Tagant inspection system

Abstract

A system for checking a tagant applied to a component of an aerosol-generating article during the manufacture of the aerosol-generating article on a manufacturing line, at least one first sensor configured to detect a tagant applied to a surface of a material web and to determine that the tagant has been applied so as to meet a predetermined continuity of an application quality condition; at least one second sensor located downstream of the at least one first sensor on the manufacturing line, the at least one second sensor being configured to inspect a portion of the material web after the material web has been cut into portions and to confirm at least one of a predetermined profile of the tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant, a system comprising the at least one second sensor is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for checking quality parameters of a tagant applied to a component of an aerosol-generating article during the manufacture of the aerosol-generating article on a production line.

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol-generating devices that heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol without burning the aerosol-forming substrate are well known in the art. The aerosol-forming substrate is typically provided in an aerosol-generating article together with other components such as one or more filter segments. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0003] The heating element is typically arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The heating element may comprise an internal heating element that extends into the cavity and is received within the aerosol-generating article. The heating element may comprise an external heating element arranged to extend around the outside of the aerosol-generating article. The combination of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article may be referred to as an aerosol-generating system.

[0004] Aerosol-generating articles developed for use in an aerosol-generating system are typically specially designed without combustion as occurs in end-lit cigarettes and other smoking articles, since flavor is generated and released by controlled heating of the aerosol-forming substrate. Accordingly, the structure of the aerosol-generating article may be different from the structure of an end-lit smoking article. Using an end-lit smoking article together with an aerosol-generating device may result in a poor smoking experience for the user and may also damage the aerosol-generating device, for example because the smoking article is not compatible with the aerosol-generating device.

[0005] However, it is conceivable that users may inadvertently or otherwise attempt to use aerosol-generating articles with an aerosol-generating device that is not designed to be used with aerosol-generating articles. For example, a user may attempt to use a lit cigarette or a counterfeit aerosol-generating article at the end of an aerosol-generating device. This may result in poor aerosol generation and a reduced user experience, which may have an adverse effect on the aerosol-generating device. In addition, the use of aerosol-generating articles other than the intended aerosol-generating articles may damage the aerosol-generating device.

[0006] In addition, there may be a number of different aerosol-generating articles, each of which is configured for use with an aerosol-generating device, but each provides a different smoking experience for the user. Depending on the type or flavor of the aerosol-generating article used with the aerosol-generating device, it may be desirable for one or more heating elements of the aerosol-generating device to reach different temperatures at different times (i.e., have different heating profiles). In such embodiments, it would be desirable for the aerosol-generating device to automatically modify the temperature setting without the user having to enter any details manually.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating system that facilitates detection of the presence of a particular aerosol-generating article. If the aerosol-generating device does not recognize a particular aerosol-generating article, it would be desirable to prevent activation of the heating element to prevent a poor user experience. In addition, if the aerosol-generating device detects a particular recognized aerosol-generating article, it would seem desirable for the aerosol-generating device to operate the heating element according to a particular heating profile specifically configured for use with that type of aerosol-generating article.

[0008] It is well known to address these problems by applying a tagant to at least a component of an aerosol-generating article. The tagant may be a photoluminescent tagant that generates a distinguishable signal when exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength.

[0009] An aerosol-generating system may comprise an emitter that emits electromagnetic radiation towards a tagant on an aerosol-generating article, and a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tagant in response to the incident electromagnetic radiation. Thus, the aerosol-generating device can identify an aerosol-generating article inserted into the device by checking a predetermined photoluminescence profile generated by the tagant in response to the incident electromagnetic radiation. Different tagants having different photoluminescence profiles can be used to identify different flavors, strengths, or types of aerosol-generating articles, and this information can be used to set appropriate operating parameters such as heating parameters for the aerosol-generating device. Also, by preventing the heating operation when a predetermined photoluminescence profile is not detected, it is possible to prevent the use of counterfeit aerosol-generating articles or aerosol-generating articles not designed for use with a specific aerosol-generating device.

[0010] Applying a tagant to an aerosol-generating article during manufacture can be complex, and it is important that the quality parameters of the applied tagant are within a predetermined tolerance. For example, if the tagant is not applied sufficiently or not applied continuously to a sufficient extent (e.g., without breaks exceeding 1 millimeter (mm)), this can result in genuine aerosol-generating articles being manufactured and sold but not being usable in a genuine aerosol-generating device, leading to consumer disappointment. Furthermore, the high speed and high throughput of the manufacturing process of aerosol-generating articles (typically thousands of articles per minute) make it time-inadequate to perform a complete tagant quality check on each individual article without significantly slowing down the manufacturing process or increasing costs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for checking the presence and integrity of a tagant applied to a component of an aerosol-generating article during the manufacture of the aerosol-generating article on a production line, comprising: at least one first sensor configured to detect a tagant applied to the surface of a material web and determine that the tagant is applied so as to satisfy a predetermined continuity of the application quality conditions; at least one second sensor located downstream of at least one first sensor on the production line, the at least one second sensor being configured to inspect a portion of the material web after the material web has been partially cut and confirm at least one of a predetermined profile of the tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant, a system comprising the at least one second sensor is provided.

[0012] In the present invention, two different types of sensors are used, each performing a different function.

[0013] At least one first sensor is provided upstream of at least one second sensor and is configured to detect a tagant applied to the surface of a material web. Advantageously, the material web is in the form of a continuous strip of material such as tipping paper unwound from a roll of material. The tagant may be applied by spraying or painting a tagant solution onto the surface of the material web to form at least one substantially continuous line along the length of the continuous strip. The at least one first sensor may be configured to detect the presence of the tagant and to verify that the tagant is applied so as to meet a predetermined continuity of application quality conditions along the length of the strip of the material web. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one first sensor may be configured to detect an interruption of the substantially continuous line(s) of tagant applied to the continuous strip or to detect a variation in the amount of tagant per unit length of the strip of the material web. If an interruption is detected or if a variation in the amount of tagant per unit length outside an acceptable range is detected, it may indicate a fault condition. If a fault condition is indicated, the manufacturing process may be stopped until the cause of the fault is determined and corrected. Alternatively or additionally, aerosol generating articles in which a portion of the material web that does not meet the predetermined continuity of application quality conditions of the tagant is manufactured may be automatically discarded by the manufacturing line. Importantly, the at least one first sensor may be configured to detect only the presence of the tagant on the surface of the material web and the continuity of the application quality conditions. The at least one first sensor need not identify the photoluminescence profile of the tagant. This allows the strip of the material web to pass through the at least one first sensor at a faster rate than would be possible if the photoluminescence profile of the tagant needed to be identified, thus accelerating the manufacturing process.

