FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning control of combustion of cigarettes or similar products, with particular reference to the reduction of toxic gases produced by the combustion of the cigarettes or similar products.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The process of tobacco combustion of cigarettes generates a heterogeneous mixture of gassy and corpuscular substances, generically defined as "tobacco smoke".

It is known that the temperature of tobacco combustion is strongly influenced by the intensity with which aspiration takes place, significantly modifying the composition of the heterogeneous mixture of smoke. It follows that the cigarette can generate, from the qualitative point of view, gaseous and corpuscular substances that are different according to the way in which the cigarette is smoked.

The smoke aspirated from the cigarette constitutes the primary current constituting the "active smoke", while the spontaneous combustion between two aspiration steps (drags) defines the secondary current, which is responsible for "passive smoke".

Owing to the smaller supply of oxygen and the lower combustion temperature of the tobacco between the successive aspiration steps, the concentration of some substances (nicotine, benzopyrene, carbon monoxide, ammonia, etc.) is greater in the secondary current than in the primary current.

Consequently the majority of the combustion products of a cigarette are generated in the secondary current, between successive aspiration steps.

In particular, the quantity of carbon monoxide generated by the incomplete combustion of a cigarette is not retained by the usual filters and is therefore aspirated by the smoker together with the primary current, and inhaled by persons in proximity due to the secondary current.

Carbon monoxide is well known to be an extremely toxic and dangerous substance that can easily combine with haemoglobin in the blood and damage the muscle fibres, especially those of the heart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aim of the present invention is to provide a device for control of the combustion of a cigarette or a similar product and able to drastically reduce the generation of toxic substances that are damaging to the organism and to the environment, in particular carbon monoxide.

A further aim of the invention is to provide the above-mentioned device that is able to reduce and possibly even eliminate generation of hydrocarbons.

A further aim of the invention is to provide the above-mentioned device that is able to reduce the temperature of the cigarette smoke.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a device that not only satisfies the above-described aims but is also able to increase the number of aspirations necessary for the total consumption of the cigarette.

The above aims are attained as described in the independent claims.

The dependent claims delineate preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention are specified in the following with particular reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a view of the device of the invention, sectioned along a vertical axial plane, in a first use configuration of a cigarette;

- figure 1 A illustrates the device of figure 1 in the expulsion configuration of the cigarette stub from the device;

- figure 1 B illustrates a variant of detail ^ of figure 1 ;

- figure 1 C illustrates a variant of detail J ₂ of figure 1 ;

- figure 2 is a section view of the unit to be used for cleaning some parts of the above-described device;

- figures 3A, 3B are sections along a vertical axial plane, showing two steps with which the device is cleaned using the above-mentioned unit;

- figure 4 is a lateral view of a second embodiment of the combustion control device in a first use configuration;

- figure 4A shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated in figure 4;

- figure 5 is a lateral view of the device of figure 4 in a second use configuration;

- figure 5A shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated in figure 5;

- figure 6 is a lateral view of the device of figures 4-5A in an exploded configuration which shows the constituent components;

- figure 7 is a view along section VII-VII indicated in figure 6;

- figure 8 is a lateral view of a significant component of the control device of figures 4-7, in a non-operating configuration;

- figure 9 is a lateral view of the component indicated in figure 8, which interacts with the control device of figures 4-8, in an operating configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to figures 1-3B, the device 1 of the invention comprises the following components:

- a first tubular element 2 defining internally thereof two consecutive chambers, respectively a first and a second chamber (3, 4): in the section that is common to the two chambers there is a discontinuity in diameter, precisely an increase passing from the first to the second chamber, which gives rise to a first annular abutment 13. The wall delimiting the first chamber 3 affords at least a slot 23 having a longitudinal extension, i.e. parallel to the axis of the first chamber; a second element 5 constituted by two parts 5A, 5B, first and second, both having relative axial through-holes 50A, 50B. The second part 5B partially screws internally of the first part; this gives rise to an external discontinuity: a second annular abutment 15.

