Test Apparatus for Collecting Particles in Vapor or Smoke Delivered by a Vapor Inhalation or Smoking Device - Patent application

Abstract

The present invention relates to a test device for collecting particles in vapor / smoke delivered by a vapor inhalation / smoking article (100), comprising a mouthpiece (2) for receiving the tip of the vapor inhalation / smoking article, a smoking machine (6) for generating an inhalation flow simulating a user's puffing action on the vapor inhalation / smoking article, a primary particle filter (4) arranged downstream of the mouthpiece for collecting particles present in the inhalation airflow, a chamber (7) having an empty cavity (8) arranged between the mouthpiece (2) and the primary particle filter (4), and a collector (10) for collecting particles in the chamber. Thus, the device is capable of separating taste-related particles in the smoke / vapor delivered by the smoking / vapor inhalation article that are likely to be absorbed in the user's mouth from particles that are likely to reach the user's lungs and carry a product such as nicotine.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a test apparatus for collecting particles present in smoke or vapor produced by a smoking or vapor inhalation article, such as a cigarette or a vapor inhalation device. The present invention applies to any vapor inhalation device, in particular electronic cigarettes (where e-liquid is heated to produce vapor that is inhaled) and heated tobacco vapor devices (where a solid material, such as tobacco, including a solid stick, is not burned but is heated to produce vapor that is inhaled).

[0002] The purpose of these testing instruments is to collect particles present in the smoke / vapour produced by the smoking / vaping device in order to subsequently analyse these particles, for example to determine the amount of nicotine in the smoke or vapour delivered to a user during smoking or vaping with the article being tested. [Background technology]

[0003] Testing devices are known, such as those disclosed in CN 103940602, CN 104266870 or GB 2574607.

[0004] Conventional devices typically include a mouthpiece for receiving the tip of the smoking or vapor inhalation article to be tested, a smoking machine for generating an inhalation flow that mimics a puffing action by a human user on the smoking / vapour inhalation article, and a filter disposed in a filter holder immediately downstream of the tip of the smoking / vapour inhalation article for collecting particles present in the smoke / vapour delivered by the smoking / vapour inhalation article under puffing action.

[0005] The filters are typically current Cambridge filters having a diameter of 44 mm. The particles captured by the Cambridge filters are then analyzed using a variety of known methods, for example chromatography.

[0006] Known test devices target the collection of the overall Aerosol Collective Mass (ACM) or Total Particulate Matter (TPM) and are unable to distinguish between particles absorbed in the user's mouth and particles delivered to the user's lungs. Indeed, when a person smokes or vapes, larger droplets are absorbed in the mouth and smaller droplets enter the lungs. The particles absorbed in the mouth are responsible for the taste, whereas the particles absorbed in the lungs carry the deliverables, such as nicotine. It is therefore very useful to separate these two types of particles in the test device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to solve this problem by providing an apparatus that is able to separate particles in the smoke / vapour delivered by the smoking / vaping article to be tested that are likely to be absorbed in the mouth from particles that are likely to reach the lungs when a human smokes / vapes the smoking / vaping article being tested. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a test apparatus for collecting particles in vapor or smoke delivered by a vapor inhalation or smoking device, comprising: a mouthpiece for receiving the tip of the vaping / smoking article to be tested; a smoking machine for generating an inhalation flow simulating a puffing action by a user on the vaping / smoking article to be tested, such that the inhalation flow includes vapour or smoke delivered by the vaping / smoking article to be tested under operation of the smoking machine; a primary particle filter located downstream of the mouthpiece for capturing particles present in the inhalation flow; The present invention relates to a test device,

[0009] Throughout the description, the terms "downstream" and "upstream" refer to the direction of circulation of the suction flow.

