PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102017000016823 filed on 15/02/2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and a device for filling a cartridge for an aerosol generating device with a liquid . In particular, the present invention refers to a method and a device for filling a cartridge with a liquid which comprises a container and an absorbent element arranged in the container.

PRIOR ART

Aerosol generating devices are known which comprise a battery, an atomizer which is supplied by the battery and a cartridge containing a liquid. During use, the atomizer heats the liquid contained in the cartridge and the smoker inhales the steam that is produced.

A cartridge of a type known for use with the aforesaid aerosol generating device comprises: a container; an absorbent element arranged in the container and in contact with the lateral wall of the container; a liquid (e.g., flavoured with tobacco or fruit) retained by the absorbent element; and a cap that closes the container.

In order to make the aforementioned cartridge the absorbent element, it is placed in the container and then, by the use of injecting means (for example, comprising a needle or a cannula) , for a dosed quantity of liquid that is injected in the container without perforating the absorbent element.

However, said cartridge filling operation is rather slow since the absorption rate of the absorbent element is reduced. Moreover, in order to prevent the liquid from leaking out of the container, the speed with which the liquid is injected must necessarily be less than the absorption rate of the absorbent element .

In order to obviate the aforesaid problem, the document US 2015/0223522 Al suggests injecting the dosed quantity of liquid in successive steps. For example, with reference to Figures 1A-1D, the dosed quantity of liquid is injected into the cartridge 100 in four separate steps: a first quarter of the dosed quantity of liquid is injected at a first angular position 101A of the absorbent body 101 of the cartridge 100 (Figure 1A) ; a second quarter of the dosed quantity of liquid is injected at a second angular position 101B of the absorbent body 101 of the cartridge 100 (Figure IB) ; a third quarter of the dosed quantity of liquid is injected at a third angular position 101C of the absorbent body 101 of the cartridge 100 (Figure 1C) ; and the last quarter of the dosed quantity of liquid is injected at a fourth angular position 101D of the absorbent body 101 of the cartridge 100 (Figure ID) .

However, the aforementioned filling method allows for intermittently injecting the liquid and for moving the injecting means several times to fill each individual cartridge. As a result, the filling of the cartridge is an operation that takes quite a long time.

The patent application US2015289565A1 represents the closest state of the art and describes a method and a system for the automatic production of electronic vaporising devices. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for filling a cartridge for an aerosol generating device with a liquid which overcomes the aforesaid drawback.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device which, besides allowing rapid filling of the cartridge, ensures that the absorbent element is not damaged .

The aforesaid objects have been obtained by means of a method and a device according to the appended claims .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting embodiments thereof, wherein:

- Figures 1A-1D are respectively top views of a cartridge during successive steps of the prior art method;

- Figures 2A-2D are respectively cross-sectional views of a cartridge during successive steps of an embodiment of the method object of the present invention;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the device object of the present invention;

- Figures 4 and 5 are a top view and a side view of the device of Figure 3, respectively;

- Figures 6A-6D are cross-sectional views of a cartridge, respectively, during successive steps of a further embodiment of the method object of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached Figures 2A-6D, a cartridge for an aerosol generating device has been generically denoted with the numerical reference 1. The cartridge 1 comprises a container 10 and an absorbent element 11 arranged in the container 10. The container 10 can be made, for example, of stainless steel, plastic or glass whereas the absorbent element 11, which must absorb and retain a liquid, can for example be made of cotton.

According to the embodiment of the cartridge 1 illustrated in the figures, the container 10 comprises a bottom 10a and a lateral wall 10b. The lateral wall 10b rises from the bottom 10a and has a free edge 10c, opposed to the bottom 10a, which delimits an opening lOd of the container 10.

With particular reference to Figures 2A or 6A, the container 10 has a tubular shape with a circular and constant cross- section along the whole development of the container 10 and has a longitudinal development along a respective development axis Y.

Still with reference to the embodiment of the cartridge 1 illustrated in the figures, the absorbent element 11 is arranged in the container 10 so as to contact the bottom 10a and the lateral wall 10b of the container 10.