A disc 20 is solidly constrained to the end of the hole 50A, i.e. the hole not involved in the coupling with the second part 5B, which disc 20 bears a catalyser member 8 facing towards the outside of the hole 50A and coaxial thereto; the disc 20 has at least one through-hole 2I (e.g. four holes) having an axis parallel to the axis of the first part 5A. An annular gully 9 is fashioned in the external circumferential part of the first part 5A, the gully 9 coupling to a seal and friction ring 10 which can drag on the circumferential surface 9A of the gully;

- a ring-nut 27 which couples by screwing to a relative portion 40 included in the head of the first element 2 relative to the second chamber 4;the diameter of the internal hole of the ring-nut exhibits a discontinuity which gives rise to a third annular abutment 18.

The second element 5-catalyser member 8 group is partly inserted in the first element 2 from the side of the second chamber 4; the coupling of the ring-nut 27 with the member 2 follows.

The surface 9A of the gully 9 faces an annular groove 12, realised in a portion of the surface delimiting the second chamber (4); in this way an annular channel 42 is defined, in which the friction and seal ring 10 is arranged.

From the foregoing it is clear that the second ^' element 5-catalyser member 8 group can slide along the axis of the first element 2 between two end positions A ₍ A ₂ .

The first position A (see figure 1 ) is defined by the intercepting of the second annular abutment 15 against the third annular abutment 18: this interception further prevents extraction of the first element 2 from the group. By exerting a force F on the group directed along the axis of the device 1 , and taking care to keep the first element 2 still, there is a gradual sliding of the group towards the first element 2; this sliding is opposed by the friction caused by the dragging of the seal and friction ring 10 on the facing surfaces 9A, 12 of the annular channel 42; this sliding stops when the ring 10 is clamped between the head of the annular groove 12, which faces towards the second chamber 4 and the first annular abutment 13; see figure 1A in which the end position A ₂ is defined.

Positions of the group can be obtained that are intermediate with respect to the end positions A^ A ₂ ; any intermediate position is stabilised by the friction ring 10 locked between the facing surfaces 9A, 12 of the channel 42.

In the device 1 of the invention, the second element 5 is partly inserted in the second chamber 4 from which it projects with a portion 7 (comprised in the second part 5B).

The axial through-holes 50A, 50B of the second element 5 communicate with the first chamber 3 via the holes 21 afforded in the disc 20 which bears the catalyser member 8.

As is known, a cigarette S has a suction end (coinciding with the filter, if included) and a combustion end, opposite the suction end.

With the group in the first end configuration A^ the portion of cigarette containing the suction end is inserted in the first chamber 3: this causes the penetration of the catalyser member 8 into the cigarette from the suction end; with this group in the first configuration Ai, there is maximum penetration of the catalyser member into the cigarette.

In these conditions the portion (7) is able to allow the smoker to aspirate the smoke coming from the suction end of the cigarette.

At the end of the consumption of the cigarette (for example when it is reduce to a stub) the smoker intervenes on the group so as to define the remaining end position A ₂ : this leads to the expulsion of the stub, or of the partially- smoked cigarette, from the first chamber 3. The variant of figure 1 B highlights that the wall delimiting the first chamber 3 affords at least a slot 123 having a transversal extension, i.e. perpendicular to the axis of the first chamber.

In the variant of figure 1 C, a spring 1 10 is also included in the annular channel 42, which maintains the ring 10 in abutment against the first annular abutment 13. The spring is gradually compressed in the passage of the group from the first end position Α _Ί to the second end position A ₂ . With the expulsion of the cigarette stub, and following the annulling of the force F (by the smoker), the spring 1 10, by elastic reaction, returns the group into the first position AT .

With reference to figure 2, reference numeral 80 denotes a cleaning unit for parts of the device 1 , comprising a cylindrical body 60 crossed by a through- hole constituted by two consecutive portions 61 , 62, the first having a larger diameter than the second.

The second portion 62 functions as a guide for a stem 63 which is borne by a cursor 64, axially slidable in the first portion 61 , from which it projects partially in opposition to elastic means 65 situated in the first portion 61. The portion of the stem 63, external of the body 60, bears a felt 66 having a longitudinal extension that is coaxial to the body 60; the felt 66 has a circular section that grows as it proceeds towards the outside; the felt is advantageously interchangeable. To clean the catalyser member 8, the operator grips the cursor 64 so as to introduce the unit 80 into the first chamber 3: it follows that the catalyser member 8 intercepted by the felt 66 penetrates into the felt 64 and is cleaned (see figure 3A).

