WO2018016953A2

WO2018016953A2 - Product carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2018016953A2
Application number: PCT/NL2017/050487
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oscar Slurink
Original assignee: Sluis Cigar Machinery B.V.
Priority date: 2016-07-20
Filing date: 2017-07-19
Publication date: 2018-01-25
Also published as: WO2018016953A3; EP3487330A2; NL2017197B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a product carrier for carrying a part of an electronic cigarette through an assembly line, the product carrier comprising: - a body having a recess for holding the product, wherein the recess is provided in an upper side of the product carrier, - a first moving surface and a second moving surface which are configured to be engaged by a moving member of a conveyor, wherein the first moving surface and the second moving surface face outwardly and are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier, and wherein the first moving surface and the second moving surface are convex, - at least one convex sliding surface configured to slide along a curved carrier guide of the assembly line, wherein the convex sliding surface faces outwardly.

Description

Title: Product carrier Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a product carrier for carrying a product through an assembly line. The product may in particular be a part of an electronic cigarette.

Background of the invention

In the present invention, it was recognized that current methods of conveying parts of electronic cigarettes through an assembly line are rather limited. Also the product orientation is easily lost when the product is conveyed from assembly station to the next assembly station.

The insight was developed that it can be very practical if the product which is carried by the product carrier can be oriented to specific orientations for specific processing operations. It may have been already known that it is helpful if this orientation can be carried out relative to the surrounding, but in the present invention the insight was developed that in addition it is helpful if the orientation of the product can be carried out relative to the product carrier itself. In other words, a product carrier which allows the product to be moved relative to the product carrier in a specific way. In addition, it was recognized that such a possibility of movement should not result in uncontrolled movements of the product relative to the product carrier. In addition, it was recognized in the present invention that it can be very useful if the product carrier itself can be conveyed by a pushing action only, and if the product carrier can be moved up and down in a well controlled manner.

These considerations apply in particular to parts of electronic cigarettes because these parts are quite small and for that reason difficult to handle.

Object of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a product carrier for carrying a product, a part of an electronic cigarette, through an assembly line. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a product carrier for carrying a product through an assembly line which allows the product to be reoriented relative to the product carrier itself and which allows the product including the product carrier to be reoriented relative to the surroundings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a product carrier which supports the product in a way which prevents uncontrolled movements of the product relative to the product carrier, for instance caused by vibrations in the assembly line. Summary of the invention

In order to achieve at least one object, the present invention provides a product carrier for carrying a part of an electronic cigarette through an assembly line, the product carrier comprising:

- a body having a recess for holding the product, wherein the recess is provided in an upper side of the product carrier,

- a first moving surface (15A) and a second moving surface (15B) which are each configured to be engaged by a moving member of a conveyor, wherein the first moving surface and the second moving surface face outwardly and are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier, and wherein the first moving surface and the second moving surface are convex,

- at least one convex sliding surface configured to slide along a curved carrier guide of the assembly line, wherein the convex sliding surface faces outwardly.

The invention results in a product carrier which supports the product and which is capable of carrying the product through an assembly line, and it allows for an effective moving of the product carrier in multiple orientations.

In an embodiment, when seen in top view the first moving surface and the second moving surface have a shape of a part of a circle, and wherein a centre of said circle coincides with a centre of the recess.

In an embodiment, when seen in top view the recess is provided in the centre of the product carrier, and has in particular a circular shape. This allows a reorienting operation of a circular product in the recess. E-cigarettes typically have a tubular shape and several parts therefore have a circular cross-section. In an embodiment, the product carrier comprises a first sliding surface and a second sliding surface, wherein the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier. This effectively allows the moving of the product carrier along curved guides while keeping the product carrier in a desired orientation and providing good support to the product carrier with the guide.

In an embodiment, when seen in top view the at least one convex sliding surface has a shape of a part of a circle, and wherein a centre of said circle is located at a distance outside a contour of the product carrier, resulting in a radius of curvature which is greater than a radius of the moving surface .

In an embodiment, when seen in top view the product carrier is symmetrical with respect to a first vertical plane of symmetry. In an embodiment, when seen in top view the surfaces on the outer side of the product carrier are symmetrical with respect to a second vertical plane of symmetry which extends at right angles to the first plane. The symmetry makes it easier to handle the product carrier.

In an embodiment, when seen in top view the first and second moving surface are provided at a zero-degree position and at a 180-degree position, and wherein the first and second sliding surfaces are positioned at a 90-degree position and a 270-degree degree position. It was found that this combination allow proper moving and proper guiding at the same time

In an embodiment, when seen in top view each of the first and second moving surface extends over a circumferential angle of 100-130 degrees, in particular 1 10-120 degrees, and wherein when seen in top view each of the first and second sliding surface extends over a circumferential angle of 80-1 10 degrees, in particular 90-100 degrees. This allows reliable moving and reliable guiding at the same time. In an embodiment, the product carrier comprises at least one first engagement surface and at least one second engagement surface which are not convex, and are in particular concave, and which are provided on the same side of the product carrier as the first and second sliding surface. In an embodiment, the at least one first engagement surfaces and at least one second engagement surface are provided below and/or above the first and second sliding surface. In an embodiment, the at least one first engagement surface and second engagement surface have a smaller width W1 than a width W2 of the first and second sliding surface.

In an embodiment, when seen in top view the first and second sliding surfaces are located closer to a centre of the product carrier than the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface.

In an embodiment, the one or more moving surfaces and the one or more sliding surfaces are oriented vertically.

In an embodiment, when seen in side view the first sliding surface is divided in a plurality of first sliding surface sections and wherein the second sliding surface is divided in a plurality of second sliding surface sections . In an embodiment, the plurality of first sliding surface sections comprises an upper first sliding surface section which is located on an upper half of the product carrier and a lower first sliding surface section which is located on a lower half of the product carrier, and wherein the plurality of second sliding surface sections comprises an upper second sliding surface section which is located on an upper half of the product carrier and a lower second sliding surface section which is located on a lower half of the product carrier.

In an embodiment, the first and second moving surface extend from an upper end to a lower end of the product carrier. In an embodiment, the recess is cylindrical and has a vertical axis of symmetry.

In an embodiment, the recess comprises a seat configured to support a product.

In an embodiment, the product carrier comprises a vertical through-passage extending from a bottom of the recess to an bottom surface of the product carrier, which through-passage allows a pusher member to push a product out of the recess by moving into the through-passage via the underside and moving against the product in the recess.

In an embodiment, the product carrier comprises one or more up-down recesses or an up-down projection in or on the outer side constructed to engage with an actuating member which moves the product carrier up or down. In an embodiment, the product carrier comprises a flat and horizontal bottom surface configured to slide over a ground surface.

In an embodiment, the product carrier comprises a flat and horizontal top surface configured to slide over a surface.

In an embodiment, the product carrier is manufactured from steel, in particular stainless steel. In an embodiment, the product carrier comprises one or more friction devices for creating a friction force on the product in the recess, for preventing uncontrolled movements of the product relative to the product carrier, wherein each friction device comprises a resilient member, in particular a compression spring, and a contact element for contacting the product. The friction device effectively prevents any undesired movements of the product relative to the product carrier, for instance by vibrations of a conveyor or a processing device.

The present invention further relates to a conveyor constructed to hold and move a plurality of product carriers according to the present invention, the conveyor comprising a plurality of product carrier movers, wherein each product carrier mover defines a product carrier position configured to accommodate the product carrier, wherein each product carrier mover comprises a forward projection and a rearward projection, wherein each product carrier position is located between a respective forward and rearward projection. In an embodiment, the conveyor is a carrousel conveyor.

In an embodiment, each product carrier position of the conveyor is open to the side allowing entry of the product carrier into the product carrier position. In an embodiment, the conveyor comprises an up-down actuating member configured to engage the product carrier for moving the product carrier up and/or down.

In an embodiment, the up-down actuating member is movable relative to the forward and rearward projection over a horizontal distance between an engaged position and a retracted position. In an embodiment, the product carrier mover of the conveyor does not have a support member for supporting the underside of the product, and wherein the product carrier mover is configured to push the product in a horizontal direction while the product slides over a stationary bottom surface.

The present invention further relates to a product carrier mover comprising a left projection and a right projection which define a product carrier position between them in which a product carrier may fit at least partially, comprising an up-down actuating member which is configured to engage the product carrier and move the product carrier up and/or down.

In an embodiment, the up-down actuating member of the product carrier mover is retractable in order to disengage from the product carrier, wherein the retracting movement of the actuating member is together with the product carrier mover as a whole, or wherein the up-down actuating member is retractable relative to the projections.

The present invention further relates to a combination of the product carrier according to the invention and the conveyor or the product carrier mover according to the invention.

The present invention further relates to a method of carrying a product carrier for carrying a part of an electronic cigarette through an assembly line, the method comprising:

- placing a product in a product carrier according to the invention,

- conveying the product with a conveyor according to the invention or moving the product with a product carrier mover according to the invention.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

Short description of the figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the product carrier according to the invention, with a separate product and with the product in the recess of the product carrier. Figure 2A shows top views of the product carrier, of the separate product and of the product carrier having the product in the recess in accordance with fig. 1.

Figure 2B shows an enlarged top view of the product carrier.

Figure 3 shows side views of the product carrier, of the separate product and of the product carrier having the product in the recess in accordance with fig. 1 and 2.

Figure 4 shows front views of the product carrier, of the separate product and of the product carrier having the product in the recess.

Figure 5A shows isometric views of the product carrier according to the invention interacting with a product carrier mover having a lifting part that can lift and lower the product carrier. Also a product carrier mover without the product carrier is shown.

Figure 5B1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a conveyor having the product carrier mover of figure 5A.

Figure 5B2 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a conveyor having the product carrier mover of figure 5A and pusher members.

