US20030145868A1 - Linear puffer - Google Patents
Linear puffer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030145868A1 US20030145868A1 US10/357,148 US35714803A US2003145868A1 US 20030145868 A1 US20030145868 A1 US 20030145868A1 US 35714803 A US35714803 A US 35714803A US 2003145868 A1 US2003145868 A1 US 2003145868A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- smoking
- linear actuator
- cylinder
- operatively connected
- push bar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
- G01N1/26—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state with provision for intake from several spaces
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
- A24C5/32—Separating, ordering, counting or examining cigarettes; Regulating the feeding of tobacco according to rod or cigarette condition
- A24C5/34—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes
- A24C5/3406—Controlling cigarette combustion
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an automatic smoking machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic smoking machine that does not require mechanical adjustments to change volume, puff duration or cycle time.
- a “smoking machine” is a machine used in test laboratories to acquire and analyze tar, nicotine and other components from said smoke. Generally, these machines have holders containing the rolled tobacco which are attached to a plurality of “smoking mouths.” A majority of the existing smoke machines operate with a cam-operated puffer mechanism. These machines, for the most part, have a set volume and puff duration.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,223 describes a smoking machine using a spindle shaft threaded into a spindle nut.
- the smoking cylinder piston which is rigidly attached to the spindle nut, is drawn up the spindle shaft as the spindle shaft rotates, thus creating a vacuum inside the smoking cylinder.
- This design is limited to a single port smoking machine.
- the present invention provides for a multi-port smoking machine. This enables the user to analyze the components of a plurality of tobacco products. Furthermore, the present invention requires no mechanical adjustment to change volume, puff duration or cycle time. Due to its all linear motion, no re-calibration is required.
- the smoking machine utilizes a linear actuator to control the suction mechanism.
- the linear actuator enables the volume, puff duration, and/or cycle time to be easily adjusted.
- the machine comprises: (a) at least one smoking cylinder having an inlet and outlet side and a flow-through passage between said sides; (b) holder means operatively connected to the inlet side of the smoking cylinder for holding a suction end of a smoking article; (c) a piston located within the flow-through passage of the smoking cylinder; (d) a push bar connected to the outlet side; (e) a linear actuator connected to the push bar; and (f) activating means operatively connected to said linear actuator.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of the linear puffer device.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic of the activated linear actuator.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic of the linear actuator (exhaust mode).
- the smoking machine includes (a) at least one smoking cylinder 10 having an inlet side 20 and outlet side 30 and a flow-through passage between said sides; (b) holder means 70 operatively connected to the inlet side 20 of the smoking cylinder 10 for holding a suction end of a smoking article; (c) a piston 40 located within the flow-through passage of the smoking cylinder 10 ; (d) a push bar 50 connected to the outlet side 30 ; (e) a linear actuator 60 connected to the push bar 50 ; and (f) activating means operatively connected to said linear actuator 60 .
- the activating means include a linear actuator controller operatively connected to said linear actuator and a programmable logic controller (PLC) 80 operatively connected to said linear actuator controller.
- PLC 80 may be controlled by a programming terminal running software designed to operate the device.
- the linear actuator 60 is mounted to a push bar 50 .
- One (or several) smoking cylinders 10 are also mounted to the push bar 50 .
- Said smoking cylinders 10 contain pistons 40 .
- FIG. 2 when the linear actuator 60 is activated, the piston 40 is drawn, pulling smoke from the smoking articles through a test pad and into the smoking cylinder.
- FIG. 3 when the linear actuator 60 is activated in the opposite direction, the smoke is exhausted from the cylinder 10 .
- the smoking cylinder 10 and piston 40 are a syringe.
- the syringe may either be directly connected to the tobacco holder or operatively connected by conventional means.
- the syringe is connected to the tobacco holder via plastic tubing.
- the holder means 70 may be any tobacco holder known in the art.
- the user may enter multiple test variables such as volume, puff duration and cycle time into the PLC 80 .
- test variables such as volume, puff duration and cycle time
- the user may initiate the test via a button on the programming terminal.
- the PLC 80 performs its' logic based on the test variables entered and communicates to the linear actuator controller its' parameters of operation.
- the linear actuator controller in turn, accurately manipulates the linear actuator 60 .
- the present invention uses a sinusoidal synchronous linear actuator 60 .
- This provides for a single linear actuator 60 to stroke as many cylinders 10 as the user would like to have installed on its machine.