To clean the through-holes 50A, 50B of the second element 5 it is sufficient to introduce the unit 80 into the holes as illustrated in figure 3B.

The catalyser member 8 can be realised using various components and/or alloys, for example a stainless steel alloy (for example nickel steel) or a metal or ceramic body on which a noble metal, such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, is deposited.

Testing was carried out to simulate consumption of a cigarette in compliance with the ISO 3308:2009 standard, which prescribes 6 aspirations at 60-second intervals from one another.

In particular, tests have been carried out using a device that does not include the catalyser member, and other tests using the device equipped with the catalyser member.

The gas collected from each aspiration (using known methods, for example syringes) was sent to a gas chromatograph for analysis of the following components H ₂ , 0 _2, N ₂ and compounds CH ₄ , CO, C0 ₂ , C ₂ H ₆ and C ₃ H ₈ .

It is known that the aspirated gas, aspirated by pumping (e.g. a syringe) is injected into the gas chromatograph using a conveyor gas to constitute a gaseous mixture.

Further tests were carried out to monitor the temperature of the smoke from the cigarette issued in successive aspirations with the device not fitted with and fitted with the catalyser member of the control device of the present invention.

A traditional cigarette was used, known on the market by the mark "Vogue". Table no. 1 below reports the results of the gas chromatography analysis carried out on the aspirated mixtures (filter side) in terms of percentage concentration in volume (% v/v) of the above-cited components with the cigarette respectively not fitted and fitted with the catalyser.

Table no. 1

Note that the concentration values (% v/v) at the % values indicate a concentration below the limit detectable by the instrument. Following table no. 2 reports the differences between the concentrations (% v/v) of the case with the catalyser member with respect to the case with the catalyser member.

Table no. 2

An analysis of the data reported in table no. 2 reveals:

- An increase of the H ₂ concentration from one aspiration to a next, in both the case without and with the catalyser member respectively up to values of 0.46 and 0.013 % v/v;

- A reduction in the concentration di H ₂ in the case using the catalyser member (0.450% v/v and the 6th aspiration);

- A practically constant trend of the 0 ₂ concentration from one aspiration to a next, in both the case without and also practically constant with the catalyser member;

- An increase in the concentration of 0 ₂ in the case using the catalyser member (3.44% v/v and for the 6th aspiration); The detection of CH ₄ only at the 5th and 6th aspiration in the case without the catalyser member and with a growing trend up to 0.1 1 % v/v;

% v/v di CH ₄ below the limits of detectability of the instrument in the case with the catalyser member;

The detection of CH ₄ only at the 4th, 5th and 6th aspiration in the case without the catalyser member with a maximum of 0.03% v/v;

% v/v di CO below the limits of detectability of the instrument in the case with the catalyser member;

An increase in the concentration of C0 ₂ between one aspiration and the next in both the case without and with the catalyser member with a growing trend respectively up to values of 4.4 and 0.4% v/v;

A reduction in the concentration of C0 ₂ in the case using the catalyser member (4.06% v/v for the 6th aspiration);

The detection of C2H ₆ only at the 4th, 5th and 6th aspiration in the case without the catalyser member and with a growing trend up to 0.6% v/v; % v/v di C ₂ H ₆ below the limits of detectability of the instrument in the case with the catalyser member;

A practically constant trend of the C ₃ H ₈ concentration about the mean value of 0,032% v/v maximum value of 0.03% v/v;

In general, a reduction in the C ₃ H ₈ in the case using the catalyser member

(0.022% v/v and the 2nd aspiration).

Table no. 3 reports the aspirated gas temperatures at the filter, with the cigarette without the catalyser member and with the catalyser member; the aspirations were carried out consecutively, at intervals of 5-6 seconds one from the next, with aspirated air volumes of 25 ml, starting from an ambient temperature of 23°C. Table no. 3

Aspiration no. T

[°C]

Cigarette with device Cigarette with catalyser without catalyser device

1 23 23

2 23 23

3 23 23

4 23 23

5 23 23

6 24 24

7 24 24

8 24 24

9 24 24

10 24 24

11 24 24

12 24 24

13 24.5 24

14 24.5 24

15 25 24

16 25 24 17 - 24

18 - 24

19 - 24

20 - 24

21 - 24

22 - 24

23 - 24

24 - 24

25 - 24

The analysis of the data reveals:

- In the case of the device with the catalyser member the number of aspirations necessary for the total consumption of the cigarette is greater than the case in which it is fitted with the catalyser member (25, instead of 16);

- The temperature of 23°C detected at the start of the test starts to rise in both cases at the sixth aspiration detected;

- In the case of having a device with the catalyser member from the 6th up to the 16the and last aspiration the temperature rises to 25°C;

- In the case of having a device with the catalyser member from the 6th up to the 25th and a final aspiration the temperature remains constant at 24°C.

