EP4695166A1

EP4695166A1 - Manufacturing machine and manufacturing method for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes

Info

Publication number: EP4695166A1
Application number: EP24718906.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ivan Eusepi; Giampaolo Gianese; Francesco Milandri; Massimo Romagnoli
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2023-04-13
Filing date: 2024-04-05
Publication date: 2026-02-18
Also published as: JP2026512117A; IT202300007113A1; WO2024213974A1

Abstract

A manufacturing machine (8) and a manufacturing method for the production of disposable cartridges (1) for electronic cigarettes. The following are provided: a manufacturing drum (13), which is mounted so as to rotate stepwise around a first vertical rotation axis (14) and supports at least one group (15) of seats (16), each designed to house a corresponding cartridge (1) having a tubular casing (2) containing a quantity (5) of aromatic product and a lid (7) coupled to one end of the tubular casing (2); and at least one control unit (22) configured to control at least part of the cartridges (1) carried by the seats (16) that are stationary in the area of the control unit (22). The control unit (22) comprises: a pneumatic device (24), which is configured to be coupled to one end of at least part of the cartridges (1) carried by the seats (16) that are stationary in the area of the control unit (22) and, hence, apply a pneumatic stress to the cartridges (1); and a sensor device (25), which is configured to measure a pressure present in the area of the end of each cartridge (1) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

Description

“Manufacturing machine and manufacturing method for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes”

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102023000007113 filed on April 13, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes.

PRIOR ART

Recently, disposable (i.e. for single use) cartridges for electronic cigarettes have been proposed, which comprise a casing made of a tubular- shaped plastic material with a micro-perforated bottom wall, the inside of which contains a quantity of tobacco powder topped by a filter pad; the casing is closed at an upper end (i.e., opposite the microperforated bottom wall) by a lid which is welded to the casing itself.

These cartridges can be manufactured using the manufacturing machine described in patent applications WO2019043662A1, WO2019043663A1, WO2019043664A1, WO2019043665A1 and W02020031138A1, which is designed to fill each casing with a calibrated quantity of tobacco powder, slightly press the quantity of tobacco powder inside the casing to achieve the desired density and then plug the casing by applying both the filter pad and the lid to the open top end.

Traditionally, the cartridges are then individually measured in order to determine the quantity of tobacco powder present in each cartridge and then discard non-compliant cartridges containing, on the inside, an insufficient or excessive quantity of tobacco powder.

Once the cartridges have been produced, they are inserted into sealed packaging, typically blister packs.

Normally, the measurement of the quantity of tobacco powder contained in each cartridge is carried out without contact using microwave sensors that are sensitive to the water contained in the tobacco powder. However, microwave sensors cannot be used when the cartridge contains metal material, as the metal material affects the microwave-based measurement system and completely distorts the measurement result. Therefore, when the cartridge contains metal material, scales must be used to weigh each cartridge; however, the manufacturing machine working in parallel and producing dozens of cartridges per cycle, it is necessary to use dozens of scales, which imply both high costs and major construction issues due to the inevitable large overall dimensions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes, the which manufacturing machine and manufacturing method enable the quantity of tobacco powder in each cartridge to be assessed in a fast, accurate and reliable manner and are, at the same time, easy and inexpensive to implement.

In accordance with the present invention, a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method are provided for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes, as claimed in the appended claims.

The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming an integral part of the present specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:

• Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a disposable cartridge for electronic cigarettes;

• Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a manufacturing machine producing the electronic cigarette cartridge in Figure 1 ; and

• Figure 3 is a schematic view of a control unit of the manufacturing machine in Figure 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, number 1 indicates, as a whole, a disposable cartridge for electronic cigarettes. The cartridge 1 comprises a tubular casing 2 made of plastic or metal material having a micro-perforated (i.e. fluid-permeable) bottom wall 3 and a side wall 4 substantially cylindrical in shape; the inside of the tubular casing 2 contains a quantity 5 of tobacco powder (in contact with the bottom wall 3) topped by a filter pad 6 (which, according to an alternative embodiment, may be absent). Lastly, the cartridge 1 comprises a micro-perforated (i.e., fluid-permeable) lid 7 which is force-coupled (interference- fitted) around an upper end of the tubular casing 2.

In Figure 2, reference number 8 indicates, as a whole, a manufacturing machine for the production of the above-described cartridges 1. The manufacturing machine 8 has an intermittent motion, i.e., its conveyors cyclically alternate motion phases and rest phases. The manufacturing machine 8 comprises a manufacturing drum 9, which is arranged horizontally and is mounted so as to rotate stepwise around a vertical rotation axis 10; in other words, the manufacturing drum 9 is driven into rotation with an intermittent motion, i.e., a non-continuous motion comprising a cyclic alternation of motion phases, in which the manufacturing drum 9 is in motion, and rest phases, in which the manufacturing drum 9 is stationary. The manufacturing drum 9 supports twelve groups 11 of seats 12, each of which is suitable for receiving and containing a corresponding tubular casing 2; in particular, each group 11 comprises forty-two seats 12 aligned along three straight lines parallel to each other (each of the three straight lines has fourteen seats 12) and the twelve groups 11 are arranged so as to define, in plan, a regular polygon (i.e. a dodecahedron) on the surface of the manufacturing drum 9.

The manufacturing machine 8 comprises a further manufacturing drum 13, which is arranged horizontally next to the manufacturing drum 9 and is mounted so as to rotate stepwise around a vertical rotation axis 14 parallel to the rotation axis 10; in other words, the manufacturing drum 13 is driven into rotation with an intermittent motion, i.e., a non- continuous motion comprising a cyclic alternation of motion phases, in which the manufacturing drum 13 is in motion, and rest phases, in which the manufacturing drum 13 is stationary. The manufacturing drum 13 supports twelve groups 15 of seats 16, each of which is suitable for receiving and containing a corresponding tubular casing 2; in particular, each group 15 comprises forty-two seats 16 aligned along three straight lines parallel to each other (each of the three straight lines has fourteen seats 16) and the twelve groups 15 are arranged so as to define, in plan, a regular polygon (i.e. a dodecahedron) on the surface of the manufacturing drum 13.

The manufacturing machine 8 comprises a feeding station SI, in which a supply unit 17 inserts a corresponding empty tubular casing 2 into each seat 12 of a stationary group 11; in particular, the supply unit 17 simultaneously inserts forty-two empty tubular casings 2 into as many seats 12 of a group 11 stationary in the feeding station SI. Downstream of the feeding station S 1, in relation to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 9, three filling stations S2 are arranged one after the other, each of which has a filling unit 18 feeding a corresponding quantity 5 of tobacco into a respective tubular casing 2 carried by a seat 12 of a stationary group 11; in particular, each filling unit 18 simultaneously feeds fourteen quantities 5 of tobacco into as many seats 12 of a group 11 stationary in the feeding station S2. The filling unit 18 of the first feeding station S2 feeds fourteen quantities 5 of tobacco into as many seats 12 of the innermost row of the group 11 stationary in the first feeding station S2, the filling unit 18 of the second feeding station S2 feeds fourteen quantities 5 of tobacco into as many seats 12 of the middle row of the group 11 stationary in the second feeding station S2, and the filling unit 18 of the third feeding station S2 feeds fourteen quantities 5 of tobacco into as many seats 12 of the outermost row of the group 11 stationary in the third feeding station S2.

Downstream of the filling stations S2 (i.e., downstream of the last filling station S2), in relation to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 9, a feeding station S3 is arranged, in which a supply unit 19 supplies a corresponding filter pad 6 to each tubular casing 2 carried by a seat 12 of a stationary group 11; in particular, the filling unit 19 simultaneously feeds forty-two filter pads 6 into as many seats 12 of a group 11 stationary in the feeding station S3. Of course, the feeding station S3 is not present in the embodiment of the cartridges 1 devoid of the filter pads 6.

Downstream of the feeding station S3, in relation to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 9, a transfer station S4 is arranged, in which a transfer unit 20 transfers the tubular casings 2 (each containing a quantity 5 of tobacco and, if applicable, a filter pad 6) from the seats 12 of one group 11 of the manufacturing drum 9 to the seats 16 of one group 15 of the manufacturing drum 13; in particular, the transfer unit 20 simultaneously transfers forty-two tubular casings 2 from as many seats 12 of a group 11 stationary in the transfer station S4 to as many seats 16 of a group 15 stationary in the transfer station S4. In the transfer station S4, the two manufacturing drums 9 and 13 are partially overlapped so that the seats 12 of one group 11 of the manufacturing drum 9 are vertically aligned with the seats 16 of one group 15 of the manufacturing drum 13; accordingly, in the transfer station S4, the transfer of the tubular casings 2 occurs through a linear and vertical movement (i.e., an ascent of the casings 2 if the manufacturing drum 9 is arranged below the manufacturing drum 13, or a descent of the casings 2 if the manufacturing drum 9 is arranged above the manufacturing drum 13).

Downstream of the input station S4, in relation to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 13, a feeding station S5 is arranged, in which a supply unit 21 couples a corresponding lid 7 to each tubular casing 2 carried by a seat 16 of a stationary group 15, thus ending the formation of a respective cartridge 1 (i.e., downstream of the feeding station S5, the cartridges 1 are complete and their production has ended); in particular, the filling unit 21 simultaneously couples forty-two lids 7 to as many tubular casings 2, simultaneously completing forty-two cartridges 1. In other words, the cartridges 1 are completed in the feeding station S5, i.e., downstream of the feeding station S5 the cartridges 1 are finished and ready for use.

Downstream of the feeding station S5, in relation to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 13, three control stations S6 are arranged one after the other, each of which has a corresponding control unit 22 which pneumatically controls respective cartridges 1 to verify their correct operation, and in particular, to verify (indirectly) that the desired quantity of tobacco is present in each cartridge 1 (i.e., to verify that the respective quantity 5 of tobacco is composed of the desired quantity of tobacco).

In particular, each control unit 22 simultaneously controls fourteen cartridges 1 carried by the seats 16 of a group 15 stationary in the respective control station S6. The control unit 22 of the first control station S6 controls fourteen cartridges 1 in as many seats 16 of the group 15 stationary in the first control station S6, the control unit 22 of the second control station S6 controls fourteen cartridges 1 in as many seats 16 of the group 15 stationary in the second control station S6, and the control unit 22 of the third control station S6 controls fourteen cartridges 1 in as many seats 16 of the group 15 stationary in the third control station S6.

In other words, three control units 22 are provided, each of which is configured to control only part of the cartridges 1 carried by the seats 16 of a group 15 stationary in the respective control station S6 (i.e., in the area of the control unit 22). According to a different embodiment, not shown, only two control units 22 are provided or only one control unit 22 is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment, the seats 16 of each group 15 are arranged in multiple rows (specifically three rows), and each control unit 22 is configured to control cartridges 1 distributed across all three rows; that is, in the exemplary embodiment shown in which each group 15 has forty-two seats 16, each control unit 22 is configured to control cartridges 1 in fourteen seats 16, which are distributed five in one row, five in another row, and four in the remaining row. Of course, the three control units 22 are configured to avoid repeated controls of the same cartridge 1 but to control all the cartridges 1 only once.

Downstream of the control stations S6 (i.e., downstream of the last control station S6), in relation to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 13, an output station S7 is arranged, in which an extraction unit 23 extracts a corresponding cartridge 1 from each seat 16 of a stationary group 15; in particular, the extraction unit 23 simultaneously extracts forty-two cartridges 1 from as many seats 16 of a group 15 stationary in the output station S7.

From the above it appears that all the steps of the process for producing the cartridges 1 (such as, for example, filling with the quantities 5 of tobacco, supplying the filter pads 6 if provided, supplying the lids 7, controlling the cartridges 1) contained in the seats 12 or 16 of the same group 11 or 15 are run in parallel, that is, they occur simultaneously for a plurality (fourteen or forty-two) of cartridges 1 contained in the seats 12 or 16 of the same group 11 or 15.

As shown in Figure 3, each control unit 22 comprises a pneumatic device 24, which is configured to be coupled to one end of part of the cartridges 1 carried by the seats 16 of a group 15 stationary in the respective control station S6 (i.e., in the area of the control unit 22) and then apply pneumatic stress to the cartridges 1. The pneumatic stress that is applied to each cartridge 1 can be an overpressure (i.e., a blow of compressed air) to generate a flow of air passing through the cartridge 1 while moving away from the pneumatic device 24 or it can alternatively be a depression (i.e., a suction) to generate a flow of air passing through the cartridge 1 while moving towards the pneumatic device 24.

Each control unit 22 further comprises a sensor device 25, which is configured to measure a pressure present in the area of the end of each cartridge 1 engaged by the respective pneumatic device 24 during the application of the pneumatic stress. In particular, the sensor device 25 is configured to measure a counter-pressure generated in a chamber close to the end of each cartridge 1 during the application of the pneumatic stress.

Lastly, each control unit 22 comprises a processing device 26; alternatively, a single common processing device 26 could be provided for all three control units 22.

