U.S. patent application number 10/767032 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-23 for obtention and analysis of odors from odor emitters.
Invention is credited to McGee, Thomas, Purzycki, Kenneth Leo.
Application Number | 20040185574 10/767032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22177293 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040185574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McGee, Thomas ; et
al. |
September 23, 2004 |
Obtention and analysis of odors from odor emitters
Abstract
Aroma chemicals emitted from an aroma-emitting source are
obtained by an apparatus and process for obtaining the chemicals.
The apparatus includes the use of one or more capillary tubes which
have on their interior surfaces an absorbent material, a suction
device for drawing the aroma chemicals through the capillary tubes,
and a connecting tube which connects the capillary tubes and the
suction device. A system for collecting and analyzing the aroma
chemicals emitted from an aroma-emitting source is disclosed which
has one or more capillary tubes, a suction device, a connecting
tube, a thermal desorber which desorbs the aroma chemicals directly
from the capillary tubes, a cryogenic focusing device, and a gas
chromatograph/mass spectrometry instrument.
Inventors: |
McGee, Thomas; (Orangeburg,
NY) ; Purzycki, Kenneth Leo; (Lake Parsippany,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus
30th Floor
220 East 42nd Street
New York
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
22177293 |
Appl. No.: |
10/767032 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10767032 |
Jan 29, 2004 |
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10365300 |
Feb 12, 2003 |
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6708550 |
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10365300 |
Feb 12, 2003 |
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09999055 |
Oct 31, 2001 |
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09999055 |
Oct 31, 2001 |
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09295848 |
Apr 21, 1999 |
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6354135 |
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60083275 |
Apr 28, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
436/174 ;
422/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 30/7206 20130101;
G01N 2030/121 20130101; G01N 33/497 20130101; G01N 1/24 20130101;
G01N 1/2214 20130101; Y10T 436/25 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
436/174 ;
422/083 |
International
Class: |
G01N 033/00; G01N
001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for obtaining odor chemicals comprising: an
adsorbing unit comprising an interior surface of an adsorbent
material; a suction device for drawing the odor chemicals into the
unit; and a connecting tube which connects the unit and the suction
device.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the adsorbent material
is selected from the group consisting of a polar adsorbent, a
non-polar adsorbent, an intermediate polarity adsorbent, and any
combination thereof.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the polar adsorbent is
Carbowax 20.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the non-polar
adsorbent is methyl silicone.
5. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the intermediate
polarity adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of phenyl
methyl silicone and polyacrylate.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the adsorption unit is
one or more capillary tubes.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the adsorption unit is
a plurality of capillary tubes.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of
capillary tubes consist of tubes coated with polar adsorbent, tubes
coated with non-polar adsorbent and tubes coated with intermediate
polarity adsorbent.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suction device is
a diaphragm pump.
10. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each tube has an
internal diameter of from about 0.07 mm to about 1.0 mm.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein each tube has an
internal diameter of from about 0.75 mm to about 0.9 mm.
12. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each tube is from
about 5 mm to about 120 mm long.
13. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of
capillary tubes are in a bundle that is less than 6 mm in
diameter.
14. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each tube has a
coating of adsorbent material which is from about 0.1 .mu.m to
about 1.25 .mu.m thick.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1 where the connecting tube is
made from PTFE.
16. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a support
for supporting the adsorption unit.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the support is made
from a rigid material selected from the group consisting of glass,
metal, wood and stiff polymeric materials.
18. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the support is an
extendible tubular pole.
19. An apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising a housing
sheath which is attached to the support and which holds the
connecting tube and the adsorbing unit therein such that they are
freely moveable.
20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the housing sheath
is a made from a semi-rigid material.
21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the housing sheath
is made from nylon.
22. An apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising means for
extending the adsorbing unit beyond the end of the housing sheath
for collection or odor chemicals.
23. An apparatus for capturing odor chemicals comprising: a
plurality of capillary tubes which comprise interior surfaces
comprising adsorbent material; a suction device for drawing the
odor chemicals into the plurality of capillary tubes; a connecting
tube which connects the plurality of capillary tubes and the
suction device a housing sheath within which the connecting tube
and the plurality of capillary tubes a disposed such that they are
freely moveable; and a support for the plurality of capillary
tubes.
24. A system for collecting and analyzing the odor chemicals
emitted from an odor-emitting source, comprising: a plurality of
capillary tubes which comprise interior surfaces comprising at
least one adsorbent material for trapping odor chemicals; a suction
device for moving the air comprising odor chemicals through the
plurality of capillary tubes; a connecting tube which connects the
plurality of capillary tubes and the suction device and provides an
air-tight seal there between; a thermal desorber disposed to hold
the plurality of capillary tubes, for thermally desorbing odor
chemicals trapped within; a cryogenic focusing device; and a gas
chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometry detector.
25. A system according to claim 24 wherein the thermal desorber is
connected in-line to the cryogenic focusing device.
26. A process for obtaining odor chemicals from an odor-emitting
source comprising: providing a plurality of capillary tubes
comprising interior surfaces comprising adsorbent material for
adsorbing odor chemicals; placing the plurality of capillary tubes
in proximity to an odor-emitter; drawing the odor chemicals into
the capillary tubes with a suction device which is operably
connected to the plurality of capillary tubes for from 2 to 15
minutes.
27. A process according to claim 26 wherein the aroma chemicals are
drawn through the tubes from about 2 to 5 minutes.
28. A process according to claim 26 further comprising: desorbing
the odor chemicals from the plurality of capillary tubes, to
provide desorbed odor chemicals; cryogenically focusing the
desorbed odor chemicals to provide cryogenically focused odor
chemicals; and analyzing the cryogenically focused odor chemicals
by a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometry
detector.
29. An apparatus for obtaining odor chemical comprising: an
adsorption unit comprising surface areas of an adsorbent material;
and a suction device for drawing air containing odor chemicals
across the surface of the adsorbent material.
30. An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the adsorption unit
has a plurality of crossing wall portions.
31. An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the adsorption unit
comprises a plurality of concentric tubes of different diameter
within a tube.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to obtaining odors from odor
emitting objects. More particularly, the present invention relates
to an apparatus and process for acquiring odor(s) emitted from odor
emitting objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The emission of odor(s) from objects has given rise to
attempts to copy or to acquire odors of interest. For example,
aromas from botanical sources, such as living flowers, leaves or
other parts of living trees or plants, are sought after in the
perfumery arts.
[0003] A technique for capturing and analyzing the scent of flowers
is described in Perfumes Art Science and Technology edited by P. M.
Muller and D. Lamparsky and summarized by R Kaiser in The Scent of
Orchids. The method disclosed involves placing a living flower,
which is part of a living plant or tree, into an enclosed glass
vessel. The glass vessel must be of suitable size and shape to
permit the flower to be enclosed without damaging the plant or
flower. Specially designed glassware is often required to
accommodate particular types of flowers.
[0004] When such vessels are employed, the aroma chemicals
surrounding a flower. i.e. the headspace, fill the vessel with a
vapor phase. The headspace volatiles are drawn through an
adsorption trap by means of a pump, over a period of 30 minutes to
2 hours. Adsorbents commonly employed in the trap are activated
charcoal or special polymeric materials such as TENAX
(2,6-diphenylene polymer) or Porapak Q.RTM.
(ethylvinylbenzene-divinylbenzene copolymer). The trapped aroma
chemicals are eluted from the trap with a solvent, and injected
into a gas chromatograph and analyzed by mass spectrometry
(GC/MS).
[0005] Mookherjee, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,978, which is
incorporated herein by reference, discloses improvements in the
above noted method, although essentially the same principles
apply.
[0006] In addition, a technique using solid phase micro extraction
(SPME) has been described by Mookherjee, et al., Perfumer and
Flavorist 23, pp. 1-11 (1998). This technique requires placing a
single SPME needle, which is a 2-3 mm solid glass fiber coated with
a high boiling point liquid adsorbent, in close proximity to a
flower for 30 minutes to 60 minutes. The aroma molecules are
adsorbed onto the needle-like glass fiber and are then analyzed by
GC/MS.
[0007] Great difficulty, however, has been encountered in
attempting to collect scents from certain aroma sources using
conventional aroma collecting devices. Special glassware for
enclosure of flowers can be inconvenient to use, particularly when
the flowers are not readily accessible. Also, they can be awkward
to carry to and from remote locations. The rain forest, for
example, has a cornucopia of fragrant scent-emitters. However,
flowers are often at the end of high slender branches in the forest
canopy and are difficult to reach.
[0008] Additionally, it is very difficult to attach the
conventional collecting devices to the outer branches of trees.
