EP2358597B2 - Method and device for testing objects to be tested in the production and/or packaging of cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for testing objects to be tested in the production and / or packaging of cigarettes - test objects - in particular of imprints and / or print carriers on or for cigarette packs or blanks for cigarette packs, in which at least one test object by means of a suitable light detector , in particular an electro-optical test device, such as an electronic camera, is subjected to an optical test. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.

When inspecting imprints on cigarette packs, such as bar codes, or from print media, such as banderoles, coupons, etc., which are applied to the pack blanks or packages, it is problematic that the objects to be inspected often do not adequately depend on take off the background on which they are positioned. For example, imprints are often applied in a dark color, such as black, on also dark areas of the cigarette packs. Light detectors, usually electronic cameras with electro-optical image sensors, such as CCD sensors, these low-contrast images often do not dissolve or insufficient. Accordingly, the evaluation of the captured images causes difficulties, so it comes to Auswertefehlem.

Proceeding from this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of the type mentioned, with the test items can be detected and evaluated as reliably as possible in the production of cigarette packs and / or cigarettes, which have a comparatively low contrast to the test object background. It is another object of the present invention to provide a Specify test apparatus which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a device having the features of claim 7.

Thereafter, a test method of the type mentioned in the introduction is characterized in that the test object is illuminated with light of a wavelength-changeable illumination device, the wavelength (s) of the light originating from the illumination device being set automatically to improve the contrast between test object and test object background, preferably as a function of the type of pack to be produced and / or as a function of at least one feature of the test object and / or as a function of at least one feature of the test object background.

According to the invention, therefore, the test object, in particular an imprint and / or print carrier on or for cigarette packs or blanks for cigarette packs, and / or the test object background is illuminated in a particular manner during the test procedure. The illumination is effected by means of light of a wavelength matched to the test object and / or the test object background.

In this case, the wavelength of the light to be irradiated is preferably matched directly to the color of the test object and / or the Prüfobjekthintergrunds. Preferably, at least one or the wavelength value of the light with which the illumination device illuminates the test object and / or the test object background will correspond to at least one or the wavelength value of the color of the test object background or at least one or the wavelength value of the complementary color to the color of the test object background. As a rule, a particularly high contrast value is achieved with this measure.

After acquiring the image of the test object and / or the Prüfobjekthintergrundes in accordance with the invention improved contrast can be done per se known evaluation of the captured image. As a rule, the captured image is compared with a previously recorded and stored image of a reference test object or reference test object background, and deviations are registered and evaluated. If the deviations exceed a predetermined level, an error signal can be generated. Subsequently, the affected by the deviation Cigarette pack - optionally with other cigarette packs - are discharged from the production process.

As far as the color or wavelength of the light originating from the illumination device is concerned, it is generally selected such that the contrast between the test object and / or test object background is as large as possible. Preferably, the contrast is then greater in comparison to other possible illumination colors, i. maximum.

The light of the wavelength-changeable illumination device is preferably monochromatic. In principle, however, it can also consist of mixed light of several wavelengths.

According to the invention, in each case at least one light wavelength value of the illumination device to be set during the test procedure is stored in a database for different cigarette pack types and / or different test objects and / or different test object backgrounds. The latter is selected by a suitable control device as a function of the type of pack to be produced and / or by the test object to be tested and / or by the test object background and transmitted to the lighting device as the setpoint.

If appropriate, further control parameters for controlling the illumination device can be stored in the database in an analogous manner, in particular light intensity values and the like.

For example, in a fire change, i. a change of the package type to be produced, then the light wavelength value and possibly the other illumination parameters can be read out of the database depending on the type of pack to be newly produced. The lighting device is then controlled using these (setpoint) values.

However, it may also happen that the database for certain package types and / or test objects and / or test backgrounds does not yet include any illumination parameters or light wavelength values. In this case, at least one light wavelength value to be used as basis for the further test procedure must first be determined. This is preferably done by the illumination device irradiating a test object and / or a Prüfobjekthintergrund as a reference successively with light of different wavelengths of light. In each case, the light detector detects an image of the reference test object and / or the reference test object background for the respectively irradiated light wavelength.

Preferably, the illumination device irradiates the test object and / or the test object background with light continuously or in discrete steps of changing wavelengths. In other words, the illumination device is controlled such that the light spectrum of the illumination device is "driven through", at least for a part of the light spectrum that can be generated by the illumination device.

