Aerosol-generating article material edge detection by detecting the difference between the bobbin core and the wound material

Abstract

A system (1) for supplying continuous material (3) for an aerosol-generating article includes a bobbin holder (5) and a bobbin wear sensor (37). The bobbin holder (5) is configured to receive a supply bobbin (7) including a bobbin core (9) and continuous material (3) wound around the bobbin core (9) such that the supply bobbin (7) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (13) to unwind the continuous material (3). The bobbin wear sensor (37) is configured to monitor a monitoring region (39) through which a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin (7) passes as the supply bobbin (7) rotates about the axis of rotation (13). The bobbin wear sensor (37) is configured to determine whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin (7) located within the monitoring region (39) is formed by the continuous material (3) or by the bobbin core (9).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to supplying continuous material, particularly continuous material for aerosol-generating articles, by unwinding the continuous material from a bobbin core. [Background technology]

[0002] WO2022058079A1 discloses measuring the reduction in diameter of the bobbin during its unwinding by one or more sensors, which may be connected to a system that can trigger bobbin or splice replacement if the bobbin diameter falls below a predetermined threshold, indicating that the bobbin has reached a predetermined depletion state.

[0003] EP 3630661 B1 discloses a method for unwinding a bobbin of a coiled sheet of homogenized tobacco. The method includes sensing the diameter of the bobbin to detect when the bobbin needs to be replaced. Furthermore, a roller having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the bobbin contacts the bobbin. The roller remains in contact with the outer surface of the bobbin while unwinding the sheet from the bobbin.

[0004] Chinese Patent No. 110642057 discloses a roll of material in which color mark registration points are arranged at intervals on a surface layer, and when a radial color mark sensor detects a color mark registration point, an automatic splicing mechanism splices a new roll of material onto the running roll of material and cuts off the remaining pattern material on the running roll. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for supplying continuous material for an aerosol-generating article. The system includes a bobbin holder and a bobbin wear sensor. The bobbin holder is configured to receive a supply bobbin. The supply bobbin includes a bobbin core and continuous material wound around the bobbin core. The bobbin holder is configured to receive the supply bobbin such that the supply bobbin is rotatable about an axis of rotation to unwind the continuous material. The bobbin wear sensor is configured to monitor a monitoring area through which a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin passes as the supply bobbin rotates about the axis of rotation. The bobbin wear sensor is configured to determine whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the continuous material or by the bobbin core.

[0006] While at least a full spool of continuous material remains on the bobbin core, the portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area may be formed by the continuous material regardless of the angle of rotation of the supply bobbin about the axis of rotation. If less than a full spool of continuous material remains on the bobbin core, the portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area may be formed by the bobbin core at least at some angle of rotation of the supply bobbin about the axis of rotation.

[0007] To the extent that the bobbin wear sensor determines that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area continues to be formed by continuous material during unwinding, this may be taken as an indication that there is still material, particularly at least one full spool of continuous material, remaining on the bobbin core.If the bobbin wear sensor determines that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area continues to be formed by the bobbin core during unwinding, this may be taken as an indication that less than a full spool of continuous material remains on the bobbin core.

[0008] The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to determine when less than a full spool of continuous material remains on the bobbin core during unwinding of the continuous material.

[0009] The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to detect when a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring region is no longer formed by continuous material and begins to be formed by the bobbin core, which may be taken as an indication that less than a full winding of continuous material remains on the bobbin core.

[0010] When a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is no longer formed by continuous material and begins to be formed by the bobbin core during unwinding of the continuous material, the length of continuous material remaining on the bobbin core can correspond to the distance on the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin between the monitoring area and the point where the continuous material leaves the supply bobbin during unwinding. The length of continuous material remaining on the bobbin core when a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is no longer formed by continuous material and begins to be formed by the bobbin core during unwinding can be less than a full wrap of continuous material on the bobbin core.

[0011] The bobbin depletion sensor may be configured to accurately determine depletion of the supply bobbin.

[0012] The bobbin depletion sensor may be configured to determine when the length of continuous material remaining on the supply bobbin falls below a predetermined threshold length, which may be a length of continuous material corresponding to less than a full wrap of continuous material on the bobbin core.

[0013] The circumferential surface of the supply bobbin may extend parallel to the axis of rotation. The circumferential surface of the supply bobbin may extend about the axis of rotation.

[0014] The system may further include a drive. The drive may be configured to unwind the continuous material from the supply bobbin by rotating the supply bobbin about the axis of rotation. The drive may be part of the bobbin holder. The drive may be configured to engage with the bobbin core and drive the bobbin core to rotate about the axis of rotation.

[0015] The system may include a controller. The controller may be configured to control the drive. The controller may be configured to control the unwinding speed.

[0016] The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to perform an optical measurement of a portion of a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located in the monitoring area. The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to determine, based on the optical measurement, whether the portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located in the monitoring area is formed by continuous material or by a bobbin core.

[0017] The optical measurement may be a color measurement. The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to determine the color of a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area. The bobbin wear sensor or the controller may be configured to determine whether the determined color corresponds to a color range of the continuous material or a color range of the bobbin core. One or both of the color range of the continuous material and the color range of the bobbin core may be preset. One or both of the color range of the continuous material and the color range of the bobbin core may be preset based on the type of supply bobbin.

[0018] The color of the continuous material may be different from the color of the bobbin core. The bobbin core has a color sufficiently different from the color of the continuous material to facilitate differentiation between the continuous material and the bobbin core. For example, if the continuous material is a reconstituted tobacco material having a brown color, the bobbin core may have a color different from brown, such as white. In particular, the bobbin core may comprise a plastic material, in particular a white plastic material. According to another example, the continuous material may be a reconstituted tobacco material having a brown color, and the bobbin core may be a different type of brown. For example, the bobbin core may comprise a cardboard material, in particular a brown cardboard material.

[0019] The bobbin wear sensor may comprise a camera. The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to capture one or more photographs of the monitored area during unwinding. The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to capture video of the monitored area during unwinding. The video may be considered as a series of photographs. The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to analyze the one or more photographs or videos to determine whether a portion of a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitored area is formed by continuous material or by the bobbin core.

[0020] The bobbin wear sensor may comprise a spectrophotometer, which may be configured to take color measurements at the monitored area.

[0021] The system, particularly one or both of the controller and the drive, may be configured to slow or stop unwinding of the continuous material in response to the bobbin wear sensor detecting that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core. Slowing or stopping unwinding of the continuous material may prepare for replacing the worn supply bobbin. Slowing or stopping unwinding of the continuous material may prevent the end of the continuous material from being completely pulled from the bobbin core during continuous operation. The system, particularly one or both of the controller and the drive, may be configured to stop unwinding the continuous material fast enough that the end of the continuous material remains on the bobbin core.

[0022] The system may further include a slicing unit. The splicing unit may be configured to splice the continuous material with the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin. The system, particularly the controller or the bobbin wear sensor, may initiate splicing in response to the bobbin wear sensor detecting that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core. When splicing is initiated based on information from the bobbin wear sensor, less than a full spool of continuous material remains on the bobbin core, thereby reducing material waste.

[0023] A splicing unit may be provided along the transport path of the continuous material downstream of the bobbin holder.

[0024] Any splice known in the art for connecting, preferably stably connecting, two continuous materials may be used in the present invention. The splicing unit may include a first tool and a second tool. The first tool may be a lower tool. The second tool may be an upper tool. The first tool and the second tool may be configured to interact with each other to splice the continuous material from the supply bobbin and the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin to each other. The splicing may include pressing the continuous material from the supply bobbin and the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin against each other at their overlapping portions. The continuous material from the supply bobbin and the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin may overlap and be positioned parallel to each other between the first tool and the second tool. The continuous material from the supply bobbin and the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin may be positioned above each other between the first tool and the second tool.

[0025] The system may be configured to transport the continuous material from a supply bobbin through the splicing unit, particularly through a space between a first tool and a second tool of the splicing unit. The system may be configured to transport the continuous material from a supply bobbin through the splicing unit to a processing location.

[0026] The system may include a positioning mechanism configured to move a leading portion of the continuous material from a replacement supply bobbin into or through the splicing unit, particularly into or through a space between a first tool and a second tool of the splicing unit. The positioning mechanism may include, for example, a robotic arm.

[0027] The joining may include wetting one or both of the continuous material of the supply bobbin and the continuous material of the replacement supply bobbin. Wetting may increase the tendency of the materials to stick together. In particular, the joining may include wetting the continuous material in the form of reconstituted tobacco material.

[0028] In some embodiments, particularly when the continuous material may include or consist of a metallic material, the joining unit may include a welding station. The welding station may include at least one welding electrode and a welding plate. The at least one welding electrode and the welding plate may be disposed orthogonally on both the top and bottom sides of the continuous material.

[0029] After bonding, the system may continue to provide a continuous flow of material, but now from a replacement supply bobbin.

[0030] The system may further include a counter structure configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core. The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core along a radial direction.

[0031] The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core after the bobbin depletion sensor detects that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core. Pressing the continuous material toward the bobbin core by the counter structure may maintain tension in the continuous material. Pressing the continuous material toward the bobbin core by the counter structure may prevent a remaining end of the continuous material from disengaging from the bobbin core. The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core during splicing. The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core to facilitate splicing.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the counter structure may be configured to contact the supply bobbin only after the wear sensor determines that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core, or after determining that the supply bobbin is worn or approaching wear.

[0033] The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core during unwinding of the continuous material. The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core before the bobbin wear sensor detects that a portion of a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core. The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core both before and after the bobbin wear sensor detects that a portion of a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core.

[0034] The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core with a first pressing force before the bobbin wear sensor detects that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core. The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core with a second pressing force after the bobbin wear sensor detects that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core. The first pressing force and the second pressing force may be at least essentially the same magnitude. The second pressing force may be greater than the first pressing force. A smaller first pressing force may facilitate unwinding of the continuous material. A larger second pressing force may facilitate splicing by maintaining tension in the continuous material.

[0035] The counter structure may be configured to clamp the continuous material against the bobbin core. Clamping the continuous material against the bobbin core may reduce or prevent relative motion between the continuous material and the bobbin core. The counter structure may be configured to clamp the continuous material toward the bobbin core after the bobbin wear sensor detects that a portion of a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core, or in response to detecting that a portion of a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core.

[0036] The counter structure may be configured to contact the continuous material wound around the bobbin core. The counter structure may be configured to remain in contact with the continuous material wound around the bobbin core during unwinding. The counter structure may be configured to follow a decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding. The counter structure may be configured to follow a decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin by moving along a radial direction during unwinding.

[0037] The counter structure may define a location where the continuous material disengages from the supply bobbin. The counter structure may guide the continuous material disengaging from the supply bobbin during unwinding. The counter structure may comprise a counter roll. An axial direction of the counter roll may be parallel to the rotation axis. A circumferential surface of the counter roll may be parallel to the rotation axis. The circumferential surface of the counter roll may be parallel to the rotation axis. The circumferential surface of the counter roll may be configured to engage the continuous material.

[0038] The system may further include a thickness sensor. The thickness sensor may be configured to determine a thickness of the supply bobbin. The thickness of the supply bobbin determined by the thickness sensor may indicate a length of continuous material remaining on the bobbin core. The thickness of the supply bobbin may correspond to a diameter of the supply bobbin. The thickness of the supply bobbin may be a radial thickness perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The thickness sensor may provide an estimate of the length of continuous material remaining on the bobbin core, even though that length is greater than a complete wrap of continuous material around the bobbin core.

[0039] The thickness sensor and bobbin depletion sensor may complement each other. The thickness sensor may provide a rougher estimate of the length of continuous material remaining on the supply bobbin at any given stage of unwinding. The bobbin depletion sensor may provide a more accurate estimate of the length of continuous material remaining on the supply bobbin, but only when less than a full spool of continuous material remains on the supply bobbin.

[0040] The thickness sensor may be configured to measure a distance between the thickness sensor and a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin. The distance may be along a radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. When the length of continuous material remaining on the supply bobbin decreases during unwinding, the distance between the thickness sensor and the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin may increase due to a decrease in the diameter of the supply bobbin.

[0041] The thickness sensor may be configured to determine the thickness of the supply bobbin based on the position of the counter structure. The counter structure may follow the decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding. Thus, the position of the counter structure may indicate the thickness of the supply bobbin. The thickness sensor may include a distance sensor that senses the distance between the distance sensor and the counter structure. The thickness sensor may be configured to determine the position of the counter structure along a guide structure for the counter structure. The guide structure may be configured to guide the counter structure for movement along a radial direction.

[0042] The system, particularly one of both the controller and the drive, may optionally be configured to slow the unwinding of the continuous material in response to the thickness of the supply bobbin measured by the thickness sensor being less than a predetermined threshold thickness. The slow unwinding of the continuous material when the thickness of the supply bobbin falls below the predetermined threshold thickness may be prepared to stop unwinding when the bobbin wear sensor determines that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring region is formed by the bobbin core.

[0043] At a predetermined threshold thickness, a length of continuous material corresponding to at least some complete wraps of continuous material around the bobbin core may remain on the bobbin core. For example, at least 3 complete wraps, or at least 5 complete wraps, or at least 7 complete wraps, or at least 10 complete wraps, or at least 15 complete wraps, or at least 20 complete wraps, or at least 30 complete wraps, or at least 50 complete wraps, or at least 70 complete wraps, or at least 100 complete wraps of continuous material may remain on the supply bobbin at a predetermined threshold thickness. Fewer than 1000 complete wraps, or fewer than 600 complete wraps, or fewer than 400 complete wraps, or fewer than 300 complete wraps, or fewer than 200 complete wraps, or fewer than 100 complete wraps, or fewer than 50 complete wraps, or fewer than 30 complete wraps, or fewer than 10 complete wraps may remain on the supply bobbin at a predetermined threshold thickness.

[0044] Slowing the unwinding of the continuous material in response to the thickness of the supply bobbin measured by the thickness sensor being less than a predetermined threshold thickness may include slowing the continuous material from an operating unwinding speed to an intermediate unwinding speed. The intermediate unwinding speed may be greater than zero. The operating unwinding speed may be, for example, between 20 m / min (meters per minute) and 400 m / min, or between 50 m / min and 400 m / min, or between 50 m / min and 300 m / min, or between 80 m / min and 300 m / min, or between 80 m / min and 250 m / min, or between 100 m / min and 250 m / min, or between 120 m / min and 200 m / min. The intermediate unwinding speed may be, for example, 10 m / min to 200 m / min, or 10 m / min to 150 m / min, or 10 m / min to 100 m / min, or 20 m / min to 80 m / min, or 40 m / min to 60 m / min. The intermediate unwinding speed may be 10 percent to 60 percent, or 20 percent to 50 percent, or 20 percent to 30 percent of the operating unwinding speed.

[0045] The system may further include a supply bobbin, which may be received in the bobbin holder.

[0046] The continuous material may be provided without a fixed connection to the bobbin core.

[0047] The system may include a processing station. The processing station may be provided at the processing location. The processing station may be configured to process the continuous material. The processing station may be provided downstream of the bobbin holder. The processing station may be configured to receive the continuous material unwound from the supply bobbin. The system may be configured to transport the unwound continuous material to the processing station.

[0048] The processing station may, for example, comprise a crimping station. The crimping station may be configured to crimp a continuous material, particularly a continuous material in the form of reconstituted tobacco material. The crimping station may comprise one or more crimping rollers. The one or more crimping rollers may be configured to create wrinkles in the continuous material. The one or more crimping rollers may be configured to create weaknesses in the continuous material. The wrinkles or weaknesses may extend parallel to the direction of transport of the continuous material.

[0049] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying continuous material for aerosol-generating articles to a processing location. The method includes unwinding the continuous material from a supply bobbin. The supply bobbin includes a bobbin core and the continuous material wound around the bobbin core. The method includes transporting the unwound continuous material to a processing location. The method further includes detecting wear of the supply bobbin by detecting a difference between a surface of the continuous material and a surface of the bobbin core.

[0050] The supply bobbin may be received in a bobbin holder.

[0051] Unwinding the continuous material from the supply bobbin may include rotating the supply bobbin about an axis of rotation, particularly by a drive.

[0052] The surface of the bobbin core may be a circumferential surface of the bobbin core. The circumferential surface of the bobbin core may be parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0053] The detection of the difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core may be performed by a bobbin wear sensor.

[0054] Detecting wear of the supply bobbin may include monitoring, particularly by a bobbin wear sensor, a monitoring area through which the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin passes as the supply bobbin is rotated about the rotation axis. Detecting wear of the supply bobbin may include determining, particularly by the bobbin wear sensor, whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by continuous material or by a bobbin core.

[0055] A supply bobbin may be considered exhausted when less than one complete wrap of continuous material remains on the bobbin core.

[0056] Detecting a difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core may include detecting that the bobbin core appears when less than a full winding of the continuous material remains on the bobbin core.

[0057] The method may include determining exhaustion of the supply bobbin when a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin formed by the continuous material is no longer formed by the continuous material but by the bobbin core, so long as at least one complete spool of continuous material remains on the supply bobbin.

[0058] Detecting the difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core may include taking one or more photographs or one or more videos of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin.

[0059] Detecting a difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core may include detecting a color difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core. The color difference may be determined by analyzing one or more photographs or one or more videos of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin. The color difference may be detected based on measurements by a camera or a spectrophotometer.

[0060] Detecting wear of the supply bobbin may include detecting a boundary between a portion of the circumferential surface of the bobbin core that is covered by the continuous material and a portion of the circumferential surface of the bobbin core that is not covered by the continuous material. The boundary may correspond to an end of the continuous material. The end of the continuous material may be an end of the continuous material relative to a conveying direction of the continuous material. The end of the continuous material may be a portion of the continuous material that last leaves the bobbin core when the entire continuous material is unwound from the bobbin core.

