Apparatus and method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles. The method comprises providing a pack of aerosol-generating articles. The method comprises providing a coupon. The method comprises analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon. The method comprises inserting the identified coupon into the pack. The method comprises selecting a marker from a plurality of markers, the marker being specific to the one or more analyzed properties of the identified coupon. The method comprises providing the marker onto an outer surface of the pack to obtain a marked pack. The method comprises forming a bundle by aggregating a plurality of marked packs. The invention further relates to an apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles.

Description

[0001] New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0002] -1-

[0003] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BUNDLES OF PACKS OF AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLES

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles.

[0005] It is known to provide packs of aerosol-generating articles. Typically, a pack comprises between ten and forty individual aerosol-generating articles. It is known to provide bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles. Typically, a bundle comprises about ten packs of aerosolgenerating articles.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that allows to ensure that the correct types of packs are comprised within each bundle. It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that allows to ensure that a predefined composition of different types of packs is comprised within each bundle. It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that allows real-time analysis of coupons to be inserted into the packs. It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that reliably allows marking different packs in dependence of one of a plurality of different coupons being inserted in the pack.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles. The method may comprise providing a pack of aerosol-generating articles. The method may comprise providing a coupon. The method may comprise analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon. The method may comprise inserting the identified coupon into the pack. The method may comprise selecting a marker from a plurality of markers. The marker may be specific to the one or more analyzed properties of the identified coupon. The method may comprise providing the marker onto an outer surface of the pack to obtain a marked pack. The method may comprise forming a bundle by aggregating a plurality of marked packs.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles. The method comprises providing a pack of aerosol-generating articles. The method comprises providing a coupon. The method comprises analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon. The method comprises inserting the identified coupon into the pack. The method comprises selecting a marker from a plurality of markers, wherein the marker is specific to the one or more analyzed properties of the identified coupon. The method comprises providing the New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0009] -2- marker onto an outer surface of the pack to obtain a marked pack. The method comprises forming a bundle by aggregating a plurality of marked packs.

[0010] A method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that allows to ensure that the correct types of packs are comprised within each bundle may be provided. A method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that allows to ensure that a predefined composition of different types of packs is comprised within each bundle may be provided. A method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that allows real-time analysis of coupons to be inserted into the packs may be provided. A method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that reliably allows marking different packs in dependence of one of a plurality of different coupons being inserted in the pack may be provided.

[0011] The method steps may be conducted consecutively in accordance to the sequence of mentioning above. The method steps may be conducted consecutively in accordance to the sequence of mentioning above except for the steps of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon, and inserting the identified coupon into the pack being performed at least partly simultaneously.

[0012] The bundle may be formed such that the bundle comprises not more than a predetermined number of marked packs with an identical marker. The method may comprise a step of selecting a predetermined number of marked packs with an identical marker. The method may comprise a step of selecting a predetermined maximum number of marked packs with an identical marker. The bundle may be formed such that the bundle comprises not more than a predetermined number of marked packs with the same marker. The bundle may be formed such that the bundle comprises not more than two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten marked packs with the same marker. The method may comprise a step of selecting a predetermined maximum number of marked packs with the same marker.

[0013] The predetermined number of marked packs with an identical marker may be less than the total number of packs in the bundle.

[0014] The bundle may be formed such that the bundle comprises at least two packs with a different marker. The bundle may be formed such that the bundle comprises at least two packs with a different marker and at least two packs with an identical marker. The bundle may be formed such that the bundle comprises at least two packs with a different marker and not more than two packs of the same marker.

[0015] The bundle may comprise a totality of between 5 and 15 marked packs, preferably between 6 and 14 marked packs, more preferably between 7 and 13 marked packs, more preferably between 8 and 12 marked packs, more preferably between 9 and 11 marked packs, more preferably 10 marked packs. The bundle may comprise a totality of 10 marked packs. The bundle may comprise only marked packs. New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0016] -3-

[0017] The steps of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon and inserting the identified coupon into the pack may be conducted at least partly simultaneously. It may thereby be assured that the analyzed coupon is the coupon inserted into the respective pack. Speed of the manufacturing process may be enhanced. Efficiency of the analyzing process may be improved.

[0018] The step of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon may comprise capturing an image of the coupon. The step of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon may comprise capturing an image of the coupon during insertion of the coupon into the pack. It may thereby be assured that the analyzed coupon is the coupon inserted into the respective pack. Speed of the manufacturing process may be enhanced. Efficiency of the analyzing process may be improved.

[0019] The step of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon may comprise running an image processing routine on the captured image.