- the reciprocating action, creating the vacuum and exhaust, by the present invention is created by the shaft of the linear actuator moving in and out of the motor housing.
Abstract
The linear puffer includes (a) at least one smoking cylinder having an inlet and outlet side and a flow-through passage between said sides; (b) holder means operatively connected to the inlet side of the smoking cylinder for holding a suction end of a smoking article; (c) a piston located within the flow-through passage of the smoking cylinder; (d) a push bar connected to the outlet side; (e) a linear actuator connected to the push bar; and (f) activating means operatively connected to said linear actuator.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/353,465 filed in the United States Patent Office on Feb. 1, 2002.
- 1. Technical Field
- The present invention relates to an automatic smoking machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic smoking machine that does not require mechanical adjustments to change volume, puff duration or cycle time.
- 2. Background Art
- The tobacco industry has a need to analyze the components contained in the smoke produced from rolled tobacco products, such as cigarettes and cigars. A “smoking machine” is a machine used in test laboratories to acquire and analyze tar, nicotine and other components from said smoke. Generally, these machines have holders containing the rolled tobacco which are attached to a plurality of “smoking mouths.” A majority of the existing smoke machines operate with a cam-operated puffer mechanism. These machines, for the most part, have a set volume and puff duration.
- With a set volume and puff duration, the existing cam-operating smoking machines are extremely one-dimensional. Even the machines with mechanical adjustments may take hours to re-adjust and calibrate. Inertial, mechanical, electrical and magnetic resistance to speed changes result in inherent difficulties in accurately duplicating puff profiles, particularly with respect to rapidly changing portions thereof. In addition, use of some motor-driven systems involves inherent capacity or accuracy limitations in that the number of ports, i.e., the number of cigarettes which can be smoked simultaneously, must be limited or accuracy must be sacrificed.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,223 describes a smoking machine using a spindle shaft threaded into a spindle nut. The smoking cylinder piston, which is rigidly attached to the spindle nut, is drawn up the spindle shaft as the spindle shaft rotates, thus creating a vacuum inside the smoking cylinder. This design is limited to a single port smoking machine.
- The present invention provides for a multi-port smoking machine. This enables the user to analyze the components of a plurality of tobacco products. Furthermore, the present invention requires no mechanical adjustment to change volume, puff duration or cycle time. Due to its all linear motion, no re-calibration is required.
- It is an object of the invention to provide a novel smoking machine.
- It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic smoking machine that does not require mechanical adjustments to change volume, puff duration or cycle time.
- It is yet another object of the invention to provide an automatic smoking machine that utilizes a single linear actuator to operate multi-ports.
- It is still another object of the invention to provide a customizable automatic smoking machine.
- According to the invention, these and other objects are achieved in that the smoking machine utilizes a linear actuator to control the suction mechanism. The linear actuator enables the volume, puff duration, and/or cycle time to be easily adjusted.
- In one embodiment, the machine comprises: (a) at least one smoking cylinder having an inlet and outlet side and a flow-through passage between said sides; (b) holder means operatively connected to the inlet side of the smoking cylinder for holding a suction end of a smoking article; (c) a piston located within the flow-through passage of the smoking cylinder; (d) a push bar connected to the outlet side; (e) a linear actuator connected to the push bar; and (f) activating means operatively connected to said linear actuator.
- Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taking in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of the linear puffer device.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic of the activated linear actuator.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic of the linear actuator (exhaust mode).
- Referring to the drawings, more particularly, FIG. 1, the smoking machine includes (a) at least one
smoking cylinder 10 having aninlet side 20 andoutlet side 30 and a flow-through passage between said sides; (b) holder means 70 operatively connected to theinlet side 20 of thesmoking cylinder 10 for holding a suction end of a smoking article; (c) apiston 40 located within the flow-through passage of thesmoking cylinder 10; (d) apush bar 50 connected to theoutlet side 30; (e) alinear actuator 60 connected to thepush bar 50; and (f) activating means operatively connected to saidlinear actuator 60. - The activating means include a linear actuator controller operatively connected to said linear actuator and a programmable logic controller (PLC)80 operatively connected to said linear actuator controller. The PLC 80 may be controlled by a programming terminal running software designed to operate the device.
