PROCESS FOR MANAGING THE TOBACCO SUPPLY CHAIN

Abstract

A process for managing tobacco supply chain comprises: harvesting and curing tobacco leaves; selecting tobacco by sorting the tobacco leaves and grouping in tobacco bales and by automatically analyzing the tobacco in the tobacco bales through imaging and processing of acquired images; processing the tobacco; packing the tobacco by filling boxes with the tobacco, feeding the boxes one after the other in sequence along a packing line, compressing the tobacco in the boxes, automatically analyzing the tobacco in the boxes through imaging and processing of acquired images.

Description

PROCESS FOR MANAGING THE TOBACCO SUPPLY CHAIN

[001] This disclosure relates to a process for managing the tobacco supply chain, comprising processing tobacco leaves, quality grading and storage prior to the manufacture of the tobacco product. In particular, this disclosure relates to the automated analysis of tobacco through image generation and processing of images acquired in the tobacco supply chain. This disclosure also relates to a method for sorting tobacco, a tobacco analysis line, a method for packaging tobacco and a tobacco packaging line.

[002] Tobacco is mainly used for smoking, for example, in cigarettes and cigars, as well as in pipes. Traditional smoking articles, such as cigars and cigarettes, and aerosol-generating articles or non-burning heating cigarettes comprising tobacco are known in the art. Traditional smoking articles are lit at one end, causing them to burn slowly, and the resulting smoke is inhaled orally through the opposite end. In aerosol-generating articles, an aerosol-generating tobacco substrate is heated instead of burned. Tobacco can also be consumed as snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, and snus.

[003] Tobacco leaves are grown and harvested by growers and then cured. Curing plays an important role in defining the final quality and character of the leaf. Each type of tobacco is cured differently. Once the leaves have been cured, the tobacco grower sorts them according to the position and quality of the stem and packages them separately in bales for distribution to the point of sale. At the point of sale, the leaves are Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 11 / 74 2 / 43 classified by expert leaf buyers who assess the quality of the leaves by carefully checking variations in color, texture, and aroma. Once the tobacco has been purchased, it is sent to a local processing factory where the leaves are further processed and dried for uniformity. After the drying process, the tobacco is pressed into boxes for worldwide shipment.

[004] The current tobacco leaf grading / classification method known at the point of sale is based on human knowledge and experience and is common in the production of tobacco blends for cigarette production.

[005] For the classification of tobacco leaves, hyperspectral imaging technology is also known to be employed.

[006] For example, document US2012250025A1 discloses a method and system for classifying agricultural products, such as tobacco bales, using hyperspectral imaging and analysis. The system includes a light source to provide a light beam, an interferometer or prism array to disperse electromagnetic radiation emitted from the agricultural product into a corresponding spectral image, a light measuring device to detect component wavelengths within the corresponding spectral image, and an operable processor to compare the detected component wavelengths with a database of previously classified agricultural products to identify and select a grade for the agricultural product.

[007] Document WO2014078862A1 discloses a method and system for mixing agricultural products, such as tobacco, using hyperspectral image generation and analysis. At least one region along an agricultural product sample is scanned using at least one light source of different wavelengths. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 12 / 74 3 / 43 wave. Hyperspectral images are generated from at least one region. A spectral fingerprint for the agricultural product sample is formed from the hyperspectral images. A plurality of agricultural product samples is blended based on the spectral fingerprints of the samples according to parameters determined by running a blending algorithm.

[008] Document US2022369687A1 discloses a method for producing shredded tobacco for cigarettes and other green tobacco leaf products, comprising steps in a pre-industrial phase and steps in an industrial phase at a threshing plant that receives green tobacco leaves from producers.

[009] In this field, it would be desirable to improve the integration of imaging technology along the tobacco supply chain in order to increase control and accuracy over the chemical composition (e.g., total alkaloids, reducing sugars and moisture) and quality properties of tobacco leaves, blends and products, in particular, but not exclusively, for the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles.

[0010] This disclosure refers to a process for managing the tobacco supply chain. The process comprises: collecting and curing tobacco leaves; sorting tobacco through the following steps: separating the tobacco leaves, optionally through human visual inspection, and grouping the tobacco leaves into tobacco bales; automatically analyzing the tobacco in the tobacco bales through image generation and processing of acquired images. The process may also include: unbundling the bales; processing the tobacco; packaging the tobacco. After sorting and before unbundling, the tobacco bales may be transported to processing plants. Tobacco packaging may be carried out through the following steps: filling Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 13 / 74 4 / 43 boxes containing tobacco, feeding the boxes filled with tobacco and open at the top one after the other in sequence along a packaging line, compressing the tobacco into the boxes, automatically analyzing the tobacco in the boxes through image generation and processing of acquired images. Tobacco processing may include: mixing and drying the tobacco. Tobacco processing may include: conditioning the tobacco. After grouping the tobacco leaves into tobacco bales and before automatically analyzing the tobacco in the tobacco bales, the tobacco bales may be visually inspected by leaf specialists at the point of sale.

[0011] The inventor discovered that the automatic analysis of tobacco in boxes during packaging, through the generation and processing of acquired images, allows for increased control and precision over the chemical composition and quality properties of tobacco blends. Human interference is minimized, or, if a preliminary visual inspection by leaf experts is carried out, these two sources of information are compared and complemented.

[0012] The inventor discovered that automatic analysis of tobacco in boxes during packaging, and through image generation and processing of acquired images, allows assigning a grade quality to the mixtures in the boxes.

[0013] The inventor discovered that the disclosed methodology makes it possible to improve the homogeneity of tobacco blends according to their chemical composition and quality properties, and thus improve the quality of the final products (e.g., traditional smoking articles and aerosol-generating articles).

[0014] The inventor discovered that the disclosed methodology allows achieving the above objectives without reducing speed and productivity. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 14 / 74 5 / 43 and only a slight increase in equipment costs that can be fully offset by quality improvements.

[0015] The generation and processing of acquired images can be performed using hyperspectral imaging technology. The inventor discovered that this enhances the chemical control of tobacco.

[0016] Tobacco selection may also include: reviewing the characteristics of the tobacco bales provided by automatic analysis and grouping the tobacco bales into blend sets according to the reviewed characteristics. The blend sets can then be transported to the processing plants. In addition, the characteristics of the tobacco in the bales can be sent to the processing plants for blending. The inventor found that the blend sets thus defined and provided to the processing plants make it easier for the blends to be composed.

[0017] Tobacco packaging may also include: weighing the boxes. After weighing, the tobacco boxes can be sent to tobacco manufacturers.

[0018] According to some embodiments, automatically analyzing tobacco in tobacco bales comprises: feeding tobacco bales one after the other sequentially along an analysis line; detecting the height of the tobacco bales placed on the analysis line using a sensor; adjusting the height of an image-generating scanner located on the analysis line and / or the height of the tobacco bales depending on the detected height of the tobacco bale to be scanned; moving tobacco bales under the image-generating scanner; acquiring images using the image-generating scanner and processing the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 15 / 74 6 / 43 The inventor discovered that adjusting the height of the image-generating scanner and / or bales ensures the correct scanning distance according to the bale dimensions and the correct image acquisition.

