An extraction station for the extraction from a transport system for an at least partially complete cartridge; the extraction station has: a collecting device; at least one holding head, which is designed to grab at least one end of the cartridge; and a moving device which supports the holding head and moves the holding head between a pick-up position, in which the holding head is in the area of the transport system and grabs the cartridge, and a release position, in which the holding head releases the cartridge.

A device for off-line detection of circumferential appearance quality of cigarettes includes a mechanical system, a vision system and a control system, where the mechanical system includes a hopper, a feed roller, an auto-rotating roller, an upper chute and a lower chute. A method for off-line detection of circumferential appearance quality of cigarettes by using the above device is further provided. The present disclosure can achieve detection without omission to obtain accurate and quantifiable detection results, and has high processing efficiency.

A device for off-line detection of circumferential appearance quality of cigarettes includes a mechanical system, a vision system and a control system, where the mechanical system includes a hopper, a feed roller, an auto-rotating roller, an upper chute and a lower chute. A method for off-line detection of circumferential appearance quality of cigarettes by using the above device is further provided. The present disclosure can achieve detection without omission to obtain accurate and quantifiable detection results, and has high processing efficiency.

A method of manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article including a taggant is provided, the method including the steps of: applying the taggant to the component; detecting an amount of the taggant that the component comprises; determining whether the detected amount of the taggant is less than a first-predetermined amount; and rejecting the component when the detected amount of the taggant is less than the first-predetermined amount. An apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article including a taggant is also provided. A kit of parts is also provided.

A method of manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article including a taggant is provided, the method including the steps of: applying the taggant to the component; detecting an amount of the taggant that the component comprises; determining whether the detected amount of the taggant is less than a first-predetermined amount; and rejecting the component when the detected amount of the taggant is less than the first-predetermined amount. An apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article including a taggant is also provided. A kit of parts is also provided.

A device for off-line detection of circumferential appearance quality of cigarettes includes a mechanical system, a vision system and a control system, where the mechanical system includes a hopper, a feed roller, an auto-rotating roller, an upper chute and a lower chute. A method for off-line detection of circumferential appearance quality of cigarettes by using the above device is further provided. The present disclosure can achieve detection without omission to obtain accurate and quantifiable detection results, and has high processing efficiency.

A device for off-line detection of circumferential appearance quality of cigarettes includes a mechanical system, a vision system and a control system, where the mechanical system includes a hopper, a feed roller, an auto-rotating roller, an upper chute and a lower chute. A method for off-line detection of circumferential appearance quality of cigarettes by using the above device is further provided. The present disclosure can achieve detection without omission to obtain accurate and quantifiable detection results, and has high processing efficiency.

A method of detection of rotated segments in a non-wrapped string of segments conveyed one after another in a machine used in tobacco industry, the method comprising using a source of radiation for illuminating the segments and a receiver of the radiation reflected by the segments, the method further comprising generating a signal of an error by means of a controlling unit in case of detection of a rotated segment. The conveyed string of segments is illuminated by a laser beam so that on each segment its light profile is formed, an image of said light profile being registered by means of the radiation receiver, and in that the light profile formed on each segment is compared with a defined reference profile by means of an analyzing unit and the signal of an error is generated in each case where a difference between the registered light profile and said reference profile is detected. A device for implementing the method of the invention and a machine comprising such a device.

A method of detection of rotated segments in a non-wrapped string of segments conveyed one after another in a machine used in tobacco industry, the method comprising using a source of radiation for illuminating the segments and a receiver of the radiation reflected by the segments, the method further comprising generating a signal of an error by means of a controlling unit in case of detection of a rotated segment. The conveyed string of segments is illuminated by a laser beam so that on each segment its light profile is formed, an image of said light profile being registered by means of the radiation receiver, and in that the light profile formed on each segment is compared with a defined reference profile by means of an analyzing unit and the signal of an error is generated in each case where a difference between the registered light profile and said reference profile is detected. A device for implementing the method of the invention and a machine comprising such a device.

An apparatus for manufacturing a consumable for an aerosol provision system. The apparatus includes a feeding apparatus for receiving and supplying a sheet of aerosol-generating material along a conveyance path, and a sensor configured to detect information indicative of defects in the sheet as the sheet passes along the conveyance path. The apparatus can include a consumable forming apparatus configured to receive the sheet of aerosol-generating material and form the sheet into a consumable, and a controller configured to determine the presence of a defect in the sheet based on the information detected by the sensor. A consumable for an aerosol provision system can be manufactured by the apparatus and/or method disclosed herein. Additionally, an apparatus, method and controller for analyzing a sheet of aerosol-generating material for an aerosol provision system consumable and a system for manufacturing a consumable for an aerosol provision system.