Odor evaluation device

Abstract

To provide an odor evaluation device with which it is possible to prevent an unnecessary component from getting mixed in an odor gas that is collected in a sample bag.SOLUTION: An order evaluation device according to the present invention comprises: an inlet port (53) for introducing a sample gas containing an odor component; an outlet port (51) to which a sample bag (511) for collecting the sample gas is removably attached; a gas collection unit (5) having a passage that connects the inlet port and the outlet port, and a selector valve (54) disposed in the passage, for opening / closing the outlet port; and a cleaning gas supply unit (50) for supplying a cleaning gas from the upstream of the selector valve toward the outlet port while the sample bag is not fitted to the outlet port and the selector valve is open.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an odor evaluation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Fragrances added to foods, beverages, cosmetics, detergents, etc. are primarily created to imitate the scents (natural fragrances) emitted by natural products such as flowers, herbs, and fruits. Many natural fragrances are complex odors that are a mixture of multiple components, resulting in a wide variety of odors depending on the type and number of components and the proportion of each type of component. Furthermore, not all of the components that make up a natural fragrance necessarily contribute to the formation of that odor; some components contribute very little or not at all.

[0003] One method for identifying whether a component contained in a natural fragrance contributes to odor formation or not is the use of an omission test. The omission test is a method in which an omission odor is prepared by removing a component (or a group of components, the same applies hereinafter) from an odor to be analyzed (a complex odor), and the odor of the omission odor is compared with that of the odor to be analyzed to evaluate whether the component removed from the odor to be analyzed contributes to odor formation based on the similarity of the two odors.

[0004] Omission testing typically involves using sniffing, GCMS, or other methods to detect as many odorous components as possible in the target odor and then quantify and qualify them. The detected components are then mixed in proportions corresponding to their quantitative values ​​to prepare a mixed odor. While the mixed odor should smell like the target odor, it is almost always impossible to detect all of the components in the target odor, so it will not actually be the original odor. Therefore, perfumers estimate the components missing from the mixed odor, adjust their concentrations, and add them to the mixed odor to recreate the target odor. However, in the case of complex odors, there are components within the mixed odor that do not contribute to the overall odor. Therefore, once the components and concentrations of each component that recreate the target odor are determined, some components are removed from the original component group to determine the minimum components necessary to create the target odor. Thus, typical omission testing requires extensive specialized knowledge and skill, as well as a significant amount of time, to identify the components and concentrations that recreate the target odor.

[0005] In response to this, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an odor evaluation device that can efficiently perform the same process as the above-mentioned normal omission test in a short time. This odor evaluation device includes a gas chromatograph with a separation column that separates the odor gas to be analyzed, an odor gas collection unit to which multiple sample bags are attached, an odor sniffing port for smelling the odor gas collected in each sample bag and performing a sensory evaluation, and an odor sensor that detects the odor of the odor gas. Then, based on the results of the sensory evaluation or the detection results of the odor sensor, an index value that represents the similarity between the total component odor gas and the omission odor gas is calculated.

[0006] In the odor evaluation device, the odor gas collection unit includes an inlet into which the components coming out of the separation column are introduced, a plurality of attachment ports to which sample bags are removably attached, and a switching valve that directs the components introduced into the inlet to any of the plurality of attachment ports. With this configuration, multiple types of odor gases (all component odor gases and one or more types of omission odor gases) can be collected in separate sample bags, and the odor gases collected in the multiple sample bags can be subjected to sensory evaluation or measurement using an odor sensor in sequence. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-036147 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Some components emerging from the separation column are highly adsorbent, and some of them may adhere to the flow path. In odor evaluation devices, after collecting odor gases in a sample bag, makeup gas is supplied to the sample bag to increase the volume of the odor gas. At this time, many of the components adhering to the flow path flow into the sample bag along with the makeup gas. However, in configurations with multiple attachment ports to which sample bags are attached, such as the gas collection section of the odor evaluation device described above, the complex structure of the inner wall surface of the switching valve makes it easy for components adhering there to remain. Furthermore, components remaining in the switching valve may diffuse downstream of the switching valve and adhere to the flow path or to the connection between the attachment port and the sample bag. If components adhere to the attachment port or the switching valve, they will be collected in the sample bag along with the components emerging from the separation column in the next omission test, preventing accurate sensory evaluation and odor sensor detection.

[0009] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an odor evaluation device that can prevent unwanted components from being mixed into the odor gas collected in the sample bag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The odor evaluation device according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, comprises: a gas collection unit having an inlet port for introducing a sample gas containing odor components, an outlet port to which a sample bag for collecting the sample gas is detachably attached, a flow path connecting the inlet port and the outlet port, and a switching valve disposed in the flow path for opening and closing the outlet port; a cleaning gas supply unit that supplies a cleaning gas from upstream of the switching valve toward the outlet port when the sample bag is not attached to the outlet port and the switching valve is open; It is equipped with the following.

[0011] In the present invention, when the cleaning gas supply unit supplies cleaning gas from the switching valve toward the outlet port, unnecessary components remaining in the switching valve and unnecessary components adhering to the outlet port are discharged from the outlet port together with the cleaning gas. As the cleaning gas, an inert gas that is odorless or nearly odorless and has low reactivity can be used. For example, a makeup gas used in conventional odor evaluation devices to inflate a sample bag to a predetermined state can be used as the cleaning gas. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the present invention, it is possible to prevent unwanted components from being mixed into the odor gas collected in the sample bag. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an odor evaluation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the order of opening and closing of a plurality of outlet ports provided in a switching valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An odor evaluation device according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the odor evaluation device according to this embodiment. The odor evaluation device of this embodiment is roughly composed of a gas chromatograph section (GC section) 1, a mass spectrometer section (MS section) 2, an odor measurement section 3, an interface section 4, and a gas recovery section 5.

[0015] The GC section 1 includes a separation column 10, a column oven 11 housing the column 10, a sample injection section 12 provided at the inlet of the column 10, a flow path switching section 13 provided at the outlet of the column 10, and a GC control section 14 that controls each of these sections.

[0016] The MS section 2 includes a vacuum vessel 20, an ion source 21 that ionizes sample component molecules in the introduced sample gas, an ion optical system 22 that transports the generated ions, a quadrupole mass filter 23 as a mass separation section that separates ions according to their mass numbers, an ion detector 24 that detects the mass-separated ions, and an MS control section 25 that controls each of these sections.

[0017] The interface section 4 is provided between the GC section 1 and the MS section 2, and includes a heater 41 that maintains the pipes at a high temperature to facilitate the flow of sample gas.

[0018] The gas recovery unit 5 is provided between the GC unit 1 and the odor measurement unit 3, and includes a cleaning gas supply unit 50, multiple mounting ports 51 for mounting sample bags 511 (five mounting ports 51 are shown in FIG. 1 ), one exhaust port 52, an outlet port 53, a first switching valve 54 for switching the flow path between the outlet port 53 and the mounting ports 51, a second switching valve 55 for switching the flow path between the outlet port 53 and the odor measurement unit 3, the GC unit 1, and the cleaning gas supply unit 50, a flow path control unit 56 for controlling the first switching valve 54 and the second switching valve 55, and a gas supply control unit 57 for controlling the cleaning gas supply unit 50. The one outlet port corresponds to the inlet port of the present invention, and the five mounting ports 51 correspond to the outlet ports of the present invention. The first switching valve 54 corresponds to the switching valve of the present invention, and the flow path control unit 56 corresponds to the opening / closing control unit of the present invention. Although detailed description will be omitted, the cleaning gas supply unit 50 can also serve as a make-up gas supply unit for supplying make-up gas to the sample bag 511.

[0019] The first switching valve 54 is a multi-port valve having six ports (first to sixth ports, see FIG. 2), the first port and the discharge port 52 are connected via a pipe, and the second to sixth ports and five mounting ports are connected via a pipe. 51 are connected to each other via piping. The cleaning gas supply unit 50 includes a tank in which the cleaning gas is stored and a pump that sucks the cleaning gas from the tank and delivers it to the outlet / inlet 53 of the first switching valve 54 (neither of which is shown). Enter A heater 58 is installed on the outer periphery of the flow path between the nozzle 53 and the cleaning gas flowing through the flow path, and the cleaning gas is heated by the heater 58. The heater 58 corresponds to the heating section of the present invention.

