EP3697694B1

EP3697694B1 - Station for assembling a cartridge of an electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: EP3697694B1
Application number: EP18804119.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luca Testoni; Luca Lanzarini; Paolo Degliesposti; Andrea Grimandi; Massimo Sartoni; Luca Federici
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2017-10-17
Filing date: 2018-10-17
Publication date: 2021-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-17
Also published as: IT201700116882A1; WO2019077525A1; EP3697694A1; WO2019077525A8

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention falls within the technical field of electronic cigarettes. In particular, the invention relates to a station for assembling a cartridge of an electronic cigarette.

PRIOR ART

As known, electronic cigarettes are made up of different components that are assembled together. In detail, an electronic cigarette comprises a cartridge assembly and a battery assembly, coupled to each other.
The cartridge assembly comprises a base, generally having a cylindrical shape and made of plastic material, which acts as a support for the other components of the cartridge assembly.
Inside the base two terminals are housed, which protrude externally towards the base, at one side thereof. A heating element is connected to the two terminals, the element comprises a wick made of an electric insulating material folded in a "U" shape and a thermoresistor formed by a filament spirally wound around at least the central side of the "U" shaped wick and welded to the ends of the terminals.
From the same side of the base a flow element also extends, which is formed by a plastic material, provided with a support body and a central channel through which air can pass. The channel also acts as an insulating spacer, to keep two terminals well separated from each other, and is generally welded to the base by ultrasound.
The cartridge assembly further comprises a substrate made of an absorbent material which is impregnated with a liquid substance which generally contains flavours and nicotine. The substrate is wound in a tube around the thermoresistor of the heating member.
A covering sleeve made of a plastic material is also provided which is welded to the base to cover the elements described above.
A printed circuit (PCB or chip) and a connection element are also housed inside the base, which is arranged adjacent to the printed circuit in a position proximal to the centre of the base, and protrudes from the base at the other side thereof, opposite to that from which, instead, the components described above protrude. The connection element comprises a longitudinal body which is partially inserted in the base, so as to be parallel to the development axis of the cartridge, and a curved connection end (in essence, the connection element has a so-called "teaspoon" shape).
The battery assembly, on the other hand, comprises a rechargeable battery for power supply and contacts, which allow the same to be connected to the cartridge assembly, in particular to the connection element.
In regards to the production of cartridges for electronic cigarettes, to date automatic stations for assembling the various components together are provided. In detail, for assembling the components of the cartridge assembly to the base, the latter is brought to specialized stations where suitable handling means are provided, which act for bringing the individual components into contact with the base, thus allowing the coupling thereof.
For example, the connection element, the printed circuit and the flow element are brought into contact with the base and fixed to the latter at three successive steps, by means of dedicated handling means, for example pushing means.
However, due to their irregular shape and their relatively small size, the components indicated above are not easy to handle and assemble: in fact, they must always be maintained in the correct position during the subsequent assembly steps. Specifically, it is particularly complex to maintain the connection element in the correct position. In fact, this is generally arranged in the base before the printed circuit and before the flow element: therefore, the connection element is subjected to multiple stress factors which can modify the position thereof (in particular the inclination with respect to the axis of the cartridge) thus compromising the connection of the cartridge assembly to the battery assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above.
Said object is achieved by proposing a station for assembling a cartridge of an electronic cigarette according to the appended claims.
Said object is achieved by proposing, furthermore, a method for assembling a cartridge of an electronic cigarette according to the appended claims.
Advantageously, the station and the method for assembling a cartridge of an electronic cigarette proposed with the invention allow to maintain the correct positioning of the components during the subsequent assembling steps. In particular, the present invention allows the connection element to be maintained in a correct position, i.e. at a predetermined distance from the axis of the base and of the cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages will be made clearer in the following disclosure, with the aid of the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a station for assembling a cartridge of an electronic cigarette according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view, from another angle, of the station of Figure 1, in a first operating configuration;
Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to those of Figure 3, 4 in different operating configurations;
Figures 6A-6C illustrate three enlarged section views of a detail of the assembling station of the present invention, according to three different variations;
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate two perspective views of an assembling machine comprising a station according to the first embodiment of the invention with different degrees of detail from each other;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an assembling station according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 10 is an enlarged and perspective view, according to a different angle, of the station of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is an exploded view of a cartridge of an electronic cigarette, the components thereof, according to the invention, can be assembled in an assembling station.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached Figures 1-5, 7-10, a station for assembling a cartridge C of an electronic cigarette has been denoted with number 1.
The cartridge C, which is illustrated, for example, in exploded view in Figure 11, comprises: a base B (usually cylindrically shaped and made of plastic material), having a longitudinal axis X (coinciding with the longitudinal axis X of the cartridge C); a side wall P, a first side L1 and a second side L2, opposed to the first side L1 (both transverse to the side wall P). The first side L1 comprises a peripheral channel H (for example with a closed profile) and a protrusion S, in a central position with respect to the channel H. The first side L1 comprises, furthermore, a through housing A (that is also accessible from the second side L2), in communication with the peripheral channel H (with particular reference to Figures 6A-6C).
The cartridge C further comprises a connection element E, comprising, in turn, a body K (generally comprising a longitudinal portion) designed to be inserted in the housing A, and an end portion F which is arranged at the channel H when the body K is into the housing A (see Figures 6a-6C for greater clarity).
With reference to Figure 11, the cartridge C can further comprise: two terminals G projecting externally towards the base B, at the second side L2 of the same, to which a heating member O is connected, which comprises for example a wick M made of an electrically insulating material folded in a "U" shape and a thermoresistor Q formed by a filament wound in a spiral around at least the central side of the "U" shaped wick and welded to the ends of the terminals G.
Always with reference to the elements illustrated in Figure 11, a flow element T made of a plastic material, provided with a support body and a central passage channel through which air can pass, also departs from the same second side L2 of the base B.
The cartridge C of Figure 11 further comprises a substrate V made of an absorbent material which is impregnated with a liquid substance (which generally contains flavours) and which is arranged around the heat resistance Q of the heating member V.
A covering sleeve D made of a plastic material is also provided, which is welded to the base B to cover the elements described above, closed at one end by a cap Y.
A printed circuit I (PCB or chip) is also housed inside the base B, at a respective housing, adjacent and/or in communication with the housing of the connection element E and likewise accessible from the second side L2 of the base B.
As known, the cartridge C is adapted to be connected, once assembled, to a battery assembly, not illustrated in the attached figures. As anticipated in the introductory part of the present discussion, the connection of the cartridge C to the battery assembly takes place due to the connection element E, which, when the battery assembly is coupled to the cartridge C, is connected to connecting means of which the battery assembly is provided.
The assembling station 1 comprises a support device 2 which supports the base B, in particular at the respective outer side wall P (see, for example, Figures 3-5, in which the base B and the support device 2 are visible with greater clarity). With reference to the attached figures, the base B is supported by the support device 2 with a horizontal arrangement.
The assembling station 1 furthermore comprises assembling means 3, 4, arranged to face the base B and can move closer towards the base B to allow the assembly of a component E, T, I to the base B (as will be better clarified in the following).
In particular, the assembling means 3, 4 comprise: at least one abutment element 3, arranged to face the first side L1 of the base B and defining: a peripheral edge 30 shaped to be inserted in the channel H of the base B and a cavity 31 in a central position with respect to the peripheral edge 30, delimited by a bottom 310 and by the peripheral edge 30 and shaped for receiving the protrusion S of the base B (which preferably abuts against the base 310). Please refer to the attached Figures 6A-6C.
The abutment element 3 is movable between an inoperative position W (for example illustrated in Figure 3) in which it is spaced from the base B, and an operative position Z (for example illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6A-6C) in which is close to the base B, and: the cavity 31 receives, in abutment, the protrusion S of the base B; the edge 30 is inserted in the channel H of the base B and contacts the end portion F of the connection element E, so as to maintain the end portion F at a predetermined distance 100 from the axis X of the base B during the assembling operations .
Advantageously, in this way the correct positioning of the connection element E is guaranteed, which, instead, in known art, as a result of the stresses experienced during the assembling operations, was subject to movement, in particular, so as to modify the respective distance from the axis X of the cartridge C (which consequently was different from the aforementioned predetermined distance 100).
Instead, with the solution of the present invention, and in particular due to the suitably shaped abutment element 3, the end portion F of the connection element E is maintained, during all the assembling operations of the station 1, at a predetermined distance 100 from the axis X of base B (shown only in Figures 6A-6C), thus ensuring the correct positioning and, therefore, the connection with the battery of the electronic cigarette at a later time (otherwise impeded).
In particular, considering a cylindrical base B as the one illustrated in the figures, the abutment element 3 maintains the end portion F of the connection element E in the correct radial position with respect to the base B.
The peripheral channel H of the base B usually has a closed profile, for example circular. The peripheral edge 30 of the abutment element 3, in this case, may also have a closed circular profile (as can be seen in Figures 6A-6C). Alternatively, the peripheral edge 30 may not be entirely complementary to the channel H of the base B, for example it may be shaped to sufficiently engage the channel H, even partially, so as to contact the end portion F of the connection element E.
The peripheral edge 30 of the abutment element 3 has an inner wall 300 developing from the bottom 310 of the cavity 31, which contacts the end portion F of the connection element E when the abutment element 3 is in the relative operative position Z, and an outer wall 301, opposed to the inner wall 300.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer wall 301 of the peripheral edge 30, when the abutment element 3 is in the relative operative position Z, contacts the inner side surface R of the base B (refer to Figure 6C). Advantageously, this embodiment guarantees with extreme precision the positioning of the abutment element 3 with respect to the base B.
The peripheral edge 30, in the case described above, is therefore inserted between the outer side wall P of the base B and the end portion F of the connection element E, thus contacting both.
Preferably, the outer wall 301 of the peripheral edge 30 is tapered to facilitate the contact of the same with the inner side surface F of the base B and the insertion thereof in the peripheral channel H. In other words, the longitudinal section of the edge 30 has an end shaped for facilitating the insertion of the edge 30 in the channel H of the base B (see Figure 6C as an example).
According to one example, the cavity 31 of the abutment element 3 has a conical shape (see, for example, Figure 6B or 6C) .
According to a different example, the cavity 31 of the abutment element 3 has a cylindrical shape (see, for example, Figure 6A).
Advantageously, the aforementioned conical and cylindrical cavities 31 are particularly advantageous in that, usually, the end portion F of the connection element E has a non-linear profile, preferably arched-shaped.
For example, the connection element E has a "teaspoon" shape (as better seen in Figures 6A-6C), i.e. it has a rod-shaped body K and a curved end portion F. The edge 30 of the abutment element 3 contacts the arched-shaped portion of the "teaspoon" shape and the elongated body K of the "teaspoon" is inserted in the housing A.
Preferably, the inner wall 300 of the peripheral edge 30 is tapered to facilitate the contact of the same with the end portion F of the connection element E, with reference to the attached figures and the examples described above, the inner wall 300 of the peripheral edge 30 is tapered in the abutment element illustrated in Figure 6A, where a facilitating seat is visible in the conical cavity and also in Figures 6B and 6C, where the conical cavity itself forms a tapered inner wall 300.
According to a first embodiment of the invention (see Figures 1-5, 7, 8), the assembling means 3, 4 further comprise at least one pushing element 4 arranged to face the second side L2 of the base B, the which pushing element 4 is shaped for holding a component E, T, I of an electronic cigarette and is can move closer towards the second side L2 of base B for assembling the component E, T, I to the base B. The pushing element 4, the base B and the abutment element 3 are aligned with one another so that the pushing element 4 and the abutment element 3 move close to the base B in the same direction, but in opposite directions.
For example, the assembling means 3, 4 are adapted to allow the assembling of the connection element E, and/or of a flow element T and/or of a printed circuit I to the base B.
According to another embodiment, not illustrated, the assembling means 3, 4 comprise, furthermore or alternatively to what has been mentioned above, a sonotrode (not illustrated) arranged to face the second side L2 of the base B, movable close to and away from the second side L2 of the base B for ultrasonic welding a component E, T, I (plastic) to the base B (e.g. the flow element T); in detail, the sonotrode, the base B and the abutment element 3 are aligned with one another along the same direction. Also in this case, therefore, the abutment element 3 can abut against the connection element E before and/or during and/or after the welding operations by means of the sonotrode.
For example, the support device comprises a carriage 2 (see Figures 1-5, 7-8), and the assembling station 1 further comprises a guide 5 along which the carriage 2 can slide (see Figures 7 and 8). The assembling station 1 can further comprise an actuating linkage, flanked to the guide 5, which carries and actuates the abutment element 3 (always with particular reference to Figures 7 and 8).
For example, axial locking means J of the base B can be provided, which for example comprise a sidewall or an abutting plate (see Figure 8).
According to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the assembling station 1 comprises a first wheel 7 which carries the support device 2. In the first wheel 7 different assembling operations can take place, such as for example the winding of a substrate V around the flow element T.
The assembling station 1 further comprises a second wheel 8 provided with gripping means 80 for holding an outer tubular element D of the cartridge C, which second wheel 8 faces the first wheel 7 at a shared assembling position N.
The abutment element 3 is arranged at the common assembly position N for being axially movable with respect to the first wheel 7 and to the second wheel 8, so that when the first wheel 7 carries the cartridge C at the assembly position N, facing the first wheel 7, during the respective movement in the operative position Z, pushes the base B, and the components E, T, I assembled thereto, into the outer tubular element D held by the gripping means 80 of the second wheel 8 In this case, therefore, the abutment element 3 also acts as a pushing element 4, and, during the pushing operation (i.e. of transferring the cartridge C from the first wheel 7 to the second wheel 8), maintains the connection element E in its correct position, as already detailed above. The gripping means 80 can function as or can be integrated with the counter-pushing means.
The second wheel 8 can further comprise suction means for guaranteeing the gripping of the cartridge C and facilitating its insertion in the outer tubular element D (in particular to facilitate the insertion of the substrate V, whose size can be reduced before the insertion by means suitable for this purpose).
The invention further relates to an assembling machine M (for example illustrated, in a partial way, in Figures 7 and 8) comprising, according to an example, a first assembling station 1, a second assembling station 1 and a third assembling station 1 (only two of which are visible in Figures 7 and 8) according to the first embodiment described above.
For example, at the first assembling station 1 the connection element E is assembled to the base B, in the second assembling station 1 the printed circuit I (chip or PCB) is assembled to the base B, while in the third assembling station 1 the flow element T is assembled to the base B.
Therefore, three abutment elements 3 and three pushing elements 4 are provided, arranged in the corresponding stations. For example, as described above, the support device is a carriage 2 which slides along a guide 5 which, from time to time, carries the base B and the other components E, T, I to an assembling station 1. For example, the machine M comprises a linear motor which develops along the guide 5 and magnets (not illustrated) carried by the carriage 2, to allow the carriage 2 to move along the guide 5.
The assembling machine, in addition to or as an alternative to the foregoing, can also comprise one or more assembling stations 1 according to the second embodiment described above (i.e. it can comprise several assembling stations at least one of which comprises a first wheel 7 and a second wheel 8 as detailed above).
The invention further relates to a method for assembling a cartridge C of an electronic cigarette with an assembling station 1 as previously described, comprising the steps of:

supporting the base B by means of the support device 2 (see for example Figure 3); and subsequently
moving the assembling means 3, 4 towards the base B, for allowing a component E, T, I of a cartridge C of an electronic cigarette to be assembled to the base B.

In particular, the step of moving the assembling means 3, 4 towards the base B comprises the step of:

moving the abutment element 3 in the relative operative position Z (see for example Figure 4);
and (after all the aforementioned steps) the step of:
moving the abutment element 3 to the relative inoperative position W.

The advantages of the aforementioned method are quite similar to those of the assembling station 1 disclosed above. In fact, with the method according to the invention, the connection element E remains in the relative correct position (that is, the position which ensures its connection with the battery, as described in the introductory part of the present disclosure).
In detail, in the case where the assembling means 3, 4 also comprise a pushing element 4, the step of moving the abutment element 3 in the relative operative position Z takes place before the step of moving the pushing element 4 towards the base B (see, in sequence, Figures 3, 4 and 5), or vice versa.
For example, the step of moving the assembling means 3, 4 towards the base B comprises the step of moving the connection element E and/or a flow element T and/or a printed circuit I, held by the assembling means 3, 4, towards the base B, for assembling the same to the base B.
Alternatively, the step of moving the assembling means 3, 4 towards the base B comprises the step of moving a sonotrode towards the base B (i.e. comprises the step of ultrasonic welding a component E, T, made of a plastic material (for example a flow element T), to the base B.

Claims

A station (1) for assembling a cartridge (C) of an electronic cigarette, the cartridge (C) comprises: a base (B), provided with a longitudinal axis (X); and a lateral wall (P), a first side (L1), a second side (L2), opposed to the first side (L1); the first side (L1) comprises a peripheral channel (H) and a protrusion (S) that is substantially central with respect to the channel (H); and a through housing (A) in communication with the channel (H); the cartridge (C) also comprises a connection element (E) which comprises a body (K) designed to be inserted in the housing (A) and an end portion (F) which is arranged at the channel (H) when the body (K) is in the housing (A);
the station (1) comprises a support device (2) that supports the base (B) at the relative side wall (P); and
assembling means (3, 4) arranged to face the base (B) and movable closer towards the base (B) to allow the assembling of a component (E, T, I) to the base (B);
characterized in that the assembling means (3, 4) comprise:
an abutment element (3), arranged to face the first side (L1) of the base (B) and defining: a peripheral edge (30) shaped to be inserted in the channel (H) of the base (B); a central cavity (31) that is delimited by a bottom (310) and by the peripheral edge (30) and shaped to receive the protrusion (S) of the base (B);

the abutment element (3) is movable between an inoperative position (W) in which it is spaced from the base (B), and an operative position (Z) in which: the cavity (31) receives in abutment the protrusion (S) of the base (B); the edge (30) is inserted in the channel (H) of the base (B) and contacts the end portion (F) of the connection element (E) so that the end portion (F) is maintained at a predetermined distance (100) from the axis (X) of the base (B) during the assembling operations.
The assembling station (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the peripheral edge (30) of the abutment element (3) has an inner wall (300) that departs from the bottom (310) of the cavity (31) and contacts the end portion (F) of the connection element (E) when the abutment element (3) is in the relative operative position (Z); and an outer wall (301) opposite to the inner wall (300).
The assembling station (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the outer wall (301) of the peripheral edge (30) contacts the inner side surface (R) of the base (B), when the abutment element (3) is in the relative operative position (Z) .
The assembling station (1) according to claim 3, wherein the outer wall (301) of the peripheral edge (30) is tapered to facilitate its insertion into the channel (H) of the base (B) and the contact thereof with the inner side surface (R) of the base (B).
The assembling station (1) according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the cavity (31) of the abutment element (3) has a conical shape.
The assembling station (1) according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the cavity (31) of the abutment element (3) has a cylindrical shape.
The assembling station (1) according to claim 6, wherein the inner wall (300) of the peripheral edge (30) is tapered to facilitate the contact of the same with the end portion (F) of the connection element (E).
The assembling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection element (E) has a "teaspoon" shape, with a rod-shaped body (K) and a curved end portion (F), and wherein the edge (30) of the abutment element (3) contacts the "teaspoon" shaped curved end portion (F).
The assembling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembling means (3, 4) further comprise a pushing element (4) arranged to face the second side (L2) of the base (B) shaped for holding a component (E, T, I) of an electronic cigarette and is movable closer towards the second side (L2) of the base (B) for assembling the component (E, T, I) to the base (B); the pushing element (4), the base (B) and the butting element (3) being aligned with one another so that the pushing element (4) and the abutment element (3) move close to the base (B) in the same direction, but in opposite directions.
The assembling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembling means (3, 4) are adapted to assemble the connection element (E) and/or a flow element (T) and/or a printed circuit (I) to the base (B).
The assembling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 8, wherein the assembling means (3, 4) comprise a sonotrode arranged to face the second side (L2) of the base (B), movable closer towards and further away from the second side (L2) of the base (B) for ultrasonic welding a component (E, T, I) to the base (B); the sonotrode, the base (B) and the abutment element (3) being aligned with one another along the same direction.
The assembling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (2) comprises a carriage (2); the station (1) further comprises a guide (5) along which the carriage (2) can slide; and an actuating linkage (6), flanked to the guide (5), which carries and actuates the abutment element (3).
The assembling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 10, comprising a first wheel (7) that carries the support device (2), and a second wheel (8) provided with gripping means (80) for holding an outer tubular element (D) of the cartridge (C), and at least partially facing the first wheel (7) at a shared assembling position (N); the abutment element (3) being arranged at the shared assembling position (N) for being axially movable with respect to the first wheel (7) and to the second wheel (8), so that during the relative movement in the operative position (Z), it pushes the base (B) and the components (E, T, I) assembled thereto, into the outer tubular element (D) held by the gripping means (80) of the second wheel (8).
A method for assembling a cartridge (C) of an electronic cigarette with an assembling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:
- supporting the base (B) by means of the support device (2); and, subsequently, the step of:

- moving the assembling means (3, 4) towards the base (B), for allowing a component (E, T, I) of a cartridge (C) of an electronic cigarette to be assembled to the base (B);
characterised in that the step of moving the assembling means (3, 4) towards the base (B) comprises the step of:
- moving the abutment element (3) in the relative operative position (Z);
and, after the preceding steps, the step of:
- moving the abutment element (3) in the relative inoperative position (W).
The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of moving the assembling means (3, 4) towards the base (B) comprises the step of moving the step of moving the connection element (E) and/or a flow element (T) and/or a printed circuit (I), held by the assembling means (3, 4) towards the base (B), for assembling it to the base (B).