Apparatus for analysing a rod-shaped smoking article

Abstract

Apparatus for analysing a rod-shaped smoking article is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source (10) of x-ray radiation arranged to irradiate an area of the article (30), one or more area image sensors (12) arranged to detect x-ray radiation from an area of the article and to produce two-dimensional image data therefrom, and a drive mechanism arranged to move the smoking article (30) or the sensor (12) in an axial direction. A processing unit (20) is arranged to process two-dimensional image data produced by the area image sensor (12) at a plurality of different axial positions and to produce an output in dependence thereon. The processing unit may be arranged to output a two-dimensional image to be displayed and/or to output processed dimensional or quality information.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.