In particular, also the absorbent element 11 can have a tubular shape having a longitudinal development and have the same cross section having the same shape with respect to the cross section of the container 10. The absorbent element 11 comprises an upper face 11a which faces the opening lOd of the container 10.

The container 10 has a height hi and the absorbent element 11 has a height h which is preferably smaller with respect to the height hi of the container 10. Accordingly, the volume of the container 10 between the upper face 11a of the absorbent element 11 and the free edge 10c of the container 10 is empty. It is understood that other embodiments of the cartridge 1 are allowed without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, the container 10 could have a square or hexagonal and/or non-constant cross section along the whole development of the container 10. Furthermore, the absorbent element 11 could be arranged in the container 10 so as to be in proximity of (without being put in contact with) the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 or it may not be in contact with the bottom 10a of the container 10. Furthermore, the absorbent element 10 could have a height h equal to the height hi of the container 10.

With reference to Figures 2A-2D, a first embodiment of the method object of the present invention is described in the following.

The method comprises the steps of:

- providing a cartridge 1 according to one of the aforementioned embodiments;

- arranging a dispensing end 2a of a cannula 2 between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11;

- injecting, a dosed quantity of liquid in the container 10 through the cannula 2.

Advantageously, due to the fact that the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 is arranged between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11, the proposed method allows to rapidly fill the cartridge 1 without damaging the absorbent element 11. In particular, the proposed method allows to inject the liquid with a higher speed than the absorption rate of the absorbent element 11 without risking the overflow of the liquid from the container 10.

The step of injecting the dosed quantity of liquid m the container 10 is carried out subsequently to the step of arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11. Preferably, the step of arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11 (Figure 2D) comprises the steps of: - arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 in contact with the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 (Figure 2C) ;

- reciprocally moving the cannula 2 and the cartridge 1 by sliding the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 along the lateral wall 10b of the container 10.

In this way, even if the absorbent element 11 is put in contact with or in proximity of the lateral wall 10b of the container 10, it is ensured that the absorbent element 11 is not damaged with the cannula 2.

First arrange the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11, in particular before arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 in contact with the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 the method may provide for arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 facing the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 (Figure 2B) .

In other words, the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 is first placed in the container 10 between the upper face 11a of the absorbent element 11 and the free edge 10c of the container 10 and only subsequently the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2, is arranged in contact with the lateral wall 10b of the container 10.

Advantageously, the risk of accidentally perforating the absorbent element 11 with the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 is reduced. Preferably, the step of reciprocally moving the cannula 2 and the cartridge 1 by sliding the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 along the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 provides for sliding the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 towards the bottom 10a of the container 10.

The cannula 2 has a tubular shape, preferably cylindrical (such as a needle) and has a longitudinal development axis X.

Preferably, the step of reciprocally moving the cannula 2 and the cartridge 1 is performed by maintaining the development axis X of the cannula 2 and the development axis Y of the container 10 parallel to one another.

Advantageously, the cannula 2 is inserted between the absorbent element 11 and the side part 10b of the container 10 without damaging the absorbent element 11. Preferably, the step of reciprocally moving the cannula 2 and the cartridge 1 provides for moving the cannula 2 while maintaining the cartridge 1 (with respect to the cannula 2) still . Considering a cartridge 1 in which the absorbent element 11 is arranged in contact with the bottom 10a of the container 10, the step of arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11 provides for arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 at a distance from the bottom 10a of the container 10 ranging between 30% and 70% of the predetermined height h of the absorbent element 11.

In this way the absorption of the liquid by the absorbent element 11 is optimized. Advantageously, the filling speed of the cartridge 1 increases. Even more preferably, the step of arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11 provides for arranging the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 at midpoint of the predetermined height h of the absorbent element 11.

Referring to Figure 2A, the cannula 2 and cartridge 1 are arranged in an inoperative position: the cannula 2 is arranged outside of the container 10 with the development axis X parallel to the development axis Y of the container 10 and with the dispensing end 2a facing the opening lOd of the container 10. In particular, the cannula 2 is arranged centred with respect to the bottom 10a of the container 10.

