Abstract:
A self-contained mobile apparatus which replicates the evaluation of scents, fragrances, aromas and odors in controlled and home environments. The apparatus simulates various stages of the consumer experience and has adjustable settings for dosing, air flow, and room size. The scented compound sample is placed within a cabinet having an enclosed sample chamber which is connected to an upward facing sample tube. An air fan is mounted within the sample chamber which circulates and controls sample air flow upward to a testing station wherein the sample air flow is tested for the identification and the concentration of the scent contained therein. A return air chamber and filter are mounted below the testing station. The filtered return air is controlled downward by a return air blower to provide an exhaust out through the bottom of the apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/386,000, filed Mar. 20, 2012, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/516,065, filed Mar. 29, 2011. The disclosure of the &#39;000 application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in the testing of individual compound test samples for identification, concentration and consumer appeal of the scent contained therein. The present invention can be used to analyze scents, fragrances, aromas and odors in controlled and home environments. The scent tester is mounted on casters so that it can be easily transported to different indoor and outdoor locations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Scented compounds are common within nature, the consumer, the commercial and the industrial markets. It is essential that scented compounds be tested so as to identify the scent; its character, profile, intensity and strength. It is necessary that the scent be tested so that it can be modified to be more pleasing to the user when it is contained within consumer products such as perfumes, air fresheners, candles, colognes, shampoos, lotions, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, paints, insecticides, etc. Heretofore, scent testing has been conducted by relying upon a tester, either an individual or a group of panelists, entering an expensive, thoroughly cleaned and sealed test room to subjectively smell a single test sample such as a candle, aerosol, cream, or powder in a container such as a beaker, bottle, or box, etc. The prior practice testing was not objective or scientific because it depended solely upon the subjective smelling of a scented sample compound by the tester. The present invention has a broader scope adding to the prior practice. 
     A disadvantage of the prior practice was that the air flows to and from the test sample were not precisely controlled within the test room. Thus there were not uniform test conditions which could adversely affect the test results. The present invention eliminates such adverse potential in that the air flows are precisely and uniformly set for each test sample which provides scientific reliability of the test results. A further disadvantage of the prior practice was that the expensive test room was limited to the testing of a single test compound sample at one time, because the test room had to be thoroughly cleaned in a time-consuming and expensive procedure after each sample was tested and before a different sample could be tested. This involved the possibility of contamination from remnants of the previous sample. The present invention effectively eliminates the possibility of cross contamination because the air flows from each sample are completely contained, isolated and effectively filtered before those air flows are exhausted into the test room. This permits multiple apparatus and testing of different samples to be operated at the same time within a test room. 
     The present invention provides an apparatus using standardized test samples, adjustable and controlled air flows under uniform testing conditions to make the testing more objective and scientific, while, at the same time, reducing testing costs by the ability to use the apparatus in different and more convenient locations. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a scent testing device. The scent testing device includes a housing defining an interior and an exterior. The exterior of the housing has a testing location with a source opening between the interior and exterior and a return opening between the interior and exterior. A sample test chamber is disposed within the interior of the housing. The sample test chamber is selectively openable to the exterior of the housing and closeable so as to be sealed within the interior of the housing. The sample test chamber is further in fluid communication with the source opening. A first airflow device is positioned within the interior of the housing and is in communication with the sample test chamber and operable to direct a sample air flow from the sample test chamber and out of the source opening to the exterior of the device. A second airflow device is within the interior of the housing and is in communication with the return opening and operable to draw the sample air flow from the exterior of the device through the return opening. 
     The first airflow device can be a blower positioned between the sample test chamber and the source opening. The scent testing device can further include a source conduit between the sample test chamber and the source opening to facilitate the fluid communication between the sample test chamber and the source opening, and the blower can be positioned within the source conduit. The scent testing device can further include a lid positioned adjacent the source opening that is operable to selectively cover and uncover the source opening. 
     The housing can include a sample chamber door that is closeable against adjacent portions of the housing to facilitate the selective closing of the sample test chamber within the interior of the housing with the sample chamber door being at least partially removable to facilitate the selective opening of the sample test chamber to the exterior of the housing. The sample chamber door can include one or more electronic devices removably attached therewith and positionable within the sample test chamber when the sample chamber door is sealed against the adjacent portions of the housing. The one or more electronic devices can be electrically connected with a power source on the exterior of the housing. The scent testing device can further include a secondary cover mounted on the exterior of the housing that is operable to selectively obscure the sample chamber door. 
     The scent testing device can further include a filter disposed within the interior of the housing that is in fluid communication with the return opening. In such an example, the second airflow device can be further operable to direct the sample airflow through the filter after drawing the sample airflow from the exterior of the device through the return opening. Such a scent testing device can further include a return air chamber disposed within the interior of the housing opposite the testing location that is in fluid communication with the return opening, the filter being disposed within the return air chamber. The return opening can be one of a plurality of return openings between the interior and the exterior of the housing within the test area. The scent testing device can further include an exhaust outlet open between the interior and exterior of the housing. In such an example, the filter can be in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet and can be positioned between the return opening and the exhaust outlet. 