[0019] Detection of the height of tobacco bales can be performed while the tobacco bales move along the analysis line or while each tobacco bale stops in front of the sensor.

[0020] According to some embodiments, adjusting the height of the image-generating scanner comprises: moving the image-generating scanner between a plurality of predefined heights. Adjusting the height of the image-generating scanner may comprise: identifying, from the detected height, a bale type among a plurality of classified types of different sizes and adjusting the height of the image-generating scanner according to the identified type. As the sizes of tobacco bales typically depend on their origin, the inventor has found that each predefined height can be associated with one of the origins.

[0021] The image generation scanner can acquire images while the tobacco bale moves in front of said image generation scanner or while each tobacco bale stops in front of the image generation scanner.

[0022] Optionally, fine-tuning of the image-generating scanner's position is performed continuously while acquiring images to maintain a constant distance of the image-generating scanner from the tobacco bale. The inventor found that fine-tuning ensures the proper scanning distance, even if the bale surface is uneven.

[0023] The image generation scanner may be a hyperspectral image generation scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera. The characteristics of tobacco in tobacco bales Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 16 / 74 7 / 43 scanned samples may include chemical characteristics of tobacco. The chemical characteristics of tobacco in scanned tobacco bales may include: moisture and / or total alkaloids and / or reducing sugars. The imaging scanner may include an optical camera. The characteristics of tobacco in scanned tobacco bales may include optical properties of tobacco. Optionally, the optical camera is an RGB camera. The optical properties of tobacco may be colors. The imaging scanner may include said hyperspectral camera and said optical camera.

[0024] The revised characteristics used to group tobacco bales into blended sets may be the chemical characteristics of the tobacco and / or the optical properties of the tobacco. The optical properties of the tobacco may be correlated to a tobacco grade quality.

[0025] According to some embodiments, a machine-readable optical tag on each bale containing bale identification data is read, optionally via optical camera. The identification data can be sent to processing plants to be mixed with the tobacco characteristics.

[0026] According to some embodiments, automatically analyzing tobacco in boxes comprises: detecting the height of a top surface of the compressed tobacco in boxes placed on the packaging line using a sensor; adjusting the height of an image-generating scanner located on the packaging line and / or the height of the boxes depending on the detected height of the top surface of the tobacco in the boxes; moving the boxes under the image-generating scanner; acquiring images using the image-generating scanner and processing the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the boxes. The detection of Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 17 / 74 8 / 43 The height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco can be adjusted while the boxes move along the packaging line or while each box stops in front of the sensor. The inventor found that adjusting the height of the image-generating scanner and / or the boxes ensures the proper scanning distance according to the box dimensions and the level of tobacco in the boxes, thus enabling correct image acquisition.

[0027] The boxes may include tabs configured to close the open top of the boxes. A height of the box tabs can be detected and the position of the image-generating scanner can be adjusted depending on the detected tab height. Tab height detection can be performed while the boxes move along the packing line or while each box stops in front of the sensor. The inventor has found that tab detection allows avoiding interference from said tabs with the image-generating scanner.

[0028] According to some methods, detecting the height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco and / or detecting the height of the tabs is performed before acquiring images through the image generation scanner.

[0029] According to some embodiments, adjusting the height of the image-generating scanner comprises: moving the image-generating scanner between a plurality of predefined heights. The inventor discovered that each predefined height can be associated with a box dimension.

[0030] The height of the image generation scanner can be adjusted to achieve a predefined distance from the top surface of the compressed tobacco. The predefined distance can be between 10 cm and 30 cm, optionally between 15 cm and 25 cm, optionally 20 cm. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 18 / 74 9 / 43

[0031] The image generation scanner may be a hyperspectral image generation scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera. The tobacco characteristics in the tobacco boxes may comprise chemical characteristics of the tobacco. The chemical characteristics of the tobacco in the tobacco boxes may comprise: moisture and / or total alkaloids and / or reducing sugars. The image generation scanner may comprise an optical camera. The tobacco characteristics in the tobacco boxes may comprise optical properties of the tobacco. Optionally, the optical camera is an RGB camera. The optical properties of the tobacco may be colors. The image generation scanner may comprise said hyperspectral camera and said optical camera.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the tobacco in the boxes is classified according to one of a plurality of classes according to a calibration model and then a quality classification is provided. The classification can be carried out according to chemical characteristics and / or optical properties. The optical properties of the tobacco can be correlated to a tobacco grade quality.

[0033] While weighing the boxes, tobacco can be added to / removed from the box to adjust the box weight. Adding or removing tobacco can be a manual operation performed by an operator.

[0034] The characteristics of the tobacco in the cartons and / or the quality classification of the tobacco in the cartons may be sent to tobacco manufacturers for final blending.

[0035] This disclosure also refers to a method for sorting tobacco. The method for sorting tobacco comprises: separating tobacco leaves and grouping them into bales, analyzing Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 19 / 74 10 / 43 automatically removes tobacco from tobacco bales by means of image generation and processing of acquired images.

[0036] Automated analysis of tobacco in tobacco bales may comprise: feeding tobacco bales one after another sequentially along an analysis line; detecting the height of the tobacco bales placed on the analysis line using a sensor; adjusting the height of an image-generating scanner located on the analysis line and / or the height of the tobacco bales depending on the detected height of the tobacco bale to be scanned; moving tobacco bales under the image-generating scanner; acquiring images using the image-generating scanner and processing the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales.

[0037] According to some embodiments, adjusting the height of the image generation scanner comprises: moving the image generation scanner between a plurality of predefined heights. Adjusting the height of the image generation scanner may comprise: identifying, from the detected height, a type of load among a plurality of classified types of different sizes and adjusting the height of the image generation scanner according to the identified type.

[0038] The image generation scanner can acquire images while the tobacco bale moves in front of said image generation scanner or while each tobacco bale stops in front of the image generation scanner.

[0039] Optionally, fine adjustment of the image generation scanner position is performed continuously while acquiring images to maintain a constant distance of the image generation scanner from the tobacco bale.

[0040] The image generation scanner can be a scanner of Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 20 / 74 11 / 43 Hyperspectral image generation comprising a hyperspectral camera. The characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales may comprise chemical characteristics of the tobacco. The chemical characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales may comprise: moisture and / or total alkaloids and / or reducing sugars. The image generation scanner may comprise an optical camera. The characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales may comprise optical properties of the tobacco. Optionally, the optical camera is an RGB camera. The optical properties of the tobacco may be colors. The image generation scanner may comprise said hyperspectral camera and said optical camera.

[0041] The revised characteristics used to group tobacco bales into blended sets may be the chemical characteristics of the tobacco and / or the optical properties of the tobacco. The optical properties of the tobacco may be correlated to a tobacco grade quality.

[0042] According to some embodiments, a machine-readable optical tag on each bale containing bale identification data is read, optionally via optical camera. The identification data can be sent to processing plants to be mixed with the tobacco characteristics.

[0043] This disclosure also refers to a method for packaging tobacco. The method for packaging tobacco comprises: feeding boxes, filled with tobacco and open at the top, one after the other in sequence along a packaging line; compressing the tobacco into the boxes; automatically analyzing the tobacco in the boxes by means of image generation and processing of acquired images. The method for packaging tobacco may also comprise: weighing the boxes. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 21 / 74 12 / 43

[0044] Automated analysis of tobacco in boxes may comprise: detecting the height of the top surface of the compressed tobacco in boxes placed on the packaging line using a sensor; adjusting the height of an image scanner located on the packaging line and / or the height of the boxes depending on the detected height of the top surface of the tobacco in the boxes; moving the boxes under the image scanner; acquiring images using the image scanner and processing the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the boxes. Detection of the height of the top surface of the compressed tobacco may be performed while the boxes move along the packaging line or while each box stops in front of the sensor.

[0045] The boxes may include flaps configured to close the open top of the boxes. A height of the box flaps can be detected and the position of the image-generating scanner can be adjusted depending on the detected height of the flaps. Flap height detection can be performed while the boxes move along the packing line or while each box stops in front of the sensor.

[0046] According to some methods, detecting the height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco and / or detecting the height of the tabs is performed before acquiring images through the image generation scanner.

[0047] According to some embodiments, adjusting the height of the image generation scanner comprises: moving the image generation scanner between a plurality of predefined heights.

[0048] The height of the image generation scanner can be adjusted to achieve a predefined distance from the top surface of the compressed tobacco. The predefined distance can be Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 22 / 74 13 / 43 between 10 cm and 30 cm, optionally between 15 cm and 25 cm, optionally 20 cm.

[0049] The image generation scanner may be a hyperspectral image generation scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera. The tobacco characteristics in the tobacco boxes may comprise chemical characteristics of the tobacco. The chemical characteristics of the tobacco in the tobacco boxes may comprise: moisture and / or total alkaloids and / or reducing sugars. The image generation scanner may comprise an optical camera. The tobacco characteristics in the tobacco boxes may comprise optical properties of the tobacco. Optionally, the optical camera is an RGB camera. The optical properties of the tobacco may be colors. The image generation scanner may comprise said hyperspectral camera and said optical camera.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the tobacco in the boxes is classified according to one of a plurality of classes according to a calibration model and then a quality classification is provided. The classification can be carried out according to chemical characteristics and / or optical properties. The optical properties of the tobacco can be correlated to a tobacco grade quality.

[0051] While weighing the boxes, tobacco can be added to / removed from the box to adjust the box weight. Adding or removing tobacco can be a manual operation performed by an operator.

[0052] The characteristics of the tobacco in the cartons and / or the quality classification of the tobacco in the cartons may be sent to tobacco manufacturers for final blending.

[0053] This disclosure also refers to a line of Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 23 / 74 14 / 43 Tobacco analysis. The tobacco analysis line is configured to automatically analyze tobacco. The tobacco analysis line can be configured to automatically analyze tobacco using the method to select the tobacco disclosed above.

[0054] The tobacco analysis line may include: an analytical conveyor configured to feed bales of tobacco one after the other in sequence; a sensor located along the analysis conveyor and configured to detect the height of the tobacco bales placed on the analysis conveyor; an image-generating scanner located along the analysis conveyor and configured to acquire images of the tobacco bales; a motion mechanism that carries the image-generating scanner and is configured to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner; A control unit operationally connected to the analysis conveyor, the sensor, the motion mechanism, and the image generation scanner.

[0055] The control unit can be configured or programmed to control the analysis conveyor to move said analysis conveyor and the tobacco bales.

[0056] The control unit can be configured or programmed to perform the following procedure: receive signals from the sensor correlated with the height of the tobacco bales; Control the motion mechanism to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner based on the detected height of the tobacco bales.

[0057] The control unit can be configured or programmed Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 24 / 74 15 / 43 to perform the following procedure: move the bales of tobacco under the image-generating scanner; Control the image generation scanner to acquire images; Receive the images acquired by the image generation scanner and process the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the tobacco analysis line comprises a structure mounted above the analysis conveyor and the motion mechanism is installed in said structure.

[0059] The motion mechanism can be configured to position the image-generating scanner between a plurality of predefined heights. The motion mechanism may comprise a device for fine-tuning the position of the image-generating scanner near each of the predefined heights.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the sensor for detecting the height of tobacco bales is an optical sensor.

[0061] The image generation scanner may be a hyperspectral image generation scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera. The image generation scanner may comprise an optical camera. Optionally, the optical camera is an RGB camera. The image generation scanner may comprise said hyperspectral camera and said optical camera.

[0062] The processing of the acquired images may include: determining the chemical characteristics of the tobacco, such as moisture, total alkaloids and reducing sugars, and / or the optical properties of the tobacco, such as color. The processing of the acquired images may also include: classifying the tobacco based on its chemical characteristics and / or optical properties. A Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 25 / 74 The 16 / 43 control unit can be configured or programmed to correlate the optical properties of the tobacco to a tobacco quality grade.

[0063] This disclosure also refers to a tobacco packaging line. The tobacco packaging line can be configured to perform the tobacco packaging method disclosed above.

[0064] A tobacco packaging line may comprise: a filling machine configured to fill boxes with tobacco; a packaging conveyor configured to feed the boxes one after the other in sequence; a press located above the packaging conveyor, downstream from the filling machine, and configured to press the tobacco into the boxes; an image-generating scanner located along the packaging conveyor, downstream from the press, and configured to acquire images of the top surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes; A control unit operationally connected to the filling machine, the packaging conveyor, and the image generation scanner.

[0065] The tobacco packaging line may also comprise a sensor located along the packaging conveyor, downstream of the press, and configured to detect a top surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes.

[0066] The tobacco packaging line may also comprise a motion mechanism that carries the image-generating scanner and is configured to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 26 / 74 17 / 43

[0067] The tobacco packaging line may also comprise a weighing unit placed downstream of the image-generating scanner and configured to weigh the boxes on the packaging conveyor.

[0068] The control unit can also be operationally connected to the optional sensor, optional motion mechanism and optional weighing unit.

[0069] The control unit can be configured to perform the following procedure: to control the packaging conveyor to move said packaging conveyor and the boxes; Control the press to compress the tobacco into the boxes; move the boxes under the image scanner; control the image scanner to acquire images; Receive the images acquired by the image generation scanner and process the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the cartons.

[0070] The control unit can also be configured to perform the following procedure: receive signals from the sensor correlated to the height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes; Control the movement mechanism to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner based on the detected height of the upper surface.

[0071] The control unit can also be configured to control the weighing unit to weigh the boxes.

[0072] According to some embodiments, the tobacco packaging line comprises a structure mounted above the packaging conveyor and the motion mechanism is Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 27 / 74 18 / 43 installed in the aforementioned structure.

[0073] The motion mechanism can be configured to position the image generation scanner between a plurality of predefined heights.

[0074] According to some embodiments, the tobacco packaging line may also comprise an additional press located downstream of the weighing unit. The control unit may be operationally connected to the additional press and configured to control said additional press to press the tobacco into the boxes after weighing.

[0075] According to some embodiments, the sensor for detecting the height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco and / or the flaps of the boxes, if the boxes are provided with flaps configured to close the open top of the boxes, is an optical sensor.

[0076] The image generation scanner may be a hyperspectral image generation scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera. The image generation scanner may comprise an optical camera. Optionally, the optical camera is an RGB camera. The image generation scanner may comprise said hyperspectral camera and said optical camera.

[0077] The processing of the acquired images may include: determining the chemical characteristics of the tobacco, such as moisture, total alkaloids and reducing sugars, and / or the optical properties of the tobacco, such as color. The processing of the acquired images may also include: providing a quality classification of the tobacco based on its chemical characteristics and / or optical properties. The control unit may be configured or programmed to correlate the optical properties of the tobacco to a tobacco quality grade.

[0078] As used in this description, a scanner of Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 28 / 74 Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a system that collects and processes information from the entire electromagnetic spectrum to obtain the spectrum for each pixel in an image of a scene for the purpose of identifying the chemical composition of materials. HSI technology is a non-destructive, non-contact technology that can be used without damaging the object / material being analyzed. The HSI scanners mentioned here may be self-explanatory and commercially available. A HSI scanner typically comprises a HSI camera and a light source to provide a beam of light to illuminate a surface to be scanned. The HSI scanner analyzes how the surface of the sheets reflects or absorbs light.The light source shines light onto the tobacco leaves, and then the hyperspectral camera scans the reflected light across a wide range of wavelengths, generating a spectrum that can then be related to the chemical content.

[0079] As used in the present description, the optical properties of tobacco, such as colors, acquired through an optical camera, such as an RGB camera, can measure the quality of a given grade of tobacco through a calibration model.

[0080] As used in this description, the term automatically refers to the adoption of a computer, in particular a modern digital electronic computer, programmed to perform sequences of arithmetic or logical operations configured to process acquired images.

[0081] The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive, non-limiting list of examples is provided below. Any one or more of the features of these examples can be combined with any one or more features of another example. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 29 / 74 20 / 43 modality or aspect described in this report.

[0082] EX1. A process for managing the tobacco supply chain comprising: to collect and cure tobacco leaves; Select tobacco using the following steps: To separate tobacco leaves and group them into tobacco bales, automatically analyze the tobacco in the tobacco bales through image generation and processing of acquired images, optionally using hyperspectral imaging technology.

[0083] EX2. The process, according to example EX1, also comprising: undo the burdens; processing tobacco; optionally, tobacco processing includes: mixing and drying the tobacco; To package tobacco through the following steps: Fill boxes with tobacco, feed the boxes, filled with tobacco and open at the top, one after the other in sequence along a packaging line, compress the tobacco into the boxes, automatically analyze the tobacco in the boxes through image generation and processing of acquired images, optionally through hyperspectral imaging technology.

[0084] EX3. The process, according to EX1 or EX2, in which the classification of tobacco leaves is carried out through human visual inspection and / or, before automatically analyzing the tobacco in the tobacco bales, said tobacco bales are visually inspected by at least one leaf specialist. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 30 / 74 21 / 43

[0085] EX4. The process, according to any of EX1 to EX3, in which the selection of tobacco further comprises: reviewing the characteristics of the tobacco bales provided by automatic analysis; grouping the tobacco bales into sets of mixtures according to the reviewed characteristics.

[0086] EX5. The process, according to EX4, in which tobacco selection also includes: transporting the blending sets to processing plants.

[0087] EX6. The process, according to EX2, or any one of EX3 to EX5, when according to EX2, in which, after selecting them and before unpacking them, the bales of tobacco are transported to processing factories.

[0088] EX7. The process, according to EX2 or EX6 or any one of EX3 to EX5 when according to EX2, wherein the packaging of tobacco further comprises weighing the boxes.

[0089] EX8. The process, according to EX7, in which, after weighing, the boxes of tobacco are sent to the tobacco manufacturers.

[0090] EX9. A method for sorting tobacco comprising: separating tobacco leaves and grouping them into bales; Automatically analyze tobacco in tobacco bales through image generation and processing of acquired images.

[0091] EX10. The process, according to any one of EX1 to EX8, or the method, according to EX9, whereby the automatic analysis of tobacco in tobacco bales comprises: Feeding the bales of tobacco one after the other in sequence along a line of analysis; To detect the height of the tobacco bales placed on the analysis line using a sensor; Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 31 / 74 22 / 43 Adjust the height of an image-generating scanner located on the analysis line and / or the height of the tobacco bales based on the detected height of the tobacco bale to be scanned; Moving bales of tobacco under the imaging scanner; Acquire images using an image generation scanner and process the acquired images to provide tobacco characteristics in the scanned tobacco bales.

[0092] EX11. The process or method, according to EX10, in which the detection of the height of tobacco bales is carried out while the tobacco bales move along the tobacco analysis line or while each box stops in front of the sensor.

[0093] EX12. The process or method, according to EX10 or EX11, where adjusting the height of the image generation scanner comprises: moving the image generation scanner between a plurality of predefined heights.

[0094] EX13. The process or method, according to any one of EX10 to EX12, in which adjusting the height of the image generation scanner comprises: identifying, from the detected height, a type of bale among a plurality of classified types of different sizes and adjusting the height of the image generation scanner according to the identified type.

[0095] EX14. The process or method, according to any one of EX10 to EX13, whereby the image-generating scanner acquires images while the bale of tobacco moves in front of said image-generating scanner.

[0096] EX15. The process or method, according to any of the examples from EX10 to EX14, in which a fine adjustment of the position of the image-generating scanner is continuously performed while acquiring images to maintain a constant distance from the image-generating scanner. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 32 / 74 23 / 43 image of a bale of tobacco.

[0097] EX16. The process or method, according to any one of EX10 to EX15, wherein the image-generating scanner is a hyperspectral image-generating scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera and the tobacco features in the scanned tobacco bales comprise tobacco chemical features; optionally, the hyperspectral image-generating scanner further comprises a light source for providing a light beam to illuminate the tobacco to be scanned.

[0098] EX17. The process or method according to EX16, wherein the chemical characteristics of tobacco in scanned tobacco bales comprise: moisture, total alkaloids and reducing sugars.

[0099] EX18. The process or method, according to any one of EX10 to EX17, wherein the image-generating scanner comprises an optical camera and the characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales comprise optical properties of the tobacco.

[00100] EX19. The process or method, according to EX18, in which the optical camera is an RGB camera and the optical properties of tobacco are colors.

[00101] EX20. The process or method, according to EX16 or EX17 and / or in accordance with EX18 or EX19 when EX10 is in accordance with EX4 or EX5, wherein the revised characteristics used to group tobacco bales into blended sets are the chemical characteristics of the tobacco and / or the optical properties of the tobacco.

[00102] EX21. The process or method, according to any one of EX10 to EX20, further comprising: sending the characteristics to processing plants for mixing. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 33 / 74 24 / 43

[00103] EX22. The process or method, according to any one of EX10 to EX21, further comprising: reading a machine-readable optical label on each bale containing bale identification data.

[00104] EX23. The process or method, according to EX22, when in accordance with EX18 or EX19, wherein the machine-readable optical label is red through the optical camera.

[00105] EX24. The process or method, according to EX23, when in accordance with EX21, comprising: sending the identification data to the processing plants for mixing with the tobacco characteristics.

