Visual detection device and method for pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper air permeability

Abstract

The application discloses a visual detection device and method for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper. The detection device comprises a sealed transparent box, a sol-gel inlet at one end of the transparent box is connected to an atomizer through an aerosol inlet pipe, the atomizer is filled with atomizing liquid, a cigarette holder is arranged at the other end of the transparent box, a clamping end of the cigarette holder is located inside the transparent box, the clamping end of the cigarette holder is used for clamping a cigarette, a vacuum inlet pipe is connected to the end of the cigarette holder, the vacuum inlet pipe extends out of the transparent box and is connected to a vacuum port of a negative pressure generator, an air inlet of the negative pressure generator is connected to a compressed air inlet pipe through a gas valve, and an air outlet of the negative pressure generator is connected to a mixed gas exhaust pipe. Compared with the prior art, the application has the following advantages: the flow pattern of aerosol flowing through the ventilation area of the cigarette tipping paper during the detection process is visualized, so that the direct cause of the change in the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper can be accurately identified and determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device and method for cigarette production, and in particular to a visual detection device and method for air permeability of pre-punched cigarette tipping paper. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of tar reduction and harm reduction efforts in cigarettes, filter ventilation and dilution technology has become widely adopted due to its simplicity, reliability, and significant tar reduction effects. However, fluctuations in ventilation and dilution can significantly impact cigarette tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide emissions, as well as sensory quality. Therefore, precise control of the ventilation rate within the cigarette filter segment is crucial. Tipping paper, a key component of cigarette filters, is a key factor in regulating ventilation rate through its air permeability. The permeability of tipping paper determines the smoothness of air circulation, which in turn affects the ventilation rate of the cigarette.

[0003] Pre-perforated tipping paper, as the name suggests, is tipping paper pre-punched with micro-holes that serve as ventilation holes. This creates ventilation channels and can achieve the purpose of diluting smoke. The ventilation rate of pre-perforated cigarettes is mainly affected by the air permeability of the tipping paper, which is easily affected by the gluing effect during the cigarette tipping process. During the actual cigarette splicing process, if the non-glue area of ​​the pre-perforated tipping paper is poorly controlled, the glued area is offset, or glue overflow occurs, the air permeability of the ventilation area of ​​the tipping paper may decrease, thereby affecting the quality of the cigarette product. In addition, if the glue in the overlapping areas of the tipping paper is not firmly bonded, there will be a very small amount of air leakage, which will manifest macroscopically as an increase in the air permeability of the tipping paper, which will also affect the sensory quality of the smoking process.

[0004] Currently, the effectiveness of sizing can be assessed by coloring cigarette filter segments with colorants to evaluate the control of the glue-free areas of pre-perforated tipping paper. However, this method cannot assess the impact of sizing on the ventilation of the pre-perforated tipping paper. If the glue control roller applies glue unevenly, a small amount of glue film may block some of the ventilation holes, but colorants cannot effectively identify this. In this case, the use of colorants cannot determine the direct cause of the decreased air permeability of the tipping paper. Alternatively, cigarette ventilation rate testing can indirectly assess the impact of the tipping process on the air permeability of the tipping paper, but this can only determine whether the air permeability decreases or increases, and similarly cannot determine the direct cause of the permeability change. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a visual detection device and method for the air permeability of pre-punched cigarette tipping paper to accurately identify and determine the direct cause of changes in the air permeability of cigarette tipping paper, thereby providing technical support for optimizing and improving the processing technology of the cigarette tipping process.

[0006] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A visual detection device for the air permeability of pre-punched cigarette tipping paper includes a sealed transparent box with an aerosol inlet at one end. The aerosol inlet of the transparent box is connected to an atomizer through an aerosol inlet pipe. The atomizer contains atomizing liquid. A cigarette holder is provided at the other end of the transparent box. The clamping end of the cigarette holder is located inside the transparent box. The clamping end of the cigarette holder is used to clamp the cigarette. The end of the cigarette holder is connected to a vacuum inlet pipe. The vacuum inlet pipe extends out of the transparent box and is connected to the vacuum port of a negative pressure generator. The air inlet of the negative pressure generator is connected to the compressed air inlet pipe through an air valve. The exhaust port of the negative pressure generator is connected to a mixed gas exhaust pipe.