     In an example of the scent testing device, the first airflow device and the second airflow device can be adjustable to control respective flow rates of the sample air flow out of the source opening and into the return opening. The respective flow rates of the sample air flow out of the source opening and into the return opening can be controlled so as to maintain the sample air flow within a predetermined area adjacent the testing location. 
     The testing location can be defined within a recess in first surface of the exterior of the housing. In a further example, the scent testing device can further include a bloom guard surrounding a portion of the testing location and extending away from the housing along the portion of the testing location. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for producing a scented test airflow within a predetermined area. The method includes creating a first pressure differential between a test chamber within an interior of a testing unit and an exterior of the testing unit. The test chamber is in fluid communication with the exterior of the testing unit via a source opening in the testing unit, and a scent sample is positioned within the test chamber. The method also includes allowing the first pressure differential to cause a source flow of air containing scent particles from the scent sample to flow out from the source opening. A second pressure differential is created between a return conduit within the testing unit and the exterior of the testing unit. The return conduit is isolated from the test chamber and is in fluid communication with the exterior of the testing unit via a return opening adjacent the source opening. The method also includes controlling the first pressure differential and the second pressure differential such that a return air flow containing at least a portion of the scent particles from the source flow are drawn through the return opening and back into the testing unit. 
     The method can further include removing the scent particles from the return flow after return air flow containing at least a portion of the scent particles from the source flow are drawn through the return opening and back into the testing unit and subsequently exhausting air from the return flow out from the testing unit at a location on the exterior of the testing unit spaced apart from the source opening. 
     In an example, the scented test airflow can be a first scented test airflow, and the method can further include producing a second scented test airflow by the same steps and in the same room in which the first scented test airflow is produced. 
     In another example, the first pressure differential can be controlled such that the sample flow is at a rate between 0 and 3 cubic feet per minute, and the second pressure differential can be controlled such that the return flow is at a rate of between 0 and 70 cubic feet per minute, the rate of the return air flow being greater than the rate of the sample air flow. The control of the rate of the sample air flow and the rate of the return air flow can include manual adjustments thereto. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and from the following drawings and descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The mobile scent tester of the present invention is depicted in the following drawings which form a part of this disclosure, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of the mobile scent tester of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the mobile scent tester with the cabinet door open; 
         FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the mobile scent tester along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front sectional view of the mobile scent tester along line B-B′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the top of the scent tester of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the above drawings by numerals and letters of reference, the preferred embodiment of the mobile scent tester of the present invention is generally shown as  1 . The scent tester  1  is fabricated of non-absorbing stainless steel in the form of a cabinet  2  which has a rectangular front door  3 . After twisting the door lock  45  which unlocks the cabinet front door  3 , there is shown a rectangular security shield  4  to protect the operating mechanisms within the cabinet  2 . At the center front portion of the security shield  4  is a circular, side-hinged sample chamber door  5  which, when closed, is tightly air-sealed with a peripheral gasket  6  and by a sample chamber door lock  7 . The sample chamber door  5  also has bolts  47  therein further securing a generally circular door insert  8  to which may be internally attached a variety of electric modular units for conducting test applications according to protocols developed for a specific sample. After unbolting and placing the circular insert  8  which is relevant to the application in question, the tester places a standardized test sample through the sample chamber door  5  opening into a cylindrical sample test chamber  40 . The sample chamber door  5  is then closed. An upwardly extending air sample tube  9  is connected at its lower end to the top of the sample test chamber  40 . The air sample tube  9  exits at its upper end to a sample tube air exit  10  passing through to a testing station, generally designated as  50 , at the top of the cabinet  2 . The sample tube air exit  10  is normally closed by a swivel cover  11 . A sample air fan  45  is mounted within the sample chamber  40  to circulate sample air flow  30  in the range of 0-3 cubic feet per minute (“cfm”), and in an example 2.0 cfm, upward from within the sample test chamber  40 . Such air then travels through the air sample tube  9  and, upon opening of the swivel cover  11 , out through the sample air exit  10  to the testing station  50  at the top of the cabinet  2  and outward to the testing station  50  at the top of the cabinet  2 . The sample air flow  30  provides positive air flow at the sample air exit  10 , which is partially enclosed within a bloom guard in the form of a partial semi-circular ring around the sample tube air exit  10 . The bloom guard  12  can have a shape such that it is higher in the area away from the tester at the front of the cabinet  2  and tapering down towards the rear of the cabinet  2 , within the area directly in front of the tester. The bloom guard  12  can have a height of about 5.5 inches at the front, tapering down at 20 degrees to about 2.25 inches at each end in the rear. The open area in the rear can be about 130 degrees. The bloom guard  12  helps to minimize the loss of sample air flow  30  into the test area while maximizing the ease of the tester analyzing the sample air flow  30 . The sample air flow  30  is then smell-tested by the tester who is recruited with a highly developed natural olfactory talent augmented by extensive training, or by a panel of average consumer testers. 