[00106] EX25. A method for packaging tobacco comprising: Feed the boxes, filled with tobacco and open at the top, one after the other in sequence along a packaging line; compress the tobacco into the boxes; Automatically analyze tobacco in boxes through image generation and processing of acquired images; Optionally, weigh the boxes.

[00107] EX26. The process, according to EX2 or any one of EX3 to EX8 when according to EX2 or any one of EX10 to EX24 when according to EX2 or the method according to EX25, wherein the automatic analysis of tobacco in boxes comprises: To detect the height of the top surface of compressed tobacco in boxes placed on the packaging line using a sensor; Adjust the height of an image-generating scanner located on the packaging line and / or the height of the boxes depending on the detected height of the top surface of the tobacco. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 34 / 74 25 / 43 boxes; move the boxes under the image generation scanner; Acquire images using the image generation scanner and process the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the boxes.

[00108] EX27. The process or method, according to EX26, in which the detection of the height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco is carried out while the boxes move along the packaging line or while each box stops in front of the sensor.

[00109] EX28. The process or method according to EX26 or EX27, further comprising: detecting the height of the box flaps and adjusting the position of the image-generating scanner according to the detected flap height; the flaps are configured to close the open top of the boxes.

[00110] EX29. The process or method, according to EX28, in which the detection of the height of the flaps is carried out while the boxes move along the packing line or while each box stops in front of the sensor.

[00111] EX30. The process or method, according to any one of EX26 to EX29, in which the detection of a height of the upper surface of compressed tobacco is carried out before acquiring images through the image generation scanner.

[00112] EX31. The process or method, according to EX28 or EX29 or in accordance with EX30 when in accordance with EX28 or EX29, where the detection of a flap height is performed before acquiring images through the image generation scanner.

[00113] EX32. The process or method, according to any one of EX26 to EX31, in which adjusting the height of the image generation scanner comprises: moving the image generation scanner between a plurality of predefined heights. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 35 / 74 26 / 43

[00114] EX33. The process or method, according to any one of EX26 to EX32, in which the height of the image-generating scanner is adjusted to achieve a predefined distance from the upper surface of the compressed tobacco.

[00115] EX34. The process or method, according to EX33, wherein the said predefined distance is between 10 cm and 30 cm, optionally between 15 cm and 25 cm, optionally 20 cm.

[00116] EX35. The process or method, according to any one of EX26 to EX34, wherein the imaging scanner is a hyperspectral imaging scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera and the tobacco features in the boxes comprise chemical features; optionally, the hyperspectral imaging scanner further comprises a light source for providing a beam of light to illuminate the tobacco to be scanned.

[00117] EX36. The process or method, according to EX35, in which the chemical characteristics of the tobacco in the boxes comprise: moisture and / or total alkaloids and / or reducing sugars.

[00118] EX37. The process or method, according to any one of EX26 to EX36, wherein the image-generating scanner comprises an optical camera and the tobacco features in the boxes comprise optical properties of tobacco.

[00119] EX38. The process or method, according to EX37, in which the optical camera is an RGB camera and the optical properties of tobacco are colors.

[00120] EX39. The process or method, according to EX35 or EX36 and / or in accordance with EX37 or EX38, further comprising: classifying tobacco in boxes according to one of a plurality of classes according to a calibration model and providing a quality classification; classification being carried out in accordance with Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 36 / 74 27 / 43 with the chemical characteristics and / or optical properties.

[00121] EX40. The process or method, according to any of EX26 to EX39, further comprising: adding or removing tobacco to / from the box to adjust the weight of the box during weighing.

[00122] EX41. The process or method, according to any one of EX26 to EX40, comprising: further compressing the tobacco after weighing.

[00123] EX42. The process or method, according to any of EX26 to EX41, further comprising: sending the tobacco characteristics in the boxes to tobacco manufacturers for final blending.

[00124] EX43. The process or method, according to EX42 when in accordance with EX39, of sending the quality classification of tobacco in boxes to tobacco manufacturers.

[00125] EX44. A tobacco analysis line configured to automatically analyze tobacco in the method to select tobacco according to EX9 to EX24.

[00126] EX45. The tobacco analysis line, according to EX44, comprising: an analytical conveyor configured to feed bales of tobacco one after the other in sequence; a sensor located along the analysis conveyor and configured to detect the height of the tobacco bales placed on the analysis conveyor; an image-generating scanner located along the analysis conveyor and configured to acquire images of the tobacco bales; a motion mechanism that carries the image-generating scanner and is configured to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner; an operationally connected control unit to Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 37 / 74 28 / 43 analysis conveyor, to the sensor, to the motion mechanism and to the image generation scanner, the control unit being configured or programmed to perform the following procedure: control the analysis conveyor to move said analysis conveyor and the tobacco bales; receive signals from the sensor correlated with the height of the tobacco bales; Control the motion mechanism to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner based on the detected height of the tobacco bales; move the bales of tobacco under the image-generating scanner; Control the image generation scanner to acquire images; Receive the images acquired by the image generation scanner and process the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales.

[00127] EX46. The tobacco analysis line of the EX45, comprising a structure mounted above the analysis conveyor, the motion mechanism being installed in said structure.

[00128] EX47. The tobacco analysis line, according to EX45 or EX46, in which the motion mechanism is configured to position the image generation scanner between a plurality of predefined heights.

[00129] EX48. The tobacco analysis line, according to any one of EX45 to EX47, wherein the motion mechanism comprises a device for fine adjustment of the position of the image generation scanner close to each of the predefined heights. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 38 / 74 29 / 43

[00130] EX49. The tobacco analysis line, according to any one of EX45 to EX48, in which the sensor for detecting the height of the tobacco bales is an optical sensor.

[00131] EX50. The tobacco analysis line, according to any of EX45 to EX49, wherein the imaging scanner is a hyperspectral imaging scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera; optionally, the hyperspectral imaging scanner further comprises a light source to provide a light beam to illuminate the tobacco to be scanned.

[00132] EX51. The tobacco analysis line, according to any of the examples from EX45 to EX50, wherein the image generation scanner comprises an optical camera, optionally an RGB camera.

[00133] EX52. The tobacco analysis line, according to any one of EX45 to EX51, in which the processing of the acquired images comprises: determining the chemical characteristics of tobacco, such as moisture, total alkaloids and reducing sugars and / or optical properties of tobacco, such as colors.

[00134] EX53. The tobacco analysis line, according to the EX52, in which the processing of the acquired images comprises: classifying tobacco based on its chemical characteristics and / or optical properties.

[00135] EX54. A tobacco packaging line configured to perform the method for packaging tobacco according to EX25 to EX43.

