U.S. patent application number 15/356090 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-24 for system for simulating ash removal from a smoking article and a related method.
The applicant listed for this patent is R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Invention is credited to Balager Ademe, John Larkin Nelson.
Application Number | 20180140002 15/356090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60702878 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180140002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ademe; Balager ; et
al. |
May 24, 2018 |
SYSTEM FOR SIMULATING ASH REMOVAL FROM A SMOKING ARTICLE AND A
RELATED METHOD
Abstract
A system for simulating ash removal from a smoking article and a
related method are provided. The system includes a support
arrangement supporting at least a portion of a smoking article to
form a cantilever with respect to the support arrangement. The
system also includes a suction device in fluid communication with
the first longitudinal end of the smoking article, the suction
device being configured to apply suction to the first longitudinal
end to simulate a draw or puff on the smoking article. The system
further includes an ignition device configured to ignite an
ignitable material of the smoking article about the second
longitudinal end thereof, the ignited ignitable material being
transformed to an ash in response to successive draws or puffs
applied by the suction device. The system still further including
an ash-dislodging mechanism configured to selectively impact the
cantilevered smoking article to periodically remove the ash.
Inventors: |
Ademe; Balager;
(Winston-Salem, NC) ; Nelson; John Larkin;
(Lewisville, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company |
Winston-Salem |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60702878 |
Appl. No.: |
15/356090 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 13/20 20130101;
A24F 47/006 20130101; A24F 19/0035 20130101; A24C 5/3406 20130101;
A24C 5/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24C 5/34 20060101
A24C005/34; A24F 47/00 20060101 A24F047/00; A24F 19/00 20060101
A24F019/00 |
Claims
1. A system for simulating ash removal from a smoking article, the
system comprising: a support arrangement configured to support at
least a portion of a smoking article about a first longitudinal end
thereof such that an opposing second longitudinal end of the
smoking article forms a cantilever with respect to the support
arrangement; a suction device in fluid communication with the first
longitudinal end of the smoking article, the suction device being
configured to apply suction to the first longitudinal end to
simulate a draw or puff on the smoking article; an ignition device
associated with the second longitudinal end of the smoking article,
the ignition device being configured to ignite an ignitable
material of the smoking article about the second longitudinal end
thereof, the ignited ignitable material being transformed to an ash
extending from the second longitudinal end toward the first
longitudinal end in response to successive draws or puffs applied
by the suction device; and an ash-dislodging mechanism configured
to selectively impact the cantilevered smoking article to
periodically remove the ash.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ash-dislodging
mechanism comprises a selectively actuatable member configured to
impact the cantilevered smoking article, upon actuation thereof,
between the first and the second longitudinal ends of the smoking
article to periodically remove the ash.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the selectively
actuatable member comprises a pivotable lever, at least a portion
of the pivotable lever being configured to pivot into and out of
contact with the smoking article, upon actuation thereof.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the selectively
actuatable member comprises an elongated tamping bar extending over
the support arrangement, a bottom surface of the tamping bar being
configured to be brought into and out of contact with the smoking
article, upon actuation thereof.
5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the selectively
actuatable member comprises a movement generating device configured
to selectively generate vibrations upon actuation thereof, the
vibrations interacting with the smoking article to cause the
smoking article to vibrate.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the support arrangement
further comprises a biasing member configured to support the
cantilevered smoking article in a supported position and to oppose
the impact of the ash-dislodging mechanism to maintain the smoking
article in the supported position.
7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an ash
receptacle disposed about the second longitudinal end of the
smoking article and configured to receive the ash removed from the
smoking article by the ash-dislodging mechanism.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the support arrangement
is configured to longitudinally translate the smoking article with
respect to the ash receptacle such that the ash transformed from
the ignited ignitable material associated with the second
longitudinal end of the smoking article is maintained over the ash
receptacle to receive the ash removed from the smoking article by
the ash-dislodging mechanism.
9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller
configured to control the suction device, the ignition device, or
the ash-dislodging mechanism.
10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a smoke
reservoir operably engaged between the first longitudinal end of
the smoking article and the suction device, the smoke reservoir
being configured to receive smoke generated by the draws or puffs
applied by the suction device to the ignited smoking article and to
prevent the generated smoke from being received by the suction
device.