Starting from the inoperative position, the cannula 2 is moved towards the bottom 10a of the container 10 until the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 faces the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 (Figure 2B) . Still with reference to Figure 2B, the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 is located between the upper face 11a of the absorbent element 11 and the free edge 10c of the container 10.

Subsequently, the cannula 2 is moved until the dispensing end 10 is brought into contact with the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and above the upper face 11a of the absorbent element 11 (Figure 2C) . In particular, the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 is moved along an oblique trajectory with respect to the bottom 10a of the container 10: the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 is simultaneously translated both towards the lateral wall 10b and towards the bottom 10a of the container 10.

Finally, with reference to Figure 2D, the cannula 2 is translated towards the bottom 10a of the container 10. In particular, the cannula 2 is maintained with the development axis X parallel to the development axis Y of the container 10 and is slid along the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 until the dispensing end 2a is arranged between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11.

With reference to Figures 6A-6D, a further embodiment of the method object of the present invention is described in the following. In said embodiment, the liquid is injected into the container 10 by means of a first cannula 2 and of a second cannula 6.

In particular, the method comprises the steps of:

- arranging the dispensing end (2a) of the first cannula (2) and the dispensing end (6a) of the second cannula (6) between the lateral wall (10b) of the container (10) and the absorbent element (11) ;

- injecting the dosed quantity of liquid in the container (10) through the first cannula (2) and the second cannula (6) . Advantageously, the time for filling the cartridge (1) is reduced .

Furthermore, the step of injecting the dosed quantity of liquid in the container (10) can provide for simultaneously injecting the liquid through the first cannula (2) and the second cannula (6) . As a result, the time for filling the cartridge (1) is further reduced.

With reference to Figure 6A, the first cannula 2, the second cannula 6 and the cartridge 1 are arranged in an inoperative position: the first cannula 2 and the second cannula 6 are arranged outside the container 10 with the development axis X parallel to the development axis Y of the container 10 and the respective dispensing ends 2a, 6a facing the opening lOd of the container 10. Starting from the inoperative position, the first cannula 2 and the second cannula 6 are simultaneously moved towards the bottom 10a of the container 10 until the respective dispensing ends 2a, 6a are facing the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 (see Figure 6B) . Still with reference to Figure 6B, the dispensing ends 2a, 6a are located between the upper face 11a of the absorbent element 11 and the free edge 10c of the container 10. Subsequently, the first cannula 2 and the second cannula 6 are moved until the respective dispensing ends 2a, 6a are brought into contact with the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and above the upper face 11a of the absorbent element 11 (Figure 6C) . In particular, the dispensing ends 2a, 6a are moved along oblique trajectories with respect to the bottom 10a of the container 10: the dispensing ends 2a, 6a are simultaneously both moved towards the lateral wall 10b (in opposite directions) and towards the bottom 10a of the container 10. Again, with reference to Figure 6C, the dispensing end 2a of the first cannula 2 contacts the lateral wall 10b at a point opposite to the contact point of the dispensing end 6a of the second cannula 6.

Finally, with reference to Figure 6D, the first cannula 2 and the second cannula 6 are moved towards the bottom 10a of the container 10. In particular, the first cannula 2 and the second cannula 6 are maintained with the respective development axis X parallel to the development axis Y of the container 10 and slid along the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 until the respective dispensing ends 2a, 6a are arranged between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11.

It is understood that, in accordance with both the first and second preferred embodiments of the method, in order to reach the operative position A it could be the cartridge 1 to be moved and the cannula 2 to be kept still.

With reference to the attached Figures 3-5, a device for filling a cartridge 1 for an aerosol generating device with a liquid of the present invention has been generically denoted with the numerical reference 3.

The device 3 comprises:

- a cannula 2;

- at least one seat 4 shaped so as to receive a cartridge 1 according to one of the aforementioned described embodiments;

- moving means for reciprocally moving the cartridge 1 and the cannula 2 from and towards an operative position A in which the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 is arranged between the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 and the absorbent element 11;

- injecting means 7 for injecting a dosed quantity of a liquid in the cannula 2, when the cartridge 1 and the cannula 2 are in the operative position A.

Advantageously, the proposed device 3 allows the cartridge 1 to be filled with liquid in rather short times.

Preferably, the device 3 comprises a reservoir (not illustrated) for a liquid. In this case, the injecting means 7 put the reservoir and the cannula 2 in fluid communication to suck a dosed quantity of liquid from the reservoir and inject said dosed quantity into the cannula 2.

The cannula 2 has a tubular shape and comprises the dispensing end 2a from which the liquid flows out and an insertion end 2b from which the liquid is inserted.

The dispensing end 2a of the cannula (2) can be wedge-shaped. Said conformation of the dispensing end 2a facilitates the insertion of the dispensing end 2a of the cannula 2 between the absorbent element 11 and the lateral wall 10b of the container 10 without damaging the absorbent element 11. In fact, even in the case where the absorbent element 11 is put in contact with the lateral wall 10b of the container 10, this conformation of the dispensing end 2a leads to a slight deformation of the absorbent element 11 which is thus not perforated by the cannula 2.

Moreover, the device 3 can comprise: a wheel 5 rotating about a vertical axis, which wheel 5 comprises a plurality of said seats 4, each being shaped to receive a cartridge 1; a plurality of cannulas 2 which rotate about the vertical axis of the wheel 5. The rotation of the cannulas 2 is in phase with the rotation of the wheel 5. Each cannula 2 is arranged facing a seat 4 of the wheel 5 so that the cartridges 1 and the cannulas 2 are mutually movable from and towards the operating position A.

Advantageously, said structure of the device 3 allows the filling of several cartridges 1 at the same time.

In this case, the injecting means inject a dosed quantity of liquid into each cannula 2, when the cartridges 1 and the cannulas 2 are in the operative position A.

The device 3 may further comprise a control unit (not illustrated) .

In said case, the device 3 can also comprise a sensor (not illustrated) to detect the presence of the cartridge 1 in the seat 4, which sensor is connected to the control unit to provide the detected data to the control unit. The control unit is in turn connected to the injecting means for controlling the injecting means on the basis of the data detected by the sensor.

Advantageously, the injection of liquid takes place only in the case in which a cartridge 1 is detected in a seat 4.

According to a further embodiment, the device 3 can comprise:

- image acquisition means for capturing at least one image of the cannula 2 and of the cartridge 1 when moved towards the operative position A and a thermal image of the cartridge 1 after the insertion of the liquid;

- a flow sensor for measuring the quantity of liquid that passes through the cannula 2.

The control unit is connected to the image acquisition means and to the flow sensor for evaluating whether the cartridge 1, after the injection of liquid into the cartridge 1, contains the correct quantity of liquid.

By means of the above evaluations, in particular, it is not strictly necessary to weigh the cartridge 1 before and after the filling: it is known that the weighing of the cartridge 1 can be approximate because of the vibrations present in the device 3.

In detail, the image acquisition means allow the capturing of at least one image illustrating the correct positioning of the cannula 2 in the container 10.

Moreover, the image acquisition means allows the capturing of at least one thermal image of the cartridge 1 after the insertion of the liquid: said thermal image is compared with a reference thermal image (a sample image or a thermal image acquired before inserting the liquid) . Preferably, the image acquisition means comprise: a camera which captures at least one image of the cannula (2) and of the cartridge (1) to evaluate the correct mutual positioning of the cannula (2) and of the cartridge (1) when moved towards the operating position (A) ; a thermographic camera that captures the thermal image of the cartridge (1) after the insertion of the liquid.

The means for moving the device 3 can comprise a mechanical cam. For example, said mechanical cam can be connected to the cannula 2 to move the cannula 2 with respect to the cartridge 1. Advantageously, the use of the mechanical cam allows high precision in handling.

The injecting means 7 can comprise a membrane pump.

In particular, in the case wherein the device 3 comprises a plurality of seats 4 and a plurality of cannulas 2, the injecting means 7 can comprise a membrane pump connected to each cannula 2.