According to a preferred embodiment, the processing device 26 of each control unit 22 is configured to establish the mass (amount) of the quantity 5 of tobacco powder of a cartridge 1 depending on the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device 25 during the application of the pneumatic stress. That is, there is a (non-linear) correlation between the mass (amount) of the quantity 5 of tobacco powder in a cartridge 1 and the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device 25 during the application of the pneumatic stress; by way of example, a memory of the processing device 26 of each control unit 22 could store a correlation law (determined, or at least refined, experimentally) which, depending on the pressure measured by the sensor device 25 during the application of the pneumatic stress, provides the mass (amount) of the quantity According to a preferred embodiment, the processing device 26 of each control unit 22 is configured to establish whether a cartridge 1 is faulty depending on the respective mass (amount) of the quantity 5 of tobacco powder; in particular, the cartridge 1 is faulty if the respective mass (amount) of the quantity 5 of tobacco powder is too small (i.e., smaller than a minimum threshold value) or if it is too large (i.e., greater than a maximum threshold value). The processing device 26 of each control unit 22 could be configured to establish whether a cartridge 1 is faulty directly (instead of indirectly) depending on the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device 25 during the application of the pneumatic stress; that is, the processing device 26 could be configured to establish that a cartridge 1 is faulty if the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device 25 is smaller than a minimum threshold value or if it is greater than a maximum threshold value.

According to a preferred embodiment, the processing device 26 of each control unit 22 is configured to adjust, based on feedback, the mass (amount) of the quantity 5 of tobacco powder fed by the corresponding filling unit 18 depending on the mass (amount) of the quantity 5 of tobacco powder established depending on the pressure measured by the sensor device 25. That is, each filling unit 18 should insert a quantity 5 of tobacco powder having a predetermined mass (amount) into respective casings 2 of the cartridges 1, and the measurement of the mass (amount) of the quantities 5 of tobacco powder contained in the cartridges 1 performed by the control units 22 is used to correct, based on feedback, the adjustment of the filling unit 18.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pneumatic device 24 of each control unit 22 is movable vertically (i.e., parallel to the rotation axis 14) between an operating position, in which the pneumatic device 24 is in contact with the cartridges 1 carried by the seats 16 of the group 15 stationary in the respective control station S6 (i.e., in the area of the control unit 22) and a rest position, in which the pneumatic device 24 is separate from the cartridges 1 carried by the seats 16 of the group 15 stationary in the respective control station S6 (i.e., in the area of the control unit 22). The pneumatic device 24 of each control unit 22 is held in the rest position during the rotation of the manufacturing drum 13 and is temporarily arranged in the working position only when the manufacturing drum 13 is stationary.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3, the pneumatic device 24 comprises a support body 27 having a lower wall 28 facing the manufacturing drum 13 and a plurality of coupling elements 29, each of which is fixed to the lower wall 28 of the support body 27, is shaped so as to engage, in a sealing manner, a respective cartridge 1 carried by a seat 16 stationary in the respective control station S6 (i.e., in the area of the control unit 22), and is crossed, at the centre, by a duct 30 that can be connected to a pneumatic source 31. In particular, the support body 27 comprises, at the centre, a distribution chamber, which is pneumatically connected to the ducts 30 of all the coupling elements 29 and can be connected (through a solenoid valve) to the pneumatic source 31. According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3, each sensor device 25 comprises, for each coupling element 29, a corresponding pressure transducer 32 (i.e., a pneumatic-electric transducer) measuring the pressure in the respective duct 30. In this way, each pressure transducer 32 measures, in use, a counter-pressure generated in the duct 30 of the respective coupling element 29 (i.e., in a chamber close to the end of the corresponding cartridge 1) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

The end part of each coupling element 29 can comprise a cap made of elastic material: by pressing (lightly) a coupling element 29 against one end of a cartridge 1, it is possible to obtain a pneumatic connection, in a (sufficiently) sealing manner, between the duct 30 of the coupling element 29 and the cartridge 1.

As stated above, the pneumatic stress that is applied to each cartridge 1 can be an overpressure (i.e., a blow of compressed air) to generate a flow of air passing through the cartridge 1 while moving away from the pneumatic device 24 or it can alternatively be a depression (i.e., a suction) to generate a flow of air passing through the cartridge 1 while moving towards the pneumatic device 24. In the embodiment described above, the sensor device 25 provides, for each cartridge 1, a pneumatic (pressure) measurement only on one side (end) of the cartridge 1 in the area where the pneumatic stress is applied, that is, the pressure transducer 32 is on the same side of the cartridge 1 where the pneumatic stress is applied; according to a different embodiment, the sensor device 25 provides, for each cartridge 1, a pneumatic (pressure) measurement only on one side (end) of the cartridge 1 opposite to the area where the pneumatic stress is applied, that is, the pressure transducer 32 is located on the opposite side of the cartridge 1 relative to the side where the pneumatic stress is applied (this allows the passage of air blown through a cartridge 1 to be measured). In the embodiment described above, each cartridge 1 contains a quantity 5 of tobacco powder but, alternatively, the tobacco powder 5 could be replaced by any other type of tobacco-based aromatic product or even non-tobacco-based (provided it is capable, when heated, of generating an inhalable aerosol).

In the embodiment described above, the manufacturing drums 9 and 13 rotate according to a step-like (intermittent) law of motion around the respective rotation axes 10 and 14; according to a different embodiment, not shown, the manufacturing drums 9 and 13 rotate according to a law of continuous motion around the respective rotation axes 10 and 14. The embodiments described herein may be combined with each other without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The manufacturing machine 8 described above has many advantages.

Firstly, the manufacturing machine 8 described above enables the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in each cartridge 1 to be assessed in a fast, accurate and reliable manner, that is, it allows the respective quantity 5 of tobacco to be assessed as to whether it is composed of the desired mass (amount) of tobacco. This is achieved by measuring the pressure drop (i.e., pressure difference) caused by each cartridge 1 when a standard and predetermined pneumatic stress is applied to the cartridge 1; in fact, the pressure drop (i.e., pressure difference) caused by each cartridge 1 is proportional to the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in the cartridge 1, and therefore a (direct) assessment of the pressure drop allows the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in the cartridge 1 to be assessed (in an indirect but very accurate manner).

Among other things, it is important to note that, in use, the user does not perceive the mass (amount) of powder present in a cartridge 1 but perceives the pressure drop (i.e., the difference in pressure) at the ends of the cartridge 1 because he/she perceives how difficult/easy it is to suck through the cartridge 1 with his/her mouth; therefore, the assessment of the pressure drop may allow the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in a cartridge 1 to be controlled slightly less accurately (but still sufficiently accurately) but it certainly allows the sensation perceived by the user when using the cartridge 1 to be controlled very accurately.

It is important to note that assessing the pressure drop in each cartridge 1 will also identify cartridges 1 in which, despite the presence of a correct mass (amount) of tobacco powder, the filter pad 6 (if present) is missing, and cartridges 1 in which, even in the presence of a correct mass (amount) of tobacco powder, the holes in the bottom wall 3 or the holes in the lid 7 are missing or partially blocked. In other words, assessing the pressure drop in each cartridge 1 will also identify cartridges 1 which are faulty due to other causes independent of the mass (amount) of tobacco powder.

In addition, the manufacturing machine 8 described above allows high hourly productivity while ensuring high quality standards.

The manufacturing machine 8 described above is particularly compact and allows an operator who is close to the manufacturing machine 8 to reach with his/her own hands all the various parts of the manufacturing machine 8, without having to make unnatural movements.

Finally, the manufacturing machine 8 is relatively simple and inexpensive to implement.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE FIGURES

1 disposable cartridge

2 tubular casing

3 bottom wall

4 side wall

5 quantity of tobacco

6 filter pad

7 lid

8 manufacturing machine

9 manufacturing drum

10 rotation axis

11 groups

12 seats

13 manufacturing drum

14 rotation axis

15 groups

16 seats

17 input unit

18 filling unit

19 supply unit

20 transfer unit

21 supply unit

22 control unit

23 output unit

24 pneumatic device

25 sensor device

26 processing device

27 support body

28 lower wall

29 coupling elements duct pneumatic source pressure transducer input station filling station feeding station transfer station feeding station control station output station

Claims

C L A I M S

1) A manufacturing machine (8) for the production of disposable cartridges (1) for electronic cigarettes and comprising: a first manufacturing drum (13), which is mounted so as to rotate around a first vertical rotation axis (14) and supports at least a first group (15) of first seats (16), each designed to house a corresponding cartridge (1) comprising a casing (2) containing a quantity (5) of aromatic product; and at least one control unit (22) configured to control at least part of the cartridges (1) carried by the first seats (16) in the area of the control unit (22); the manufacturing machine (8) is characterized in that the control unit (22) comprises: a pneumatic device (24), which is configured to be coupled to an end of at least part of the cartridges (1) carried by the first seats (16) in the area of the control unit (22) and, hence, apply a pneumatic stress to the cartridges (1); and a sensor device (25), which is configured to measure a pressure present in the area of the end of each cartridge (1) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

2) The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (22) comprises a processing device (26), which is configured to establish a mass of the quantity (5) of aromatic product of a cartridge (1) depending on the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device (25) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

3) The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (22) comprises a processing device (26), which is configured to establish whether a cartridge (1) is faulty depending on the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device (25) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

4) The manufacture machine (8) according to claim 3, wherein the processing device (26) is configured to establish that a cartridge (1) is faulty, if the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device (25) is smaller than a minimum threshold value or if it is greater than a maximum threshold value.

5) The manufacturing machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 4, wherein the pneumatic device (24) is vertically movable between an operating position, in which the pneumatic device (24) is in contact with the cartridges (1) carried by the first seats (16) in the area of the control unit (22), and a rest position, in which the pneumatic device (24) is separate from the cartridges (1) carried by the first seats (16) in the area of the control unit (22).

6) The manufacturing machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 5, wherein the pneumatic device (24) comprises: a support body (27) having a lower wall (28) facing the first manufacturing drum (13); and a plurality of coupling elements (29), each of which is fixed to the lower wall (28) of the support body (27), is shaped so as to engage, in a sealing manner, a respective cartridge (1) carried by a first seat (16) in the area of the control unit (22) and is crossed, at the centre, by a duct (30) that can be connected to a pneumatic source (31).

7) The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 6, wherein the support body (27) comprises a distribution chamber, which is pneumatically connected to all coupling elements (29) and can be connected to the pneumatic source (31).

8) The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sensor device (25) comprises, for each coupling element (29), a corresponding pressure transducer (32).

9) The manufacturing machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 8 and comprising at least two, preferably exactly three, twin control units (22), which are arranged one after the other and are each designed to control a respective part of the cartridges (1) carried by the first seats (16).

10) The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 9, wherein the first seats (16) are arranged on several rows and each control unit (22) is configured to control cartridges (1) distributes on all rows.

11) The manufacturing machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 10, wherein the pneumatic device (24) is configured to apply a compressed air blow to the cartridges (1).

12) The manufacturing machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 11 and comprising a first supply unit (21), which is arranged upstream of the control unit (22) and is configured to couple, thus ending the formation of a respective cartridge (1), a respective lid (7) to each casing (2) carried by a first seat (16) of the first group (15) in the area of the supply unit (21).

13) The manufacturing machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 12 and comprising at least one filling unit (18) configured to feed a corresponding quantity (5) of aromatic product into each casing (2).

14) The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 13, wherein the control unit (22) comprises a processing device (26), which is configured to establish a mass of the quantity (5) of aromatic product of a cartridge (1) depending on the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device (25) and is configured to adjust, based on a feedback, the mass of the quantity (5) of aromatic product fed by the filling unit (18) depending on the mass of the quantity (5) of aromatic product established depending on the pressure measured by the sensor device (25).

15) The manufacturing machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 14 and comprising: a second manufacturing drum (9), which is mounted so as to rotate around a second vertical rotation axis (10) and supports at least a second group (11) of second seats (12), each designed to house a corresponding casing (2); a second supply unit (17), which is configured to insert respective casings (22) into the second seats (12) in the area of the second supply unit (17); at least one filling unit (18), which is arranged downstream of the second supply unit (17) and is configured to feed a corresponding quantity (5) of aromatic product into each casing (2); and a transfer unit (20), which is arranged downstream of the filling unit (18) and is configured to transfer the casings (2) from the second seats (12) of the second group (11) of the second manufacturing drum (9) to the first seats (16) of the first group (15) of the first manufacturing drum (13).

16) The manufacturing machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 15, wherein the sensor device (25) is configured to measure a counter-pressure generated in a chamber close to the end of each cartridge (1) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

17) A manufacturing method for the production of disposable cartridges (1) for electronic cigarettes and comprising the steps of: housing a plurality of cartridges (1), each comprising a casing (2) containing a quantity (5) of aromatic product, in a group (15) of seats (16) supported by a manufacturing drum (13), which is mounted so as to rotate around a vertical rotation axis (14); and controlling, by means of at least one control unit (22), at least part of the cartridges (1) carried by the first seats (16) in the area of the control unit (22); the manufacturing method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: coupling a pneumatic device (24) of the control unit (22) to an end of at least part of the cartridges (1) carried by the first seats (16) in the area of the control unit (22); applying, by means of the pneumatic device (24), a pneumatic stress to the cartridges (1); and measuring, by means of a sensor device (25) of the control unit (22), a pressure present in the area of the end of each cartridge (1) during the application of the pneumatic stress.