Smoking article inspection system and associated method
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H04N-007/18
A24C-005/34
G06T-007/00
출원번호
US-0204316
(2014-03-11)
등록번호
US-9844232
(2017-12-19)
발명자
/ 주소
Wood, Gary Lee
Hiatt, Derwin
McCann, Larry
Shockley, Mike
Nuckols, Eddie
Hall, David R.
Brantley, Frank
Martin, Isaac
Sama, Martin
Reddell, Charles
Whitley, Mike
출원인 / 주소
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
대리인 / 주소
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
120
초록▼
Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit
Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit may execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article and a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. The imaging devices may be configured to capture images of the smoking articles during the assembly thereof. Thereby, the analysis unit may determine any operations during assembly causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. Related methods are also provided.
대표청구항▼
1. A smoking article inspection system configured to inspect a smoking article comprising a smokable rod and a filter element connected by a tipping material, the smoking article inspection system comprising: one or more imaging devices configured to respectively capture one or more images in a visi
1. A smoking article inspection system configured to inspect a smoking article comprising a smokable rod and a filter element connected by a tipping material, the smoking article inspection system comprising: one or more imaging devices configured to respectively capture one or more images in a visible light spectrum of an exterior surface of the smoking article as the smoking article is supported in a groove defined by a circumferential surface of a drum and oriented parallel to a rotational axis of the drum, the one or more imaging devices being positioned to capture the plurality of images substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum; andan analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the one or more imaging devices, the analysis unit being configured to execute: an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article; anda defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. 2. The smoking article inspection system of claim 1, wherein the edge detection tool is further configured to determine a second edge location of the smoking article to determine a plurality of boundaries of the smoking article. 3. The smoking article inspection system of claim 1, wherein the defect detection tool is configured to perform at least one of: determining an edge location of the tipping material;detecting a plurality of perforations extending through the tipping material;detecting a contrast between a dark portion and a light portion of the smoking article;determining a color of the smoking article;detecting a pattern; andidentifying segments of the filter element. 4. The smoking article inspection system of claim 1, wherein the one or more imaging devices comprise at least one of: an imaging device configured to capture the one or more images of a longitudinal length of a two-up filtered smoking article assembly during application of the tipping material thereto;an imaging device configured to capture the one or more images of the longitudinal length of the two-up filtered smoking article assembly after creation of a plurality of perforations extending through the tipping material;an imaging device configured to capture the one or more images of the longitudinal length of the smoking article after division of the two-up filtered smoking article assembly; andan imaging device configured to capture the one or more images of a terminus of the smoking article. 5. The smoking article inspection system of claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device configured to direct a flow of air proximate at least one of the one or more imaging devices to prevent collection of debris thereon. 6. A smoking article inspection system configured to inspect a smoking article comprising a smokable rod and a filter element connected by a tipping material, the smoking article inspection system comprising: a plurality of imaging devices configured to respectively capture one or more images in a visible light spectrum of an exterior surface of the smoking article as the smoking article is supported in a groove defined by a circumferential surface of a drum and oriented parallel to a rotational axis of the drum, the one or more imaging devices being positioned to capture the plurality of images substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum, the one or more imaging devices being configured to capture the one or more images of the smoking article during assembly of the smoking article, wherein assembly of the smoking article comprises a plurality of operations; andan analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices, the analysis unit being configured to execute a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective from the images thereof, and, if the smoking article is determined to be defective, to determine the one of the operations causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. 7. The smoking article inspection system of claim 6, wherein the analysis unit is further configured to execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article, the defect detection tool being configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. 8. The smoking article inspection system of claim 7, wherein the edge detection tool is further configured to determine a second edge location of the smoking article to determine a plurality of boundaries of the smoking article. 9. The smoking article inspection system of claim 6, wherein the defect detection tool is configured to perform at least one of: determining an edge location of the tipping material;detecting a plurality of perforations extending through the tipping material;detecting a contrast between a dark portion and a light portion of the smoking article;determining a color of the smoking article;detecting a pattern; andidentifying segments of the filter element. 10. The smoking article inspection system of claim 6, wherein the imaging devices comprise at least one of: an imaging device configured to capture the one or more images of a longitudinal length of a two-up filtered smoking article assembly during application of the tipping material thereto;an imaging device configured to capture the one or more images of the longitudinal length of the two-up filtered smoking article assembly after creation of a plurality of perforations extending through the tipping material;an imaging device configured to capture the one or more images of the longitudinal length of the smoking article after division of the two-up filtered smoking article assembly; andan imaging device configured to capture the one or more images of a terminus of the smoking article. 11. The smoking article inspection system of claim 6, further comprising a cleaning device configured to direct a flow of air proximate at least one of the imaging devices to prevent collection of debris thereon. 12. A method for inspecting a smoking article comprising a smokable rod and a filter element connected by a tipping material, the method comprising: capturing one or more images in a visible light spectrum of an exterior surface of the smoking article as the smoking article is supported in a groove defined by a circumferential surface of a drum and oriented parallel to a rotational axis of the drum, the one or more imaging devices being positioned to capture the plurality of images substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum;determining a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article; anddetermining whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining a second edge location of the smoking article to determine a plurality of boundaries of the smoking article. 14. The method of claim 12 wherein determining whether the smoking article is defective comprises at least one of: determining an edge location of the tipping material;detecting a plurality of perforations extending through the tipping material;detecting a contrast between a dark portion and a light portion of the smoking article;determining a color of the smoking article;detecting a pattern; andidentifying segments of the filter element. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein capturing the one or more images in the visible light spectrum of the exterior surface of the smoking article comprises at least one of: capturing the one or more images of a longitudinal length of a two-up filtered smoking article assembly during application of the tipping material thereto;capturing the one or more images of the longitudinal length of the two-up filtered smoking article assembly after creation of a plurality of perforations extending through the tipping material;capturing the one or more images of the longitudinal length of the smoking article after division of the two-up filtered smoking article assembly; andcapturing the one or more images of a terminus of the smoking article. 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising directing a flow of air proximate one or more imaging devices configured to capture the one or more images to prevent collection of debris thereon. 17. A method for inspecting a smoking article comprising a smokable rod and a filter element connected by a tipping material, the method comprising: capturing a plurality of images in a visible light spectrum of an exterior surface of the smoking article during assembly of the smoking article as the smoking article is supported in a groove defined by a circumferential surface of a drum and oriented parallel to a rotational axis of the drum, the one or more imaging devices being positioned to capture the plurality of images substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum, wherein assembly of the smoking article comprises a plurality of operations;determining whether the smoking article is defective from the images thereof; andif the smoking article is determined to be defective, determining the one of the operations causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article before determining whether the smoking article is defective. 19. The method claim 18, further comprising determining a second edge location of the smoking article to determine a plurality of boundaries of the smoking article. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein determining whether the smoking article is defective comprises at least one of: determining an edge location of the tipping material;detecting a plurality of perforations extending through the tipping material;detecting a contrast between a dark portion and a light portion of the smoking article;determining a color of the smoking article;detecting a pattern; andidentifying segments of the filter element. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein capturing the one or more images in the visible light spectrum of the exterior surface of the smoking article comprises at least one of: capturing the one or more images of a longitudinal length of a two-up filtered smoking article assembly during application of the tipping material thereto;capturing the one or more images of the longitudinal length of the two-up filtered smoking article assembly after creation of a plurality of perforations extending through the tipping material;capturing the one or more images of the longitudinal length of the smoking article after division of the two-up filtered smoking article assembly; andcapturing the one or more images of a terminus of the smoking article. 22. The method of claim 17, further comprising directing a flow of air proximate one or more imaging devices configured to capture the one or more images to prevent collection of debris thereon.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (120)
Takegawa Masaharu (Osaka JPX) Matsuda ; deceased Akihisa (late of Osaka JPX by Yoshitaka Matsuda ; heir), Acetate tow having high crimp modulus and manufacturing method thereof.
Nelson, John Larkin; Howard, Travis Eugene; Barnes, Vernon Brent, Apparatus for enhancing a filter component of a smoking article, and associated method.
Heitmann Uwe (Schwarzenbek VA DEX) Buchegger Joachim (Richmond VA) Hinz Werner (Hamburg DEX), Apparatus for increasing the permeability of wrapping material for rod-shaped smokers products.
Barnes, Vernon Brent; Benford, Robert William; Thomas, Timothy Frederick; Matthews, Stephen Thomas; Nelson, John Larkin; Howard, Travis Eugene, Apparatus for inserting objects into a filter component of a smoking article.
Stokes, Cynthia Stewart; Nelson, John Larkin; Barnes, Vernon Brent; Dube, Michael Francis, Apparatus for inserting objects into a filter component of a smoking article, and associated method.
Brand Peter (Hamburg DEX) Pinck Peter (Gross-Hansdorf DEX) Baier Anton (Wentorf DEX), Apparatus for monitoring filter rod sections in filter tipping machines.
Arzonico Barbara W. (Lewisville NC) Blakley Richard L. (Pfafftown NC) Dunlap Sharon P. (Walnut Cove NC) Gentry Jeffery S. (Pfafftown NC) Hege Kathy A. (Advance NC) Raker Mark L. (Clemmons NC) Shelar , Cigarette.
Lawrence Brian M. (Winston-Salem NC) Moates Robert F. (Winston-Salem NC) Perfetti Thomas A. (Winston-Salem NC) Pogrow Renee M. (Clemmons NC) Powell Robert H. (Colfax NC) Redding Jerry W. (Lexington N, Cigarette.
Jupe, Richard; Dwyer, Ronald William; Laslie, Don Earl; Finley, Arlington L.; Taylor, Barbara G.; Smith, Cecil M.; Willis, Vivian E., Cigarette and filter with downstream flavor addition.
Jakob Stephen W. (Winston-Salem NC) Shannon Michael D. (Lewisville NC) Furin Olivia D. (Winston-Salem NC) Bernasek Paul F. (Lexington NC) Blakley Richard L. (Pfafftown NC) Brooks Johnny L. (Winston-S, Cigarette and smokable filler material therefor.
Blakley Richard L. (Pfafftown NC) Shelar Gary R. (Greensboro NC) Gentry Jeffery S. (Pfafftown NC) Worrell Gary W. (Tobaccoville NC) Perfetti Thomas A. (Winston-Salem NC), Cigarette filter.
Struckhoff Andrew D. ; Cramer Lee C. ; Spiers Steven F. ; Bokelman Gordon H. ; Alexander Bogdan N. ; Roth Mark, Cigarette making machine including band inspection.
Nelson, John Larkin; Barnes, Vernon Brent; Read, Jr., Louis John; Carter, Brent Walker, Equipment and associated method for insertion of material into cigarette filters.
Funderburk, Douglas Amon; Ashcraft, Charles Ray; Bohdan, Walter; Gossett, Ellen Strickland; Hawley, Nancy Harmon; Henson, Jane Cottrell; Hazlett, William Edward; Self, Daniel Klaus, Flask-shaped cigarette container and method of packaging cigarettes.
Spiers, Steven F.; Straight, Jeremy J.; Garthaffner, Travis M.; Thompson, Janet L.; Shyy, Yeu-Hwa, Inspection systems and methods for multi-segment products.
Lanier, Jr.,Robert C.; Campbell,Steven M.; Bellamah,Stephen J., Method and apparatus for making cigarette filters with a centrally located flavored element.
Heitmann Uwe (Hamburg DEX) Lorenzen Heinz-Christen (Wentorf DEX) Steiniger Wolfgang (Brnsen DEX), Method and apparatus for making rod-shaped smokers\products with soft cores.
Joseph Horst D. (Hamburg DEX) Koch Friedo (Wohltorf DEX), Method and apparatus for monitoring the functioning of testing devices in machines for the production and/or processing.
Reuland Joachim (Neu Brnsen DEX) Dahlgrn Rolf (Schwarzenbek DEX), Method and apparatus for pinpointing the causes of malfunction of machines for the manufacture and/or processing of ciga.
Henderson Calvin W. (Winston-Salem NC) Lassiter Wallace R. (Winston-Salem NC) Jarvis William R. (Winston-Salem NC), Method and apparatus for the automatic inspection of cigarette rods for spots and stains.
Siems Wolfgang (Hamburg VA DEX) Radzio Andrzej (Quinton VA), Method of and apparatus for making streams containing fibrous materials of the tobacco processing industry.
Pinck Peter (Gross-Hansdorf DEX) Lorenzen Heinz-Christen (Wentorf DEX) Heitmann Uwe (Hamburg DEX) Siems Wolfgang (Hamburg DEX), Method of and apparatus for treating accumulations of fibers of tobacco or other smokable material.
Brand Peter (Hamburg DEX) Pinck Peter (Gross-Hansdorf DEX) Baier Anton (Wentorf DEX), Method of monitoring filter rod sections in filter tipping machines.
Longest ; Jr. H. Cary (Midlothian VA) Smith Barry S. (Hopewell VA), Methods and apparatus for inspecting the appearance of substantially circular objects.
Di Stefano Giuseppe (Ferrara ITX) Ghini Marco (Lazzaro Di Savena ITX) Neri Armando (Bologna ITX) Gamberini Antonio (Bologna ITX), Optical method for examining the open end of a cigarette to determine its uniformity of filling with tobacco.
Sites Peter W. (Knoxville TN) Roche Bernard A. (Farragut TN) Jones ; III Creed F. (Knoxville TN) Griner James C. (Knoxville TN), Package seal inspection system.
Bynre Stanley W. (North Crawley GB2) Tompkins Barry J. (Stony Stratford GB2) Hayes Ernest B. (Newcastle-upon-Tyne GB2), Production of tobacco smoke filters.
Pryor James W. (Winston-Salem NC) Nelson John L. (Lewisville NC) Marritt Clifford R. (Winston-Salem NC), Rod making apparatus for smoking article manufacture.
Green ; Jr. Carl C. (Winston-Salem NC) Welch John D. (Winston-Salem NC) Hauser Henry A. (Hamptonville NC) Frye Diane R. (King NC), Rods containing pelletized material.
Gentry Thomas L. (Winston-Salem NC) Coleman ; III William M. (Winston-Salem NC) Ashcraft Charles R. (Winston-Salem NC) Carespodi Dennis L. (Winston-Salem NC) Wong Milly M. L. (Winston-Salem NC), Smoking article filter.
Mullins Michael J. ; Smith Barry S. ; Pudas Michael R., System and method for optically inspecting cigarettes by detecting the lengths of cigarette sections.
Ademe, Balager; Barnes, Vernon Brent; Howard, Travis Eugene; Benford, Robert William; Brantley, Franklin Forrest; Carter, Brent Walker; Collett, William Robert; Dixon, Darrell Thomas; McCann, Larry Dean; Nelson, John Larkin; Roberts, Gregory J.; Thomas, Timothy Frederick; Henderson, Calvin Wayne, System for analyzing a filter element associated with a smoking article, and associated method.
Grollimund Gary (Chesterfield VA) Longest ; Jr. H. Cary (Midlothian VA) Smith Barry S. (Hopewell VA), Systems for optically inspecting cylindrical surfaces.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.