Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for determining the weight of tobacco in a tobacco product (10), the tobacco product comprising a tobacco component (16) and a plurality of non-tobacco components (12, 14, 18, 20, 22). The apparatus comprises means (26) for determining the total weight of the tobacco product (10), means (30) for producing an x-ray image of the tobacco product, means (34) for determining weights of the non-tobacco components from the x-ray image, and means (34) for determining the weight of the tobacco component based on the total weight of the tobacco product and the weights of the non-tobacco components. This may allow an accurate determination of tobacco weight to be achieved. Furthermore, measurements can be taken where components are present which might interfere with microwave measurements.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus is disclosed in which a barrier separates a chamber into a first region and a second region. The barrier is of a known thickness, and it comprises holes having a known radius. Gas flow means provide a flow of a carbon dioxide in the first region and a flow of a nitrogen in the second region. A gas detector measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in the second region and a processor calculates the theoretical diffusive flux from one region to another based on the known properties of the through-holes. The processor is arranged to calculate a calibration parameter in order to relate the measured parameter to the theoretical diffusive flux, based on the known properties of the through-holes.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus is disclosed in which a barrier (2) separates a chamber into a first region (10) and a second region (20). The barrier (50) is of a known thickness (T), and it comprises holes having a known radius (R). Gas flow means provide a flow of a carbon dioxide (12) in the first region (10) and a flow of a nitrogen (22) in the second region (20). A gas detector (28) measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in the second region (20) and a processor (32) calculates the theoretical diffusive flux from one region to another based on the known properties of the through-holes. The processor (32) is arranged to calculate a calibration parameter in order to relate the measured parameter to the theoretical diffusive flux, based on the known properties of the through-holes.

Abstract: A smoking machine for smoking a smoking article is disclosed. The smoking machine comprises one or more electrochemical cells for analyzing the composition of a smoke stream from the smoking article. This can allow a gas or vapor phase chemical to be analyzed directly in real time without the need for pre-conditioning or preparation.

Abstract: A smoking machine is disclosed for the automatic smoking of a smoking article. The smoking machine (10) includes a flexible seal (30) for occluding holes (40) in the smoking article (28) while the smoking article is smoked. This can allow “intensive” smoking tests to be carried out by occluding filter holes (40) in the smoking article.

Abstract: A housing for flammable gas detector comprises a housing body and a flame arrestor element (14 and 15). The housing body has an aperture (27) in which the flame arrestor element is located through which the interior of the housing body communicates with the outside. The housing body surrounding the aperture is molded from plastic material. The portions of the housing body that form the aperture (27) are molded around the flame arrestor element with the flame arrestor element in situ. A flammable gas detector of the type which employs a heated sensing element to oxidize any flammable gas present may be located in the housing body. Any flame front present in the housing body due to oxidation of any flammable gas is prevented from progressing to the surrounding environment by the flame arrestor element.