[0020] The odor measuring unit 3 comprises an inlet 31 for drawing in the sample gas, a dilution unit 32 for diluting the drawn-in sample gas, a concentration unit 33 for concentrating the drawn-in sample gas, a sensor cell 34 equipped with a plurality of odor sensors (not shown) with different response characteristics for measuring the sample gas containing various odor components, a pump 35 for drawing the sample gas into the sensor cell 34, and a digital signal converter 36 for converting the detection signal from the odor sensor into a digital signal. death The odor measuring unit 3 is made up of a signal processing unit 37 that analyzes and processes the digitized detection signal, an odor measurement control unit 39 that controls the operation of the entire odor measuring unit 3, and the like.

[0021] Odor sensors are generally metal oxide semiconductor sensors whose resistance changes depending on the odor components, but other sensors with different detection mechanisms, such as conductive polymer sensors or sensors with a gas adsorption film formed on the surface of a quartz oscillator or SAW device, may also be used.

[0022] The signal processing unit 37 and the odor measurement control unit 39 are mainly configured with a personal computer 6. In addition to the above, the personal computer 6 also includes, as its functions, a data processing unit 61 for analyzing and processing the signal acquired by the ion detector 24 of the MS unit 2, and a central control unit 62 for overall control of the control units 14, 25, 39, and 57, and is connected to an input unit 63 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display unit 64. In this embodiment, when gas is collected in the sample bag 511, the GC unit 1, MS unit 2, and gas collection unit 5 operate in an integrated manner, and when the odor of the gas collected in the sample bag 511 is measured by the odor measurement unit 3, the gas collection unit 5 functions as an autosampler, and the gas collection unit 5 and the odor measurement unit 3 operate in an integrated manner.

[0023] In this embodiment, the GC section 1, MS section 2, odor measurement section 3, and gas recovery section 5 (first and second switching valves 54, 55, cleaning gas supply section 50) are each described as being controlled by a separate control section, but it is also possible to control, for example, the GC section 1 and MS section 2 by a common control section, and the odor measurement section 3 and gas recovery section 5 by a common control section.

[0024] Next Next, the basic operation of the odor evaluation device of this embodiment will be described. When an instruction to perform various operations using the odor evaluation device is given through the input unit 63, under the control of the central control unit 62, the GC control unit 14, MS control unit 25, odor measurement control unit 39, and gas recovery control unit 57 control the GC unit 1, MS unit 2, odor measurement unit 3, and gas recovery unit 5, respectively.

[0025] When the target gas to be analyzed extracted from an odorous gas, liquid, or solid sample is introduced into the column 10 through the sample injection section 12 in a gaseous or liquid state, the gas is introduced into the column 10 through the sample introduction section 12a. When the target gas to be analyzed is introduced into the column 10 in a liquid state, it is vaporized in the sample introduction section 12a and then pushed by the carrier gas and introduced into the column 10 through the sample introduction section 12a. The components contained in the target gas are separated while passing through the column 10 and emerge from the column 10 with a time lag. After passing through the flow path switching section 13, the components emerging from the column 10 are either introduced into the MS section 2 through the interface section 41 or introduced into the MS section 2 through the interface section 41. 41 The gas is introduced into the gas recovery section 5 through the

[0026] When examining the timing at which each component contained in the gas to be analyzed emerges from the column 10, all components emerging from the column 10 are introduced into the MS section 2. Therefore, in this case, from the start of introduction of the gas to be analyzed into the column 10 until all components emerge from the column 10, the flow path switching section 13 keeps the GC section 1 and the MS section 2 in communication with each other. vinegar As a result, the components coming out of the column 10 are introduced into the MS section 2 in sequence.

[0027] The components introduced into the MS section 2 are ionized in the ion source 21 under the control of the MS control section 25, and only ions having specific mass numbers selected by the quadrupole mass filter 23 reach the ion detector 24. Then, mass scanning is repeatedly performed in the quadrupole mass filter 23 over a predetermined mass range, and a detection signal that forms the basis of a mass spectrum is obtained in the ion detector 24 for each scan.

[0028] The detection signal obtained by the ion detector 24 is processed by the data processing unit 61 to repeatedly generate mass spectra with the mass number on the horizontal axis and the signal intensity on the vertical axis. A total ion chromatogram (TIC) is also generated by setting the time on the horizontal axis and the signal intensity on the vertical axis without focusing on the mass number. Furthermore, a mass chromatogram is generated by setting the time on the horizontal axis and the signal intensity on the vertical axis while focusing on a specific mass number. While the generation of a TIC is sufficient to detect the timing at which each component emerges from the column 10, a mass spectrum or mass chromatogram may also be generated as needed. The TIC data generated by the data processing unit 61 is stored in the data processing unit 61. The data processing unit 61 also extracts peaks from the generated TIC and stores information about the peaks (peak intensity, peak area, peak width (time range), etc.).