[0010] The test device according to the invention is characterised in that it further comprises a chamber, arranged between the mouthpiece and the main filter, the chamber being bounded by a peripheral wall forming a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces, the bottom surface of the chamber being lined at least with a collector for collecting particles that fall from the inhalation flow in the chamber before reaching the main particle filter, the collector and / or the surfaces of the chamber delimiting an empty cavity in the chamber.

[0011] It should be noted that the term "empty" used to detail the cavity in the chamber does not refer to the pressure in the cavity. For example, it does not mean that the pressure in the cavity is actively maintained fully under atmospheric pressure. The term "empty" merely means that the cavity does not have any parts or materials or substances that obstruct or filter (even partially) the suction flow. In contrast, of course, since the suction flow passes through the cavity, the cavity contains gas (air) and particles coming from the article under test.

[0012] Thus, according to the invention, the primary particle filter is arranged downstream of the collector, which at least partially surrounds the cavity in the chamber. The primary particle filter can be arranged at the outlet end of the chamber, directly downstream of the collector, in the circumferential wall that bounds the chamber, but at the end of the circumferential wall. Alternatively, the primary particle filter can be arranged in a specific holder added downstream of the circumferential wall of the chamber. The first variant is preferred due to its simplicity, compactness and low manufacturing costs. The second variant allows additional elements, such as a flow divider or a sensor, to be inserted for various purposes between the collector (or chamber) and the primary particle filter.

[0013] The peripheral wall of the chamber may be formed by a single continuous wall that defines the above-mentioned top, bottom and side surfaces. That is, the peripheral wall may be cylindrical with a circular cross-section or any other cross-section (e.g., square cross-section, etc.). Alternatively, the peripheral wall may be formed by a plurality of assembled walls, including a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall.

[0014] According to a possible feature, the main particle filter is a fiberglass filter, such as a 44 mm Cambridge filter.

[0015] According to a possible feature, the collector is also a glass fiber filter. Alternatively, the collector is a layer of absorbent material.

[0016] According to a possible feature, the collector extends over the entire peripheral wall of the chamber, i.e. not only over the bottom surface of the chamber, but also over the top and sides of the chamber.

[0017] According to a possible feature, the collector is a cylindrical filter or a cylindrical absorbent sleeve.

[0018] According to a possible feature, the cylindrical filter or cylindrical absorbent sleeve forming the collector has an open inlet end facing and surrounding the mouthpiece, and / or an opposite open outlet end opening towards the front of the main particle filter.

[0019] According to a possible feature, the test device further includes a gas collector between the primary particulate filter and the smoking machine, the gas collector may include a container and a collecting liquid within the container.

[0020] According to a possible feature, the smoking machine includes a programmable syringe configured to provide a regulated puff.

[0021] In a possible embodiment, the chamber comprises: A perimeter wall as defined above; an inlet flange including a mouthpiece in a central region, the inlet flange further having a peripheral fastening clamp configured to secure the inlet flange to a peripheral wall; an outlet flange having a central opening connected to the smoking machine, the outlet flange further having a peripheral fastening clamp configured to secure the outlet flange to a peripheral wall of the chamber; Includes.

[0022] Preferably, the peripheral fastening clamp of the outlet flange is also configured to hold the primary particle filter in front of the central opening. The test device is therefore very simple and compact, i.e. it has a limited number of parts and therefore limited manufacturing costs. It should be noted that in this preferred embodiment, in which the primary particle filter is held by the outlet flange of the chamber, the primary particle filter can be located either immediately upstream of the outlet flange, i.e. in the housing of the chamber, but at the end of the housing, or immediately downstream of the outlet flange, i.e. outside the housing of the chamber.

[0023] Where the primary particle filter is located within the housing of the chamber immediately upstream of the outlet flange, said outlet flange may include a hollow neck defining a central opening, said hollow neck projecting from the outlet end of the peripheral wall of the chamber and configured to connect the outlet flange to the mouth end of the smoking machine. Again, such a test apparatus is particularly compact and convenient.

[0024] According to a possible feature, the smoking machine includes a programmable syringe configured to provide a regulated puff.

