EP4096445A1 - Unité de commande et procédé pour la commande d'un groupe d'articles à fumer - Google Patents

Unité de commande et procédé pour la commande d'un groupe d'articles à fumer

Info

Publication number
EP4096445A1
EP4096445A1 EP21708366.6A EP21708366A EP4096445A1 EP 4096445 A1 EP4096445 A1 EP 4096445A1 EP 21708366 A EP21708366 A EP 21708366A EP 4096445 A1 EP4096445 A1 EP 4096445A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
smoking articles
group
sensor
path
control unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP21708366.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP4096445B1 (fr
Inventor
Marco FRASSON
Massimo Fortini
Giuliano Gamberini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GD SpA
Original Assignee
GD SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=70480464&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP4096445(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by GD SpA filed Critical GD SpA
Publication of EP4096445A1 publication Critical patent/EP4096445A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4096445B1 publication Critical patent/EP4096445B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/32—Separating, ordering, counting or examining cigarettes; Regulating the feeding of tobacco according to rod or cigarette condition
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/32—Separating, ordering, counting or examining cigarettes; Regulating the feeding of tobacco according to rod or cigarette condition
    • A24C5/34—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes
    • A24C5/3412—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes by means of light, radiation or electrostatic fields
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
    • B65B19/12—Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers
    • B65B19/20—Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers into boxes with hinged lids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/28—Control devices for cigarette or cigar packaging machines
    • B65B19/32—Control devices for cigarette or cigar packaging machines responsive to incorrect grouping of articles or to incorrect filling of packages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/10—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F7/00—Magnets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/40—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers

Definitions

  • Control unit and method for controlling a group of smoking articles
  • the present invention relates to a unit and a method for controlling a group of smoking articles, in particular, each comprising a portion containing metal material.
  • a cigarette packing machine comprises a unit for forming groups of cigarettes, which receives as input a mass of cigarettes fed along a feed channel, and supplies as output a succession of orderly groups of cigarettes fed to a subsequent wrapping line.
  • a unit for forming groups of cigarettes (for example, as described in patent EP0764582B 1 or in patent EP1195323A1) comprises a vertical hopper, which has an upper input portion connected to the feed channel feeding the mass of cigarettes, and a lower portion provided with a plurality of output mouths.
  • Each output mouth comprises a number of vertical tiny channels (or vertical veins), along each of which a row of cigarettes descends by gravity, and is cyclically engaged by a respective pushing element which extracts a group of cigarettes from the bottom of the hopper and feeds the group of cigarettes to a pocket of a forming conveyor that is stationary in front of the output mouth.
  • Each pushing element is shaped like a comb and has a number of teeth which transversely cross the tiny channels of the output mouth in order to push a group of cigarettes out of the tiny channels and feed the group of cigarettes to the pocket of the forming conveyor.
  • an optical control station which acquires one or more images of the ends of all the cigarettes making up each group of cigarettes inserted in a pocket of the forming conveyor; the image of the ends of all the cigarettes is then processed both to verify the correct filling of the cigarette tips (that is, the ends of the cigarettes opposite the filter where the tobacco is “visible”) and to verify the correct longitudinal orientation of the cigarettes (i.e., to verify that all cigarettes have the same longitudinal orientation so that all tips are on the same side and, consequently, all filters are on the other side).
  • Patent applications US2019133178A1 and US2019261677A1 describe a device for identifying physical parameters of cylindrical articles of the tobacco industry during axial transfer thereof; the device comprises a radiation emitter, which emits radiations that pass through the articles, and a sensor, which is arranged on the opposite side of the emitter, is sensitive to the radiations, and is designed to detect the attenuation experienced by the radiations after passing through the articles.
  • a unit and a method are provided for controlling a group of smoking articles, each comprising a portion containing metal material, as claimed in the appended claims.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packet housing a group of cigarettes;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of a single cigarette contained in the packet of cigarettes of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a packing machine which manufactures the packet of cigarettes of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a unit of the packing machine of Figure 1 for forming groups of cigarettes;
  • Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the forming unit of Figure 4.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a feed duct of the forming unit in Figure 4 provided with an electromagnetic inductive sensor;
  • Figures 7 and 8 are plan views of a group of cigarettes in which all the cigarettes have the correct orientation and of a group of cigarettes in which one cigarette has the wrong orientation, respectively;
  • Figure 9 is a graph illustrating the time course of a signal generated by the electromagnetic sensor of Figure 6 during the passage of the group of cigarettes of Figure 7 and during the passage of the group of cigarettes of Figure 8;
  • Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a forming conveyor of the forming unit of Figure 4 provided with a different type of electromagnetic sensor;
  • Figures 11 and 12 are schematic, longitudinal and cross-sectional views of the forming conveyor of the forming unit of Figure 4 provided with another type of electromagnetic sensor;
  • Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the forming conveyor of the forming unit of Figure 4 provided with a further type of electromagnetic sensor.
  • Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates, as a whole, a rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packet comprising a group 2 of cigarettes 3 consisting of twenty cigarettes 3 arranged in three rows (of seven- six- seven cigarettes 3 each, respectively).
  • each cigarette 3 comprises a length of tobacco 4 wrapped in a respective tubular paper wrapping and a filter 5 which is stably connected to the length of tobacco 4 by means of a strap.
  • Metal material is contained in the filter 5 (as for example described in patent application W02005020723A1).
  • the metal material could also be contained in the length of tobacco 4.
  • this metal material may have different shapes.
  • this metal material can be granular, and therefore be dispersed in a more or less extended portion of the filter 5 or of the length of tobacco 4, or it can be a linear or reticular element of elongated, tubular or cylindrical shape, or it can be shaped as a plurality of metal elements dispersed or aligned in the filter 5 or in the length of tobacco 4.
  • Figure 3 shows a packing machine 7 which makes the packet 1 of cigarettes and comprises a forming unit 8 in which the groups 2 of cigarettes 3 are formed, a wrapping unit 9 in which a sheet of wrapping material is wrapped around each group 2 of cigarettes 3 to form an inner wrapping, and a wrapping unit 10 in which a blank is folded around each inner wrapping to form an outer container provided with a hinged lid, and thus complete the making of a packet 1 of cigarettes.
  • the forming unit 8 comprises a forming conveyor belt 11, which supports a plurality of pockets 12, each designed to receive and move a corresponding group 2 of cigarettes 3.
  • the forming conveyor 11 moves stepwise to feed each pocket 12 along an annular forming path PI.
  • a feed station S is arranged along the forming path PI, in which four groups 2 of cigarettes 3 are simultaneously inserted (by moving along an insertion path P2 perpendicular to the forming path PI) into respective pockets 12 which are stationary.
  • a hopper 13 is arranged in the feed station S, the former containing a mass of cigarettes 3 and having four twin output mouths 14 at the bottom, through each of which a group 2 of cigarettes 3 is extracted and inserted into a corresponding pocket 12 which is stationary in front of the output mouth 14.
  • Each output mouth 14 is associated with a corresponding pushing element 15, which makes a linear reciprocating movement along the insertion path P2 to cyclically cross the output mouth 14 and axially push a group 2 of cigarettes 3 towards a corresponding pocket 12 which is stationary in front of the output mouth 14.
  • the forming unit 11 comprises four tubular guide ducts 16, each of which is arranged in front of a corresponding output mouth 14 and guides the forward movement of a group 3 of cigarettes which, once it exits the output mouth 14 of the hopper 13, must reach a stationary pocket 12; that is, each guide duct 16 connects an output mouth 14 to a stationary pocket 12.
  • each guide duct 16 has an internal passage channel having a substantially rectangular cross section which reproduces (with a small clearance) a cross section of the groups 2 of cigarettes 3; the passage channel of each guide duct 16 may also comprise ribs which reproduce the circular shape of the cigarettes.
  • the packing machine 7 comprises a (at least one) control unit 17 which allows the correct longitudinal orientation of the individual cigarettes 3 in each group 2 of cigarettes 3 to be verified effectively and efficiently independently of the external appearance of the cigarettes 3; in other words, the control unit 17 makes it possible to verify that all cigarettes 3 in each group 2 of cigarettes 3 have the same longitudinal orientation (as shown in Figure 7), that is, the control unit 17 makes it possible to verify that in each group 2 of cigarettes 3 there are no cigarettes 3 oriented longitudinally in a different way than (opposite to) the other cigarettes 3 (as shown in Figure 8).
  • twin control units 17 are provided, each of which is coupled to a corresponding guide duct 16 and is arranged along the corresponding insertion path P2.
  • each control unit 17 comprises a sensor 18, which is arranged in a fixed position along the insertion path P2 followed by the groups 2 of cigarettes 3, and a processing device 19, which is coupled to the sensor 18 and is configured to establish whether, depending on the signals provided by the sensor 18, the group 2 of cigarettes 3 moving along the insertion path P2 has or has not all the cigarettes 3 with a same longitudinal orientation.
  • the sensor 18 is an electromagnetic sensor and is sensitive to the presence of the metal material contained in the cigarettes 3.
  • the processing device 19 reads the sensor 18 when a group 2 of cigarettes 3 is moving near (in proximity to) the sensor 18, that is, when the group 2 of cigarettes 3 is moving (along the insertion path P2) with respect to the sensor 18.
  • the processing device 19 reads the sensor 18 when a group 2 of cigarettes 3 is stationary near (in proximity to) the sensor 18.
  • each control unit 17 the processing device 19 is configured to: detect a time development x(t) of a parameter x when the sensor 18 is in proximity to a group 2 of cigarettes 3 (which may be moving or stationary with respect to the sensor 18); compare the detected time development x(t) with a sample time development corresponding to a sample group 2 of cigarettes 3 in which all the cigarettes 3 have a same longitudinal orientation; and establish whether the group 2 of cigarettes 3 has or has not all the cigarettes 3 with a same longitudinal orientation depending on the result of the comparison.
  • the detected time development x(t) is sufficiently similar to (i.e., not too different from) the sample development, then all the cigarettes 3 of the group 2 of cigarettes 3 have the same longitudinal orientation, whereas if the detected time development x(t) is sufficiently different from the sample development (i.e., not sufficiently similar to the sample development) at least one cigarette 3 of the group 2 of cigarettes 3 has a different longitudinal orientation (an incorrect orientation, i.e., opposite to the other cigarettes 3).
  • the solid line shows a time development x(t) of the parameter x when the sensor 18 is close to a group 2 of cigarettes 3 in which all the cigarettes 3 of the group 2 of cigarettes 3 have the same longitudinal orientation
  • the dashed line shows a time development x(t) of the parameter x when the sensor 18 is close to a group 2 of cigarettes 3 in which at least one cigarette 3 of the group 2 of cigarettes 3 has a different longitudinal orientation (an incorrect orientation, i.e., opposite to the other cigarettes 3).
  • each sensor 18 comprises an electric oscillator circuit 20 having at least one quantity which is influenced by a proximity to the metal material contained in the filters 5 of the cigarettes 3, and a power supply 21 which applies a variable electrical voltage to the electric oscillator circuit 20 and is connected to the processing device 19.
  • the electric oscillator circuit 20 comprises an inductor (i.e., an electrical component that generates a magnetic field when an electric current flows therethrough); at least one quantity which is influenced by a proximity to the metal material contained in the filters 5 of the cigarettes 3 is (directly or indirectly), for example, the inductance of the inductor.
  • each sensor 18 the inductor consists of a single coil 22 (that is, the electric oscillator circuit 20 comprises a single coil 22), which is directly (galvanically) connected to the power supply 21 and is arranged in a fixed position along the corresponding insertion path P2.
  • each coil 22 is wound around the corresponding guide duct 16, and thus around the corresponding insertion path P2, so that a group 2 of cigarettes 3 moving along the guide duct 16 and therefore along the insertion path P2 passes inside the coil 22 (that is, it longitudinally crosses the coil).
  • each sensor 18 (or each coil 22) is arranged around the corresponding guide duct 16 in the vicinity of the end facing the forming conveyor 11 (and therefore opposite to the end facing the hopper 13); in this way, each sensor 18 (or the coil 22) is arranged in an area of the guide duct 16 which is travelled by the group 2 of cigarettes 3 at a slower forward speed (when the pushing element 15 reaches the end of the guide duct 16 facing the forming conveyor 11, its speed drops to zero and its direction of motion is reverted). It is understood that each sensor 18 (that is, the coil 22) can be arranged in any area of the duct 16.
  • the presence and position of the metal material inside each coil 22 is “sensed” by the power supply 21, for example, as a change in the inductance (which involves a consequent change in the reactance, or impedance), a change in the merit factor or a change in the resonance frequency.
  • the parameter x of which the time development x(t) is detected can be, for example, the inductance of the electric oscillator circuit 20 or the merit factor of the electric oscillator circuit 20.
  • the coils 22 of the various sensors 18 could influence each other, thus distorting the readings; in order to avoid this drawback, it is possible to differentiate the working frequencies of the electric oscillator circuits 20 of the various sensors 18 (especially of the adjacent electric oscillator circuits 20); that is, the electric oscillator circuits 20 of the various sensors 18 have oscillation frequencies that are different from each other.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 6 has an extreme reading speed, is only sensitive to the presence of the metal material (that is, it is not affected in any way by the other components of the cigarettes such as tobacco, filters, paper etc.), and is also capable of operating when the metal material is not magnetic (i.e., not ferromagnetic).
  • a single control unit 17 is provided, which is coupled to the forming conveyor 11 and arranged along the forming path PI (instead of four control units 17 coupled to the respective guide ducts 16).
  • the electric oscillator circuit 20 of the sensor 18 comprises a plurality of coils 23, each of which is galvanically separated from and independent of the power supply 21, is wound around a corresponding pocket 12 which moves the group 2 of cigarettes 3 along the forming path PI, and is preferably short- circuited by a capacitor 24 (so as to form a resonant L/C circuit); furthermore, the electric oscillator circuit 20 of the sensor 18 comprises a single coil 25, which is directly (galvanically) connected to the power supply 21 and arranged in a fixed position along the forming path PI, so as to be electromagnetically coupled to each coil 23 when the corresponding pocket 12 passes near the coil 25.
  • the presence and position of the metal material inside each coil 23 is “sensed” by the power supply 21, for example, as a change in the inductance (which involves a consequent change in the reactance, or impedance) a change in the merit factor or a change in the resonance frequency.
  • the parameter x of which the time development x(t) is detected can be, for example, the inductance of the electric oscillator circuit 20 or the merit factor of the electric oscillator circuit 20.
  • the power supply 21 can generate in the coil 25 an electric oscillator signal (even of the impulsive type and which therefore tends to be naturally dampened in time), which undergoes variations (in terms of amplitude, duration, slope, frequency) due to the presence of the metal material carried by the cigarettes 3 inside the coil 23.
  • each coil 23 is part of a movable resonant circuit carried by a corresponding pocket 12, whereas the coil 25 is part of an excitation and measurement circuit arranged in a fixed position, for example, alongside the forming conveyor 11.
  • a single control unit 17 is provided, which is coupled to the forming conveyor 11 and arranged along the forming path PI (as in the embodiment shown in Figure 10); in this embodiment, the sensor 18 comprises a magnet 26 (permanent or equipped with an excitable solenoid) arranged in a fixed position on one side of the forming path PI (i.e., on one side of the forming conveyor 11) to generate a static magnetic field, and an array of elements 27 sensitive to the magnetic field (magneto resistors, GMRs,...), which are arranged in a fixed position on the opposite side of the forming path PI (i.e., on the opposite side of the forming conveyor 11) and are connected to the processing device 19.
  • the sensor 18 comprises a magnet 26 (permanent or equipped with an excitable solenoid) arranged in a fixed position on one side of the forming path PI (i.e., on one side of the forming conveyor 11) to generate a static magnetic field, and an array of elements 27 sensitive to the magnetic field
  • the array of sensitive elements 27 is capable of detecting a change in the intensity of the static magnetic field generated by the magnet 26 due to the presence and position of the metal elements 6 in the cigarettes 3 of the group 2 of cigarettes 3.
  • control unit 17 can be arranged in a fixed position along the insertion path P2.
  • the magnet 26 and the array of sensitive elements 27 are arranged on opposite sides of the guide duct 16 in the vicinity of the end facing the forming conveyor 11.
  • the group 2 of cigarettes 3 longitudinally crosses the array of sensitive elements 27, that is, the array of sensitive elements 27 is arranged orthogonal to the forward movement of the group 2 of cigarettes.
  • a single control unit 17 is provided, which is coupled to the forming conveyor 11 and arranged along the forming path PI (as in the embodiment shown in Figure 10); in this embodiment, the sensor 18 comprises a resonating cavity 28, which is arranged along the forming path PI (i.e., along the forming conveyor 11) to be crossed by the group 2 of cigarettes 3, and a microwave emitter/receiver 29, which is designed to emit and receive microwaves inside the resonating cavity 28 and is connected to the processing device 19.
  • this sensor 18 i.e., the coil 22
  • the coil 22 has a width (that is, an extension in the direction parallel to the insertion path P2) smaller than the length of the filter 5.
  • control unit 17 is coupled to the forming unit 8 to control the groups 2 of cigarettes 3 before starting the wrapping of the wrapping materials and thus to be able to discard the defective groups 2 of cigarettes 3 before starting the wrapping of the wrapping materials.
  • control unit 17 is coupled to the wrapping unit 9, to the wrapping unit 10, or to an output conveyor arranged downstream of the wrapping unit 10; in this case, the groups 2 of cigarettes 3 are checked after the wrapping of at least part of the wrapping materials, and thus the semi-finished or finished packets 1 of cigarettes containing defective groups 2 of cigarettes 3 are discarded.
  • each cigarette 3 comprises (at least) metal material dispersed in the filter 5, which has the function of increasing the filtering capacity (as described, for example, in patent application W02005020723A1).
  • each cigarette 3 comprises an (at least one) annular metal element, which is arranged on the outer surface of the strap connecting the filter 5 to the length of tobacco 4 (which is therefore in sight, i.e., visible from the outside) and has an aesthetic function; this annular metal element could be laminated on the paper band from which the connection straps are formed or could be printed (typically by jet printing technology) on the paper band from which the connection straps are formed.
  • each cigarette 2 comprises a (at least one) metal element which, instead of being arranged inside the filter 5, is arranged inside the length of tobacco 4 (as for example described in patent US4715389A).
  • the cigarette 3 comprises a (at least one) portion containing metal material arranged asymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center line of the cigarette 3.
  • the group 2 comprises conventional cigarettes 3, therefore each provided with a length of tobacco 4 intended for combustion and a filter 5.
  • the group 2 may comprise cigarettes 3 in which the filter 5 and/or the length of tobacco 4 is of the multi-segment type; in this case, the metal material may be contained in one or more segments of the filter 5 and/or of the length of tobacco 4.
  • control unit 17 described above has many advantages.
  • control unit 17 allows the correct longitudinal orientation of the individual cigarettes 3 in a group 2 of cigarettes 3 to be verified effectively and efficiently, independently of the external appearance of the cigarettes 3 (i.e., without using cameras or similar optical sensors).
  • control unit 17 described above is fast enough to operate correctly even in a fast packing machine 7 (for example, capable of producing 800-1,000 packets 1 of cigarettes per minute); that is, the control unit 17 described above is able to verify in (much) less than one hundredth of a second the correct longitudinal orientation of the individual cigarettes 3 in a group 2 of cigarettes 3 even when the group 2 of cigarettes 3 is moving (rapidly).
  • control unit 17 described above is particularly compact and therefore can also be installed in an existing packing machine 7 without undue difficulty.
  • control unit 17 described above is particularly simple and inexpensive to manufacture, since it uses structurally simple and inexpensive components (coils, magnets, capacitors, small electronic circuits).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité de commande (17) et un procédé de commande d'un groupe (2) d'articles à fumer (3) comprenant chacun une partie (5) contenant un matériau métallique. L'invention concerne : un capteur (18) disposé le long d'un trajet suivi par le groupe (2) d'articles à fumer (3), lequel est électromagnétique et sensible à la présence du matériau métallique contenu dans la partie (5) des articles à fumer (3) ; et un dispositif de traitement (19) qui est accouplé au capteur (18) et conçu pour déterminer, en fonction des signaux fournis par le capteur (18), si les articles à fumer (3) du groupe (2) d'articles à fumer (3) se déplaçant le long du trajet ont ou n'ont pas tous la même orientation longitudinale.
EP21708366.6A 2020-01-31 2021-01-29 Unité de contrôle et procédé pour contrôler un groupe d'articles à fumer Active EP4096445B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102020000001870A IT202000001870A1 (it) 2020-01-31 2020-01-31 Unità e metodo di controllo di un gruppo di articoli da fumo
PCT/IB2021/050722 WO2021152531A1 (fr) 2020-01-31 2021-01-29 Unité de commande et procédé pour la commande d'un groupe d'articles à fumer

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4096445A1 true EP4096445A1 (fr) 2022-12-07
EP4096445B1 EP4096445B1 (fr) 2024-08-21

Family

ID=70480464

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21708366.6A Active EP4096445B1 (fr) 2020-01-31 2021-01-29 Unité de contrôle et procédé pour contrôler un groupe d'articles à fumer

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4096445B1 (fr)
KR (1) KR20220133276A (fr)
IT (1) IT202000001870A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2021152531A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4715389A (en) 1986-09-15 1987-12-29 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Cigarette
DE3714009A1 (de) 1987-04-27 1988-11-10 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg Metalldetektor
DE4424058C1 (de) 1994-07-08 1995-10-19 Mesutronic Geraetebau Gmbh Einrichtung zur Erzeugung eines Erkennungssignals beim Auftreten metallisch leitender Teile in einem Förderstrom
IT1279728B1 (it) 1995-09-25 1997-12-16 Gd Spa Metodo e dispositivo per la formazione ed il trasferimento di gruppi di sigarette in una macchina impacchettatrice a piu' linee di
DE19947282A1 (de) * 1999-09-30 2001-04-05 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Verfahren zum Herstellen von Packungen durch Umhüllen eines Verpackungsgutes
ITBO20000577A1 (it) 2000-10-03 2002-04-03 Gd Spa Macchina automatica
EP1410991A3 (fr) * 2002-10-10 2005-12-14 Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG) Procede et dispositif pour verifier le contenu d'un paquet (ferme)
DE10252914A1 (de) * 2002-10-10 2004-04-22 Focke Gmbh & Co. Kg Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Überprüfung des Inhalts einer ( geschlossenen ) Packung
JP2007503829A (ja) 2003-09-03 2007-03-01 レシス アクティエボラーグ タバコ煙フィルタ
PL230779B1 (pl) * 2016-06-03 2018-12-31 Int Tobacco Machinery Poland Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia Urządzenie do identyfikacji parametrów fizycznych artykułów prętopodobnych przemysłu tytoniowego
PL233097B1 (pl) * 2016-06-10 2019-09-30 Int Tobacco Machinery Poland Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia Urządzenie do określania położenia wkładki w artykułach prętopodobnych przemysłu tytoniowego
DE102016115098A1 (de) 2016-08-15 2018-02-15 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Messvorrichtung und Verfahren zum Erkennen von elektrisch leitenden Elementen in Produkten sowie eine Maschine zum Herstellen von Produkten der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie
EP3474451A1 (fr) 2017-10-19 2019-04-24 Imst Gmbh Dispositif de détection, procédé de détection d'un dispositif de détection et utilisation d'un dispositif de détection
DE102018106825A1 (de) 2018-03-22 2019-09-26 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Fördereinrichtung für stabförmige Rauchartikel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4096445B1 (fr) 2024-08-21
KR20220133276A (ko) 2022-10-04
WO2021152531A1 (fr) 2021-08-05
IT202000001870A1 (it) 2021-07-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR102431953B1 (ko) 제품의 전기전도성 요소를 검출하는 측정 장치 및 방법, 및 담배 가공 산업의 제품을 생산하는 기계
CN104287086A (zh) 用于对烟草加工业的棒形制品进行检查的设备和方法
CN112672658B (zh) 气溶胶生成系统和气溶胶生成装置
CN102196737B (zh) 用于具有插入其中的物体的吸烟制品的检查系统及其相关方法
CA2114520C (fr) Appareil de reconnaissance de pieces de monnaie
CN103504473B (zh) 对烟草加工业的材料条的条异质性进行识别的方法和装置
RU2002134747A (ru) Устройство для контроля сигарет
US7793664B2 (en) Apparatus and method for detection and segregation of faulty cigarettes
EP4096445B1 (fr) Unité de contrôle et procédé pour contrôler un groupe d'articles à fumer
GB2254240A (en) Method of and apparatus for perforating cigarette paper
WO2000074505A1 (fr) Appareil et procede de fabrication et d'inspection d'article enveloppe a multicomposants
CN103960773A (zh) 烟草加工工业的测量装置、机器和方法
JP2022517777A (ja) エアロゾル生成装置、エアロゾル生成物品、及びエアロゾル生成物品に関連するデータを決定する方法
CN107692306A (zh) 用于识别和/或检查插入到烟草加工行业的棒形或条形制品中的对象的方法和装置
EP0267021A2 (fr) Dispositif pour détecter du métal dans un écoulement de particules
JP2005053585A (ja) ホール効果センサ付き位置検出器を持つプロセス用自動機
US6508138B1 (en) Method of, and device for, checking cigarettes
ITBO20060585A1 (it) Dispositivo per la rilevazione di una caratteristica di un materiale fibroso.
US3914989A (en) Method and apparatus for testing cigarettes or the like
EP3853595A1 (fr) Détecteur électromagnétique permettant la détection de propriétés de produits de l'industrie du tabac
US4010678A (en) Method and apparatus for making composite filter plugs
EP1793207B1 (fr) Capteur à courant de Foucault et bobine de détection pour celui-ci
JP6442195B2 (ja) タバコ処理産業の棒形状の物品を検査する装置、方法及び機械
JPS5953021B2 (ja) 棒状の煙草製品、特にシガレットの末端の検査装置
CN112740022A (zh) 用于检测烟草工业的产品的性质的电磁检测器

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20220725

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
TPAC Observations filed by third parties

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNTIPA

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230529

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20230731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Ipc: B65B0019200000

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Ref document number: 602021017507

Country of ref document: DE

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: A24C0005340000

Ipc: B65B0019200000

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B65B 19/32 20060101ALI20240125BHEP

Ipc: A24C 5/34 20060101ALI20240125BHEP

Ipc: B65B 57/10 20060101ALI20240125BHEP

Ipc: B65B 35/40 20060101ALI20240125BHEP

Ipc: B65B 19/20 20060101AFI20240125BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20240313

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602021017507

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241121

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1715296

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241223

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241122

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241121

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241121

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241223

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241121

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241221

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20241122

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R026

Ref document number: 602021017507

Country of ref document: DE

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PLAX Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: FOCKE & CO. (GMBH & CO. KG)

Effective date: 20250515

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20250129

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240821

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20250129

PLBB Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition received

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20250131

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20250129

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20250131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20250131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20250131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20250129

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20260128

Year of fee payment: 6