[00136] EX55. The tobacco packaging line, according to EX54 includes: a filling machine configured to fill boxes with tobacco; Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 39 / 74 30 / 43 a packaging conveyor configured to feed the boxes one after the other in sequence; a press located above the packaging conveyor, downstream from the filling machine, and configured to press the tobacco into the boxes; an optional sensor located along the packaging conveyor, downstream from the press, and configured to detect a higher surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes; an image-generating scanner located along the packaging conveyor, downstream from the press, and configured to acquire images of the top surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes; an optional motion mechanism carrying the image-generating scanner and configured to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner; an optional weighing unit placed downstream of the image scanner and configured to weigh the boxes on the packaging conveyor; A control unit is operationally connected to the filling machine, the packaging conveyor, the optional sensor, the optional motion mechanism, the optional weighing unit, and the image generation scanner; the control unit is configured to perform the following procedure: to control the packaging conveyor to move said packaging conveyor and the boxes; Control the press to press the tobacco into the boxes; optionally receive signals from the sensor correlated to the height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes; Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 40 / 74 31 / 43 optionally control the movement mechanism to adjust the height of the image generation scanner according to the detected height of the top surface; move the boxes under the image generation scanner; Control the image generation scanner to acquire images; Receive the images acquired by the image generation scanner and process the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the boxes, optionally controlling the weighing unit to weigh the boxes.

[00137] EX56. The tobacco packaging line, according to EX55, comprising a structure mounted above the packaging conveyor, the motion mechanism being installed in said structure.

[00138] EX57. The tobacco packaging line, according to In the EX55 or EX56, the motion mechanism is configured to position the image generation scanner between a plurality of predefined heights.

[00139] EX58. The tobacco packaging line, according to any one of EX55 to EX57, wherein the sensor for detecting the height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco and / or the flaps of the boxes is an optical sensor.

[00140] EX59. A tobacco packaging line, according to any one of EX55 to EX58, wherein the imaging scanner is a hyperspectral imaging scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera; optionally, the hyperspectral imaging scanner further comprises a light source for providing a light beam to illuminate the tobacco to be processed. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 41 / 74 32 / 43 scanned.

[00141] EX60. The tobacco packaging line, according to any of the examples from EX55 to EX59, wherein the image generation scanner comprises an optical camera, optionally an RGB camera.

[00142] EX61. The tobacco packaging line, according to any one of EX55 to EX60, wherein the processing of the acquired images comprises: determining the chemical characteristics of the tobacco, such as moisture, total alkaloids and reducing sugars and / or optical properties of the tobacco, such as colors.

[00143] EX62. The tobacco packaging line, according to EX61, wherein the processing of the acquired images comprises: providing a quality classification of the tobacco based on its chemical characteristics and / or optical properties.

[00144] EX63. The tobacco packaging line of any one of EX55 to EX62, comprising an additional press located downstream of the weighing unit, the control unit being operatively connected to the additional press and being configured to control said additional press to press the tobacco into the boxes after weighing.

[00145] EX64. The process or method according to EX16 and EX18 or the process or method according to EX35 and EX37 or the tobacco analysis line according to EX52 or EX53 or the tobacco packaging line according to EX61 or EX62, wherein the optical properties of tobacco are correlated to a tobacco grade quality or wherein the control unit is configured or programmed to correlate the optical properties of tobacco to a tobacco grade quality.

[00146] The examples will now be further described with reference to the figures, in which: Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 42 / 74 33 / 43 Figure 1 is a flowchart that schematically shows a tobacco supply chain; Figures 2A and 2B are a graphical representation of the flowchart in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of a tobacco analysis line implemented in the tobacco supply chain of Figures 1, 2A and 2B; Figure 4 shows a tobacco packaging line implemented in the tobacco supply chain of Figures 1, 2A and 2B.

[00147] Figures 1, 2A and 2B show a tobacco supply chain. Tobacco plants are grown and harvested by growers, then the tobacco leaves are cured (Figures 1 and 2A, letter A). Each type of tobacco may be cured differently. Once the tobacco leaves have been cured, the tobacco grower sorts them by human visual inspection and according to the position and quality of the stem. The tobacco leaves are then bundled (Figures 1 and 2A, letter B) into bales 1 for distribution to points of sale.

[00148] At the point of sale, tobacco bales 1 are transported along the purchasing and sorting lines where said tobacco bales 1 are visually inspected by leaf specialists and then automatically analyzed through image generation and processing of images acquired using hyperspectral imaging technology (Figures 1 and 2A, letter C). The automatic analysis provides characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales 1. The characteristics comprise chemical characteristics of the tobacco, i.e., moisture, total alkaloids and reducing sugars, and optical properties of the tobacco, i.e., colors. These characteristics are reviewed, Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 43 / 74 34 / 43 by an operator or automatically through an algorithm, and the tobacco bales 1 are grouped into mixing sets 2 (Figures 1 and 2A, letter D) according to the revised characteristics.

[00149] Figure 3 shows details of a tobacco analysis line 3 configured to select tobacco on one of the purchase and selection lines. The tobacco analysis line 3 comprises an analysis conveyor 4 configured to feed the tobacco bales 1 one after the other in sequence along a feed direction FD. In the non-limiting example of Figure 3, the analysis conveyor 4 comprises a sequence of conveyor belts placed one after the other.

[00150] A structure 5 is installed near the analysis conveyor 4, and an upper part of said structure 5 is positioned above the analysis conveyor 4. The upper part carries an optical sensor 6 and an image generation scanner 7. The optical sensor 6 and the image generation scanner 7 are also schematically represented in Figure 2A.

[00151] The optical sensor 6, like a laser sensor, is mounted and oriented so as to be directed towards the tobacco bales 1 moving along the analysis conveyor 4 and to detect a height of the tobacco bales 1 placed on the analysis conveyor 4. The detection of the heights of the tobacco bales 1 can be performed while the tobacco bales 1 move along the tobacco analysis line 3 or while each box stops in front of the optical sensor 6. The optical sensor 6 is operationally connected to a control unit 8 and transmits to the control unit 8 a signal related to a distance from the optical sensor 6 to the tobacco bale 1. The control unit 8 is programmed or configured to determine a height of the detected bale 1 from such a signal.

[00152] Normally, the dimensions of the bales 1 depend on Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 44 / 74 35 / 43 origin where they come from and all bales 1 from the same origin have similar dimensions. Examples of dimensions are listed in Table 1 below. Table 1 Origin 1 Origin 2 Length 1100 to 1250 mm 750 to 850 mm Width 700 to 800 mm 600 to 700 mm Height* 600 to 700 mm 400 to 500 mm Number of strips 4 5 / 6

[00153] Therefore, control unit 8 is programmed or configured to identify, from the detected height, a bale type 1 among a plurality of classified types of different sizes.

[00154] The image-generating scanner 7 is mounted and oriented so as to be directed towards the tobacco bales 1 moving along the analysis conveyor 4 and is operationally connected to the control unit 8. The image-generating scanner 7 is a hyperspectral image-generating scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera 9 and an optical camera 10. The image-generating scanner 7 also comprises one or more light sources, not shown in the drawings, to illuminate a tobacco surface to be scanned. The hyperspectral camera 9 collects and processes information from the entire electromagnetic spectrum to obtain the spectrum for each pixel in the image of a scene for the purpose of identifying the chemical characteristics of the tobacco in the tobacco bale 1, i.e., moisture, total alkaloids, and reducing sugars. The optical camera 10 is an RGB (Red Green Blue) camera and provides colors of the tobacco in the tobacco bale 1.Optical camera 10 is also configured to read an optically readable label. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 45 / 74 36 / 43 machine, like a barcode or a QR code.