[0061] The boundary may extend generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the bobbin core.

[0062] The method may further include slowing or stopping one or both of unwinding the continuous material and conveying the unwound continuous material in response to detecting, particularly by one or both of the drive or the controller, that the supply bobbin is depleted.

[0063] The method may include initiating splicing of the continuous material with the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin in response to detecting that the supply bobbin is worn out. The splicing may be performed by a splicing station. The splicing may include attaching a leading portion of the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin to the continuous material of the supply bobbin. The continuous materials may be attached to each other by pressing the continuous materials together. The splicing may include wetting one or both of the continuous material from the supply bobbin and the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin. For example, the continuous material in the form of reconstituted tobacco material from one or both of the supply bobbin and the replacement supply bobbin may be wetted to increase the tendency of the continuous material from the supply bobbin and the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin to adhere together. The splicing may include heating one or both of the continuous material from the supply bobbin and the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin. For example, heating a continuous material including a metal, such as a susceptor configured to be incorporated into an aerosol-generating article, may facilitate joining the continuous material from the supply bobbin to the continuous material from the replacement supply bobbin.

[0064] The method may include pressing or clamping the continuous material against the bobbin core. The method may include pressing or clamping the continuous material toward the bobbin core. The continuous material may be pressed or clamped against or toward the bobbin core after depletion of the supply bobbin is detected. The continuous material may be pressed or clamped against or toward the bobbin core in response to detecting depletion of the bobbin core. Pressing or clamping the continuous material against or toward the bobbin core may maintain tension in the continuous material downstream of the supply bobbin, particularly to facilitate splicing.

[0065] In addition to or as an alternative to pressing or clamping the continuous material against or toward the bobbin core after exhaustion of the supply bobbin is detected, the continuous material may be pressed or clamped toward the bobbin core even before exhaustion of the supply bobbin is detected. In particular, the continuous material may be pressed toward the bobbin core during the entire unwinding.

[0066] The continuous material may be pressed or clamped against the bobbin core by a counter structure.

[0067] The counter structure may follow the reduction in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding.

[0068] The thickness of the supply bobbin may be determined based on the position of the counter structure. The counter structure may have the dual function of pressing or clamping the continuous material against the bobbin core and facilitating the determination of the thickness of the supply bobbin. The thickness of the supply bobbin may be determined based on the position of the counter structure along a guide structure that guides the counter structure, particularly for movement along a radial direction.

[0069] The counter structure may include a counter roll, the axial direction of which may extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the supply bobbin, and the counter roll may define where the continuous material leaves the supply bobbin during unwinding.

[0070] The method may include determining a thickness of the supply bobbin during unwinding. The thickness of the supply bobbin may correspond to a diameter of the supply bobbin.

[0071] The thickness of the supply bobbin may be determined by a thickness sensor, which may measure the distance between the thickness sensor and the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin. The distance between the thickness sensor and the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin may increase during unwinding due to a decrease in the diameter of the supply bobbin.

[0072] The thickness of the supply bobbin may be determined based on the position of a counter structure that contacts the continuous material wound around the bobbin core and follows the reduction in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding. The counter structure may be a counter roll.

[0073] The method may include reducing the rotational speed of the supply bobbin during unwinding in response to determining, particularly by a thickness sensor, that the thickness of the supply bobbin has dropped below a predetermined threshold thickness.

[0074] Reducing the rotational speed of the supply bobbin during unwinding in response to determining that the thickness of the supply bobbin has dropped below a predetermined threshold thickness may include reducing the rotational speed of the supply bobbin from the operating unwind speed to an intermediate unwind speed, which may be greater than zero.

[0075] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a color measurement device to determine whether a supply bobbin is worn out during unwinding of continuous material from the supply bobbin.

[0076] The color measurement device may be part of or form the bobbin wear sensor.

[0077] The color measurement device can determine whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located in a monitoring area through which the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin passes during unwinding is formed by continuous material or by the bobbin core of the supply bobbin.

[0078] The color measurement device may be configured to detect depletion of the supply bobbin by detecting the difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core of the supply bobbin.

[0079] According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for supplying continuous material for an aerosol-generating article is provided. The system includes a bobbin holder, a counter structure, and a thickness sensor. The bobbin holder is configured to receive a supply bobbin such that the supply bobbin is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The supply bobbin includes a bobbin core and continuous material wound around the bobbin core. The counter structure is configured to contact the continuous material wound around the bobbin core. The counter structure is configured to track a decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding. The thickness sensor is configured to determine a thickness of the supply bobbin based on the position of the counter structure.

[0080] The system may include a drive configured to unwind the continuous material from the supply bobbin by rotating the supply bobbin about an axis of rotation.

[0081] The system may comprise a controller, which may be configured to control the drive.

[0082] The counter structure may be configured to follow the diameter of the supply bobbin by moving along a radial direction during unwinding.

[0083] The system may include a guide structure configured to guide the counter structure for movement along the radial direction.

[0084] The thickness sensor may comprise a distance sensor that senses the distance between the distance sensor and a counter structure.

[0085] The thickness sensor may be configured to measure or determine the position of the counter structure relative to movement of the counter structure along the radial direction as guided by the guide structure.

[0086] The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material towards the bobbin core. The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material towards the bobbin core during unwinding of the continuous material. The counter structure may be configured to press the continuous material towards the bobbin core along a radial direction.

[0087] The counter structure may define a location where the continuous material leaves the supply bobbin as it is unwound. The counter structure may stabilize the continuous material during unwinding. The counter structure may guide the continuous material as it disengages from the supply bobbin during unwinding.

[0088] The counter structure may be configured to clamp the continuous material against the bobbin core.

[0089] The counter structure may comprise a counter roll.

[0090] The system, and particularly one or both of the controller and the drive, may be configured to slow down the unwinding of the continuous material in response to the thickness of the supply bobbin being less than a predetermined threshold thickness as determined by the thickness sensor.

[0091] The system may include a bobbin wear sensor configured to monitor a monitoring area through which a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin passes as the supply bobbin rotates about the axis of rotation.

[0092] The bobbin wear sensor may be configured to determine whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring region is formed by continuous material or by the bobbin core.

[0093] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying continuous material for aerosol-generating articles to a processing location. The method includes unwinding the continuous material from a supply bobbin. The supply bobbin includes a bobbin core and the continuous material wound around the bobbin core. The method further includes transporting the unwound continuous material to a processing location. The method further includes determining a thickness of the supply bobbin based on a position of a counter structure that contacts the continuous material wound around the bobbin core and tracks a decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding.

[0094] The continuous material may be pressed or clamped against the bobbin core by a counter structure during unwinding.

[0095] The counter structure may comprise a counter roll.

[0096] The method may include reducing the rotational speed of the supply bobbin during unwinding in response to determining that the thickness of the supply bobbin has fallen below a predetermined threshold thickness.

[0097] The method may further include detecting depletion of the supply bobbin by detecting a difference between a surface of the continuous material and a surface of the bobbin core.

[0098] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a counter structure for pressing the continuous material against the bobbin core and for determining the thickness of the bobbin core and the supply bobbin including the continuous material wound around the bobbin core during unwinding of the continuous material from the supply bobbin.

[0099] According to any one of the aspects described herein, the continuous material may include an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be configured to emit an aerosol when heated. The aerosol may be for consumption by a user. The aerosol-generating material may include tobacco. The aerosol-generating material may include reconstituted tobacco material.

[0100] In any one of the aspects described herein, the continuous material may be a web material, which may include, for example, reconstituted tobacco material.

[0101] In any one of the aspects described herein, the continuous material may include reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may be a cast of a slurry including the tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may include a binder. The reconstituted tobacco material may include an aerosol former. The reconstituted tobacco material may include one or more flavoring agents.

[0102] In any one of the embodiments described herein, the continuous material may include or consist of a metallic material.

[0103] In any one of the aspects described herein, the continuous material can include metal strands.

[0104] In any one of the aspects described herein, the continuous material may comprise a susceptor configured to be incorporated into the aerosol-generating article. The susceptor may include or consist of a metallic material. The susceptor may be configured to be heated by induction heating. The susceptor may be configured to heat the aerosol-generating material surrounding the susceptor, causing the aerosol-generating material to emit an aerosol.

[0105] In any one of the aspects described herein, the aerosol-generating article may be essentially a stick- or rod-shaped article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a plurality of segments arranged one behind the other. The segments may be cylindrical segments arranged one behind the other along their longitudinal axes. The segments may be combined with one or more wrappers wrapped around the segments. The segments may comprise an aerosol-generation segment. The aerosol-generation segment may include an aerosol-generating material configured to emit an aerosol upon heating. The aerosol-generating material may include tobacco. The segment may include a filter segment. The aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-generation segment may pass through the filter segment before reaching the user's mouth. The segment may include a mouthpiece segment. The mouthpiece segment may be configured to be contacted by the user's mouth. Alternatively, the filter segment may be engaged by the user's mouth.

[0106] The aerosol-generating article may be configured for use with an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to be at least partially inserted into the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be configured to heat the aerosol-generating article to release an aerosol from the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may be a handheld electronic device.

[0107] The present disclosure includes various aspects, embodiments, and examples. Features, advantages, and descriptions disclosed with reference to any one of these aspects, embodiments, and examples may be combined with or transferred to any other one of the aspects, embodiments, and examples described herein. Any one of the methods or uses described herein may be performed using any one of the systems described herein. Any one of the systems described herein may be adapted, designed, or configured to perform any one of the methods and uses described herein. [Example]