11. A method for simulating ash removal from a smoking article, the
method comprising: supporting at least a portion of a smoking
article about a first longitudinal end thereof with a support
arrangement such that an opposing second longitudinal end of the
smoking article forms a cantilever with respect to the support
arrangement; applying suction to the first longitudinal end with a
suction device in fluid communication therewith so as to simulate a
draw or puff on the smoking article; igniting an ignitable material
associated with the second longitudinal end of the smoking article
with an ignition device associated with the second longitudinal
end, the ignited ignitable material being transformed to an ash
extending from the second longitudinal end toward the first
longitudinal end in response to successive draws or puffs applied
by the suction device; and selectively impacting the smoking
article with an ash-dislodging mechanism to periodically remove the
ash.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein selectively impacting
the smoking article with the ash-dislodging mechanism comprises
impacting the cantilevered smoking article with a selectively
actuatable member, upon actuation thereof, between the first and
the second longitudinal ends of the smoking article to periodically
remove the ash.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein impacting the
cantilevered smoking article with a selectively actuatable member
comprises pivoting at least a portion of a pivotable lever into and
out of contact with the smoking article, upon actuation
thereof.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein impacting the
cantilevered smoking article with a selectively actuatable member
comprises bringing a bottom surface of an elongated tamping bar,
the tamping bar extending over the support arrangement, into and
out of contact with the smoking article, upon actuation
thereof.
15. The method according to claim 12, wherein impacting the
cantilevered smoking article with a selectively actuatable member
comprises selectively generating vibrations, by a movement
generating device, that the vibrations interacting with the smoking
article and causing the smoking article to vibrate, upon actuation
thereof.
16. The method according to claim 11, wherein supporting the
smoking article about the first longitudinal end thereof with the
support arrangement comprises supporting, by a biasing member, the
cantilevered smoking article in a supported position, the biasing
member opposing the impact of the ash-dislodging mechanism to
maintain the smoking article in the supported position.
17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising receiving,
by an ash receptacle disposed about the second longitudinal end of
the smoking article, the ash removed from the smoking article by
the ash-dislodging mechanism.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising
longitudinally translating, by the support arrangement, the smoking
article with respect to the ash receptacle such that the ash
transformed from the ignited ignitable material associated with the
second longitudinal end of the smoking article is maintained over
the ash receptacle so as to receive the ash removed from the
smoking article by the ash-dislodging mechanism.
19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising
controlling, by a controller, the suction device, the ignition
device, or the ash-dislodging mechanism.
20. The method according to claim 11, further comprising operably
engaging a smoke reservoir between the first longitudinal end of
the smoking article and the suction device, and further comprising
receiving, by the smoke reservoir, smoke generated by the draws or
puffs applied by the suction device to the ignited smoking article
and preventing the generated smoke from being received by the
suction device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure
[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a cigarette
manufacturing process and, more particularly, to a system for
simulating ash removal from a smoking article and a related
method.
Description of Related Art
[0002] Alternatives to traditional smoking articles include a
"heat-not-burn" smoking article (e.g., a cigarette), where a
substantially cylindrical rod shaped structure includes a charge of
an ignitable material (e.g., carbon) and an aerosol forming
material (e.g., shredded tobacco) adjacently surrounded by a paper
wrapper. During use, the paper wrapper at an end of the smoking
article at which the ignitable material is enclosed is lighted,
such that the ignitable material is transformed to an ash via
burning of the ignitable. Heat produced from the burning of the
ignitable material then heats, through heat exchange, the
adjacently provided aerosol forming material. This causes
volatilization of the aerosol forming material to produce a
"smoke-like" aerosol. The smoker then receives the smoke-like
aerosol into his/her mouth by drawing or puffing on an opposite end
(e.g., a filter end) of the smoking article. As is known, once ash
is formed at the one end of the smoking article, it becomes
necessary to periodically remove the ash so that it does not burn
the smoker. For example, tapping, flicking, or otherwise dislodging
the ash from the one end of the smoking article ensures that the
ash will be discarded in a controlled manner and without burning
the smoker.
[0003] Generally, smoking articles, including heat-not-burn
cigarettes, are tested prior to consumer distribution thereof. Such
testing may include igniting the smoking article and simulating use
of the smoking article (i.e., drawing or puffing on the smoking
article), such that the ignitable material at one end of the
smoking article is transformed to ash to be periodically dislodged.
However, rather than manual testing of each smoking article by a
human smoker, it may be desirable to implement a system for
simulating ash removal from a smoking article and a related method
that do not require a human smoker. Such a system and related
method may be more cost effective, more efficient, and provide for
more controlled testing of the smoking article.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] The above and other needs are addressed by aspects of the
present disclosure which, according to one particular aspect,
provides a system for simulating ash removal from a smoking
article. Such a system comprises a support arrangement configured
to support at least a portion of a smoking article about a first
longitudinal end thereof such that an opposing second longitudinal
end of the smoking article forms a cantilever with respect to the
support arrangement. A suction device is in fluid communication
with the first longitudinal end of the smoking article. The suction
device is configured to apply suction to the first longitudinal end
to simulate a draw or puff on the smoking article. An ignition
device is associated with the second longitudinal end of the
smoking article. The ignition device is configured to ignite an
ignitable material of the smoking article about the second
longitudinal end thereof. The ignited ignitable material is
transformed to an ash extending from the second longitudinal end
toward the first longitudinal end in response to successive draws
or puffs applied by the suction device. An ash-dislodging mechanism
is configured to selectively impact the cantilevered smoking
article to periodically remove the ash.