[00155] The image generation scanner 7 is mounted on the frame 5 by means of a motion mechanism 11, which is shown schematically in Figure 3. The motion mechanism 11 carries the image generation scanner 7 and is configured to adjust a height of the image generation scanner 7, i.e., a distance of the image generation scanner 7 from the analysis conveyor 4 that supports the bales 1.

[00156] The control unit 8 is programmed or configured to control the motion mechanism 11 and to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner 7 as a function of the detected height of the tobacco bale 1 to be scanned so that a distance of the image-generating scanner 7 from a surface of the bales 1 is maintained within a range, even if the bales 1 to be scanned have different dimensions. According to variant embodiments, not shown in the drawings, instead of or in addition to adjusting the height of the image-generating scanner 7, a height of the tobacco bales 1 on the analysis conveyor 4 and / or a height of the analysis conveyor 4 may be adjusted.

[00157] Since there is a plurality of classified bale types of different sizes 1, the motion mechanism 11 is configured to move the image generation scanner 7 between a plurality of predefined heights, each corresponding to an identified bale type 1. For example, the image generation scanner 7 is moved to a lower position to scan a small bale T represented by the dashed line in Figure 3 (Origin 2 in Table 1) and to a higher position to scan a larger bale 1 represented by the solid line in Figure 3 (Origin 1 in Table 1).

[00158] The movement mechanism 11 is also provided with Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 46 / 74 37 / 43 a device for fine-tuning the position of the image-generating scanner 7. Once the image-generating scanner 7 is in the upper or lower position, the control unit 8 is programmed or configured to control the fine-tuning device to move the image-generating scanner 7 closer to each of the predefined heights.

[00159] When a tobacco bale 1 moves under the optical sensor 6, the control unit 8 determines the height of the detected bale 1 from the signal coming from the optical sensor 6 and controls the motion mechanism 11 to adjust the height of the image generation scanner 7. The control unit 8 is also operatively connected to the analysis conveyor 4 to move said analysis conveyor 4 and the tobacco bales 2.

[00160] Next, while the tobacco bale 1 moves under or stops under the imaging scanner 7, the control unit 8 acquires images through the imaging scanner 7 and processes the acquired images to calculate the moisture, total alkaloids, reducing sugars, and colors of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bale 1. Additionally, the RGB camera reads a machine-readable optical label 12 (e.g., a QR code) that is placed on each bale 1 and contains bale 1 identification data. The hyperspectral imaging scanner analyzes how the surface of the leaves reflects or absorbs light. The light source shines light on the tobacco leaves, and then the hyperspectral camera scans the reflected light across a wide range of wavelengths, generating a spectrum that can then be related to the chemical content.

[00161] The characteristics (moisture, total alkaloids, reducing sugars, colors) of each bale 1 are associated with the identification data of the same bale 1 and, as disclosed above, the Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 47 / 74 38 / 43 bales of tobacco 1 are sorted and grouped into mixing sets 2. The control unit 8 can also be programmed or configured to correlate tobacco colors to a tobacco grade quality.

[00162] The characteristics, along with the identification data, are transmitted to the processing plants where the mixing sets 2 are sent for mixing (Figures 1 and 2A, letter E).

[00163] As schematically represented in Figure 2B, in processing plants, the bales 1 are broken up and the tobacco leaves are processed (Figures 1 and 2B, letter F). The processing comprises: mixing, conditioning and drying the tobacco.

[00164] After processing, the tobacco mixtures are packaged. Boxes 13 are filled (Figures 1 and 2B, letter G) with tobacco and weighed (Figures 1 and 2B, letter J). Boxes 13 are made of cardboard, in the shape of a parallelepiped, and are open at the top. Boxes 13 comprise flaps 14 that project from the side walls of box 13, and the flaps 14 are configured to close the top of box 13.

[00165] Figure 4 shows a packaging line 15 configured for packaging tobacco blends. The packaging line 15 comprises a packaging conveyor 16 configured to feed the boxes one after the other in sequence along a conveyor direction CD. The packaging conveyor 15 of the illustrated and non-limiting embodiment comprises a plurality of conveyors positioned one after the other. The packaging line 15 comprises a filling machine 17 placed above a first conveyor and configured to fill the boxes 13 with tobacco.

[00166] Downstream from the filling machine 17, a press 18 is located Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 48 / 74 39 / 43 above a second conveyor of the packaging conveyor 16 and said press 18 is configured to press the tobacco into boxes 13 (Figures 1 and 2B, letter H). Figure 4 shows, in solid line, the press 18 while pressing the tobacco into box 13 and the same press 18, in dashed line, in a rest position spaced from box 13.

[00167] An optical sensor 19 is located along the packaging conveyor 16, downstream of the press 18 in relation to the transport direction CD. The optical sensor 19 is mounted on a structure 20 that extends above the packaging conveyor 16 and is configured to detect a top surface of the compressed tobacco filling the boxes 13. The optical sensor 20 is operationally connected to a control unit 21 of the packaging line 15. The control unit 21 receives signals from the optical sensor 19 and is configured or programmed to detect a height or position of the top surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes 13 and also of the tabs 14. The control unit 21 is also configured to control and move the packaging conveyor 16 and the boxes 13 and to control the filling machine 17 to fill the boxes 13.

[00168] Downstream of the optical sensor 19, the packaging line 15 comprises a hyperspectral imaging scanner 22 which is mounted on the structure 20 above the packaging conveyor 16. The hyperspectral imaging scanner 22 comprises a hyperspectral camera 23 and one or more light sources to provide a light beam to illuminate the tobacco while it is being scanned. The hyperspectral imaging scanner 22 further comprises an RGB optical camera 24. The hyperspectral imaging scanner 22 of the packaging line 15 may be per se known and / or may be of the same type as the hyperspectral imaging scanner 9 of the tobacco analysis line 3. Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 49 / 74 40 / 43

[00169] The hyperspectral camera 23 collects and processes information from the entire electromagnetic spectrum to obtain the spectrum for each pixel in the image of a scene with the aim of identifying the chemical characteristics of tobacco in boxes 13, that is, moisture, total alkaloids and reducing sugars. The RGB optical camera 10 is an RGB (Red Green Blue) camera and provides tobacco colors in boxes 13.

[00170] The hyperspectral imaging scanner 22 is mounted on the structure 20 by means of a motion mechanism 25, which is schematically represented in Figure 4. The motion mechanism 25 carries the imaging scanner 22 and is configured to adjust a height of the imaging scanner 22, i.e., a distance of the imaging scanner 22 in relation to the analysis conveyor 4 that supports the boxes 13 and in relation to the upper surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes 13, as a function of the height of the upper surface of the tobacco in the boxes detected by the optical sensor 19.

[00171] The control unit 21 is programmed or configured to control the motion mechanism 25 and to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner 22 according to the detected height of the upper surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes 13 to be scanned so that a distance of the image-generating scanner 22 from the upper surface is maintained within a range, even if the level of tobacco in the boxes 13 is different from one box to another (for example, in case of a change in the type of tobacco). For example, the height of the image-generating scanner 22 is adjusted to achieve a predefined distance from the upper surface of the compressed tobacco between 15 cm and 25 cm.