[0108] 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 any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0109] Example 1: 1. A system for supplying a continuous material for an aerosol-generating article, comprising: a bobbin holder configured to receive a supply bobbin including a bobbin core and continuous material wound around the bobbin core such that the supply bobbin is rotatable about an axis of rotation for unwinding the continuous material; a bobbin wear sensor configured to monitor a monitoring area through which a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin passes as the supply bobbin is rotated about the rotation axis; The system, wherein the bobbin wear sensor is configured to determine whether a portion of a circumferential surface of a supply bobbin located within a monitoring region is formed by continuous material or by a bobbin core. Example 2: a drive configured to rotate the supply bobbin about an axis of rotation to unwind the continuous material from the supply bobbin; 10. The system of example 1, further comprising: a controller configured to control the drive. Example 3: 3. The system of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the bobbin wear sensor is configured to perform optical measurements of a portion of a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area. Example 4: 4. The system of example 3, wherein the optical measurement is a color measurement. Example 5: A system described in any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the system is configured to slow or stop unwinding of the continuous material in response to the bobbin wear sensor detecting that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core. Example 6: The system of any one of Examples 1 to 5, further comprising a joining unit configured to join continuous material with continuous material from a replacement supply bobbin, wherein the system initiates joining in response to the bobbin wear sensor detecting that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core. Example 7: 7. The system of any one of Examples 1-6, further comprising a counter structure configured to press the continuous material towards the bobbin core. Example 8: 8. The system of example 7, wherein the counter structure is configured to clamp the continuous material against the bobbin core. Example 9: 9. The system of example 7 or 8, wherein the counter structure is configured to contact the continuous material wound around the bobbin core and follow the decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding. Example 10: 10. The system of any one of Examples 7 to 9, wherein the counter structure is configured to follow the diameter of the supply bobbin by moving along a radial direction during unwinding. Example 11: 11. The system of any one of Examples 7 to 10, wherein the counter structure comprises a counter roll. Example 12: 12. The system of any one of Examples 1-11, further comprising a thickness sensor configured to determine a thickness of the supply bobbin, particularly based on the position of the counter structure. Example 13: 13. The system of example 12, wherein the thickness sensor is configured to measure a distance between the thickness sensor and a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin. Example 14: 14. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the system is configured to slow down the unwinding of the continuous material in response to the thickness of the supply bobbin being less than a predetermined threshold thickness as measured by the thickness sensor. Example 15: The system of any one of Examples 1-14, further comprising a supply bobbin. Example 16: 16. The system of any one of Examples 1-15, wherein the supply bobbin is received in a bobbin holder. Example 17: 17. The system of any one of examples 1-16, wherein the continuous material is provided without a fixed connection to the bobbin core. Example 18: 1. A method for supplying a continuous material for an aerosol-generating article to a processing location, comprising: - unwinding the continuous material from a supply bobbin, the supply bobbin including a bobbin core and the continuous material wound around the bobbin core; - transporting the unwound continuous material to a processing location; - detecting depletion of the supply bobbin by detecting a difference between a surface of the continuous material and a surface of the bobbin core. Example 19: The method of example 18, wherein the supply bobbin is exhausted when less than one complete wrap of continuous material remains on the bobbin core. Example 20: 20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the surface of the bobbin core is a circumferential surface of the bobbin core. Example 21: 21. The method of any one of Examples 18-20, wherein detecting a difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core comprises detecting a color difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core. Example 22: 22. The method of any one of claims 18-21, wherein detecting wear of the supply bobbin includes detecting a boundary between a portion of the circumferential surface of the bobbin core that is covered by the continuous material and a portion of the circumferential surface of the bobbin core that is not covered by the continuous material. Example 23: 23. The method of example 22, wherein the boundary extends generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the bobbin core. Example 24: 24. The method of any one of Examples 18-23, further comprising, in response to detecting that the supply bobbin is depleted, slowing or stopping one or both of unwinding the continuous material and conveying the unwound continuous material. Example 25: 25. The method of any one of Examples 18-24, further comprising initiating splicing of the continuous material with continuous material from a replacement supply bobbin in response to detecting that the supply bobbin is depleted. Example 26: 26. The method of any one of Examples 18-25, further comprising pressing or clamping the continuous material against a bobbin core. Example 27: 27. The method of any one of embodiments 18-26, wherein the continuous material is pressed or clamped against the bobbin core by a counter structure. Example 28: 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the counter structure tracks the decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding. Example 29: 29. The method of example 27 or example 28, wherein the thickness of the supply bobbin is determined based on the position of the counter structure during unwinding. Example 30: 30. The method of any one of Examples 27 to 29, wherein the counter structure comprises a counter roll. Example 31: The method of any one of Examples 18-30, further comprising determining the thickness of the supply bobbin during unwinding. Example 32: 32. The method of any one of embodiments 18-31, wherein the thickness of the supply bobbin is determined by a thickness sensor that measures the distance between the thickness sensor and a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin. Example 33: 33. The method of any one of claims 18 to 32, wherein the thickness of the supply bobbin is determined based on the position of a counter structure that contacts the continuous material wound around the bobbin core and follows the decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding. Example 34: The method of example 33, wherein the counter structure is any one of the counter structures of examples 27 to 30. Example 35: The method of any one of Examples 18-34, further comprising reducing the rotational speed of the supply bobbin during unwinding in response to determining that the thickness of the supply bobbin has fallen below a predetermined threshold thickness. Example 36: 36. The method of claim 35, wherein reducing the rotational speed of the supply bobbin during unwinding in response to determining that the thickness of the supply bobbin has fallen below a predetermined threshold thickness comprises reducing the rotational speed of the supply bobbin to a rotational speed greater than zero. Example 37: Use of a color measurement device to determine if a supply bobbin is being worn out during unwinding of continuous material from the supply bobbin. Example 38: A system for supplying a continuous material for an aerosol-generating article, comprising: a bobbin holder configured to receive a supply bobbin such that the supply bobbin is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the supply bobbin including a bobbin core and a continuous material wound around the bobbin core; a counter structure configured to contact the continuous material wound around the bobbin core and to follow the decrease in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding; a thickness sensor configured to determine a thickness of the supply bobbin based on the position of the counter structure. Example 39: a drive configured to rotate the supply bobbin about an axis of rotation to unwind the continuous material from the supply bobbin; 39. The system of Example 38, further comprising a controller configured to control the drive unit. Example 40: The system of example 38 or 39, wherein the counter structure is configured to follow the diameter of the supply bobbin by moving along a radial direction during unwinding. Example 41: A system described in any one of Examples 38 to 40, wherein the counter structure is configured to press the continuous material toward the bobbin core. Example 42: A system described in any one of Examples 38 to 41, wherein the counter structure is configured to clamp the continuous material against the bobbin core. Example 43: The system of any one of Examples 38 to 42, wherein the counter structure comprises a counter roll. Example 44: A system described in any one of Examples 38 to 43, wherein the system is configured to slow down the unwinding of the continuous material in response to the thickness of the supply bobbin determined by the thickness sensor being less than a predetermined threshold thickness. Example 45: A system described in any one of Examples 38 to 44, further comprising a bobbin wear sensor configured to monitor a monitoring area through which the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin passes as the supply bobbin rotates about the rotation axis. Example 46: A system as described in Example 45, wherein the bobbin wear sensor is configured to determine whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by continuous material or by the bobbin core. Example 47: A method of supplying a continuous material for an aerosol-generating article to a treatment location, comprising: - unwinding the continuous material from a supply bobbin, the supply bobbin including a bobbin core and the continuous material wound around the bobbin core; - transporting the unwound continuous material to a processing location; - determining a thickness of the supply bobbin based on the position of a counter structure that contacts the continuous material wound around the bobbin core and follows the reduction in diameter of the supply bobbin during unwinding. Example 48: The method of example 47, wherein the continuous material is pressed or clamped against the bobbin core by a counter structure during unwinding. Example 49: The method of example 47 or 48, wherein the counter structure comprises a counter roll. Example 50: The method of any one of Examples 47-49, further comprising reducing the rotational speed of the supply bobbin during unwinding in response to determining that the thickness of the supply bobbin has fallen below a predetermined threshold thickness. Example 51: The method of any one of Examples 47-50, further comprising detecting depletion of the supply bobbin by detecting a difference between the surface of the continuous material and the surface of the bobbin core. Example 52: Use of a counter structure to press continuous material against a bobbin core and determine the thickness of the bobbin core and the supply bobbin including the continuous material wound around the bobbin core while unwinding the continuous material from the supply bobbin. Example 53: A system, method, or use according to any one of Examples 1 to 52, wherein the continuous material comprises an aerosol-generating material. Example 54: The system, method, or use of any one of Examples 1 to 53, wherein the continuous material is a web material. Example 55: The system, method, or use of any one of Examples 1 to 54, wherein the continuous material comprises reconstituted tobacco material. Example 56: 53. The system, method, or use of any one of Examples 1-52, wherein the continuous material comprises a metallic material. Example 57: 53. The system, method, or use of any one of Examples 1-52, wherein the continuous material comprises metal strands. Example 58: The system, method, or use of any one of Examples 1 to 57, wherein the continuous material comprises a susceptor configured to be incorporated into the aerosol-generating article.

