Patent ID: 7380386

Claim:
A method of making a brand change on an automatic production system ( 1 ) for processing tobacco articles and which produces a first product ( 2 ) from first materials ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) on a production line ( 10 ) comprising a succession of work stations ( 9 ); the method comprising the steps of: completing production of the first product ( 2 ) to clear the production line ( 10 ) of the automatic production system ( 1 ); stopping the automatic production system ( 1 ) once production of the first product ( 2 ) is completed; feeding second materials ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) onto the automatic production system ( 1 ); and restarting the automatic production system ( 1 ) to commence production of a second product ( 2 ) from the second materials ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ); the method is characterized by comprising the further steps of: checking all the second products ( 2 ) in a first lot by means of at least one control station ( 30 ) of the automatic production system ( 1 ), to ensure each second product ( 2 ) in the first lot conforms with production specifications; marking each second product ( 2 ) in the first lot conforming with production specifications; and generating a pass signal when a given number of second products ( 2 ) conforming with production specifications is produced.