[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a
method for simulating ash removal from a smoking article. Such a
method comprises supporting at least a portion of a smoking article
about a first longitudinal end thereof with a support arrangement
such that an opposing second longitudinal end of the smoking
article forms a cantilever with respect to the support arrangement.
Suction is then applied to the first longitudinal end with a
suction device in fluid communication therewith so as to simulate a
draw or puff on the smoking article. An ignitable material
associated with the second longitudinal end of the smoking article
is then ignited with an ignition device associated with the second
longitudinal end. The ignited ignitable material is transformed to
an ash extending from the second longitudinal end toward the first
longitudinal end in response to successive draws or puffs applied
by the suction device. The smoking article is then selectively
impacted with an ash-dislodging mechanism to periodically remove
the ash.
[0006] The above and other aspects thus address the identified
needs and provide advantages as otherwise detailed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary system for
simulating ash removal from a smoking article, according to one
aspect of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of an exemplary system
for simulating ash removal from a smoking article, according to one
aspect of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the system of FIG.
2A;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of another exemplary
system for simulating ash removal from a smoking article, according
to one aspect of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3B is a side view of the system of FIG. 3A;
[0013] FIG. 3C is a top view of the system of FIG. 3A; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a method flow diagram of an exemplary method for
simulating ash removal from a smoking article, according to one
aspect of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0015] The present disclosure now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, this
disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not
be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather,
these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0016] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system for simulating ash
removal from a smoking article, according to one aspect of the
present disclosure, the system being generally indicated by the
numeral 100. Such a system often includes one or more smoking
article, generally indicated by the numeral 150. Exemplary smoking
article construction may include features such as fibrous filter
elements, foamed ceramic monoliths formed as insulators or fuel
elements, and other features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,726
and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0233329; both to Sebastian et al.,
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0017] In some aspects, the smoking article 150 is a smoking
article of the type considered to be a "heat-not-burn" cigarette;
however, other types of "heat-not-burn" smoking articles are also
contemplated herein (e.g,. cigars, cigarellos, etc.) More
particularly, in these aspects, a heat-not-burn cigarette comprises
a rod-like shape, and includes a lighting end and a mouthpiece end.
At the lighting end is positioned a longitudinally-extending,
generally cylindrical, heat generation segment. The heat generation
segment includes an ignitable fuel material (ignitable material)
circumscribed by insulation, which is coaxially encircled by
wrapping material (e.g., a paper wrapping). The ignitable fuel
material preferably is configured to be activated by direct
ignition of the lighting end. The heat-not-burn cigarette also
includes a filter segment located at the other end (mouthpiece
end), and an aerosol forming segment (which may incorporate tobacco
or any other type of aerosol forming material) that is located in
between those two segments.
[0018] In some aspects, the aerosol forming material comprises
tobacco or a tobacco material such as cut filler, reconstituted
tobacco, puffed tobacco, tobacco paper, extruded tobacco, a tobacco
aroma oil, a tobacco essence, a spray dried tobacco extract, a
freeze dried tobacco extract, tobacco dust, or the like, or a
combination thereof, in order to provide tobacco flavor. In some
aspects, where the aerosol forming material comprises a
reconstituted tobacco, processing aids, flavoring agents, and
glycerin are included.
[0019] In some aspects, the ignitable material includes a
combustible fuel element that has a generally cylindrical shape and
incorporates a combustible carbonaceous material. Such combustible
carbonaceous materials generally have high carbon content.
Preferred combustible carbonaceous materials, in some aspects, are
comprised predominantly of carbon, typically have carbon contents
of greater than about 60 percent, generally greater than about 70
percent, often greater than about 80 percent, and frequently
greater than about 90 percent, on a dry weight basis. In some
aspects, the combustible fuel elements incorporate components other
than combustible carbonaceous materials (e.g., tobacco components,
such as powdered tobaccos or tobacco extracts; flavoring agents;
salts, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium
carbonate; heat stable graphite fibers; iron oxide powder; glass
filaments; powdered calcium carbonate; alumina granules; ammonia
sources, such as ammonia salts; and/or binding agents, such as guar
gum, ammonium alginate and sodium alginate).
[0020] In a representative example, a representative combustible
fuel element has a length of about 12 mm and an overall outside
diameter of about 4.2 mm. In another representative example, a
combustible fuel element is extruded or compounded using a ground
or powdered carbonaceous material, and has a density that is
greater than about 0.5 g/cm.sup.3, often greater than about 0.7
g/cm.sup.3, and frequently greater than about 1 g/cm.sup.3, on a
dry weight basis. In still another representative example, a
combustible fuel element is prepared from a fibrous cellulosic
material by pyrolysis at from about 400.degree. to 900.degree. C.,
preferably from about 550.degree. to 750.degree. C., in a
non-oxidizing atmosphere. See, for example, the types of fuel
element components, formulations and designs set forth in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,551,451 to Riggs et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,897 to Borschke
et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,301 to Banerjee et al.; and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,461,879 to Barnes et al.; and US Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0215167
to Llewellyn Crooks et al., each of which are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety. Notably the afore-mentioned
representative examples are not independent of one another.
[0021] The ignitable material, in some aspects, includes a foamed
carbon monolith formed in a foam process. In other aspects, the
ignitable material is co-extruded with a layer of insulation,
thereby reducing manufacturing time and expense. Still other
aspects of ignitable materials include those of the types described
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,655 to Roberts et al. or U.S. Pat. App. Pub.
No. 2009/0044818 to Takeuchi et al., each of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0022] In some aspects, the wrapping material comprises a fibrous
insulation material, or the like, or preferably is an extruded
mixture of diatomaceous earth and a binder, e.g., sodium
carboxymethylcellulose (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "CMC"
or "NaCMC"). In some aspects, the wrapping material is configured
to facilitate the transfer of heat from the lighting end of the
cigarette (e.g., from the heat generation segment) to components of
the aerosol forming segment. That is, the aerosol forming segment
and the heat generation segment are configurable in a heat exchange
relationship with one another. The heat exchange relationship is
such that sufficient heat from the ignitable material is supplied
to the aerosol formation region to volatilize aerosol forming
material for aerosol formation. In some aspects, the heat exchange
relationship is achieved by positioning those segments in close
proximity to one another. A heat exchange relationship also is
achievable by extending a heat conductive material from the
vicinity of the ignitable material into or around the region
occupied by the aerosol forming segment. Additional information
regarding a "heat-not-burn" cigarette or smoking article is found
in at least U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,409 to White et al., and U.S. Pat.
App. Pub. No. 2015/0083150 to Conner et al., the entireties of
which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0023] In other aspects, the smoking article 150 is a conventional
cigarette having an ignitable material that is ignited and
subsequently burns to form an inhalable smoke. Regardless of the
type of smoking article 150 included with the system 100, the
system 100 is configured to simulate ash removal from a smoking
article.
[0024] In some aspects, at least a portion of the smoking article
150 is supported by a support arrangement, generally indicated by
the numeral 110. The support arrangement 110 is configured, in some
aspects, to support the smoking article 150 about a first
longitudinal end thereof such that an opposing second longitudinal
end of the smoking article forms a cantilever with respect to the
smoking arrangement 110. In other words, the first longitudinal end
of the smoking article 150 is fixed with respect to the smoking
arrangement 110 and the second longitudinal end of the smoking
article 150 is free or otherwise unfixed. In other aspects, the
smoking article 150 is supported by the support arrangement 110 in
any manner that enables the smoking article 150 to have ash removed
therefrom.
[0025] In some aspects, the system 100 comprises one or more
devices, mechanisms, apparatuses, etc., that are configured to
engage the smoking article 150. For example, and as illustrated in
FIG. 1, a suction device 120, an ignition device 130, and an
ash-dislodging mechanism 140 are all configured to engage the
smoking article. In some aspects, the suction device 120 is
configured to be in fluid communication with the first longitudinal
end of the smoking article 150. More particularly, the suction
device 120 is configured to apply suction to the first longitudinal
end to simulate a draw or puff on the smoking article. In some
aspects, the suction device 120 is configured to employ negative
pressure (i.e., a vacuum or suction) to simulate the draw or puff
on the smoking article. A length of tubing (e.g., 332, FIGS. 3B-3C)
engaged with the suction device 120 extends, in some aspects, to
the first longitudinal end of the smoking article 150. In this
manner, the negative pressure exerted by the suction device 120
communicates through the length of tubing and exerts the negative
pressure (i.e., a pull) on the first longitudinal end of the
smoking article 150 to simulate a draw or a puff of a smoker.
Otherwise, in some aspects, the length of tubing is not used and
the suction device 120 is directly engaged with the smoking article
150 to implement the negative pressure.
[0026] The ignition device 130, in some aspects, is associated with
the second longitudinal end of the smoking article 150. More
particularly, the ignition device 130 is configured to ignite the
ignitable material (e.g., combustible carbonaceous material) of the
smoking article 150 about the second longitudinal end thereof. In
this manner, the ignited ignitable material combusts and then
burns, such that the ignited ignitable material is transformed to
an ash extending from the second longitudinal end toward the first
longitudinal end of the smoking article 150 in response to
successive draws or puffs applied by the suction device 120. In
some aspects, the ignition device 130 comprises a conventional
device used to create a flame for igniting the ignitable material,
by using a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas to produce the
flame. Alternatively, in some aspects, the ignition device 130 is
powered by electricity, using an electric arc or heating element to
ignite the ignitable material.
