Method and system for the automated production of e-vapor devices

Abstract

A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.

1 . A system for manufacturing of e-vapor devices, comprising:
 a feed source of cartridge units of the e-vapor devices;   an assembly path in communication with the feed source, the assembly path including at least a plurality of fluted surfaces, the plurality of fluted surfaces configured to receive the cartridge units and produce a procession of the cartridge units along the assembly path;   a filling station downstream from the feed source on the assembly path, the filling station configured to supply the procession of the cartridge units with a liquid;   a sealing station downstream from the filling station on the assembly path, the sealing station configured to insert a sealing element into each of the cartridge units to seal the liquid therein; and   an inspection station downstream from the feed source on the assembly path, the inspection station configured to detect and eject non-compliant units from the procession of the cartridge units.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feed source is configured to orient the cartridge units in a same direction. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly path includes a plurality of drums including the plurality of fluted surfaces, the plurality of drums configured to perform a drum-to-drum transfer of the cartridge units to advance the procession. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of fluted surfaces is in a form of a groove having a shape configured to correspond to an outer surface of a corresponding one of the cartridge units. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of fluted surfaces includes a port opening extending therethrough, the port opening configured to draw a vacuum to hold a corresponding one of the cartridge units against a receiving one of the plurality of fluted surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluted surfaces are covered with a resilient material, the resilient material being more yielding than a constituent material of the plurality of fluted surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluted surfaces are arranged in parallel and define at least one of a first fluted transport section and a second fluted transport section of the assembly path. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing station is configured to insert at least one of a gasket and a mouthpiece as the sealing element. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inspection station is configured to eject the non-compliant units with a jet of air through a corresponding one or more of the plurality of fluted surfaces of the assembly path. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an accumulator configured to accrue the cartridge units as a buffer that compensates for at least one of empty slots in the procession and different operating speeds of the filling station and the sealing station.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the accumulator includes a zig-zag or S-shaped pathway through which the cartridge units travel between an accumulator inlet and an accumulator outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the accumulator is configured to receive the cartridge units at an accumulator inlet at a higher rate than the cartridge units are released at an accumulator outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a sensor arranged at the accumulator, the sensor configured to determine whether a number of the cartridge units in the accumulator exceeds a threshold, and   control drums downstream of the accumulator to allow the cartridge units to accumulate in the accumulator based on the determination.