Detection system

A system for assessing the acceptability of product filter rods, filters or filter elements which comprise a longitudinally extending core of filtering material including a longitudinal channel extending from an end of the core;

• the system comprising:
• (a) means for advancing a flow of product filter rods, filters or filter elements such that each filter rod, filter or filter element in the flow is oriented with the end of the filter rod, filter or filter element from which the longitudinal channel extends exposed;
• (b) means for capturing an image of an exposed end of a filter rod, filter or filter element in the advancing flow;
• (c) means for comparing the captured image with a stored image of a standard rod, filter or filter element;
• (d) means which determines, from differences between the captured image and the stored image of the standard rod, filter or filter element, a value for one or more of:
• (i) the cross sectional area of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (ii) an amount of material detectable within the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (iii) the outer perimeter of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (iv) the position of the longitudinal channel in the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (v) the outer perimeter of the core;
• (vi) an amount of material detectable outside the outer perimeter of the core at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (vii) an amount of impurity visible in the filtering material at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (viii) the shape of the cross section of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (ix) the area of the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element having a specific colour or pigment;
• (x) the diameter of the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• and
• (xi) the diameter of the longitudinal channel in the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• and
• compares the or each determined value with a predetermined value to thereby assess whether the filter rod, filter or filter element is acceptable;
• wherein the means for advancing a flow of product filter rods, filters or filter elements comprises a fluted wheel which includes a plurality of grooves or flutes in its perimeter, each of which are dimensioned to engage with a single product filter rod, filter or filter element.

A method for assessing the acceptability of product filter rods, filters or filter elements which comprise a longitudinally extending core of filtering material including a longitudinal channel extending from an end of the core;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) advancing a flow of product filter rods, filters or filter elements such that each filter rod, filter or filter element in the flow is oriented with the end from which the longitudinal channel extends exposed, using advancing means comprising a fluted wheel which includes a plurality of grooves or flutes in its perimeter, each of which are dimensioned to engage with a single product filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (b) capturing an image of an exposed end of a filter rod, filter or filter element in the advancing flow;
• (c) determining from the image of the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element a value for one or more of:
• (i) the cross sectional area of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (ii) an amount of material detectable within the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (iii) the outer perimeter of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (iv) the position of the longitudinal channel in the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (v) the outer perimeter of the core;
• (vi) an amount of material detectable outside the outer perimeter of the core at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (viii) the shape of the cross section of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• and
• (ix) the area of the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element having a specific colour or pigment;
• (vii) an amount of impurity visible in the filtering material at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• and
• (d) comparing the or each determined value with a predetermined value to thereby assess whether the filter rod, filter or filter element is acceptable.

A method for assessing the acceptability of product filter rods, filters or filter elements which comprise a longitudinally extending core of filtering material including a longitudinal channel extending from an end of the core;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) advancing a flow of product filter rods, filters or filter elements such that each filter rod, filter or filter element in the flow is oriented with the end from which the longitudinal channel extends exposed, using advancing means comprising a fluted wheel which includes a plurality of grooves or flutes in its perimeter, each of which are dimensioned to engage with a single product filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (b) capturing an image of an exposed end of a filter rod, filter or filter element in the advancing flow;
• (c) comparing the captured image with a stored image of a standard rod, filter or filter element;
• (d) determining, from differences between the captured image and the stored image of the standard rod, filter or filter element, a value for one or more of the following parameters:
• (i) the cross sectional area of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (ii) an amount of material detectable at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (iii) the outer perimeter of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (iv) the position of the longitudinal channel in the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (v) the outer perimeter of the core;
• (vi) an amount of material detectable outside the outer perimeter of the core at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• and
• (vii) an amount of impurity visible in the filtering material at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (viii) the shape of the cross section of the longitudinal channel at the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (ix) the area of the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element having a specific colour or pigment;
• (x) the diameter of the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• and
• (xi) the diameter of the longitudinal channel in the exposed end of the filter rod, filter or filter element;
• (e) comparing the or each determined value with a predetermined value to thereby assess whether the filter rod, filter or filter element is acceptable.