Taggant detection and rejection method and apparatus

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article including a taggant is provided, the method including the steps of: applying the taggant to the component; detecting an amount of the taggant that the component comprises; determining whether the detected amount of the taggant is less than a first-predetermined amount; and rejecting the component when the detected amount of the taggant is less than the first-predetermined amount. An apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article including a taggant is also provided. A kit of parts is also provided.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article, comprising a taggant, the method comprising the steps of:
 applying the taggant to the component;   detecting an amount of the taggant that the component comprises;   determining whether the detected amount of the taggant is less than a first-predetermined amount; and   rejecting the component when the detected amount of the taggant is less than the first-predetermined amount.   
     
     
         17 . The method of manufacturing a component according to  claim 16 , wherein the first-predetermined amount of the taggant is a concentration of 5 milligrams of taggant per square metre. 
     
     
         18 . The method of manufacturing a component according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: applying the taggant to the component wherein the component is: a filter, a wrapper, a tipping paper, an adhesive, a tipping paper adhesive, a filter plug wrap, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of manufacturing a component according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: applying the taggant to an interface between a tobacco-rod component and a filter component. 
     
     
         20 . The method of manufacturing a component according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: applying the taggant to an inner surface of a tipping paper component. 
     
     
         21 . The method of manufacturing a component according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: applying the taggant substantially around a circumference of the component. 
     
     
         22 . The method of manufacturing a component according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: repeating the detecting and the determining steps, and, if applicable, the rejection step. 
     
     
         23 . The method of manufacturing a component according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: detecting the amount of taggant that the component comprises, after a step of applying and securing a tipping paper component to another component. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for manufacturing a component for an aerosol-generating article, comprising a taggant, the apparatus comprising:
 a dispenser configured to apply the taggant to the component;   a sensor configured to detect an amount of the taggant that the component comprises;   a controller configured to determine whether the detected amount of the taggant is less than a first-predetermined amount; and   a rejection system configured to reject the component when the detected amount of the taggant is less than the first-predetermined amount.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , further comprising multiple sensors, each sensor being configured to detect the amount of the taggant. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , further comprising at least a sensor positioned in the manufacturing line after a tipping paper component is applied and secured to another component. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , further comprising at least one sensor positioned in the manufacturing line after a wrapping of the component. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , 
 further comprising an adhesive dispenser configured to dispense adhesive,   wherein the adhesive dispenser comprises a glue application roller, and   wherein the glue application roller comprises grooves.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the dispenser comprises a mask configured to shield the dispensed taggant from reaching undesired areas. 
     
     
         30 . A kit of parts, comprising:
 a plurality of manufacturing apparatuses configured for manufacturing of a component for an aerosol-generating article;   at least one sensor configured to detect an amount of a taggant that a component manufactured comprises;   a controller configured to determine whether the amount of the taggant that the component comprises is less than a first-predetermined amount; and   a rejection system configured to reject the component that has the taggant amount less than the first-predetermined amount.