METHOD OF ASSEMBLING AND TESTING A SIMULATED CIGARETTE
First Claim
1. A method of assembling and testing a simulated cigarette, the method comprising the steps of assembling a simulated cigarette to have an elongate main body containing a reservoir for inhalable composition and having an inhaling end at one end, a breath operated valve at the inhaling end to allow selective dispensing from the reservoir as suction is applied to the inhaling end drawing air through an air flow path in the cigarette to open the breath operated valve, and a refill valve at a refill end which is opposite to the inlet end to allow the reservoir to be refilled;
- testing the integrity of the reservoir by applying a pressured gas at the refill end at a predetermined pressure, opening the refill valve and to pressurise the reservoir, measuring the pressure drop in the reservoir for a predetermined time, and providing a pass indication if the pressure drop remains below a predetermined threshold; and
testing the breath operated valve by applying suction at the inhaling end at a predetermined threshold flow rate, measuring the flow rate from the cigarette and providing a pass indication if the flow rate falls outside a predetermined limit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of assembling and testing a simulated cigarette. Assembling the simulated cigarette to have an elongate main body containing a reservoir for an inhalable composition, a breath operated valve, and a refill valve. Testing the integrity of the reservoir requires applying a pressured gas to open the refill valve to pressurise the reservoir, measuring the pressure drop in the reservoir, and providing a pass indication if the pressure drop remains below a predetermined threshold. It also requires testing the breath operated valve by applying suction at an inhaling end, measuring the flow rate from the cigarette and providing a pass indication if the flow rate falls outside a predetermined limit.
49 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of assembling and testing a simulated cigarette, the method comprising the steps of assembling a simulated cigarette to have an elongate main body containing a reservoir for inhalable composition and having an inhaling end at one end, a breath operated valve at the inhaling end to allow selective dispensing from the reservoir as suction is applied to the inhaling end drawing air through an air flow path in the cigarette to open the breath operated valve, and a refill valve at a refill end which is opposite to the inlet end to allow the reservoir to be refilled;
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testing the integrity of the reservoir by applying a pressured gas at the refill end at a predetermined pressure, opening the refill valve and to pressurise the reservoir, measuring the pressure drop in the reservoir for a predetermined time, and providing a pass indication if the pressure drop remains below a predetermined threshold; and testing the breath operated valve by applying suction at the inhaling end at a predetermined threshold flow rate, measuring the flow rate from the cigarette and providing a pass indication if the flow rate falls outside a predetermined limit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification