EP3806666A1

EP3806666A1 - Detection unit and method for the tobacco industry

Info

Publication number: EP3806666A1
Application number: EP19742895.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eros Stivani; Ivan Eusepi; Marco Esposti; Eura Trivisonno; Giuliano Gamberini; Massimo Sartoni; Luca Federici
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2018-06-18
Filing date: 2019-06-04
Publication date: 2021-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-04
Also published as: JP2021527422A; IT201800006412A1; EP3806666B1; PL3806666T3; CN112312778B; WO2019243928A1; JP7444795B2; CN112312778A

Abstract

This invention relates to a detection unit (1) for the tobacco industry, comprising: a transfer device (2) configured to transfer a plurality of rod-shaped articles (3), each having a longitudinal axis of extension (X), along a transfer path between a pickup station (A) and a release station (B); and a detection station (C) located along the transfer path between the pickup station (A) and the release station (B) and configured to detect at least one characteristic property of the articles (3). The transfer device (2) is also configured to feed the articles (3) along the transfer path in such a way that each article (3) is oriented in the direction 10 of its longitudinal axis (X) as it moves through the detection station (C).

Description

DESCRIPTION

DETECTION UNIT AND METHOD FOR THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY

Technical field

This invention relates to a detection unit and a detection method for the tobacco industry.

More specifically, the invention relates to the in-process detection and monitoring of specified properties of articles for the tobacco industry.

Background art

Nowadays, it is possible to make very complex cigarettes comprising sets of coaxial segments of different kinds and compositions.

During the production and making up of the cigarettes, it is important to perform quality inspections (for example, with regard to capsule filter segments, it may be useful to detect the presence of the capsule, its position and its integrity) to ensure they conform with specified requirements and meet predetermined acceptability criteria.

Owing to the high speeds at which tobacco industry machines operate, the machines are provided with detection and monitoring devices.

These devices automatically scan the articles at different stages of their production and making-up cycle so that non-conformant articles can be rejected and can provide feedback to allow faulty or malfunctioning machine parts to be identified and setup errors corrected.

The types of checking and monitoring carried out vary on the basis of the nature and requirements of the article being made.

Typically, the checks are performed in the machine on rotary drums provided peripherally with suitable suction recesses which accommodate the articles.

A detector disposed in front of the drum scans/detects the articles in transit as they move transversely along their feed path.

In other terms, during inspection, the articles move transversely to their longitudinal direction of extension.

The Applicant has found that in machines where the articles are transported transversely on drums, checking the full length of the articles is not simple. In other words, systems which scan the articles moving transversely are not precise and efficient because, in many cases, they are unable to identify positions and/or perform measurements longitudinally on part of the article (for example, the distance from a front or rear edge of the article or the presence of logos, markings, etc.).

That means current detecting systems are unable to guarantee that the articles are checked fully because they are made using sensors which are not long enough to adequately cover the entire article.

Some complex inspection systems involve optically scanning the surface of an article using transverse sensors placed side by side in such a way as to cover the full length of the article. The Applicant has found, however, that the detection devices used are cumbersome and subject to problems due to noise and resonance during scanning operations.

Aim of the invention

In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a detection unit and method for the tobacco industry to overcome one or more of the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a detection unit for the tobacco industry to allow detection to be performed effectively and precisely on each article in its entirety.

A further aim of this invention is to provide a detection method for the tobacco industry which allows improving the efficiency of the production process and the quality of the articles made.

The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a detection unit and method for the tobacco industry, comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims. More specifically, this invention relates to a detection unit for the tobacco industry, comprising:

- a transfer device configured to transfer a plurality of rod-shaped articles, each having a longitudinal axis of extension, along a transfer path between a pickup station and a release station;

- a detection station located along the transfer path between the pickup station and the release station and configured to detect at least one characteristic property of the articles.

Advantageously, the transfer device is also configured to feed the articles along the transfer path in such a way that each article is oriented in the direction of its longitudinal axis as it moves through the detection station. The presence of a detection station where the articles advance longitudinally allows inspecting the articles completely and precisely.

In other terms, causing each article to move through the detection station from one end to the other along its direction of extension longitudinally instead of transversely makes it possible to detect defects and/or flaws in the articles and to take action on the parts of the machine that are not working correctly.

Moreover, the detector, which scans the articles and which is disposed inside the detection station, need not necessarily be of a size such as to cover the full length of the article to be able to scan it entirely (as is the case in prior art systems, where the articles advance transversely) but may be smaller in size and it is sufficient for the sensor to be nearly the same in size as the transverse cross section of the article.

The invention also provides a detection method for the tobacco industry, comprising the following steps:

- transferring a plurality of rod-shaped articles, each having a longitudinal axis of extension, along a transfer path between a pickup station and a release station;

- detecting at least one characteristic property of the articles in a detection station located along the transfer path between the pickup station and the release station;

Advantageously, the step of transferring is accomplished by feeding the articles along the transfer path in such a way that each article is oriented in the direction of its longitudinal axis as it moves through the detection station. Advantageously, thanks to this method, the inspection of the articles can be performed longitudinally, making it more effective (because the whole article can be scanned) and efficient (smaller size, reduced noise, enhanced precision).

Scanning the articles longitudinally means that their quality can be effectively analysed and that prompt, specifically targeted action can be taken to deal with articles which do not conform to design specifications and to recalibrate and correct the settings of the machine units responsible for the defects detected.

The dependent claims, which are incorporated herein by reference, correspond to different embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent in the non-limiting description which follows, of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment invention of a detection unit for the tobacco industry, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view, with some parts hidden to better illustrate others, of an embodiment of the detection unit according to this invention;

Figure 1 A is a side view of the detection unit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 1 B is a front view of the unit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 2 is a schematic cross section of a variant embodiment of the unit of Figure 1 ;

Figures 2A and 2B are, respectively, a first and a second rotation diagram of the carriers of the transfer device of Figure 2;

Figure 2C is a schematic cross section of the detection station of the unit of Figure 1 according to the variant embodiment of Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view, of a first, alternative embodiment of the detection unit according to this invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view, of a second, alternative embodiment of the detection unit according to this invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view, of a third, alternative embodiment of the detection unit according to this invention; and

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view, of a fourth, alternative embodiment of the detection unit according to this invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a detection unit for the tobacco industry, hereinafter referred to simply as unit 1 .

The term "articles" is used herein to denote elongate, rod-shaped elements which may be finished products (for example, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, etc.) or semiproducts (for example, tobacco segments, filter segments containing, for example, one or more capsules, or combinations thereof). The term "cigarette" is used generally to denote a rod-shaped article for the tobacco industry, comprising an active portion which releases a substance to be inhaled, a filter and a connecting strip used to join the active portion and the filter to each other.

The active portion may comprise only tobacco to be burnt or other components or it may comprise at least one tobacco segment defining an aerosol-generating element, that is, a product containing a heat-not-burn type tobacco.

According to the invention, the unit 1 may be mounted in a machine 100, only partly illustrated in Figures 3-6, for making articles for the tobacco industry:

The machine 100 comprises first conveying means 101 configured to feed a plurality of rod-shaped articles 3, each extending longitudinally along an axis X, in a feed direction transverse to its longitudinal axis of extension X, and second conveying means 102, configured to feed the plurality of articles 3.

The unit 1 comprises a transfer device 2 configured to transfer the plurality of articles 3 along a transfer path between a pickup station A and a release station B. With reference to the drawings, therefore, the unit 1 picks up the articles 3 from the first conveying means 101 at the pickup station A and delivers them to the second conveying means 102 at the release station B. Preferably, the articles 3 reach the pickup station A moving each in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis X along a first feed path.

Still more preferably, each article, when it reaches the release station B, moves in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis X along a second feed path.

In other words, upstream of the pickup station A and downstream of the release station B, the articles have a transverse feed orientation.

The term "transverse feed orientation" is used herein to denote a feed orientation of the articles 3 along a predetermined path in which the articles 3 are disposed transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to their respective longitudinal axes X as they advance. In other terms, each article 3, as it advances, is disposed transversely to its longitudinal axis X.

The unit 1 also comprises a detection station C located along the transfer path between the pickup station A and the release station B, preferably at an intermediate position, and configured to detect at least one characteristic property of the articles 3.

The detectable characteristic properties of the articles 3 are, for example, the following: weight, size, materials, type of segments included in the article 3, tobacco distribution, position of the segments in the article 3, presence of capsules and definition of parameters identifying the integrity and position of each capsule in the segment of the article 3.

Advantageously, the transfer device 2 is also configured to feed the articles 3 along the transfer path in such a way that each article 3 is oriented in the direction of its longitudinal axis of extension X as it moves through the detection station C.

In other words, the transfer device 2 allows disposing the articles 3 along the transfer path in such a way that they have a longitudinal feed orientation when they pass through the detection station C.

The term "longitudinal feed orientation" is used herein to denote a feed orientation of the articles 3 along a predetermined path in which the articles 3, as they advance, are disposed substantially parallel to their respective longitudinal axes X. In other terms, each article 3, as it advances along the path, is disposed parallel to its longitudinal axis X.

Thanks to the presence of a transfer device 2 capable of feeding the articles 3 so they have a longitudinal feed orientation between the pickup station A and the release station B, it is therefore possible to inspect the articles 3 in a detection station C where each article 3 is scanned completely from one axial end of it to the other.

More specifically, if one of the segments of the article 3 comprises a capsule, a longitudinal scan allows its presence and properties to be detected.

Preferably, the detection station C comprises at least one sensor 4 having at least one detection seat 4a into which an article 3 picked up during transfer can advance longitudinally.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to Figure 1 A in particular, the sensor comprises four detection seats 4a in which four respective articles 3 can advance longitudinally, as will become clearer as this description continues.

More specifically, in the variant illustrated in Figure 2C, a sensor having six detection seats 4a configured to receive six articles 3 in transit simultaneously is shown. Figures 3-6, on the other hand, illustrate alternative embodiments of the unit 1 , where, for simplicity of illustration, a single sensor 4 having a single detection seat 4 is shown.

Preferably, the detection seat 4a extends longitudinally for a length less than or equal to the length of an article 3.

The sensors 4 may be of different types, depending on requirements, and may be configured to capture and measure electromagnetic quantities (capacitive, inductive, laser, radar sensors, photosensors or vision systems operating in the visible, infrared or ultraviolet range, radio wave, microwave, teraHz and X-ray measuring systems) or quantities of a mechanical nature (for example, sound waves, ultrasound, vibrations).

Sensors of the same type or a combination of two or more different types and/or operating on different frequencies and/or with different detection algorithms can be installed to obtain composite information (interaction between two or more product properties).

Below are some examples of the detecting operations than can be performed in the detection station C: recognition/conformity of materials, density, humidity, longitudinal and/or radial presence-position, integrity of capsules inside the article 3, length of the article 3 or the components thereof, filling percentage of granules in the cavity, presence/quantity of activated carbon, metallic or polymeric elements, measurements depending on the dielectric constant of the materials, qualities/defects of the outside surface of the articles 3 (for example, stains, crinkles, position/alignment of wrapping and/or printing and/or logo).

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the sensor 4 is a microwave sensor configured to detect at least one characteristic property of capsules contained inside the articles 3.

Advantageously, therefore it is possible to inspect the segments of an article

3 - for example, a filter with capsules - by means of a microwave resonator of known type to detect the presence of the capsules, the position of the capsules and their integrity, thanks to the longitudinal feed.

Preferably, the detection station C also comprises a control unit 5 connected to the sensors 4 and capable of processing the data captured by the sensors

4 and, if necessary, generating machine shutdown signals, signals calling for operator action, signals for driving means used to reject or sample the defective/flawed articles 3, feedback/recalibrating signals directed at parts of the machine to be corrected (if possible).

The control unit 5 may also be configured to perform statistical assessments and data collection (e.g., big data) and/or long-term assessments of the machine or parts thereof (e.g. predictive maintenance).

Advantageously, therefore, the sensors 4 allow detecting one or more of the characteristic properties of the articles 3 following the relative movement between the sensor 4 itself and the article 3 advancing longitudinally.

Preferably, the transfer device 2 is also configured to modify the orientation of the articles 3 as they advance along the transfer path in such a way that each article 3 is oriented in the direction of its longitudinal axis X as it moves through the detection station C.

Advantageously, therefore, the transfer device 2 modifies the orientation of the articles 3 picked up from the pickup station A so that they move through the detection station C longitudinally and, still more preferably, modifies the orientation of the articles 3 between the detection station C and the release station B (as illustrated in the alternative embodiments of Figures 3-6). Preferably, the transfer device 2 comprises a continuous conveyor 2a, 2b defining a closed movement trajectory (for example, circular, elliptic or generic), and a plurality of carriers 6 adapted to pick up and release the articles 3.

More specifically, the carriers 6 are mounted on the conveyor to move along the movement trajectory.