Figure 5B3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of fig. 5B2 including a cam track.

Figure 6 shows a cross section of the product carrier according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the product carrier according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows isometric views of the product carrier according to the invention interacting with a pusher member which pushes the product out of the product carrier.

Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the product carrier according to the invention sliding along a carrier guide.

Figure 10 shows an isometric view of a conveyor according to the invention which conveys the product carrier according to the invention.

Figure 1 1 A shows an isometric view of a reorienting device according to a second aspect of the invention.

Figure 1 1 B shows an isometric view with a partially transparent section of the reorienting device of fig.1 1 A. Detailed description of the figures

Turning to figures 1 , 2A and 2b, a product carrier 10 is shown. The product carrier is configured for carrying a part 16 of an electronic cigarette through an assembly line. The product carrier comprises a body 12 having a recess 14 for holding the part 16 (also referred to as product 16).

The recess is provided in an upper side 17 of the product carrier. When seen in top view the recess is provided in the centre of the product carrier, and has in particular a circular shape. The recess is cylindrical and has a vertical axis 28 of symmetry. The product carrier supports the product 16 in a vertical and horizontal direction. The recess is fully surrounded by the product carrier in the circumferential direction. The edge of the recess 14 is chamfered or rounded to guide a product into the recess. The product carrier 10 further comprises at least one moving surface 15 configured to be engaged by a moving member of a conveyor (which will be discussed further below) The at least one moving surface 15 faces outwardly. In particular the product carrier 10 comprises a first moving surface 15A and a second moving surface 15B which are each configured to be engaged by a moving member of a conveyor. The first and second moving surfaces 15A, 15B are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier. The first moving surface 15A and the second moving surfaces 15B are convex. The moving surfaces are oriented vertically. The first and second moving surface extend from the top to the bottom of the product carrier. When seen in top view, the first moving surface and the second moving surface have a shape of a part of a circle, and a centre 20 of said circle coincides with a centre of the recess.

The product carrier 10 further comprises at least one convex sliding surface 18 configured to slide along a curved carrier guide of the assembly line. The convex sliding surface faces outwardly. The product carrier comprises in particular a first sliding surface 18A and a second sliding surface 18B. The first sliding surface 18A and the second sliding surface 18B are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier 10. The sliding surfaces are oriented vertically.

When seen in top view the product carrier is symmetrical with respect to a first vertical plane 22 of symmetry. The first plane extends through the centre of the moving surfaces 15A, 1 B5. When seen in top view the product carrier is symmetrical with respect to a second vertical plane 23 of symmetry which extends at right angles to the first plane 22. The second plane of symmetry extends through the centre of the sliding surfaces 18A, 18B. The friction devices are an exception to the second plane of symmetry, as will be discussed below.

Turning in particular to figure 2B, when seen in top view the first and second moving surfaces 15A, 15B are provided at a zero-degree position and at a 180-degree position, and the first and second sliding surfaces 18A, 18B are positioned at a 90-degree position and a 270-degree degree position. These positions relate to the centres of the respective moving surfaces and sliding surfaces. When seen in top view each of the first and second moving surface 15A, 15B extends over a circumferential angle a of 100-130 degrees, in particular 1 10-120 degrees, and wherein when seen in top view each of the first and second sliding surface extends over a circumferential angle β of 80-1 10 degrees, in particular 90-100 degrees.

5

The product carrier 10 comprises at least one first engagement surface 24A (indicated in fig. 1 as 24A1 and 24A2) and at least one second engagement surface 24B (at the back side, not visible in fig. 1 , but indicated in figs 2A and 2B) which are not convex and which are provided on the same side of the product carrier as respective the first and second

10 sliding surface 18A, 18B. The at least one first engagement surface 24A1 , 24A2 and at least one second engagement surface 24B1 , 24B2 are provided below and/or above the first and second sliding surface. In the shown embodiment, the first engagement surface 24A and second engagement surface 24B are concave. Both the first engagement surface 24A and the second engagement surface 24B comprise two sections 24A1 , 24A2 respectively 24B1 ,

15 24B2. The sections are located above one another.

The first engagement surface 24A and second engagement surface 24B have a smaller width W1 than a width W2 of the first and second sliding surface 18A, 18B.

20 When seen in top view the first and second sliding surfaces are located closer (at a smaller distance) to a centre 20 of the product carrier 10 than the first engagement surface 24A and the second engagement surface 24B. When seen in top view the sliding surfaces 18A, 18B have a shape of a part of a circle. A centre of said circle is located at a distance outside a contour of the product carrier. In other words, the sliding surfaces have a radius

25 R1 of curvature which is greater than the radius R2 of the moving surface 15A, 15B, an in particular much greater.

When seen in side view the first sliding surface 18A is divided in a plurality of first sliding surface sections 18A1 , 18A2, 18A3, and the second sliding surface 18B is divided in 30 a plurality of second sliding surface sections 18B1 , 18B2, 18B3.

In top view there are circumferential regions 51 of overlap between the moving surfaces 15A, 15B and the sliding surface 18A, 18B.

Turning to fig. 3, the plurality of first sliding surface sections comprises an upper first 35 sliding surface section 18A1 which is located on an upper half 26A of the product carrier and a lower first sliding surface section 18A3 which is located on a lower half 26B of the product carrier. The plurality of second sliding surface sections also comprises an upper second sliding surface section 18B1 which is located on an upper half 26A of the product carrier and a lower second sliding surface section 18B3 which is located on a lower half 26B of the product carrier. The plurality of first sliding surface sections may comprise a middle first 5 sliding surface section 18A2 provided halfway the height (H1) of the product carrier. The middle first sliding surface section 18A2 may also have another function as will be discussed below.

Turning to figs. 2A and 7, the recess 14 comprises a seat 30 configured to support a 10 product.

Turning to figures 7 and 8, the product carrier 10 comprises a vertical through-passage 32 extending from a bottom 33 of the recess 14 to a bottom surface 34 of the product carrier. The through-passage 32 allows a pusher member 35 to push a product 16 out of the 15 recess by moving into the through-passage via the underside and moving against the

product in the recess, see the arrows 36 in figure 8.

The bottom surface 34 is flat and horizontal and is configured to slide over a ground surface.

20

Turning in particular to figure 5, the product carrier comprises one or more up-down recesses 38 or an up-down projections (not shown) in or on the outer side constructed to engage with an up-down actuating member 40 which moves the product carrier up or down, see arrow 47. The up-down recess 38 may be combined with the middle sliding surface 25 18A2. The up-down recess 38 may be provided at about halfway the height of the product carrier.

An up-down recess (or projection) is provided on both sides of the product carrier. The actuating member 40 is part of an up-down product carrier mover 42 which comprises a left

30 projection 44A and a right projection 44B which define a space 45 (or product carrier

position) between them in which the product carrier 10 may fit at least partially.

The up-down actuating member 40 is configured to engage the product carrier and is movable relative to the forward and rearward projection over a horizontal distance between an engaged position and a retracted position, see arrow 76. This movement may be

35 together with the product carrier mover 42 as a whole, but the up-down actuating member 40 may also be movable relative to the projections 44A, 44B with a separate actuator. The product carrier may be lifted from a ground surface. It is also possible that the entire product carrier mover 42 is moved up and down by an actuating member without a separate engaging movement, in the sense that the product carrier is already engaged by the product carrier mover 42 and the entire product carrier moves is moved up and down. The up-down recess 38 is a groove which extends horizontally and which is provided between the first and second engagement surface sections 24A1 , 24A2 (also on the other side between 24B1 and 24B2).

Turning to figure 5B1 , a conveyor 170 is shown which comprises multiple product carrier movers 42, such as the ones shown in figure 5A. Each product carrier mover holds a product carrier 10 in an upside down orientation. The conveyor has a carrousel arrangement and rotates in direction 171 about a central axis 172. The conveyor is supported by a frame 173. The conveyor has multiple handling units 174 . each handling unit 174 comprises a product carrier mover 42 which is mounted to a vertically extending support member 175. At the upper end of each support member, a cam 176 is provided. The cam 176 runs in a cam track 177 which guides the cams 176 up and down as the conveyor rotates.

Turning to figure 5B2 and 5B3, a similar carrousel conveyor is shown wherein each handling unit further comprises a pusher member 35 and a separate cam 185 running in a separate cam track 186. The cams and the cam track let the pusher member move up and down and push the product out of the product carrier.

A spring 178 is provided for each handling unit 174 which urges the product carrier mover downward to its lowest position.

The conveyor further comprises a rotary guiding member 180 which has rails 182 in the outer side. The rails extend vertically. Each product carrier mover 42 is guided in a vertical direction by the rails so that it can move in the direction indicated by arrow 183. A guide 60 as is shown in fig. 9 can be arranged around the conveyor for providing support to the products in the product carriers.

The product carrier may be manufactured from metal, in particular stainless steel, or from a hard plastic.

Turning to figs. 1 and 6, the product carrier 10 comprises one or more friction devices 50 for creating a friction force on the product 16 in the recess, for preventing uncontrolled movements of the product 16 relative to the product carrier. Each friction device 50 comprises in particular a compression spring 52 and a contact element 54 such as a ball for contacting the product. The friction devices 50 are provided in holes 55 in the product carrier 10. The holes extend through the product carrier from the outside to the recess. The holes are provided above the seat 30.

Turning to fig. 9, the product carrier 10 is shown in action and when gliding along a curved carrier guide 60. The curvature of the convex sliding surface 18A1 is the same as the curvature of the curved carrier guide 60. Typically, the convex sliding surface will have a shape of a part of a circle and the curved carrier guide 60 will have shape of a part of a circle having a same radius. This results in the best contact between the product carrier and the curved carrier guide. It will be clear for a skilled person that the carrier guide 60 is suitable to be used together with a conveyor such as shown in figures 5B1 , 5B2, 5B3 and in figure 10. The carrier guide 60 may extend around the carrousel conveyor in order to keep the product carriers in the product carrier movers and prevent an outward movement of the product carriers.