[0008] As a preferred solution of the above-mentioned visual detection device for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper, a gas flow detector is provided on the vacuum air inlet pipe.

[0009] As a preferred solution of the above-mentioned visual detection device for the air permeability of pre-punched cigarette tipping paper, the aerosol inlet of the transparent box and the cigarette holder are arranged opposite to each other on the left and right inside the transparent box.

[0010] As a preferred solution of the above-mentioned visual detection device for the air permeability of pre-punched cigarette tipping paper, the transparent box includes a box body and a box cover arranged on the top of the box body.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned visual detection device for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper, the particle diameter of the aerosol formed by the atomizer is between 0.01 μm and 10 μm.

[0012] The present invention also discloses a visual detection method for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper. The detection method is based on the above-mentioned detection device and is carried out in the following steps:

[0013] Step 1: Clamp the filter tip of the cigarette between the clamping end of the cigarette holder, and completely expose the ventilation area of ​​the tipping paper of the filter tip to the inner cavity of the transparent box. Assume that the number of ventilation holes in the ventilation area of ​​the tipping paper of the filter tip is N0;

[0014] Step 2: Start the atomizer and the negative pressure generator, open the air valve, and generate a vacuum negative pressure at the vacuum port of the negative pressure generator, sucking the gas in the inner cavity of the transparent box through the vacuum air inlet pipe. At the same time, the atomized liquid in the atomizer is atomized to form an aerosol. Under the action of the negative pressure suction, the aerosol enters the inner cavity of the transparent box through the aerosol air inlet pipe, passes through the smoke column section of the cigarette clamped on the cigarette holder and the ventilation area of ​​the filter section, enters the vacuum air inlet pipe, enters the negative pressure generator through the vacuum air inlet pipe, mixes with the compressed air, and is discharged through the mixed gas exhaust pipe.

[0015] Step 3: Observe the aerosol flow state in the inner cavity of the transparent box. When the aerosol in the inner cavity of the transparent box is observed to continuously pass through the ventilation holes in the ventilation area of ​​the cigarette filter segment, count the number of aerosol flow paths through the ventilation holes in the ventilation area of ​​the cigarette filter segment, and record it as N.

[0016] Step 4: Calculate the air permeability index A of the cigarette filter tipping paper using the following formula (1):

[0017]

[0018] Step 5: Determine the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper based on the calculated characterization index A. The determination process is as follows:

[0019] When A=1 and aerosol is observed to enter the filter segment only through the ventilation holes of the tipping paper, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be normal;

[0020] When A<1 and no aerosol is observed to flow into the filter segment from some of the ventilation holes in the tipping paper, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be abnormal;

[0021] When A>1 and aerosol is observed to flow into the cigarette through the overlap of the tipping paper or the joint between the tipping paper and the cigarette paper, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be abnormal.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0023] The present invention provides a visual detection device and method for the air permeability of pre-punched cigarette tipping paper. The device utilizes the light scattering effect of aerosols to release visible aerosols to intuitively display the spatial distribution and direction of gas flow, and visualizes the airflow pattern of aerosols flowing through the ventilation area of ​​the cigarette tipping paper during the detection process, providing more direct evidence for evaluating the air permeability of the finished cigarette tipping paper. In addition, the present invention uses a quantitative method to characterize the tipping effect of pre-punched finished cigarette tipping paper. Based on the characterization index, the direct cause of the change in the air permeability of the pre-punched finished cigarette tipping paper can be effectively identified, providing technical support for optimizing and improving the processing technology of the cigarette tipping process. In addition, the device and method of the present invention have the advantages of easy operation and accurate results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Fig. 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the detection device of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the detection device of the present invention from another perspective.

[0026] Fig. 3 It is a flattened view of the tipping paper of the present invention after it is unfolded.