Preferably, the carriers 6 are configured to swivel and/or rotate relative to the conveyor 2a, 2b in such a way that the articles 3 moving through the detection station C are oriented in the direction of their longitudinal axes of extension X and, still more preferably, in such a way as to modify the feed orientation of the articles 3 between the pickup station A and the release station B.

As illustrated for example in Figures 1 -1 A-1 B, the carriers 6 preferably pick up the articles 3 in the pickup station A as they advance transversely, feed them along the transfer path, modifying their feed orientation at the detection station C to make them advance longitudinally while they are scanned, and feed them towards the release station B where their orientation is once again transverse when they are released.

It should be noted that for convenience of illustration, the sensors 4 are shown only in Figure 1 A.

More specifically with reference to the embodiments of the unit 1 illustrated in Figures 3-6, preferably, the first conveying means 101 are defined by a first conveyor drum, which rotates about a first axis of rotation 101 ', and the second conveying means 102 are defined by a second conveyor drum, which rotates about a second axis of rotation 102', parallel to the first axis of rotation 101 '.

With reference to the embodiment of the unit 1 illustrated in Figures 1 and 3-5, preferably the conveyor 2a is a drum which rotates about an axis of rotation K1 , K2, K3. Each carrier 6 has at least one receiving seat 6a configured to receive and retain, preferably by suction, at least one article 3 picked up in the pickup station A.

Preferably, the axis of rotation K1 of the conveyor 2a of the first alternative embodiment shown in Figure 3 is parallel to the first and second axes of rotation 101 ', 102' of the conveyor drums 101 , 102, while the axis of rotation K2 of the conveyor 2a of the second alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4 is perpendicular to the first and second axes of rotation 101 ', 102' of the conveyor drums 101 , 102.

Preferably, also, the axis of rotation K3 of the conveyor 2a of the third alternative embodiment shown in Figure 5 is transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the first and second axes of rotation 101 ', 102' of the conveyor drums 101 , 102.

With reference to the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 , 1 A, 1 B and to the first and second alternative embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, respectively, the carriers 6 are preferably mounted on the peripheral mantle 2a' of the rotating drum 2a. Preferably, the carriers 6 comprise rotation means 7 configured to rotate the carriers 6 between the pickup station A and the detection station C and between the detection station C and the release station B through an angle of rotation a preferably equal to +90° or -90° about an axis of rotation Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of extension X of each article 3.

In other words, the rotation means 7, by rotating the carriers 6 relative to the drum 2a, allow modifying the feed orientation of the articles 3 along the transfer path in such a way that the articles 3 have a longitudinal feed orientation when they move through the detection station C.

For example, once the articles 3 have been picked up in the pickup station A, they can be rotated by +90° to modify their feed orientation from transverse to longitudinal so they move through the detection station C longitudinally, and then rotated again by -90° to modify their feed orientation from longitudinal to transverse so their feed orientation is transverse when they are released in the release station B (this movement may also be described as swivelling the articles 3 along the transfer path).

With reference to Figure 2, preferably, the carriers 6 may comprise radial translation means 9 configured to translate the carriers 6 radially relative to the axis of rotation K1 , K2 of the drum 2a between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

Still more preferably, the rotation means 7 can be activated progressively between the retracted and the extended configuration and vice versa or in the extended configuration.

Advantageously, radial translation allows overcoming problems of mechanical interference that might be encountered when the carriers 6 are rotated by the rotation means 7. In effect, spacing the carriers 6 from the peripheral mantle 2a' of the drum 2 makes it possible to prevent consecutive carriers 6 from impacting each other while they are being rotated to change the feed orientation of the articles 3.

Figures 2, 2A, 2B and 2C schematically illustrate a variant embodiment of the drum 2a of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3. The drum 2a has a plurality of carriers 6, each comprising six receiving seats 6a adapted to accommodate six respective articles 3.

The carriers 6 are provided with rotation means 7 and radial translation means 9.

Once the articles 3 have been picked up at the pickup station A, each carrier 6 is translated radially along the movement trajectory between the pickup station A and the detection station C, preferably progressively, from the retracted position to the extended position (which it reaches at least at the detection station C). In other words, each carrier 6 moves progressively away from the peripheral mantle 2a' of the drum 2a along a radial direction which substantially coincides with the axis of rotation Y about which the carriers 6 are rotated.

Between the pickup station A and the detection station C, each carrier also rotates about the axis of rotation Y to change the feed orientation of the articles 3 from transverse to longitudinal.

This rotation is completed by the time the articles 3 reach the detection station, where they advance longitudinally.

Rotation may occur preferably progressively, as illustrated in Figures 2, 2A, 2B, simultaneously with the radial translation.

Thus, the distance between one carrier 6 and the next is increased and rotation can occur without the risk of impact or damage.

Between the detection station C and the release station B, the carriers 6 are translated progressively from the extended to the retracted configuration and the carriers 6 are also rotated progressively about the axis Y so that they once again have a transverse feed orientation before they reach the release station B.

It should be noted, as illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, that the rotation of the carriers 6 between the detection station C and the release station B may continue in the same direction as the first rotation that took place between the pickup station A and the detection station C (Figure 2A: between A and C, a = +90°; between C and B, a = +90°), which means that at the end the articles 3 have made a turnabout (+90+90 = +180°), or the direction of rotation may be reversed (Figure 2B: between A and C, a = +90°; between C and B, a = -90°), which means that no turnabout is made (+90- 90 = 0°). Thus, between the pickup station A and the detection station C, the articles 3 are rotated by ±90° about the axis of rotation Y, preferably progressively; and between the detection station C and the release station B, the articles

3 are further rotated by ±90° about the axis of rotation Y, preferably progressively.

Figure 2C schematically illustrates a transverse cross section of the sensor

4 adapted to longitudinally inspect six articles 3 disposed in the respective receiving seats 6a of the carriers 6 inside six detection seats 4a.

In effect, preferably, each carrier 6 may be provided with a plurality of receiving seats 6a configured to receive and retain the articles 3 and each sensor 4 may have a plurality of detection seats 4a into which the articles 3 can be fed in a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axes of extension X.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the carriers 6 comprise swivelling means 8 configured to swivel the carriers 6 about respective swivel axes Z parallel to the longitudinal axis X of each article 3. Thanks to the swivelling means 8, the articles 3 can be efficiently picked up/released from/onto the conveyor drums 101 , 102.

With reference to the third, alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 5, the carriers 6 are preferably cantilevered to a front surface 2a" of the drum 2a and are configured to move the articles 3 along the transfer path only translationally, keeping the orientation of the articles 3 in space preferably unchanged between the pickup station A, the detection station C and the release station B.

As shown in Figure 3, the carriers 6 may each comprise respective axial swivelling means 1 1 configured to swivel the carriers 6 about respective axial swivel axes J parallel to the axis of rotation K3 of the drum 2a.

In other words, the rotating drum 2a, in this case, is what is known as a "spider drum", that is to say, a device which picks up the articles 3 having a transverse feed orientation and releases them when they have a longitudinal feed orientation.

The carriers 6 pick up the articles 3 from the conveyor drum 101 in the pickup station A while they advance transversely and, during the rotation of the drum 2a, the carriers 6 swivel about respective swivel axes J, thereby moving the articles 3 in such a way that they are translated without being rotated.

That way, the articles 3 are kept parallel to their main axes of extension X, are fed to the detection station C with a longitudinal feed orientation, and are then released onto the release station B on the second conveyor drum 102, which feeds them transversely once again.

Lastly, with reference to the fourth alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the conveyor 2b comprises a linear guide 2b' and the carriers 6 are slidable along the linear guide 2b' to move the articles 3 along the transfer path.

In this case, too, each carrier 6 has at least one receiving seat 6a configured to receive and retain, preferably by suction, at least one article 3 picked up in the pickup station A.

Advantageously, the carriers 6 comprise rotation means 10 configured to rotate the carriers 6 between the pickup station A and the detection station C and between the detection station C and the release station B through an angle of rotation a preferably equal to +90° or -90° about an axis of rotation Y perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of extension X of each article 3 picked up.

This embodiment, too, may comprise two or more sensors, two or more receiving seats 6a for each carrier 6 and, if necessary, translating means not illustrated, to allow the carriers 6 to be rotated by the rotation means 10 without interference if they are not spaced far enough apart along the movement trajectory.

Also part of this invention is a detection method for the tobacco industry, comprising the following steps:

- transferring the plurality of rod-shaped articles 3, each having a longitudinal axis of extension X, along the transfer path between the pickup station A and the release station B; and

- detecting at least one characteristic property of the articles in the detection station C located along the transfer path between the pickup station A and the release station B;

where, advantageously, the step of transferring is accomplished by feeding the articles 3 along the transfer path in such a way that the articles have a longitudinal feed orientation as they move through the detection station C. Preferably, before the step of transferring, the method also comprises a step of feeding the articles 3 up to the pickup station A in a direction transverse to their longitudinal axes of extension X.

Preferably, after the step of transferring, the method also comprises a step of feeding the articles 3 out of the release station B (that is, away from the release station B) in a direction transverse to their longitudinal axes of extension X.

Preferably, the step of transferring is carried out by moving the plurality of carriers 6 along the closed movement trajectory defined by the continuous conveyor 2a, 2b on which the carriers 6 are mounted.

Preferably, the step of transferring also comprises a sub-step of the carriers 6 picking up the articles 3 in the pickup station A, a sub-step of swivelling and/or rotating the carriers 6 relative to the conveyors 2 and a sub-step of the carriers releasing the articles 3 in the release station B.

Advantageously, the sub-step of swivelling and/or rotating allows modifying the orientation of the articles 3 so that they move through the detection station C longitudinally.

Preferably, when the carriers 6 are mounted on the peripheral mantle 2a' of the rotating drum 2a, the step of transferring comprises the sub-step of rotating the carriers 6 between the pickup station A and the detection station C and between the detection station C and the release station B through an angle of rotation a.

Preferably, the step of transferring may also comprise a sub-step of swivelling the carriers 6 about the axis of rotation Z.

Preferably, the step of transferring may also comprise a sub-step of radially translating the carriers 6 relative to the axis of rotation K1 , K2 of the drum 2a between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration. Still more preferably, the sub-step of rotating can be performed progressively between the retracted and the extended configuration and vice versa or it may be performed in the extended configuration.

Preferably, when the carriers 6 are cantilevered to the front surface 2a" of the drum 2a (third alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 5) the step of transferring comprises the sub-step of swivelling the carriers 6 about the respective axial swivel axes J in such a way as to move the articles 3 along the transfer path only translationally, keeping the orientation of the articles 3 in space unchanged between the pickup station A, the detection station C and the release station B.

Preferably, also, when the conveyor 2b comprises the linear guide 2b', the step of transferring comprises a sub-step of making the carriers 6 slide along the linear guide 2b'.

The step of transferring also comprises a sub-step of rotating the carriers 6 relative to the linear guide 2b' through the angle of rotation a.

Advantageously, therefore, feeding the articles 3 along the transfer path in such a way that the articles have a longitudinal feed orientation as they move through the detection station C makes it possible to obtain precise and effective detections, thus improving the efficiency of the production process and the quality of the articles 3 made.

This invention thus overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the user with a detection unit and method which can be easily used in machines for making articles 3 of the tobacco industry to allow the articles 3 to be efficiently inspected..

Claims

1 . A detection unit (1 ) for the tobacco industry, comprising:

a transfer device (2) configured to transfer a plurality of rod-shaped articles (3), each having a longitudinal axis of extension (X), along a transfer path between a pickup station (A) and a release station (B);

a detection station (C) located along the transfer path between the pickup station (A) and the release station (B) and configured to detect at least one characteristic property of the articles (3);

characterized in that the transfer device (2) is configured to feed the articles (3) along the transfer path in such a way that the articles (3) move through the detection station (C) oriented in the direction of their longitudinal axis (X).

2. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the articles (3) reach the pickup station (A) moving in a direction transverse to their longitudinal axis (X) along a first feed path.

3. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transfer device (2) is configured to change the orientation of the articles (3) as they move along the transfer path in such a way that the articles (3) move through the detection station (C) oriented in the direction of their longitudinal axis of extension (X).

4. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the transfer device (2) comprises a continuous conveyor (2a, 2b) defining a closed movement trajectory, and a plurality of carriers (6) adapted to pick up and release the articles (3) and mounted on the conveyor (2a, 2b) to move along the movement trajectory.

5. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the carriers (6) are configured to swivel and/or rotate relative to the conveyor (2a, 2b) in such a way that the articles (3) move through the detection station (C) oriented in the direction of their longitudinal axis of extension (X).

6. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each carrier (6) has at least one receiving seat (6a) configured to receive and retain, preferably by suction, at least one article (3) picked up in the pickup station (A).

7. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 4 or 5 or 6, wherein the conveyor (2a) is a drum which rotates about a respective axis of rotation (K1 , K2, K3) and wherein the carriers (6) are mounted on the peripheral mantle (2a') of the rotating drum (2a) or are cantilevered to a front surface (2a") of the drum (2a).

8. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 4 or 5 or 6, wherein the conveyor (2b) comprises a linear guide (2b') and wherein the carriers (6) are slidable along the linear guide (2b') to move the articles (3) along the transfer path.

9. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the carriers (6) comprise rotation means (7) configured to rotate the carriers (6) between the pickup station (A) and the detection station (C) and between the detection station (C) and the release station (B) through an angle of rotation

(а) preferably equal to +90° or -90° about an axis of rotation (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of extension (X) of each article (3).

10. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8 or 9, wherein the carriers

(б) comprise swivelling means (8) configured to swivel the carriers (6) about respective swivel axes (Z) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of each article (3).

1 1 . The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 7 or 9 or 10, wherein the carriers (6) comprise radial translation means (9) configured to translate the carriers (6) radially relative to the axis of rotation (K1 , K2) of the drum (2a) between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

12. The detection unit (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the detection station (C) comprises at least one sensor (4) having at least one detection seat (4a) into which an article (3) can advance in a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis of extension (X).

13. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 12, wherein the at least one detection seat (4a) extends longitudinally for a length less than or equal to the length of an article (3).

14. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the at least one sensor (4) is a microwave sensor configured to detect at least one characteristic property of capsules contained inside the articles (3).

15. The detection unit (1 ) according to claim 12 or 13 or 14 when dependent on claim 6, wherein each carrier (6) is provided with a plurality of receiving seats (6a) configured to receive and retain the articles (3) and wherein each sensor (4) has a plurality of detection seats (4a) into which the articles (3) can be fed in a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axes of extension (X).

16. A detection method for the tobacco industry, comprising the following steps:

transferring a plurality of rod-shaped articles (3), each having a longitudinal axis of extension (X), along a transfer path between a pickup station (A) and a release station (B);

detecting at least one characteristic property of the articles (3) in a detection station (C) located along the transfer path between the pickup station (A) and the release station (B);

the step of transferring being carried out by feeding the articles (3) along the transfer path in such a way that the articles (3) move through the detection station (C) oriented in the direction of their longitudinal axis of extension (X).

17. The method according to claim 16, comprising the step of feeding the articles (3) up to the pickup station (A) in a direction transverse to their longitudinal axis of extension (X).

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the step of transferring is carried out by moving a plurality of carriers (6) along a closed movement trajectory defined by a continuous conveyor (2a, 2b) on which the carriers (6) are mounted; the step of transferring comprising a sub-step of the carriers (6) picking up the articles (3), a sub-step of swivelling and/or rotating the carriers (6) relative to the conveyors (2a, 2b) and a sub-step of the carriers (6) releasing the articles (3).

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of transferring comprises a sub-step of rotating the carriers (6) between the pickup station (A) and the detection station (C) and between the detection station (C) and the release station (B) through an angle of rotation (a) preferably equal to +90° or -90° about a respective axis of rotation (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of extension (X) of each article (3).

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the step of transferring also comprises a sub-step of swivelling the carriers (6) about respective swivel axes (Z) parallel to the longitudinal axis of extension (X) of each article (3).

21 . The method according to claim 18 or 19 or 20, wherein the conveyor (2a) is a drum which rotates about a respective axis of rotation (K1 , K2, K3) and the step of transferring comprises a sub-step of translating the carriers (6) radially relative to the axis of rotation (K1 , K2) of the drum (2a) between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

between the pickup station (A) and the detection station (C), the articles are rotated by ±90° about the axis of rotation (Y), preferably progressively; and

between the detection station (C) and the release station (B), the articles (3) are further rotated by ±90° about the axis of rotation (Y), preferably progressively.

23. A machine (100) for making articles for the tobacco industry, comprising: first conveying means (101 ) configured to feed a plurality of rod shaped articles (3), each extending longitudinally along an axis (X), in a feed direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of extension (X);

second conveying means (102) configured to feed the plurality of rod shaped articles (3); and

a detection unit (1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 -15, interposed between the first and second conveying means (101 , 102) in such a way as to pick up the articles (3) from the first conveying means (101 ) and release the articles (3) to the second conveying means (102).