Turning to fig. 10, a conveyor 70 is shown which is constructed to hold and move a plurality of product carriers 10. The conveyor is a carrousel conveyor. The conveyor comprises a plurality of product carrier movers 71 , wherein each product carrier mover defines a product carrier position 73 configured to accommodate the product carrier. The product carrier movers are defined by a rotary gear like member 72.

Each product carrier mover comprises a forward projection 74 and a rearward projection 75, wherein each product carrier position 73 is located between a respective forward and rearward projection. The forward projection 74 and a rearward projection 75 form moving members. Depending on the direction of rotation of the conveyor, either the forward projection 74 or the rearward projection 75 forms the actual moving member, i.e. the member that moves the product carrier forward. In fig. 10, given the direction of rotation indicated by arrow 78, the projection 75 will form the actual moving member which pushes the product carrier.

Each product carrier position is open to the outer side, allowing a product carrier to be positioned in the product carrier position 73.

Each product carrier mover 71 comprises an inner side 77 which is convex and matches the shape of the engagement surfaces 24A1 , 24A2, 24B1 , 24B2. The product carrier mover 71 does not have a support member for supporting the underside of the product carrier, and the product carrier mover 71 is configured to push the product in a horizontal direction while the product slides with its bottom surface 34 over a ground surface.

5

The product carrier mover 71 or the product carrier mover 42 of fig, 5A comprises a forward projection 74, 44B and a rearward projection 75, 44A as seen in the main direction of movement of the product carrier. The forward projection and a rearward projection extend to a first midplane 22 of the product carrier or end at a distance from said first midplane 22. 10 This allows a transfer operation of the product carrier from of the product carrier from one conveyor to another conveyor or from one product carrier mover to another product carrier mover.

Returning to figure 5, the up-down product carrier mover 42 may be part of a conveyor 15 70 like the one shown in figure 10 and be configured to not only move the product carrier up and/or down, but also to move the product carrier 10 forward or backward. This is indicated by arrow 80 in fig. 5.

Turning to figures 1 1A and 1 1 B, a reorienting device 90 is shown. The reorienting 20 device 90 comprises a rotary helical cam track 92 which is driven by a drive in the direction of arrow 93 The reorienting device comprises a guide 94 which is also helical, but has a greater pitch than the rotary helical cam track 92. The guide extends over a circumferential angle of 180 degrees about the central axis 95 of the helical cam track 92. The pitch of the guide 94 is chosen such that the product carrier 10 is raised gradually and lowered

25 gradually. The guide 94 supports both ends of the product carrier.

The reorienting device 90 has an entrance 96 and an exit 97 (at the backside).

When a product carrier 10 with or without a product 16 is placed at the entrance, it is 30 moved by the rotating helical cam track in the direction of arrow 98. At the same time, the curved guide 94 forces the product carrier to revolve about the main axis 95. The result is that the product carrier makes a helical movement along the guide 94. If the guide has a 180 degree revolution, the product carrier is turned upside down (or turned straight up if it starts in the upside down orientation). If the guide 94 only makes a 90 degree revolution, the 35 product carrier 10 is turned on its side or turned from its side to a vertical orientation. The product carrier 10 according to the present invention is very suitable to be used in conjunction with the reorienting device 90.

It will be recognized that an embodiment may not achieve all of the stated objects.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The present disclosure further relates to the following clauses:

1. Product carrier (10) for carrying a part of an electronic cigarette through an assembly line, the product carrier comprising:

- a body (12) having a recess (14) for holding the product (16), wherein the recess is provided in an upper side (17) of the product carrier,

- at least one moving surface (15A, 15B) configured to be engaged by a moving member (74,75) of a conveyor (70), wherein the at least one moving surface faces outwardly, and - at least one convex sliding surface (18A, 18B) configured to slide along a curved carrier guide (60) of the assembly line, wherein the convex sliding surface faces outwardly. 2. Product carrier (10) according to clause 1 , wherein the product carrier comprises a first moving surface (15A) and a second moving surface (15B) which are each configured to be engaged by a moving member of a conveyor, wherein the first and a second moving surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier. 3. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first

moving surface and the second moving surfaces are convex.

4. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein when seen in top view the first moving surface and the second moving surface have a shape of a part of a circle, and wherein a centre of said circle coincides with a centre of the recess.

5. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein when seen in top view the recess is provided in the centre of the product carrier, and has in particular a circular shape.

6. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, comprising a first

sliding surface (18A) and a second sliding surface (18B), wherein the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier.

7. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein when seen in top view the at least one convex sliding surface (18A, 18B) has a shape of a part of a circle, and wherein a centre of said circle is located at a distance outside a contour of the product carrier, resulting in a radius (R1) of curvature which is greater than a radius (R2) of the moving surface (15A, 15B).

8. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein when seen in top view the product carrier is symmetrical with respect to a first vertical plane (22) of symmetry. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein when seen in top view the surfaces on the outer side of the product carrier are symmetrical with respect to a second vertical plane (23) of symmetry which extends at right angles to the first plane. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein when seen in top view the first and second moving surface are provided at a zero-degree position and at a 180-degree position, and wherein the first and second sliding surfaces are positioned at a 90-degree position and a 270-degree degree position. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein when seen in top view each of the first and second moving surface extends over a circumferential angle a of 100-130 degrees, in particular 1 10-120 degrees, and wherein when seen in top view each of the first and second sliding surface extends over a circumferential angle β of 80-1 10 degrees, in particular 90-100 degrees. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, comprising at least one first engagement surface (24A1 , 24A2) and at least one second engagement surface (24B1 , 24B1 ) which are not convex, and are in particular concave, and which are provided on the same side of the product carrier as the first and second sliding surface. Product carrier (10) according to the preceding clause, wherein the at least one first engagement surfaces (24A1 , 24A2) and at least one second engagement surface (24B1 , 24B2) are provided below and/or above the first and second sliding surface. Product carrier (10) according to any of clauses 1 1-12, wherein the at least one first engagement surface (24A1 , 24A2) and second engagement surface (24B1 , 24B2) have a smaller width (W1) than a width (W2) of the first and second sliding surface. Product carrier (10) according to any of clauses 1 1-14, wherein when seen in top view the first and second sliding surfaces are located closer to a centre (20) of the product carrier than the first engagement surface (24A) and the second engagement surface (24B). 16. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the one or more moving surfaces and the one or more sliding surfaces are oriented vertically.

17. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein when seen in side view the first sliding surface is divided in a plurality of first sliding surface sections

(18A1 , 18A2, 18A3) and wherein the second sliding surface is divided in a plurality of second sliding surface sections (18B1 , 18B2, 18B3).

18. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of first sliding surface sections comprises an upper first sliding surface section (18A1) which is located on an upper half (26A) of the product carrier and a lower first sliding surface section (18A3) which is located on a lower half (26B) of the product carrier, and wherein the plurality of second sliding surface sections comprises an upper second sliding surface section (18B1 ) which is located on an upper half (26A) of the product carrier and a lower second sliding surface section (18B2) which is located on a lower half (26B) of the product carrier.

19. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first and second moving surface extend from an upper end to a lower end of the product carrier.

20. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the recess is cylindrical and has a vertical axis of symmetry. 21. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the recess comprises a seat (30) configured to support a product.

22. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, comprising a vertical through-passage (32) extending from a bottom of the recess to an bottom surface of the product carrier, which through-passage allows a pusher member (35) to push a product out of the recess by moving into the through-passage via the underside and moving against the product in the recess.

23. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the product carrier comprises one or more up-down recesses (18A2, 18B2) or an up-down projection in or on the outer side constructed to engage with an actuating member (40) which moves the product carrier up or down. 24. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, comprising a flat and horizontal bottom surface (34) configured to slide over a ground surface.

25. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, comprising a flat and horizontal top surface (17) configured to slide over a surface.

26. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, being manufactured from steel, in particular stainless steel. 27. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, comprising one or more friction devices for creating a friction force on the product in the recess, for preventing uncontrolled movements of the product relative to the product carrier, wherein each friction device comprises a resilient member, in particular a compression spring, and a contact element for contacting the product.

28. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein an edge of the recess is chamfered or rounded.

29. Conveyor (70) constructed to hold and move a plurality of product carriers according to any of clauses 1-28, the conveyor comprising a plurality of product carrier movers (42,

71), wherein each product carrier mover defines a product carrier position (73, 45) configured to accommodate the product carrier, wherein each product carrier mover comprises a forward projection (74, 44B) and a rearward projection (75, 44A), wherein each product carrier position is located between a respective forward and rearward projection as seen in the direction of conveyance.

30. Conveyor according to clause 29, wherein the conveyor is a carrousel conveyor.

31. Conveyor according to clause 29 or 30, wherein each product carrier position is open to the side allowing entry of the product carrier into the product carrier position.

32. Conveyor according to any of clause 29-31 , comprising an up-down actuating member (40, 176) configured for moving the product carrier up and/or down, together with the product carrier mover or relative to the product carrier mover. 33. Conveyor according to any of clauses 29-32, wherein the up-down actuating member (40) is movable relative to the forward and rearward projection over a horizontal distance between an engaged position and a retracted position. 34. Conveyor according to any of clauses 29-33, wherein the product carrier mover does not have a support member for supporting the underside of the product carrier, and wherein the product carrier mover is configured to push the product carrier in a horizontal direction while the product carrier slides over a stationary bottom surface. 35. Conveyor according to any of clauses 29-34, comprising a plurality of handling units, wherein each handling unit comprises a product carrier mover, and in particular a spring which biases the handling unit in a downward direction.