[0027] Numbers in the figure: 1 transparent box, 2 box body, 3 box cover, 4 aerosol air inlet pipe, 5 atomizer, 6 cigarette holder, 7 cigarette, 8 vacuum air inlet pipe, 9 gas flow meter, 10 negative pressure generator, 11 vacuum port, 12 air inlet, 13 air valve, 14 compressed air inlet pipe, 15 exhaust port, 16 mixed gas exhaust pipe, 17 tipping paper, 18 ventilation area, 19 ventilation holes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is implemented based on the technical solution of the present invention, and provides a detailed implementation method and specific operation process. However, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0029] See also Figs. 1 to 3 This embodiment discloses a visual detection device for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette wrapping paper, comprising a sealed transparent box 1, which can be made of acrylic. The transparent box 1 comprises a box body 2 and a lid 3 that is located on the top of the box body 2 and can be opened and closed. An aerosol inlet is provided at one end of the transparent box 1. The aerosol inlet of the transparent box 1 is connected to an atomizer 5 via an aerosol inlet pipe 4. The atomizer 5 contains an atomized liquid. A cigarette holder 6 is provided at the other end of the transparent box 1. The aerosol inlet of the transparent box 1 and the cigarette holder 6 are arranged opposite each other on the left and right sides of the transparent box 1. The holding end of the cigarette holder 6 is located inside the transparent box 1 and is used to hold a cigarette 7. The distal end of the cigarette holder 6 is connected to a vacuum inlet pipe 8. The vacuum inlet pipe 8 is provided with a gas flow meter 9 that can detect the gas flow through the vacuum inlet pipe 8 in real time. The vacuum inlet pipe 8 extends out of the transparent box 1 and is connected to the vacuum port 11 of the negative pressure generator 10. The air inlet 12 of the negative pressure generator 10 is connected to the compressed air inlet pipe 14 through the air valve 13. The compressed air inlet pipe 14 is connected to an external compressed air source. The exhaust port 15 of the negative pressure generator 10 is connected to the mixed gas exhaust pipe 16. The air valve 13 can be a ball valve, and the flow rate of compressed air in the compressed air inlet pipe 14 can be controlled by controlling the opening of the air valve 13.

[0030] Among them, the atomizing liquid can be propylene glycol or glycerol liquid. The liquid particles formed after atomization by the atomizer 5 are suspended in the air medium to form an aerosol. The particle diameter of the aerosol is between 0.01 μm and 10 μm. The light scattering effect of the aerosol is used to make the aerosol appear visible white. When the visible aerosol flows with the airflow, its flow path can be identified and counted by the human eye.

[0031] This embodiment also discloses a visual detection method for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper. The detection method is based on the above-mentioned detection device and is performed in the following steps:

[0032] Step 1: Clamp the filter tip of the cigarette 7 at the clamping end of the cigarette holder 6, so that the ventilation area 18 of the tipping paper 17 of the filter tip of the cigarette 7 is completely exposed in the inner cavity of the transparent box 1. The smoke column of the cigarette 7 is suspended in the inner cavity of the transparent box 1. Assume that the number of ventilation holes 19 in the ventilation area 18 of the tipping paper 17 of the filter tip of the cigarette 7 is N0;

[0033] Step 2: Start the atomizer 5 and the negative pressure generator 10, open the air valve 13, and generate a vacuum negative pressure at the vacuum port 11 of the negative pressure generator 10, sucking the gas in the inner cavity of the transparent box 1 through the vacuum air inlet pipe 8; at the same time, the atomized liquid in the atomizer 5 is atomized to form an aerosol. Under the action of the negative pressure suction, the aerosol enters the inner cavity of the transparent box 1 through the aerosol air inlet pipe 4, passes through the smoke column section of the cigarette 7 clamped in the cigarette holder 6 and the ventilation area 18 of the filter section, enters the vacuum air inlet pipe 8, enters the negative pressure generator 10 through the vacuum air inlet pipe 8, mixes with the compressed air, and is discharged through the mixed gas exhaust pipe 16;

[0034] Step 3: Observe the flow of the aerosol in the inner cavity of the transparent box 1. When the aerosol in the inner cavity of the transparent box 1 is observed to continuously pass through the ventilation holes 19 of the ventilation area 18 of the filter segment of the cigarette 7, count the number of flow paths through which the aerosol flows through the ventilation holes 19 of the ventilation area 18 of the filter segment of the cigarette 7, and record it as N.