From the comparison of the results of the gas chromatography analysis of the gaseous mixtures aspirated at the section of the filter it can be observed that given a same volume of mixture, and in the case where the combustion control device with the catalyser member is applied, concentrations are obtained that are below the detectable limit of the gas chromatograph of compounds CH ₄ , CO, C ₂ H ₆ ,C3H ₈ ; there is also a very significant drop in C0 ₂ . It can therefore be stated that the application of the patented device leads to a reduction in the amount of carbon participating in the combustion process.

From the observation of the experimental data it can be stated that the device with the catalyser member reduces the entity of the combustion, given a same quantity of aspirated smoke, (with the same number of aspirations the consumption of the cigarette is smaller than without the catalyser member). This seems also to be confirmed by the lower temperature of the gases with respect to the case without the catalyser.

With reference to figures 4-9, reference numeral 30 denotes a second embodiment of the combustion control device of a cigarette S or a like product, for example a cigar, the cigarette identifying a suction end 31 and an opposite combustion end (not illustrated).

The above-mentioned control device 30 comprises:

- a casing 32 having a substantially cylindrical geometry which defines a lateral surface 33 and a pair of heads 34, 35 arranged opposite one another;

- a first opening 36, realised in a first head 34, able to allow insertion of the suction end 31 of a cigarette S internally of the casing 32, keeping the combustion end external;

- a second opening 37, realised in a second head 35, able to allow the smoker to aspirate the smoke coming from the suction end 31 of the cigarette when positioned in the casing 32;

- a dividing element 38 positioned internally of the casing so as to define a first chamber 70 opening to the outside via the first opening 36, and a second chamber 71 opening to the outside via the second opening 37; - the first chamber 70 being able to house at least the suction end 31 of a cigarette S;

- the dividing element 38 comprising a plurality of through-holes 72 able to place the first chamber 70 and the second chamber 71 in communication and to be passed-through by the smoke in arrival from the suction end 31 of the cigarette S;

- a catalyser member 73, borne by the dividing element 38, positioned centrally in the first chamber 70 so as to penetrate at least into the suction end 31 of the cigarette when this latter is inserted in the first chamber 70;

The catalyser member 73 advantageously intervenes in the combustion step of the cigarette with a catalytic action that facilitates a reduction of the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in the smoke exiting from the second opening 37 and aspirated by the smoker.

The control device 30 can comprise a slidable group 74, positioned in the second chamber 71 , longitudinally mobile between a first configuration in which it allows passage of the smoke coming from thesuction end 31 of the cigarette S via through-holes 72 of the dividing element 38, and a second configuration H ₂ in which it enables cleaning of the through-holes 72 of the dividing element 38.

In particular, the slidable group 74 can comprise:

- a slide (75) that is longitudinally slidable in the second chamber (71 );

- a through-sleeve 76 arranged coaxially to the slide 75, an end 77 of which exits from the second opening 37 so as to allow the smoker to aspirate the smoke penetrating into the second chamber 71 via the through-holes 72 of the dividing element 38;

- a plurality of axial brushes 78 borne by the slide 75, each of which is able to engage and disengage a corresponding through-hole 72 of the dividing element 38 in the respective second configuration H ₂ and first configuration

- axial guide means of the slide 75 between the first configuration and the second configuration H ₂ and vice versa.

The engagement of the axial brushes 78 in the through-holes 72 of the dividing element 38 advantageously enables cleaning the through-holes 72 of the dividing element 38, to remove any detritus associated to the smoke which by depositing might obstruct the through-holes.

In a variant, the axial brushes 78 borne by the slide 75 can have a longitudinal extension that is greater than the longitudinal extension of the through-holes 72 of the dividing element 38.

In this way complete cleanliness of the through-holes 72 brushed by the brushes 78 can be guaranteed, as well as facilitating the extraction of the cigarette S from the first chamber 70 of the casing 32.

The slidable group 74 can further comprise an elastic element 79, interposed between the slide 75 and the dividing element 38, for facilitating the abutment of the slide 75 against the second head 35 in the first configuration of the slidable group 74 (figure 4, 4A).

The second configuration H ₂ of the slidable group 74 can be obtained by acting on the end 77 of the sleeve 76 which exits from the second opening 37, in opposition to the elastic element 79 (figures 5, 5A).

In a further variant, the slide 75 and the second head 35 of the casing 32 can be shaped according to truncoconical geometries which in the first configuration of the slidable group 74 facilitate the sealed abutment of the slide 75 against the second head 35 (figures 4, 4A).

The dividing element 38 positioned internally of the casing 32, which defines the first chamber 70 and the second chamber 71 , can be shaped in a disc geometry and the through-holes 72 can be distributed according to one or more peripheral crowns (figure 7).

The catalyser member 73 intervening in the combustion step of the cigarette S and facilitating the reduction of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons present in the smoke can be advantageously shaped in a needle profile and be arranged coaxially to the first chamber 70 of the casing 32.

The catalyser member 73 can be advantageously realised with various components and/or alloys, for example a stainless steel alloy (for example nickel steel) or a metal or ceramic body on which a noble metal is deposited, such as platinum, palladium, rhodium.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing 32 can comprise a pair of shells (81 , 82) able to sealedly couple with a first shell 81 which comprises the first opening 36, houses the dividing element 38 and defines the first chamber 70 and a first portion of the second chamber 71 , and with a second shell 82 which comprises the second opening 37 and defines the second portion of the second chamber 71 (figure 6).

By way of example, the first shell 81 can be made of a metal material, and the second shell 82 can be made of a plastic material, preferably for use with foodstuffs.

In a further embodiment, the device 30 of the invention can further comprise a cleaning group 83 able to insert in the first chamber 70 via the first opening 36, so as to enable cleaning of the external surface of the catalyser member 73 (figures 8, 9).

By way of example, the cleaning group 83 can comprise a manually activatable grip 84 from which a pair of cleaning stems 85 emerge, parallel to one another and able to insert by translation into the first chamber 70 and enable cleaning by rotation of the external surface of the catalyser member 73. The cleaning stems 85 of the cleaning group 83 are dimensioned so as to enable insertion between them of the catalyser member 73, and so as to enable contact between the external surface of the catalyser member 73 and the external surfaces of the cleaning stems 85. Alternatively a greater number of cleaning stems 85 can be included, for example three or four, or more.

In a further variant, the casing 32 can be provided with through-slots 86 which place the first chamber 70 in communication with the external environment, to facilitate heat exchange during the combustion steps of the cigarette (figures 4, 5, 6, 9).

From detailed experimental testing carried out on a double sample in specialised university laboratories, it has emerged that: in the absence of the control device of the invention the aspirated carbon monoxide (CO) is in both cases 0.50 in volume percentage [% v/v] while the methane (CH ₄ ) is respectively 0.06 and 0.07 in percentage volume [% v/v];

^ in the presence of the control device 30 of the invention the aspirated carbon monoxide (CO) is in both cases 0.25 in volume percentage [% v/v] while the methane (CH ) is respectively 0.02 in percentage volume [% v/v]. There is therefore a reduction by 50% of the emission of carbon monoxide (CO) and a reduction by about 70% of the emission of methane (CH ₄ ).

On the basis of the foregoing it is clear how the present device for control of combustion of a cigarette or a like product is able to greatly reduce the generation of toxic substances that are damaging for the organism and for the environment, in particular the carbon monoxide and the hydrocarbons.

All of the above is due to the catalyser member, realised using a stainless steel alloy (preferably nickel steel), and to the dividing element which defines inside the casing of the control device a pair of chambers communicating with one another via the through-holes realised in the dividing element. The brushes fixed to the slide enable an excellent cleaning of the through- holes, with consequent removal of any detritus associated to the smoke which by depositing might obstruct the through-holes. The cleaning group ensures maximum effectiveness of the catalytic action of the catalyser member during the combustion step of the cigarette, by keeping the external surface thereof clean.

Other advantageous aspects of the device of the present invention are obvious.