[0025] According to a possible feature, the test device further comprises a main analysis unit for analyzing particles collected by the main particulate filter and an oral analysis unit for analyzing particles collected by the oral collector, these two units may share common elements that can be used consecutively in relation to particles collected by the main filter and particles collected by the oral collector.

[0026] Nevertheless, for better ergonomics and ease of use, the particles are preferably analysed in a separate device and there is no analysis unit in the testing apparatus.

[0027] Additional measurements can be performed in the chamber. To this end, according to a possible feature, the chamber includes at least one measurement device, such as an incident light beam emitter, a thermal probe, a light scattering detector associated with various sensors, etc.

[0028] Other particularities and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

[0029] In the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, a single figure is a schematic diagram of a testing device according to an embodiment of the invention, with some parts of the device shown in longitudinal section and other parts represented in side view or simply as blocks. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 shows an embodiment of a test device according to the present invention for analyzing smoke / vapour from a smoking / vapour inhalation article 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] This test equipment is shown from left to right in the figure as follows: a mouthpiece 2 configured to receive a tip of a smoking / vaping article 100; a chamber 7 including a peripheral wall 12 at least partially lined with a collector 10 capable of trapping particles present in the smoke / vapor delivered by the smoking / vapor inhalation article 100, the collector 10 defining an empty cavity 8, the chamber 7 and the cavity 8 being hereinafter often referred to as the "simulated mouth chamber" and the "simulated mouth cavity", respectively, while the collector 10 is referred to as the "mouth collector"; Hereafter, we will consider the main particle filter 4, which is often called the lung-like filter, and Smoking machine 6 and Includes.

[0032] The smoking machine 6 is configured to generate an inhalation flow that flows from the left to the right in the figure and that mimics a human user's puffing action on the smoking / vapor inhalation article 100. In other words, the inhalation flow is adjusted to induce smoke / vapor generation within the smoking / vapor inhalation article 100 in a manner equivalent to a user's puffing action on the tip of the smoking / vapor inhalation article 100. In other words, the smoking machine is adjusted to generate a depression or flow rate at the mouthpiece 2 of the device that is equivalent to the depression or flow rate that a user generates at the user's lips by puffing during smoking / vaping.

[0033] Smoke / vapor generated within the smoking / vapor inhalation article 100 under the operation of the smoking machine passes through a simulated mouth chamber 7 and then through a simulated lung filter 4 before entering the smoking machine 6.

[0034] The mouthpiece 2 is positioned at or upstream from the inlet end of the simulated mouth chamber 8, while the simulated lung filter 4 is positioned at or downstream from the outlet end of the simulated mouth chamber 7.

[0035] The chamber according to the invention is arranged to mimic the mouth of an adult human being with a collector arranged to collect particles also collected in the human mouth, the collector mimicking the human tongue when confined to the bottom surface of the chamber, and the collector mimicking not only the human tongue but also the roof of the mouth and the inside of the cheeks when the collector lines the entire peripheral wall of the chamber (i.e. when the collector entirely surrounds the empty cavity 8 of the chamber).

[0036] To this end, the empty cavity 8 (within the chamber 7) may have a volume, and ultimately a shape and / or length and / or diameter similar to the shape and / or length and / or diameter of an adult human mouth, such as to mimic the inside of the mouth of an adult human and to capture particles that are also captured in the mouth of an adult human. By way of example, the volume of the cavity 7 may be approximately 4.40 cm according to a study published at https: / / www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / pmc / articles / PMC5996000 / . 3 This may correspond to an average adequate oral cavity volume for an adult.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the mouth-like cavity 8 is bounded by a lined housing including a cylindrical peripheral wall 12, an inlet flange 14 and an outlet flange 16. The peripheral wall 12 may have any cross-sectional shape that allows for a relatively constant cross-sectional air flow, for example a circular, square, elliptical or polygonal cross-sectional shape. In the accompanying figures, the peripheral wall 12 is shown as an example to be cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

[0038] The mouthpiece 2 is formed with a hole in the center of the inlet flange 14. The hole should be small enough to provide a tight connection with the tip of the smoking / vapor inhalation article 100. The hole may be surrounded by a sleeve (e.g., a rubber sleeve, not shown) configured to help maintain the smoking / vapor inhalation article 100 in the test position (with the tip of the article inside the mouthpiece 2), as shown.