[0035] Step 4: Calculate the air permeability index A of the tipping paper 17 of the filter segment of the cigarette 7 using the following formula (1):

[0036]

[0037] Step 5: Determine the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper based on the calculated characterization index A. The determination process is as follows:

[0038] When A=1, and aerosol is observed to enter the filter segment only through the ventilation holes 19 of the tipping paper 17, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be normal; this indicates that the glue-free area is accurately controlled during the cigarette tipping process, there is no glue overflow and clogging of holes, and the various areas of the tipping paper 17 are firmly glued;

[0039] When A<1 and no aerosol is observed flowing into the filter segment from some of the ventilation holes 19 of the tipping paper 17, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be abnormal; this indicates that some of the ventilation holes 19 within the ventilation area 18 of the tipping paper 17 are blocked and cannot provide ventilation. The smaller the A value, the more blocked ventilation holes 19 in the tipping paper 17 and the lower the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper 17.

[0040] When A>1 and aerosol is observed to flow into the interior of the cigarette 7 through the overlap of the tipping paper 17 or the joint between the tipping paper 17 and the cigarette paper, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be abnormal; this indicates that some areas of the tipping paper 17 are not firmly adhered during the bonding process, and there is a very small amount of air leakage, which is manifested macroscopically as an increase in the air permeability of the tipping paper 17; the larger the A value, the more areas where the tipping paper 17 is not firmly adhered, and the macroscopic manifestation is that the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper 17 is greater.

[0041] The applicant used the aforementioned testing device and method to test experimental cigarettes 7 of the same specifications and circumference, each with a 24.4 mm diameter. The tipping paper 17 wrapped around the filter section of cigarette 7 formed a rectangular shape when unfolded. The unfolded tipping paper 17 had an overall length of 30 mm and a width of 27 mm. The rectangular, glue-free area in the middle served as ventilation region 18, measuring 22 mm in length and 8 mm in width. Ventilation region 18 of tipping paper 17 was provided with two rows of ventilation holes 19, with a total number N0 of 20. During the test, the gas flow rate within the vacuum inlet pipe 8 of the negative pressure generator 10 was controlled at 17.5 mL / s by adjusting the opening of the air valve 13, consistent with the air flow rate for ventilation rate testing in the national standard "Cigarettes," ensuring data comparability.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] One of the experimental cigarettes 7 was selected and tested according to the above-mentioned testing method. The number of flow paths N for aerosol flow through the ventilation holes 19 of the ventilation area 18 of the filter segment of the cigarette 7 was statistically obtained to be 20. Then, according to formula (1), the characteristic index A of the air permeability of the tipping paper 17 of the filter segment of the cigarette 7 was calculated to be 1. It was observed that the aerosol only entered the interior of the filter segment through the ventilation holes 19 of the tipping paper 17. Based on this, it can be determined that the air permeability of the pre-punched cigarette tipping paper 17 is normal, indicating that the glue-free area is accurately controlled during the cigarette tipping process, there is no glue overflow and clogging of the holes, and the various areas of the tipping paper 17 are firmly glued.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] A second experimental cigarette 7 was selected and tested according to the above-mentioned testing method. The number of flow paths N through which aerosol flows through the ventilation holes 19 in the ventilation area 18 of the filter segment of cigarette 7 was statistically obtained to be 18. Then, according to formula (1), the characteristic index of the air permeability of the tipping paper 17 of the filter segment of cigarette 7 was calculated to be A=0.9, that is, A<1. Moreover, it was observed that no aerosol flowed into the interior of the filter segment through some of the ventilation holes 19 of the tipping paper 17. Based on this, it can be determined that the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is abnormal, and some of the ventilation holes 19 are blocked, which cannot play a ventilation and dilution role, which will affect the tar content, nicotine, carbon monoxide release and sensory quality of the cigarette.