[0027] In some aspects, the ash-dislodging mechanism 140 is
configured to selectively impact the cantilevered smoking article
150 to periodically remove the ash formed about the second
longitudinal end of the smoking article 150. More particularly, the
ash-dislodging mechanism 140 comprises a selectively actuatable
member 142 configured to impact the cantilevered smoking article
150, upon actuation thereof, between the first and the second
longitudinal ends of the smoking article 150 to periodically remove
the ash. In some aspects, the selectively actuatable member 142
comprises a pivotable lever (see, e.g., 222, FIGS. 2A-2B) or a
tamping bar (see, e.g., 322, FIGS. 3A-3C), while in other aspects,
the selectively actuatable member 142 comprises a movement
generating device configured to selectively generate vibrations,
the vibrations interacting with the smoking article 150 to cause
the smoking article 150 to vibrate. The selectively actuatable
member 142 also comprises any other type of member, mechanism, etc.
that is capable of impacting or otherwise mechanically manipulating
the smoking article 150 to remove the ash.
[0028] The system 100 also comprises, in some aspects, a controller
160 that is configured to control the suction device 120, the
ignition device 130, or the ash-dislodging mechanism 140. In some
aspects, the controller 160 controls only one or more of the
suction device 120, the ignition device 130, and the ash-dislodging
mechanism 140. The controller 160 comprises, in some aspects, a
computing platform having at least one hardware processor and
memory. Peripherals associated with controller 160, i.e., the
suction device 120, the ignition device 130, or the ash-dislodging
mechanism 140, are configured to receive commands from the
controller 160 to control certain aspects of simulating ash removal
from the smoking article. For example, the suction device 120 is
controlled to periodically apply suction to the smoking article
150, where the duration, strength of suction, etc., are controlled
by the controller 160. In another example, the ignition device 130
is controlled by the controller 160 to ignite the smoking article
150 to initiate the ash transformation process, wherein the
temperature, duration of ignition, etc., are controlled by the
controller 160. In a further example, the ash-dislodging mechanism
140 is controlled so that the selectively actuatable member 142
selectively impacts the smoking article 150 to remove the formed
ash, where the timing of impact, strength of impact, etc., are
controlled by the controller 160.
[0029] In other aspects, a controller, such as the controller 160,
is not implemented in the system 100. In this aspect, components of
the system (i.e., the suction device 120, the ignition device 130,
and the ash-dislodging mechanism 140) are manually controlled by a
system user. For example, the system user actuates the suction
device 120, the ignition device 130, and/or the ash-dislodging
mechanism 140 as needed.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2B and FIGS. 3A-3C, two different
exemplary embodiments of the generic system described hereinabove
are provided. In the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 2A-2B, a system, generally indicated by the reference numeral
200, is provided. The system 200 is configured similarly to the
system 100 generically described above in reference to FIG. 1. More
particularly, a smoking article 250 is supported by a support
arrangement 210. The support arrangement 210 comprises a structure
configured to support at least a portion of a smoking article 250
about a first longitudinal end thereof such that an opposing second
longitudinal end of the smoking article 250 forms a cantilever with
respect to the support arrangement 210. In some aspects, the
support arrangement 210 is configured as a unit capable of
supporting one or more smoking articles 250. For example, the
support arrangement 210 is configured to support two or more
smoking articles 250.
[0031] In some aspects, the support arrangement 210 further
comprises a biasing member 212 configured to support the
cantilevered smoking article 250 in a supported position, and to
oppose the impact of an ash-dislodging mechanism 220 to maintain
the smoking article 250 in the supported position. The biasing
member 212 comprises, for example, a spring extending laterally
with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the support
arrangement 210, wherein the spring is configured to oppose an
impact on the smoking article 250 by the ash-dislodging mechanism
220. As such, in the supported position of the smoking article 250,
the spring is in a first position and upon contact with the smoking
article 250 due to the impact thereof by the ash-dislodging
mechanism 220, opposes the impact force of the ash-dislodging
mechanism 220 on the smoking article 250 with minimal deflection of
the spring from the first position.
[0032] The ash-dislodging mechanism 220 illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B
comprises a selectively actuatable member in the form of a
pivotable lever 222. The pivotable lever 222, in some aspects, is
configured to pivot into and out of contact with the smoking
article 250, upon actuation thereof. The pivotable lever 222 is
actuatable via a controller (not shown in this embodiment), which
is capable of selectively controlling pivot of the pivotable lever
222. Otherwise, the pivotable lever 222 is selectively controlled
via a system user.
