Manufacturing system for packaging elements for aerosol-generating articles having packaging element identification - Patents.com
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
- Filing Date
- 2023-04-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-20
AI Technical Summary
There is a need for improved methods of implementing quality control during the manufacture of packaging elements, particularly for aerosol-generating articles, to ensure consistency and traceability.
A manufacturing system that includes a printing station for printing readable identifier markings on packaging elements, a quality assessment station for evaluating the quality of each packaging element, a conveyance system for transporting elements through the stations, and a data memory system to store and retrieve quality assessment results based on identifier markings.
This system enables efficient and traceable quality control of packaging elements, allowing for the attribution of quality assessment results to individual elements, even after manufacturing, and reducing the need for repeated quality assessments.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to quality control in the manufacture of consumer products, particularly packaging elements for aerosol-generating articles. [Background technology]
[0002] There is a need for improved methods of performing quality control during the manufacture of packaging elements.There is a need for improved methods of integrating quality control into the manufacturing process of packaging elements. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]
[0003] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a manufacturing system for packaging elements for aerosol-generating articles, the packaging elements being formed by regions of packaging material. The manufacturing system comprises a printing station, a quality assessment station, a conveying system, and a data memory. The printing station is configured to print on each of the packaging elements an identifier marking that is readable as a packaging element identification of the corresponding packaging element. The quality assessment station is configured to perform a quality assessment of each packaging element. The conveying system is configured to convey the packaging elements along a production direction through at least the printing station and the quality assessment station. The manufacturing system comprises a controller. The controller is configured to store a data set in the data memory. The data set allows or allows to retrieve a result of the quality assessment of the packaging element or any one of the packaging elements based on the packaging element identification of the particular packaging element.
[0004] The packaging elements may be identified based on the identifier markings because the identifier markings are readable as packaging element identification information for the corresponding packaging element. In particular, the packaging elements may be identified based on the identifier markings during the manufacturing process of the packaging elements. The packaging elements may be identified based on the identifier markings even after the manufacturing process is completed.
[0005] The data set, in combination with the identifier markings printed on the packaging elements, may allow the results of the quality assessment to be attributed to individual packaging elements. For example, if the packaging elements are mixed or the tracking of the packaging elements is lost, the results of the quality assessment of any particular packaging element may be obtained based on the identifier markings printed on the packaging elements and the stored data set. Retrieval of the results of the quality assessment of a particular packaging element may be possible during the manufacturing process, or after the manufacturing process, or both during and after the manufacturing process. Even if the manufacturing of the packaging elements or the processing of the packaging elements is interrupted, it may be possible to obtain the results of the quality assessment of any one of the packaging elements based on the packaging element identification information of the particular packaging element. Thus, the manufacturing or processing of the packaging elements may be performed at different stages in different locations or at different times without the need to repeat the quality assessment of the packaging elements. For example, the packaging elements may be stored for a period of time after the quality assessment, and the results of the quality assessment may be obtained later when continuing to work with or on the packaging elements.
[0006] The data set may be used for documentation of the manufacturing process of the packaging element or for documentation of the quality control of the packaging element.
[0007] The dataset may be stored locally, the dataset may be stored so as to be remotely accessible, the dataset may be stored in a cloud system, or the dataset may be transmitted electronically by wired communication, particularly by wireless communication.
[0008] The packaging material may comprise paper or cardboard.The packaging material may comprise coated paper or coated cardboard.
[0009] The packaging element may be a designated area within the packaging material. The packaging material may include one or more packaging elements. The designated area may be integral with at least a portion of the packaging material that at least partially surrounds the designated area. The packaging element may be a blank cut from the packaging material. The packaging element may be a blank of packaging material. The packaging element may be provided with crease and score lines to allow folding, particularly to form a container.
[0010] Throughout at least some parts of the manufacturing system, or throughout the entire manufacturing system, a packaging element may be a designated area within the packaging material. Throughout at least some parts of the manufacturing system, or throughout the entire manufacturing system, a packaging element may be a blank cut from the packaging material or a blank of the packaging material.
[0011] The packaging element may be configured to form a container for the aerosol-generating article. The packaging element may be configured to be folded into a container for the aerosol-generating article. The container may be a pack, carton, or shipping case for the aerosol-generating article. The container may be box-shaped. The identifier marking may be positioned on the packaging element such that it is not visible on the outside of the container after folding of the packaging element.
[0012] The aerosol-generating article may be rod-shaped. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to emit an aerosol upon heating an aerosol-generating section of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a combustible section or an aerosol-generating section configured to emit an aerosol upon combustion. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to emit an aerosol upon heating without burning the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a length of between 3 centimetres and 15 centimetres, or between 3 centimetres and 10 centimetres, or between 5 centimetres and 8 centimetres.
[0013] The identifier marking may be machine readable. The identifier marking may be configured, for example, as a QR code, or as a bar code, or as an alphanumeric code, or as a number code.
[0014] The identifier marking may be unique for each packaging element. The packaging element identification information may be unique for each packaging element.
[0015] The printing station may be configured to print a package decoration element on each of the packaging elements in addition to the identifier marking. The package decoration element and the identifier marking of the packaging elements may be printed in a common printing step. The package decoration element may include at least one of one or more images, one or more text elements, branding information, and haptic effects. The package decoration element may be positioned so as to be visible after the respective packaging element is folded into a container.
[0016] The printing station may comprise a digital printer. The digital printer may be configured to print an identifier marking. The digital printer may be configured to print a package decor element. The digital printer may be configured to print an image on an area of the packaging material forming the packaging element. The digital printer may be configured to print an image based on digital image information provided to the digital printer. The image may include the identifier marking. The image may include the package decor element. The digital printer may make it possible to modify the image printed by the digital printer by providing digital image data to the digital printer. The digital printer may make it possible to modify the image printed by the digital printer without modifying the physical configuration of the printer, in particular without replacing the printing plate.
[0017] The quality assessment station may be arranged downstream of the printing station in the production direction.
[0018] The quality assessment station may be configured to read the identifier markings of the packaging elements as packaging element identification information for the corresponding packaging element. The quality assessment station may be configured to provide the one or more packaging element identification information for the packaging elements to the controller. The quality assessment station may be configured to provide results of the one or more quality assessments of the packaging elements to the controller. The quality assessment station may be configured to provide the packaging element identification information for the packaging elements together with the results of the quality assessments of the packaging elements to the controller.
[0019] The quality assessment of the packaging element may include taking measurements on the packaging element.The quality assessment of the packaging element may include taking measurements on a package decor element of the packaging element.The measurements may include optical measurements.
[0020] The quality assessment station may comprise an optical quality inspection system. The optical quality inspection system may comprise a camera, such as a CCD camera. The optical quality inspection system may comprise a spectrophotometer.
[0021] The quality assessment station may be configured to take photographs or videos of the packaging elements. The quality assessment station may be configured to perform color measurements on the packaging elements, in particular on the package decor elements of the packaging elements. The quality assessment station may be configured to perform color measurements on one or more separate measurement points on each packaging element.
[0022] The quality assessment station may be configured to read the identifier markings by analyzing a photograph or video taken by the quality assessment station.
[0023] The quality assessment station may be configured to perform the quality assessment by analyzing the photos or videos. The quality assessment station may be configured to analyze the photos of the video by image processing software or video processing software. The quality assessment station may be configured to both read the identifier markings and perform the quality assessment by analyzing the same photos or videos.
[0024] Evaluating the quality of a packaging element may include evaluating measurements taken on the packaging element against quality requirement specifications.
[0025] The quality assessment of the packaging element may include determining the extent to which the packaging element complies with the quality requirement specification. The extent to which the packaging element complies with the quality requirement specification may be determined as a result of the quality assessment of the packaging element. Determining the extent to which the packaging element complies with the quality requirement specification may include selecting one of a plurality of predefined compliance levels. There may be two or more predefined compliance levels. If there are two compliance levels, a first compliance level may be that the packaging element does not sufficiently correspond to the quality requirement specification (quality assessment result: fail) and a second compliance level may be that the packaging element sufficiently corresponds to the quality requirement specification (quality assessment result: pass). If there are more than two compliance levels, the first compliance level may be that the packaging element does not sufficiently correspond to the quality requirement specification, the second compliance level may be that the packaging element complies with the quality requirement specification to at least a first degree but not to a greater third degree, and the third compliance level may be that the packaging element complies with the quality requirement specification to at least a third degree.
[0026] Evaluating the quality of a packaging element may include determining, as a result of the quality evaluation, whether the packaging element complies with a quality requirement specification.
[0027] A quality requirement specification may include one or more target values or one or more target ranges. A quality requirement specification may include one or more target values and one or more target ranges. A quality requirement specification may include different target ranges for the same value, where different target ranges for the same value correspond to different degrees of compliance with the quality requirement specification.
[0028] The quality requirement specification may include at least one of a target color range, a target shape, a target brightness range, a target image, and a defect catalogue.
[0029] The quality requirement specifications may be pre-stored. The quality requirement specifications may be determined by user input.
[0030] The quality assessment station may be configured to select a quality requirement specification from the set of quality requirement specifications based on the packaging element identification information of the packaging element when performing a quality assessment of the packaging element. By selecting a quality requirement specification based on the packaging element identification information, different types of packaging elements may be processed by the quality assessment station without having to manually reconfigure the quality assessment station. The set of quality requirement specifications may be a pre-stored set of quality requirement specifications.
[0031] The dataset may include packaging element identification information of only those packaging elements that comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined degree. The dataset may include packaging element identification information of only those packaging elements that comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined degree. To check whether a particular packaging element has been determined to comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined degree, it may be checked whether the packaging element identification information of the packaging element is included in the dataset. If the packaging element identification information of the packaging element is included in the dataset, this may indicate that the packaging element has been determined to comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined degree.
[0032] The dataset may include packaging element identification information of only those packaging elements that do not comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined extent. The dataset may include packaging element identification information of only those packaging elements that do not comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined extent. To check whether a particular packaging element has been determined to comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined extent, it may be checked whether the packaging element identification information of the packaging element is included in the dataset. If the packaging element identification information of a packaging element is not included in the dataset, this may indicate that the packaging element has been determined to comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined extent.
[0033] The data set may include data pairs including packaging element identification information for a packaging element and information about whether or to what extent the corresponding packaging element conforms to a quality requirement specification. The data set may include a data pair for each of the packaging elements.
[0034] The manufacturing system may further comprise a cutting station configured to cut one or more packaging elements from the remainder of the packaging material. After being cut from the remainder of the packaging material, the packaging elements may form a blank of the packaging material.
[0035] The cutting station may be downstream of the quality assessment station relative to the production direction.
[0036] The cutting station may be upstream of the quality assessment station relative to the production direction.
[0037] The cutting station may be downstream of the printing station in the production direction.
[0038] The manufacturing system may comprise a sorting station. The sorting station may be arranged downstream of the printing station and the quality assessment station in a production direction. The sorting station may be arranged downstream of the cutting station in a production direction. The sorting station may be configured to read an identifier marking of the at least one packaging element, thereby obtaining packaging element identification information of the at least one packaging element. The sorting station may be configured to obtain a result of a quality assessment of the at least one packaging element from a stored data set based on the obtained packaging element identification information.
[0039] The sorting station may be configured to divert at least one packaging element from the production path based on an obtained result of the quality assessment. The sorting station may be configured to divert at least one packaging element from the production path if an obtained result of the quality assessment is that the at least one packaging element does not comply with the quality requirement specifications or does not comply with the quality requirement specifications at least to a predetermined extent.
[0040] The sorting station may comprise a quality marking unit. The quality marking unit may be configured to quality mark the at least one packaging element based on an obtained result of the quality assessment. Quality marking the at least one packaging element may comprise rejecting the at least one packaging element. For example, the quality marking unit may be configured to quality mark the at least one packaging element if an obtained result of the quality assessment is that the at least one packaging element does not comply with the quality requirement specification or does not comply with the quality requirement specification at least to a predetermined extent.
[0041] Quality marking the at least one packaging element may include rendering an identifier marking of the at least one packaging element unreadable. Quality marking the at least one packaging element may include destroying the identifier marking of the at least one packaging element.
[0042] Quality marking the at least one packaging element may comprise punching the at least one packaging element, in particular the identifier marking of the at least one packaging element. Quality marking the at least one packaging element may comprise printing over the identifier marking of the at least one packaging element. Quality marking the at least one packaging element may comprise burning the identifier marking of the at least one packaging element, for example with a laser.
[0043] The manufacturing system may include a feeding station configured to feed packaging material upstream of one or both of the printing station and the quality assessment station.
[0044] The supply station may be configured to supply packaging material in the form of a web including a plurality of regions forming packaging elements. The supply station may be configured to supply packaging material from a supply bobbin. The supply station may be configured to receive a supply bobbin. The web may include at least 100, or at least 250, or at least 500, or at least 1000, or at least 5000 regions forming packaging elements. The web may include less than 100,000, or less than 50,000, or less than 35,000, or less than 10,000, or less than 5000, or less than 2000, or less than 1000 regions forming packaging elements.
[0045] The supply station may be configured to supply packaging material in the form of sheets. Each sheet may include exactly one region forming a packaging element. Each sheet may include two or more regions forming a packaging element. Each sheet may include at least one, or at least two, or at least four, or at least six, or at least eight, or at least ten regions forming packaging elements. Each sheet may include fewer than 1000, or fewer than 100, or fewer than 50, or fewer than 25, or fewer than 11, or fewer than 7, or fewer than 5 regions forming packaging elements.
[0046] The supply station may include a hopper for receiving the sheets.
[0047] The packaging material may be in the form of a sheet. The packaging material may be provided to the printing station in the form of a sheet. The conveying system may be configured to provide the packaging material to the printing station in the form of a sheet. The packaging material may be provided to the quality evaluation station in the form of a sheet. The conveying system may be configured to provide the packaging material to the quality evaluation station in the form of a sheet. The packaging material may be provided to the cutting station in the form of a sheet. The conveying system may be configured to provide the packaging material to the cutting station in the form of a sheet. The cutting station may be configured to cut one or more packaging elements from the sheet. Each sheet may include one or more regions forming a packaging element. Each sheet may include one or more regions forming a packaging element, or multiple regions forming a packaging element. Each sheet may include at least one, or at least two, or at least four, or at least six, or at least eight, or at least ten packaging elements. Each sheet may include less than 1000, or less than 100, or less than 50, or less than 25, or less than 11, or less than 7, or less than 5 packaging elements.
[0048] The packaging material may be in the form of a web. The packaging material may be provided to the printing station in the form of a web. The transport system may be configured to provide the packaging material to the printing station in the form of a web. The packaging material may be provided to the quality assessment station in the form of a web. The transport system may be configured to provide the packaging material to the quality assessment station in the form of a web. The cutting station may be configured to cut the packaging elements from the web. The web may comprise a plurality of regions forming the packaging elements. The web may include at least 100, or at least 250, or at least 500, or at least 1000, or at least 5000 packaging elements. The web may include less than 100,000, or less than 50,000, or less than 35,000, or less than 10,000, or less than 5000, or less than 2000, or less than 1000 packaging elements.
[0049] The manufacturing system may include a batch collection station configured to collect packaging material including a batch of packaging elements downstream of at least the printing station and the quality assessment station. The batch collection station may be configured to collect packaging material having packaging elements integral therewith.
[0050] The batch collection station may comprise a sheet receiving unit configured to stack packaging material in the form of sheets comprising multiple packaging elements per sheet.
[0051] The batch collection station may comprise a winding unit configured to wind the packaging material in the form of a web including the batches of packaging elements. The winding unit may be configured to wind the packaging material onto a bobbin.
[0052] The manufacturing system may further comprise a batch marking device. The batch marking device may be configured to generate a batch marker readable as a unique batch identification of a particular batch of packaging elements. The batch marker may be applied to the packaging material including each batch of packaging elements. The unique batch identification may be linked to a data set stored in the data memory for each batch of packaging elements. The unique batch identification may enable retrieval of the data set stored in the data memory for each batch of packaging elements. The batch marker may be a stack marker corresponding to a stack of sheets collected by the batch collection station. The batch marker may be a bobbin marker corresponding to a bobbin of the web wound by the batch collection station.
[0053] The packaging material including the batch of packaging elements from the batch collection station may be subjected to an additional processing step. The additional processing step may be performed in a different manufacturing system. The different manufacturing system may be, for example, in a different room or in a different manufacturing facility. The additional manufacturing step may use a data set from a data memory. The additional manufacturing step may include obtaining a data set corresponding to the batch of packaging elements based on the unique batch identification information obtained from the batch marker. The data set may be transferred to a different data memory or may be accessible, for example, via a cloud system. In the additional manufacturing step, a result of the quality assessment may be obtained based on the identifier marking of the packaging elements and based on the data set.
[0054] The further production step may comprise cutting the packaging element from the remainder of the packaging material, in particular at a cutting station. The further production step may comprise diverting one or more packaging elements from the production path based on the data set, in particular based on the result of a quality assessment of the one or more packaging elements obtained by the sorting station.
[0055] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for quality control of packaging elements for consumer products, each of a plurality of packaging elements for the consumer products being provided with an identifier marking, the identifier marking being readable as a packaging element identification of the packaging element, a quality assessment of each of the plurality of packaging elements being performed, and a data set being saved, the data set allowing for obtaining a result of the quality assessment for any one of the plurality of packaging elements based on the product identification of the particular packaging element.
[0056] The quality evaluation of the packaging element may include determining, as a result of the quality evaluation, the extent to which the packaging element conforms to a quality requirement specification.The quality evaluation of the packaging element may include determining, as a result of the quality evaluation, whether the packaging element conforms to a quality requirement specification.
[0057] The quality evaluation of the packaging element may include taking measurements on the packaging element.The quality evaluation of the packaging element may include evaluating the measurements against a quality requirement specification.
[0058] The dataset may include packaging element identification information for only those packaging elements that comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined degree.The dataset may include packaging element identification information for only those packaging elements that comply with the quality requirement specification.
[0059] The dataset may include packaging element identification information of only those packaging elements that do not comply with the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined extent.The dataset may include packaging element identification information of only those packaging elements that do not comply with the quality requirement specification.
[0060] The data set may include data pairs that include packaging element identification information for a particular packaging element and information about whether or to what extent the packaging element meets a quality requirement specification.
[0061] The method may include reading an identifier marking of at least one of the packaging elements, thereby obtaining packaging element identification information for the at least one packaging element. The method may include obtaining a result of a quality assessment of the at least one packaging element from the stored data set based on the obtained packaging element identification information.
[0062] The method may include treating the at least one packaging element in a manner responsive to the obtained results of the quality assessment.
[0063] The at least one packaging element may be deviated from the production path depending on an obtained result of the quality assessment. The at least one packaging element may be deviated from the production path if the obtained result of the quality assessment is that the packaging element does not comply with the quality requirement specification at least to a predetermined extent. The at least one packaging element may be deviated from the production path if the obtained result of the quality assessment is that the packaging element does not comply with the quality requirement specification.
[0064] The at least one packaging element may be quality marked with the quality marking unit based on an obtained result of the quality assessment. The at least one packaging element may be quality marked with the quality marking unit if the obtained result of the quality assessment is that the packaging element does not conform to the quality requirement specification at least to a predetermined extent. The at least one packaging element may be quality marked with the quality marking unit if the obtained result of the quality assessment is that the packaging element does not conform to the quality requirement specification.
[0065] Marking each of the plurality of packaging elements with an identifier marking may include printing the identifier marking onto the packaging element. The identifier marking may be printed onto the packaging element with a digital printer.
[0066] The quality evaluation may include evaluating the print quality of the imprint of the packaging element.The quality evaluation may include determining whether the print quality of the printing of the packaging element meets a quality requirement specification.The quality evaluation may include determining whether the print quality of the package decor element meets a quality requirement specification.
[0067] The identifier marking and the package decor element may be printed on the packaging element in the same printing process.The identifier marking and the package decor element may be printed on the packaging element by a digital printer.The identifier marking and the package decor element may be printed on the packaging element by the same printer, in particular by the same digital printer.
[0068] The method may further include cutting packaging elements from the web or from the sheet of packaging material.
[0069] The marking of the packaging elements may be performed before the packaging elements are cut from the web or sheet of packaging material. The quality assessment of the packaging elements may be performed before the packaging elements are cut from the web or sheet of packaging material.
[0070] The method may further include collecting the packaging material including the batch of packaging elements after marking the packaging elements and performing a quality assessment of the packaging elements. The packaging material may be collected together with the packaging elements integral thereto.
[0071] The packaging material may be collected by stacking in the form of sheets containing multiple packaging elements per sheet.
[0072] The packaging material may be collected by being wound in the form of a web comprising the batches of packaging elements. The packaging material may be wound onto a bobbin.
[0073] The method may further include generating a batch marker readable as a unique batch identification of a particular batch of packaging elements. The batch marker may be applied to packaging material including each batch of packaging elements. The unique batch identification may be linked to a data set stored in the data memory for each batch of packaging elements. The unique batch identification may enable retrieval of the data set stored in the data memory for each batch of packaging elements. The batch marker may be a stack marker corresponding to a stack of sheets collected by the batch collection station. The batch marker may be a bobbin marker corresponding to a bobbin of a web wound by the batch collection station.
[0074] The packaging element may be a packaging element for an aerosol-generating article.
[0075] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of readable identifier markings printed on packaging elements for consumer products to attribute results to a particular packaging element from a previous quality evaluation of the packaging element during the manufacturing process.
[0076] The identifier marking may be read, thereby obtaining packaging element identification information of the packaging element. A result of a quality assessment of the packaging element may be obtained from the stored data set based on the obtained packaging element identification information. The packaging element may be deviated from the production path depending on the obtained result of the quality assessment.
[0077] The identifier marking may be printed by a digital printer. The identifier marking may be printed with a package decor element.
[0078] After the quality assessment of the packaging elements, a data set may be stored. The data set may make it possible to obtain a result of the quality assessment based on the product identification information of the packaging elements.
[0079] The packaging element may be a packaging element for an aerosol-generating article.
[0080] As described, the present invention provides a manufacturing system for packaging elements, a method for quality control of packaging elements, and a use of readable identifier markings. The manufacturing system may be suitable, adapted, or configured to perform the method or the use. The method and use may be performed in the manufacturing system. Features, examples, and explanations presented for any one of the manufacturing system, the method for quality control, and the use of readable identifier markings may be transferred to or combined with any other one of the manufacturing system, the method for quality control, and the use of readable identifier markings. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0081] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic side view of a manufacturing system for a packaging element according to one embodiment using a web as the packaging material. [Diagram 2] 1A-1D show schematic top views of a web material at different locations within a manufacturing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a schematic side view of a manufacturing system for a packaging element according to another embodiment using a web as the packaging material. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic side view of a manufacturing system for a packaging element according to one embodiment using a sheet as the packaging material. [Diagram 5] 1A-1D show schematic top views of sheet material in different positions within a manufacturing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic side view of a manufacturing system for a packaging element according to another embodiment using a sheet as the packaging material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0082] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, below is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of the other examples, embodiments, or aspects described herein.
[0083] Example 1: 1. A manufacturing system for a packaging element for an aerosol-generating article, the packaging element being formed by an area of packaging material, the manufacturing system comprising: a printing station configured to print, on each of the packaging elements, an identifier marking that is readable as a packaging element identification of the corresponding packaging element; a quality assessment station configured to perform a quality assessment of each packaging element; a conveying system configured to convey the packaging elements along a production direction through at least the printing station and the quality assessment station; A data memory, A manufacturing system comprising a controller configured to store in a data memory a data set that enables the manufacturing system to obtain a result of a quality assessment for any one of the packaging elements based on packaging element identification information of the particular packaging element. Example 2: 2. The manufacturing system of example 1, wherein the printing station is configured to print a package decor element on each of the packaging elements in addition to the identifier marking. Example 3: 3. The manufacturing system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the printing station comprises a digital printer. Example 4: The manufacturing system according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the quality evaluation station is configured to read identifier markings of the packaging elements as packaging element identification information. Example 5: 5. The manufacturing system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein assessing the quality of the packaging element comprises performing measurements on the packaging element. Example 6: 6. The manufacturing system of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the quality assessment station comprises an optical quality inspection system. Example 7: The manufacturing system of any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the quality assessment station is configured to capture photographs or videos of the packaging elements. Example 8: The manufacturing system of example 7, wherein the quality assessment station is configured to read the identifier markings by analyzing a photograph or video. Example 9: The manufacturing system of example 7 or 8, wherein the quality assessment station is configured to perform quality assessment by analyzing photos or videos. Example 10: The manufacturing system of any one of Examples 1-9, wherein the quality evaluation includes determining, as a result of the quality evaluation, the extent to which the packaging element meets the quality requirement specification. Example 11: 11. The manufacturing system of example 10, wherein the quality requirement specification includes at least one of a target color range, a target shape, a target brightness range, a target image, and a defect catalog. Example 12: The manufacturing system of example 10 or 11, wherein the quality evaluation station is configured to select a quality requirement specification from a set of quality requirement specifications based on packaging element identification information of the packaging element when performing a quality evaluation of the packaging element. Example 13: 13. The manufacturing system of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the dataset includes packaging element identification information for only those packaging elements that meet the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined degree. Example 14: 13. The manufacturing system of any one of claims 10-12, wherein the dataset includes packaging element identification information for only those packaging elements that do not meet the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined extent. Example 15: The manufacturing system of any one of Examples 10 to 12, wherein the dataset includes a data pair including packaging element identification information for the packaging element and information regarding whether or to what degree the packaging element conforms to the quality requirement specification. Example 16: The manufacturing system of any one of Examples 1 to 15, further comprising a supply station configured to supply packaging material upstream of one or both of the printing station and the quality assessment station. Example 17: 17. The manufacturing system of example 16, wherein the supply station is configured to supply packaging material in the form of a web including a plurality of regions forming a packaging element. Example 18: A manufacturing system according to any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein the conveying system is configured to provide packaging material to the quality assessment station in the form of a web including a plurality of regions forming packaging elements. Example 19: The manufacturing system of any one of Examples 1-18, further comprising a cutting station configured to sever the packaging element from the remainder of the packaging material. Example 20: 20. The manufacturing system of example 19, wherein the cutting station is downstream of the quality evaluation station relative to the production direction. Example 21: 20. The manufacturing system of example 19, wherein the cutting station is upstream of the quality evaluation station relative to the production direction. Example 22: A manufacturing system described in any one of Examples 1 to 21, further comprising a sorting station configured to read an identifier marking of at least one packaging element, thereby obtaining packaging element identification information of the at least one packaging element, and obtaining a result of a quality assessment of the at least one packaging element from the stored dataset based on the obtained packaging element identification information. Example 23: 23. The manufacturing system of example 22, wherein the sorting station is configured to divert at least one packaging element from the manufacturing path based on an obtained result of the quality assessment. Example 24: 24. The manufacturing system of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the sorting station comprises a quality marking unit configured to quality mark at least one packaging element based on an obtained result of the quality assessment. Example 25: The manufacturing system of any one of Examples 1 to 24, further comprising a batch collection station configured to collect packaging material including a batch of packaging elements downstream of at least the printing station and the quality evaluation station. Example 26: The manufacturing system of any one of Examples 1 to 25, further comprising a batch marking device configured to generate a batch marker that is readable as a unique batch identification of a particular batch of packaging elements. Example 27: 27. The manufacturing system of example 26, wherein the unique batch identification information is linked to the data set stored in the data memory for each batch of packaging elements. Example 28: 1. A method for the quality control of packaging elements for consumer products, comprising: marking each of a plurality of packaging elements for consumer products with an identifier marking, the identifier marking being readable as packaging element identification information for the packaging element; conducting a quality evaluation of each of the plurality of packaging elements; and storing a data set enabling obtaining a quality assessment result for any one of the plurality of packaging elements based on product identification information of the particular packaging element. Example 29: 29. The method of example 28, wherein assessing the quality of the packaging element comprises performing measurements on the packaging element. Example 30: 30. The method of example 28 or 29, wherein the quality evaluation of the packaging element comprises determining, as a result of the quality evaluation, the extent to which the packaging element conforms to the quality requirement specification. Example 31: 31. The method of example 30, wherein the dataset includes packaging element identification information for only those packaging elements that meet the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined degree. Example 32: 31. The method of example 30, wherein the dataset includes packaging element identification information of only those packaging elements that do not conform to the quality requirement specification to at least a predetermined degree. Example 33: 31. The method of example 30, wherein the dataset includes a data pair including packaging element identification information for a particular packaging element and information regarding whether or to what extent the packaging element meets the quality requirement specification. Example 34: The method according to any one of Examples 28 to 33, further comprising: reading an identifier marking of at least one of the packaging elements, thereby obtaining packaging element identification information of the at least one packaging element; and obtaining a result of a quality assessment of the at least one packaging element from the stored dataset based on the obtained packaging element identification information. Example 35: 34. The method of example 33, further comprising treating at least one packaging element in a manner responsive to the obtained results of the quality assessment. Example 36: 36. The method according to embodiment 34 or 35, wherein at least one packaging element is deflected from the production route depending on the obtained result of the quality assessment. Example 37: The method according to any one of embodiments 34 to 36, wherein at least one packaging element is quality marked with a quality marking unit depending on an obtained result of the quality assessment. Example 38: 38. The method of any one of embodiments 28-37, wherein marking each of the plurality of packaging elements with an identifier marking comprises printing the identifier marking onto the packaging element, particularly with a digital printer. Example 39: The method of any one of Examples 28 to 38, wherein the quality assessment comprises assessing the print quality of the printing on the packaging element. Example 40: The method of any one of embodiments 28-39, wherein the identifier marking and the package decor element are printed on each packaging element in the same printing step. Example 41: The method of any one of Examples 28-40, further comprising cutting packaging elements from the web or sheet of packaging material. Example 42: 42. The method of embodiment 41, wherein at least one of marking the packaging element and performing a quality assessment of the packaging element is performed before the packaging element is cut from the web or sheet of packaging material. Example 43: The method according to any one of Examples 28 to 42, further comprising collecting the packaging material comprising the batch of packaging elements after performing the marking of the packaging elements and the quality evaluation of the packaging elements. Example 44: A method according to any one of claims 28 to 43, further comprising generating a readable batch marker as unique batch identification information, the unique batch identification information being linked to the data set stored in the data memory. Example 45: The method of any one of Examples 28 to 44, wherein the packaging element is a packaging element for an aerosol-generating article. Example 46: Use of readable identifier markings printed on packaging elements for consumer products to attribute results to a particular packaging element from a previous quality evaluation of the packaging element during the manufacturing process. Example 47: The use described in Example 46, wherein the identifier marking is read, thereby obtaining packaging element identification information of the packaging element, and a result of the quality assessment of the packaging element is obtained from the stored dataset based on the obtained packaging element identification information. Example 48: Use according to example 47, wherein at least one packaging element is deflected from the production route depending on the obtained results of the quality assessment. Example 49: The use of any one of Examples 46 to 48, wherein the identifier marking is printed by a digital printer along with the package decor element. Example 50: Use according to any one of embodiments 46 to 49, wherein after the quality assessment of the packaging element, a data set is stored which makes it possible to obtain a result of the quality assessment based on the product identification information of the packaging element. Example 51: The use according to any one of Examples 46 to 50, wherein the packaging element is a packaging element for an aerosol-generating article.
[0084] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the following figures:
[0085] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a production system 1 for a packaging element 3 for an aerosol-generating article. In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging element 3 is configured to be folded into a container for an aerosol-generating article. The packaging element 3 is formed as a substrate from a packaging material 5. A conveying system 7 comprising transport rollers 9 and a conveyor 11 conveys the packaging material 5 along a conveying direction 13 through the production system 1. In Fig. 1, the conveying direction 13 is from left to right. At the upstream end of the production system 1, the packaging material 5 is drawn as a web of packaging material from a supply bobbin 15 provided in a supply station.
[0086] The manufacturing system 1 includes a printing station 17, a quality evaluation station 19, and a cutting station 21. The cutting station 21 is provided downstream of the printing station 17. The quality evaluation station 19 is provided between the printing station 17 and the cutting station 21.
[0087] Portion 100 of Figure 2 shows a top view of the web of packaging material 5 at a location between supply bobbin 15 and printing station 17. The dashed lines in portion 100 of Figure 2 indicate the area of packaging material 5 that will form packaging element 3. The dashed lines in portion 100 of Figure 2 that will form packaging element 3 are for illustrative purposes only and do not indicate any cuts or perforations in the web of packaging material 5.
[0088] The printing station 17 comprises a digital printer 23. The digital printer 23 prints a package decoration element 25 and an identifier marking 27 onto each of the areas of the web of packaging material 5 that form the packaging element 3. The package decoration element 25 may include, for example, brand information, user information, or a decorative element.
[0089] The identifier marking 27 is a marking which uniquely identifies the individual packaging element 3. The identifier marking 27 is readable as a packaging element identification of the corresponding packaging element 3. The identifier marking 27 may be printed, for example, in the form of a bar code or a QR code, or an alphanumeric code, or a registration number. The package decor element 25 may be, at least in part, identical for each packaging element 3. The identifier marking 27 may be different for each packaging element 3.
[0090] Portion 200 of FIG. 2 shows a top view of the web of packaging material 5 at a location between the printing station 17 and the quality assessment station 19 , showing the printed package decor element 25 and identifier markings 27 .
[0091] The quality evaluation station 19 performs a quality evaluation of each packaging element 3. The quality evaluation station 19 comprises an optical quality inspection system 29. The optical quality inspection system 29 may be configured to perform a quality evaluation of the packaging elements 3 based on an optical analysis of the packaging elements 3. In particular, the optical quality inspection system 29 may perform a quality evaluation of the print quality of the package decor element 27 of each packaging element 3. The optical quality inspection system 29 may comprise one or more cameras that capture pictures or videos of the packaging elements 3. The optical quality inspection system 29 may comprise a color measurement device, such as, for example, a spectrophotometer. The optical quality inspection system 29 may be configured to perform color measurements at one or more locations on each packaging element 3. The quality evaluation station 19 is configured to evaluate measurement data from the optical quality inspection system 29 against the quality requirement specifications. Based on the evaluation of the measurement data against the quality requirement specifications, the quality evaluation station 19 determines a result of the quality evaluation of each packaging element 3.
[0092] The quality assessment station 19 is configured to read an identifier marking 27 of the packaging elements 3 as packaging element identification information. The identifier marking 27 may be read by an optical quality inspection system 29 of the quality assessment station 19 or by an additional detector of the quality assessment station 19. The controller 31 is configured to store a data set in the data memory 33. The data set makes it possible to obtain a result of the quality assessment for any one of the packaging elements 3 based on the packaging element identification information of the particular packaging element 3. The controller 31 stores the data set based on the data provided by the quality assessment station 19.
[0093] The cutting station 21 is configured to cut the packaging elements 3 from the web of packaging material 5, for example by cutting or punching. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, downstream of the cutting station 21 the cut packaging elements 3 are conveyed as individual packaging elements 3 along the conveying direction 13. The portion 300 in Fig. 2 shows a top view of the packaging elements 3 downstream of the cutting station 21. The remaining portions 30 of the web of packaging material 5, being the parts of the web that were between or around the packaging elements 3, deviate from the production path at the cutting station 21.
[0094] Downstream of the cutting station 21, a sorting station 35 is provided. The sorting station 35 comprises a reader 37 configured to read the identifier markings 27 of the packaging elements 3 to obtain packaging element identification information of the packaging elements 3. The reader 37 may comprise an optical reader and a processor for analyzing information from the optical reader. The reader 37 may be configured as a QR code reader, or a barcode reader, or an optical pattern recognition system, or a code reader. The sorting station 35 comprises a sorting station controller 39 that accesses the data memory 33 and obtains a result of the quality assessment of the packaging elements 3 from the data set based on the packaging element identification information from the reader 37.
[0095] The sorting station 35 comprises a sorting device 41 configured to selectively pass the packaging elements 3 along the conveying direction 13 or to deviate the packaging elements 3 from the production path. The sorting device 41 is controlled by the sorting station controller 39 based on the results of the quality assessment obtained from the data set, and passes the packaging elements 3 having a quality assessment result of a first result along the conveying direction 13 and deviates the packaging elements 3 having a quality assessment result of a second result from the production path 13.
[0096] There can be three or more different results of the quality assessment and three or more corresponding different paths along which the packaging elements 3 are sorted based on the result of the quality assessment. In the illustrated embodiment, the first result of the quality assessment is that the quality assessment is passed. The packaging elements 3 which have had a first result of the quality assessment are stacked and conveyed downstream of the sorting station 35 along the conveying direction 13 for being subjected to further production steps. In the illustrated embodiment, the second result of the quality assessment is that the quality assessment is not passed. The packaging elements 3 which have had a second result of the quality assessment may, for example, be diverted by the sorting device 41 into a waste container.
[0097] Packaging elements 3 from the stack of packaging elements 3 which have passed the quality assessment may be subjected to a further process of being formed into containers for aerosol-generating articles, in particular packs or shipping containers for aerosol-generating articles.
[0098] In the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, printing, quality assessment, cutting and sorting were performed in one production line comprising the printing station 17, the quality assessment station 19, the cutting station 21 and the sorting station 35. Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment in which the production system 1 comprises the printing station 17, the quality assessment station 19 and the controller 31, but does not comprise the cutting station 21 and the sorting station 35. The printing station 17 and the quality assessment station 19 may be the same as in the embodiment of Fig. 1. Also in the same way as in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the controller 31 stores in a data memory 33 a data set that allows obtaining a result of the quality assessment of any one of the packaging elements 3 based on the packaging element identification information of the packaging elements 3. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, a web of packaging material 5 with packaging elements 3 of a batch of packaging elements 3 is wound on a bobbin 43 by a winding unit 45 downstream of the quality assessment station 19. The wound web of packaging material 5 comprises packaging elements 3 with printed package decor elements 25 and printed identifier markings 27.
[0099] The batch marking device 47 generates a batch marker that is readable as a unique batch identification. The unique batch identification is linked to a data set stored in the data memory 33. The batch marking device 47 may generate the batch marker as a sticker with a code that is readable as a unique batch identification. The code may be, for example, a QR code, or a bar code, or a number code. The sticker may be placed on the bobbin 43. The bobbin 43 may be taken to another manufacturing system where the bobbin 43 is unwound and the manufacturing may continue. The other manufacturing system may, for example, comprise a cutting station 21 and a sorting station 35. The other manufacturing system may be configured to read the batch marker and obtain the unique batch identification. Based on the unique batch identification, the other manufacturing system may obtain a data set from the data memory 33 to enable obtaining a result of a quality assessment of the packaging elements 3 based on the identifier markings of the packaging elements 3.
[0100] Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. In the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, packaging material 5 is supplied to the production system 1 as sheets of packaging material 5 rather than as a web of packaging material. Apart from this, the production system 1 according to the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 essentially corresponds to the production system 1 according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.
