An analysis and/or treatment device (100) for at least one smoking article (60), comprising a closable receptacle (4) for receiving the at least one smoking article (60) therein; a reservoir (62) for a fluid treatment material (8, 9); a hollow injection needle (2) interiorly insertable into the smoking article (60) received in the receptacle (4) and operably connected to the reservoir (62); means (3) for moving the treatment material (9) from the reservoir (62) through the needle (2) into the interior of the smoking article (60); and at least one sensor means (15) provided in the receptacle (4) for detecting at least one parameter characterizing a property of the smoking article (60) and/or characterizing the treatment conditions in the receptacle (4). A method for applying a treatment to a smoking article (60), wherein the smoking article (60) is enclosed by a receptacle (4), and a treatment material (8,9) is inserted into the receptacle (4) and directly into the interior of the smoking article (60) as a function of parameters measured by sensor means (15), said parameters being indicative of at least one of the temperature and the humidity in the receptacle (4) and the smoking article (60).

An analysis and/or treatment device (100) for at least one smoking article (60), comprising a closable receptacle (4) for receiving the at least one smoking article (60) therein; a reservoir (62) for a fluid treatment material (8, 9); a hollow injection needle (2) interiorly insertable into the smoking article (60) received in the receptacle (4) and operably connected to the reservoir (62); means (3) for moving the treatment material (9) from the reservoir (62) through the needle (2) into the interior of the smoking article (60); and at least one sensor means (15) provided in the receptacle (4) for detecting at least one parameter characterizing a property of the smoking article (60) and/or characterizing the treatment conditions in the receptacle (4). A method for applying a treatment to a smoking article (60), wherein the smoking article (60) is enclosed by a receptacle (4), and a treatment material (8,9) is inserted into the receptacle (4) and directly into the interior of the smoking article (60) as a function of parameters measured by sensor means (15), said parameters being indicative of at least one of the temperature and the humidity in the receptacle (4) and the smoking article (60).

The present disclosure concerns a device for forming a multi-flavor composite structure filter rod in one step, including the following components: a tow transmission belt, a tow guiding horn-shaped mouth, a tow assembly paper collection groove, a cigarette lap adhesive applying device and multi-flavor adding devices. According to shapes and types of flavors, the multi-flavor adding devices are arranged in different sections to obtain one-step formation of the multi-flavor composite structure filter rods. The present disclosure also discloses a one-step method of forming the multi-flavor composite structure filter rod using the one-step forming device.

The present disclosure concerns a device for forming a multi-flavor composite structure filter rod in one step, including the following components: a tow transmission belt, a tow guiding horn-shaped mouth, a tow assembly paper collection groove, a cigarette lap adhesive applying device and multi-flavor adding devices. According to shapes and types of flavors, the multi-flavor adding devices are arranged in different sections to obtain one-step formation of the multi-flavor composite structure filter rods. The present disclosure also discloses a one-step method of forming the multi-flavor composite structure filter rod using the one-step forming device.

Apparatus is disclosed for orientating a tobacco product containing a strip component. The apparatus comprises means for producing an image of the tobacco product, means for determining an apparent width of the strip component from the image, means for determining an amount of rotation of the tobacco product based on the apparent width, and means for rotating the tobacco product relative to the imaging mean by the determined amount of rotation. This may allow the product to be rotated such that the strip component has a known orientation with respect to the imaging means.

The present disclosure has provided an automatic multichannel apparatus for assessing hot coal fallout propensity of burning cigarettes and an assessing method thereof. The apparatus comprises a multichannel rotary plate unit, an automatic supplying unit for cigarette samples, an automatic ignition and burning line detection unit for cigarette samples, a cigarette holding and force applying unit, an automatic hot coal fallout detection and removal unit, a smoke collecting unit during suction, a suction unit, a gas exhaust unit arranged in a main frame, and an electric circuit and air path control unit for controlling actions and processes of the above units. The apparatus operates based on certain steps and performs automatic ignition and burning line detection on cigarette samples inserted into a rotary plate in sequence. A controllable external force is applied to the cigarettes during burning and suction, and hot coal fallout propensity of this kind of cigarette is detected by hot coal fallout occurrence of multiple cigarettes. The apparatus according to the present disclosure can improve test repeatability and working efficiency.

A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry includes the following steps: introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe whose shape and size correspond to the shape and size of the products the machine is designed to process and which the machine processes as if it were a real product. During processing in the machine, the probe acquires data through a sensor of its own. The method also includes determining the positions adopted by the probe while it is being processed in the machine and associating them with the data acquired by the probe while it is being processed in the machine.

A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry includes the following steps: introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe whose shape and size correspond to the shape and size of the products the machine is designed to process and which the machine processes as if it were a real product. During processing in the machine, the probe acquires data through a sensor of its own. The method also includes determining the positions adopted by the probe while it is being processed in the machine and associating them with the data acquired by the probe while it is being processed in the machine.

The technology described herein generally relates to an automated packaging apparatus and system that packages loose particles into a conical container as well as the final folded packages. More specifically, loose plant matter, such as crumbled dried leaves, are supplied to successive paper cones. The apparatus packs the crumbled leaves into the cones, applies air bursts to pack the material within the cone, closes the wide top portion of the cone, and then runs a quality control check to ensure that the final filled cone meets preset specifications.

An apparatus is provided, including: a housing; a first assessment section defining a first airflow pathway and including a first conduit including inlet and outlet ends, the inlet end to receive a mouth end of an aerosol-generating system or a smoking article, a first pump in fluid communication with the first conduit outlet end and to draw fluid through the first conduit from the inlet end to the outlet end, and a first cover arranged on the housing; and a second assessment section defining a second airflow pathway and including a second conduit including inlet and outlet ends, the inlet end to receive a mouth end of an aerosol-generating device or a smoking article, a second pump in fluid communication with the second conduit outlet end and to draw fluid through the second conduit from the inlet end to the outlet end, and a second cover arranged on the housing.