[0020] The marker may be selected from a plurality of different markers, each marker being specific to another one of a plurality different coupons. The marker may be selected from a plurality of n different markers, each marker being specific to another one of n different coupons, wherein n is a natural number greater than 2, preferably at least 5, more preferably at least 10. N may be a natural number between 5 and 15. N may be 10.

[0021] The markers of the plurality of markers may be invisible markers or visible markers. The markers of the plurality of markers may be visual markers. Each marker may comprise one specific visible symbol printed on the outer surface of the marked pack. The symbols may be characters or geometrical shapes.

[0022] Each marker may comprise or consist of a specific color printed on the outer surface of the marked pack.

[0023] The method may comprise a step of inputting data descriptive of the identified coupon into a database. The method may comprise a step of inputting data descriptive of the marked pack into a database. Databases may be hosted by a Manufacturing Execution System (MES).

[0024] The step of forming a bundle by aggregating a plurality of marked packs may comprise selecting a plurality of marked packs to form the bundle based on a predefined selection pattern. The predefined selection pattern may be stored in a database. The predefined selection pattern may be selected from a plurality of selection patterns stored in the database.

[0025] The method may comprise checking whether the formed bundle complies with the predefined selection pattern. The method may comprise rejecting the formed bundle if not complying with the predefined selection pattern.

[0026] The method may comprise providing a packaging to house the bundle. The method may comprise closing the packaging housing the bundle. New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0027] -4-

[0028] The method may comprise validating the coupon. The method may comprise rejecting the coupon before inserting the coupon into the pack in case the validation indicated the coupon to be one or both of non-compliant or defective. The step of validating the coupon may be conducted before, during, or after the step of identifying the coupon. The steps of validating the coupon and identifying the coupon may be conducted at least partly simultaneously.

[0029] The method may comprise validating the identified coupon. The method may comprise rejecting the identified coupon before inserting the identified coupon into the pack in case the validation indicated the identified coupon to be one or both of non-compliant or defective.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles, wherein the apparatus is configured to manufacture the bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles according to the method described herein. The apparatus may comprise a manufacturing execution system (MES) being programmed to manufacture the bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles according to the method described herein.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles. The apparatus may comprise an image capturing system configured to capture images of coupons. The image capturing system may be configured to capture images of coupons before insertion of a coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles. The image capturing system may be configured to capture images of coupons during insertion of a coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles. The apparatus may comprise an image processing unit configured to allocate the captured image to one of a plurality of markers, each marker being specific to one of a plurality of different coupons stored in a database. The apparatus may comprise a printing unit configured to print the markers onto the packs of aerosol-generating articles, such that each pack is marked with a marker indicative of the specific coupon inserted into the pack. The apparatus may comprise an aggregating unit configured to form bundles by aggregating a plurality of marked packs. The apparatus may be configured to select the number and types of marked packs for each bundle based on a predefined selection pattern. The apparatus may comprise a manufacturing execution system (MES) configured to select the number and types of marked packs for each bundle based on a predefined selection pattern.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles. The apparatus comprises an image capturing system configured to capture images of coupons. The image capturing system is configured to one or both of capture images of coupons before insertion of a coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles, and capture images of coupons during insertion of a coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles. The apparatus comprises an image processing unit configured to allocate the captured image to one of a plurality of markers, each New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0033] -5- marker being specific to one of a plurality of different coupons stored in a database. The apparatus comprises a printing unit configured to print the markers onto the packs of aerosolgenerating articles, such that each pack is marked with a marker indicative of the specific coupon inserted into the pack. The apparatus comprises an aggregating unit configured to form bundles by aggregating a plurality of marked packs. The apparatus may be configured to select the number and types of marked packs for each bundle based on a predefined selection pattern, preferably, the apparatus comprises a manufacturing execution system (MES) configured to select the number and types of marked packs for each bundle based on a predefined selection pattern.

[0034] An apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that allows to ensure that the correct types of packs are comprised within each bundle may be provided. An apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that allows to ensure that a predefined composition of different types of packs is comprised within each bundle may be provided. An apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosolgenerating articles that allows real-time analysis of coupons to be inserted into the packs may be provided. An apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles that reliably allows marking different packs in dependence of one of a plurality of different coupons being inserted in the pack may be provided.

[0035] The image capturing system may be configured to capture an image of the coupon during insertion of the coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles. The image capturing system may be configured to capture an image of the coupon during insertion of the coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles such that the coupon is moved towards the pack when the image is captured. The image capturing system may be configured to capture an image of the coupon during insertion of the coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles such that at least part of the coupon is inserted into the pack when the image is captured. The image capturing system may comprise a camera.