[0033] In the aspects illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, the pivotable
lever 222 is pivoted about a pivot point 224 by a linear
displacement mechanism 226, configured to be raised and lowered
about a longitudinal axis defined therein. The linear displacement
mechanism 226 comprises a pneumatic linear displacement mechanism,
an electrical linear displacement mechanism, a magnetic linear
displacement mechanism, or the like.
[0034] In some aspects, one end of the linear displacement
mechanism 226 is engaged or otherwise coupled to a first end of the
pivotable lever 222A. A second end of the pivotable lever 222B
extends substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis
defined by a structure of the first end of the pivotable lever
222A. Thus, actuation of the linear displacement mechanism 226 in
either direction, results in the second end of the pivotable lever
222B pivoting about the pivot point 224 into/out of contact with
the smoking article 250. For example, raising the linear
displacement mechanism 226 about the longitudinal axis results in
the second end of the pivotable lever 222B pivoting about the pivot
point 224 and into contact with the smoking article 250. In another
example, lowering the linear displacement mechanism 226 about the
longitudinal axis results in the second end of the pivotable lever
222B pivoting about the pivot point 224 and out of contact with the
smoking article 250. FIG. 2A illustrates the pivotable lever 222
pivoted about the pivot point 224, such that the second end of the
pivotable lever 222B is out of contact with the smoking article
250.
[0035] Notably, in some aspects, the pivoting of the second end of
the pivotable lever 222B into and out of contact with the smoking
article 250 is done in quick succession in order to firmly tap the
smoking article 250 to remove the ash. Otherwise, in some aspects,
the second end of the pivotable lever 222B is pivoted into contact
with the smoking article 250 and a movement generating device
incorporated with the pivotable lever 222 is configured to
selectively generate vibrations that interact with the smoking
article 250 and cause the smoking article 250 to vibrate and
thereby remove ash. In other aspects, the movement generating
device is incorporated within the support arrangement 210 and
selectively generates vibrations to vibrate the smoking article
250, such that no pivotable lever 222 is necessary, though one may
be employed to provide further ash-dislodging functionality.
[0036] The system 200 further comprises a suction device (not shown
in this embodiment) that is in fluid communication with the first
longitudinal end of the smoking article 250. The suction device is
configured to apply suction to the first longitudinal end to
simulate a draw or puff on the smoking article 250. In some
aspects, to prevent the smoke generated by the draws or puffs
applied by the suction device to the ignited smoking article 250
from being received by the suction device, a smoke reservoir 230 is
operably engaged between the first longitudinal end of the smoking
article 250 and the suction device. In such aspects, the smoke
reservoir 230 is configured to receive the generated smoke and to
prevent the generated smoke from being received by the suction
device. To this end, the smoke reservoir 230 comprises an internal
substrate or membrane that acts as a physical barrier to the
generated smoke.
[0037] In some aspects, the system 200 further comprises an ash
receptacle 240 configured to receive the ash removed from the
smoking article 250 by the ash-dislodging mechanism 220 (i.e., the
pivotable lever 222). FIG. 2B illustrates one exemplary aspect of a
disposition of the ash receptacle 240, where the ash receptacle 240
is disposed about the second longitudinal end of the smoking
article 250. In one aspect, as the ignited ignitable material
associated with the second longitudinal end of the smoking article
250 transforms to ash, the support arrangement 210 is configured to
longitudinally translate the smoking article 250 with respect to
the ash receptacle 240. In this manner, the ash is maintained over
the ash receptacle 240 to receive the ash removed from the smoking
article 250 by the ash-dislodging mechanism 220.
[0038] In order to longitudinally translate the smoking article 250
with respect to the ash receptacle 250, the system 200 further
comprises a translation mechanism 260. As illustrated in FIGS.
2A-2B, the translation mechanism 260 is configured to translate the
support arrangement 210 at an incline relative to a horizontal
plane (e.g., ground). In some aspects, the translation mechanism
260 comprises a carrier portion 262 with which the support
arrangement 210 is engaged or otherwise integrated, and tracks 264
on which the carrier portion 262 translates. The carrier portion
262 is configured to be longitudinally translated in opposite
directions along the tracks 264 by an actuator (not shown) that
comprises a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, a
mechanical actuator, a magnetic actuator, or the like.
[0039] Otherwise, and as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, the carrier
portion 262 is manually actuated through a system user grasping and
longitudinally translating the carrier portion along the tracks
264. Fasteners or the like (not shown) are provided, in some
aspects, to allow the carrier portion 264 to be longitudinally
translated and maintained in a desired position along the tracks
264. In this aspect, the fasteners are configured to extend through
openings 266 defined in the carrier portion 262 to longitudinally
extending grooves 268 defined within each of the tracks 264. The
fasteners are configured such that rotating the fasteners within
the openings 266 in one direction tightens the fastener and
prevents translation of the carrier portion 262 along the tracks
264, and rotating the fasteners within the openings 266 in the
other direction loosens the fastener and allows translation of the
carrier portion 262 along the tracks 264.
