U.S. patent application number 15/544703 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-18 for apparatus and method for filling liquid into a cartridge for a vapor provision system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nicoventures Holdings Limited. Invention is credited to Mark Patrick Campbell EWING, Alexandre Julien JEZEQUEL, David Robert SEAWARD, Stuart David WHITEHOUSE.
Application Number | 20180016040 15/544703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52673778 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180016040 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EWING; Mark Patrick Campbell ;
et al. |
January 18, 2018 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILLING LIQUID INTO A CARTRIDGE FOR A
VAPOR PROVISION SYSTEM
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for the automated filling of
a cartridge with liquid for a vapor provision system. The method
includes inserting a compressible matrix into a filling tube;
injecting liquid into the matrix within the filling tube using a
liquid filling pump to produce a wetted matrix; and pushing the
wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the cartridge.
Inventors: |
EWING; Mark Patrick Campbell;
(London, GB) ; JEZEQUEL; Alexandre Julien;
(London, GB) ; SEAWARD; David Robert; (London,
GB) ; WHITEHOUSE; Stuart David; (London, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nicoventures Holdings Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
52673778 |
Appl. No.: |
15/544703 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
January 21, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2016/050127 |
371 Date: |
July 19, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 3/32 20130101; B65B
63/02 20130101; A24F 15/00 20130101; B65B 3/323 20130101; B65B 3/12
20130101; B65B 3/30 20130101; B65B 3/26 20130101; B65B 3/00
20130101; A24F 47/008 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/12 20060101
B65B003/12; B65B 63/02 20060101 B65B063/02; A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 22, 2015 |
GB |
1501061.4 |
Claims
1. An automated method of filling a cartridge with liquid for a
vapor provision system, the method comprising: inserting a
compressible matrix into a filling tube; injecting liquid into the
compressible matrix within the filling tube using a liquid filling
pump to produce a wetted matrix; and pushing the wetted matrix out
of the filling tube into the cartridge.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising compressing the
compressible matrix in a lateral direction perpendicular to a main
longitudinal axis of the compressible matrix prior to inserting the
compressible matrix into the filling tube.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein tweezers are used to compress the
compressible matrix in a lateral direction and to insert the
compressible matrix into the filling tube.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the compressible matrix is held
such that a portion of the compressible matrix is proud of the end
of the tweezers during insertion of the compressible matrix into
the filling tube.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the filling tube has an internal
surface which is roughened.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the internal surface of the
filling tube has a roughness value Ra in the range 2 to 5.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the filling tube has an open end,
and the compressible matrix is inserted into the filling tube
through the open end and pushed out of the filling tube into the
cartridge through the open end.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the filling tube has a
substantially vertical orientation, and the open end is at a bottom
of the filling tube.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid filling pump is a
positive displacement pump.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid filling pump is a
syringe.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid filling pump has a
bore of 0.5 ml or less.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid filling pump has a
bore of 0.1 ml or less.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is injected into the
compressible matrix within the filling tube by the liquid filling
pump through one or more locations in a side of the filling
tube.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wetted matrix is pushed out
of an open end of the filling tube, and wherein liquid is injected
into a portion of the compressible matrix which is further from the
open end of the filling tube than the center of the compressible
matrix is.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the wetted matrix is pushed out
an open end of the filling tube into an open end of the cartridge,
and wherein prior to pushing the wetted matrix out of the filling
tube, the open end of the filling tube is located within an open
end of the cartridge.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the open end of the filling
tube is inserted a distance into the open end of the cartridge
prior to pushing out the wetted matrix, wherein the distance is
small compared to a depth of the cartridge.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein a piston rod is used to push the
wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the cartridge.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the piston rod makes a double
hit to push the wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the
cartridge.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the compressible matrix
comprises a block of foam.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the compressible matrix is
formed from a hydrophobic material.
21. An apparatus configured to perform an automated method of
filling a cartridge with liquid for a vapor provision system
according to claim 1.
22. An apparatus configured to perform an automated filling of a
cartridge with liquid for a vapor provision system, the apparatus
comprising: a filling tube; a mechanism for inserting a
compressible matrix into the filling tube; a liquid filling pump
for injecting liquid into the compressible matrix within the
filling tube to produce a wetted matrix; and a piston mechanism for
pushing the wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the
cartridge.
23. A set of multiple cartridges filled with liquid held in a
matrix for use in a vapor provision system, wherein each cartridge
in the set contains the same amount of liquid within a tolerance of
.+-.1 percent.
24. The set of cartridges of claim 23, wherein a number of
cartridges in the set is selected from the group consisting of: 2
or more cartridges, 5 or more cartridges, 10 or more cartridges, 50
or more cartridges, and 100 or more cartridges.
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. The method of claim 6, wherein the internal surface of the
filling tube has a roughness value Ra in the range 3 to 4.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT
Application No. PCT/GB2016/050127, filed Jan. 21, 2016, which
claims priority from GB Patent Application No. 1501061.4, filed
Jan. 22, 2015, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to vapor provision systems
such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g. e-cigarettes),
and in particular to an apparatus and method for filling liquid
into a cartridge for such a vapor provision system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Vapor provision systems such as e-cigarettes generally
contain a reservoir of liquid which is to be vaporized, typically
nicotine. When a user inhales on the device, a heater is activated
to vaporize a small amount of liquid, which is therefore inhaled by
the user. The liquid may comprise nicotine in a solvent, such as
ethanol or water, together with glycerine or propylene glycol to
aid aerosol formation, and may also include one or more additional
flavors. There are many designs of known e-cigarettes, see for
example, US 2011/0094523 and US 2014/0144429.
