EP3717363A1

EP3717363A1 - Station and method for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes

Info

Publication number: EP3717363A1
Application number: EP18821738.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luca Testoni; Mirco Legnani; Fabio GAUDENZI; Luca Lanzarini; Luca Federici
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2017-12-01
Filing date: 2018-11-22
Publication date: 2020-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-22
Also published as: EP3717363B1; PL3717363T3; WO2019106504A1

Abstract

The invention regards a station for filling (1) cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes, comprising: feeding means (2), set in a feeding area (Z1) for feeding cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes to be filled; filling means (3), set in a filling area (Z2), downstream of the feeding area (Z1), for filling the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes; and a transfer device (4), set between the feeding means (2) and the filling means (3), for receiving from the feeding means (2) the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes to be filled and transferring them from the feeding area (Z1) to the filling area (Z2). In particular, the transfer device (4) comprises: a first transfer sector (41) and a second transfer sector (42), which are pre-arranged for receiving from the feeding means (2), respectively, first cartridges (PI) and second cartridges (P2) of electronic cigarettes to be filled and transferring them into the filling area (Z2). The first transfer sector (41) and the second transfer sector (42) are mobile in rotation about an axis (H), independently of one another, at a reception speed (w1) when they are in the feeding area (Z1), at a filling speed (w2) when they are in the filling area (Z2), and at a transfer speed (w3), higher than the reception speed (w1) and the filling speed (w2), when they are between the feeding area (Z1) and the filling area (Z2).

Description

"Station and method for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes"

& & & & &

The present invention falls within the technical sector of electronic cigarettes. In particular, the invention regards a station and a method for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes.

Recently, the production of electronic cigarettes is becoming increasingly automated. In particular, automatic machines are provided comprising stations dedicated to operations that may be even very different from one another, such as assembly of the various parts together, control of the assembled sets, filling of the cartridges with the liquid to be vaporized, plugging of the cartridges, welding of the plugs to the cartridges, etc.

The diversity of operations to be performed also entails different times of stay of the components in the various stations. In particular, the operations of filling of the cartridges requires significantly long times. In fact, for technical reasons, the operations of filling of the cartridges (for example, with a liquid product) require significantly long times, which entail a long stay of the cartridges in the filling station.

For this reason, it is complicated to maintain a high throughput of the above machines, i.e., to integrate in an efficient way the filling operations in the machines themselves.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawback outlined above.

The above object is achieved by a station and a method for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes according to the annexed claims.

Advantageously, the filling station and filling method proposed by the present invention guarantee a high throughput and the possibility of integrating in an efficient way the filling operations with other operations (for example, in an automatic machine).

The above and other advantages will become more evident from the ensuing treatment, with the aid of the attached plates of drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a station for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes according to the present invention;

- Figure 1A is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 1; and

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a station for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes according to the present invention, enlarged and with a degree of detail different from that of the view of Figure 1.

With reference to the attached drawings, designated by the reference number 1 is a station for filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes according to the present invention.

The filling station 1 comprises: feeding means 2, set in a feeding area

Zl for feeding cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled; and filling means 3 (illustrated in Figures 1 and 1A), set in a filling area Z2, downstream of the feeding area Zl (for example, with respect to a pre-set conveying path), for filling the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes.

The filling station 1 further comprises a transfer device 4, set between the feeding means 2 and the filling means 3 and pre-arranged for receiving from the feeding means 2 the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled and transferring them from the feeding area Zl to the filling area Z2 (where they are filled by the filling means 3).

In particular, the transfer device 4 comprises: at least one first transfer sector 41 and one second transfer sector 42, which are pre-arranged for receiving, each, from the feeding means 2, respectively first cartridges PI and second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes to be filled (represented in Figure 1A) and transferring them from the feeding area Zl to the filling area Z2. It is pointed out that the expressions“first cartridges of electronic cigarettes” and“second cartridges of electronic cigarettes” are meant to indicate two distinct sets each formed by at least two cartridges P of electronic cigarettes. These expressions will be used in what follows only when it becomes necessary to provide a clear-cut distinction between the two sets of cartridges; otherwise, the generic expression“cartridges of electronic cigarettes” will be used.