[0039] The mouth collector 10 can be a filter or an absorbent sleeve. A filter per se is not necessary to collect particles that fall into the simulated mouth cavity 8. In fact, any absorbent or capture liner capable of collecting particles can be used, as long as the absorbent liner allows the absorbed particles to be subsequently extracted for subsequent chemical analysis.

[0040] The oral collector 10 may extend over the entire inner surface of the peripheral wall 12 as shown. As such, the oral collector 10 should capture all particles that would normally be absorbed by the user's mouth, not just the user's tongue, but the entire roof of the user's mouth. The oral collector may also line the inlet flange 14, but not the mouthpiece 2. In one embodiment, the oral collector 10 may be attached to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12 using a connection means, for example a mechanical means such as a fastener or hook, or an adhesive means such as an adhesive (e.g., a low tack adhesive) or double-sided tape. This is particularly beneficial when the oral collector 10 is made of a flexible material that will flex under gravity when placed without a connection means, such that the suction flow is adversely affected when the collector 10 is deforming under gravity.

[0041] Preferably, the oral collector 10 is made in a single piece to improve attachment and removal from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12. Alternatively, the oral collector may be constructed from multiple pieces (covering different portions of the peripheral wall 12). The oral collector 10 may also be constructed from a multi-layer structure.

[0042] Preferably, the mouth collector 10 should closely follow the inner contour of the peripheral wall 12 when placed in the simulated mouth chamber 7. If the cross section of the wall 12 has significant corners, for example having a square or polygonal cross section, the mouth collector need not closely follow the wall at the corners. Here, the mouth collector 10 may be placed curved at the corner, such that the mouth collector 10 does not touch the inside of the corner.

[0043] For consistent measurements, the oral collector 10 is preferably adapted to be easily placed in a repeatable manner, ie, always in the same location.

[0044] Nonetheless, an oral collector limited to the bottom of peripheral wall 12 is also consistent with the present invention.

[0045] The primary particle filter 4 is positioned downstream of the oral collector 10 so as to mimic the user's lungs. The primary particle filter 4 is preferably positioned perpendicular to the inhalation flow generated by the smoking machine.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the simulated lung filter 4 is disposed within the housing of the simulated mouth chamber 7 at the outlet end of the simulated mouth chamber and is retained by an outlet flange 16 .

[0047] Alternatively, an additional component or assembly may be provided between the outlet flange 16 and the smoking machine 6 to house and hold the simulated lung filter 4. In this variation, the mouth collector 10 may also line the outlet flange 16 of the simulated mouth chamber, except in a central area with an opening 22 that simulates the entrance to the user's trachea, so that particles in the vapour / smoke that are more likely to enter the lungs are not captured by the mouth collector 10.

[0048] The inlet flange 14 also includes a peripheral clamp 18 for fastening the flange to the peripheral wall 12, as well as the mouthpiece 2 at its center. This fastening may be achieved by any suitable means, such as providing corresponding threads on the peripheral wall and peripheral clamp, or by elastic deformation of the peripheral clamp 18 such that it grips the peripheral wall 12.

[0049] Similarly, the outlet flange 16 includes a peripheral clamp 20 for fastening the outlet flange 16 to the peripheral wall 12. This peripheral clamp 20 of the outlet flange has an internal groove and / or inner dimension along the axial direction of the simulated mouth chamber (which is also the direction of aspiration flow) that is long enough to accommodate the simulated lung filter 4.

[0050] The outlet flange 16 further has a central opening 22 for the passage of the suction flow generated by the smoking machine 6. In the embodiment shown, this opening is made in a hollow neck 24 which is part of the outlet flange 16. This hollow neck 22 projects axially from the outlet end of the peripheral wall 12 in the direction of the smoking machine for fixing the outlet flange 16 to a mouth end 26 of the smoking machine. This results in a particularly compact and convenient device.

[0051] Optionally, a gas collector may be inserted between the simulated lung filter 4 and the smoking machine 6, in which volatile gases present in the smoke / vapor generated by the smoking / vapor inhalation article 100 are absorbed in a liquid trap. Such gas collectors are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 2 Mouthpiece 4 Primary Particle Filter 6. Smoking Machine 7. Chamber 8 Empty cavity in the chamber 10 Collector 12 Chamber Wall 14 Chamber inlet flange 16 Chamber outlet flange 18 Inlet flange perimeter clamp 20 Outlet flange perimeter clamp 22 Central opening in outlet flange 24 Hollow neck of outlet flange 26 Mouth end of smoking machine

Claims

1. 1. A test apparatus for collecting particles in vapor or smoke delivered by a vapor inhalation or smoking device, comprising: a mouthpiece (2) for receiving the tip of the vaping / smoking article (100) to be tested; a smoking machine (6) for generating an inhalation flow simulating a puffing action by a user on the vaping / smoking article to be tested; a primary particle filter (4) arranged downstream of the mouthpiece for collecting particles present in the inhalation flow; Including, characterised in that the test device further comprises a chamber (7) arranged between the mouthpiece (2) and the primary particle filter (4), the chamber being bounded by a peripheral wall (12) forming a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface, the bottom surface being lined at least by a collector (10) for collecting particles that fall from the aspiration flow in the chamber before reaching the primary particle filter, the collector (10) and / or the surfaces of the chamber bounding an empty cavity (8) in the chamber, Test equipment.

2. 2. A test device according to claim 1, wherein the primary particle filter (4) is a glass fibre filter.

3. 3. A test device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collector (10) is a glass fibre filter or a layer of absorbent material.

4. 3. A test device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collector (10) extends over the entire peripheral wall (12) of the chamber.

5. 3. A test device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collector (10) is a cylindrical filter or a cylindrical absorbent sleeve.

6. 6. The test device according to claim 5, wherein the collector has an open inlet end facing and surrounding the mouthpiece (2) and / or an opposite open outlet end opening in front of a main particle filter (4).

7. 3. A testing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a gas collector between the primary particulate filter (4) and the smoking machine (6).

8. 3. The testing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the smoking machine (6) includes a programmable syringe configured to provide a regulated puff.

9. The chamber (7) The peripheral wall (12); an inlet flange (14) including said mouthpiece (2) in a central region, said inlet flange (14) further having a peripheral fastening clamp (18) configured to secure said inlet flange to said peripheral wall (12); an outlet flange (16) having a central opening (22) connected to said smoking machine, said outlet flange (16) further having a peripheral fastening clamp (20) configured to secure said outlet flange to said peripheral wall (12); 3. The test device of claim 1 or 2, comprising a housing comprising:

10. 10. The test device according to claim 9, wherein the peripheral fastening clamp (20) of the outlet flange (16) is also configured to hold the primary particle filter (4).

11. 10. The test device of claim 9, wherein the primary particle filter (4) is located within the housing of the chamber (7) immediately upstream of the outlet flange (16), the outlet flange (16) including a hollow neck (24) defining the central opening (22), the hollow neck protruding from the outlet end of the peripheral wall (12) and configured to connect the outlet flange (16) to a mouth end (26) of the smoking machine (6).

12. 3. Test apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber (7) contains at least one measuring device.

13. 3. The test device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a main analysis unit for analyzing the particles collected by the main particle filter (4) and / or an external analysis unit for analyzing the particles collected by the collector (10).

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