GB2591438A

GB2591438A - Testing a container

Info

Publication number: GB2591438A
Application number: GB1916231.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Potter Mark; Haines Richard
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-07
Filing date: 2019-11-07
Publication date: 2021-08-04
Also published as: GB201916231D0

Abstract

A method of testing a container for aerosolisable material comprising: using a sealing element to block a first aperture arranged to provide a first fluid path to an interior of the container 302; applying a pressurised fluid to a second aperture arranged to provide a second fluid path to the interior of the container, different to the first path 304; obtaining one or more pressure measurements; and determining a leakage characteristic of the container on the basis of the one or more pressure measurements 306. The sealing element may be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position fluid is permitted to enter or exit the container and in the second position the sealing element occludes the first aperture to prevent such fluid transfer. The sealing element may be moved by applying a pin, and/or the method may further comprise inserting a test head into the second aperture to form a seal between the test head and the second aperture and applying pressurised fluid to the interior of the container via the test head. The leakage characteristic may comprise a measure of a rate of loss of pressure from the container.

Description

TESTING A CONTAINER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for testing a container.

Background

Articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles, which evaporate a liquid which may contain nicotine. Examples of such products are so-called electronic cigarettes or "e-cigarettes", which release compounds contained in a liquid material by heating. For example, the liquid material may be contained in a container (sometimes referred to as a cartridge or a cartomiser) which also comprises a heating device for heating, and evaporating the liquid to provide a vapour to be inhaled. The liquid may contain nicotine and/or flavourings and/or aerosol-generating substances, such as glycerol. Such known e-cigarette devices typically do not contain or use tobacco.

As yet another example, there are so-called hybrid devices. These hybrid devices typically contain separately an aerosolisable substance, again typically a liquid, and a container for a material. In typical examples the material may be tobacco or other flavour material. The liquid is aerosolised to produce an inhalable vapour or aerosol which passes through the container for a material so that a property, such as a flavour, is imparted to the vapour or aerosol by the material before being inhaled by a user.

In a hybrid device, the aerosolisable material may be provided in a container, typically a liquid container. It may be desirable to be able to detach this container from a body portion of the device, and some known hybrid devices allow a container to be detached from a body portion in order to replace or refill the container. For example, the container may be replaced or refilled when the liquid in the container is depleted, or when the user wishes to change the type of liquid being used in the device.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of testing a container for containing aerosolisable material for a device for aerosolising the aerosolisable material, the method comprising: using a sealing element to block a first aperture arranged to provide a first fluid path to an interior of the container; applying a pressurised fluid to a second aperture arranged to provide a second fluid path to the interior of the container, different to the first fluid path; and obtaining one or more pressure measurements; and determining a leakage characteristic of the container on the basis of the one or more pressure measurements.

In some embodiments, the method comprises moving the sealing element between a first position, in which fluid is permitted to enter or exit the container via the first aperture, and a second position, in which the sealing element is arranged to occlude the first aperture to prevent transfer of fluid between an interior and exterior of the container.

In some embodiments, the method comprises applying a pin to move the sealing element from the first position to the second position.

In some embodiments, the method comprises inserting a test head into the second aperture to form a seal between the test head and the second aperture and applying pressurised fluid to the interior of the container via the test head.

In some embodiments, the leakage characteristic comprises a measure of a rate of loss of pressure from the container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for use with a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material, the container comprising: a first aperture and a second aperture, each of the first and second apertures being arranged to permit the flow of a fluid; a sealing element located at one of the first and second apertures, wherein the sealing element is deformable between a first position in which the respective aperture permits flow of fluid therethrough and a second position in which the flow of fluid is inhibited.

In some embodiments, the sealing element is arranged to move between a first position, in which fluid is permitted to enter or exit the cartridge via the aperture, and a second position, in which the sealing element is arranged to occlude the aperture wherein transfer of fluid between an interior and exterior of the cartridge is prevented In some embodiments, the container is arranged to receive an actuator to move the sealing element from the first position to the second position.

In some embodiments, the container comprises one or more seals located between the first aperture and the second aperture.

In some embodiments, the sealing element is biased to the first position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a testing rig for pressure testing a cartridge comprising a first aperture and a second aperture, the first and second apertures permitting a flow of fluid through the cartridge in use and a sealing element arranged to occlude one of the first and second apertures when deformed, the testing rig comprising: an actuator arranged to move the sealing element of the cartridge to close one of the first and second apertures; a supply of pressurised fluid to be supplied to the other of the first and second apertures when the sealing element is deformed; and a leakage detector arranged to determine a leakage characteristic of the cartridge.

In some embodiments, the leakage detector is arranged to determine a measure of a rate of loss of pressure from the cartridge.

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Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material; Figure 2a is a cross-section view of a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material; Figure 2b is an enlarged cross-section view of a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material, Figure 2c is a perspective view of a control board for a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material; Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing a method of testing a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material; Figure 4a is a perspective view of a testing rig for testing a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material; Figure 4b is a perspective view of a testing rig for testing a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material; Figure 4c is a cross-section view of a testing rig for testing a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material; Figure 4d is an enlarged cross-section view of a testing rig for testing a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material; and Figure 4e is a schematic diagram showing the components of a testing rig for testing a container for a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material

Detailed Description

Apparatus is known that heats a liquid aerosolisable material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolisable material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the aerosoli sable material. Such apparatus is sometimes described as an electronic cigarette or "e-cigarette". Typically, such devices vaporise an aerosoli sable material in the form of a liquid, which may or may not contain nicotine. A heating material for heating and volatilising the aerosolisable material may be provided as a "permanent" part of the apparatus or may be provided as part of the consumable article which is discarded and replaced after use. A "consumable article" in this context is a device or article or other component that includes or contains in use the aerosolisable material, which in use is energised (e.g., via heating) to volatilise the aerosolisable material.

As used herein, the term "aerosolisable material" is material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way.

Aerosolisable material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine and/or flavourants. hi some embodiments, the aerosolisable material may comprise an "amorphous solid-, which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic (i.e. non-fibrous) solid" "Aerosolisable material" may be a non-nicotine-containing material or a nicotine-containing material. "Aerosoli sable material" may, for example, include one or more of liquid, gel, gelled sheet, powder, or agglomerates, or the like. In general, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that for example the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature. On the other hand, in general, an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. As used herein the term aerosol should be taken as meaning an aerosol, a vapour or a combination of an aerosol and vapour.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a perspective view of the example an of an aerosol provision device, referred to hereinafter as an apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 comprises the body portion 102, a cartridge 104 and a mouthpiece 106. The apparatus 100 is for heating aerosolisable material, for example an e-liquid, to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolisable material to generate a flow of aerosol for inhalation by a user. In one example, the apparatus 100 may be an electronic cigarette or "e-cigarette". In another example, the mouthpiece 106 may contain a tobacco pod (not shown) containing tobacco and through which the flow of aerosol flows before being inhaled by the user. In such an example, the apparatus 100 is a so called 'hybrid device'. In yet some other embodiments, the tobacco pod (not shown) may be separate from both the mouthpiece 106 and cartridge 104.

Accordingly, the apparatus 100 is an inhalation device (i.e. a user uses it to inhale an aerosol provided by the apparatus 100) and the apparatus 100 is a hand-held device. In this example, the apparatus 100 is an electronic apparatus.

The body portion 102 is for powering and controlling the device 100 and comprises a power supply and a controller (not shown). The power supply may comprise a battery, for example a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery that may be recharged by connecting the apparatus to an external power supply. For example, the apparatus 100 may comprise a charging port (not shown) such as a USB port arranged to provide electrical current to the power supply to recharge the power supply periodically.

The controller may comprise circuitry (comprising, for example, an integrated circuits) for controlling the operation of various components of the apparatus 100. The controller is arranged to provide electrical power to the cartridge 104 from the power supply in response to user input received at a user input device, which may be, for example, a press switch provided at a surface of the body portion 102, arranged to be pressed by a user of the apparatus 100 when the user intends to inhale aerosolisable material (or alternatively by a puff detector).

The cartridge 104 comprises aerosolisable material stored in a reservoir. The aerosoli sable material may be a liquid -for example, an e-cigarette liquid (or "e-liquid") or any other type of aerosolisable material, such a gel or a solid aerosolisable material. 5 In this embodiment, the cartridge 104 comprises a heater that is supplied with electrical power from the power supply in the body portion to heat aerosolisable material supplied from the reservoir. In heating the aerosolisable material volatile components of the aerosolisable material may be released as a vapour. The heater is an example of an aerosol generating component. In yet other embodiments, the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means. It should also be appreciated that the aerosol generating component may be provided in the body portion 102, such that aerosolisable material from the cartridge 104 is placed adjacent to or in contact with the aerosol generating component.

The cartridge 104 also comprises an inlet to allow air to be drawn into the cartridge 104 and an outlet to allow air and (in use) aerosolised material to be drawn out of the cartridge 104. In at least some examples, the vapour that is produced that then at least partly condenses to form an aerosol before exiting the apparatus 100 through the mouthpiece 106 for inhalation by a user (not shown).

The heater may comprise at least one heating element and may (as shown with in Figure 2a below) comprise at least one wick for supplying liquid from the reservoir to the heater. The heating element and wick may be separate or integrated components.

The heater may be referred to as an 'atomiser', and where the cartridge 104 comprises an atomiser, the cartridge 104 may be referred to as a cartomisee In the example shown in Figure 1, the mouthpiece 106 is a component separable from (i.e. releasably attached to) the cartridge 104. However, in some examples, the mouthpiece 106 may be integral with the cartridge 104 Similarly, in the example shown in Figure 1, the cartridge 104 is a component separable from the body portion 102 but in some examples, the body portion 102 may be integral with the cartridge 104.

The aerosolisable material in the reservoir may be a liquid, although in some examples, the aerosolisable material may be another type of aerosolisable material, such as a gel. For example, the liquid may be aerosolised at temperatures in the range of 100-300°C or more particularly at temperatures in the range of 150-250°C. Liquids that are aerosolisable at lower temperatures require less heating and therefore may reduce the power consumption of the apparatus 100. Suitable materials include those conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, including for example propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerine). In use, as a user draws on the mouthpiece 106, air is drawn into the apparatus 100 through one or more air inlets.

In use, when a user draws on the mouthpiece 106, aerosolisable material may be drawn from the reservoir and heated by the heater to volatilise components of the aerosolisable material to generate an aerosol which mixes with air flowing from an inlet (not shown) to produce a flow of aerosol. The flow of aerosol is drawn out of the apparatus 100 through an aperture in the mouthpiece 106 for inhalation by the user.

Figures 2a and 2b are schematic diagrams illustrating, in cross-section, a cartridge 200, which may be used as the cartridge 104 described above with reference to Figure 1 The cartridge 200 comprises a heater assembly 202 and a mouthpiece assembly 204.

The heater assembly 202 comprises an inlet 206 arranged to allow the flow of fluid (e.g. air) into the cartridge 200, a reservoir 208 arranged to store aerosolisable material, a heater 210 arranged to heat aerosolisable material, and a wick 212 arranged to draw aerosolisable material from the reservoir 208 to the heater 210.

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The mouthpiece assembly 202 comprises an outlet 214 arranged to allow a flow of fluid (e.g. air containing volatilised or aerosolised material generated by the heater assembly 202) out of the cartridge 200.

The heater assembly 202 is joined internally to the mouthpiece assembly 204 via one or more seals 216 arranged to prevent escape of air and/or aerosol from the cartridge 200 except through the outlet 214. In the example shown in Figure 2, the cartridge 200 is shown having two seals; however, in other examples, the cartridge may contain fewer seals or may contain more seals.

Furthermore, the heater assembly 202 is sealed externally to the mouthpiece assembly 204 with a bulkhead seal 218.

Each of the seals 216, 218 is a potential source of leakage of fluid from the cartridge 200. Such leakage may degrade the performance of the cartridge 200 and it therefore may be desirable to test the integrity of the seals 216, 218 during manufacture and/or prior to supply of the cartridge 200 to the user.

Figure 2b is an enlargement showing a portion of the heater assembly 202 in more detail. In order to test the integrity of the seals 216 the bulkhead seal 218 is provided with a sealing element 220 that is movable (e.g. deformable) between a first position (referred to hereinafter as an open position 220a) and a second position (referred to hereinafter as a closed position 220b). The sealing element 220 is moveable from the open position 220a to the closed position 220b by the application of an appropriate force in the direction that fluid flows into the cartridge 200 (indicated by the arrow in Figure 2b). The sealing element 220 may be biased to the open position 220a. The sealing element 220 may, for example, be a diaphragm that is deformable to the closed position 220b.

In the open position 220a, fluid is permitted to flow freely into (or out of) the inlet 206. The open position 220a is the position that the sealing element 220 would normally be in when in use by the user.

In the closed position 220b, the inlet 206 is sealed by the sealing element 220. Accordingly, fluid is not permitted to pass freely into or out of the cartridge 200. This enables, as described herein, pressured fluid to be applied to the cartridge 200 via the outlet 214 to pressurise the cartridge 200. Measurements of a change in pressure in the pressurised cartridge 200 provide an indication of the integrity of the seals 216.

The cartridge comprises a circuit board 222 that provides an electrical interface between the body portion 102 and the cartridge 104, enabling electrical power to be supplied to the heater 210.

