Detecting segments for aerosol-generating articles with two consecutive sensors

Abstract

Detecting Segments for Aerosol-Generating Articles with Two Consecutive Sensors A method for conducting a quality control of an arrangement (3) of segments for aerosol-generating articles is provided. The arrangement (3) of segments comprises at least two segments arranged consecutively along a longitudinal axis (15), wherein each segment extends along the longitudinal axis (15) between two opposing longitudinal ends of the segment. The at least two segments comprise at least one aerosol-generating segment (17). The at least one aerosol-generating segment (17) comprises an aerosol-generating material (21) and a susceptor (19). The susceptor (19) comprises a metallic material for heating the aerosol-generating material (21). The method comprises carrying out a first measurement comprising detecting the susceptor (19) by magnetic interaction with the metallic material of the susceptor (19). The method further comprises carrying out a second measurement comprising optically detecting at least one longitudinal end of at least one of the segments.

1 . Method for conducting a quality control of an arrangement of segments for aerosol-generating articles,
 wherein the arrangement of segments comprises at least two segments arranged consecutively along a longitudinal axis, wherein each segment extends along the longitudinal axis between two opposing longitudinal ends of the segment;   wherein the at least two segments comprise at least one aerosol-generating segment;   wherein the at least one aerosol-generating segment comprises an aerosol-generating material and a susceptor;   wherein the susceptor comprises a metallic material for heating the aerosol-generating material; and   wherein the method comprises
 carrying out a first measurement comprising detecting the susceptor by magnetic interaction with the metallic material of the susceptor; and 
 carrying out a second measurement comprising optically detecting at least one longitudinal end of at least one of the segments, wherein the second measurement comprises detecting a position of the at least one longitudinal end along the longitudinal axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two segments comprise at least one of: a filter segment, or a segment with a hollow acetate tube, or a mouthpiece segment. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement of segments further comprises a wrapper wrapped around the at least two segments. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second measurement comprises detecting the at least one longitudinal end by an optical transmission measurement. 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second measurement comprises detecting an interface of adjacent segments. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first measurement comprises inducing electrical currents in the susceptor by magnetic interaction with the susceptor. 
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising conveying the arrangement of segments, wherein one or both of the first measurement and the second measurement are carried out while the arrangement of segments is conveyed. 
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising separating the arrangement of segments from at least a further arrangement of segments between the first measurement and the second measurement. 
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising evaluating data from the first measurement and data from the second measurement to determine lengths of the individual segments of the arrangement of segments. 
     
     
         11 . System for conducting a quality control of an arrangement of segments for aerosol-generating articles,
 wherein the arrangement of segments comprises at least two segments arranged consecutively along a longitudinal axis, wherein each segment extends along the longitudinal axis between two opposing longitudinal ends of the segment;   wherein the at least two segments comprise at least one aerosol-generating segment;   wherein the at least one aerosol-generating segment comprises an aerosol-generating material and a susceptor;   wherein the susceptor comprises a metallic material for heating the aerosol-generating material; and   wherein the system comprises
 a first measurement station comprising a magnetic detector configured to detect the susceptor by magnetic interaction with the metallic material of the susceptor; 
 a second measurement station comprising an optical detector configured to optically detect at least one longitudinal end of at least one of the segments, wherein the optical detector is configured to detect a position of the at least one longitudinal end along the longitudinal axis; and 
 a conveying system configured to convey the arrangement of segments along a transport path through the first measurement station and the second measurement station. 
   
     
     
         12 . System according to  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic detector comprises at least one detection coil and a measurement device for measuring a current flowing through the detection coil. 
     
     
         13 . System according to  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic detector comprises an excitation. coil configured to induce electrical currents in the susceptor. 
     
     
         14 . System according to  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic detector is configured to detect a position of the susceptor in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . System according to  claim 11 , wherein the optical detector is configured to detect an interface of adjacent segments. 
     
     
         17 . System according to  claim 11 , further comprising a cutting station arranged between the first measurement station and the second measurement station, the cutting station being configured to separate the arrangement of segments from at least a further arrangement of segments. 
     
     
         18 . System according to  claim 11 , wherein the optical detector comprises a light source and a light detector, the light source and the light detector being arranged on opposing sides of the transport path. 
     
     
         19 . System according to  claim 11 , further comprising a computing device configured to determine lengths of the individual segments of the arrangement of segments by combining measurement data from the first measurement station with measurement data from the second measurement station. 
     
     
         20 . Use of a magnetic detector for determining at least one of the position and length of an aerosol-generating segment in an arrangement of segments for aerosol-generating articles, wherein the arrangement of segments comprises at least two segments consecutively arranged along a longitudinal axis, wherein measurement data from the magnetic detector are combined with measurement data from an optical detector optically detecting at least one longitudinal end of at least one of the segments, wherein optically detecting the at least one longitudinal end comprises detecting a position of the at least one longitudinal end along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . Use according to  claim 20 , wherein optically detecting the at least one longitudinal end comprises detecting an interface of adjacent segments. 
     
     
         23 . Use according to  claim 20 , wherein the arrangement of segments is separated from at least a further arrangement of segments between the magnetic detector and the optical detector. 
     
     
         24 . Use according to  claim 20 , wherein measurement data from the magnetic detector and measurement data from the optical detector are evaluated to determine lengths of the individual segments of the arrangement of segments.