[0014] At least one second sensor is provided at a downstream position relative to at least one first sensor and is configured to confirm at least one of the photoluminescence profile of the tagant and the concentration of the tagant. At least one second sensor is configured to inspect the tagant on the portion after an individual portion of the material web has been cut from a continuous strip of the material web. The cut portion may be configured as a surrounding wrapper in a rod-shaped article such as a component of an aerosol-generating article. Since at least one first sensor has already verified that the tagant is applied to meet a predetermined continuity of the applicable quality conditions along the strip of the material web, at least one second sensor does not need to check the continuity of the tagant for each cut portion of the material web before or after the cut portion of the material web is formed into the surrounding wrapper. Instead, at least one second sensor is configured to confirm at least one of the photoluminescence profile of the tagant and the concentration of the tagant. This step may take a finite amount of time for each rod-shaped article. This step may take longer than the step of detecting the tagant applied to the surface of the material web and determining that the tagant is applied to meet a predetermined continuity of the applicable quality conditions. By eliminating the need to check the continuity of the tagant application on the cut portion of the material web, the system of the present invention means that only a relatively small portion of the tagant on the cut portion of the material web needs to be inspected by at least one second sensor since at least one first sensor has already verified that the tagant is applied continuously to the required extent, for example, without an interruption exceeding 1 millimeter. As a result, more time is available for at least one second sensor to identify and confirm the photoluminescence profile of the tagant for a given throughput of the cut portion of the strip of the material web.

[0015] Furthermore, in some manufacturing lines, the material web can travel at high speeds, e.g., 120 - 150 m / min, before being cut into parts. In an example where the material web is traveling at 125 m / min, a 1 mm movement occurs every 480 microseconds (μs). It can take several milliseconds (ms), e.g., about 2 ms, to check the photoluminescence profile of the tagant (sufficient time is required for the tagant to absorb and re - emit photonic energy and for the detector to perform calculations to analyze and identify the photoluminescence profile), which means it is very difficult to check the photoluminescence profile of the tagant at the high - speed material web travel speed. Reducing the travel speed of the material web so that the photoluminescence profile of the tagant can be checked can result in a significant reduction in the manufacturing speed.

[0016] By separating the sensor for checking the continuity of the tagant from the sensor for checking at least one of a predetermined profile of the tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant, advanced tagant application quality control becomes possible without sacrificing the speed and efficiency of the manufacturing line. The first sensor is configured to perform the function of detecting the tagant applied to the surface of the material web and determining that the tagant is applied to meet the predetermined continuity of the application quality conditions, which can be done at a relatively high material web travel speed. Thus, the first sensor can be disposed as part of a manufacturing line where the material web is traveling at high speed. The second sensor is configured to perform the function of checking at least one of a predetermined profile of the tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant, which takes longer than determining the continuity of the application quality conditions. Thus, the second sensor is disposed as part of a manufacturing line where the material web is not traveling at such high speed, i.e., after the material web has been cut into parts (e.g., to form the surrounding wrapper in a rod - shaped article).

[0017] In some embodiments, at least one first sensor is disposed upstream of a system in which a web of material in the form of a strip of material travels past the at least one first sensor at a speed of at least 50 m / min. In some embodiments, at least one first sensor is disposed upstream of a system in which a web of material in the form of a strip of material travels past the at least one first sensor at a speed of at least 100 m / min.

[0018] In some embodiments, at least one second sensor is disposed downstream of a system in which a cut portion of the web of material travels past the at least one second sensor at a speed of less than 50 m / min. For example, the at least one second sensor may be disposed downstream of a system in which a cut portion of the web of material is wound around various components to form a rod-shaped article, and the rod-shaped article is conveyed around a drum-shaped moving assembly having a plurality of circumferentially extending outer grooves extending longitudinally. The drum-shaped moving assembly may rotate at a speed of up to about 140 revolutions per minute (rpm). The drum-shaped moving assembly may rotate at a speed of up to about 180 rpm. In some examples, a rotational speed of 143 rpm results in the passage of 4000 rod-shaped articles per minute past the second sensor. In some examples, a rotational speed of 178 rpm results in the passage of 5000 rod-shaped articles per minute past the second sensor. In some examples, it may take about 10 - 12 ms for the drum-shaped moving assembly to rotate by an angle defined by the separation distance between a circumferentially extending outer groove extending in one longitudinal direction and an adjacent circumferentially extending outer groove extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] The web of material may be tipping paper.

[0020] The web of material may be a strip of material having a length that is at least 1000 times greater than the width of the strip of material. For example, the strip of material may be unwound from a bobbin of the web of material. For example, the strip of material may have a width of 40 mm to 100 mm and a length of greater than 2500 m, such as 2500 m to 3400 m.

[0021] The tagant may be applied to the material web in the form of at least one substantially continuous band along the length of the material web. In some embodiments, the tagant is applied to the material web in the form of at least two substantially continuous bands of tagant along the length of the material web. By having at least two substantially continuous bands applied generally parallel along the length of the material web, the material web can first be cut into a tipping paper portion configured to form a joined pair of rod-shaped articles, i.e., a rod-shaped article of double length, which can then be cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the joined pair of rod-shaped articles to form two individual rod-shaped articles. The application of two substantially continuous bands of tagant along the length of the material web means that after cutting, a band of tagant on the tipping paper can be provided for each individual rod-shaped article.

[0022] The first sensor may be configured to indicate a fault condition when the first sensor detects a variation outside a predetermined range in the amount of tagant per unit length applied along at least one substantially continuous band, or in the amount of tagant per unit length applied along at least one of at least two substantially continuous bands. For example, the first sensor may be configured to indicate a fault condition when the first sensor detects an interruption exceeding 1 mm along the length of the tagant band(s). Thus, the first sensor determines whether the tagant applied along at least one substantially continuous band, or along at least one of at least two substantially continuous bands, was applied to meet a predetermined continuity of application conditions. For example, if the application of the tagant by the tagant applicator is interrupted due to nozzle blockage or depletion of the tagant reservoir, at least one first sensor can provide a prompt indication that the tagant applicator requires attention or maintenance.

[0023] The cut portion of the material web may be configured as a surrounding wrapper in a rod-shaped article. For example, using a machine well-known in the art as a coupling device, several aligned components can be combined into a single or double rod-shaped article by wrapping them around the components in a portion of the tipping paper.

[0024] The tagant may be present on the outer surface of the surrounding wrapper. For example, the tagant may be applied to the surface of the material web that will form the outer tipping paper surface on the finished rod-shaped article. This facilitates the identification of the rod-shaped article in the aerosol generator by irradiating the outer surface of the tipping paper with light of a predetermined wavelength when the rod-shaped article is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol generator, since it is not necessary for light to pass through the tipping paper to elicit a photoluminescence response from the tagant.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the tagant may be present on the inner surface of the surrounding wrapper. For example, the tagant may be applied to the surface of the material web that will form the inner tipping paper surface on the finished rod-shaped article. This may potentially reduce the sensitivity of the identification of the rod-shaped article in the aerosol generator, but the provision of the tagant on the inner surface of the surrounding wrapper can help to avoid or reduce the erosion of the tagant from the tipping paper during the conveyance or handling of the rod-shaped article before insertion into the aerosol generator.