- In a preferred embodiment, the
linear actuator 60 is mounted to apush bar 50. One (or several)smoking cylinders 10 are also mounted to thepush bar 50. Saidsmoking cylinders 10 containpistons 40. As shown in FIG. 2, when thelinear actuator 60 is activated, thepiston 40 is drawn, pulling smoke from the smoking articles through a test pad and into the smoking cylinder. As shown in FIG. 3, when thelinear actuator 60 is activated in the opposite direction, the smoke is exhausted from thecylinder 10. - In one embodiment, the smoking
cylinder 10 andpiston 40 are a syringe. The syringe may either be directly connected to the tobacco holder or operatively connected by conventional means. In one embodiment, the syringe is connected to the tobacco holder via plastic tubing. The holder means 70 may be any tobacco holder known in the art. - Using the programming terminal and the software designed to operate the device, the user may enter multiple test variables such as volume, puff duration and cycle time into the
PLC 80. In a preferred embodiment, when the test is ready to be performed, the user may initiate the test via a button on the programming terminal. When the test is initiated, thePLC 80 performs its' logic based on the test variables entered and communicates to the linear actuator controller its' parameters of operation. The linear actuator controller, in turn, accurately manipulates thelinear actuator 60. - In a preferred embodiment, the present invention uses a sinusoidal synchronous
linear actuator 60. This provides for a singlelinear actuator 60 to stroke asmany cylinders 10 as the user would like to have installed on its machine. The reciprocating action, creating the vacuum and exhaust, by the present invention is created by the shaft of the linear actuator moving in and out of the motor housing. - From the foregoing description, it may be seen that a device formed in accordance with the present invention incorporates many novel features over and offers significant advantages over those currently available. While the presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, various changes can be made without exceeding the scope of the invention.
Claims (9)
1. A device for smoking at least one smoking article to be analyzed comprising:
(a) a smoking cylinder having an inlet and outlet side and a flow-through passage in-between said sides;
(b) holder means operatively connected to the inlet side of the smoking cylinder for holding a suction end of said smoking article;
(c) a piston located within the flow-through passage of the smoking cylinder;
(d) a push bar connected to the outlet side of said smoking cylinder;
(e) a linear actuator connected to the push bar;
(f) activating means operatively connected to said linear actuator.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said activating means is a linear actuator controller.
3. The device of claim 1 further comprising:
(g) processing means operatively connected to said activating means.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said processing means is a programmable logic controller.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein said processing means further comprises:
a programming terminal.
6. The device of claim 4 wherein said actuator controls test variables.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said test variables are selected from the group consisting of volume, puff duration and cycle time.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said smoking cylinder and piston are a syringe.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein said linear actuator is a sinusoidal synchronous linear actuator.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/357,148 US20030145868A1 (en) | 2002-02-01 | 2003-02-03 | Linear puffer |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US35346502P | 2002-02-01 | 2002-02-01 | |
US10/357,148 US20030145868A1 (en) | 2002-02-01 | 2003-02-03 | Linear puffer |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030145868A1 true US20030145868A1 (en) | 2003-08-07 |
Family
ID=27669109
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/357,148 Abandoned US20030145868A1 (en) | 2002-02-01 | 2003-02-03 | Linear puffer |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030145868A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060130860A1 (en) * | 2004-12-22 | 2006-06-22 | Societe Nationale D'exploitation Industrielle Des | Method and device for analyzing cigarette smoking |
US20170003193A1 (en) * | 2015-07-01 | 2017-01-05 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Testing Stand with Thumping Assembly |
US10869496B2 (en) | 2018-08-28 | 2020-12-22 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Systems and methods for testing heat-not-burn tobacco products |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3732874A (en) * | 1972-02-25 | 1973-05-15 | Loew Theatres Inc | Smoking machine |
US4019366A (en) * | 1975-11-04 | 1977-04-26 | Philip Morris Incorporated | Variable parameter smoking machine |