[0046] Example 3

[0047] The third experimental cigarette 7 was selected and tested according to the above-mentioned testing method. The number of flow paths N for aerosol flow through the ventilation holes 19 in the ventilation area 18 of the filter segment of the cigarette 7 was statistically obtained to be 22. Then, according to formula (1), the characteristic index of the air permeability of the tipping paper 17 of the filter segment of the cigarette 7 was calculated to be A=1.1, that is, A>1. In addition, it was observed that the aerosol flowed into the interior of the cigarette 7 through the overlap of the tipping paper 17 or the junction between the tipping paper 17 and the cigarette paper. Based on this, it can be determined that the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is abnormal, and some areas of the overlapping part of the tipping paper 17 are not firmly adhered, and there is a very small amount of air leakage; this indicates that during the cigarette tipping process, the amount of glue applied to some glued areas of the tipping paper 17 is small, and the adhesion effect of the tipping paper 17 is poor.

[0048] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A visual detection method for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper, characterized by: The detection method is based on a visual detection device for the air permeability of pre-punched cigarette tipping paper. The visual detection device for the air permeability of pre-punched cigarette tipping paper includes a sealed transparent box, an aerosol inlet is opened at one end of the transparent box, the aerosol inlet of the transparent box is connected to an atomizer through an aerosol inlet pipe, the atomizer contains atomized liquid, and a cigarette holder is provided at the other end of the transparent box. The clamping end of the cigarette holder is located inside the transparent box, the clamping end of the cigarette holder is used to clamp the cigarette, the end of the cigarette holder is connected to a vacuum inlet pipe, the vacuum inlet pipe extends out of the transparent box and is connected to a vacuum port of a negative pressure generator, the air inlet of the negative pressure generator is connected to a compressed air inlet pipe through an air valve, and the exhaust port of the negative pressure generator is connected to a mixed gas exhaust pipe; The detection method is carried out in the following steps: Step 1: Clamp the filter tip of the cigarette between the clamping end of the cigarette holder, and completely expose the ventilation area of ​​the tipping paper of the filter tip to the inner cavity of the transparent box. Assume that the number of ventilation holes in the ventilation area of ​​the tipping paper of the filter tip is N0; Step 2: Start the atomizer and the negative pressure generator, open the air valve, and generate a vacuum negative pressure at the vacuum port of the negative pressure generator, sucking the gas in the inner cavity of the transparent box through the vacuum air inlet pipe. At the same time, the atomized liquid in the atomizer is atomized to form an aerosol. Under the action of the negative pressure suction, the aerosol enters the inner cavity of the transparent box through the aerosol air inlet pipe, passes through the smoke column section of the cigarette clamped on the cigarette holder and the ventilation area of ​​the filter section, enters the vacuum air inlet pipe, enters the negative pressure generator through the vacuum air inlet pipe, mixes with the compressed air, and is discharged through the mixed gas exhaust pipe. Step 3: Observe the aerosol flow state in the inner cavity of the transparent box. When the aerosol in the inner cavity of the transparent box is observed to continuously pass through the ventilation holes in the ventilation area of ​​the cigarette filter segment, count the number of aerosol flow paths through the ventilation holes in the ventilation area of ​​the cigarette filter segment, and record it as N. Step 4: Calculate the air permeability index A of the cigarette filter tipping paper using the following formula (1): Step 5: Determine the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper based on the calculated characterization index A. The determination process is as follows: When A=1 and aerosol is observed to enter the filter segment only through the ventilation holes of the tipping paper, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be normal; When A<1 and no aerosol is observed to flow into the filter segment from some of the ventilation holes in the tipping paper, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be abnormal; When A>1 and aerosol is observed to flow into the cigarette through the overlap of the tipping paper or the joint between the tipping paper and the cigarette paper, the air permeability of the cigarette tipping paper is determined to be abnormal.

2. The visual detection method for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gas flow detector is provided on the vacuum air inlet pipe.

3. The visual detection method for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aerosol air inlet of the transparent box and the cigarette holder are arranged opposite to each other on the left and right sides inside the transparent box.

4. The visual detection method for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transparent box comprises a box body and a box cover arranged on the top of the box body.

5. The visual detection method for the air permeability of pre-perforated cigarette tipping paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The particle diameter of the aerosol formed by the atomizer is between 0.01 μm and 10 μm.

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