[0026] The second sensor may be configured to inspect each surrounding wrapper in only one rotational orientation of the rod-shaped article with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped component. For example, when a rod-shaped article (a single rod-shaped article or two combined rod-shaped articles) is conveyed around a drum-shaped moving assembly having a plurality of circumferentially extending outer peripheral grooves, the rod-shaped article need not rotate itself within the outer peripheral grooves. Since the first sensor has already determined that the tagant has been applied such that it meets a predetermined continuity of application conditions, the second sensor need not perform the same check. Since the second sensor can assume that the tagant has been applied such that it meets a predetermined continuity of application conditions, the second sensor can be configured to confirm at least one of a predetermined profile of the tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant by inspecting the tagant in only one rotational orientation of the rod-shaped article with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped component.

[0027] The first sensor, or the second sensor, or the first and second sensors may be configured to operate using electromagnetic waves having at least one wavelength (single or plural) in the ultraviolet spectrum, visible light spectrum, and infrared spectrum.

[0028] The wavelength(s) of the electromagnetic radiation can be selected according to the photoluminescence characteristics of the tagant applied to the material web.

[0029] The first sensor and the second sensor can be configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of the same spectrum. The first sensor and the second sensor can be configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of substantially the same wavelength.

[0030] The first sensor and the second sensor can be configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of different spectra. The first sensor and the second sensor can be configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths.

[0031] The selection of the appropriate electromagnetic radiation wavelength will depend on the photochemical properties of the applied tagant.

[0032] The first sensor may be configured to determine a predetermined continuity of the applicable quality conditions without requiring a photoluminescence response from the tagant. For example, the first sensor may determine the continuity of the applicable quality conditions by determining the intensity or coloration or electromagnetic radiation reflected from the material web, and the variation in intensity or coloration indicates the variation in the continuity of the applicable quality conditions. However, the second sensor is preferably configured to detect a specific photoluminescence response elicited from the tagant after irradiation with electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength(s), which may be a different process than that used by the first sensor to determine that the tagant has been applied to meet a predetermined continuity of the applicable quality conditions.

[0033] In other embodiments, both the first sensor and the second sensor may be configured to elicit a photoluminescence response from the tagant by irradiating the tagant with electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength(s) and to detect the photoluminescence response. In these embodiments, the first sensor may be configured to merely confirm that a photoluminescence response is elicited, and the second sensor may be configured to more specifically analyze specific characteristics of the photoluminescence response, for example, by analyzing the decay rate of the photoluminescence response after irradiation with electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength(s) has been temporarily discontinued.

[0034] The first sensor and the second sensor may be configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength(s) in the range of 600 nanometers (nm) to 1200 nm.

[0035] The first sensor and the second sensor may be configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength(s) in the range of 800 nm to 1000 nm.

[0036] Electromagnetic radiation at these wavelengths is well suited to eliciting a good response from tags typically used in the tobacco product and aerosol generating system industries.

[0037] The tag may be a photoluminescence tag. Photoluminescence is the emission of light from any form of matter after the absorption of photons and is caused by photoexcitation. After excitation, various relaxation processes typically occur, where other photons are re-emitted. The period between absorption and emission can vary but is typically on the order of a few milliseconds in molecular systems.

[0038] The first sensor may be configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tag on the material web and to receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tag in response to the beam of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first sensor.

[0039] The second sensor may be configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tag on the cut portion of the material web and to receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tag in response to the beam of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second sensor.

[0040] The first sensor may be configured to emit a pulsed beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tag on the material web.

[0041] The second sensor may be configured to emit a pulsed beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tag on the cut portion of the material web.

[0042] The pulsed beam emitted by the first sensor may have a top-hat pulse profile.

[0043] The pulsed beam emitted by the second sensor may have the same top-hat pulse profile as the first sensor, or may be different and may have a top-hat pulse profile.

[0044] The tagant may be a fluorescent tagant. Fluorescence is a form of photoluminescence in which the emitted electromagnetic radiation generally has a longer wavelength, and thus lower photon energy, than the absorbed electromagnetic radiation.

[0045] The tagant may be a phosphorescent tagant. Phosphorescence is a form of photoluminescence similar to fluorescence, but with a much larger delay before the electromagnetic radiation is emitted, and often persists for a longer period after the incident electromagnetic radiation has been removed. The delay is due to the absorption of some of the photon energy by the tagant molecules.

[0046] The phosphorescent tagant may have a predetermined emission half-life. The emission half-life is the time it takes for the emitted electromagnetic radiation intensity to decrease by 50% from its maximum value after the incident electromagnetic radiation has been removed.

[0047] The first sensor may be configured to detect the phosphorescence response from the tagant, but not to verify or determine the emission half-life of the phosphorescent tagant. The second sensor may be configured to verify or determine the emission half-life of the phosphorescent tagant. By using different detection mechanisms, the first sensor and the second sensor can be adapted to their different tasks to improve the efficiency within the system.

[0048] The first sensor may include an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation towards the tagant. The second sensor may include an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation towards the tagant.

[0049] The emitter of the first sensor may be configured to emit a pulsed beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tagant on the material web.

[0050] The emitter of the second sensor may be configured to emit a pulsed beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tagant on the cut portion of the material web.

[0051] The pulsed beam emitted by the emitter of the first sensor may have a top-hat pulse profile.

[0052] The pulsed beam emitted by the emitter of the second sensor may have a top-hat pulse profile that is the same as or different from the top-hat pulse profile of the first sensor.

[0053] Each emitter of the first sensor and the second sensor may comprise a light-emitting diode or a laser. The first sensor may have an emitter in the form of a light-emitting diode, and the second sensor may have an emitter in the form of a laser. The first sensor may have an emitter in the form of a laser, and the second sensor may have an emitter in the form of a light-emitting diode.

[0054] The first sensor may comprise a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tagant. The second sensor may comprise a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tagant. The receiver of the first sensor may comprise a photoreceptor, optionally a photodiode or a phototransistor. The receiver of the second sensor may comprise a photoreceptor, optionally a photodiode or a phototransistor.

[0055] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for checking the presence and integrity of a tagant applied to a component of an aerosol-generating article during the manufacture of the aerosol-generating article on a production line, providing at least one first sensor; operating at least one first sensor to detect a tagant applied to the surface of a web of material and to determine that the tagant has been applied so as to meet a predetermined continuity of application quality criteria; providing at least one second sensor located downstream of the at least one first sensor on the production line; After the material web is partially cut, at least one second sensor is operated to inspect the portion of the material web and to confirm at least one of a predetermined profile of the tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant. A method is provided that includes this.

[0056] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate that releases a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol when heated in an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article is separated from the aerosol-generating device and is configured to be combined with the aerosol-generating device to heat the aerosol-generating article.

[0057] As used herein, the term "amount" is used to describe the content of a material, component, or object. The amount can be used to quantitatively describe a number, mass, degree, or size.

[0058] As used herein, the term "apply" is used to describe a process of supplying or feeding one material to another, for example, on or within a material.

[0059] As used herein, the term "component" is used to describe an element of a larger whole. For example, a component is used to describe a part of an aerosol-generating article. A component may also refer to two or more parts of an aerosol-generating article.

[0060] As used herein, the term "concentration" is used to describe the amount of a substance per unit area or volume. For example, concentration is used to quantify the amount or density of a substance within a component.

[0061] As used herein, the term "detect" is used to describe the process of identifying the presence of a substance.

[0062] As used herein, the term "luminescence half-life" is used to refer to the time it takes for the intensity of radiation emitted by a photoluminescence material to decay by half after the photoluminescence material has been irradiated by an electromagnetic radiation source and after the electromagnetic radiation source has been removed or turned off.

[0063] As used herein, the term "emitter" is used to describe a device that emits a signal.

[0064] As used herein, the term "manufacturing line" refers to an arrangement in a factory by which an article is assembled from discrete components in a generally linear sequence of machine operations. A manufacturing line may be carried out by a single piece of equipment, but more commonly is carried out by several pieces of equipment arranged in sequence. In the context of a manufacturing line, the term "downstream" refers to where a component or partially assembled article passes after passing a point, and the term "upstream" refers to where a component or partially assembled article passes before passing a point.

[0065] As used herein, the term "material web" refers to a thin, flexible material, such as a web of paper, that can be unwound from a bobbin.

[0066] As used herein, the term "predetermined" is used to describe a parameter that has been established in advance.

[0067] As used herein, the term "predetermined continuity of the applicable quality condition" refers to a measure of the continuity of a band of tagant applied along the surface of a material web. When a break or interruption is detected in the band of tagant applied along the surface of the material web, the continuity of the applicable quality condition is not met. Optionally, when a break or interruption exceeding 1 millimeter is detected in the band of tagant applied along the surface of the material web, the continuity of the applicable quality condition is not met. Optionally, when it is detected that the width of the band of tagant applied along the surface of the material web is less than a predetermined value, the continuity of the applicable quality condition may not be met. Optionally, when it is detected that the width of the band of tagant applied along the surface of the material web is less than a predetermined value, the continuity of the applicable quality condition may not be met. Variations in the width of the applied tagant band may indicate clogging of the application nozzle or depletion of the tagant supply.

[0068] As used herein, the term "rod" is used to describe a component, segment, or element having a generally cylindrical cross-section for use in an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article may comprise several different rods, such as a filter rod. The cylindrical cross-section may be, for example, a circular cross-section or an oval cross-section.

[0069] As used herein, the term "sensor" is used to describe a device used to measure the physical properties of the environment. For example, the sensor may be a device used in the manufacturing process for measuring the physical properties of components of an aerosol generating article, such as photoluminescence properties.

[0070] As used herein, the term "tagant profile" is used to refer to the characteristic response of a tagant applied to a web of material when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation of the appropriate wavelength(s). The response may be, for example, a photoluminescence response or a spectroscopic response. Since different tagants may have different profiles, the use of tagants makes it possible to identify and distinguish articles to which different tagants have been applied.

[0071] As used herein, the term "tagant" refers to a substance applied to a web of material, such as a photoluminescence compound, the presence of which may be detected by a detector suitable for enabling the identification of aerosol-generating articles incorporating portions of the web of material. The tagant may be sprayed or painted onto the web of material in liquid form prior to subsequent drying. The tagant may include a suitable solvent to facilitate rapid drying.

[0072] As used herein, the term "verify" is used to refer to the process by which a measured parameter is compared to the desired value(s) of that parameter. A parameter is considered to be verified if the measured value is within a predetermined threshold range that includes the desired value(s).

[0073] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more of the features of any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example

[0074] Example 1: A system for checking the presence and integrity of a tagant applied to components of an aerosol-generating article during the manufacture of the aerosol-generating article on a production line, At least one first sensor configured to detect a tagant applied to the surface of a material web and to determine that the tagant is applied so as to meet a predetermined continuity of an applicable quality condition, At least one second sensor located downstream of at least one first sensor on a manufacturing line, the at least one second sensor being configured to inspect a portion of the material web after the material web has been cut into portions and to confirm at least one of a predetermined profile of the tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant, a system comprising the at least one second sensor.

[0075] Example 2. The system according to Example 1, wherein the material web is tipping paper.

[0076] Example 3. The system according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the material web is a strip of material having a length that is at least 1000 times greater than the width of the strip of material.

[0077] Example 4. The system according to Example 3, wherein the tagant is applied to the material web in the form of at least one substantially continuous strip along the length of the material web.

[0078] Example 5. The system according to Example 3, wherein the tagant is applied to the material web in the form of at least two substantially continuous strips along the length of the material web.

[0079] Example 6. The system according to Example 4 or Example 5, wherein the first sensor is configured to indicate a fault condition if the first sensor detects an interruption in at least one of the at least one substantially continuous strip or the at least two substantially continuous strips.

[0080] Example 7. The first sensor is configured to indicate a fault condition when the first sensor detects a variation outside a predetermined range in the amount of tagant per unit length applied along at least one substantially continuous band, or in the amount of tagant per unit length applied along at least one of at least two substantially continuous bands, according to any one of Examples 4 to 6 of the system.

[0081] Example 8. The cut portion of the material web is configured as a surrounding wrapper on a rod-shaped article, according to any preceding example of the system.

[0082] Example 9. The tagant is present on the outer surface of the surrounding wrapper, according to the system of Example 8.

[0083] Example 10. The tagant is present on the inner surface of the surrounding wrapper, according to the system of Example 8 or Example 9.

[0084] Example 11. The second sensor is configured to inspect each surrounding wrapper in only one rotational orientation of the rod-shaped article with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped article, according to any one of Examples 8 to 10 of the system.

[0085] Example 12. The first sensor or the second sensor, or the first sensor and the second sensor, is configured to operate using electromagnetic waves having at least one wavelength (singular or plural) in the ultraviolet spectrum, visible light spectrum, and infrared spectrum, according to any preceding example of the system.

[0086] Example 13. The first sensor and the second sensor are configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of the same spectrum, according to the system of Example 12.

[0087] Example 14. The system according to Example 12, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of substantially the same wavelength.

[0088] Example 15. The system according to Example 12, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of different spectra.

[0089] Example 16. The system according to Example 12, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths.

[0090] Example 17. The system according to Example 12, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength (s) in the range of 600 nm to 1200 nm.

[0091] Example 18. The system according to Example 12, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength (s) in the range of 800 nm to 1000 nm.

[0092] Example 19. The system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the tagant is a photoluminescence tagant.

[0093] Example 20. The system according to Example 19, wherein the first sensor emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tagant on the material web and receives the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tagant in response to the beam of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first sensor.

[0094] Example 21. The second sensor emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the taggant on the cut portion of the material web and is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the taggant in response to the beam of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second sensor, a system according to Example 19 or Example 20.

[0095] Example 22. A system according to any one of Examples 19 to 21, wherein the taggant is a fluorescent taggant.

[0096] Example 23. A system according to any one of Examples 19 to 21, wherein the taggant is a phosphorescent taggant.

[0097] Example 24. A system according to Example 23, wherein the phosphorescent taggant has a predetermined emission half-life.

[0098] Example 25. A system according to Example 24, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect the phosphorescent response from the taggant but not to verify or determine the emission half-life of the phosphorescent taggant.

[0099] Example 26. A system according to Example 25, wherein the second sensor is configured to verify or determine the emission half-life of the phosphorescent taggant.

[0100] Example 27. A system according to any preceding example, wherein the first sensor comprises an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation towards the taggant.

[0101] Example 28. A system according to any preceding example, wherein the second sensor comprises an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation towards the taggant.

[0102] Example 29. A system according to Example 27 or Example 28, wherein the emitter includes a light-emitting diode.

[0103] Example 30. A system according to any one of Examples 27 to 29, wherein the emitter includes a laser.

[0104] Example 31. A system according to any preceding example, wherein the first sensor comprises a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tagant.

[0105] Example 32. A system according to any preceding example, wherein the second sensor comprises a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tagant.

[0106] Example 33. A system according to Example 29 or Example 30, wherein the receiver includes a photoreceptor.

[0107] Example 34. A system according to Example 33, wherein the photoreceptor includes a photodiode.

[0108] Example 35. A system according to Example 33, wherein the photoreceptor includes a phototransistor.

[0109] Example 36. A method for checking the presence and integrity of a tagant applied to a component of an aerosol-generating article during the manufacture of the aerosol-generating article on a production line, comprising: providing at least one first sensor; operating at least one first sensor to detect a tagant applied to the surface of a web of material and to determine that the tagant has been applied so as to meet a predetermined continuity of applicable quality conditions; providing at least one second sensor located downstream of the at least one first sensor on the production line; A method including inspecting a portion of a material web after the material web has been partially cut and operating at least one second sensor to confirm at least one of a predetermined profile of a tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant.

[0110] Example 37. The method according to Example 36, wherein the material web is chipboard.

[0111] Example 38. The method according to Example 36 or Example 37, wherein the material web is a strip of material having a length that is at least 1000 times greater than the width of the strip of material.

[0112] Example 39. The method according to Example 38, wherein the tagant is applied to the material web in the form of at least one substantially continuous strip along the length of the material web.

[0113] Example 40. The method according to Example 38, wherein the tagant is applied to the material web in the form of at least two substantially continuous strips along the length of the material web.

[0114] Example 41. The method according to Example 39 or Example 40, wherein the first sensor indicates a fault condition if the first sensor detects an interruption in at least one of the at least one substantially continuous strip or at least two substantially continuous strips.

[0115] Example 42. The method according to any one of Examples 39 to 41, wherein the first sensor indicates a fault condition if the first sensor detects a variation outside a predetermined range in the amount of tagant per unit length applied along at least one of the at least one substantially continuous strip or at least two substantially continuous strips.

[0116] Example 43. The cut portion of the material web is wound around a rod-shaped article to form a surrounding wrapper, by the method according to any one of Examples 36 to 42.

[0117] Example 44. The tagant is present on the outer surface of the surrounding wrapper, by the method according to Example 43.

[0118] Example 45. The tagant is present on the inner surface of the surrounding wrapper, by the method according to Example 43 or Example 44.

[0119] Example 46. The second sensor inspects each surrounding wrapper in only one rotational orientation of the rod-shaped article with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped article, by the method according to any one of Examples 43 to 45.

[0120] Example 47. The first sensor or the second sensor, or the first sensor and the second sensor operate using electromagnetic waves having at least one wavelength (s) in the ultraviolet spectrum, visible light spectrum, and infrared spectrum, by the method according to any one of Examples 36 to 46.

[0121] Example 48. The first sensor and the second sensor operate using electromagnetic radiation of the same spectrum, by the method according to Example 47.

[0122] Example 49. The first sensor and the second sensor operate using electromagnetic radiation of substantially the same wavelength, by the method according to Example 47.

[0123] Example 50. The first sensor and the second sensor operate using electromagnetic radiation of different spectra, by the method according to Example 47.

[0124] Example 51. The first sensor and the second sensor operate using electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths, a method according to Example 47.

[0125] Example 52. The first sensor and the second sensor operate using electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength (s) in the range of 600 nm to 1200 nm, a method according to Example 47.

[0126] Example 53. The first sensor and the second sensor operate using electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength (s) in the range of 800 nm to 1000 nm, a method according to Example 47.

[0127] Example 54. The tagant is a photoluminescence tagant, a method according to any one of Examples 36 to 53.

[0128] Example 55. The first sensor emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tagant on the material web and receives the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tagant in response to the beam of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first sensor, a method according to Example 54.

[0129] Example 56. The second sensor emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the tagant on the cut portion of the material web and receives the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tagant in response to the beam of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second sensor, a method according to Example 54 or Example 55.

[0130] Example 57. The tagant is a fluorescent tagant, a method according to any one of Examples 54 to 56.

[0131] Example 58. The tagant is a phosphorescent tagant, a method according to any one of Examples 54 to 56.

[0132] Example 59. The phosphorescent tag has a predetermined emission half-life, the method according to Example 58.

[0133] Example 60. The first sensor detects the phosphorescent response from the tag, but does not verify or determine the emission half-life of the phosphorescent tag, the method according to Example 59.

[0134] Example 61. The second sensor verifies or determines the emission half-life of the phosphorescent tag, the method according to Example 60.

[0135] Example 62. The first sensor includes an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation towards the tag, the method according to any one of Examples 36 to 61.

[0136] Example 63. The second sensor includes an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation towards the tag, the method according to any one of Examples 36 to 62.

[0137] Example 64. The emitter includes a light-emitting diode, the method according to Example 62 or Example 63.

[0138] Example 65. The emitter includes a laser, the method according to any one of Examples 62 to 64.

[0139] Example 66. The first sensor includes a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tag, the method according to any one of Examples 36 to 65.

[0140] Example 67. The second sensor includes a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tag, the method according to any one of Examples 36 to 66.

[0141] Example 68. The receiver includes a light receiver, a method according to Example 66 or Example 67.

[0142] Example 69. The light receiver includes a photodiode, a method according to Example 68.

