Non-destructive hardness, testing of articles such as cigarettes

Claim 2

Apparatus for testing a cylindrical article such as a cigarette comprising a filling material and an outer covering, comprising: means for supporting the article; means for fluid-tightly sealing off one end of the article; means for applying suction to the outer end of the article; a chamber surrounding the article and at least one ring within the chamber dividing the chamber into two compartments, the ring surrounding the article with an annular gap between it and the article; means for causing gas to flow through the annular gap from one side of the ring to the other side of the ring; means for measuring the pressure difference between both sides of the ring; and means for measuring the suction applied to the other end of the article.

Claim 3

The apparatus claimed in claim 1 including a gas-impervious sheath for circumferentially enclosing the article the gap being between the ring and the sheath.

Claim 4

The apparatus claimed in claim 2 in which the sheath is held in the chamber and including means to close the chamber and means to apply suction to the chamber to allow the sheath to expand to accept an article.

Claim 5

The apparatus claimed in claim 1 in which there are a plurality of rings arranged so that in the case of each ring, gas flow is from a first space to a second enclosed space, the first space being open to atmosphere and including means for subjecting the second space to suction.

Claim 6

The apparatus claimed in claim 4 in which the second space is connected to the means for subjecting it to suction through a critical flow orifice.

Claim 7

Apparatus for testing a cylindrical article such as a cigarette comprising a filling material and an outer covering, comprising : a chamber having two end walls connected by side walls ; an opening in the side walls ; a shut off valve for controlling the opening ; registering bores in the end walls ; a cylindrical flexible gas-impervious sheath mounted between the bores and defining a tube between the end walls ; rings surrounding the tube and each spaced from the tube by an annular gap ; means for so connecting the rings that they divide the chamber into a first space into which the opening in the side walls leads and a second space communicating with the first space through the annular gaps ; means for plugging one end of the tube ; means for applying suction to the other end of the tube ; means for applying suction to the first space in the chamber ; means for applying suction to the second space in the chamber ; a critical flow orifice connected between the latter suction means and the second space ; means for measuring the pressure in the second space ; and means for measuring the suction applied to the other end of the tube.

Claim 8

Apparatus for testing a cylindrical article such as a cigarette comprising a filling material and an outer covering, comprising : a chamber having two end walls connected by side walls ; an opening in the side walls ; a shut off valve for controlling the opening ; registering bores in the end walls ; a cylindrical flexible gas-impervious sheath mounted between the bores and defining a tube between the end walls ; rings surrounding the tube and each spaced from the tube by an annular gap ; means for so connecting the rings that they divide the chamber into a first space into which the opening in the side walls leads and a second space communicating with the first space through the annular gaps ; means for plugging one end of the tube ; means for applying suction to the other end of the tube ; means for applying suction to the first space in the chamber ; means for applying suction to the second space in the chamber ; a critical flow orifice connected between the latter suction means and the second space ; means for measuring the pressure in the second space ; and means for measuring the suction applied to the other end of the tube.