Patent ID: 7117872
Filing Date: 2006-10-10
Classification: A24C,B65B,G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for managing a supply of at least one of wrapping, additional or auxiliary material(s) in a system for manufacturing tobacco products, including at least one production machine, comprising: programming a nominal target number of products to be turned out by the machine during the course of the relative production run, by way of a master control unit; counting a number of products emerging from the production machine and relaying a corresponding input to the master control unit; presenting inputs to the master control unit indicating a consumption of each type of wrapping, additional or auxiliary material(s); processing an output message based at least on the inputs received and indicating at least a requirement for at least one predetermined type of the wrapping, additional or auxiliary material(s) to be supplied; sending the processed message to an operator entrusted with the task of replacing a depleted quantity of the wrapping, additional or auxiliary material(s); removing the wrapping, additional or auxiliary material(s) as appropriate for changeover to another brand of product; labeling the removed material(s) with information indicating the residual quantity, in anticipation of their subsequent utilization.