[0040] Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment of the system 200
provides for simulating ash removal from a smoking article without
the need for a human smoker to be testing the smoking article by
himself or herself.
[0041] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a
system, generally indicated by the reference numeral 300. The
system 300 is similar to the first exemplary system 200 in FIGS.
2A-2B, as well as the generically described system 100 in FIG. 1.
In some aspects, a plurality of smoking articles 350 is each
supported by a support arrangement 310. For example, there are five
support arrangements 310 that are each configured to support one
smoking article 350. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, three out of the five
support arrangements 310 support a smoking article 350.
[0042] Each of the support arrangements 310 comprises a structure
configured to support at least a portion of a smoking article 350
about a first longitudinal end thereof such that an opposing second
longitudinal end of the smoking article 350 forms a cantilever with
respect to the support arrangement 310. However, the support
arrangements 310 in some aspects are each configured to be a single
unit capable of supporting one or more smoking article 350.
[0043] In some aspects, each of the support arrangements 310
further comprises a biasing member 312 configured to support the
cantilevered smoking article 350 in a supported position and to
oppose the impact of an ash-dislodging mechanism 320 to maintain
the smoking article 350 in the supported position. The biasing
member 312 comprises, for example, a spring extending laterally
with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the support
arrangement 310, wherein the spring is configured to oppose an
impact on the smoking article 350 by the ash-dislodging mechanism
320. As such, in the supported position of the smoking article 350,
the spring is in a first position and upon contact with the smoking
article 250 due to the impact thereof by the ash-dislodging
mechanism 220, opposes the impact force of the ash-dislodging
mechanism 220 on the smoking article 250 with minimal deflection of
the spring from the first position.
[0044] In some aspects, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, each of
the support arrangements 310 defines a groove 314 extending along a
support surface of the support arrangement 310 and substantially
perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis defined by the support
arrangement 310. Each of the grooves 314 is sized to allow the
smoking article 350 to rest therein to maintain the smoking article
in the supported position.
[0045] The ash-dislodging mechanism 320 illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C
comprises a selectively actuatable member in the form of an
elongated tamping bar 322. Upon actuation thereof, the tamping bar
322, in some aspects, is configured to extend downward from a rest
position into and out of contact with each of the smoking articles
350. The tamping bar 322 is actuatable via a controller (not shown
in this embodiment), which is capable of selectively controlling
the raising and lowering of the tamping bar 322. Otherwise, the
tamping bar 322 is selectively controlled via a system user.
[0046] In the aspects illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, the tamping bar
322 is lowered and raised from a framework 324 that extends over
the support arrangements 310. The tamping bar 322 is lowered and
raised from the framework 324 by a linear displacement mechanism
326. The linear displacement mechanism 326 is configured to be
actuated along a longitudinal axis defined thereby to raise and
lower the tamping bar. The linear displacement mechanism 326
comprises a pneumatic linear displacement mechanism, an electrical
linear displacement mechanism, a magnetic linear displacement
mechanism, or the like.
[0047] In some aspects, the tamping bar 322 is sized to span a
length that extends over each of the support arrangements 310. In
this manner, a bottom surface of the tamping bar 322 is configured
to be raised and lowered into and out of contact with each of the
smoking articles 350 supported in the support arrangements 310. For
example, the tamping bar 322 in FIGS. 3A-3C is approximately five
support arrangements 310 in length such that the bottom surface of
the tamping bar is raised and lowered into and out of contact with
the three smoking articles 350 supported in the support
arrangements 310. Thus, actuation of the linear displacement
mechanism 326 in either direction, results in the bottom surface of
the tamping bar 322 coming into/out of contact with the smoking
article 350. For example, lowering the linear displacement
mechanism 326 about the longitudinal axis results in the bottom
surface of the tamping bar 322 being lowered into contact with each
smoking article 350. In another example, raising the linear
displacement mechanism 326 about the longitudinal axis results in
the bottom surface of the tamping bar 322 being raised out of
contact with each smoking article 350. FIG. 3A illustrates the
tamping bar 322 lowered by the linear displacement mechanism 326,
such that the bottom surface of the tamping bar 322 is in contact
with the three smoking articles 350.
[0048] Notably, in some aspects, lowering and raising the tamping
bar 322 into and out of contact with the smoking articles 350 is
done in quick succession in order to firmly tap the smoking
articles 350 to remove the ash. Otherwise, in some aspects, the
tamping bar 322 is lowered such that the bottom surface thereof is
in contact with the smoking article and a movement generating
device incorporated with the tamping bar 322 is configured to
selectively generate vibrations that interact with the smoking
articles 350 and cause the smoking articles 350 to vibrate and
thereby remove ash. In other aspects, the movement generating
device is incorporated within each of the support arrangements 310
and selectively generates vibrations to vibrate the smoking
articles 350, such that no tamping bar 322 is necessary.