[0101] Portion 400 of Figure 5 shows a top view of a sheet of packaging material 5 at a position between a hopper 49 of a feed station that provides the sheet of packaging material 5 to the transport system 7 and the printing station 17. As indicated by dashed lines in portion 400 of Figure 5, each sheet of packaging material 5 includes a plurality of regions that form packaging elements 3. In the illustrated embodiment, each sheet of packaging material 5 includes four regions, each of which forms a packaging element 3.
[0102] Portion 500 of Figure 5 shows a top view of a sheet of packaging material 5 in a position between the printing station 17 and the quality evaluation station 19, showing package decorative element 25 and identifier markings 27 printed on the area forming packaging element 3 within the printing station 17.
[0103] Portion 600 of Figure 5 shows a top view of the packaging element 3 downstream of the cutting station 21. At the cutting station 21, the packaging element 3 is severed from the remaining portion 30 of the respective sheet of packaging material 5, for example by cutting or punching.
[0104] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment essentially similar to that of FIG. 3. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the packaging material 5 is provided to the manufacturing system 1 of FIG. 6 not as a web of packaging material 5, but as a sheet of packaging material 5. Instead of being wound downstream of the quality evaluation station 19, the packaging material 5 is collected in the embodiment of FIG. 6 in a stack of sheets of packaging material 5 in a stacking unit 51 downstream of the quality evaluation station 19. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a batch marker generated by a batch marking device 47 is placed on the collected stack of sheets of packaging material 5 including the packaging elements 3. The collected stack may be brought to another manufacturing system and the sheets from the collected stack 43 may be fed to the manufacturing path. Other manufacturing systems may comprise, for example, a cutting station 21 and a sorting station 35. Other manufacturing systems may be configured to read the batch marker and obtain the unique batch identification information. Based on the unique batch identification information, the other manufacturing system may obtain a data set from the data memory 33 to enable obtaining the result of the quality evaluation of the packaging elements 3 based on their identifier markings.
[0105] For purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like are understood to be modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A±10%. Within this context, the number A may be considered to include a numerical value that is within the general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A may, in some cases, as used in the appended claims, deviate by the percentages recited above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel properties of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein.
Claims
1. A manufacturing system for packaging elements for aerosol-generating articles, wherein the packaging element is formed by a region of packaging material, and the manufacturing system A printing station configured to print an identifier marking on each of the aforementioned packaging elements, which is readable as packaging element identification information for the corresponding packaging element, A quality evaluation station configured to perform quality evaluations of each packaging element, A conveying system configured to convey the packaging elements along the manufacturing direction, at least through the printing station and the quality evaluation station, Data memory and Equipped with a sorting station, The manufacturing system includes a controller configured to store a dataset in the data memory that enables the acquisition of the quality evaluation result for any one of the packaging elements based on the packaging element identification information of a specific packaging element, A manufacturing system in which the sorting station is configured to read the identifier marking of at least one packaging element, thereby obtaining packaging element identification information of the at least one packaging element, and to obtain the result of the quality evaluation of the at least one packaging element from the stored dataset based on the obtained packaging element identification information.
2. The manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing station is configured to print a package decoration element on each of the packaging elements in addition to the identifier marking.
3. The manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the quality evaluation includes determining, as a result of the quality evaluation, the extent to which the packaging element conforms to the quality requirements specifications.
4. The manufacturing system according to claim 3, wherein the quality requirement specification includes at least one of a target color range, target shape, target brightness range, target image, and defect catalog.
5. The manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a supply station configured to supply the packaging material upstream of one or both of the printing station and the quality evaluation station.
6. The manufacturing system according to claim 5, wherein the supply station is configured to supply the packaging material in the form of a web including a plurality of regions that form a packaging element.
7. The manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveying system is configured to provide the packaging material to the quality evaluation station in the form of a web including a plurality of regions that form a packaging element.
8. The manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a cutting station configured to cut the packaging element from the remaining portion of the packaging material.
9. The manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sorting station is configured to deviate at least one packaging element from the manufacturing path based on the obtained results of the quality evaluation.
10. The manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a batch marking device configured to generate batch markers readable as unique batch identification information for a particular batch of packaging elements.
11. A method for quality control of packaging elements for consumer products, Marking each of multiple packaging elements for consumer products with an identifier marking, wherein the identifier marking is readable as packaging element identification information of the packaging element; The quality evaluation of each of the aforementioned multiple packaging elements is carried out, A dataset is stored that enables the acquisition of the quality evaluation result for any one of the plurality of packaging elements based on the product identification information of a specific packaging element. The process includes reading the identifier marking of at least one of the packaging elements, thereby obtaining the packaging element identification information of the at least one packaging element, and obtaining the result of the quality evaluation of the at least one packaging element from the stored dataset based on the obtained packaging element identification information, A method for deviating from the manufacturing process in accordance with the obtained results of the quality evaluation of at least one of the packaging elements.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the quality evaluation of the packaging element includes determining, as a result of the quality evaluation, the extent to which the packaging element conforms to the quality requirements specification.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the identifier marking and package decoration elements are printed on each package element in the same printing process.
14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising cutting the packaging element from a web of packaging material or from a sheet of packaging material.
15. Use of readable identifier markings printed on a packaging element for a consumer product to attribute results to a particular packaging element from a previous quality assessment of the packaging element during the manufacturing process, wherein the identifier markings are read, thereby obtaining packaging element identification information of the packaging element, the result of the quality assessment of the packaging element is obtained from a stored dataset based on the obtained packaging element identification information, and the packaging element deviates from the manufacturing path in accordance with the obtained result of the quality assessment.