By comparing the wavelength-dependent captured images in the above manner then at least one wavelength value is selected - test wavelength value - in which the contrast between the test object and test object background for the testing process is particularly suitable, preferably particularly large or maximum. The illumination device is then set to the said test wavelength value in the subsequent production process for producing and / or packaging the cigarettes, in which the test method according to the invention is used for checking the respectively produced products. In other words, the illumination device irradiates the test objects or the test object backgrounds during the actual test method with light of the test wavelength mentioned.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided to calibrate the light detector and / or the illumination device, in particular at the beginning of a cigarette packaging process or before it. For this purpose, the illumination device is controlled in such a way that it irradiates white light or light of at least one predetermined wavelength value-in particular of the previously determined test wavelength value-onto a calibration object or image, in particular to a color reference image, preferably to a color pattern, such as a color shading circle.

The light detector then acquires an image of the calibration image irradiated in this manner and stores this image as a calibration reference image in the database. During the production process of the cigarette / cigarette packs, the illumination device and / or the light detector is checked for operability, in particular at predetermined time intervals or during each individual checking operation. For this purpose, the calibration image is irradiated again with the white light or with light of the at least one predetermined wavelength value, in particular the test wavelength value. The light detector then detects again an image of the thus irradiated calibration image. Subsequently, the controller compares the captured image in the context of an evaluation process with the stored calibration reference image. Depending on the result of the comparison, an error signal can be generated. This may for example be the case if the comparison reveals that the calibration reference image deviates from the newly acquired image or that the deviation reaches or exceeds a predetermined permissible deviation limit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the calibration image is preferably positioned in a stationary manner adjacent to the test object of the test objects within the field of view of the light detector.

The evaluation of the light detected by the light detector and originating from the calibration image takes place by means of a suitable definition of one or more evaluation windows, in particular within the scope of the calibration process, within the framework of the determination of the test wavelength value and / or within the framework of the respective verification of the functionality of the light detector and / or lighting device.

Fig. 1

eine mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren geprüfte Zigarettenpackung in perspektivischer Schrägansicht,

Fig. 2

die Bodenwand derZigarettenpackung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Fertigungsanlage zum Verpacken von Zigaretten in schematischer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 3 entlang der Schnittlinie I-I aus Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch die Einzelheit aus Fig. 4 entlang der Schnittlinie II-II,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch die Einzelheit aus Fig. 4 entlang der Schnittlinie III-III,

Fig. 7

einen Schnitt durch die Einzelheit der Fig. 5 entlang der Schnittlinie IV-IV,

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung der funktionalen Zusammenhänge der erfindungsgemäßen Prüfvorrichtung,

Fig. 9

ein Flussdiagramm zur Darstellung des Ablaufs des erfindungsgemäßen Prüfvorgangs.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims, from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and from the accompanying drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

a cigarette pack tested by the method according to the invention in a perspective oblique view,

Fig. 2

the bottom wall of the cigarette pack Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a manufacturing plant for packing cigarettes in a schematic side view,

Fig. 4

a section through the device Fig. 3 along the section line II off Fig. 3 .

Fig. 5

a section through the detail Fig. 4 along the section line II-II,

Fig. 6

a section through the detail Fig. 4 along the section line III-III,

Fig. 7

a section through the detail of Fig. 5 along the section line IV-IV,

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of the functional relationships of the test device according to the invention,

Fig. 9

a flowchart illustrating the sequence of the test process according to the invention.

The invention relates to a method for testing objects to be tested in the manufacture and / or packaging of cigarettes. As a preferred embodiment, the following is the examination of a arranged on a cigarette pack 10 test object described, namely the test of an applied on the bottom wall 11 of the cigarette pack 10 imprint 24. This imprint 24 is in this case a coding, in particular an alphanumeric coding. Alternatively, a variety of other types of coding can be used, such as a barcode or a so-called 2D code. The coding may include, for example, information about the place of manufacture, the production time and / or other production characteristics of the respective cigarettes and / or the respective cigarette pack.

Of course, the invention may also be used to check for correct positioning of print media, such as coupons, banderoles, or the like, that are positioned on the cigarette packs. In particular, the correct orientation of this print carrier can be checked.

How out Fig. 2 it can be seen that the cigarette pack 10 is a pack of the folding box type which has, in addition to the bottom wall 11, a front wall 12, a rear wall 13, a lid 14 and side walls 15, 16.