[0110] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0111] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a system for feeding a continuous material according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a perspective schematic view of a supply roll and bobbin wear sensor of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram illustrating unwinding speed on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis, according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a series of schematic diagrams of supply bobbins and counter structures of a system according to an embodiment in which the diameter of the supply bobbins decreases throughout the series. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0112] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a system 1 for supplying continuous material 3. System 1 includes a bobbin holder 5 that receives a supply bobbin 7. Supply bobbin 7 includes a bobbin core 9 and continuous material 3 wound on the bobbin core 9. In the state shown in FIG. 1, supply bobbin 7 is essentially consumed, leaving less than a full winding of continuous material 3 on the bobbin core 9. Bobbin holder 5 includes a drive 11 for rotating supply bobbin 7 about a rotation axis 13 to unwind continuous material 3. System 1 includes a controller 15 that controls drive 11.

[0113] The continuous material 3 unwound from the supply bobbin 7 is transported to a processing location 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the continuous material 3 is a web of reconstituted tobacco material. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, a crimping station 19 is provided at the processing location 17. The crimping station 19 includes crimping rollers 21 for crimping the continuous material 3. The crimping rollers 21 create wrinkles or weakened portions in the continuous material 3 to facilitate further processing of the continuous material 3.

[0114] Between the bobbin holder 5 and the processing location 17, the continuous material 3 passes through a splicing station 23. The splicing station 23 is configured to splice the continuous material 3 from the supply bobbin 7 with the continuous material 25 from a replacement supply bobbin 27 when the supply bobbin 7 is depleted. The splicing station 23 comprises a first tool 29 in the form of a lower tool and a second tool 31 in the form of an upper tool. The continuous material 3 from the supply bobbin 7 passes between the first tool 29 and the second tool 31 on its way from the supply bobbin 7 to the processing location 17. The system 1 comprises a positioning mechanism 33, such as a robotic arm. The positioning mechanism 33 also positions the continuous material 25 from the replacement supply bobbin 27 between the first tool 29 and the second tool 31. Alternatively, the continuous material 25 from the replacement supply bobbin 27 may be manually positioned, for example, between the first tool 29 and the second tool 31. For joining, the first tool 29 and the second tool 31 are moved towards each other to combine the continuous material 3 from the supply bobbin 7 with the continuous material 25 from the replacement supply bobbin 27. The joining station 23 may comprise a wetting unit 35 that wets one or both of the continuous material 3 from the supply bobbin 7 and the continuous material 25 from the replacement supply bobbin 27 to increase their tendency to adhere to each other.

[0115] The system 1 includes a bobbin wear sensor 37 for detecting wear of the supply bobbin 7. Figure 2 shows the bobbin wear sensor 37 and the supply bobbin 7 received in the bobbin holder 5. The bobbin wear sensor 37 monitors a monitoring area 39 through which the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin 7 passes as the supply bobbin 7 rotates about the rotation axis 13. The bobbin wear sensor 37 determines whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin 7 located within the monitoring area 39 is formed by the continuous material 3 or by the bobbin core 9.

[0116] During most of the unwinding, the portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin 7 located within the monitoring area 39 is formed by the continuous material 3 wound on the bobbin core 9. Only when less than a full turn of continuous material 3 remains on the bobbin core 9 does the circumferential surface of the bobbin core 9 previously covered by the continuous material 3 become visible. FIG. 2 shows a situation where less than a full turn of continuous material 3 remains on the bobbin core 9 and a boundary 41 between the portion of the circumferential surface of the bobbin core 9 covered by the continuous material 3 and the portion of the circumferential surface of the bobbin core 9 not covered by the continuous material 3 is located within the monitoring area 39. At this point, the bobbin wear sensor 37 detects the difference between the surface of the continuous material 3 and the surface of the bobbin core 9. As the boundary 41 moves through the monitoring area 39, the bobbin wear sensor 37 detects that the portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin 7 located within the monitoring area 39 is no longer formed by the continuous material 3 and begins to be formed by the bobbin core 9. This may be detected by the bobbin wear sensor 37, for example, based on a color measurement. In particular, the bobbin wear sensor 37 may be configured to detect a difference between the color of the continuous material 3 and the color of the circumferential surface of the bobbin core 9 .

[0117] Detection by the bobbin wear sensor 37 that a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin 7 located within the monitoring area 39 is no longer formed by the continuous material 3, but is instead formed by the bobbin core 9, may be considered an indication that the supply bobbin 7 is worn out. The supply bobbin 7 may be considered worn out when less than a full spool of continuous material 3 remains on the bobbin core 9.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 1 , the system 1 includes a counter structure 43 in the form of a counter roll. The counter structure 43 is guided within a guide structure 45 for movement along an axial direction toward or away from the rotation axis 13. The support structure 45 biases the counter structure 43 in a direction to move radially inward toward the rotation axis 13. The counter structure 43 contacts and remains in contact with the continuous material 3 during unwinding of the continuous material 3. The counter structure 43 moves within the guide structure 45 to follow the decreasing diameter of the supply bobbin 7 during unwinding. The counter structure 43 defines a position where the continuous material 3 disengages from the supply bobbin 7 during unwinding.

[0119] The system 1 includes a thickness sensor 47 that determines the thickness of the supply bobbin 7. The thickness of the supply bobbin 7 decreases during the unwinding of the continuous material 3.