SUMMARY
[0004] The disclosure is defined in the appended claims.
[0005] A method and apparatus are provided for the automated
filling of a cartridge with liquid for a vapor provision system.
The method comprises inserting a compressible matrix into a filling
tube; injecting liquid into the matrix within the filling tube
using a liquid filling pump to produce a wetted matrix; and pushing
the wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the cartridge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic (exploded) diagram of an e-cigarette
in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the main functional
components of the body of the e-cigarette of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of the cartridge
portion of an e-cigarette according to one design; in particular,
FIGS. 3A and 3B are two sections taken in mutually orthogonal first
and second planes that both include the longitudinal axis LA of the
e-cigarette as shown in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is schematic diagram of the cartridge portion of the
e-cigarette of FIG. 3 and shows a section through the cartridge
portion in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA, taken
approximately halfway along the length of the cartridge
portion.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an analogous view to FIG. 3A, but showing a
different implementation of the cartridge portion of an e-cigarette
that involves latching or clipping.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an automated
method for filling liquid into a cartridge for an electronic vapor
provision system in accordance with some embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the insertion of
a foam block into a filling tube as part of the overall method in
accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an automated
apparatus for filling liquid into a cartridge for an electronic
vapor provision system in accordance with some embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an automated method for
filling liquid into a cartridge for an electronic vapor provision
system in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As described above, the present disclosure relates to a
vapor provision system, such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the
following description the term "e-cigarette" is used; however, this
term may be used interchangeably with vapor provision system.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic (exploded) diagram of an e-cigarette
10 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure (not to
scale). The e-cigarette 10 comprises a body (control unit) 20, a
cartridge 30 and a vaporizer 40. The cartridge 30 includes an
internal chamber containing a reservoir of liquid and a mouthpiece
35. The liquid in the reservoir typically includes nicotine in an
appropriate solvent, and may include further constituents, for
example, to aid aerosol formation, and/or for additional
flavoring.
[0017] The cartridge reservoir may include a foam matrix or any
other structure for retaining the liquid until such time that it is
required to be delivered to the vaporizer 40. The control unit 20
includes a re-chargeable cell or battery 54 to provide power to the
e-cigarette 10 and a circuit board (or other electronics) for
generally controlling the e-cigarette 10. The vaporizer 40 includes
a heater for vaporizing the nicotine and further includes a wick or
similar device which transports a small amount of liquid from the
reservoir in the cartridge 30 to a heating location on or adjacent
the heater. When a user draws air through the mouthpiece 35, this
causes the controller 55 to switch on the battery 54 and provide
power to the heater. The heater vaporizes liquid which flows via
capillary action from the cartridge 30 to the heater via a wick.
This in turn creates an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
[0018] The control unit 20 and the vaporizer 40 are detachable from
one another, but are joined together when the device 10 is in use,
for example, by a screw or bayonet fitting (indicated schematically
in FIG. 1 as 41A and 21A). The connection between the control unit
20 and vaporizer 40 provides for mechanical and electrical
connectivity between the two. When the control unit 20 is detached
from the vaporizer 40, the electrical connection 21A on the control
unit 20 that is used to connect to the vaporizer 40 also serves as
a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown). The other
end of the charging device can be plugged into a USB socket to
re-charge the cell in the control unit of the e-cigarette 10. In
other implementations, the e-cigarette 10 may be provided with a
cable for direct connection between the electrical connection 21A
and a USB socket.
[0019] The control unit 20 is provided with one or more holes (not
shown in FIG. 1) for air inlet. These holes connect to an air
passage through the control unit to an air passage provided through
the connector 21A. This then links to an air path through the
vaporizer 40 and the cartridge 30 to the mouthpiece 35. The
cartridge 30 and the vaporizer 40 are attached in use by connectors
41B and 31B (again shown schematically in FIG. 1). As explained
above, the cartridge 30 includes a chamber containing a reservoir
of liquid, and a mouthpiece 35. When a user inhales through the
mouthpiece 35, air is drawn into the control unit 20 through one or
more air inlet holes. This airflow (or the resulting change in
pressure) is detected by a sensor, e.g. a pressure sensor, which in
turn activates the heater to vaporize the liquid from the cartridge
30. The airflow passes from the control unit, through the
vaporizer, where it combines with the vapor, and this combination
of airflow and (nicotine) vapor then passes through the cartridge
and out of the mouthpiece 35 to be inhaled by a user. The cartridge
30 may be detached from the vaporizer 40 and disposed of when the
supply of nicotine is exhausted (and then replaced with another
cartridge).
[0020] The e-cigarette 10 has a longitudinal or cylindrical axis
which extends along the center-line of the e-cigarette 10 from the
mouthpiece 35 at one end of the cartridge 30 to the opposing end of
the body portion 20 (usually referred to as the tip end). This
longitudinal axis is indicated in FIG. 1 by the dashed line denoted
LA.
[0021] It will be appreciated that the e-cigarette 10 shown in FIG.
1 is presented by way of example, and various other implementations
can be adopted. For example, in some embodiments, the cartridge 30
and the vaporizer 40 may be provided as a single unit (generally
referred to as a cartomizer), and the charging facility may connect
to an additional or alternative power source, such as a car
cigarette lighter.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the main functional
components of the control unit 20 of the e-cigarette 10 of FIG. 1
in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. These
components may be mounted on the circuit board provided within the
control unit 20, although depending on the particular
configuration, in some embodiments, one or more of the components
may instead be accommodated in the control unit 20 to operate in
conjunction with the circuit board, but are not physically mounted
on the circuit board itself.
[0023] The control unit 20 includes a sensor unit 61 located in or
adjacent to the air path through the control unit 20 from the air
inlet to the air outlet (to the vaporizer 40). The sensor unit 61
includes a pressure sensor 62 and temperature sensor 63 (also in or
adjacent to this air path). The control unit 20 further includes a
Hall effect sensor 52, a voltage reference generator 56, a small
speaker 58, and an electrical socket or connector 21A for
connecting to the vaporizer 40 or to a USB charging device.
[0024] The microcontroller 55 includes a CPU 50. The operations of
the CPU 50 and other electronic components, such as the pressure
sensor 62, are generally controlled at least in part by software
programs running on the CPU 50 (or other component). Such software
programs may be stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM, which
can be integrated into the microcontroller 55 itself, or provided
as a separate component. The CPU 50 may access the ROM to load and
execute individual software programs as and when required. The
microcontroller 55 also contains appropriate communications
interfaces (and control software) for communicating as appropriate
with other devices in the control unit 20, such as the pressure
sensor 62.
[0025] The CPU 50 controls the speaker 58 to produce audio output
to reflect conditions or states within the e-cigarette 10, such as
a low battery warning. Different signals for signaling different
states or conditions may be provided by utilizing tones or beeps of
different pitch and/or duration, and/or by providing multiple such
beeps or tones.
[0026] As noted above, the e-cigarette 10 provides an air path from
the air inlet through the e-cigarette 10, past the pressure sensor
62 and the heater (in the vaporizer 40), to the mouthpiece 35. Thus
when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35 of the e-cigarette 10, the
CPU 50 detects such inhalation based on information from the
pressure sensor 62. In response to such a detection, the CPU 50
supplies power from the battery or cell 54 to the heater, which
thereby heats and vaporizes the liquid from the wick for inhalation
by the user.
[0027] FIGS. 3A and 3B, plus FIG. 4, are schematic diagrams of the
cartridge portion 30 of e-cigarette 10 according to an existing
design. FIG. 4 shows a section through the cartridge portion 30 in
a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA, taken
approximately halfway along the length of the cartridge portion 30.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are two sections taken in first and second planes
that both include the longitudinal axis LA. These first and second
planes are orthogonal to another. For convenience, we will refer to
the first plane shown in FIG. 3A as a horizontal plane, and the
second plane shown in FIG. 3B as the vertical plane. However, it
will be appreciated that although in normal use, the longitudinal
axis LA of the e-cigarette 10 is approximately horizontal, a user
may typically hold the e-cigarette 10 at any rotational (azimuthal)
angle around this longitudinal axis LA. Accordingly, the terms
vertical and horizontal are adopted for ease of explanation, rather
than particularly implying a given orientation of the device for
use.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, the cartridge 30 contains
two main portions: an outer housing 200 and an inner container 350.
The outer housing 200 has a generally circular cross-section in a
plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA, as can be seen in
FIG. 4, thereby forming a generally cylindrical tube. The outer
housing 200 has opposing side walls 301A, 301B, plus opposing top
and bottom walls 301C and 301D respectively. (It will be
appreciated that these walls 301A-D are generally just different,
circumferentially spaced, portions of the tube forming the outer
housing 200.)
[0029] One end of the outer housing tube, corresponding to the
location of the mouthpiece 35, is partly closed by an end wall 39,
which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA. An aperture is
formed in the center of this end wall, and in particular, an inner
tube 37 is formed, which is defined by inner wall 36. This inner
wall 36 likewise forms a generally cylindrical tube, parallel to
the main outer tube of the outer housing 200 formed by walls
301A-D. However, this inner tube only extends inwards (along the
longitudinal axis LA) a relatively short distance from the radially
innermost portion of end wall 39 (compared with the length of the
outer tube).
[0030] The inner container 350 also has a generally circular
cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA,
thereby forming a generally cylindrical tube. In particular, the
inner container 350 thereby defines a central cavity 360 which
retains a reservoir of liquid which is to be vaporized, typically
nicotine (in solution). This liquid may be held in a foam
matrix.
[0031] The interior surface of the outer housing 200 may include a
screw thread at the end opposite to the mouth end 35 to join to
attach the cartridge 30 to the vaporizer portion 40 (see FIG. 1).
The attachment may cause a wick on the vaporizer portion 40 to
penetrate the cartridge 30 (e.g. by puncturing a seal on the
reservoir), thereby drawing liquid from the reservoir onto the
vaporizer 40. (Please note that the details of the end of the outer
housing 200 and the container 350 which are furthest from the
mouthpiece 35, including the configuration of the wick, etc., are
omitted for clarity from FIGS. 3A and 3B.)
[0032] The horizontal side walls of the inner container 350 abut
against the corresponding side walls 301A, 301B of the outer
housing 200. In particular, there is an interference fit between
the horizontal side walls of the inner container 350 and the
corresponding side walls 301A, 301B of the outer housing 200, which
is used to retain the inner container 350 within the outer housing
200. A portion of this interference fit is denoted by reference
numeral 354 in FIG. 3A, and is formed between the side wall 301A of
the outer housing 200 and the corresponding side wall of the inner
container 350. Note that in practice there is a slight taper on the
outer housing 200 (not shown in FIG. 3) in order to enable molding
and to support this interference fit--i.e. the outer housing 200
tapers slightly inwards so as to be narrower at the mouth end
35.
[0033] The generally cylindrical tube of the inner container 350 is
closed at the mouthpiece end 35 by wall 370 and is open at the
opposite end 352. In addition, the interference fit between the
side wall 301A of the outer housing 200 and the corresponding side
wall of the inner container 350 generally prevents the flow of air
along the e-cigarette 10. Accordingly, although the inner container
350 has a generally circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis LA, the top-most portion of this circle is
flattened to allow airflow through the e-cigarette 10.
[0034] In particular, the top wall 356 of the inner container 350
is formed (in the cross-section of FIG. 4) by a chord, rather than
by an arc. This therefore defines an air passage 355 between the
top wall 301C of the outer housing 200 and the top wall 356 of the
inner container 350. This air passage 355 is also shown in FIG. 3B,
together with arrows denoting the airflow from the vaporizer
portion 40 out through the mouthpiece 35.
[0035] The end wall 370 of the inner container 350 which is
adjacent the mouthpiece 35 is provided with a tab 358. This tab 358
extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the
e-cigarette 10 to abut against the end wall 39 of the outer housing
200. The tab 358 has a cross-section of an arc in a plane
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10,
and is located at the bottom of the inner container 350, i.e.
opposite to the top wall 356. In this position, the tab 358 does
not block the airflow from the passage 355 out through the
mouthpiece 35.
[0036] In addition, the length of the tab 358 (in a direction
parallel to the longitudinal axis LA) is greater than the length of
the inner wall 36 which defines the mouthpiece tube 37.
Consequently, the tab 358 serves to prevent the end wall 370
abutting against (and thereby closing) the inside end of the
mouthpiece tube 37. This configuration therefore again helps to
ensure that air flowing through the air passage 355 can then reach
the mouthpiece tube 37 in order to exit through the mouthpiece
35.
[0037] It will be appreciated that the particular inner container
350 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided by way of example only, and
other implementations may have different features. For example, the
inner container 350 may be arranged to latch or clip into the outer
housing 200 (rather than being held in place by an interference
fit), such as shown in FIG. 5, which includes latching (clip)
mechanism 500. In addition, the tab 358 may be shaped differently,
or provided on the outer housing 200, or the mouthpiece 35 may be
designed to avoid having such a tab 358. Further modifications will
be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
[0038] In some electronic vapor provision systems, the
nicotine-containing liquid is held directly in liquid form in a
sealed chamber in a cartridge. For example, opening 352 shown in
FIG. 3A may be closed with a thin wall, e.g. using metallic foil,
to create the sealed chamber. Typically this chamber is then
punctured when the cartridge 30 is introduced into the electronic
vapor provision system, so as to allow a flow of liquid from the
cartridge to the vaporizer 40. However, care must be taken in the
design of such devices to avoid leakage, whereby the liquid flows
into undesired places--e.g. perhaps into the airflow path, even
when the device is not being used. An alternative approach is
therefore common, especially for relatively smaller devices, for
example, those which are analogous in size and shape to a
conventional cigarette (such as shown in FIG. 1). In this approach,
the liquid is held in an absorbing material, such as cotton or
foam, within the cartridge 30. This helps to reduce the risk of
unwanted leakage. It will be appreciated that even if such an
absorbing material is utilized to hold liquid in the cartridge 30,
a seal such as a metal foil may be still be provided for the
reservoir chamber to help prevent leaks prior to installation of
the cartridge 30 into the e-cigarette 10.
[0039] The e-cigarette 10 shown in FIG. 1, and in particular the
inner container 350 of FIGS. 3 and 4, is intended to hold the
nicotine-based liquid in a polyurethane foam. This foam has certain
hydrophobic properties, which is useful to help transfer the liquid
from the foam onto the wick to be conveyed to the heater in the
vaporizer 40 during operation of the device 10 (as described
above). The foam is generally in the form of a rectangular block
which has an approximately square cross-section as defined in a
plane perpendicular to the longest axis of the block (other
cross-sectional shapes could be used as appropriate--e.g. circular,
elliptical, rectangular, etc). The length of this block (i.e. as
measured in a direction parallel to the longest axis of the
rectangular block) is slightly less than the length of the inner
container 350 (in a direction parallel to LA), thereby allowing the
foam block to be fully incorporated within the inner container. The
cross-section of the block is slightly greater than the
cross-section of the inner container (which is depicted in FIG. 4).
Accordingly, the foam block is compressed somewhat in a lateral
direction (perpendicular to LA) in order to fit within the inner
container 350. It will be appreciated that this compression of the
foam helps to retain the foam within the inner container 350.
[0040] The insertion of the liquid into the foam, and of the foam
into the inner container 350 (in whatever order), is an important
part of the manufacturing process for the cartridge 30. This
process must be relatively straightforward and cost-effective,
since the cartridge 30 is a disposable (and replaceable) unit, and
is therefore sold on a stand-alone basis in greater quantities than
the e-cigarette 10 itself. Furthermore, the process is specified to
achieve a fill accuracy of .+-.1% in terms of the amount of liquid
filled into the cartridge 30. This ensures that the consumer
receives at least the appropriate amount of liquid in the cartridge
30, but avoiding significant over-filling (above the nominal
amount), which would otherwise increase costs. In addition, the
.+-.1% tolerance also ensures a more consistent and reliable
experience for the consumer in terms of cartridge lifetime,
etc.
[0041] In a development stage of cartridge 30, the procedure for
filling the liquid into the foam and then the foam into the inner
container 350 was performed as a two-stage manual procedure.
Firstly the blocks of foam were wetted (saturated) with the liquid.
Next an instrument was used to insert each block in turn into a
respective inner container 350. During this second stage, a certain
amount of liquid was shed from the foam block onto the instrument.
This was primarily an issue for the first foam block in each batch
of foam blocks, when the instrument was initially dry. For
subsequent foam blocks in the batch, the transfer of liquid from
each foam block to the instrument would be in approximate
equilibrium with the transfer of liquid back from the instrument
into the foam block. In practice, this meant the inner container
350 which received the first foam block from each batch was more
likely to be outside the tolerance limits, and therefore had to be
discarded. This had a somewhat deleterious impact on the efficiency
and cost-effectiveness of the overall process.
[0042] Various modifications of the above set of manual operations
were investigated, such as inserting the foam first into the inner
container 350 and then wetting with the liquid (rather than
performing the wetting first followed by insertion). These
investigations included compressing the foam prior to the wetting
(and then allowing the foam to expand within the inner container),
and inserting the liquid into the foam using a syringe at different
depths within the inner container 350, e.g. at the bottom of the
inner container 350, or at multiple different depths
simultaneously. However, the results from these investigations were
generally unsatisfactory. In some cases, the liquid was prone to
overflow out of the inner container 350. This was primarily due to
the hydrophobic nature of the foam, which would hinder wetting. It
also was found to be more difficult to obtain an even distribution
of liquid throughout the foam. Such an even distribution is
important to ensure a consistent operation of the e-cigarette--i.e.
a substantially uniform transfer rate of liquid from the foam onto
the wick, and therefore a consistent vaporization rate during user
operation.
[0043] As noted above, the hydrophobic nature of the foam is
believed to be a significant factor behind the problems described
above. Accordingly, further investigations were performed to see if
the foam could be suitably treated, e.g. by steam, in order to
reduce these hydrophobic properties. Although such treatments were
indeed found to be helpful in trying to avoid an uneven
distribution of liquid in the foam, and also overflow of the liquid
out of the inner container 350, they generally increased processing
time, thereby reducing the overall efficiency and
cost-effectiveness of the procedure.
[0044] Accordingly, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an automated
method for filling liquid into a cartridge 30 for an electronic
vapor provision system in accordance with some embodiments. The
first stage of the processing involves the supply or feed of a
rectangular foam block 610. As described above, the foam block 610
is generally made from a hydrophobic material such as polyurethane.
It will be appreciated that the rectangular block shape of the foam
allows the foam block 610 to be easily cut (without wastage) from a
larger foam structure (although other shapes could be used as
appropriate).
[0045] The largest (longest) dimension of the block 610 is
indicated in FIG. 6 by the arrow Z, and represents the longitudinal
axis of the foam block 610. After the foam block 610 has been
inserted into the cartridge 30 of an e-cigarette 10, the
longitudinal axis of the foam block 610 is generally aligned (and
coincident) with the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10.
The cross-sectional shape of the block 610 in a plane perpendicular
to this longitudinal axis is approximately square, which is suited
to the generally circular cross-section of the inner container 350
in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
e-cigarette 10. If the inner container 350 had a different
cross-section, e.g. substantially elliptical, then the
cross-sectional shape of the foam block 610 could be likewise
modified (as would other components of the apparatus, such as the
filling tube and piston described below).
[0046] The apparatus for filling liquid into a cartridge 30 for an
electronic vapor provision system includes a filling tube 620. This
filling tube 620 comprises a hollow, straight tube or pipe, whereby
the main longitudinal axis of the tube 620 is set in a vertical
direction. The cross-sectional shape of the filling tube 620 in a
plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filling tube
620 is approximately circular.
[0047] In some embodiments, the filling tube 620 is held in a
substantially fixed location, with a vertical orientation for the
tube 620. The underside of the tube 620 provides an open end 621
into which the foam block 610 may be inserted. In order to support
such an insertion, the foam block 610 is fed so that the
longitudinal axis of the foam block 610 is aligned and coincident
with the longitudinal axis of the filling tube 620, with the open
end 621 of the filling tube 620 located above the top of the foam
block 610--as shown in stage 2 of FIG. 6. For the configuration of
FIG. 6, the foam block 610 is therefore fed with its main
longitudinal axis having a vertical orientation.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the cross-section of the foam block 610
is greater than the cross-section of the filling tube 620 (in
particular, greater than the internal diameter of the hollow
passage within the filling tube 620). Accordingly, the foam block
610 is compressed in a lateral direction, i.e. perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the foam block, to produce a compressed foam
block 610A--as shown in stage 3 of FIG. 6. In some embodiments,
this compression may be performed by tweezers or prongs (not shown
in FIG. 6) that have multiple sides (arms) that converge towards
the central longitudinal axis of foam block 610 in order to perform
the compression. For example, there may be 2, 3 or 4 (or more)
sides, which have a straight or curved profile (when viewed in
cross-section in a horizontal plane).
[0049] The compressed foam block 610A is now inserted into the
filling tube 620 via the open end 621 of the filling tube 620, such
that the foam block 610A is fully located within the filling tube
620, but still adjacent the open end 621--as shown in stage 4 of
FIG. 6. In this position, the compressed foam block 610A tries to
expand outwards against the walls or sides of the hollow filling
tube 620. This pressure creates a friction between the foam block
610A and the inner wall of the filling tube 620, which prevents the
foam block 610A from falling out of the open end 621 of the filling
tube 620.
[0050] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the filling tube 620
is provided with a textured or roughened surface. This texturing
increases the effective friction between the foam block 610A and
the inner wall of the filling tube 620, and so holds the compressed
foam block 610A more securely in the filling tube 620. The
roughness value (Ra) of the surface of the inner wall is important
for achieving stability. For example, a roughness value between 2
and 5 typically gives good results, with especially good results
being found from testing a particular implementation to occur with
Ra between 3 and 4. Note that if Ra is too high, the foam may snag
on exit, while if Ra is too low, the foam may be displaced by the
liquid during initial pumping of the liquid into the tube 620.
[0051] There are various approaches than can be adopted for
performing the insertion of the compressed foam block 610A into the
filling tube 620. For example, in one embodiment, the tweezers or
prongs used to perform the compression may also lift the compressed
foam rod 610 until it is immediately adjacent to the open end 621
of the filling tube 620 (or the feed location of the compressed
foam block 610 may be such that this positioning is achieved
without performing any lifting of the compressed foam block 610A).
An actuation device may then be used to push upwards on the
underside of the compressed foam block 610A, thereby moving the
compressed foam block 610A upwards and out of the tweezers into the
open end 621 of the filling tube 620. Assuming that the top of the
tweezers is located sufficiently close to the open end 621 of the
filling tube 620, the compressed foam block 610A has little or no
opportunity to (re)expand between the top of the tweezers and the
open end of the filling tube 620.
[0052] In other embodiments, the tweezers may themselves fit within
the filling tube 620, and therefore be used to lift the compressed
foam block 610A at least partway into the filling tube 620. In
these embodiments, it is necessary to ensure that the compressed
foam block 610A remains within the filling tube 620 when the
tweezers are withdrawn. One way of doing this is to provide some
support underneath the bottom of the compressed foam block 610A,
i.e. in effect at the open end 621 of the filling tube 620, which
allows the tweezers to be withdrawn from the filing tube 620, but
ensures that the compressed foam block 610A is retained
therein.
[0053] Other implementations are also possible. For example, the
foam may be compressed by the tweezers along two opposing sides,
while being free on the other two sides which are not in contact
with the tweezers. The two "free" sides can then be compressed by
the walls of the filling tube. Next, the tweezers are allowed to
open (at least partially), and the tweezers are then withdrawn or
retracted from the filling tube 620. The friction between the two
"free" sides and the inner surface of the filling tube 620 allows
the foam to remain in place during the retraction of the
tweezers.
[0054] The apparatus is arranged so that the top surface of the
foam block 610 is proud of (extends beyond) the open (top) end of
the tweezers during insertion. One reason for this is that the foam
then bunches up around the top of the tweezers, which provides
additional resistance to stop the foam from sliding back down the
tweezers during insertion. In addition, this bunching allows the
foam to make contact with the underside of piston 630 (as described
below), and thereby helps to prevent the underside surface of the
piston 630 from retaining a substantially sized droplet of liquid,
which might otherwise lead to greater variability in the amount
dispensed into different cartridges.
[0055] Although FIG. 6 shows the compression of the foam block 610
and the insertion of the compressed foam block 610A into the
filling tube 620 as separate stages (3 and 4), in other
embodiments, the compression and insertion might be performed as a
single, combined operation. This approach is illustrated in FIG. 7,
in which the open end 621 at the bottom of the filling tube 620 is
provided with an outwardly directed flange 625 (i.e. it flares
outwards). In this implementation, the bottom of the flanged
portion 625 is large enough to accept the uncompressed foam block
610 (FIG. 7A). However, as the foam block 610 is pushed further up
into the filling tube 620, the diameter of the flange 625 narrows,
thereby compressing the top portion of the foam block 610 into the
filling tube 620 (FIG. 7B). Eventually, the whole foam block 610 is
located in compressed form within the filling tube 620 (FIG.
7C).
[0056] After the compressed foam block 610A has been located within
the filling tube 620 (by any suitable mechanism), the compressed
foam block 610A is now provided with liquid to produce a wetted
foam block 610B. A positive displacement pump is used for the
filling process. In particular, the positive displacement pump has
a small bore, so that the amount of liquid provided per cycle of
the pump is low volume--e.g. less than 0.1 ml. Consequently, the
total amount of liquid dispensed to a given foam block 610 can be
controlled very accurately by specifying the total number of cycles
to be used to fill a given foam block 610. It will also be
appreciated that because the liquid supply from the positive
displacement pump is generated by the displacement of liquid using
a component of known size, the amount of liquid dispensed per cycle
is consistent and reliable, matching the known size of the moving
component. This in turn therefore produces a consistent and
reliable fill level of the compressed foam block 610A for use in an
e-cigarette cartridge 30.
[0057] In some implementations, the feed from the positive
displacement pump may pass down from the top of the filling tube
620. Alternatively, or additionally, the positive displacement pump
may insert liquid into the compressed foam block 610A through a
small opening in the side of the filling tube 620. In general, the
liquid is injected into the foam block 610A itself (rather than,
say, being dropped onto the foam block 610A from above). This helps
to give a better (more uniform) absorption of the liquid within the
compressed foam block 610A. In addition, the point of injection may
be located in the top half of the compressed foam block 610A, since
this location, combined with gravity, again helps to provide a more
uniform absorption of liquid into the compressed foam block 610A. A
further option is to have multiple points of liquid injection into
the compressed foam block 610A, e.g. at different distances from
the open end 621 of the filling tube 620. Once again, this can help
to support a more uniform and reliable absorption of liquid into
the compressed foam block 610A.
[0058] The inner container 350 for a cartridge (such as shown in
FIG. 3) is now located adjacent the open end 621 of the filling
tube 620, such that the longitudinal axis of the inner container
350 is aligned and coincident with the longitudinal axis of the
filling tube 620. The inner container 350 is orientated so that the
wall 370 and tab 358 point downwards (away from the open end 621 of
the filling tube 620), while the open end 352 of the inner
container 350 is directed upwards so that it faces the open end 621
of the filling tube 620--as shown in stage 6 of FIG. 6.
[0059] In some implementations, the filling tube 620 is maintained
in a fixed position, and first a foam block 610 is located beneath
the open end 621 of the tube (as per stage 2), and then later the
inner container 350 is located beneath the open end 621 of the tube
620 (as per stage 6). In other implementations, the filling tube is
itself moved so as to locate the open end 621 of the tube 620 with
respect to the foam block 610 and/or the inner container 350.
[0060] Note that the filling tube 620 may have a smaller
cross-section than the inner container 350. This then allows the
inner container 350 to be raised slightly (and/or the filling tube
620 to be lowered slightly) so that there is a small overlap
between the two. In other words, the bottom of the filling tube 620
is then located slightly within the inner container 350. This
overlap can help to ensure that the compressed (and wetted) filling
block 610B passes easily out of the open end of the filling tube
620 into the inner container 350 without the risk of liquid loss.
However, the overlap is generally small enough to preserve room
(depth) within the inner container 350 to accommodate the
compressed foam block 610B (once ejected from within the filling
tube 620). Other implementations may not have any such overlap
between the filling tube 620 and the inner container 350 (as
measured in the vertical direction), although the open end 621 of
the filling tube 620 may nevertheless be very close to the open end
352 of the inner container 350.
[0061] As also shown in FIG. 6, a piston (pusher) rod 630 is
located within the filling tube 620. This piston rod 630 is pushed
downwards through the filling tube 620 in order to expel the wetted
foam block 610B from the open end 621 of the filling tube 620 into
the inner container 350. Note that this expulsion process may also
help to distribute the liquid more evenly through the foam block
610.
[0062] In general, the motion of the piston rod 630 is sufficient
to drive the wetted foam block 610B all the way into the inner
container 350, so that the bottom of the wetted foam block 610B
sits against the end wall 370 of the inner container 350--as shown
in stage 7A of FIG. 6. For this purpose, the piston rod 630 is
actuated downwards so that the lower end of the piston rod 630
reaches at least close to the open end 621 of the filling tube 620.
Indeed, the piston rod 630 may slightly protrude from the open end
621 of the filling tube 620 at this point.
[0063] In some embodiments, the piston rod 630 is provided with a
double-hit action. In other words, after the initial pushing by the
piston rod 630 to expel the wetted foam block 610B into the inner
container 350, there is a short and rapid partial retraction of the
piston rod 630 (i.e. upwards), followed by another short and rapid
downward stroke, before the piston rod 630 is finally withdrawn
from the inner container 350. This double-hit action can help to
provide a clean separation of the piston rod 630 from the wetted
foam block 610B, as newly inserted into the inner container 350, as
well as a more consistent shaping and arrangement of the foam block
610 within the inner container 350.
[0064] In other embodiments, the piston rod 630 and filling tube
620 may provide a different way of expelling the wetted foam block
610B from the filling tube 620. For example, one possibility would
be for the filling tube 620 and piston rod 630 to start from the
position shown in stage 6 of FIG. 6, and then to be jointly lowered
into the inner container 350, assuming that the cross-section of
the latter is greater than the cross-section of the former (or
alternatively, the inner container 350 could be lifted around the
outside of the filling tube 620). Once the wetted foam block 610B
was in approximately the correct location within the inner
container 350, the filling tube 620 could then be retracted
upwards, while the position of the piston rod 630 was maintained
steady--thereby arriving at the configuration shown in stage 6 of
FIG. 6.
[0065] Whichever approach is used to expel the wetted foam block
610B from the filling tube 620, the process arrives at the
situation shown at stage 7B of FIG. 6, whereby the insertion of the
wetted foam block 610B into the inner container 350 has been
completed. The inner container 350 can now be removed for suitable
further processing, such as assembly into cartridge 30, a
cartomizer, or any other such component.
[0066] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus 800 for the
automated filling of liquid into a cartridge 30 for an electronic
vapor provision system in accordance with some embodiments of the
disclosure. This apparatus 800 includes a filling tube or pipe 620
as previously described arranged in a vertical configuration. A
piston or pusher rod 630 is located in the top portion of the
filling tube 620, while the bottom of the filling tube 620 has an
open end. The apparatus 800 has a mechanism for feeding a foam
block 610 at a time to the position (denoted by arrow 850)
underneath the open end 621 of the filing tube 620. The apparatus
800 further includes a mechanism for compressing and lifting the
foam block 610 into the filling tube 620 (as per stage 4 of FIG.
6).
[0067] A positive displacement pump 810 is provided as part of
apparatus 800 to dispense a precisely controlled amount of liquid
into the foam block 610 in the filling tube 620 through a side
opening in the filling tube 620. When this filling operation has
been completed (or while it is in progress), and inner container
350 for a cartridge 30 is fed to the position 850. The piston rod
630 is then activated to expel the wetted foam block 610 from the
filling tube 620 into the inner container 350.
[0068] The apparatus 800 therefore provides an automated,
high-volume mechanism for the filling of e-cigarette cartridges 30
(including cartomizers, etc). The apparatus 800 may be operated in
a semi-automated intermittent, fully automated intermittent, or
fully automated continuous mode. Typical implementations of the
apparatus 800 support run rates in the range of 5-300 capsules
filled per minute.
[0069] The apparatus 800 supports a complete wetting of the foam
block 610 with a very consistent fill level of liquid per cartridge
30--typically greater than 99% accuracy by weight. The automated
processing also brings additional benefits over existing manual
procedures. For example, there is lower risk of human contamination
of the e-cigarette cartridges 30, or of undesired exposure of
manual operators to the e-cigarette liquids. Furthermore, the
accurate and reliable automated filling process can lead to cost
savings, and a more consistent (and hence generally improved) user
experience.
[0070] The flowchart of FIG. 9 provides a flowchart of an automated
method of filling a cartridge with liquid for an electronic vapor
provision system in accordance with some embodiments of the
disclosure. In this context, a cartridge should be understood to
include any unit of an electronic vapor provision system that
receives and contains a liquid for vaporization, such as cartridge
30 as shown in FIG. 1, a cartomizer, or any chamber or liquid
container to be provided in such a device, e.g. such as inner
container 350 from FIG. 3. The liquid to be filled typically
comprises nicotine in combination with other constituents, such as
a solvent, one or more flavorings, and/or a component to assist in
aerosol formation during the vaporization, process. However, the
method is not limited to nicotine-based liquids, but rather applies
to any such liquid for use in an electronic vapor provision system
(such as an e-cigarette).
[0071] The method shown in FIG. 9 includes inserting a block of
foam into a filling tube (operation 910), for example using
tweezers or a pushing rod. The foam is formed from a hydrophobic
material, for example, polyurethane. The filling tube may have a
roughened or textured internal surface to help retain the foam
within the filling tube. The method further includes injecting
liquid into the foam block within the filling tube using a positive
displacement pump to produce a wetted foam block. The positive
displacement pump may be provided with a small bore (pumped amount
per cycle) to provide an accurate and consistent amount of liquid
fill per foam block. The method further comprises pushing the
wetted foam block out of the filling tube into the cartridge, for
example using a piston rod. This expulsion of the foam block may
involve a double-hit of the foam block by the piston rod to provide
improved consistency in placement of the foam block within the
container.
[0072] The method shown in FIG. 9 supports automation, together
with consistent, highly accurate fill rates of liquid into the foam
blocks of each cartridge. Such a method can therefore help to
produce a set of multiple cartridges filled with liquid held in a
foam block for use in a vapor provision system, wherein each
cartridge in said the contains the same amount of liquid within a
tolerance of .+-.1 percent (the tolerance can be defined, for
example, as representing 2, 2.5. or 3 .sigma., wherein .sigma.
represents the standard deviation of liquid amounts across the
set/sample or overall population of cartridges).
[0073] The skilled person will be aware of many potential
variations on the various implementations described above. By way
of example only, rather than using a positive displacement pump,
some other form of liquid filling pump may be utilized to provide a
consistent amount of liquid for filling the cartridges, for
example, a syringe pump. In addition, rather than using a foam
block to hold the liquid in the cartridges, some other suitable
compressible matrix may be utilized instead.
[0074] In order to address various issues and advance the art, this
disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in
which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and
features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of
embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are
presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the claimed
invention(s). It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments,
examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of
the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the
disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents
to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or
consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed
elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc other than
those specifically described herein. The disclosure may include
other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in
future.
* * * * *