[0049] The system 300 further comprises a suction device (not shown
in this embodiment) that is in fluid communication with the first
longitudinal end of each of the smoking articles 350. The suction
device is configured to apply suction to the first longitudinal end
to simulate a draw or puff on each smoking article 350. In some
aspects, to prevent the smoke generated by the draws or puffs
applied by the suction device to the ignited smoking articles 350
from being received by the suction device, one or more smoke
reservoirs 330 is operably engaged between the first longitudinal
end of the smoking articles 350 and the suction device. For example
and as illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3C, individual smoke reservoirs 330
are operably engaged with a respective smoking article 350. In
other examples, there is a single smoke reservoir that is operably
engaged with each of the smoking articles 350. In some aspects, a
length of tubing 332 is in operable engagement between the smoking
reservoir 330 and the suction device. Regardless, in such aspects,
each of the smoke reservoirs 330 is configured to receive the
generated smoke and to prevent the generated smoke from being
received by the suction device via, in some aspects, the length of
tubing 332. To this end, each of the smoke reservoirs 330 comprises
an internal substrate or membrane that acts as a physical barrier
to the generated smoke.
[0050] In some aspects, the system 300 further comprises an ash
receptacle 340 configured to receive the ash removed from the
smoking articles 350 by the ash-dislodging mechanism 320 (i.e., the
tamping bar 322). FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate one exemplary aspect of a
disposition of the ash receptacle 340, where the ash receptacle 340
is disposed about the second longitudinal end of the smoking
articles 350. In some aspects, as the ignited ignitable material
associated with the second longitudinal end of the smoking articles
350 transforms to ash, each of the support arrangements 310 is
configured to longitudinally translate the respective smoking
article 350 with respect to the ash receptacle 340. In this manner,
the ash is maintained over the ash receptacle 340 to receive the
ash removed from the smoking articles 350 by the ash-dislodging
mechanism 320.
[0051] In order to longitudinally translate the smoking articles
350 with respect to the ash receptacle 350, the system 300 further
comprises a translation mechanism 360. As illustrated in FIGS.
3A-3C, the translation mechanism 360 is configured to translate the
support arrangement 310 at an incline relative to a horizontal
plane (e.g., ground). In some aspects, the translation mechanism
360 comprises a carrier portion 362 with which the support
arrangement 310 is engaged or otherwise integrated, and tracks 364
on which the carrier portion 362 translates. The carrier portion
362 is configured to be longitudinally translated in opposite
directions along the tracks 364 by an actuator (not shown) that
comprises a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, a
mechanical actuator, a magnetic actuator, or the like.
[0052] Otherwise, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, the carrier
portion 362 is manually actuated through a system user grasping and
longitudinally translating the carrier portion along the tracks
364. Fasteners or the like 366 are provided, in some aspects, to
allow the carrier portion 364 to be longitudinally translated and
maintained in a desired position along the tracks 364. In this
aspect, the fastener 366 is configured to extend through openings
368 defined in the carrier portion 362 to longitudinally extending
grooves 370 defined within each of the tracks 364. The fasteners
366 are configured such that rotating each of the fasteners 366
within the openings 368 in one direction tightens that respective
fastener 366 and prevents translation of the carrier portion 362
along the tracks 364, and rotating each of the fasteners within the
openings 368 in the other direction loosens the fastener 366 and
allows translation of the carrier portion 362 along the tracks
364.
[0053] Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment of the system 300
provides for simulating ash removal from a smoking article without
the need for a human smoker to be testing the smoking article by
himself or herself.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary method, generally
indicated by reference numeral 400, for simulating ash removal from
a smoking article is provided. The exemplary method 400 is capable
of being performed with any one of the systems described above, or
otherwise contemplated by this disclosure.
[0055] In step 402, at least a portion of a smoking article is
supported about a first longitudinal end thereof with a support
arrangement such that an opposing second longitudinal end of the
smoking article forms a cantilever with respect to the support
arrangement.
[0056] In step 404, suction is applied to the first longitudinal
end with a suction device in fluid communication therewith so as to
simulate a draw or puff on the smoking article.
[0057] In step 406, an ignitable material associated with the
second longitudinal end of the smoking article is ignited with an
ignition device associated with the second longitudinal end, the
ignited ignitable material being transformed to an ash extending
from the second longitudinal end toward the first longitudinal end
in response to successive draws or puffs applied by the suction
device.
[0058] In step 408, the smoking article is selectively impacted
with an ash-dislodging mechanism to periodically remove the
ash.
[0059] Many modifications and other aspects of the disclosure set
forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which
this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is
not to be limited to the specific aspects disclosed and that
modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within
the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are
employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense
only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *