TAGGANT DETECTION AND REJECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS

Abstract

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.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A method of manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article, comprising a taggant, the method comprising 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.

17. The method of manufacturing a component according to claim 16, wherein the first-predetermined amount of the taggant is a concentration of 5 milligrams of taggant per square metre.

18. The method of manufacturing a component according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: applying the taggant to the component wherein the component is: a filter, a wrapper, a tipping paper, an adhesive, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, or any combination thereof.

19. The method of manufacturing a component according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: applying the taggant to an interface between a tobacco-rod component and a filter component.

20. The method of manufacturing a component according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: applying the taggant to an inner surface of a tipping paper component.

21. The method of manufacturing a component according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: applying the taggant substantially around a circumference of the component.

22. The method of manufacturing a component according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: repeating the detecting and the determining steps, and, if applicable, the rejection step.

23. The method of manufacturing a component according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: detecting the amount of taggant that the component comprises, after a step of applying and securing a tipping paper component to another component.

24. An apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article, comprising a taggant, the apparatus comprising: a dispenser configured to apply the taggant to the component; a sensor configured to detect an amount of the taggant that the component comprises; a controller configured to determine whether the detected amount of the taggant is less than a first-predetermined amount; and a rejection system configured to reject the component when the detected amount of the taggant is less than the first-predetermined amount.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising multiple sensors, each sensor being configured to detect the amount of the taggant.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising at least a sensor positioned in the manufacturing line after a tipping paper component is applied and secured to another component.

27. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising at least one sensor positioned in the manufacturing line after a wrapping of the component.

28. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising an adhesive dispenser configured to dispense adhesive, wherein the adhesive dispenser comprises a glue application roller, and wherein the glue application roller comprises grooves.

29. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the dispenser comprises a mask configured to shield the dispensed taggant from reaching undesired areas.

30. A kit of parts, comprising: a plurality of manufacturing apparatuses configured for manufacturing of a component for an aerosol-generating article; at least one sensor configured to detect an amount of a taggant that a component manufactured comprises; a controller configured to determine whether the amount of the taggant that the component comprises is less than a first-predetermined amount; and a rejection system configured to reject the component that has the taggant amount less than the first-predetermined amount.

Description

[0085] FIG. 1 illustrates a cut-away cross-sectional schematic side profile of an aerosol-generating article.

[0086] FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away cross-sectional schematic side profile and a partial section view of an aerosol-generating article.

[0087] FIG. 3 illustrates a cut-away cross-sectional schematic side profile of an aerosol-generating article.

[0088] FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away cross-sectional schematic side profile and a partial section view of an aerosol-generating article.

[0089] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of an example embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article.

[0090] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of another example embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article.

[0091] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic representation of an example embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article.

[0092] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic representation of a further example embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article.

[0093] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 101. The aerosol-generating article 101 has a proximal end 102 and a distal end 104. The aerosol-generating article 101 has an aerosol-forming substrate 106 located at the distal end 104. The aerosol-generating article 101 has a means for heating the aerosol-forming substrate 106 to a temperature to form an aerosol. To heat the aerosol-forming substrate 106, the aerosol-generating article 101 is provided with a heating element that, at least partially, surrounds, and is adjacent to, or in close proximity with, the aerosol-forming substrate 106. The heating element may be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 106.

[0094] On the proximal end 102, the aerosol-generating article 101 is provided with a filter 108. The aerosol-forming substrate 106 is heated and forms an aerosol. When a negative pressure is applied to the proximal end 102 of the aerosol-generating article 101, the aerosol is drawn through the filter 108 at the proximal end 102.

[0095] The aerosol-generating article 101 has a hollow acetate tube 112 that is positioned in between the filter 108 and the aerosol-forming substrate 106. The hollow acetate tube 112 is placed in coaxial alignment with the filter 108 and the aerosol-forming substrate 106. The filter 108, hollow acetate tube 112 and the aerosol-forming substrate 106 are assembled within a tipping paper 110. In this example, the tipping paper 110 is arranged over the filter 108 at the proximal end 102 of the aerosol-generating article 101. The tipping paper 110 covers the entirety of the hollow acetate tube 112. The tipping paper 110 partially covers the aerosol-forming substrate 106 at an end opposite the distal end 104 of aerosol-generating article 101. In some examples, the filter 108 is wrapped in a filter plug wrapper. In some examples, the hollow acetate tube 112 is wrapped in a hollow acetate tube plug wrapper. Additionally, or alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate 106 may be wrapped in an aerosol-forming substrate plug wrapper. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the aerosol-generating article 101 is provided with one or more of: a susceptor, a mouthpiece filter, a spacer tube, a tobacco element, a flavourant element, a heat source, an aerosol-generating element. The aerosol-generating article 101 may be provided with any combination of these.

[0096] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is provided an aerosol-generating article 201. Aerosol-generating article 201 is substantially the same as aerosol-generating article 101 in FIG. 1. Aerosol-generating article 201 is provided with tipping paper 210 that is arranged over the filter 208 at the proximal end 202, over the hollow acetate tube 212, and partially over the aerosol-forming substrate 206. FIG. 2 illustrates a section view of the tipping paper 210 from one end at the proximal end 202 of the aerosol-generating article 201 to the opposite end that partially covers the aerosol-forming substrate 206. An inner surface of the tipping paper 210 is provided with a coating of adhesive 220. The adhesive 220 is provided to attach the tipping paper 210 to the rod of the aerosol-generating article 201. The adhesive 220 in this example is a glue 220. Glue 220 is applied on the inner surface of the tipping paper 210. The glue 220 contains a taggant. The taggant has a concentration of 150 milligrams per square metre. It is envisaged that the taggant may have any concentration between 5 milligrams per square metre to 500 milligrams per square metre. In this particular example, the glue 220 is sprayed onto the inner surface of the tipping paper 210. In this example, the taggant is mixed with the glue 220 prior to the application of the glue 220 onto the inner surface of the tipping paper. In some examples, the glue 220 is applied using a roller, such as a roller having grooves. The glue 220 may alternatively be applied by printing.

[0097] Thus, the inner surface of the tipping paper 210 is provided with an adhesive 220 containing taggant. It is also envisaged that in some examples, the inner surface of the tipping 210 is provided with a taggant directly applied using a spray nozzle, or by printing, or by using a roller. The tipping paper 210 is provided with a glue line 214 at a location where the tipping paper 210 overlaps the aerosol-forming substrate 206. The tipping paper 210 is also provided with a reinforced glue line 216 at the location where the tipping paper 210 overlaps the aerosol-forming substrate 206. The glue line 214 and the reinforced glue line 216 are provided to assist the attachment of the tipping paper 210 to the aerosol-forming substrate 206. In some examples, glue line 214 is provided. In other examples, reinforced glue line 216 is provided. In yet other examples, both glue line 214 and reinforced glue line 216 are provided so as to attach the tipping paper 210 to the aerosol-forming substrate 206. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the tipping paper 210 is provided with a glue free zone 218. The glue free zone 218 is an area 218 that is absent of glue 220. This is so that the glue 220, does not block perforation holes in the aerosol-generating article 201, for example. In some examples, the glue free zone 218 has substantially less glue 220 relative to that on the inner surface of the tipping paper 210.

[0098] FIG. 3 shows an aerosol-generating article 301. The aerosol-generating article 301 has a proximal end 302 and a distal end 304. The aerosol-generating article 301 has an aerosol-forming substrate 306 located at the distal end 304. The aerosol-generating article 301 is provided with a heating source 324 that is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate 306 to a temperature to form an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article 301 is also provided with a heat-conducting element 326 arranged around and in direct contact with the heating element 324 and a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 306 located near the distal end 304 of the aerosol-generating article 301. The heat-conducting element 326 in this example is a stainless-steel tube 326 but it is envisaged that the heat-conducting element 326 may be any suitable heat-conducting material.

[0099] The proximal end 302 of the aerosol-generating article 301 is provided with a filter 308. The aerosol-forming substrate 306 is heated by the heating element 324 by conduction. This transfers heat energy to the aerosol-forming substrate 306 to produce an aerosol. The aerosol is drawn through the filter 308 at the proximal end 302, when a negative pressure is applied to the proximal end 302 of the aerosol-generating article 301.

[0100] The aerosol-generating article 301 is provided with a hollow acetate tube 312 that is positioned in between the filter 308 and the aerosol-forming substrate 306. The hollow acetate tube 312 is placed in coaxial alignment with the filter 308 and the aerosol-forming substrate 306. The filter 308, hollow acetate tube 312 and the aerosol-forming substrate 306 are assembled within a tipping paper 310. The tipping paper 310 is arranged to cover the filter 308, cover the hollow acetate tube 312, and arranged to partially cover the aerosol-forming substrate 306. The inner surface of the tipping paper 310 is provided with a coating of glue 320 to attach to the rod of the aerosol-generating article 301. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the glue 320 is applied in two distinct areas on the circumference of the aerosol-generating article 301, separated from one another along the length of the aerosol-generating article 301. The glue 320 application areas are separated by a glue free zone 318. The glue free zone 318 is absent of glue 320. This is so that the glue 320, does not block perforation holes in the aerosol-generating article 301, for example. In some examples, the glue free zone 318 has substantially less glue 320 than the glue 320 application areas. The glue 320 contains a taggant. More specifically, the inner surface of the tipping paper 310 is provided with glue 320 containing taggant.

[0101] In other embodiments, other components of the aerosol-generating device 301 may instead or additionally be provided with a taggant. For example, a taggant may be applied by spraying, by printing, or by rolling, to the components of the aerosol-generating device 301. The taggant may be applied to any or a combination of: a wrapper, an adhesive 320, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, or an aerosol-forming substrate plug wrap. It is further envisaged that the taggant may be applied to any or a combination of: a susceptor, a mouthpiece filter, a spacer tube, a tobacco element, a flavourant element, a heat source 324, or an aerosol-generating element. The taggant may alternatively or additionally incorporated into the raw materials that are used to manufacture, for example, any or a combination of: a wrapper, an adhesive 320, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, an aerosol-forming substrate plug wrap, a susceptor, a mouthpiece filter, spacer tube, a tobacco element, flavourant element, a heat source 324, or an aerosol-generating element. The raw materials may constitute the components of the aerosol-generating article 301. Taggants are uniquely encoded materials or chemistries that are virtually impossible to duplicate. Taggants can be used to identify the origin for a product, such as the aerosol-generating article 301, for example.

[0102] For illustrative purposes, the area denoted by 322 indicates a taggant detection zone 322 located at the junction between the aerosol-forming substrate 306 and the hollow acetate tube 312. The taggant detection zone 322 may be located at any part of the aerosol-generating article 301 that comprises a taggant. For example, the taggant detection zone 322 may be at a location containing the component which has a taggant, for example any or a combination of: an adhesive 320, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, an aerosol-forming substrate plug wrap, a susceptor, a mouthpiece filter, spacer tube, a tobacco element, flavourant element, a heat source 324, or an aerosol-generating element. It is envisaged that there may be provided more than one taggant detection zone 322 on the aerosol-generating article 301.

[0103] A corresponding detection system on an apparatus is provided. The apparatus will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. The apparatus is provided with a sensor that detects the amount of the taggant that the component comprises. In this particular example, the sensor of the apparatus detects the amount of taggant which is contained in the taggant detection zone 322. Although the taggant detection zone 322 in this example is positioned at the junction between the aerosol-forming substrate 306 and the hollow acetate tube 312, it is envisaged that the taggant detection zone 322 may be located elsewhere on the aerosol-generating article 301 that comprises a taggant.

[0104] FIG. 4 shows an aerosol-generating article 401. Aerosol-generating article 401 is substantially the same as aerosol-generating article 201 in FIG. 2 and comprises a proximal end 402 and a distal end 404. Aerosol-generating article 401 is provided with tipping paper 410 that is arranged over the filter 408 at the proximal end 402, over the hollow acetate tube 412, and partially over the aerosol-forming substrate 406. An inner surface of the tipping paper 410 is provided with a coating of adhesive 420. The adhesive 420 is provided to attach tipping paper 410 to the rod of the aerosol-generating article 401. The adhesive 420 in this example is a glue 420. Glue 420 is applied on the inner surface of the tipping paper 410. The glue 420 contains a taggant. The taggant has a concentration of 150 milligrams per square metre. It is envisaged that the taggant may have any concentration between 5 milligrams per square metre to 500 milligrams per square metre. In this particular example, the glue 420 is sprayed onto the inner surface of the tipping paper 410.

[0105] The inner surface of the tipping paper 410 is provided with an adhesive 420 containing taggant. The tipping paper 410 is provided with a glue line 414 at a location where the tipping paper 410 overlaps the aerosol-forming substrate 406. The tipping paper 410 is provided with a reinforced glue line 416 at the location where the tipping paper 410 overlaps the aerosol-forming substrate 406. The glue line 414 and the reinforced glue line 416 are provided to attach the tipping paper 410 to the aerosol-forming substrate 406. The tipping paper 410 is provided with a glue free zone 418. The glue free zone 418 is an area 418 that is absent of glue 420. This is so that the glue 420, does not block perforation holes in the aerosol-generating article 401, for example. In some examples, the glue free zone 418 has substantially less glue 420 relative to that on the inner surface of the tipping paper 410.

[0106] The tipping paper 410 is provided with an additional glue line 419 comprising taggant. Glue line 419 is sprayed onto the tipping paper 410 to increase the concentration of taggant. The quantity of taggant may be increased. The increase of the concentration or the quantity of taggant improves the ease of detection of the taggant. In this example, the additional glue line 419 is sprayed by an adhesive nozzle. The additional glue line 419 has a width off 4 millimetres. Alternatively or in addition, the taggant may be incorporated in the raw materials that are manufactured to form any or a combination of: a wrapper, an adhesive 420, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, an aerosol-forming substrate plug wrap, a susceptor, a mouthpiece filter, spacer tube, a tobacco element, flavourant element, a heat source 424, or an aerosol-generating element.

[0107] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an apparatus 500. The apparatus 500 is used for detecting the presence and quantity of the taggant in glue. In this example, the apparatus 500 is used for detecting the presence and quantity of the taggant in glue applied to tipping paper 110 (not shown). The apparatus 500 has a series of transport drums 550,552,554,556 configured to transport along them, a component for an aerosol-generating article. In this example, the transport drums 550,552,554,556 are arranged to transport tipping paper 110 towards another part of the manufacturing process where the tipping paper 110 is assembled with other components (not shown) to produce an aerosol-generating article.

[0108] The apparatus 500 is provided with a guiding roller 566 which receives the tipping paper 110 from a transport drum 554. The guiding roller 566 directs the tipping paper 110 to a combiner 560 downstream towards an assembly station (not shown), where the tipping paper 110 is assembled with other components to form an aerosol-generating article. Between the guiding roller 556 and the combiner 560, a sensor 562 is arranged directed towards the tipping paper 110. The sensor 562 emits a sensing signal 564 that is used to determine whether the tipping paper 110 comprises a taggant, and the amount of taggant present. In some examples, the sensor 562 detects the taggant concentration that the tipping paper 110 comprises. More specifically, the sensor 562 emits a signal 564 towards the tipping paper 110. In this particular example, the signal 564 is a spectroscopic signal. The taggant in this example has an identifiable spectroscopic signature. When the taggant is exposed to the emitted signal 564, the taggant absorbs a portion of the emitted signal 564 and alters the spectroscopic signal. The signal is reflected and picked up by the sensor 562. The return signal is used to identify the taggant on the tipping paper 110 and its amount. It is envisaged that the signal 564 may be a light signal, a phosphorescent signal, an electromagnetic signal, or any suitable signal that may identify the taggant. In one example, the sensor 562 emits a light signal 564 which causes the taggant to absorb a specific wavelength, for example 1000 nanometres, or a wavelength range, for example between 930 nanometres and 1020 nanometres. The wavelengths of the light return signal received by the sensor 562 determines the absorbed wavelength of light and determines the taggant by reading the absent wavelength(s). The emitter of the sensor 562 may be a light-emitting diode. The receiver of the sensor 562 may be a photodiode. Other wavelengths are envisaged. In such cases, the emitter and receiver of the sensor 562 are tuned to the absorption and emission properties of the taggant. Additional optics, such as for example, a lens or a filter, may be provided to the sensor or in front of the sensor 562 to improve its sensitivity.

[0109] The apparatus 500 is capable of rejecting a component if it comprises an amount of taggant that is less than a predetermined amount. The apparatus 500 is provided with a control (not shown) which determines whether the amount of taggant detected by the sensor 562 is below a first-predetermined amount. In some examples, the control determines whether the amount of taggant detected by the sensor 562 is greater than a second-predetermined amount. The apparatus 500 in this example is provided with a rejection system (not shown). The rejection system is designed to reject a component if it comprises an amount of taggant that is less than a first-predetermined amount. The rejection system is designed also to reject a component if it comprises an amount of taggant that is greater than a second-predetermined amount. In this particular example, the tipping paper 110 is rejected if it comprises a taggant having a concentration of less than 5 milligrams per square metre. The tipping paper 110 is rejected if it comprises a taggant having a concentration of more than 500 milligrams per square metre. In some examples, the rejection system is designed to reject a component if it comprises having a concentration, or amount, of less than a first-predetermined amount, for example 20 milligrams per square metre. Not only is a component rejected if it does not contain a taggant, but a component is also rejected if it does not comprise a suitable amount of taggant. That is, is a component has an amount of taggant which is below a threshold amount of taggant of 20 milligrams per square metre, then it is determined that the component is faulty and does not provide suitable product performance. For example because some components are not present. In a similar way, in other examples, the rejection system is designed to reject a component if it comprises having a concentration, or amount, of greater than a second-predetermined amount, for example 550 milligrams per square metre. Above the threshold amount, it is determined that the component is faulty and would not provide a suitable product performance. An excess amount of taggant may indicate too much of a particular component is present. For example, if a high concertation of taggant is present in a component, where the taggant is present in glue, then it may be determined that too much glue is applied to the component.

[0110] After the sensor 562 detects the amount of taggant, a controller compares the detected amount of taggant with a predetermined amount of taggant. In this particular example, the controller determines whether the amount of taggant detected by the sensor 562 is within the range of 5 milligrams per square metre and 500 milligrams per square metre. If the detected amount of taggant is within the range of 5 milligrams per square metre and 500 milligrams per square metre, a positive signal is provided. The range in this particular example is 5 milligrams per square metre and 500 milligrams per square metre, but it is envisaged that other ranges may be applicable. For example, the range may be from 10 milligrams per square metre to 500 milligrams per square metre, or from 5 milligrams per square metre to 200 milligrams per square metre, or from 20 milligrams per square metre to 100 milligrams per square metre, for example. The positive signal is interpreted to mean that the tipping paper 110 comprises a suitable amount of taggant. However, if the detected amount of taggant is outside of the range of 5 milligrams per square metre and 500 milligrams per square metre, a negative signal is provided by the sensor 562. This negative signal indicates that the tipping paper 110 is to be rejected. The tipping paper 110 part corresponding to the negative signal is discarded and prevented from further being processed in the apparatus 500. The tipping paper 110 is removed from the apparatus. The portion of the tipping paper 110 corresponding to the negative signal may be rejected. In some examples, the full batch of the tipping paper 110 is rejected. In some examples, the machinery is stopped when a negative signal is detected, and the operator carries out a corrective action. The corrective action may be to change the source of the component, to change the glue tank, or to verify that the machine applies glue to the component, or that the machine applies glue evenly to the component, for example. In this example, the taggant is applied to and detected from the tipping paper 110, but it is envisaged that the taggant may be applied to and detected from any or a combination of: an adhesive, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, an aerosol-forming substrate plug wrap, a susceptor, a mouthpiece filter, spacer tube, a tobacco element, flavourant element, a heat source, or an aerosol-generating element, for example.

[0111] It is also envisaged that in some examples, the apparatus 500 is used for detecting the presence of the taggant in glue. That is, the sensor 562 detects whether the tipping paper 110 comprises taggant. The sensor 562 emits a signal 564 towards the tipping paper 110 in the form a spectroscopic signal. The taggant has an identifiable spectroscopic signature. If a taggant is present, the taggant is exposed to the signal 564 emitted from the sensor 562. The taggant absorbs a portion of the emitted signal 564 such that the spectroscopic signal is modified. When the signal 564 is reflected and picked up by the sensor 562, the sensor 562 determines that the tipping paper 110 comprises a taggant (that is, a taggant is present). Depending on whether the presence of a taggant is detected, the apparatus is designed to either reject the component or to keep the component. In this particular example, the tipping paper 110 is rejected if no taggant is detected by the sensor 562. In some examples, the entire component containing the tipping paper 110 is rejected if no taggant is detected by the sensor 562. By rejecting the tipping paper 110 or the entire component, the part is prevented from being further processed in the apparatus 500. In one example, the apparatus 500 is used for detecting the presence of the taggant in glue applied to tipping paper 110 (not shown). In other examples, the taggant may be applied to and detected from any or a combination of: an adhesive, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, an aerosol-forming substrate plug wrap, a susceptor, a mouthpiece filter, spacer tube, tobacco element, flavourant element, a heat source or an aerosol-generating element.

[0112] FIG. 6 shows an apparatus 600 having a plurality of transport rollers 650,652,654,656 used to transport an aerosol-generating article (not shown) along them. The apparatus 600 detects the presence and quantity of the taggant applied to the aerosol-generating article. More specifically, in this example, the apparatus 600 is used to detect the presence and quantity of the taggant in the filter of the aerosol-generating article. In other examples, it is envisaged that the taggant is included in any or a combination of: a wrapper, an adhesive, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, or an aerosol-forming substrate plug wrap, a susceptor, a spacer tube, a tobacco element, a flavourant element, a heat source, or an aerosol-generating element. The transport rollers 650,652,654,656 are provided with a grooved surface that is designed to receive the aerosol-generating article. The apparatus 600 is provided with a first sensor 662 directed towards roller 650. The apparatus 600 is provided with a second sensor 672 downstream from the first sensor 662. The second sensor 672 is directed towards roller 652.

[0113] The first sensor 662 emits a first sensing signal 664 towards the filter component on drum 650 that is used to determine whether the filter component comprises a taggant, and the amount of taggant present. When the taggant in the filter is exposed to the emitted signal 664, the taggant absorbs a portion of the emitted signal 664 and alters the spectroscopic signal. The signal is reflected and picked up by the first sensor 662. The return signal is used to identify the taggant in the filter and its amount. The second sensor 672 emits a second sensing signal 674 towards the filter component on drum 652 that is used to determine whether the filter component comprises a taggant, and the amount of taggant present. When the taggant in the filter is exposed to the emitted signal 674, the taggant absorbs a portion of the emitted signal 674 and alters the spectroscopic signal. The signal is reflected and picked up by the second sensor 672. In some examples, the sensors 662,672 are angularly offset from one another. In some examples, a different number of sensors 662,672 are provide, directed towards any of transport rollers 650,652,654,656 provided in the apparatus 600. A sensor may be desired after most or all manufacturing steps where taggant is present, and it is desired to determine whether taggant is present in desired amounts or concentrations. Thus, faulty components may be rejected. It is particularly beneficial to have additional sensors for important or costly manufacturing steps, where faulty components would constitute a longer downtime or have large associated costs.

[0114] The apparatus 600 is provided with a control (not shown) which determines whether the amount of taggant detected by any or both of the sensors 662,672 is below a first-predetermined amount. In some examples, the control determines whether the amount of taggant detected by any or both of the sensors 662,672 is greater than a second-predetermined amount. In other examples, the control determines an average amount of taggant detected between the sensors 662,672 and compares the average amount to the predetermined amount. The apparatus 600 in this example is provided with a rejection system (not shown). The rejection system is designed to reject an aerosol-generating article if the filter comprises an amount of taggant that is less than a first-predetermined amount. The rejection system is designed also to reject an aerosol-generating article if the filter comprises an amount of taggant that is greater than second-predetermined amount. The sensors 662,672 each detect the amount of taggant in the same way as sensor 562 in the above example. However, since two sensors 662,672 are provided, each sensor 662,672 can operate individually to detect an amount of taggant simultaneously at different locations of the same aerosol-generating article. In some examples, each sensor 662,672 can operate to detect an amount of taggant simultaneously on different aerosol-generating articles. In some examples, additional sensors may be positioned at different stages along the manufacturing process, to ensure that the amount of taggant present in the component remains within an acceptable range as the component moves along the manufacturing line. This ensures that the product performance remains suitable.

[0115] FIG. 7 shows a portion of an apparatus 700 having a drum 752. The drum 752 has a central axis 753 about which the drum 752 rotates. The drum 752 has a plurality of grooves disposed around the circumference, in which aerosol-generating articles 101 are received. The aerosol-generating articles 101 are provided with a hollow acetate tube (not shown). The hollow acetate tube is formed from raw materials mixed with a taggant. Thus, the hollow acetate tube of the aerosol-generating article 101 contains a taggant. As the drum 752 rotates about its axis 753, the aerosol-generating articles 101 are transported on a path along the circumference of drum 752. A first sensor 762 is arranged to emit a first signal 764 towards the aerosol-generating articles 101 as they are transported on drum 752. A second sensor 772 is arranged downstream from the first sensor 762. The second sensor 772 is arranged to emit a plurality of second signals 774 towards the aerosol-generating articles 101 at a location downstream of the first signal 764. When an aerosol-generating article 101 is transported on the drum 752, the aerosol-generating article 101 passes by the first sensor 764 to be sensed, and then passes by the second sensor 772, to be sensed.

[0116] The first sensor 762 emits a first signal 764 towards the aerosol-generating article 101 on the drum 752. The first sensor 762 determines whether the aerosol-generating article 101 comprises a taggant and if so, the amount of taggant that is present. When the taggant in the hollow acetate tube of the aerosol-generating article 101 is exposed to the emitted first signal 764, the taggant absorbs a portion of the signal 764 and alters the spectroscopic signal. The signal is reflected and picked by the first sensor 762. The return signal is used to identify the taggant in the aerosol-generating article 101, and its amount. The second sensor 772 emits a plurality of second signals 774 towards the aerosol-generating articles 101 on drum 752 to determine whether the aerosol-generating article 101 comprises a taggant, and the amount of taggant present. When the taggant in the hollow acetate tube of the aerosol-generating article 101 is exposed to the emitted second signal 774, the taggant absorbs a portion of the emitted signal 774 and alters the spectroscopic signal. The signal is reflected and picked by the second sensor 772. In this particular example, the second sensor 772 is designed to emit three signals 774. The provision of multiple signals 774 emitted by a single sensor 772 allows the aerosol-generating articles 101 to be detected at higher speeds. For example, the second sensor 772 is capable of detecting the amount of taggant comprised in the aerosol-generating articles 101 at a maximum speed of 10,000 articles per minute, or approximate 6 milliseconds per article. In some examples, an average signal between each of the multiple signals 774 of the second sensor 772 is provided.

[0117] After the sensors 762,772 detect the amount of taggant comprised in the aerosol-generating articles 101, a controller compares the detected amount of taggant with a predetermined amount of taggant in substantially the same way as described with reference to FIG. 6. However, in this example, the controller determines whether an average amount detected by sensors 762,772 is within the range of taggant amounts corresponding to a positive signal.

[0118] FIG. 8 shows a portion of an apparatus 800 having a first drum 850 and a second drum 852. The first drum 850 has a first central axis 851 about which the first drum 850 rotates. The second drum 852 has a second central axis 853 about which the second drum 852 rotates. The second drum 852 has a plurality of protuberances 882 raised from the surface of the second drum 852. The protuberances 882 are spaced apart about the circumference of the second drum 852. The protuberances 882 are designed to engage an aerosol-generating article 101 so as to transport the aerosol-generating article 101 on a path along the circumference of the second drum 852. At a point where the aerosol-generating article 101 passes through and between the first drum 850 and the second drum 852, the first drum 850 engages the aerosol-generating article 101. This rotates the aerosol-generating article 101 rotates about its own axis in the direction denoted by the arrow 103.

[0119] A sensor 862 is provided at a location that allows the sensor 862 to be directed towards the aerosol-generating article 101 positioned between the first drum 850 and the second drum 852. When the aerosol-generating article 101 is rotated about its axis, sensor 862 emits a signal 864 towards the aerosol-generating article 101 as the article 101 rotates. This allows the aerosol-generating article 101 to be exposed to the sensor 862 in more than one position. There is provided visibility about the circumference of the aerosol-generating article 101. The sensor 862 determines whether the aerosol-generating article comprises a taggant, and the concentration of taggant present. When the taggant in the article 101 absorbs the emitted signal 864, the spectroscopic signal is altered. The signal reflects back at and is picked by the sensor 862. The return signal is used to determine the taggant in the aerosol-generating article 101, and the concentration of taggant present. The signal is then compared with a predetermined concentration of taggant in substantially the same way as described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0120] All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

[0121] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0122] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including, alternatively or in addition, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0123] As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”, “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

[0124] The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and, is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

[0125] Any direction referred to herein, such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.

[0126] The embodiments exemplified above are not limiting. Other embodiments consistent with the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art.