Often they do not support the weight of either a person or the
equipment employed to collect a sample, particularly in view the
length of time required, which can thwart efforts to obtain aromas
from some sources.
[0009] With respect to the SPME technique, SPME needles are very
delicate. The single needle employed to obtain the scent may break
at any time in dense canopy. In fact, more often than not, such
needles may break during capture in such an environment.
Additionally, the time required to adsorb the aroma chemicals using
the SPME needles can exceed 30 minutes, making it impractical for
remote collections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention addresses these problems by providing
an apparatus for obtaining odor(s) emitted from an odor emitting
source. The apparatus of the present invention includes an
adsorption unit having at least two openings, which may be one or
more capillary tubes. The interior surfaces of the tubes comprise
an adsorbent material for adsorbing odor chemicals. A suction
device for drawing odor chemicals into the adsorption unit, is
positioned for and connected to the tube assembly and a connector
connects the tube assembly and the drawing device.
[0011] The invention also provides a process for obtaining or
capturing odor chemicals. The process includes placing an
adsorption unit, which comprises on its interior surface an
adsorbent material for trapping aroma chemicals, in proximity to an
aroma-emitter, and drawing aroma chemicals into an opening of the
adsorption unit with a gas drawing means which is operably
connected to the adsorption unit.
[0012] Further, the invention allows for the thermal desorption of
adsorbed sample. cryogenic focusing, and resolution and
identification odor components by GC/MS.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus for obtaining aroma chemicals from, in particular,
difficult to reach aroma emitters.
[0014] It also is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus which is readily portable and is durable for obtaining
aroma chemicals from, in particular, a dense canopy.
[0015] It also is an object of the present invention to provide a
process for obtaining aroma chemicals from, in particular,
difficult to reach aroma emitters.
[0016] It is a further object of the invention to provide a process
for obtaining aroma molecules which facilitates a short capture
time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The apparatus for obtaining odors includes an adsorption
unit, a suction device for drawing the odor chemicals into the
adsorption unit, and a connector for connecting the adsorption unit
and the suction device.
[0018] The adsorption unit has an opening for receiving odor
chemicals and an opening displaced away from the first for drawing
the odor chemicals through. The adsorption unit can be a tube or
preferably, a plurality of tubes. A plurality of capillary tubes
are the most preferred type of adsorption unit. As used herein, the
term odor includes, but is not limited to aromas, as for example,
fragrant scents.
[0019] The type and dimensions of the tubes of the adsorption unit
may vary. For example, a single tube having a plurality of crossing
wall portions contained within the tube are considered to be an
equivalent alternative to the plurality of capillary tubes.
Similarly, tubes having concentric tubes of decreasing diameter
contained within a tube also are considered to be equivalent,
because of the favorable surface area exposed to odor chemicals.
Generally, the inside diameter of the capillary tube ranges from
about 0.07 mm to about 1.0 mm and more preferably from about 0.75
mm to about 0.9 mm.
[0020] The interior surface(s) of the adsorption unit are coated
with an adsorbent material for adsorbing odor chemicals from the
air to the stationary material. It is also contemplated that the
adsorption unit integrally have interior surface(s) of an adsorbing
material. As used herein, an adsorption unit which comprises an
adsorbent material on its surface(s) encompasses both of these
situations.
[0021] The adsorbent employed can vary depending on the odor
chemicals sought to be obtained. Generally adsorbent materials,
e.g., charcoal, may be-used. Preferably, highly. adsorbent
materials of differing polarity are used to ensure that all aroma
chemicals are obtained. The adsorbent material can be selected from
the group consisting of a polar adsorbent, a non-polar adsorbent,
an intermediate polarity adsorbent, and any combination thereof. A
portion of the capillary tubes may be internally coated with a
polar adsorbent, another portion with a non-polar adsorbent, and
another portion with an intermediate polarity or neutral adsorbent.
Examples of adsorbent materials that are useful in the practice of
the invention are Carbowax. 20-M as a polar phase adsorbent, methyl
silicone as a non-polar adsorbent, and phenyl methyl silicone and
polyacrylate as intermediate polarity adsorbents. These materials
are coated on the inside of the capillary tube to a thickness of
from about 0.1 .mu.m, to about 1.25 .mu.m, preferably from about
0.1 to about 0.7 .mu.m , and most preferably from about 0.15 .mu.m
to about 0.7 .mu.m
[0022] In addition, while preferred tubes for obtaining flower
aromas are capillary tubes made from fused silica, alternative
tubes may be made of different types of materials which may not be
required to be coated per se or which may be made, for example, of
metal, of glass, of tempered glass, of a polymer or of a polymer
composite.