36. Conveyor according to clause 35, comprising a cam track and a cam for each handling unit for moving the product carrier mover up and down.

37. Conveyor according to clause 35 or 36, wherein each handling unit comprises a

pusher member and an actuating mechanism for moving the pusher member vertically relative to the product carrier mover for pushing a product out of the product carrier.

38. Product carrier mover (42, 71) comprising a left projection (44A) and a right projection (44B) which define a product carrier position (45) between them in which a product carrier (10) may fit at least partially, comprising an up-down actuating member (40) which is configured to engage the product carrier and move the product carrier up and/or down.

39. Product carrier mover (42, 71) according to clause 38, wherein the up-down actuating member is retractable in order to disengage from the product carrier, wherein the retracting movement of the actuating member is together with the product carrier mover (42) as a whole, or wherein the up-down actuating member (40) is retractable relative to the projections (44A, 44B).

40. Product carrier mover (42, 71) according to clause 38 or 39, wherein the product

carrier mover does not have a support member for supporting the underside of the product carrier, and wherein the product carrier mover is configured to push the product carrier in a horizontal direction while the product carrier slides over a stationary bottom surface. 41. Combination of the product carrier (10) according to any of clauses 1-28 and the conveyor (70) according to any of clauses 29-37 or the product carrier mover (42) of any of clauses 38-40. 42. Combination of the product carrier and the conveyor or product carrier mover

according to clause 41 , wherein the conveyor (70) or the product carrier mover (42) comprises a forward projection (44B, 74) and a rearward projection (44A, 75) as seen in the direction of movement, and wherein the forward projection and the rearward projection extend to a first midplane (22) of the product carrier or end at a distance from said first midplane.

Method of carrying a product carrier (10) for carrying a part of an electronic cigarette through an assembly line, the method comprising:

- placing a product in a product carrier according to any clauses 1-28,

- conveying the product with a conveyor according to any of clauses 29-37 or moving the product with a product carrier mover according to any of clauses 38 40.

Claims

Product carrier (10) for carrying a part of an electronic cigarette through an assembly line, the product carrier comprising:

- a first moving surface (15A) and a second moving surface (15B) which are each configured to be engaged by a moving member (74,75) of a conveyor (70), wherein the first moving surface (15A) and the second moving surface (15B) face outwardly and are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier, and wherein the first moving surface and the second moving surface are convex

- at least one convex sliding surface (18A, 18B) configured to slide along a curved carrier guide (60) of the assembly line, wherein the convex sliding surface faces outwardly.

Product carrier (10) according to claim 1 , comprising a first sliding surface (18A) and a second sliding surface (18B), wherein the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are positioned on opposite sides of the product carrier.

Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when seen in top view the at least one convex sliding surface (18A, 18B) has a shape of a part of a circle, and wherein a centre of said circle is located at a distance outside a contour of the product carrier, resulting in a radius (R1) of curvature which is greater than a radius (R2) of the moving surface (15A, 15B).

Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one first engagement surface (24A1 , 24A2) and at least one second engagement surface (24B1 , 24B1 ) which are not convex, and are in particular concave, and which are provided on the same side of the product carrier as the first and second sliding surface.

Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when seen in side view the first sliding surface is divided in a plurality of first sliding surface sections (18A1 , 18A2, 18A3) and wherein the second sliding surface is divided in a plurality of second sliding surface sections (18B1 , 18B2, 18B3).

6. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when seen in top view the first moving surface and the second moving surface have a shape of a part of a circle, and wherein a centre of said circle coincides with a centre of the recess.

7. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when seen in top view the recess is provided in the centre of the product carrier, and has in particular a circular shape.

8. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when seen in top view the product carrier is symmetrical with respect to a first vertical plane (22) of symmetry.

9. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when seen in top view the surfaces on the outer side of the product carrier are symmetrical with respect to a second vertical plane (23) of symmetry which extends at right angles to the first plane.

10. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when seen in top view the first and second moving surface are provided at a zero-degree position and at a 180-degree position, and wherein the first and second sliding surfaces are positioned at a 90-degree position and a 270-degree degree position.

1 1. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when seen in top view each of the first and second moving surface extends over a circumferential angle a of 100-130 degrees, in particular 1 10-120 degrees, and wherein when seen in top view each of the first and second sliding surface extends over a circumferential angle β of 80-1 10 degrees, in particular 90-100 degrees.

12. Product carrier (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one first engagement surfaces (24A1 , 24A2) and at least one second engagement surface (24B1 , 24B2) are provided below and/or above the first and second sliding surface.

13. Product carrier (10) according to any of claims 4 - 12, wherein the at least one first engagement surface (24A1 , 24A2) and second engagement surface (24B1 , 24B2) have a smaller width (W1 ) than a width (W2) of the first and second sliding surface.

14. Product carrier (10) according to any of claims 4 - 13, wherein when seen in top view the first and second sliding surfaces are located closer to a centre (20) of the product carrier than the first engagement surface (24A) and the second engagement surface (24B).

15. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more moving surfaces and the one or more sliding surfaces are oriented vertically.

16. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of first sliding surface sections comprises an upper first sliding surface section (18A1) which is located on an upper half (26A) of the product carrier and a lower first sliding surface section (18A3) which is located on a lower half (26B) of the product carrier, and wherein the plurality of second sliding surface sections comprises an upper second sliding surface section (18B1 ) which is located on an upper half (26A) of the product carrier and a lower second sliding surface section (18B3) which is located on a lower half (26B) of the product carrier.

17. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second moving surface extend from an upper end to a lower end of the product carrier.

18. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the recess is cylindrical and has a vertical axis of symmetry.

19. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the recess

comprises a seat (30) configured to support a product.

20. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a vertical through-passage (32) extending from a bottom of the recess to an bottom surface of the product carrier, which through-passage allows a pusher member (35) to push a product out of the recess by moving into the through-passage via the underside and moving against the product in the recess.

21. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product carrier comprises one or more up-down recesses (18A2, 18B2) or an up-down projection in or on the outer side constructed to engage with an actuating member (40) which moves the product carrier up or down.

22. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a flat and horizontal bottom surface (34) configured to slide over a ground surface.

23. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a flat and horizontal top surface (17) configured to slide over a surface.

24. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, being manufactured from steel, in particular stainless steel.

25. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising one or more friction devices for creating a friction force on the product in the recess, for preventing uncontrolled movements of the product relative to the product carrier, wherein each friction device comprises a resilient member, in particular a compression spring, and a contact element for contacting the product.

26. Product carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an edge of the recess is chamfered or rounded.

27. Conveyor (70) constructed to hold and move a plurality of product carriers according to claim 1 , the conveyor comprising a plurality of product carrier movers (42, 71 ), wherein each product carrier mover defines a product carrier position (73, 45) configured to accommodate the product carrier, wherein each product carrier mover comprises a forward projection (74, 44B) and a rearward projection (75, 44A), wherein each product carrier position is located between a respective forward and rearward projection as seen in the direction of conveyance.

28. Conveyor according to claim 27, wherein the conveyor is a carrousel conveyor.

29. Conveyor according to claim 27 or 28, wherein each product carrier position is open to the side allowing entry of the product carrier into the product carrier position.

30. Conveyor according to any of claim 27-29, comprising an up-down actuating member (40, 176) configured for moving the product carrier up and/or down, together with the product mover or relative to the product carrier mover.

31. Conveyor according to any of claims 27-30, wherein the up-down actuating member (40) is movable relative to the forward and rearward projection over a horizontal distance between an engaged position and a retracted position.

32. Conveyor according to any of claims 27-31 , wherein the product carrier mover does not have a support member for supporting the underside of the product carrier, and wherein the product carrier mover is configured to push the product carrier in a horizontal direction while the product slides over a stationary bottom surface.

33. Conveyor according to any of claims 27-32, comprising a plurality of handling units, wherein each handling unit comprises a product carrier mover, and in particular a spring which biases the handling unit in a downward direction.

34. Conveyor according to claim 33, comprising a cam track and a cam for each handling unit for moving the product carrier mover up and down.

35. Conveyor according to claim 33 or 34, wherein each handling unit comprises a pusher member and an actuating mechanism for moving the pusher member vertically relative to the product carrier mover for pushing a product out of the product carrier.

36. Product carrier mover (42, 71) comprising a left projection (44A) and a right projection (44B) which define a product carrier position (45) between them in which a product carrier (10) may fit at least partially, comprising an up-down actuating member (40) which is configured to engage the product carrier and move the product carrier up and/or down.

37. Product carrier mover (42, 71) according to claim 36, wherein the up-down actuating member is retractable in order to disengage from the product carrier, wherein the retracting movement of the actuating member is together with the product carrier mover (42) as a whole, or wherein the up-down actuating member 40 is retractable relative to the projections (44A, 44B).

38. Product carrier mover (42, 71) according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the product carrier mover does not have a support member for supporting the underside of the product carrier, and wherein the product carrier mover is configured to push the product carrier in a horizontal direction while the product slides over a stationary bottom surface.

39. Combination of the product carrier (10) according to any of claims 1-26 and the conveyor (70) according to any of claims 27-35 or the product carrier mover (42) of any of claims 36-38.

40. Combination of the product carrier and the conveyor or product carrier mover

according to claim 39, wherein the conveyor (70) or the product carrier mover (42) comprises a forward projection (44B, 74) and a rearward projection (44A, 75) as seen in the direction of movement, and wherein the forward projection and a rearward projection extend to a first midplane (22) of the product carrier or end at a distance from said first midplane.

- placing a product in a product carrier according to any claims 1 -26,

- conveying the product with a conveyor according to any of claims 27-35 or moving the product with a product carrier mover according to any of claims 36 - 38.