[0029] Next, the data processing unit 61 automatically sets the timing for connecting the GC unit 1 and the gas collection unit 5 via the flow path switching unit 13, and the number of the sample bag 511 from which the component(s) emerging from the column 10 will be collected at that timing, so that only the component(s) corresponding to a predetermined time range set in advance are removed from the total components and collected in the sample bag 511. The time range within which the component(s) to be removed (omitted) from the total components emerge from the column 10 may be set manually by an operator based on the TIC created by the data processing unit 61, or may be set automatically by the data processing unit 61. One or more time ranges can be set.

[0030] When the time range is set in this manner, during collection of gas into the sample bag 511, the flow path switching unit 13 switches the flow path so that the GC unit 1 and the gas collection unit 5 are not in communication during the set time range, and switches the flow path so that the GC unit 1 and the gas collection unit 5 are in communication during the other time ranges. If multiple time ranges are set, the gas collection operation is repeated multiple times. During the multiple gas collection operations, component(s) are collected into different sample bags 511.

[0031] As a result of the above, when the gas to be analyzed is introduced into the column 10, multiple types of odor measurement gases containing all or some of the components coming out of the column 10 are collected in the sample bag 511. Then, the odor measurement gases collected in the sample bag 511 are measured using an odor sensor by the odor measurement unit 3, or subjected to a sensory evaluation using an odor sniffing port.

[0032] When measurement is performed by the odor measuring unit 3, the second switching valve 55 is set in a state in which the gas collecting unit 5 and the odor measuring unit 3 are in communication with each other. In addition, the first switching valve 54 opens and closes the second to sixth ports so that the odor measurement gas collected in the five sample bags 511 is sent sequentially to the odor measuring unit 3. This allows the components of the odor measurement gas in the sample bags to be measured. That is, when a target gas (target gas) is introduced into the sensor cell 34, the components in the target gas come into contact with the multiple odor sensors, and each odor sensor Saka Different detection signals are output in parallel from the respective sensors. These detection signals are sampled by an A / D converter 36, digitized, and input to a signal processor 37. The signal processor 37 processes the odor sensor signals for one target gas. Every Therefore, for example, if the sensor cell 34 has ten odor sensors, ten pieces of detection data are obtained by measuring one measurement gas.

[0033] The data processing unit 61 creates an odor vector representing the detection result of each odor measurement gas in an odor space (for example, a 10-dimensional space) based on the detection signal from the odor measurement unit 3. Then, based on the odor vector of each odor measurement gas, it calculates an index value representing the similarity between a plurality of odor measurement gases, and displays the result on the display unit 64. At this time, it may be possible to select the type of odor measurement gas for which the index value is calculated and the type of odor measurement gas for which the index value is displayed on the display unit 64. In addition, the odor sensor of each odor measurement gas may be configured to select the type of odor measurement gas for which the index value is calculated and the type of odor measurement gas for which the index value is displayed on the display unit 64. Sa The output value may be displayed on the display unit 64.

[0034] Furthermore, by connecting an odor sniffing port (not shown) to each sample bag 511 removed from the attachment port 51, sensory testing by multiple odor evaluators can be performed from multiple ports of the collection unit 5. It is also possible to perform sensory testing after collecting gas in the sample bag 511. For example, when comparing the odor of a gas (gas for odor measurement) containing a component(s) collected in the sample bag 511 with the odor of the gas to be analyzed, it is recommended to use a triangle comparison method, which is one type of sensory testing.

[0035] When the measurement or sensory evaluation of the odor measurement gas by the odor measurement unit 3 is completed and all the sample bags 511 are removed from the attachment openings 51, a GUI showing operation buttons for instructing the execution of a cleaning operation is displayed on the display unit 64. Therefore, if the operator desires to execute a cleaning operation, the operator operates the input unit 63 to select and operate the operation button. As a result, the central control unit 62 receives a command to execute the cleaning operation, and based on this, causes the flow path control unit 56 and the gas supply control unit 57 to execute the cleaning operation. That is, in this embodiment, the central control unit 62 corresponds to the command receiving unit of the present invention, and the flow path control unit 56 and the gas supply control unit 57 correspond to the opening / closing control unit and the cleaning gas supply control unit of the present invention, respectively.