[0023] The length and number of tubes depends upon the scent
emitting source. In general, at least one tube is required.
Preferably, three tubes of each selected phase are used. The total
number of tubes in the bundle is such that the bundle will fit
inside a typical thermal desorption tube of a thermal desorption
device. For example, the Gertsel Thermal Desorption System TDS 2
instrument requires that the bundle fit into a tube having an
internal diameter of about 4 mm. The length of the capillary bundle
is from about 5 mm to about 120 mm, usually from about 15 mm to
about 120 mm, and more preferably from about 20 mm to about 40
mm.
[0024] The capillary bundle is held within the distal end of the
connecting tube in an air-tight manner. The connecting tube is of a
flexible material such as, for example, PTFE (Teflon), nylon,
polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like. The diameter of the
connecting tube should be such that the bundle of capillaries fit
snugly within an air-tight seal, or another fastening device.
Typically, the connection is made of heat-shrink tubing.
[0025] The capillary bundle can be suspended in proximity to the
aroma emitting source by holding the connecting tube so that the
free end of the capillary tubes are held in place, usually over a
flower. When the opening of the capillary tubes which is not
attached to the connecting tube is placed in proximity with an
aroma emitter, the suction device is activated and the aroma
chemicals are drawn through the coated capillary tubes from about 2
to about 15 minutes. A 2 to 5 minute collection time is usually
sufficient, particularly for the major components. A 5 to 15 minute
collection time may be used for components that are present in
smaller amounts. The suction device is any device which draws a
fluid such as a gas, preferably the headspace air, through each
coated capillary tube at a controlled rate. For example, the
suction device can be a pump, such as a piston pump, a vane pump, a
diaphragm pump, a peristaltic pump or can be a fan. Consequently, a
sufficient amount of odor chemicals are adsorbed onto the adsorbent
material in a relatively short amount of time to permit analysis of
the odor components.
[0026] Especially useful are suction devices that do not let the
gas being drawn through the capillaries come into direct contact
with the suction device itself, thus avoiding contamination. An
example of such a suction device is a diaphragm pump that is
capable of pumping air from 10-100 ml per minute. The rate can
change depending on the composition of the bundle and the number of
tubes in the bundle. For example, for a bundle of twenty-four
tubes, the optimal flow rate was from about 40 to 60 ml gas per
minute. The pump may be operable by conventional means such as by
electric current or battery. For trips to remote locations for
scent capture, a battery operated pump is used. The pumping rate of
the suction device is adjusted using a flow metering device so that
the amount of gas passing through the array of capillary tubes in a
given time can be measured. Thus, air may be drawn or moved into
and through the coated tubes from about 2 to 15 minutes or longer,
if desired.
[0027] Advantageously, the apparatus has a support for supporting
or securing the capillary tubes, and additionally, a housing sheath
within which the plurality of capillary tubes are disposed such
that they are freely moveable with the connector. Also
advantageously, the apparatus includes a means for extending the
tube assembly beyond the end of the housing sheath for collection
of odor chemicals.
[0028] Preferably, the connecting tube holding the capillaries is
supported or held by a support such as a rigid rod. The support is
of fairly rigid material such as glass, metal, wood or stiff
polymeric materials. The support can be any practicable length for
reaching odor sources in high branches. Of great use for also
reaching aroma sources that are hard to access is a light weight
extendible tubular pole which permits the collection device to be
extended with the arm portion angled such that the distal end of
the device reaches over a flower. The pole can be made of aluminum
or the like for a sturdy, light-weight construction. When using an
extendible pole the support can be affixed to the distal end or
integral therewith. In addition, the pole can be collapsed for easy
transport.
[0029] The extendible pole can in practicality be up to 8 feet long
when fully extended, but can reach upwards of 20 feet in length,
especially when additional sections are connected to the pole. It
is advantageous for the extendible pole to be foldable for ease of
carrying to about a {fraction (3 1/2)} feet length. There should be
at least one hinging arm portion for extending at a different angle
from that of the adjacent portion. If there is only one arm
portion, it should be at the distal end for extending the
capillaries. How far the pole is extended arid at what angle, if
any, the arm is extended, depends upon the distance and
accessibility of the flower.
[0030] Any extension pole used accommodates the connecting tube
either alongside or within the pole. To accommodate the connecting
tube within the pole, the pole should be hollow, with enough room
in the hollow space of the tubing to run through. There must also
be sufficient play for the connecting tube at the hinging points
when the arm is angled. It is preferable, however, to run the
connecting tube alongside the extendible pole, so that the tube
need not be flexed as much by the hinging portion of the arm.
[0031] Whether the support at the distal end is integral or
attached to the pole, the support itself must support or hold the
connecting tube which holds the bundle of capillaries. The support
is preferably tubular with a sufficient hollow interior area to
accommodate the connecting tube. The support can be attached to the
pole such that it cari swivel, to provide even further flexibility
for accessing a particular flower in dense foliage.
[0032] The capillary bundle can be extended to the aroma chemical
source by pushing the connecting tube from where the operator
stands toward the direction of the aroma chemical source. The
connecting tube slides along or within the support and the
capillary tubes are thus extended outward. Once the aroma chemicals
have been collected, the capillaries are pulled back into the
support by pulling the connecting tube. Any manner of moving the
connecting tube in the direction of the aroma source is deemed to
be within the scope of the present invention.
[0033] It is preferable to protect the capillary bundle while it is
being extended and maneuvered into position relative to the desired
aroma-emitter. We have found that it is desirable to first insert
the connecting tube holding the bundle into a housing sheath of
semi-rigid material such as nylon which is substantially
friction-free with respect to the connector. It is suitable for the
housing sheath to be tubular and it is connected or attached to the
support or it can be connected or attached within a tubular
support. A connecting tube of PTFE (Teflon), for instance, must be
freely moveable along the surface of the sheath. Accordingly, the
connecting tube holding the capillaries can be extended beyond the
end of the housing sheath when in proximity to a flower for
collection.
[0034] Where the support is tubular and the sheath is attached
therein, the support provides the actual barrier or protective
covering to shield the capillary tubes from damage. Yet the sheath
which facilitates ready deployment of the capillaries after the
apparatus has been extended into position through branches, etc.,
contributes to the protection of the capillaries.
[0035] It is also contemplated that the support can be
prefabricated with an inner surface of sheath material.
[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the connecting tube within the
housing sheath runs alongside the extendible pole. Fasteners can be
used at one or more locations along the pole to fasten the sheath
to the pole. The housing sheath can be run along the extendible
pole beyond any hinge points, or preferably, into the support. This
configuration advantageously permits free movement of the
connecting tube by the operator pushing the tube at the proximal
end of the housing sheath.
[0037] When a long pole is used with an attached support at the
distal end, the housing sheath can be disposed on or in the
support. Preferably, the housing sheath holds the connecting tube
within, for the length of the pole. For a hollow extendible pole,
the housing sheath runs along its exterior. As the housing sheath
readily permits movement of the connecting tube, the connecting
tube slides easily forward to extend the tubes for collection when
the housing sheath is affixed alongside or throughout the entire
length of the pole. It is suitable, though, to affix the housing
sheath for about 75% of the length of the pole, where the sheath
runs short at the proximal end of the pole.
[0038] The capillary bundle containing the trapped aroma chemicals
is removed and carefully stored for subsequent processing. The
aroma chemicals trapped within the capillaries of a bundle are then
placed into a thermal desorber, for example, the Gertsel TDS 2. The
desorbed volatiles are then transferred, using an inert gas such as
helium at a flow rate of from 5 -20 ml per minute, into a
cryogenically cooled inlet that uses liquid nitrogen as coolant.
The cryogenic focused materials are then analyzed directly by gas
chromatography using an instrument such as a Hewlett Packard 6890
gas chromatograph equipped with a methyl silicone capillary column
(0.125 mm.times.60 meter), and a mass spectrometer such as the
Hewlett Packard 5973 mass spectral detector. Quantitative as well
as qualitative analysis of the fragrance components can be
performed. The analysis is simplified as the sample can be
processed from the desorber through the mass spectrometer by the
devices all connected in-line. We have surprisingly found that the
process provides data of at least the same quality as the less
practical existing methods.
[0039] As the present invention permits the capture of the
headspace volatiles of a flower high up in the canopy, it will be
apparent that when capture is performed in dense canopy, aroma
molecules from adjacent aroma-emitters may also be captured. In
this case, the captured molecules can represent some combination of
aroma molecules from two or more aroma-emitting sources. Analysis
of the adsorbed aroma chemicals from more than one source can
identify desirable scent combinations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a capillary tube
bundle held within a connecting tube.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates the capture of aroma chemicals with a
collection apparatus employing an extendible arm and a support
attached thereto.
[0042] FIG. 2a illustrates the support of FIG. 2 in
cross-section.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates apparatus for obtaining odors.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates apparatus for analyzing odors.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a GC graph of resolved chemical
components from a 2 minute aroma capture.
[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates a GC graph as in FIG. 5, where aroma
capture was for 5 minutes.
[0047] FIG 7 illustrates a GC graph as in FIG. 5, where aroma
capture was for 10 minutes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a bundle of capillary tubes 10 are
held by connecting tube 12. The capillary tubes of bundle of
capillary tubes 10 are coated on their inner surfaces (not shown)
with adsorbent material(s) of various polarities. Fastener 14 is
fastened around connecting tube 12.
[0049] Capillary bundle 10 is connected to a pump (not shown in
FIG. 1) by connecting tube 12.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 2 aroma chemicals are obtained with a
collection device employing support 26 which is attached by wing
nut to extension arm 20. Extension arm 20 represents the distal
portion of an extension device. Support 26 can swivel in this
embodiment.
[0051] Capillary bundle 10 is shown over flower 18 collecting aroma
chemicals. Connecting tube 12 is shown extended out from housing
sheath 16. Housing sheath 16 runs within support 26 and emerges
from aperture 28 of support 26 and runs alongside support 26 and
extension arm 20. Fasteners 30 allow for loose fastening of housing
sheath 16 to both support 26 and extension arm 20.
[0052] FIG. 2a illustrates a cross-section of support 26. Housing
sheath 16 is within support 26, and connecting tube 12 is within
housing sheath 16.
[0053] FIG. 3 illustrates a system for the collection of odors. A
collection device is shown with extension device 40 having
extension arm 20. Connecting tube 12 runs through housing sheath
16. Housing sheath 16 is within support 26 at its distal end and
exits through aperture 28 of support 26 and continues along
extension arm 20 and extension device 40. Connecting tube 12
emerges from housing sheath 16 and is operably connected to pump
42.
[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates the desorption and analysis of the
captured aroma chemicals. After capture of aroma chemicals, the
capillaries 10 are placed into thermal desorber 44. The desobrbed
volatiles are transferred into cryogenically cooled inlet 46. The
cryogenically focused materials are then analyzed by GC/MS
instrument 50. EXAMPLE 1.
[0055] Scent was captured using three separate capillary bundles,
each bundle having capillaries coated with Carbowax 20M.RTM.and
capillaries coated with methyl silicone. By use of the aroma
collection apparatus and method of the present invention, the aroma
of a Hyacinth was collected. For the first capillary bundle,
exposure of the coated capillaries to the headspace was for 2
minutes. For the second bundle, the collection time was 5 minutes
and for the third, the bundle was exposed for 10 minutes.
[0056] Each bundle of tubes was placed in the thermal desorber. The
samples were thermally desorbed, cryogenically focused and then
analyzed on a gas chromatograph. The gas chromatograph utilized a
methyl silicone capillary column (0.125 mm.times.60 m), a helium
gas flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and was programmed from 40.degree. C.
to 250.degree. C. at 4.degree. per minute.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a graphical display of adsorption determined by GC
for the first capillary bundle. The intensity of resolved odor
chemicals is shown as a function of time. The amounts of the
adsorbed components collected over a 2 minute period were
sufficient to permit identification of the components by GC/MS.
FIG. 6 is a graphical display as in FIG. 5 for the second capillary
bundle. In comparing the relative intensities of corresponding
peaks from FIG. 5, it can be seen that the intensity of the peaks
is greater for a 5 minute adsorption time than for a 2 minute
adsorption time. All peaks were easily identified by GC/MS.
[0058] FIG. 7 is also a graphical display as in FIG. 5 for the
third capillary bundle. In comparing peak intensities, it can be
seen that a greater amount of the aroma components can be adsorbed
in 10 minutes time then for 2 or 5 minutes.
[0059] As can be seen from FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, sufficient amounts of
aroma chemicals can be collected, in a time period as low as two
minutes, in sufficient quantities to permit analysis and
identification of those chemicals.
[0060] While the invention has been illustrated and described with
respect to illustrative embodiment and modes of practice, it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications
and improvements may be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be
limited by the illustrative embodiments and modes of practice.
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