FILTER UNIT FOR A TOBACCO PRODUCT AND DISPOSAL OF A USED FILTER UNIT The present invention relates to a device for disposal of a used filter unit of a smokeable tobacco product, and to a method for disposal of a used filter unit. Cigarettes or other smokeable tobacco products can be equipped with filters to filter harmful ingredients of tobacco smoke out of it. After the consumption of the smokeable tobacco product, the filter is no longer useable and has to be disposed of. In order to reduce a pollution of the environment, for example of streets, ways or places, by dumped used filters, it can be reasonable to introduce a deposit system for filters and/or to for example impose tax dues on the filters, wherein the dues can for example be completely or partially refunded if a proper disposal of the filter is proved. In the document DE 692 12219 T3, the coding of magnetic threads for authentication of security paper is described. The document WO 90/08367 A1 describes a binary coded magnetic thread as a security thread for bills. The document JP 2008 192121 A describes an ashtray, into which a cigarette butt can be dropped. The cigarette butt contains an IC tag, which stores an ID. A writing-reading device of the ashtray reads the ID and a communication part transfers it to a server. The ID is compared to a stored ID. Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to specify an improved concept for the disposal of a filter unit for a smokeable tobacco product, which allows a documentation of the disposal of used filter units.
According to the invention, this object is solved by the respective subject matter of the independent claims.
Advantageous developments and preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
The improved concept is based on the idea to equip the filter unit with a data carrier, which can store an identifier for the individual filter unit.
According to the improved concept, a device for the disposal of a used filter unit of a smokeable tobacco product is specified.
The device comprises an area for receiving the filter unit as well as a reader, which is configured to automatically readout an identifier of the filter unit from a data carrier of the filter unit when the filter unit is located in the area.
The device comprises a communication unit, which is configured to compare the readout identifier to a reference code, in particular to a plurality, thus three or more, of different reference codes, which is stored on a database or are stored on the database.
The communication unit is configured to generate at least one electrical signal depending on a result of the comparison.
Therein, the identifier can in particular be a magnetically coded identifier or an identifier stored on a memory of an RFID transponder, for example an NFC transponder.
Herein, the acronyms RFID and NFC stand for the English terms "Radio-Freguency-Identification" and "Near-Field-Communication", respectively.
In particular, a cigarette, a cigar or a cigarillo can be understood by a smokeable tobacco product.
Therein, the disposal of the filter unit is effected depending on the at least one electrical signal, wherein the disposal or a destruction is initiated or triggered by the at least one electrical signal.
The area for receiving the filter unit is in particular configured such that a user of the device can insert, drop or otherwise introduce the filter unit into the area, for example through an opening in a housing of the device.
For example, the communication unit can comprise a computing unit for comparing the identifier to the reference code and a communication interface for communication of the communication unit with the database, in particular for retrieving the reference code.
For example, the database can be stored on a storage medium of the device or on a storage medium arranged externally to the device, for example on a storage medium of a cloud or a server system.
The communication unit can communicate with the database or with the storage element, in wireless or wired manner, in particular via the communication interface.
The result of the comparison can for example include the information that the reference code matches with the identifier or corresponds to the identifier.
The result of the comparison can also include the information that the reference code is marked as valid and matches with the identifier or corresponds to the identifier.
In particular, a plurality of reference codes is stored in the database.
The communication unit is in particular configured to compare the identifier to all of the reference codes in successive or parallel manner until a reference code was identified, which corresponds to the identifier, or until the identifier has been compared to all of the reference codes.
Correspondingly, a result of the comparison can also include the information that none of the reference codes from the database matches with the identifier or corresponds to it or that the reference code matches with the identifier or corresponds to it, but is marked as invalid, cancelled or the like.
For example, the reader can comprise a magnetic head to readout the data carrier to readout the magnetically coded identifier.
In case of an identifier stored on an RFID transponder, the reader can be configured as an RFID reader.
By the device, an automatic and non-contact identification or verification of the individual filter unit is allowed.
In particular, the identifier is an identifier uniquely and individually associated with the filter unit.
Thereby, it can be securely documented that the corresponding filter unit has been processed and recognized by the device, respectively.
This secure documentation can for example be employed in context of a deposit system for filter units or a tax refund and so on.
For example, the user can regain an employed deposit depending on the result of the comparison, thus in particular if the reference code matches with the identifier and is marked as valid.
Another possibility of application is that the manufacturer of the smokeable tobacco product partially or completely regains a tax due, which he has paid for the filter unit, if he can document that the corresponding filter unit has been processed, for example has been destroyed, by the device.
By the use of the magnetically coded identifier or an identifier stored on an RFID transponder of the filter unit, a permanent and secure characterization of the filter unit is allowed.
In addition, the identifier can be readout by the reader without a physical contact between the reader, in particular the magnetic head or the RFID reader, and the filter unit being required, which can in particular obviate contaminations.
By the magnetic coding or the use of the RFID transponder, it is additionally not required that the data carrier or the identifier is recognizable from the outside or a visual contact between the reader and the data carrier and the identifier, respectively.
In addition, the identifier can be particularly fast readout and the data carrier can have very different characteristics or shapes by the magnetic coding or the use of the RFID transponder.
The magnetically coded identifier or the use of the RFID transponder in combination with the comparison to the reference code stored on the database also makes the concept tamperproof.
5 The device comprises a filter processing unit, which is configured to destroy, in particular physically or mechanically destroy and/or shred, the filter unit depending on the result of the comparison, in particular depending on the at least one electrical signal.
According to at least one embodiment of the device according to the improved concept, the communication unit is configured to modify the reference code depending on the at least one electrical signal if it is determined, in particular based on the comparison, that the reference code corresponds to the readout identifier or matches with it.
The modification of the reference code can for example include deleting or marking the reference code as invalid or cancelled on the database or generating a corresponding signal to initiate this.
By the modification, in particular deleting or marking the reference code as invalid or cancelled, the concept becomes tamperproof since a double cancellation or validation of the same identifier or reference code is prevented.
Thereby, an access of multiple devices according to the improved concept to a central database with the reference codes additionally becomes possible.
In particular, the modification of the reference code is effected coupled to the destruction of the filter unit.
In other words, the modification of the reference code is performed only, thus the reference code is in particular deleted or marked as invalid or cancelled only if the destruction has been effected or initiated.
According to the improved concept, a method for disposal of a used filter unit of a smokeable tobacco product is also specified.
The filter unit comprises a data carrier, wherein an identifier, in particular readable by machine, of the filter unit is stored on the data carrier.
The data carrier can be magnetically writable.
The identifier can then in particular be magnetically coded.
The data carrier can also contain an RFID transponder, which comprises a memory, which stores the identifier.
The filter unit can for example include a filter, thus a filter material, and a mouthpiece.
The mouthpiece can for example include a layer of paper or another material, which is arranged around the filter.
The identifier of the filter unit in particular individually and uniquely characterizes the filter unit.
In a preset total amount of filter units according to the improved concept, each filter unit in particular has a different identifier.
Therein, the characterization of the filter unit by the identifier in particular does not confine itself to store a type, a lot or other general specification of multiple filter units.
That the identifier is stored on the data carrier, can in particular be understood such that it is written, in particular magnetically written or magnetically coded, with the identifier.
According to at least one embodiment, the identifier is automatically readable by machine in non-contact manner, in particular without destroying, opening or pretreating the filter unit.
According to at least one embodiment, the data carrier contains a magnetically writable thread.
For example, the magnetically writable thread can include a ferromagnetic material, for example a metal oxide.
The ferromagnetic material can for example be applied to a carrier material, for example a plastic or a metal.
The coding of the thread can for example be effected by magnetization of the ferromagnetic material different in sections.
Thereby, a binary coding can in particular be effected in that two different magnetization states are employed.
Thereby, an amount of information sufficient for the described purposes can be advantageously stored on very low space.
According to at least one embodiment, the magnetic thread is configured to store at least 5 bits, preferably at least 8 bits, in particular at least 10 bits, of data.
Thereby, it can be ensured that a sufficiently great number of different filter units can be provided with different identifiers.
The use of a magnetically writable thread in particular has the advantage that it can be particularly simply incorporated into the filter material of the filter, which is for example also composed of threads or fibers, in particular of cellulose acetate fibers.
Such threads can also be simply incorporated into paper as it can for example be employed for forming the mouthpiece.
Thereby, an expensive adaptation or modification of existing machines for cigarette or cigar production is not required.
According to at least one embodiment, the filter unit contains the filter material and the writable thread is embedded in the filter material.
In particular, the filter material contains a plurality of fibers, for example cellulose acetate fibers.
That the thread is embedded in the filter material, can for example be understood such that the thread is completely or partially surrounded by the fibers of the filter material.
For example, the thread can be incorporated into the filter material as a fiber.
By embedding the thread into the filter material, the data carrier is in particular not visible from the outside such that an optical appearance of the smokeable tobacco product, in particular of the filter unit, is not impaired.
In addition, mechanical characteristics as well as chemical or physical characteristics relating to filtering the tobacco smoke are not influenced by adding the thread.
According to at least one embodiment, the filter unit comprises the mouthpiece, which surrounds the filter material, wherein the mouthpiece contains the writable thread.
For example, the mouthpiece can contain a sleeve of filter paper and the filter material is introduced into the sleeve.
Therein, the thread can for example be embedded in the filter paper of the mouthpiece or be arranged on an inner or outer side of the mouthpiece, for example adhered to it.
According to various embodiments, the mouthpiece comprises an outer layer and an inner layer.
Therein, the inner layer faces the filter and the outer layer is arranged on a side of the inner layer facing away from the filter.
Therein, the outer layer can for example define an optical appearance of the filter unit, wherein the inner layer can for example serve for mechanically reinforcing the mouthpiece and the filter unit.
The thread can be arranged both in or on the outer layer and in or on the inner layer.
According to at least one embodiment, the data carrier includes an RFID transponder, for example an NFC transponder.
According to at least one embodiment, the filter unit contains, in particular the filter or the filter material contains, a capsule, which comprises the data carrier or is identical to the data carrier.
Herein, a container can be understood by a capsule, which is small enough to be completely arranged within the filter unit, in particular within the filter material.
For example, the capsule can include an additive, for example a flavoring agent or the like.
For example, the capsule can be compressed by a user of the tobacco product to release the additive and to add the additive to the tobacco smoke, respectively.
For example, the capsule can be internally or externally provided with a magnetically codable element, for example a magnetically codable imprint or sticker, which stores the identifier.
Advantageously, the capsule can be provided with the identifier already before the production of the tobacco product or the filter unit such that an adaptation of the production method for producing the tobacco product or the filter unit is not required or only required in very restricted manner.
According to at least one embodiment, the capsule contains a magnetizable colorant, thus a magnetizable pigment or a magnetizable dye, which contains the identifier.
According to at least one embodiment, the data carrier contains a magnetizable colorant, which is attached to the mouthpiece, for example on a surface of the mouthpiece.
The magnetizable colorant, which can for example be configured as a pigment or dye, is in particular magnetically coded to store the identifier.
The colorant can for example be printed onto the mouthpiece or be attached to the mouthpiece by transfer transmission.
In particular, the data carrier comprises a layer or coating with the magnetizable colorant.
Each coloring substance can serve as the colorant, in particular a pigment or dye, which can be coded by a corresponding magnetic field, thus for example contains a ferromagnetic material.
Therein, the layer and the colorant, respectively, can be attached to an outer side or to an inner side of the mouthpiece facing the filter material.
According to the method for the disposal of the used filter unit according to the improved concept, the identifier of the filter unit is readout by machine, in particular in automatic manner, in particular by means of a reader.
The readout identifier is compared to a reference code, which is stored on a database, by means of a communication unit.
Depending on a result of the comparison, at least one electrical signal is generated, in particular by means of a communication unit.
According to at least one embodiment of the method for the disposal of the used filter unit, the filter unit is received by a device before reading out the identifier, which comprises the communication unit and in particular the reader.
Further embodiments of the method for the disposal of a used filter unit according to the improved concept are immediately apparent from the various forms of configuration of the device for the disposal of a used filter unit according to the improved concept and vice versa.
In particular, the device for the disposal of a used filter unit can be configured or programmed to perform a method for disposal according to the improved concept.
In the following, the invention is explained in more detail based on specific embodiments and associated schematic drawings.
In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements can be provided with the same reference characters. The description of identical or functionally identical elements is not necessarily repeated with respect to different figures as appropriate. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Implementations and feature combinations are also to be considered as disclosed, which do not comprise all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim and/or which extend beyond or deviate from the feature combinations set forth in the relations of the claims. In the figures, there show:
Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a cigarette with an exemplary embodiment of a filter unit;
Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a cigarette with a further exemplary embodiment of a filter unit;
Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a cigarette with a further exemplary embodiment of a filter unit;
Fig.4 a schematic representation of a cigarette with a further exemplary embodiment of a filter unit;
Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a cigarette with a further exemplary embodiment of a filter unit;
Fig. 6 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a device for disposal of a used filter unit according to the improved concept; and
Fig. 7 a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for producing a smokeable tobacco product as well as an exemplary embodiment of a method for disposal of a used filter unit according to the improved concept.
In Fig. 1, a cigarette 1 with a filter unit 4 is illustrated.
For example, the filter unit 4 can be disposed of by a method for disposal of a used filter unit according to the improved concept.
The cigarette 1 comprises a tobacco filling 3, which is surrounded by cigarette paper 2. At an end of the tobacco filling 3, the filter unit 4 is arranged, which is for example adhered to the tobacco filling 3 and/or the cigarette paper 2.
For example, the filter unit 4 comprises a mouthpiece 5, which surrounds a filter 6,
— which is for example produced of cellulose acetate fibers.
In addition, the filter unit 4 for example comprises a magnetically writable and magnetically written data carrier 7, wherein an identifier of the filter unit 4 is stored on the data carrier 7, which in particular uniquely identifies the filter unit 4. In alternative embodiments, the data carrier 7 comprises an RFID transponder, for example an NFC transponder, which contains a memory, on which the identifier is stored.
The mouthpiece 5 can for example comprise an outer layer, for example a filter paper, which for example determines the optical appearance of the filter unit 4.
Optionally, the mouthpiece 5 can comprise an inner layer between the filter 6 and the outer layer, which for example serves for mechanically reinforcing the mouthpiece 5.
In Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional representation of a cigarette with a further exemplary embodiment of a filter unit 4 is illustrated.
In the example of Fig. 2, the data carrier 7 contains a magnetically writable thread 7a, which is embedded in the filter material of the filter 6.
In Fig. 3, a schematic representation of a cigarette with a further exemplary embodiment of a filter unit 4 is illustrated.
In the example of Fig. 3, the data carrier 7 also contains a magnetically coded and writable thread 7a, which is for example incorporated into the filter paper of the mouthpiece.
Alternatively, the thread 7a can be incorporated into the inner layer of the mouthpiece 5.
In Fig. 4, a longitudinal sectional representation of a cigarette 1 with a further exemplary embodiment of a filter unit 4 is shown.
In the example of Fig. 4, the data carrier 7 comprises a capsule 7b, which is arranged in the interior of the filter 6.
For example, the capsule 7b can contain an additive, which, upon exterior action on the capsule by a user, can exit it, for example to add a flavor to the tobacco smoke.
The capsule 7b can comprise a magnetically coded imprint, a magnetically coded label or a magnetically coded thread and accordingly can advantageously serve as a data carrier at the same time, which stores the identifier of the filter unit 4. In Fig. 5, a schematic representation of a cigarette with a further exemplary embodiment of a filter unit 4 is illustrated.
In the example of Fig. 5, the data carrier 7 for example contains a coating of the filter paper of the mouthpiece 5, for example on an inner side of the outer layer facing the filter 6 or on an outer side of the outer layer facing away from the filter 6.
In this example, the data carrier 7 includes the coating 7c, which is magnetically coded.
Thereto, the coating 7c can for example include a magnetizable pigment or a magnetizable dye.
In Fig. 6, a schematic representation of a device 8 according to the improved concept for disposal of a used filter unit 4 for a smokeable tobacco product, in particular of a filter unit 4 according to any one of Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, is illustrated.
The device 8 comprises a housing 17, which for example has an opening 10 on a front side to allow dropping or inserting the filter unit 4 into the interior of the device 8 to a user of the device 8. The filter unit 4 can in particular be brought into an area 9 of the device 8 via the opening 10, which is arranged in immediate vicinity of areader 11 of the device.
According to configuration of the data carrier 7, the reader 11 can be a magnetic reader or an RFID reader.
Furthermore, the device 8 comprises a computing unit 12, which is coupled to the reader 11, as well as a filter processing unit 16, which is also coupled to the computing unit 12. In addition, the device 8 comprises a communication interface 13, which is configured for wired or wireless communication.
If the filter unit 4 is in the area 9, thus, the reader 11 attempts to readout the identifier of the filter unit 4. In particular if the filter unit 4 is configured according to the improved concept, the reader can readout the identifier if the filter unit 4 is located in the area 9. The reader 11 communicates the readout identifier to the computing unit 12. By means of the communication interface 13, the computing unit 12 gains access to a plurality of reference codes, which are stored in a database 15. In the shown example of Fig. 6, the database 15 is for example stored on a storage element of an external server computer 14. The communication interface 13 is then configured for wireless communication with the server computer 14.
In alternative embodiments, the database 15 can also be stored on a storage element of the device 8.
The computing unit 12 can compare the readout identifier to the reference codes of the database 15 and thus determine if the identifier of the specific filter unit 4 is stored in the database 15, and if it is marked as valid or invalid.
Ifitis thus determined by means of the computing unit 12 that the identifier of the filter unit 4 matches with one of the reference codes, which is marked as valid, thus, the computing unit 12 causes the corresponding reference code on the database 15 to be deleted or marked as invalid by means of the communication interface 13.
The filter unit 4 is transferred from the area 9 into the filter processing unit 16. the filter processing unit 16 is configured to physically destroy the filter unit 4 controlled by the computing unit 12. Therein, the destruction of the filter unit 4 is in particular coupled to deleting or marking the corresponding reference code on the database 15 as invalid.
Optionally the device 8 can comprise an output unit 18, by means of which a deposit, a token, a voucher or the like can be output to the user, in particular controlled by the computing unit 12.
In Fig. 7, a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for producing a smokeable tobacco product as well as for disposal of a used filter unit according to the improved concept is shown.
In step S1 of the method, the tobacco product, for example a cigarette 1, as it is shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, is produced.
Therein, the filter unit 4 is in particular produced, wherein the data carrier 7 is integrated in the filter unit 4. In addition, the data carrier 7 is written with the identifier.
Therein, it can be resorted to previously fabricated filter units 4 to for example connect them to the tobacco filling 3 and the cigarette paper 2. In this case, the data carrier 7 can for example already have been previously integrated in the filter unit 4.
However, the manufacture of tobacco product and filter unit 4 can also be performed in combined manner, guasi inline.
Therein, the filter 6 can in particular be produced from cellulose acetate fibers.
Thereto, a ribbon of cellulose acetate canin particular be processed, which is unwound from a reel.
In particular in embodiments, in which the data carrier 7 is configured as a magnetically writable thread 7a, it can then for example be unwound from a separate reel and be incorporated into the filter material as a fiber.
In step S2, the data carrier 7 is for example written with the identifier.
In step S3, a reference code corresponding to the identifier is stored on the database 15.
In step S4 of the method, the filter unit 4 is supplied to a device 8 according to the improved concept by a user, as described with reference to Fig. 6. In step S5, the computing unit 12 of the device compares the readout identifier — with the reference codes, as described above.
In step S6, deleting or marking the reference code on the database 15 as invalid and destruction of the filter unit 4 by the filter processing unit 16, respectively, are effected as described above.
The destroyed filter units 4 can for example be supplied to composting or another disposal.
By the improved concept, it is allowed to individually track filter units for smokeable tobacco products and in particular to monitor the disposal thereof by means of a device according to the improved concept.
Thereby, deposit systems or the like, as initially described, can be realized.
LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS: 1 cigarette 2 cigarette paper 3 tobacco filling
4 filter unit 5 mouthpiece 6 filter 7 data carrier
Ta thread 7b capsule 7c coating 8 device 9 area
10 opening 11 reader 12 computing unit 13 communication interface 14 server computer
15 database 16 filter processing unit 17 housing 18 output unit S1 to S6 method steps