[0036] Specifically, the flow path control unit 56 controls the switching valve 55 so that the gas supply unit 50 and the outlet / inlet 53 of the gas recovery unit 5 are in communication with each other. The flow path control unit 56 also controls the switching valve 55 to open some of the first to sixth ports of the switching valve 54 for a predetermined time and close the remaining ports. Rupo The ports to be opened and closed are switched over in sequence. Furthermore, the gas supply control unit 57 operates the pump and heater 58 of the gas supply unit 50. This causes the cleaning gas (helium gas) stored in the gas tank to be supplied into the switching valve 54.

[0037] For example, Figure 2 shows the switching valve during cleaning operation. 542(b) shows the changes over time in the open / closed states of the six ports. In this example, when the cleaning operation is started, the flow path control unit 56 first opens the first and second ports and closes the remaining ports (FIG. 2(a)). After maintaining the state shown in FIG. 2(a) for a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes), the flow path control unit 56 then opens the third and fourth ports and closes the remaining ports (FIG. 2(b)), maintaining this state for a predetermined time, and then opens the fifth and sixth ports and closes the remaining ports (FIG. 2(c)), maintaining this state for a predetermined time.

[0038] 2(a) to 2(c), when cleaning gas is supplied into the gas recovery unit 5 from the inlet 53, the cleaning gas passes through the inside of the switching valve 54 and is discharged to the outside from the attachment port 51 or the outlet 52 corresponding to the open port. At that time, components remaining in the switching valve 54 during the immediately preceding odor measurement gas recovery operation or measurement operation by the odor measuring unit 3, or components adhering to the attachment port 51 or the outlet 52, are discharged to the outside together with the cleaning gas.

[0039] Furthermore, the port switching portion of the switching valve 54 usually has a complex structure and is thought to be prone to adhesion of components. However, by repeatedly switching the port to be opened as in this embodiment, it becomes easier to discharge components adhering to the port switching portion of the switching valve 54 together with the cleaning gas.

[0040] In the example shown in Fig. 2, two ports are opened at a time, but one port or three or more ports may be opened. Also, after all six ports have been opened, all ports may be closed. Furthermore, the series of operations shown in Fig. 2(a) to (c) may be repeated multiple times.

[0041] In this embodiment, the means for instructing the start of the cleaning operation is a GUI displayed on the display unit 64. However, a mechanical switch provided on the device body may be used instead. In the above embodiment, both the flow path control unit 56 and the gas supply control unit 57 start the cleaning operation when one GUI is selected. However, a separate means may be used to cause each of the flow path control unit 56 and the gas supply control unit 57 to start the cleaning operation. Furthermore, the cleaning operation may be automatically performed at an appropriate timing before or after the odor measurement gas collection operation is performed, or after the odor measurement operation by the odor measurement unit 3 is performed. This configuration can be realized by incorporating a step in which the central control unit 62 receives a command to perform the cleaning operation into the execution program for the odor measurement gas collection operation or the execution program for the odor measurement operation.

[0042] [Aspect] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0043] (Item 1) The odor evaluation device of item 1 is a gas collection unit having an inlet port for introducing a sample gas containing odor components, an outlet port to which a sample bag for collecting the sample gas is detachably attached, a flow path connecting the inlet port and the outlet port, and a switching valve disposed in the flow path for opening and closing the outlet port; a cleaning gas supply unit that supplies a cleaning gas from upstream of the switching valve toward the outlet port when the sample bag is not attached to the outlet port and the switching valve is open; It is equipped with the following.

[0044] According to the odor evaluation device in paragraph 1, the odor contained in the analyzed gas Smell Contains all or part of the ingredients sampleAfter or at an appropriate timing before performing a gas recovery operation in which gas is recovered into a sample bag, when a sample bag is not attached to the outlet port of the gas recovery unit and the switching valve is open, cleaning gas is supplied from upstream of the switching valve toward the outlet port, so that unnecessary components adhering to the switching valve and the outlet port can be discharged from the outlet port together with the cleaning gas, thereby preventing unnecessary components from being mixed into the gas recovered into the sample bag.

