen gas at a rate of 50mL / min is introduced into the detection chamber 10 from the carrier gas inlet 5 as the carrier gas, and the carrier gas is discharged from the carrier gas outlet 12.

[0062] Start heating ring 9 and heat up to the detection temperature of 300℃ at a rate of 20℃ / min, then maintain the temperature for 10 minutes.

[0063] During the heating process of cigar tobacco leaves 7, the structural state and changes of the tobacco leaves are observed through the observation window 6;

[0064] Once the detection temperature is reached, a photograph is taken through the observation window 6 and the light transmittance of the cigar tobacco leaf 7 is continuously detected using each set of optical fiber ends. The light transmittance time is recorded within the time it takes for the sample tray 15 to rotate 2 times, and the detection ends.

[0065] The transmittance of the sample at 300℃ is calculated by dividing the transmittance by the detection time by 100%. The lower the transmittance, the better the thermal stability of the cigar tobacco leaf structure.

[0066] Contents not described in detail in this specification are prior art known to those skilled in the art. Although illustrative specific embodiments of the invention have been described above to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the scope of the specific embodiments. Various modifications are readily apparent to those skilled in the art as long as they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined and determined by the appended claims, and all inventions utilizing the concept of this invention are protected.

Claims

1. A device for measuring the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves, characterized in that: include: Controller (1), fiber optic end, heating ring (9), detection chamber (10), sample plate (15); The detection chamber (10) is a hollow cylindrical structure made of high-temperature resistant material. It has a carrier gas inlet (5) located on the upper side wall and a carrier gas outlet (12) located on the lower side wall for inputting carrier gas into the detection chamber (10) and carrying away tobacco pyrolysis products. Different measurement atmospheres can be controlled according to the detection needs. The observation window (6) is made of transparent high-temperature resistant material and is located at the upper opening of the detection chamber (10) and is in close contact with the edge of the opening to achieve a gas sealing effect. The heating ring (9) is located inside the detection chamber (10) and surrounds the sample plate (15) for heating the cigar tobacco leaf (7) sample on the sample plate (15). The heating ring (9) has three sets of symmetrical light-transmitting holes (4) for optical fiber end to perform light transmission detection on the cigar tobacco leaf (7). The heating ring (9) is controlled by the controller (1) and performs programmed heating and set temperature heating according to the detection needs. The sample tray (15) is made of a circular high-temperature resistant material and is located at the lower center of the detection chamber (10). It is surrounded by a heating ring (9) and has multiple evenly distributed ventilation holes on its surface for the passage of carrier gas. Four fixing rods (8) are evenly arranged at various positions on the upper part of the sample tray (15) and are fixedly connected to the edge of the sample tray (15) to fix and support the neatly cut and loosely rolled cigar tobacco leaves (7) into multiple cylindrical layers. The lower part of the sample tray (15) is connected to the motor (13) through the connecting rod (14). The motor (13) is located below the detection chamber (10) and is controlled by the controller (1) to drive the sample tray (15) to rotate at a certain speed according to the detection needs. The optical fiber end includes three sets of one-to-one corresponding optical fiber transmitters (3) and optical fiber receivers (11), located on both sides of the detection cavity (10) and corresponding to the position of the light-transmitting hole (4), ensuring that the light beam emitted by each optical fiber transmitter (3) is received by the corresponding optical fiber receiver (11) through the light-transmitting hole (4). The optical fiber transmitters (3) and optical fiber receivers (11) are connected to and controlled by the controller (1). The controller (1) is connected to the optical fiber transmitter (3), optical fiber receiver (11), heating ring (9) and motor (13) respectively via control line (2). It controls the optical fiber transmitter (3) to emit a light beam according to the program, collects the light signal received by the optical fiber receiver (11), controls the heating ring (9) to perform programmed heating and set temperature heating, and controls the motor (13) to rotate at a certain speed. The fixing rod (8) is made of high temperature resistant material and will not bend or deform at 600℃. The fixing rod (8) is a slender cylindrical rod with a circular cross-section diameter ≤1 mm and a height of 22 mm ~30 mm.

2. A method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves using the apparatus for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1: Equilibrate the cigar tobacco leaves (7) under constant temperature and humidity conditions for a certain period of time; Step 2: Test the optical path at the fiber end. Remove the fixing rod (8) by rotating the sample disk (15) to ensure that the optical path between each group of fiber transmitters (3) and the corresponding fiber receivers (11) is completely unobstructed without being blocked by the fixing rod (8). Step 3: Remove the central stem from the balanced cigar tobacco leaf (7), flatten it, press it with a flat wooden board to shape it, and cut a long strip of tobacco leaf in the center of one side of the tobacco leaf as the cigar tobacco leaf (7) to be tested. Step 4: Remove the observation window (6), roll the cigar tobacco leaf (7) sample into a multi-layered tube and place it in the center of the 4 fixed rods (8). Let it unfold naturally and observe from above the detection chamber (10) to ensure that there are 2 to 5 layers of tobacco leaves in the radial direction of the spiral structure of the tobacco leaf tube. Then move it back to the observation window (6). Step 5: Start the motor (13) and rotate it at the set speed. The set flow rate of carrier gas is introduced into the detection chamber (10) from the carrier gas inlet (5), and the carrier gas is discharged from the carrier gas outlet (12). Step 6: Start the heating ring (9), heat up to the detection temperature according to the set program, and maintain it for a certain period of time; Step 7: During the heating process of the cigar tobacco leaves (7), observe the structural state and changes of the tobacco leaves through the observation window (6) and take photos to record them; Step 8: After reaching the detection temperature, use the fiber optic end of each group to continuously detect the light transmission of the cigar tobacco leaf (7). Record the light transmission time within the time it takes for the sample tray (15) to rotate a set number of times. The detection ends. Step 9: Calculate the proportion of light transmission in the total duration using the recorded light transmission time to obtain data reflecting the thermal stability of the cigar tobacco leaf structure.

3. The method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step 1, the cigar tobacco leaves (7) are kept at a constant temperature and humidity of 22°C and 60% for 48 hours.

4. The method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 2, characterized in that: The size of the cut strip tobacco leaves used as cigar tobacco leaves (7) is 20*100 mm.

5. The method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sample disk (15) rotates slowly under the drive of the motor (13), with the rotation speed set to 1~5 r / min.

6. The method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 2, characterized in that: The carrier gas includes one or more mixed gases such as air, nitrogen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. Different detection atmospheres are set in the detection chamber (10) by changing the composition of the carrier gas. The carrier gas flow rate is set to 20~200 mL / min.

7. A method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating ring (9) is electrically heated without producing an open flame. The heating program of the heating ring (9) can be set as needed, with a heating rate of 10~200℃ / min, a holding temperature of 200~600℃, and a holding time of 5~30 min.

8. The method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 2, characterized in that: The frequency of continuous light transmission detection at each fiber end is 1 to 5 times per second, and the position of light transmission detection at the fiber end corresponds to the upper, middle and lower parts of the cigar tobacco leaf (7) roll.

9. The method for determining the structural thermal stability of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 2, characterized in that: When performing continuous light transmittance testing, record the light transmittance data within 2 to 5 complete rotations of the sample plate (15). The formula for calculating the light transmittance of the sample under test at this temperature is the light transmittance duration / test duration × 100%. This represents the structural thermal stability of the sample under test at this temperature. The lower the light transmittance, the better the thermal stability of the cigar tobacco leaf structure. The data is used to quantify and compare the structural thermal stability of different cigar tobacco leaves (7).

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