Figure 2c is a perspective view of the circuit board 222. As shown in Figure 2c the circuit board 222 comprises a through hole 224. The through hole enables insertion of an actuator to deform the sealing element 220 from the open position 220a to the closed position 220b, as described below with reference to Figures 4a to 4d.

In the example described with reference to Figures 2a to 2c, the mouthpiece 204 comprises a test seal 226. The test seal is arranged to form a seal with a test head as described below with reference to Figures 4a to 4d.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 for testing a cartridge, such as a cartomiser, which may be applied to the cartridge 200 described above with reference to Figures 2a and 2b.

At block 302, a force to is applied to a sealing element to block a first aperture arranged to provide a first fluid path to an interior of the cartridge. For example, with reference to the cartridge 200 described with reference to Figures 2a and 2b, a force may be applied to the sealing element 220 (in the direction indicated by the arrow) to deform the sealing element 220 to the closed position 220b, thereby sealing the inlet 206 and preventing a flow of fluid into or out of the inlet 206.

At block 304, a pressurised fluid is applied to a second aperture arranged to provide a second fluid path to the interior of the cartridge, different to the first fluid path. For example, with reference to the cartridge 200 described with reference to Figures 2a and 2b, pressurised air may be applied to the outlet 214, as described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4a to 4d.

At block 306, a leakage characteristic of the cartridge is determined. For example, the leakage characteristic may be determined by filling the cartridge with pressurized fluid of a known pressure and, after a predetermined amount of time, performing a pressure measurement. Any difference between the measured pressure and the pressure to which the cartridge was pressurised provides an indication of a rate at which the cartridge (i.e. one or more of the seals) is leaking i.e. the leakage characteristic. A measured pressure meeting or exceeding a predetermined threshold value may indicate that the seals 216 are functioning within acceptable limits whereas a measured pressure below a predetermined threshold value may indicate that the seals 216 are not functioning within acceptable limits.

Alternatively, a plurality of pressure measurements may be obtained, and the leakage characteristic may be determined based on the plurality of pressure measurements. For example, the leakage characteristic may be a rate of change of pressure within the cartridge. The rate of change of pressure may, in some examples, be compared with a threshold rate of change. For example, a measured rate of change of pressure below a predetermined threshold value may indicate that the seals 216 are functioning within acceptable limits whereas a measured rate of change of pressure meeting or exceeding a predetermined threshold value may indicate that the seals 216 are not functioning within acceptable limits.

Based on the leakage characteristic, a cartridge may be prevented from continuing in a manufacturing process and/or may be prevented from being supplied to a user.

It should be appreciated that the predetermined threshold may be set empirically or based on a computer simulation. The predetermined threshold may vary depending on the design of the cartridge 200 and/or the type of aerosolisable material to be aerosolized.

Figures 4a to 4d show the operation of a testing rig 400 for testing a cartridge such as the cartridge 200 described above with reference to Figures 2a to 2c.

As shown in Figure 4a, the testing rig 400 comprises a test bed 402 and a test head 404.

The test bed 402 comprises one or more alignment structures 406 arranged to align a cartridge to be tested, such as the cartridge 200 described above with reference to Figures 2a to 2c with the testing rig 400. The test bed 402 also comprises an actuator 408 arranged to interface with the sealing element 220 of the cartridge 200 being tested. In interfacing with the sealing element 220, the actuator 408 exerts a force on the sealing element 220 to deform the sealing element 220 to move it to the closed position 220b, as described above with reference to Figure 2b, thereby forming a seal at the inlet 206 of the cartridge 200.

The actuator 408 may, for example, be a pin that is inserted into the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is in placed on the test bed 402, as shown in Figure 4b As shown in Figure 4b, when the cartridge 200 is in placed on the test bed 402, the test head 404 is inserted into the outlet 214 of the cartridge 200. The test head 404 engages with the test head seal 226 of the cartridge to form a seal between the outlet 214 of the cartridge 200 and the test head 404.

The seal between the outlet 214 of the cartridge 200 and the test head 404, and the alignment of the cartridge 200 and the test bed 402, is more clearly seen in Figure 4c, which shows the arrangement of the test bed 402, the test head 404, and the cartridge 200 in cross section Although in the examples described above the mouthpiece assembly comprises a test head seal 226 which forms a seal with the test head 404, in other examples, the test head seal 226 may be omitted from the mouthpiece assembly 204 and the test head 404 may be provided with a seal arranged to form a seal with the outlet 214 of the cartridge 200 to prevent leakage of fluid from the outlet 214 during testing of the cartridge 200 The test head 404 comprises a channel 410 arranged to provide a fluid path to prov de pressurized fluid to the interior of the cartridge 200 During testing, pressurized fluid (such as, for example, pressurized air) is inserted into the interior of the cartridge via the channel 410 of the test head 404, which is engaged with the outlet 214 of the cartridge 200. The test head seal 226 of the mouthpiece assembly 206 provides a fluidic seal between the test head 404 and the mouthpiece assembly 204 of the cartridge 200 to prevent the pressurized fluid escaping from the interior of the cartridge 200 between the cartridge 200 and the test head 404.

As shown in Figure 4(1, the actuator 408 exerts a force on the sealing element 220 to deform the sealing element 220 to move it to the closed position 220b.

Pressurized fluid inserted through the channel 410 accumulates in the cartridge 200.

Time dependent measurements of the pressure in the cartridge 200 (or in the supply of fluid to the cartridge 200 provide an indication of a leakage characteristic of the cartridge 200.

Figure 4e is a schematic diagram of the testing rig 400 As described above with reference to Figures 4a to 4d, the testing rig 400 comprises the actuator 408 arranged to interface with the sealing element 220 of the cartridge 200 being tested to deform the sealing element 220 to close one of the first and second apertures (e.g. the inlet 206 of the cartridge 200) and the test head 404, which provides a supply of pressurised fluid to be supplied to the other of the first and second apertures (e.g. the outlet 214 of the cartridge 200) when the sealing element 220 is moved to the closed position 220b. The testing rig also comprises a leakage detector 412 arranged to determine a leakage characteristic of the cartridge. For example, the leakage detector 412 may be arranged to make measurements of pressure supplied at the test head 404 and determine a measure of a rate of loss of pressure from the cartridge 200 based on those pressure measurements The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. For example, although in the example described with reference to Figure 3, the inlet is sealed by the sealing element 220, in other examples the outlet may alternatively be sealed, and pressurised fluid applied to the inlet. Furthermore, although in the examples described above, the sealing element is provided in the cartridge, in other examples, the sealing element may be provided in the test rig, and the test rig may be applied to test cartridges that have no sealing element.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A method of testing a container for containing aerosolisable material for a device for aerosolising the aerosolisable material, the method comprising: using a sealing element to block a first aperture arranged to provide a first fluid path to an interior of the container; applying a pressurised fluid to a second aperture arranged to provide a second fluid path to the interior of the container, different to the first fluid path; and obtaining one or more pressure measurements; and determining a leakage characteristic of the container on the basis of the one or more pressure measurements.
2. A method according to claim 1, comprising moving the sealing element between a first position, in which fluid is permitted to enter or exit the container via the first aperture, and a second position, in which the sealing element is arranged to occlude the first aperture to prevent transfer of fluid between an interior and exterior of the container.
3. A method according to claim 2, comprising applying a pin to move the sealing element from the first position to the second position.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising inserting a test head into the second aperture to form a seal between the test head and the second aperture and applying pressurised fluid to the interior of the container via the test head.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leakage characteristic comprises a measure of a rate of loss of pressure from the container.
6. A container for use with a device for aerosolising an aerosolisable material the container comprising: a first aperture and a second aperture, each of the first and second apertures being arranged to permit the flow of a fluid; a sealing element located at one of the first and second apertures, wherein the sealing element is deformable between a first position in which the respective aperture permits flow of fluid therethrough and a second position in which the flow of fluid is inhibited.S
7. A container according to claim 6, the sealing element is arranged to move between a first position, in which fluid is permitted to enter or exit the container via the aperture, and a second position, in which the sealing element is arranged to occlude the aperture wherein transfer of fluid between an interior and exterior of the cartridge is prevented.
8. A container according to claim 7, arranged to receive an actuator to move the sealing element from the first position to the second position.
9. A container according to any one of claim 6 to claim 8, comprising one or more seals located between the first aperture and the second aperture.
A container according to any one of claim 6 to claim 8, wherein the sealing element is biased to the first position
II. A testing rig for pressure testing a container comprising a first aperture and a second aperture, the first and second apertures permitting a flow of fluid through the cartridge in use and a sealing element arranged to occlude one of the first and second apertures when deformed, the testing rig comprising: an actuator arranged to move the sealing element of the container to close one of the first and second apertures; a supply of pressurised fluid to be supplied to the other of the first and second apertures when the sealing element is deformed; and a leakage detector arranged to determine a leakage characteristic of the container.
12. A testing rig according to claim 11, wherein the leakage detector is arranged to determine a measure of a rate of loss of pressure from the container.