[0045] (2) The odor evaluation device of paragraph 2 is the odor evaluation device of paragraph 1, a command receiving unit that receives a command to perform a cleaning operation; The apparatus may further include a cleaning gas supply control unit that causes the cleaning gas supply unit to execute an operation of supplying the cleaning gas based on the execution command received by the command receiving unit.

[0046] According to the odor evaluation device of the second aspect, when the command receiving unit receives a command to perform a cleaning operation, the command receiving unit can automatically perform an operation of supplying cleaning gas from upstream of the switching valve toward the outlet port.

[0047] (Item 3) The odor evaluation device of item 3 is the odor evaluation device of item 1, the outlet port comprises a plurality of outlet ports; The switching valve opens and closes the plurality of outlet ports individually.

[0048] According to the odor evaluation device in Section 3, A sample bag can be attached to each of the multiple outlet ports, and the multiple outlet ports can be opened and closed all at once, or some of the outlet ports can be opened and closed in sequence, or the multiple outlet ports can be opened and closed in various ways.

[0049] (4) The odor evaluation device of paragraph 4 is the odor evaluation device of paragraph 3, a command receiving unit that receives a command to perform a cleaning operation; an opening / closing control unit that causes the switching valve to open a predetermined outlet port among the plurality of outlet ports for a predetermined time based on the execution command received by the command receiving unit; It further comprises:

[0050] According to the odor evaluation device of paragraph 4, when the command receiving unit receives a command to perform a cleaning operation, only certain of the multiple outlet ports can be opened for a specified period of time, such as an outlet port that had a sample bag attached and has since had the sample bag removed, or an outlet port that is scheduled to have a sample bag attached but does not currently have a sample bag attached.

[0051] (Item 5) The odor evaluation device of item 5 is the odor evaluation device of any one of items 1 to 4, The cleaning gas is an inert gas. Examples of inert gases include helium gas and nitrogen gas. Some odor evaluation devices that can be equipped with a sample bag for odor evaluation include a mechanism for supplying a make-up gas, which is an inert gas, to the sample bag after collecting the gas for odor evaluation in the sample bag to inflate the sample bag to a predetermined state (to increase the volume of the gas). In such an odor evaluation device, the make-up gas may be used as a cleaning gas.

[0052] (Item 6) The odor evaluation device of item 6 is the odor evaluation device of any one of items 1 to 5, The flow path connecting the cleaning gas supply part and the gas recovery part may further include a heating part for heating the cleaning gas flowing in the flow path.

[0053] By heating the cleaning gas, components adhering to the inside of the gas recovery section and the outlet port can be efficiently discharged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...GC department 10...Column 14...GC control section 2...MS section 25...MS control section 3…Measuring part 5...Gas recovery section 51...Attachment port 511...Sample bag 52…Discharge port 53...Exit entrance 54...First flow path switching section 55...Second flow path switching section 56...flow path control section 57...Gas supply control unit 6...Personal computer 61...Data processing unit 62...Central control unit 63...Input section 64…Display section

Claims

1. a gas collection unit having an inlet port for introducing a sample gas containing odor components, an outlet port to which a sample bag for collecting the sample gas is detachably attached, a flow path connecting the inlet port and the outlet port, and a switching valve disposed in the flow path for opening and closing the outlet port; a cleaning gas supply unit that supplies a cleaning gas from an upstream side of the switching valve toward the outlet port while the sample bag is not attached to the outlet port and the switching valve is open; a heating unit provided in a flow path connecting the cleaning gas supply unit and the gas recovery unit, for heating the cleaning gas flowing in the flow path; An odor evaluation device comprising:

2. The odor evaluation device according to claim 1, a command receiving unit that receives a command to perform a cleaning operation; a cleaning gas supply control unit that causes the cleaning gas supply unit to execute an operation of supplying the cleaning gas based on the execution command received by the command receiving unit; The odor evaluation device further comprises:

3. The odor evaluation device according to claim 1, the outlet port comprises a plurality of outlet ports; the switching valve individually opens and closes the plurality of outlet ports.

4. The odor evaluation device according to claim 3, a command receiving unit that receives a command to perform a cleaning operation; an opening / closing control unit that causes the switching valve to open a predetermined outlet port among the plurality of outlet ports for a predetermined time based on the execution command received by the command receiving unit; The odor evaluation device further comprises:

5. The odor evaluation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The odor evaluation device, wherein the cleaning gas is an inert gas.

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