Such a cigarette packet 10 is produced with a cyclically operating production unit of a production and / or packaging installation for cigarettes, in the present case a packaging machine 17 (packer). In the packaging machine 17, pack blanks 18 are singled out of a magazine 19 by means of a singling device and transported by suitable conveying means in the direction of a folding turret. During intermittent rotation of the folding turret, the respective blank 18 is fed to various folding stations in which complex folding operations are carried out in a manner known per se. In particular, cigarette blocks are supplied which are enveloped by blanks originating from stanniolbobins 20. Furthermore, a packing collar is introduced into the folding process there, wherein the respective collar cut originates from collar bobs 21.

After leaving the folding turret, the cigarette packs 10 are supplied in already largely folded state to a Faltweichenstation in which the individual tabs of the blanks 18 are brought into abutment with each other after they were previously provided with glue.

For drying the glued cigarette packets 10, these are then fed to a revolving in the vertical plane turret, namely a drying turret 22nd

For this purpose, the packs 10 are inserted in the region of a loading station by means of an insertion device 25 in each case in pockets 23 of the revolver 22. The pockets 23 are open on both axial sides. The loading of the pockets 23 is such that the bottom wall 11 of the respective pack 10 faces one of the open sides, the lid 14 to the other open pocket side.

During several revolutions of the revolver 22, the glue which connects the folding flaps of the packs 10 binds off while the cuboidal shape of the packs 10 is stabilized at the same time.

In the area of a Ausschubsstation the dried packages 10 are later ejected by means of a Ausschiebereinrichtung 26 comprising a pusher 26 from the pockets 23 and further processed.

For applying the imprint 24 on the bottom wall 11 of the pack 10, a printing device 28 is positioned adjacent to the circumference of the revolver 22. This printing device 28 is connected by means of a control line 29a to the central machine control 30 of the packaging machine 17, by means of a control line 29b with a control unit 33 described below. The printing device 28 serves to print the imprints 24 respectively on the bottom wall 11 of the individual cigarette packs 10, in particular by means of an ink jet printing unit or a laser printing unit.

Offset in the circumferential direction of the turret 22 to the printing device 28, and relative to the direction of rotation of the revolver 22 downstream of the printing device 28, a camera 31 is arranged, with which the respective cigarette packs 10 cyclically moved past the camera 31, namely the bottom walls 11 of the cigarette packs 10 can be checked.

In this case, the camera 31 captures an image of the bottom wall 11 of the respective pack 10, in each case during cyclic standstill phases of the revolver 22, namely an image of the imprint 24 on the bottom wall 11. The camera 31 is part of a higher-level test apparatus 32 Control unit 33, with which the camera 31 and a lighting device 34 described below can be largely controlled autonomously. The camera 31 and the illumination device 34 are each connected to the control unit 33 with control lines 35 and 36, respectively. The control unit 33 is further connected via control lines 63, 64 to the higher-level machine control 30, from which it can receive higher-level control commands or to which it can transmit signals.

The main viewing direction of the camera 31 is aligned axially toward the bottom wall 11 of the respective package 10. In the direction of the package 10, the illumination device 34 is arranged in front of the camera 31, namely such that its main illumination direction is coaxial with the main direction of the camera 31.

This arrangement of illumination device 34 and camera 31, namely coaxially one behind the other, is possible because the illumination device 34 is designed in a special way: it has a visible light intransparent, frame-like base body 37 which includes an inner cutout 38. At the outer edge of the cutout 38, RGB (red-green-blue) LEDs 39 are positioned in a ring-like manner. The RGB LEDs 39 can be controlled individually. By additive color mixing of the light of the individual RGB LEDs 39, the illumination device 34 can generate mixed light of very different wavelengths. The area 40 of the cutout 38 located between the ring-like positioned LEDs 39 is permeable to visible light. By suitable, in particular plate-shaped optical components which are installed in the illumination device 34, it is achieved in a manner not further described here that the illumination device 34 radiates its light essentially only in a direction perpendicular to the base body 37, namely in the direction of the bottom wall 11 the cigarette pack 10.

The camera 31 is positioned directly behind the frame-like base body 37, namely such that the main viewing direction of the camera 31 extends through the transparent area 40.

With the test device 32 according to the invention a particularly reliable testing of the imprints 24 is possible. Because of the illumination device 34 of the test device 32, the contrast between the imprint 24 and the background of the imprint 24, namely the bottom wall 11, be optimized by the wavelength of the illumination light generated by the illumination device 34, for example, to the color of the imprint 24 or to the Color of the background of the imprint, so the color of the bottom wall 11 is adjusted.

A particularly good contrast is achieved, for example, in that the illumination device 34 irradiates the imprint 24 and the background surrounding the imprint 24, that is to say the bottom wall 11, with light having a wavelength which corresponds to the color of the bottom wall 11. Alternatively, the complementary color can be irradiated to the bottom wall 11. In general, the light color or the wavelength of the light irradiated by the illumination device 34 on the bottom wall 11 depending on the type of packaging to be produced and / or depending on at least one feature of the imprint, in particular its color, and / or depending on at least one feature of Overprint background, also mainly its color set.

In a database 41 assigned to the machine controller 30, at least one light wavelength value to be set during the test procedure is stored for different types of packs and / or test objects, such as imprints 24, and / or test object backgrounds, such as the bottom wall 11. This light wavelength value can then be selected by the machine controller 30 and transmitted to the control unit 33, depending on the type of package to be produced and / or on the test object to be tested and / or on the test object background. The control unit 33 uses this value as a target value for controlling the wavelength of the illumination device 34.

• Zu Beginn eines Produktionsvorgangs überprüft die Maschinensteuerung 30, ob ein Bediener durch entsprechende Eingaben in ein der Maschinensteuerung zugeordnetes Bediengerät einen Markenwechsel initiiert hat, also einen Wechsel der von der Verpackungsmaschine 17 zu produzierenden Verpakkungen von einem ersten Zigarettenpackungstyp A zu einem zweiten Zigarettenpackungstyp B (Symbol 43 in Fig. 9).

Further details of an embodiment of the test method according to the invention and of the test device according to the invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG Fig. 9 explains:

• At the beginning of a production process, the machine controller 30 checks whether an operator has initiated a change of brand by corresponding inputs to an operator control device associated with the machine control, ie a change of the packaging to be produced by the packaging machine 17 from a first cigarette pack type A to a second cigarette pack type B (symbol 43) in Fig. 9 ).

If this is not the case ( 44 ), the test method is performed with the parameters already known in the previous production process.

If, however, a brand change has been initiated ( 45 ), the machine controller 30 requests ( 46 ) from its associated database 41 illumination parameters. In particular, these illumination parameters include the wavelength of light to which the illumination device 34 is to be set.

In this connection, the machine controller 30 checks whether illumination parameters have already been stored in the database 41 for the cigarette package type B to be newly produced ( 47 ).

If not ( 48 ), the lighting parameters must first be determined. Before the actual determination of the illumination parameters, it is first checked whether the camera 31 and the illumination device 34 are working without errors. For this purpose, first of all a white light adjustment is carried out with a color panel 49 having a color shading circle 49 which is fixedly arranged behind the illumination device 34 and located in the field of vision of the camera 31 ( 50 ). The illumination device 34, namely the individual RGB LEDs 39 of the illumination device 34, is controlled by the control unit 33 in such a way that the illumination device 34 emits white light onto the color plate 49 or the color shading circle.

The camera 31 subsequently captures an image of the color panel 49 illuminated in this way. This image is compared in the control unit 33 by means of a suitable evaluation software with a calibration reference image of the color chart 49 previously recorded in the database 41 in an analogous manner ( 51 ). In case of deviations, an error signal is generated ( 52, 53 ).

If the evaluation reveals that the calibration reference image does not deviate from the currently acquired image of the color chart 49, it can proceed ( 54 ). In the next step, the illumination device 34 is then controlled in such a way that the color spectrum that can be generated by it is traversed. In other words, the wavelength of the light emitted by the illumination device 34 is increased in discrete steps from an output value or possibly lowered ( 55 ).

For each set wavelength value, the camera 31 acquires an image of a test object applied to a reference package of the package type B to be produced, in the present case an image of the imprint 24. The images are evaluated in the control unit 33 assigned to the camera 31 and the illumination device 34 ( 56 ). , The evaluation then takes place at which set wavelength value the contrast between the imprint 24 and the imprint background, ie the bottom wall 11, is greatest.

Optionally, in addition to the optimum wavelength to which the illumination device 34 is to be adjusted, in each case also further illumination parameters, such as the intensity of the incident light, are determined in an analogous manner. Furthermore, with the wavelength value determined for the optimum contrast, the color chart 49 is illuminated again and a further calibration reference image related to this wavelength is generated. Both the determined illumination parameters and the newly determined calibration reference image are stored in the database 41 for the newly produced packaging B ( 57 ).

However, if the package type B to be newly produced has already been produced in the past, the aforementioned lighting parameters and color chart values are already contained in the database, so that the branch ( 48 ) need not be traversed, but these parameters and color chart values are read directly into the control unit 33 can be. In addition, reference images of the pack 10 to be tested or of the imprint 24 to be checked are read in ( 58, 59 ).

• Zu diesem Zweck werden jeweils mit der Kamera 31 Bilder der Packungen 10 erfasst, nämlich Bilder des Aufdrucks 24 auf der Bodenwand 11. Die erfassten Ist-Bilder der Packungen 10 werden analysiert, indem sie mit den zuvor in die Steuereinheit 33 eingelesenen Referenzbildem der Packung 10 verglichen werden (65).

In the next step, the individual produced cigarette packs 10 are tested successively and intermittently:

• For this purpose, images of the packs 10, namely images of the imprint 24 on the bottom wall 11, are captured with the camera 31, respectively. The acquired actual images of the packs 10 are analyzed by comparing them with the reference images of the pack 10 previously read into the control unit 33 be compared ( 65 ).

In the case of impermissible deviations ( 66 ) of the actual images captured by the imprint from the expected reference images, the tested package 10 is ejected (67).

If the imprint is error-free ( 76 ), it is checked in the next sequence step whether all packs 10 located in the revolver 22 have already been checked ( 68 ).

If this is not the case (70), clocking continues (71), i. the test is continued until all packs 10 in the turret 22 have been tested.

Furthermore, an image of the color chart 49 is acquired at the same time during each inspection process. This image is cyclically compared to the newly created calibration reference image of the color chart 49 for ensuring the operability of the test apparatus 32, namely, at predetermined machine pitches (60). An error signal is generated and the test procedure is aborted if the detected actual color chart image deviates from the calibration reference image ( 61, 62 ).

As soon as all packs 10 located in the revolver 22 have been checked, the next step in the process queries whether the end of production has been reached ( 69 ).

If this is not the case ( 72 ), the system continues to be indexed ( 73 ) and the test procedure continues.

Otherwise ( 74 ) the test procedure is terminated ( 75 ).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

cigarette pack

11

bottom wall

12

front wall

13

rear wall

14

cover

15

Side wall

16

Side wall

17

packaging machine

18

cut

19

magazine

20

Stanniolbobine

21

Kragenboblne

22

revolver

23

bag

24

imprint

25

insertion device

26

ejector

27

ejector device

28

print Setup

29a

control line

29b

control line

30

machine control

31

camera

32

Tester

33

control unit

34

lighting device

35

control line

36

control line

37

body

38

neckline

39

RGB LEDs

40

Transparent area

41

Database

42-48

steps

49

color chart

50-62

steps

63

control line

64

control line

65-76

steps

Claims (12)

1. A method for testing objects (24), test objects, to be tested in the production and/or packaging of cigarettes, in particular prints and/or printing media on or for cigarette packs or blanks for cigarette packs, in which method at least one test object (24) is subjected to an optical test by means of a suitable light detector (31), in particular an optoelectronic test element such as a camera, characterized in that the test object (24) and/or the test object background (11) are/is illuminated with light from a variable-wavelength illuminating device (34), the wavelength or wavelengths of the light which comes from the illuminating device (34) being set automatically to improve the contrast between the test object (24) and the test object background (11), preferably as a function of the pack type (10) to be produced and/or as a function of at least one feature of the test object (24) and/or as a function of at least one feature of the test object background (11), wherein in each case at least one light wavelength value, to be set during the test operation, of the illuminating device (34) is stored, optionally together with further parameters of the illuminating device (34), in a data bank (41) for different pack types (10) and/or test objects (24) and/or test object backgrounds (11), which light wavelength value is selected as a function of the pack type (10) to be produced and/or of the test object (24) to be tested and/or of the test object background (11), and is transmitted to the illuminating device (34) as setpoint value.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, if a cigarette pack type (10) and/or a test object (24) and/or test background (11) is tested, for which no light wavelength value is stored in the data bank (41), at least one light wavelength value on which the testing is based is determined, by the illuminating device (34) irradiating the test object (24) and/or the test object background (11) one after another with light of different light wavelength, by the light detector (31) sensing an image of the test object (24) and/or of the test object background (11) with respect to the respectively irradiated light wavelength, and by at least one wavelength value - test wavelength value - being determined by a comparison of the images, at which wavelength value the contrast between the test object (24) and the test object background (11) is particularly suitable for the test operation, said contrast preferably being particularly great or at a maximum in comparison with the other images.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the illuminating device (34) irradiates the test object (24) and/or the test object background (11) with light of continuously changing wavelengths during the determination of the test wavelength value one after another.
4. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to calibrate the light detector (31) and/or the illuminating device (34), the illuminating device (34) irradiates white light or light of at least one predefined wavelength value - in particular the test wavelength value - onto a calibration image (49), in particular a colour sample image, preferably a colour shade wheel, in that the light detector (31) detects an image of the calibration image (49) which is irradiated in this way, and in that the detected image is stored in the data bank (41) as calibration reference image and/or that, during the production and/or packaging process of the cigarettes, the illuminating device (34) and/or the light detector (31) are/is checked, in particular at predefined time intervals, by the calibration image being irradiated again with the white light or with light of the at least one predefined wavelength value - in particular of the test wavelength value - of the illuminating device (34), by the light detector (31) again detecting an image of the calibration image which is irradiated in this way, and by the image which is detected in this way being compared with the calibration reference image which is stored in the data bank (41).
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the calibration image (49) is preferably positioned in a stationary manner adjacent to the test location of the test objects (24) within the field of vision of the light detector, the evaluation of the light which is detected by the light detector (31) and comes from the colour reference image taking place by means of suitable definition of one or more evaluation windows within the detected image.
6. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one wavelength value of the light, with which the illuminating device (34) illuminates the test object (24) and/or the test object background (11), corresponds to at least one or the wavelength value of the colour of the test object background (11) or to at least one or the wavelength value of the complementary colour to the colour of the test object background (11).
7. A device for testing objects (24) - test objects - to be tested in the production and/or packaging of cigarettes, in particular prints and/or printing media on or for cigarette packs or blanks for cigarette packs, having a suitable light detector (31), in particular an optoelectronic test element such as a camera, and having an illuminating device (34) for illuminating the test object (24), characterized in that the illuminating device (34) is configured with variable wavelengths, with the result that the test object (24) can be illuminated with light of different wavelength values in order to improve the contrast between the test object (24) and the background (11) of the test object, preferably as a function of the pack type (10) to be produced and/or as a function of at least one feature of the test object (24) and/or as a function of at least one feature of the background (11) of the test object (24), wherein a control device (33) is provided by way of which at least one wavelength value of the light which comes from the variable-wavelength illuminating device (34) can be set in an automated manner, by way of which light wavelength values which are stored in a data bank (41) can be selected for the illuminating device (34) as a function of the pack type (10) to be produced and/or of the test object (24) to be tested and/or of the test object background (11), and by way of which control device (30) at least one selected light wavelength value of the illuminating device (34) can be transmitted as setpoint value, in each case at least one light wavelength value, to be set during the test operation, of the illuminating device (34) being stored - optionally together with further parameters of the illuminating device (34) - in the data bank (41) for different pack types (10) and/or test objects (24) and/or test object backgrounds (11).
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the illuminating device (34) has a plurality of controllable RGB light sources (39), in particular RGB LEDs, the (mixed) light which comes from the illuminating device (34) being formed by suitable superimposition of the light which comes in each case from the individual RGB light sources (39).
9. The device as claimed in one or more of preceding claims 7 to 8, characterized by a calibration image (49) which is, in particular, stationary and is arranged in such a way that said calibration image (49) can be detected by the preferably stationary light detector (31), in particular by the calibration image (49) being arranged at least in regions in the edge region of the viewing angle of the light detector (41).
10. The device as claimed in one or more of preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the main viewing direction of the light detector (31) and the main illuminating direction of the illuminating device (34) extend coaxially, in particular by the illuminating device (34) having annularly arranged LEDs (39) and an LED-free inner region (40) which is enclosed by said LEDs (39), the LEDs (39) and the inner region (40) being arranged between the test object (24) or the test object background (11) and the light detector (31), and the LED-free inner region (40) being configured to be at least partially permeable for visible light, with the result that light which comes from the test object (24) and/or the test object background (11) can pass to the light detector (31) and can be detected by the latter.
11. A manufacturing unit for producing and/or packaging cigarettes, having a testing device as claimed in one or more of preceding claims 7 to 10.
12. The manufacturing unit as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the light detector (31) and the illuminating device (34) of the testing device are arranged adjacent to a rotationally rotatable conveyor (22) of the manufacturing unit (27), in particular are arranged adjacent to laterally open pockets (23) of the turret (22) in such a way that at least one of the walls (11) of cigarette packs (10) which are arranged in the pockets (23) can be tested by way of the testing device.

Images