[0036] The apparatus may comprise a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The data relating to the type of coupon may be inputted into a database of the MES. The MES may be configured to control the printing unit. The MES may monitor and control one or more of manufacturing equipment, manufacturing equipment parameters, executed output, and performance of the apparatus.

[0037] The method and apparatus of the invention may provide a process comprising a series of process steps applied within the packaging manufacturing process that comprises a step of image capturing before or at the moment of coupon insertion, related image data processing and identifying the specific type of coupon design. Such data may be inputted in a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) database. Such data of the specific type of coupon design that was inserted may be included, in the form of at least one visible form / character, in New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0038] -6- the total content to be printed in the specific pack, to be printed at the specific packaging process step. Such information printed in each pack to identify the coupon design in such specific pack may be used for the aggregation of packs to be comprised in a bundle. Namely, this way identifying the specific coupon design of the packs, associating a maximum predetermined number of same designs of coupons in a bundle is made possible.

[0039] The aerosol-generating articles processed by the apparatus and method of the invention may be any type of aerosol-generating articles known to those skilled in the art. The packs of aerosol-generating articles processed by the apparatus and method of the invention may be any type of packs of aerosol-generating articles known to those skilled in the art. A pack may house between 5 and 50 aerosol-generating articles, preferably between 10 and 40 aerosol-generating articles, more preferably between 20 and 30 aerosol-generating articles.

[0040] The aerosol-generating articles processed by the apparatus and method of the invention may be combustible aerosol-generating articles, for example cigarettes or cigars. The aerosol-generating articles processed by the apparatus and method of the invention may be non-combustible aerosol-generating articles, for example Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) articles or inhaler articles. The packs of aerosol-generating articles processed by the apparatus and method of the invention may be hinged-lid packs. The packs of aerosol-generating articles processed by the apparatus and method of the invention may be soft-packs.

[0041] Each bundle of packs of aerosol-generating articles manufactured by the apparatus and method of the invention may comprise between 2 and 100 packs, preferably between 5 and 20 packs, more preferably between 8 and 12 packs, more preferably 10 packs. The bundle of packs may comprise an outer packaging such as a wrapper or a box, for example a plastic wrapper or paper-based box. Information related to the number and type of markers of the packs forming the bundle may be processed by the method or apparatus and printed onto the bundle packaging.

[0042] The coupons processed by the apparatus and method of the invention may be sheets of material, for example paper-based sheets.

[0043] Below, there 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 another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0044] Example E1 : A method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles, the method comprising providing a pack of aerosol-generating articles; providing a coupon; analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon; inserting the identified coupon into the pack; New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0045] -7- selecting a marker from a plurality of markers, the marker being specific to the one or more analyzed properties of the identified coupon; providing the marker onto an outer surface of the pack to obtain a marked pack; and forming a bundle by aggregating a plurality of marked packs.

[0046] Example E2: The method according to Example E1 , wherein the bundle is formed such that the bundle comprises not more than a predetermined number of marked packs with an identical marker and such that the bundle comprises at least two packs with a different marker.

[0047] Example E3: The method according to Example E1 or Example E2, wherein the bundle comprises between 5 and 15 marked packs, preferably between 6 and 14 marked packs, more preferably between 7 and 13 marked packs, more preferably between 8 and 12 marked packs, more preferably between 9 and 11 marked packs, more preferably 10 marked packs.

[0048] Example E4: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the steps of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon and inserting the identified coupon into the pack are conducted at least partly simultaneously.

[0049] Example E5: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the step of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon comprises capturing an image of the coupon, preferably capturing an image of the coupon at the moment of insertion of the coupon into the pack.

[0050] Example E6: The method according to Example E5, wherein the step of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon comprises running an image processing routine on the captured image.

[0051] Example E7: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the marker is selected from a plurality of different markers, each marker being specific to another one of a plurality of different coupons.

[0052] Example E8: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the markers of the plurality of markers are visual markers, preferably wherein each marker comprises one specific visible symbol printed on the outer surface of the marked pack.

[0053] Example E9: The method according to Example E8, wherein the symbols are characters or geometrical shapes.

[0054] Example E10: The method according to any of the preceding examples, comprising a step of inputting data descriptive of the identified coupon into a database.

[0055] Example E11: The method according to any of the preceding examples, comprising a step of inputting data descriptive of the marked pack into a database. New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0056] -8-

[0057] Example E12: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the step of forming a bundle by aggregating a plurality of marked packs comprises selecting a plurality of marked packs to form the bundle based on a predefined selection pattern.

[0058] Example E13: The method according to Example E12, comprising steps of checking whether the formed bundle complies with the predefined selection pattern; and rejecting the formed bundle if not complying with the predefined selection pattern.

[0059] Example E14: The method according to any of the preceding examples, comprising steps of providing a packaging to house the bundle; and closing the packaging housing the bundle.

[0060] Example E15: The method according to any of the preceding examples, comprising steps of validating the identified coupon; and rejecting the identified coupon before inserting the identified coupon into the pack in case the validation indicated the identified coupon to be one or both of non-compliant or defective.

[0061] Example E16: An apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles, wherein the apparatus is configured to manufacture the bundles of packs of aerosolgenerating articles according to the method of any of the preceding examples.

[0062] Example E17: An apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles, the apparatus comprising an image capturing system configured to capture images of coupons before or during insertion of a coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles; an image processing unit configured to allocate the captured image to one of a plurality of markers, each marker being specific to one of a plurality of different coupons stored in a database; a printing unit configured to print the markers onto the packs of aerosol-generating articles, such that each pack is marked with a marker indicative of the specific coupon inserted into the pack; an aggregating unit configured to form bundles by aggregating a plurality of marked packs; and a manufacturing execution system configured to select the number and types of marked packs for each bundle based on a predefined selection pattern.

[0063] Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention. New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0064] -9-

[0065] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

[0066] Fig. 1 shows a method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles.

[0067] Fig. 1 shows a flow chart of a method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosolgenerating articles. The method may comprise one or more initial process steps of packaging aerosol-generating articles, for example cigarettes, 10 into packs of aerosol-generating articles. The method may further comprise one or more previous process steps 12 for preparing semi-finished packs of aerosol-generating articles.

[0068] The method comprises a first step of collecting a coupon for insertion 14 into a pack of aerosol-generating articles. The coupon may be collected from a reservoir of coupons comprising a plurality of coupons with different designs. The type and number of possible designs may be selected from a database. For example, there may be ten different possible designs for the coupon collected from the reservoir.

[0069] The method comprises a second step of collecting an image of the coupon 16 before or during insertion of the coupon into the pack of aerosol-generating articles.

[0070] The method comprises an optional third step of validating the coupon. The third step comprises image data processing 18 for validating the coupon. If the outcome 20 of the image data processing 18 classifies the coupon to be not good, the coupon is rejected 22 and not used. A coupon being classified not good may be a coupon having a design not compliant with the selected possible designs. For example, the coupon may have a design different to the ten different possible designs for the coupon. A coupon being classified not good may be a defective coupon. For example, the defective coupon may exhibit one or both of geometrical deformations and mechanical damages.

[0071] If the outcome 20 of the image data processing 18 classifies the coupon to be good, the coupon is used in the following steps. The third step may assure that only good coupons are used and inserted in packs, and the packs that proceed from this process step onwards only have good coupons inside.

[0072] The method comprises a fourth step of identifying the type of design of the coupon 24. This step includes processing the image data of the collected image of the coupon 16. For example, where there are ten different possible designs for the coupon, this fourth step identifies which of those ten designs is the design of the current coupon. The data relating to the type of coupon is inputted into a database of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) 26. The MES 26 monitors and controls manufacturing equipment, including manufacturing equipment parameters, its executed output, and performance. New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0073] -10-

[0074] Each design of the different possible designs has a specific reference coincident with a unique data entry. For example, where there are ten different possible designs, the unique data entries may be such as alphabetical orderly from A to J, and such ten data exist in a data management system of the MES 26.

[0075] The method comprises a fifth step of insertion of the coupon into the pack of aerosolgenerating articles 28. The fifth step may be conducted after or simultaneous to the fourth step.

[0076] The method comprises a sixth step of determining a content of the printing order 30. The content to be printed onto the pack includes a marker specific to the identified type of design of the coupon 24 as instructed by the MES 26. The data of the coupon inserted in the specific pack is this way also associated to the specific pack, and it is included in the total content of the printing data to be printed on such specific pack.

[0077] The method comprises a seventh step of printing on the pack 32. Once at the packaging printing process step, the printing equipment prints the information / data as per printing order given by the system, for the specific pack, which incorporates the information / data about the type of design of the coupon that was inserted in the pack.

[0078] From this process step onwards by means of the marker on the pack, it is possible to know, in a visual way, as well as possible to be detected by the system, what is the type of design inserted in any specific pack.

[0079] The method comprises an eighth step of aggregation and packaging of the bundle.

[0080] Once at the process step of aggregation of packs to reach the total number of packs to comprise a bundle of packs, the system can manage the packaging equipment to detect the type of design of the coupon in each pack 34, and this way collect and aggregate the packs in a way to comply to a packaging rule 36, for example that a maximum two same designs of coupons exist inside a bundle of packs of cigarettes. Also, this way any other rule referring to the type of designs inserted in the packs can be executed and controlled during the aggregation to comprise a bundle of packs to be finally overall packed 38. It also possible to print in the bundle the information about the type of designs of coupons, and its total number per type of design, inside the bundle. The package of the bundle is then completed 40.

[0081] From the moment of the process step of the insertion of the coupon up to the effective printing of related information / data in the respective pack, all steps may be executed and controlled in an automated way by the equipment, and in parallel by the MES 26. All other subsequent process steps can be also automated as executed by equipment and / or with manual process steps, namely executed in semimanual process steps. Namely, the visual identification of the type of coupons existing in each pack, and its selection and aggregation for the purpose of consolidating a bundle of packs, can be manually executed.

[0082] The method may beneficially enable to identify and control the quality and type of design of each coupon to be inserted. The method may beneficially enable to identify the type New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT

[0083] -11- of design inserted in each pack, to select and aggregate the desired packs to comply with the rule according to the regulatory framework, to consolidate and complete the packaging of a bundle. The method may beneficially enable to identify the type of design inserted in each pack at any time, during the manufacturing process and / or when the pack is already in the market. The method may beneficially enable real-time image acquisition of the coupon and related data processing. The method may beneficially enable real-time process control of the quality of the coupon. The method may beneficially enable real-time process control of the type of design of the coupon. The method may beneficially enable real-time data association of the type of design coupon inserted and the content to print in the specific pack. The method may beneficially enable that the type of coupon inserted in the pack is visible in the content of the information / data printed in the pack. The method may beneficially enable to establish and comply with regulatory rules of type and number of coupons in the packs of a bundle of packs, by visually identify in the printed content of each pack the type of coupon inserted, and based on this selected the right packs to be aggregated to consolidate a bundle of packs according to any rule.

Claims

New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT-12-CLAIMS1 . A method for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles, the method comprising providing a pack of aerosol-generating articles; providing a coupon; analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon; inserting the identified coupon into the pack; selecting a marker from a plurality of markers, the marker being specific to the one or more analyzed properties of the identified coupon; providing the marker onto an outer surface of the pack to obtain a marked pack; and forming a bundle by aggregating a plurality of marked packs.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bundle is formed such that the bundle comprises not more than a predetermined number of marked packs with an identical marker and such that the bundle comprises at least two packs with a different marker.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the steps of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon and inserting the identified coupon into the pack are conducted at least partly simultaneously.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon comprises capturing an image of the coupon, preferably capturing an image of the coupon at the moment of insertion of the coupon into the pack.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of analyzing one or more properties of the coupon to obtain an identified coupon comprises running an image processing routine on the captured image.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the marker is selected from a plurality of different markers, each marker being specific to another one of a plurality of different coupons.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the markers of the plurality of markers are visual markers, preferably wherein each marker comprises one specific visible symbol printed on the outer surface of the marked pack.New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT-13-8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the symbols are characters or geometrical shapes.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a step of inputting data descriptive of the identified coupon into a database.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a step of inputting data descriptive of the marked pack into a database.

11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of forming a bundle by aggregating a plurality of marked packs comprises selecting a plurality of marked packs to form the bundle based on a predefined selection pattern.

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising steps of providing a packaging to house the bundle; and closing the packaging housing the bundle.

13. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising steps of validating the identified coupon; and rejecting the identified coupon before inserting the identified coupon into the pack in case the validation indicated the identified coupon to be one or both of non-compliant or defective.

14. An apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles, wherein the apparatus is configured to manufacture the bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles according to the method of any of the preceding claims.

15. An apparatus for manufacturing bundles of packs of aerosol-generating articles, the apparatus comprising an image capturing system configured to capture images of coupons before or during insertion of a coupon into a pack of aerosol-generating articles; an image processing unit configured to allocate the captured image to one of a plurality of markers, each marker being specific to one of a plurality of different coupons stored in a database;New PCT Patent Application December 3, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46233- PCT-14- a printing unit configured to print the markers onto the packs of aerosol-generating articles, such that each pack is marked with a marker indicative of the specific coupon inserted into the pack; an aggregating unit configured to form bundles by aggregating a plurality of marked packs; and a manufacturing execution system configured to select the number and types of marked packs for each bundle based on a predefined selection pattern.

Images