     In addition, the mobile scent tester of the present invention can be adapted for more scientific testing by connecting the testing station  50  to test instruments such as spectrophotometer, pH meter, electronic sensors, etc. The scientific testing equipment can be connected to electric receptacles  38  and  39  mounted on a side of the cabinet  2  from power cord  18 . After the sample air flow  30  has been tested, return air flow  31  is sucked from the testing station  50  and is moved downward through return air inlet perforations  61  within the testing station  50  into a return air chamber  22  mounted below the testing station  50 . The return air chamber encloses a filter cartridge  24  with activated carbon pellets  25  therein, which can be about 4 mm size. Thence, the filtered return air flow  31  is moved downward at a range of about 0-70 cfm (e.g., 40 cfm) by a return air blower  21  mounted within a return air tube  26  attached at the bottom of the return air chamber  22 , and thence out through a return air exhaust  27  at the bottom of the cabinet  2 . The return air flow  31  is effectively filtered or scrubbed of all of the scent therein. The return air flow  31  is exhausted out into the location of the scent tester  1  without changing the quality of the air at the testing station  50  or adversely influencing the tests thereon. This permits the simultaneous operation of multiple units of the present invention at the same time, on different samples, in a test room. The sample air flow  30  can be precisely controlled within a range of 0-3 cfm (e.g., 2.0 cfm) and the return air flow  31  can also be precisely controlled within a range of 0-70 cfm (e.g., 40 cfm) by monitoring the speed indicators  19 , 20  and by adjusting the speeds of the sample air fan  45  and the return air blower  21 , with the fan speed adjustment knobs  36 ,  37  mounted on a side of the cabinet  2 . In addition a velocimeter  60  may be mounted at the rear of the testing station  50  to further monitor the sample air flow  30  within the desired range. 
     Additionally, the mobile scent tester  1  can be provided with lockable casters  32 , 33 , 34  and  35  at the corners on the bottom of the cabinet  2  so that the cabinet  2  can be easily transported within the test room or different test locations. 
     The scent tester  1  can be further provided with a removable small sample chamber  28  in the form of a tubular elbow which has an air opening  29  at its lower end within the sample test chamber  40 . The upper end of the small sample chamber  28  can be removeably attached to the bottom of the sample air tube  9 . This can allow the scent tester  1  to be used for smaller and non-standard test samples. 
     The use of the scent tester apparatus  1  of the present invention enables the tester to more objectively and scientifically test for identity and concentration of scents than with the prior practice. 
     The circulation of the sample air flow  30  and the return air flow  31  are tightly controlled by the speeds of the sample air fan  45  and the return air blower  21  so that positive pressure at the sample tube air exit  10  is uniform which assists the operator to make more accurate objective and scientific tests of the standardized test samples. The test information can then be used to confidently confirm or modify the test sample scent for commercial, industrial and consumer use. 
     The scent tester  1  is fabricated of non-absorbing materials (e.g., stainless steel) but other non-polluting and non-dissolving materials may also be used, such as porcelain coated metal, ceramic, plastic, etc. 
     Method of Operation 
     The supplier of the mobile scent tester  1  has developed detailed protocols for testing, operation, maintenance and cleaning. The material protocols require that the mobile scent tester  1  be operated within a clean environment to avoid contamination by other scents. Additionally, the scent tester  1  will preferably be thoroughly maintained for optimum operation. All moving parts would preferably be lubricated with non-smelling materials, which can be accomplished by using a clean cloth wet with distilled water and isopropyl alcohol on all surfaces. 
     For optimum operation, the scented compound samples can be prepared in standardized sizes and containers in accordance with the protocols. The tester would preferably be certified by the supplier in its operation based on various protocols and instructions. 
     The tester can place the compound scent sample of the standardized amount directly or within the standardized container. The standardized sample and container can, thus, be placed within the applicable test chamber  28 ,  40 , which is then air sealed by closing the sample chamber door  5 . The tester can then turn on the sample air fan  45  and the return air blower  21  and smell-test the sample air flow  30  at the inspection station  50 . The tester compares his smell tests with his experience and with reference samples of other sample scented compounds, which can be provided by the supplier. Additional smell-tests can be made with the speeds of the sample air fan  45  and the return fan blower  21  being adjusted by the speed adjustment knobs  36 , 37  so that the positive sample air flow  30  at the inspection station is about 2.0 cfm, for example. 
     The operation of the scent tester  1  can be monitored by function indicator lights  42  mounted on a side of the scent tester  1 . The operation of the scent tester  1  can be further monitored by the tester using a video screen and camera  14  mounted on a bracket  15  attached to the front top of the cabinet  2  in order to display concepts, facial expressions of the tester, commercials, etc. and to provide direct data entry capability. 
     Additional monitoring of the sample air flow  30  and the return air flow  31  can be accomplished by the operator monitoring fan speed indicator lights  36 ,  37  for use with fan speed adjustment knobs  19 ,  20 . 
     The mobile scent tester of the present invention has been defined by the above disclosure, but it should be understood that this is by way of illustration only and that the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Modifications and variations will be apparent as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Accordingly, such modifications and variations of the disclosed present invention are considered to be within the purview and scope of the disclosure and the following claims.