[0143] Example 70. The light receiver includes a phototransistor, a method according to Example 68. Here, the examples will be further described with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0144]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0145] Figure 1 shows a manufacturing line 100 comprising a rod production section 200 and a coupling section 300. In the rod production section 100, rod-shaped components A, B, and C are placed on a continuous strip of wrapper material supported by a ganiture tape. Next, the ganiture tape, the wrapper material, and the rod-shaped components pass longitudinally along direction T1 through a forming assembly that curves the ganiture tape and the supported strip of wrapper material around segments A, B, and C so as to form a continuous rod CR. Next, the continuous rod CR is cut by a cutter 210 into individual wound rods 1.

[0146] Component A may be a filter rod, component B may be a hollow acetate tube, and component C may be a tobacco rod, but these are merely non-limiting examples.

[0147] After cutting, the individual wound rods 1 are transferred to the coupling section 300 shown in more detail in Figure 2. The individual wound rods 1 generally pass through the coupling section 300 in the overall direction T2. In the example shown, the individual wound rods 1 are arranged substantially transversely to direction T2.

[0148] The coupling section 300 is configured to remove the individual wound rods 1 cut from the continuous rod CR and arrange the individual wound rods 1 in pairs, with each pair of individual wound rods 1 being arranged along a straight line generally transverse to the advancing direction T2. Each pair of individual wound rods 1 is linearly arranged such that a segment A of one individual wound rod 1 is closest to the corresponding segment A of the individual wound rods 1 of the pair, with a space between the segments A of each of the individual wound rods 1 of the pair.

[0149] Next, a further rod-shaped segment D is installed within the space between each pair of the individual wound rods 1, and tipping paper (not shown in FIG. 1) is wound around the rod-shaped segment D and around the opposing ends of each pair of the individual wound rods 1 so as to form a rod of double length (not shown in FIG. 1). The rod-shaped segment D may be a mouthpiece.

[0150] Next, the double rod is cut in half through the tipping paper and the rod-shaped segment D so as to form individual aerosol generating articles 310.

[0151] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the joint 300 of FIG. 1. The installation device 320 takes out the individual wound rods 1 from the rod manufacturing unit 200 and arranges the individual wound rods 1 in pairs in such a configuration that the ends touch each other in the grooves on the surface of the first transfer drum 330. Generally, the individual wound rods 1 are temporarily held in the grooves of the transfer drum 330 by air suction.

[0152] Pairs of the individual wound rods 1 pass along the direction T2 by means of a series of rotating transfer drums 331, 332, 333, and 334. During the passage along the direction T2, the individual wound rods 1 are accurately positioned relative to each other so as to provide a gap between the ends of the segment A of each pair of the individual wound rods 1. Details of the operation of the transfer drums in the joining machine are known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in detail in the present disclosure.

[0153] The rod-shaped segment D, for example a mouthpiece, is installed by means of the transfer drums 340, 341, and 342 within the space between the ends of the segment A of each respective pair of the individual wound rods 1 on the transfer drum 334.

[0154] Next, the pairs of the individual wound rods 1 with the rod-shaped segment D disposed centrally therein further pass along the direction T2 by means of the transfer drums 335 and 336.

[0155] In transfer drum 335, for each pair of individual wound rods 1 in which rod-shaped segments D are disposed centrally, tipping paper is provided which is wound around the rod-shaped segments D and the opposing ends of each pair of individual wound rods 1 so as to form a double-length rod 9, and these are then transferred to transfer drum 336 and then to transfer drum 6. The double-length rod 9 is then cut in half through the tipping paper and the rod-shaped segment D so as to form individual aerosol generating articles 310.

[0156] Instead of forming the double-length rod 9 from the individual wound rods 1 with ends in contact and the centrally disposed rod-shaped segments D, it is also possible for the coupling device 300 to be configured to convey the individual wound rods 1 as a single stream rather than two streams along direction T2. In this alternative, the rod-shaped segments D are individually attached by tipping paper to the ends of segment A of each of the individual wound rods 1, and a subsequent cutting step is not required. However, the coupling device 300 for processing the double-length rod 9 generally has a greater throughput than a coupling device for processing only a single rod.

[0157] The general operation of the rod production unit 200 and the coupling unit 300 is known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail in the present disclosure.

[0158] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, embodiments of the present disclosure relate in particular to part of a manufacturing line 100 in which a material web 2, such as chipping paper, is unwound from a bobbin 4 at a relatively high speed. After the material web 2 has passed through the first sensor 10 at a relatively high speed, it is cut into chipping paper portions by a cutter 5 on a drum 339. Next, the cut chipping paper portions of the material web 2 are used to join individual wound rods 1 to respective rod-shaped segments D at the interface between a drum 335 and the drum 339 (or to form individual rods or double-length rods 9). The individual wound rods 1 and the rod-shaped segments D are joined by winding the chipping paper portions cut around the interface between the individual wound rods 1 and the rod-shaped segments D with an adhesive or the like. The rods are then transferred to a transfer drum 6 via a transfer drum 336, where they pass through a second sensor 20 at a relatively low speed. In this context, the traveling speeds through the respective first sensor 10 and second sensor 20 are defined relative to each other, i.e., the traveling speed of the material web 2 through the first sensor 10 is much faster than the traveling speed of the rods through the second sensor 20.

[0159] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a strip of the material web 2 to which the tagant is applied in two substantially continuous strips 3, 33 along the length of the material web 2. The two continuous strips 3, 33 of tagant are substantially parallel to each other and are applied to the upper surface of the strip of the material web 2 which is also substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip of the material web 2. In the embodiment of Figure 3, two first sensors 10, 11 are provided, where one first sensor 10 is configured to inspect one of the continuous strips of tagant 3 and the other first sensor 11 is configured to inspect the other of the continuous strips of tagant 33. The first sensor 10 comprises an emitter configured to emit a pulsed beam 350 of electromagnetic radiation towards the strip 3 of tagant on the material web 2 and a receiver configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation 360 emitted by the strip 3 of tagant on the material web 2 in response to the pulsed beam 350 of electromagnetic radiation. When the pulsed beam 350 of electromagnetic radiation is "on", photons are absorbed by the strip 3 of tagant as a result of electronic transitions in the tagant. When the pulsed beam 350 of electromagnetic radiation is "off", the electrons in the tagant will return to a lower energy state and the electromagnetic radiation 360 detected by the first sensor 10 will be emitted. Similarly, the other first sensor 11 comprises an emitter configured to emit a beam 351 of electromagnetic radiation towards the other strip 33 of tagant on the material web 2 and a receiver configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation 361 emitted by the other strip 33 of tagant on the material web 2. The receivers of the first sensors 10, 11 can continue to operate both when the emitters of the first sensors 10, 11 are on and when the emitters of the first sensors 10, 11 are off. When the emitters of the first sensors 10, 11 are on and then for a short period, the receivers of the first sensors 10, 11 may indicate a maximum emission signal, after which the received and detected intensity of the received electromagnetic radiation 360, 361 begins to decrease from the maximum level, indicating that sufficient tagant is present in the strip 3 of tagant.By appropriately selecting the pulse widths and frequencies of the electromagnetic radiation pulse beams 350, 351 in combination with the traveling speed of the strip of the material web 2 passing through the first sensors 10, 11, it is possible to determine whether the tagant has been applied so as to satisfy a predetermined continuity of the applicable quality conditions.

[0160] Preferably, the first sensors 10, 11 are not configured to detect a predetermined profile of the tagant. Alternatively or additionally, preferably, the first sensors 10, 11 are not configured to detect a predetermined concentration of the tagant. Detecting a predetermined profile of the tagant generally requires analyzing the attenuation rate of the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation 360, 361 emitted by the tagant and performing appropriate calculations in order to detect a predetermined profile, and is a slower process than detecting the tagant continuity of the applicable quality conditions. This analysis typically takes on the order of milliseconds. Similar considerations apply for detecting a predetermined concentration of the tagant. Therefore, the strip of the material web 2 can pass through the first sensors 10, 11 at a faster speed than if it were necessary for the first sensors 10, 11 to detect a predetermined profile or concentration of the tagant. This means that the production speed of the aerosol-generating article is improved because the traveling speed of the strip of the material web 2 passing through the first sensors 10, 11 is not overly restricted.

[0161] If the first sensor(s) 10, 11 detect an interruption or discontinuity of the strip(s) of the tagant 3, 33 applied to the strip of the material web 2, a signal may be given to reject the aerosol-generating article 310 including the tipping paper 400 carrying the interrupted or discontinuous strip of the tagant 3, 33. In an extreme situation such as when the first sensor(s) 10, 11 detect that there is no tagant 3 at all on an extended length of the material web 2, the production line 100 can be temporarily stopped so that the replacement bobbin 4 of the material web 2 can be attached.

[0162] FIG. 4 shows in detail a plurality of rod-shaped aerosol generating articles 310 on the transfer drum 6 of FIG. 2. Each aerosol generating article 310 includes an individual wound rod 1 joined to a rod-shaped segment D by a cut portion (not shown in FIG. 4) of a strip of the material web 2 configured as tipping paper 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the strip of the material web 2 has only a single continuous strip 3 of tagant. The aerosol generating articles 310 are held in the grooves 410 on the surface of the transfer drum 6, for example by air suction.

[0163] A second sensor 20 is installed adjacent to the transfer drum 6. The second sensor 20 comprises an emitter configured to emit a beam 430 of electromagnetic radiation towards the tagant strip 3 on the tipping paper 400, and a receiver configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation 440 emitted by the tagant strip 3 on the tipping paper 400.

[0164] The transfer drum 6 is configured to rotate about the axis 420. The transfer drum 6 is preferably configured to rotate continuously. The traveling speed of the rod-shaped aerosol generating article 310 passing through the second sensor is slower than the traveling speed of the band of the material web 2 passing through the first sensor(s) 10, 11. This means that there is sufficient time for the incident electromagnetic radiation beam 430 to elicit a photoluminescence response from the tagant 3 on the tipping paper 400 and to analyze the attenuation rate of the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the tagant 3. For example, the incident electromagnetic radiation beam 430 may be directed at the tagant 3 on the tipping paper 400 for a first predetermined time sufficient to excite electrons in the tagant 3 to a higher energy state, and then the emitter in the second sensor may be turned off. Next, the electrons in the tagant 3 will return to a lower energy state and emit photons as electromagnetic radiation 440 detected by the receiver in the second sensor 20. The emission half-life of the tagant 3 can be determined by measuring the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation 440 emitted by the tagant 3 and determining the time it takes for the intensity to decrease by 50% from the peak value when the emitter of the second sensor 20 is turned off. The emission half-life of the tagant 3 can be correlated with a predetermined profile of the tagant 3. Alternatively or additionally, the emission half-life of the tagant can be correlated with a predetermined concentration of the tagant 3.

[0165] The transfer drum 6 continues to rotate such that the next aerosol generating article 310 passes under the second sensor 20 and the emitter of the second sensor 20 is turned on again to repeat the above process.

[0166] Importantly, since the first sensor(s) 10, 11 already checks for a predetermined continuity of the applicable quality conditions, there is no need to rotate the aerosol-generating article 310 within the groove 410 of the transfer drum 6 when it is being inspected by the second sensor 20. That the band of the tagant 3 is evenly applied all around the tipping paper 400 on the aerosol-generating article 310 has already been verified by the first sensor(s) 10, 11. Therefore, the second sensor 20 only needs to inspect the tagant 3 on the aerosol-generating article 310 in a single rotational orientation of the aerosol-generating article 310 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article 310. This allows the transfer drum 6 to rotate more quickly than if it were required to inspect the tagant 3 on the tipping paper 400 in multiple rotational orientations of the aerosol-generating article, thus improving the manufacturing speed of the aerosol-generating article.

[0167] If the second sensor 20 determines, for example, that the tagant 3 does not elicit an accurate response to the beam 430 of electromagnetic radiation in which the tagant 3 is incident because the concentration of the tagant 3 is too low or because the tagant 3 is contaminated, a signal may be provided to reject the aerosol-generating article 310 (or the double-length rod 9) that includes the tipping paper 400 with the defective tagant 3.

[0168] Although the illustrated embodiment shows individual aerosol-generating articles 310, it will be understood that the double-length rods 9 can be carried by the drum and two second sensors 20 can be provided to inspect the tagant of each half of each double-length rod 9.

[0169] The tagant 3 may be applied, for example by a spray nozzle, to the band of the material web 2 on the production line 100. Alternatively, the tagant 3 may be applied to the band of the material web 2 before feeding it into the production line 100. The tagant 3 may be applied to the band of the material web 2 during production or before winding it onto the bobbin 4.

[0170] Tagant 3 is preferably applied to the surface of a strip of the material web 2 that will form the outer surface of the tipping paper 400 on the aerosol generating article 310. This means that it is not necessary for the electromagnetic radiation to pass through the tipping paper 400 before eliciting a photoluminescence response. This is also beneficial when the aerosol generating article 310 is inserted into an aerosol generating device (not shown) in which the electromagnetic radiation is used to identify a predetermined profile of the tagant 3 so as to identify the type or origin of the aerosol generating article 310.

[0171] However, there may also be embodiments in which the tagant 3 is applied to the surface of a strip of the material web 2 that will form the inner surface of the tipping paper 400 on the aerosol generating article 310. In these embodiments it is necessary for the electromagnetic radiation to pass through the tipping paper 400, but placing the tagant 3 on the inner surface of the tipping paper 400 can help prevent the tagant 3 from being inadvertently removed from the tipping paper 400 by rough handling or exposure to moisture.

[0172] Advantageously, the first sensor(s) 10, 11 are positioned at a point in the production line 100 immediately before the strip of the material web 2 is partially cut. This ensures that the continuity of the applicable quality conditions is determined after the strip of the material web 2 has been unwound from the bobbin 4 and passed through several tension rollers, since these handling steps themselves can damage the strip of the applied tagant 3 and introduce unwanted discontinuities. By performing a check of the continuity of the applicable quality conditions immediately before the strip of the material web 2 is partially cut, a more reliable indication of the continuity of the applicable quality around the tipping paper 400 on the finished aerosol generating article is obtained.

[0173] FIG. 5 shows an implementation form in which a band of the material web 2 carrying a single band of the tagant 3 passes under three first sensors 10, 12, 13 arranged in a row along the traveling direction of the band of the material web 2. For a band of the material web 2 having two bands of the tagants 3, 33 (as shown in FIG. 3), a plurality of corresponding first sensors 10, 12, 13 may be provided to check the continuity of the applicable quality conditions of the band of the tagant 33 on the other edge of the band of the material web 2. In the implementation form of FIG. 5, the plurality of first sensors 10, 12, 13 arranged in a row enable the band of the material web 2 to pass through the first sensors 10, 12, 13 and travel faster, compared to an implementation form in which the continuity of the tagant application is checked by a single first sensor 10, because each first sensor 10, 12, 13 checks a different section of the bands of the tagants 3, 33, which means increasing the manufacturing speed.

[0174] FIG. 6 shows a specific implementation form of two first sensors 10, 11 of the front-end type arranged side by side with a band of the material web 2 passing under the two first sensors 10, 11. The band of the material web 2 has two bands of the tagants 3, 33. The two first sensors 10, 11 of the front end are electrically connected to a controller 600. The controller 600 drives the first sensors 10, 11 of the front end and receives signals from the first sensors 10, 11 of the front end. Each first sensor 10, 11 of the front end includes an emitter in the form of a laser diode or an LED for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a receiver in the form of a photodiode or a phototransistor for receiving electromagnetic radiation. Each first sensor 10, 11 of the front end may be narrower than 36 mm to accommodate the narrowest commercially available band of the material web 2 used for tipping paper. Different widths of the band of the material web 2 may be accommodated by adjusting the spacing between the first sensors 10, 11 of the front end. The control unit 600 may include a programmable logic controller (PLC) connector 610 and a diagnostic connector 620 for each of the first sensors 10, 11 of the front end.

[0175] Figure 7 shows a particular implementation of two second sensors 20, 21 of a front - end type arranged side - by - side above a transfer drum 6 carrying a double - length rod 9 formed from two individual wound rods 1 joined by a tipping paper 400 having two bands of taggants 3, 33, with the ends of each of the intervening rod - shaped segments D in contact. The two second sensors 20, 21 of the front - end are electrically connected to a controller (not shown). The controller drives the second sensors 20, 21 of the front - end and receives signals from the second sensors 20, 21 of the front - end. Each second sensor 20, 21 of the front - end comprises an emitter in the form of a laser diode or LED for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a receiver in the form of a photodiode or phototransistor for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by the taggants 3, 33 in response to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the laser diode or LED of each respective second sensor 20, 21 of the front - end. The second sensors 20, 21 of the front - end may operate on a different measurement principle from the first sensors 10, 11 of the front - end. Instead of checking for a decrease in electromagnetic radiation from a maximum level, the receivers of the second sensors 20, 21 of the front - end are configured to determine the rate of decay of the intensity of the photoluminescence response from the taggants 3, 33. For example, the luminescence half - life of the phosphorescent taggants 3, 33 can be determined by measuring the time it takes for a certain intensity of electromagnetic radiation to be emitted as a phosphorescent response by the taggants 3, 33 and reducing it by 50% from the peak value when the emitter of the second sensors 20, 21 of the front - end is turned off.

[0176] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, amounts, percentages, etc. are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and any intermediate ranges therebetween, whether or not specifically enumerated herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A ± 5%. Within this context, the number A may be considered to include numerical values within the general standard error for the measured value of the property being modified by the number A. The number A may deviate by the percentages recited above in some instances as used in the appended claims, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not substantially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and any intermediate ranges therebetween, whether or not specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. A system for checking the presence and integrity of tags applied to the components of an aerosol-generating article during its manufacture on a production line, At least one first sensor configured to detect a tagant applied to the surface of a material web and to determine that the tagant has been applied in such a way that it satisfies a predetermined continuity of applied quality conditions, wherein the at least one first sensor is configured to detect only the presence and continuity of the application conditions, but not the photoluminescence profile of the tagant, At least one second sensor located downstream of the at least one first sensor on the manufacturing line, wherein the at least one second sensor is configured to inspect a portion of the material web after the material web has been cut into portions and to confirm at least one of a predetermined profile of the tagant and a predetermined concentration of the tagant, but not to confirm the continuity of the applicable quality conditions, A system that includes these features.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the material web is chipping paper.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the tagant is applied to the material web in the form of at least one substantially continuous strip along the length of the material web.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first sensor is configured to indicate a fault condition when the first sensor detects an interruption in at least one substantially continuous band.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first sensor is configured to indicate a fault condition if the first sensor detects a variation outside a predetermined range in the amount of tagant per unit length applied along the at least one substantially continuous band, or in the amount of tagant per unit length applied along at least one of the at least two substantially continuous bands.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cut portion of the material web is configured as a wrapper around a rod-shaped article, and the tagant is located on the outer surface of the wrapper around the article.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the second sensor is configured to inspect each peripheral wrapper in a rotational orientation of only one of the rod-shaped articles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped article.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor or the second sensor, or the first sensor and the second sensor, are configured to operate using electromagnetic waves having at least one wavelength (one or more) of the ultraviolet spectrum, the visible light spectrum, and the infrared spectrum.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to operate using electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tagant is a phosphorescent tagant having a predetermined emission half-life, and the first sensor is configured to detect a phosphorescent response from the tagant but not to verify or determine the emission half-life of the phosphorescent tagant.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second sensor is configured to verify or determine the emission half-life of the phosphorescent tagant.

12. A method for checking the presence and integrity of tags applied to the components of an aerosol-generating article during its manufacture on a production line, To provide at least one first sensor, Operating the at least one first sensor to detect a tagant applied to the surface of a material web and to determine that the tagant has been applied in such a way that it satisfies a predetermined continuity of applied quality conditions, wherein the at least one first sensor is configured to detect only the presence and continuity of the application conditions, but not the photoluminescence profile of the tagant. To provide at least one second sensor located downstream of the at least one first sensor on the manufacturing line, After the material web is cut into portions, the portions of the material web are inspected, and at least one of the predetermined profile and predetermined concentration of the tagant is confirmed, but the continuity of the applicable quality conditions is not confirmed by operating the at least one second sensor. Methods that include...

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first sensor indicates a fault condition if the first sensor detects a variation outside a predetermined range in the amount of tagant per unit length applied along at least one substantially continuous band.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the tagant is a phosphorescent tagant having a predetermined emission half-life, and the first sensor detects a phosphorescent response from the tagant, but does not verify or determine the emission half-life of the phosphorescent tagant.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second sensor verifies or determines the emission half-life of the phosphorescent tagant.

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