[00172] If boxes 13 can be classified according to a plurality of standard sizes or if the same boxes are Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 50 / 74 41 / 43 filled at different standard tobacco levels, the motion mechanism 25 is configured to move the image-generating scanner 22 between a plurality of predefined heights, each corresponding to an identified type of box 13 or tobacco level.

[00173] When a tobacco box 13 moves below or stops in front of the optical sensor 19, the control unit 21 determines the height of the top surface of the tobacco in the box 13 from the signal coming from the optical sensor 19 and controls the motion mechanism 25 to adjust the height of the image-generating scanner 22. The control unit 21 is also operatively connected to the packaging conveyor 16 to move said packaging conveyor 16 and the boxes 13.

[00174] The control unit 21 can also determine a height of the tabs 14 of the box 13 and adjust the height of the image generation scanner 22 to avoid interference with the tabs 14.

[00175] Next, while box 13 moves under or to under the image-generating scanner 22, the control unit 21 acquires images through the image-generating scanner 22 and processes the acquired images to calculate the moisture, total alkaloids, reducing sugars, and colors of the tobacco in box 13 (Figures 1 and 2B, letter I).

[00176] These characteristics (moisture, total alkaloids, reducing sugars, colors) of the tobacco in each box 13 are analyzed by control unit 21 and the tobacco in boxes 13 is classified according to one of a plurality of classes and through a calibration model. This is a digital classification that is used to give quality ratings to the boxes of tobacco 13 and which can then be used by blenders or tobacco manufacturers to optimize which tobacco is going into which final blend. Control unit 8 can also be programmed or configured to Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 51 / 74 42 / 43 correlate the colors of tobacco to a quality grade of tobacco.

[00177] Downstream of the image-generating scanner 22, the packaging line 15 comprises a weighing unit 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the weighing unit 26 is part of one of the conveyors and is configured to weigh the box 13 located on said conveyor. The weight can be provided to an operator at the weighing unit 26, for example, via a display, and the operator can add / remove tobacco from the box 13 to finely adjust the weight of the box 13.

[00178] After weighing and adjusting the weight, box 13 is transported to an additional press 27 (not shown in Figure 2B) located downstream of the weighing unit 26. The control unit 21 is operatively connected to the additional press 27 and is configured to control said additional press 27 to press the tobacco into boxes 13 after weighing and before closing box 13 by folding the flaps 14.

[00179] Boxes 13 are sent to tobacco manufacturers or tobacco product manufacturers (Figures 1 and 2B, letter K) and the characteristics of the tobacco together with the tobacco quality classification in the boxes are communicated to the tobacco manufacturers or tobacco product manufacturers.

[00180] For the purposes of this description and the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing values, quantities, percentages, and so forth shall be understood as being modified in all cases by the term approximately. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include any intermediate ranges in this report, which may or may not be specifically enumerated in this report. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 5 percent of A. In this context, a number Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 52 / 74 43 / 43 A can be considered as including numerical values ​​that are within the general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some cases, as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel features of the claimed invention. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include any intermediate ranges in this report, which may or may not be specifically enumerated in this report.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A process for managing a tobacco supply chain, characterized in that it comprises: collecting and curing tobacco leaves; selecting tobacco through the following steps: separating the tobacco leaves and grouping them into tobacco bales (1); automatically analyzing the tobacco in the tobacco bales (1) through image generation and processing of acquired images; reviewing the characteristics of the tobacco bales (1) provided by the automatic analysis and grouping the tobacco bales (1) into blend sets (2) according to the reviewed characteristics before transporting the bales (1) to the processing plants; unpacking the bales (1); processing the tobacco;to pack the tobacco through the following steps: fill boxes (13) with tobacco, feed the boxes (13), filled with tobacco and open at the top, one after the other in sequence along a packing line (15), compress the tobacco in the boxes (13), automatically analyze the tobacco in the boxes (13) by generating images and processing acquired images assign a classification quality to the mixtures in the boxes (13).; 2. Process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic analysis of tobacco in the tobacco bales (1) is carried out using hyperspectral imaging technology.

3. Process, according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the automatic analysis of tobacco in boxes (13) is carried out by means of hyperspectral imaging technology.

4. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the automatic analysis of tobacco in tobacco bales (1) comprises: feeding tobacco bales (1) one after the other sequentially along an analysis line (3); detecting the height of the tobacco bales (1) placed on the analysis line (3) by means of a sensor (6); adjusting the height of an image generation scanner (7) located on the analysis line (3) and / or the height of the tobacco bales (1) as a function of the detected height of the tobacco bale (1) to be scanned; moving tobacco bales (1) under the image generation scanner (7); acquiring images by means of the image generation scanner (7) and processing the acquired images to provide the characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales (1).

5. Process according to claim 4, characterized in that adjusting the height of the image generation scanner (7) comprises: moving the image generation scanner (7) between a plurality of predefined heights.

6. Process, according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that adjusting the height of the image generation scanner (7) comprises: identifying, from the detected height, a type of bale (1) among a plurality of classified types of different sizes and adjusting the height of the image generation scanner (7) according to the identified type.

7. Process, according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a fine adjustment of the position of the image-generating scanner (7) is performed continuously while acquiring images to maintain a constant distance of the image-generating scanner (7) from the tobacco bale (1).

8. Process, according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the image generation scanner (7) is a hyperspectral image generation scanner comprising a hyperspectral camera (9) and the tobacco features in the scanned tobacco bales (1) comprise tobacco chemical features.

9. Process, according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the image-generating scanner (7) comprises an optical camera (10) and the characteristics of the tobacco in the scanned tobacco bales (1) comprise optical properties of the tobacco.

10. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the automatic analysis of tobacco in the boxes (13) comprises: detecting a height of an upper surface of the compressed tobacco in the boxes (13) placed on the packaging line (15) by means of a sensor (19); adjusting a height of an image generation scanner (22) located on the packaging line (15) and / or a height of the boxes (13) as a function of the detected height of the upper surface of the tobacco in the boxes (13); moving the boxes (13) under the image generation scanner Petition 870250081616, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 62 / 74 4 / 5 (22); acquiring images by means of the image generation scanner (22) and processing the acquired images to provide characteristics of the tobacco in the boxes (13).

11. Process, according to claim 10, characterized in that the automatic analysis of tobacco in the boxes (13) further comprises: detecting a height of the flaps (14) of the boxes (13) and adjusting the position of the image generation scanner (22) according to the detected height of the flaps (14); the flaps (14) being configured to close the open top of the boxes (13).

12. Process, according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the height of the image generation scanner (22) is adjusted to achieve a predefined distance from the upper surface of the compressed tobacco.

13. Process, according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the image generation scanner is a hyperspectral image generation scanner (22) comprising a hyperspectral camera (23) and the tobacco features in the boxes (13) comprise chemical features.

14. Process, according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the image-generating scanner (22) comprises an optical camera (24) and the tobacco features in the boxes (13) comprise optical properties of tobacco.

15. Process, according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the automatic analysis of tobacco in boxes (13) further comprises: classifying the tobacco in boxes (13) according to one of a plurality of classes according to a calibration model and determining a quality classification; classification being carried out according to chemical characteristics and / or optical properties.

Images