US4140003A (en) * | 1978-05-10 | 1979-02-20 | Federal Trade Commission | Cigarette smoking machine |
US4836223A (en) * | 1985-10-19 | 1989-06-06 | Heinrich Burghart Elektro- Und Feinmechanik Gmbh | Cigarette smoking device |
US4858628A (en) * | 1987-11-16 | 1989-08-22 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Smoking machine |
US5117845A (en) * | 1989-12-21 | 1992-06-02 | Societe Nationale D'exploitation Industrielle Des Tabacs Et Allumettes | Smoking machine |
US5214969A (en) * | 1991-02-19 | 1993-06-01 | Philip Morris Incorporated | Automatic testing of a plurality of smoking articles |
US5377697A (en) * | 1993-08-27 | 1995-01-03 | Hoechst Celanese Corporation | Cigarette filter test apparatus and associated method for measuring filter hot collapse and tobacco consumption |
US5819756A (en) * | 1993-08-19 | 1998-10-13 | Mielordt; Sven | Smoking or inhalation device |
-
2003
- 2003-02-03 US US10/357,148 patent/US20030145868A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3732874A (en) * | 1972-02-25 | 1973-05-15 | Loew Theatres Inc | Smoking machine |
US4019366A (en) * | 1975-11-04 | 1977-04-26 | Philip Morris Incorporated | Variable parameter smoking machine |
US4140003A (en) * | 1978-05-10 | 1979-02-20 | Federal Trade Commission | Cigarette smoking machine |
US4836223A (en) * | 1985-10-19 | 1989-06-06 | Heinrich Burghart Elektro- Und Feinmechanik Gmbh | Cigarette smoking device |
US4858628A (en) * | 1987-11-16 | 1989-08-22 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Smoking machine |
US5117845A (en) * | 1989-12-21 | 1992-06-02 | Societe Nationale D'exploitation Industrielle Des Tabacs Et Allumettes | Smoking machine |
US5214969A (en) * | 1991-02-19 | 1993-06-01 | Philip Morris Incorporated | Automatic testing of a plurality of smoking articles |
US5819756A (en) * | 1993-08-19 | 1998-10-13 | Mielordt; Sven | Smoking or inhalation device |
US5377697A (en) * | 1993-08-27 | 1995-01-03 | Hoechst Celanese Corporation | Cigarette filter test apparatus and associated method for measuring filter hot collapse and tobacco consumption |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060130860A1 (en) * | 2004-12-22 | 2006-06-22 | Societe Nationale D'exploitation Industrielle Des | Method and device for analyzing cigarette smoking |
US7481226B2 (en) * | 2004-12-22 | 2009-01-27 | Societe Nationale D'exploitation Industrielle Des, Tabecs Et Allumettes | Method and device for analyzing cigarette smoking |
US20170003193A1 (en) * | 2015-07-01 | 2017-01-05 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Testing Stand with Thumping Assembly |
US9903784B2 (en) * | 2015-07-01 | 2018-02-27 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Testing stand with thumping assembly |
US10869496B2 (en) | 2018-08-28 | 2020-12-22 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Systems and methods for testing heat-not-burn tobacco products |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1598010A3 (en) | System for withdrawing blood | |
ZA200105480B (en) | Device for processing samples of blood products. | |
CA2452055A1 (en) | Integrated automatic blood collection and processing unit | |
JPS61107134A (en) | Method and device for controlling sample for analysis | |
AU2001295363A1 (en) | Device for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples | |
CA2444498A1 (en) | Inserting apparatus and method with controlled, master cycle speed-dependent actuator operations | |
DE69117750T2 (en) | DEVICE FOR PRODUCING COAGULATION FACTOR CONCENTRATES, LIKE FIBRINOGEN, FROM BLOOD SAMPLES | |
US20030145868A1 (en) | Linear puffer | |
CN102460107A (en) | Pretreatment device and mass spectroscope provided with same | |
FR2520662A1 (en) | CLOSURE DEVICE FOR INJECTION MOLDING MACHINES | |
CN104111342B (en) | Accurate sample adding system, accurate loading methods and biochemistry analyzer | |
US4836223A (en) | Cigarette smoking device | |
CN116295937A (en) | Electrical heating cigarette smoke temperature detection device and smoking machine | |
FR2470380A1 (en) | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE SPEED IN WHICH A SMOKING ARTICLE IS BURNING AND / OR CONSUMING OF ITSELF AND DEVICE FOR PERFORMING SUCH A METHOD | |
JP2504001B2 (en) | Liquid transfer device | |
CN211374773U (en) | Sample adding and reaction cup adding mechanism for immunity analyzer | |
KR102252029B1 (en) | Apparatus for micro particle treatment | |
EP1022366A3 (en) | Fluid processing method of yarn and compression fluid processing nozzle used therefor | |
CN208697653U (en) | Nonmetallic bare bones | |
CN208968586U (en) | Electronic cigarette test device | |
CN217945815U (en) | Device for removing hollow fiber membrane bundle wrapped with silk membrane | |
CN2176968Y (en) | Filling head for viscose material for packing machine | |
CA2432270A1 (en) | Injection-molding nozzle system, injection-molding tool and method for producing injection-molded parts | |
JPH03186353A (en) | Electromotive type pipette apparatus and titration method using the same | |
CN213193721U (en) | Pull formula reagent storage device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |