Orientating a tobacco product
AssigneeMprd Limited
InventorsJames Vincent, Ali Ramezani, Michele Cuppini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus is disclosed for orientating a tobacco product containing a strip component. The apparatus comprises means for producing an image of the tobacco product, means for determining an apparent width of the strip component from the image, means for determining an amount of rotation of the tobacco product based on the apparent width, and means for rotating the tobacco product relative to the imaging means by the determined amount of rotation. This may allow the product to be rotated such that the strip component has a known orientation with respect to the imaging means.
Claims20
Apparatus for orientating a tobacco product containing a strip component, the apparatus comprising:
- an imaging system arranged to produce an image of the tobacco product;
- a processor arranged to:
- determine an apparent width of the strip component from the image, and
- determine an amount of rotation based on the apparent width;
- and
- a rotating mechanism arranged to rotate the tobacco product relative to the imaging system by the determined amount of rotation.
A testing apparatus for testing a tobacco product containing a strip component, the testing apparatus comprising:
- an imaging system arranged to produce and image of the tobacco product;
- a processor arranged to:
- determine an apparent width of the strop component from the image, and
- determine an amount of rotation based on the apparent width;
- and
- a rotating mechanism arranged to rotate the tobacco product relative to the imaging system by the determined amount of rotation,
- wherein the testing apparatus is arranged to produce a second image of the tobacco product after rotation of the tobacco product, and to analyse the second image to detect a defect in the strip component.
A method of orientating a tobacco product containing a strip component, the method comprising:
- producing an image of the tobacco product with an imaging system;
- determining an apparent width of the strip component from the image;
- determining an amount of rotation based on the apparent width;
- and
- rotating the tobacco product relative to the imaging system by the determined amount of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.