[0120] 1, thickness sensor 47 may be a distance sensor that measures the distance between itself and the circumferential surface of supply bobbin 7. The thickness of supply bobbin 7 is an indication of how much continuous material 3 remains on bobbin core 9.

[0121] 1, the thickness sensor 47 may determine the thickness of the supply bobbin 7 based on the position of the counter structure 43. In particular, the thickness sensor 47 may measure or determine the position of the counter structure 43 relative to its movement along the radial direction as guided by the guide structure 45.

[0122] The measurement results from the bobbin wear sensor 37 and the thickness sensor 47 are provided to the controller 15. The controller 15 controls the driving unit 11 based on the measurement results from the bobbin wear sensor 37 and the thickness sensor 47.

[0123] Specifically, the controller 15 may control the drive 11 according to the diagram shown in FIG. 3. The horizontal axis 49 in FIG. 3 is the time axis, and the vertical axis 51 in FIG. 3 represents the unwinding speed. In a first stage of unwinding, the controller 15 controls the drive 11 to unwind the continuous material 3 at an operating unwinding speed 53. When measurements by the thickness sensor 47 indicate that the thickness of the supply bobbin 7 is less than a predetermined threshold thickness, the controller 15 controls the drive 11 to reduce the unwinding speed to an intermediate unwinding speed 55 below the operating unwinding speed 53 but above zero. At a later stage, when the bobbin wear sensor 37 indicates that the supply bobbin 7 is worn out, i.e., less than a full spool of continuous material 3 remains on the bobbin core 9, the controller 15 controls the drive 11 to stop unwinding. Thus, the unwinding speed is reduced from the intermediate unwinding speed 55 to zero.

[0124] The reduction of the unwinding speed to zero occurs quickly enough that there is still contact between the circumferential surface of the bobbin core 9 and the continuous material 3 when the unwinding speed reaches zero.

[0125] Alternatively, the controller 15 controls the drive 11 to unwind the continuous material 3 at the operating unwinding speed 53 until the bobbin wear sensor 37 indicates that the supply bobbin 7 is worn out, and then controls the drive 11 to stop unwinding without an intermediate step of controlling the drive 11 to reduce the unwinding speed to an intermediate unwinding speed 55 below the operating unwinding speed 53 in response to the thickness of the supply bobbin 7 being less than a predetermined threshold thickness.

[0126] FIG. 4 illustrates a series of operating states during unwinding, progressing from the state shown in the left portion of FIG. 4 to the state shown in the right portion of FIG. 4. In the left portion of FIG. 4, the thickness of the supply bobbin 7 is still above the threshold thickness, and unwinding continues at the operating unwinding speed 53. In the middle portion of FIG. 4, the thickness of the supply bobbin 7 falls below the threshold thickness, and unwinding continues at a slower intermediate unwinding speed 55. In the right portion of FIG. 4, unwinding has stopped based on a signal from the bobbin wear sensor 37. Because there is still some continuous material 3, although less than a full winding, on the bobbin core 9 after the unwinding speed has been reduced to zero, the counter structure 43 may still clamp the continuous material 3 against the bobbin core 9 so that tension is maintained in the continuous material 3 downstream of the supply bobbin 7.

[0127] The controller 15 may initiate splicing by the splicing station 23 after the unwinding speed has been reduced to zero.

[0128] For purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like should be understood to be modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, 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 common standard error for measurement of the property that the number A modifies. In some instances, as used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentages recited above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims

1. 1. A system for supplying a continuous material for an aerosol-generating article, comprising: a bobbin holder configured to receive a supply bobbin including a bobbin core and continuous material wound around the bobbin core such that the supply bobbin is rotatable about an axis of rotation for unwinding the continuous material; a bobbin wear sensor configured to monitor a monitoring area through which a circumferential surface of the supply bobbin passes as the supply bobbin is rotated about the rotation axis; Equipped with the bobbin wear sensor is configured to determine whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the continuous material or the bobbin core. system.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bobbin wear sensor is configured to perform optical measurements of the portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the optical measurement is a color measurement.

4. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to slow or stop unwinding of the continuous material in response to the bobbin wear sensor detecting that the portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core.

5. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a splicing unit configured to splice the continuous material with continuous material from a replacement supply bobbin, the system initiating splicing in response to the bobbin wear sensor detecting that the portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within the monitoring area is formed by the bobbin core.

6. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a counter structure configured to press the continuous material towards the bobbin core.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a thickness sensor configured to determine a thickness of the supply bobbin, in particular based on the position of the counter structure.

8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is configured to slow down unwinding of the continuous material in response to the thickness of the supply bobbin measured by the thickness sensor being less than a predetermined threshold thickness.

9. 1. A method for supplying a continuous material for an aerosol-generating article to a processing location, comprising: - unwinding a continuous material from a supply bobbin, said supply bobbin including a bobbin core and said continuous material wound around said bobbin core; - transporting the unwound continuous material to a processing location; - detecting wear of the supply bobbin by detecting the difference between the surface of the continuous material and the circumferential surface of the bobbin core; A method comprising:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein detecting a difference between the surface of the continuous material and the circumferential surface of the bobbin core comprises detecting a color difference between the surface of the continuous material and the circumferential surface of the bobbin core.

11. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising slowing or stopping one or both of unwinding the continuous material and conveying the unwound continuous material in response to detecting that the supply bobbin is depleted.

12. 12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising initiating splicing of the continuous material with continuous material from a replacement supply bobbin in response to detecting that the supply bobbin is depleted.

13. 13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising reducing a rotational speed of the supply bobbin during the unwinding in response to determining that the thickness of the supply bobbin has fallen below a predetermined threshold thickness.

14. Use of a color measurement device to determine whether a supply bobbin is worn out during unwinding of a continuous material from the supply bobbin, wherein the color measurement device determines whether a portion of the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin located within a monitoring area through which the circumferential surface of the supply bobbin passes during unwinding is formed by the continuous material or by a bobbin core of the supply bobbin.

15. The system, method or use of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the continuous material comprises an aerosol-generating material.

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