In particular, the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 are mobile in rotation about an axis H (preferably about one and the same axis H, represented by way of example in Figures 1A and 2), in a way independent of one another, at a reception (angular) speed wl when they are in the feeding area Zl, at a filling (angular) speed w2 when they are in the filling area Z2, and at a transfer (angular) speed w3, higher than the reception speed wl and the filling speed w2, when they are between the feeding area Zl and the filling area Z2 (i.e., after they have received the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes and before the latter have been filled). In other words, the first transfer sector 41 receives the first cartridges Pl of electronic cigarettes when it is in the feeding area Z2 at the reception speed wl and then accelerates, during the corresponding (rotational) movement from the feeding area Z1 to the filling area Z2, up to the transfer speed w3. Then, in the filling area Z2, the first transfer sector 41 decelerates down to the filling speed w2 to enable action by the filling means 3 on the first cartridges PI of electronic cigarettes.

The same applies for the second transfer sector 42, which receives the second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes, which, for example, are supplied by the feeding means 2 consecutively with respect to the first cartridges PI of electronic cigarettes.

It is pointed out that the rotational speeds mentioned above (and the rotational speeds that will be mentioned in what follows) are indicated in the figures (in particular in Figures 1A and 2) only by way of clarification, in the corresponding reference areas.

Advantageously, the filling station 1 proposed by the invention guarantees a high throughput and, consequently, makes it possible to integrate the filling station 1 itself in an automatic machine and/or line in an efficient way.

In detail, the presence of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42, which are mobile in a way independent of one another and accelerate after they have received the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes and before they have reached the filling area Z2, makes it possible to reduce the total times of stay of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling station 1 itself. In fact, as is known, the operations of filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes require significantly long times, which have a bearing on the throughput of the filling station 1 itself and of the automatic machine/line where the station 1 may possibly be integrated. Since these times are“technical times” that cannot be reduced, with the filling station 1 proposed, these technical times are compensated for by an acceleration of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 while they are moving between the feeding area Z1 and the filling area Z2. In addition, also the times necessary for feeding the first cartridges PI and second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes to be filled by the feeding means 2 to the first transfer sector 41 and to the second transfer sector 42 are compensated.

Preferably, the reception speed wl of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 is higher than zero. In other words, the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 receive the cartridges (first cartridges Pl and second cartridges P2) of electronic cigarettes to be filled while these are moving. Advantageously, in this way, the times of stay of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling station 1 are further reduced. The reception speed wl is in any case lower than the transfer speed w3, in so far as it must be such as to enable transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled from the feeding means 2 to the first transfer sector 41 and to the second transfer sector 42.

Alternatively, the reception speed wl of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 may be equal to zero.

Preferably, the reception speed wl of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 is higher than the filling speed w2 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42.

For example, the filling speed w2 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 is equal to zero. In other words, once the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 have received the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled, they accelerate as already described above and then decelerate until they stop in the filling station 1 (as in the case illustrated). The stop of the first transfer sector 41 and second transfer sector 42 in the filling area Z2 has a duration at least equal to the minimum time sufficient for enabling filling of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes. For example, the times necessary for filling the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes (and hence the times of stay of the cartridges P in the filling area Z2) are between 1 s and 2 s; in particular, they may be between 1.2 s and 1.7 s.

For example, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes may be filled with a liquid and/or powder product. Advantageously, the fact of carrying out the filling operations in stationary conditions prevents undesirable release of the product in the filling station 1, a problem that might arise with filling means that are moving.

As an alternative to what has been described above, according to a variant not illustrated, the filling speed of the first transfer sector and second transfer sector is different from zero. In other words, once the first transfer sector and the second transfer sector have received the cartridges of electronic cigarettes to be filled, they accelerate as already described above and then decelerate in the filling station, remaining in any case in motion. In this case, the filling means are able to follow, i.e., to move in a way concordant with, that is, in the same direction as, the cartridges of electronic cigarettes to be filled, and to move in the opposite direction following upon the filling operations.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the filling station 1 comprises, in addition to what has been described previously, output means 5 (visible in Figures 1 and 2), which are set in an output area Z3, downstream of the filling area Z2 (for example, with respect to the same conveying path mentioned above), and are pre-arranged for receiving the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled and carrying them away, in an output direction, at a conveying speed a2. In this case, the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 are moreover mobile (in rotation about the aforesaid axis H) from the filling area Z2 to the output area Z3, for transferring the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled to the output means 5.

In particular, the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 move at an output (angular) speed w4, which is higher than the filling speed w2, when they are between the filling area Z2 and the output area Z3, and at a release (angular) speed w5, lower than the output speed w4, when they are in the output area Z3. In other words, once the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes have been filled, the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 accelerate up to the output speed w4 until they reach the output area Z3, where they decelerate down to the release speed w5 for enabling the output means 5 to receive the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled. In this way, the technical times necessary both for filling and for transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled to the output means 5 are further compensated.

Preferably, the feeding means 2 feed the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled at a feeding speed al that is equal to the reception speed wl of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42. In other words, during feed of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled, the feeding means 2 move at a feeding speed al equal to (or at least comparable with) the reception speed wl at which the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 move in the feeding area Zl.

Advantageously, this characteristic guarantees correct and optimal transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled from the feeding means 2 to the first 41 and second 42 transfer sectors.

According to a variant not illustrated, the feeding means are linearly mobile. In this case, the feeding speed is equal to the tangential (i.e., peripheral) reception speed of the first and second transfer sectors.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings

(see, in particular, Figures 1 and 2), the feeding means 2 comprise a wheel 2 (or a star device, or in any case a feeding device rotatable about an axis), and the corresponding feeding (angular) speed al is equal to the reception (angular) speed wl of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42.

Preferably, the output means 5 receive the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled at a conveying speed a2 that is equal to the release speed w5 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42. In other words, during reception of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled, the output means 5 move at a conveying speed a2 that is equal to the release speed w5 at which the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 move in the output area Z3.

Advantageously, this characteristic guarantees correct and optimal transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled from the first 41 and second 42 transfer sectors to the output means 5.

According to a variant (not illustrated), the output means are linearly mobile. In this case, the conveying speed is equal to the tangential (i.e., peripheral) release speed of the first and second transfer sectors.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings (see, in particular, Figures 1 and 2), the output means 5 comprise a wheel 5 (or a star device, or in any case a feeding device rotatable about an axis), the conveying (angular) speed a2 of which is equal to the release (angular) speed w5 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42.

Preferably, the release speed w5 is equal to the reception speed wl. With reference to the example illustrated, the wheels 2, 5 of the feeding means 2 and/or of the output means 5 mentioned above each comprise housings 22, 55 (visible in Figure 2) that are each configured to receive cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled (for example, set within a supporting container C, also referred to as“godet”, as will be better clarified in what follows).

The wheels 2, 5 of the feeding means 2 and/or of the output means 5 mentioned above may each comprise withholding means 6 (for example, suction pads and/or a negative-pressure source) for withholding the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes (see Figure 2).

With reference to the attached drawings, the filling station 1 further comprises first guide means 7, which in turn comprise, for example, at least one side 7 that defines a semi-circular profile for guiding the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling station 1, and in particular as they are travelling towards the transfer device 4, on the feeding means 2 (wheel 2), and/or at output from the transfer device 4, on the output means 5 (wheel 5). In this way, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are withheld between the housings 22, 55 of the wheels 2, 5 of the feeding means 2 and/or of the output means 5 and the first guide means 7.

The first guide means 7 may be present as an alternative to, or together with, the withholding means 6 described above (as in the case illustrated).

According to the embodiment represented, the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 each comprise at least one first housing 10 and one second housing 20 that receive the (first Pl and second P2) cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled (which are set, for example, also in this case, within a supporting container C); reference may be made in particular to Figure 2.

According to the embodiment illustrated, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes remain within the respective housing 10, 20 also during filling thereof, i.e., also in the filling area Z2.

For example, the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 are substantially shaped like a circular sector and have the aforesaid housings 10, 20 arranged in the respective peripheral edge shaped like an arc of a circumference.

According to a variant not illustrated, the first transfer sector and the second transfer sector may comprise withholding means, such as negative- pressure means and/or suction pads, for withholding the cartridges of electronic cigarettes to be filled.

In the case illustrated, the filling station 1 further comprises second guide means 8, which in turn comprise, for example, a side 8 that defines a semi-circular profile for guiding the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes as they are travelling in the area of the transfer device 4 (see, in particular, Figures 1 and 1A). In this way, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are withheld between the housings 10, 20 of the first transfer sector 41 and second transfer sector 42 and the second guide means 8.

The second guide means 8 may be present as an alternative to, or together with, the withholding means described above.

With reference to Figures 1 and 1A, the filling station 1 further comprises top-containment means 9 (illustrated only partially), which, for example, in the specific case, comprise a side 9 and are arranged above the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes travelling in the filling station 1 so as to prevent undesirable movements (in a direction transverse to the conveying direction) of the latter that might modify the orientation thereof. If the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are set in the supporting containers C, as in the case illustrated, these undesirable movements could even cause exit of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes from the containers C themselves.

Once again with reference to Figures 1 and 1A, in the filling area Z2, the side 9 has openings 90 such as to enable the action of the filling means 3 on the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled.

Preferably, with particular reference to Figure 1, the filling means 3 comprise at least one filling head Tl, T2, which, when the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled are in the filling area Z2, is mobile in the direction of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled, for example with a vertical movement from above downwards.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the filling station 1 further comprises at least one third transfer sector 43 shaped and mobile in a way similar to the first transfer sector 41 and second transfer sector 42 and independent of the first transfer sector 41 and second transfer sector 42.

The first 41, second 42, and third 43 transfer sectors each comprise at least the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 described above, which are adjacent to one another, for receiving each cartridge P of electronic cigarettes to be filled (see Figure 2, where the reference numbers of the housings 10, 20, for reasons of clarity, are represented only for the second transfer sector 42).

In addition, according to this embodiment, the filling means 3 comprise: at least one first filling unit 31, which is set in the filling area Z2 and in turn comprises at least one filling head Tl; and at least one second filling unit 32, which is set in the filling area Z2 at a certain distance from the first filling unit 31 (for example, downstream of the first filling unit 31 with reference to the conveying path of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling station 1) and comprises at least one filling head T2 (see Figure 1). In particular, the first filling unit 31, the second filling unit 32, and the transfer sectors 41, 42, 43 (first, second, and third transfer sectors) are pre-arranged so that the filling head Tl of the first filling unit 31 fills the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the first housing 10 of each transfer sector 41, 42, 43 (first, second, and third transfer sectors), while the filling head T2 of the second filling unit 32 fills the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the second housing 20 of each transfer sector 41, 42, 43.

In other words, when a transfer sector 41, 42, 43 (first, second, or third transfer sector) reaches the filling area Z2, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the corresponding first housing 10 are filled by the filling head Tl of the first filling unit 31. Then, the transfer sector 41, 42, 43 moves, still in the filling area Z2, into a position corresponding to the second filling unit 32, and the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the corresponding second housing 20 are filled by the filling head T2 of the second filling unit 32.

This embodiment is advantageous in the case where the filling heads Tl, T2 were to present considerable overall dimensions, and hence filling of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set within mutually adjacent housings 10, 20 of one and the same (first, second, or third) transfer sector 41, 42, 43 would be problematical.

On the other hand, pre-arrangement of multiple filling heads enables also filling of the cartridges P with different products. In the aforesaid case, for example, the filling speed w2 of the first 41, second 42, and third 43 transfer sectors is zero when they are in a position corresponding to the first filling unit 31 and the second filling unit 32, whereas it is different from zero in the stretch of path between the two (first and second) filling units 31, 32.

With particular reference to Figure 1A, while the first 41 and second

42 transfer sectors are set in a position corresponding to the first 31 and second 32 filling units, the third transfer sector 43 receives third cartridges P3 of electronic cigarettes to be filled in the feeding area Z1 from the feeding means 2. Advantageously, the presence of the third transfer sector

43 guarantees continuity of feed of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes by the feeding means 2.

With reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings, the first 41, second 42, and third 43 transfer sectors each comprise four housings 10, 20, 30, 40 (first, second, third, and fourth housings), arranged in a row adjacent to one another (the first 10 and the second 20 adjacent to one another, the second 20 and the third 30 adjacent to one another, and the third 30 and the fourth 40 adjacent to one another); see in detail Figure 2, where the reference numbers of the housings 10, 20, 30, 40, for reasons of clarity, are indicated only for the second transfer sector 42.

In this embodiment, the first filling unit 31 comprises two filling heads Tl, and the second filling unit 32 comprises two filling heads T2. In this case, the filling heads Tl of the first filling unit 31 fill the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the first housing 10 and third housing 30 of each transfer sector 41, 42, 43, and the filling heads T2 of the second filling unit 32 fill the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the second housing 20 and fourth housing 40 of each transfer sector 41, 42, 43. Advantageously, this embodiment guarantees an even higher throughput of the filling station 1 in the case of filling heads Tl, T2 with considerable overall dimensions.

With reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings, the transfer device 4 further comprises a fourth transfer sector 44, shaped and mobile like the first 41, second 42, and third 43 transfer sectors (see the foregoing description). The four transfer sectors 41, 42, 43, 44 are all independent of one another. With reference to Figures 1 and 1A, the first transfer sector 41 is located in the filling area Z2 in a position corresponding to the second filling unit 32, the second transfer sector 42 is located in the filling area Z2 in a position corresponding to the first filling unit 31, the third transfer sector 43 is located in the feeding area Zl, while the fourth transfer sector is located between the filling area Z2 and the output area Z3.

Clearly, the number of transfer sectors, as likewise the number of the corresponding housings, may vary according to the needs. Consequently, with reference to the embodiment described previously, also the number of filling heads of each filling unit (and the number of filling units) may vary.

According to an alternative embodiment not illustrated, in the case where the filling heads had overall dimensions more contained than in the case described above, filling of all the cartridges of electronic cigarettes present in the filling area may take place simultaneously. In this case, the number of filling heads may be variable according to the number of cartridges of electronic cigarettes to be filled simultaneously.

The filling station 1 may further comprise inspection means 61, set, for example, upstream and/or downstream of the filling area Z2 (see Figure 2). The inspection means 61 are, for example, means for checking the presence of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled (upstream of the filling area Z2) and of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled (downstream of the filling area Z2).

As already mentioned previously, in the case illustrated, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are set within the supporting containers C (also known as“godets”) inside which they are conveyed throughout the conveying path in the filling station 1. Use of the above supporting containers C is preferable in so far as the cartridges of electronic cigarettes are of small dimensions, are brittle, or in any case may be unstable, a fact that would render problematical conveying thereof and execution of the corresponding filling operations.

Alternatively, according to a variant not illustrated, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes may be conveyed in the filling station even in the absence of the aforesaid supporting containers: in this case, the entire filling station (and, in particular, the feeding means, the transfer sectors, the first and second guide means, and the output means) must be appropriately shaped and configured accordingly.

According to another alternative embodiment, which is not illustrated either, during part of their path in the filling station, the cartridges of electronic cigarettes may be set in the supporting containers, whereas they may be conveyed without the supporting containers while they are travelling along another part of the path.

The filling station 1 described above may be integrated in a machine for filling electronic cigarettes.

The present invention also regards a machine for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes (not illustrated), comprising at least: a station 1 for filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes as described above; and a station for plugging the cartridges, where the cartridges that have been filled are plugged (i.e., a closing element is fitted on the cartridges, so as to close them); and a welding station for welding the plugs to the cartridges that have been filled (preferably by ultrasonic welding).

The invention moreover regards a method for filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes, which may, for example, be implemented by means of the filling station 1 described previously.

The method according to the invention comprises the steps of:

- feeding first cartridges PI and then second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes to be filled in a feeding area Zl;

- receiving the first cartridges PI and then the second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes to be filled in the feeding area Zl;

- transferring the first cartridges PI and then the second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes to be filled from the feeding area Zl to a filling area Z2; and

- filling the first cartridges PI and then the second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes with a filling product in the filling area Z2.

In particular, during the step of receiving the first PI and second P2 cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled in the feeding area Zl, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are moved at a reception speed wl. Moreover, during the step of transferring the first PI and second P2 cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled from the feeding area Zl to the filling area Z2, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are accelerated from the reception speed wl to a transfer speed w3. Furthermore, during the step of filling the first Pl and second P2 cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling area Z2, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are decelerated from the transfer speed w3 to a filling speed w2.

The filling method proposed by the present invention affords the same advantages as the filling station 1 described previously. In fact, in a way similar to what has already been said for the filling station 1, with the method proposed a high throughput of the filling operations is guaranteed.

In detail, the fact that the first Pl and second P2 cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are received and then accelerated prior to filling thereof, makes it possible to reduce the total times for processing the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes themselves as compared to known methods. In fact, as has already been said, the operations of filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes require significantly long times, which have a bearing on the overall throughput; these times cannot be reduced, but can only be compensated for during transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes towards the filling area Z2, and this is obtained by accelerating their movement up to the transfer speed w3.

Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises, following upon the step of filling the first Pl and second P2 cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling area Z2, the step of transferring the first Pl cartridges and then the second P2 cartridges P of electronic cigarettes towards an output area Z3 at an output speed w4.

The method further comprises the step of releasing the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes at a release speed w5 and carrying them away at a conveying speed a2. In particular, the output speed w4 is higher than the filling speed w2 and the release speed w5.

Advantageously, in this way, it is possible to compensate further for the times necessary for filling, as described previously.

As regards the values of the feeding speed al, the reception speed wl, the transfer speed w3, the filling speed w2, the output speed w4, the release speed w5, and the conveying speed a2 and the relations between them, reference may be made to what has already been said in the foregoing description concerning the filling station 1.

In preferred embodiments, as has been seen above, the method envisages containing the cartridges P at the top via top-containment means (namely, the side 9 illustrated in Figure 1) while these are travelling from the feeding area to the filling area, and from the filling area to the output area. Considering the accelerations to which the cartridges are subjected according to the method described, this prevents undesirable movements thereof (in a direction transverse to the conveying direction), which could modify their orientation or even cause exit thereof from the line or from the containers C on which they are carried. In this case, the method envisages carrying out filling of the cartridges through the openings 90 of the containment means 9.

Claims

1) A station (1) for filling cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes, comprising:

feeding means (2), set in a feeding area (Zl) for feeding cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes to be filled;

filling means (3), set in a filling area (Z2), downstream of the feeding area (Zl), for filling the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes; and a transfer device (4), set between the feeding means (2) and the filling means (3) and pre-arranged for receiving from the feeding means (2) the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes to be filled and transferring them from the feeding area (Zl) to the filling area (Z2);

said station (1) being characterized in that the transfer device (4) comprises:

at least one first transfer sector (41) and one second transfer sector (42), pre-arranged for receiving from the feeding means (2) respectively first (Pl) cartridges and second (P2) cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes to be filled and transferring them into the filling area (Z2);

the first transfer sector (41) and the second transfer sector (42) are mobile in rotation about an axis (H), independently of one another, at a reception speed (wl) when they are in the feeding area (Zl), at a filling speed (w2) when they are in the filling area (Z2), and at a transfer speed (w3), higher than the reception speed (wl) and the filling speed (w2), when they are between the feeding area (Zl) and the filling area (Z2).

2) The filling station (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the reception speed (wl) of the first transfer sector (41) and of the second transfer sector

(42) is higher than the filling speed (w2) of the first transfer sector (41) and of the second transfer sector (42).

3) The filling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling speed (w2) of the first transfer sector (41) and of the second transfer sector (42) is equal to zero.

4) The filling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding means (2) comprise a wheel (2) that supplies the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes at a feeding speed (al) that is equal to the reception speed (wl) of the first transfer sector (41) and of the second transfer sector (42). 5) The filling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising output means (5), which are set in an output area (Z3), downstream of the filling area (Z2) and are pre-arranged for receiving the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes that have been filled and carrying them away at a conveying speed (a2);

wherein: the first transfer sector (41) and the second transfer sector (42) are mobile in rotation about the aforesaid axis (H) from the filling area (Z2) to the output area (Z3) for transferring the first (Pl) and second (P2) cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes that have been filled to the output means (5); and the first transfer sector (41) and the second transfer sector (42) are mobile at an output speed (w4), which is higher than the filling speed (w2), when they are between the filling area (Z2) and the output area (Z3), and at a release speed (w5), lower than the output speed (w4), when they are in the output area (Z3).

6) The filling station (1) according to Claim 5, wherein the output means (5) comprise a wheel (5), and wherein the conveying speed (a2) is equal to the release speed (w5) of the first transfer sector (41) and of the second transfer sector (42).

7) The filling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one third transfer sector (43); wherein: the first (41), second (42), and third (43) transfer sectors each comprise at least one first housing (10) and one second housing (20) adjacent to one another for receiving cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes to be filled; and the filling means (3) comprise at least one first filling unit (31), which includes at least one filling head (Tl), and at least one second filling unit (32), which includes at least one filling head (T2) and is set at a certain distance from the first filling unit (31); and the first filling unit (31), the second filling unit (32), and the transfer sectors (41, 42, 43) are mutually pre-arranged so that the filling head (Tl) of the first filling unit (31) fills the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes set in the first housing (10) of each transfer sector (41, 42, 43), and the filling head (T2) of the second filling unit (32) fills the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes set in the second housing (20) of each transfer sector (41, 42, 43).

8) The filling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes are moved in the filling station (1) arranged within supporting containers (C).

9) A machine for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes, comprising at least:

- a filling station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where cartridges of electronic cigarettes are filled with a product;

- a station for plugging the cartridges, where the filled cartridges are plugged; and

- a welding station for welding the plugs to the corresponding cartridges.

10) A method for filling cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes, comprising the steps of:

- feeding first cartridges (PI) and then second cartridges (P2) of electronic cigarettes to be filled in a feeding area (Zl);

- receiving the first cartridges (PI) and then the second cartridges (P2) of electronic cigarettes to be filled in the feeding area (Zl);

- transferring the first cartridges (PI) and then the second cartridges (P2) of electronic cigarettes to be filled from the feeding area (Zl) to a filling area (Z2); and

- filling the first cartridges (PI) and then the second cartridges (P2) of electronic cigarettes in the filling area (Z2);

said method being characterized in that:

during the step of receiving the first (PI) and second (P2) cartridges of electronic cigarettes to be filled in the feeding area (Zl), the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes are moved at a reception speed (wl);

during the step of transferring the first (PI) and second cartridges

(P2) of electronic cigarettes to be filled from the feeding area (Zl) to the filling area (Z2), the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes are accelerated from the reception speed (wl) to a transfer speed (w3); and

during the step of filling the first (PI) and second (P2) cartridges of electronic cigarettes in the filling area (Z2), the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes are decelerated from the transfer speed (w3) to a filling speed (w2).

11) The method according to Claim 10, comprising providing in said filling area at least one first filling unit (31), which includes at least one filling head (Tl), and at least one second filling unit (32), which includes at least one filling head (T2) and is set at a certain distance from the first filling unit (31), wherein:

in said transferring and filling steps, said first (Pl) and second (P2) cartridges are received, respectively, in at least one first transfer sector and one second transfer sector (41, 42, 43), which are mobile in rotation about an axis (H), independently of one another, each sector comprising at least one first housing (10) and one second housing (20) adjacent to one another, each of which receive a respective cartridge, and

in said filling step, the filling head (Tl) of the first filling unit (31) fills the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes set in the first housing (10) of each transfer sector (41, 42, 43), and the filling head (T2) of the second filling unit (32) fills the cartridges (P) of electronic cigarettes set in the second housing (20) of each transfer sector (41, 42, 43).