Machine and method for producing electronic cigarette cartridges

Abstract

A manufacturing machine (15) and method for producing an electronic cigarette cartridge (1) are provided as follows: a first assembly drum (21) which is mounted to rotate about a first rotation axis (22) and has at least a first seat (23) and a second seat (24), the first seat being designed to accommodate a tube (12), the second seat being axially aligned with the first seat and being designed to accommodate a support (9) of a heating device (6); a first feeding station (S1), in which the tube (12) is fed into the first seat; a second feeding station (S2), in which the support (9) of the heating device (6) is fed into the second seat; and a first welding station (S3), which is arranged downstream of the first feeding station and the second feeding station and is provided with a first welding device (25), which connects the tube carried by the first seat to the support carried by the second seat (24) by means of a welding joint.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102019000000863 filed on January 21, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a machine and a method for producing electronic cigarette cartridges. Background Art

[0004] Recently, an electronic cigarette has been proposed, which comprises a reusable component that can be used multiple times and further comprises a battery (providing the energy required for the operation of the electronic cigarette) and an electronic processor for monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette. In addition, the electronic cigarette comprises a disposable cartridge (i.e. disposable, so the cartridge is only used once and then replaced), which is connected to the reusable component. The disposable cartridge is relatively complex in structure and is currently produced (assembled) in a substantially manual manner (i.e. slowly, at high production costs and with extremely variable quality standards).

[0005] Patent application WO2018078565A1 describes a manufacturing machine for producing disposable electronic cigarette cartridges. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a machine and a method for producing electronic cigarette cartridges which enable a high productivity and which are at the same time easy to manufacture and low in cost.

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing machine for producing electronic cigarette cartridges;

[0008] The cigarette cartridge comprises: a heating device, provided with a core, an electric coil wound into a spiral shape around the core, and a support member, wherein the support member has two "U"-shaped cavities for accommodating the core inside; two conductor elements, each of which has an inner end connected to a corresponding end of the electric coil; and a tube connected to the support member of the heating device;

[0009] The manufacturing machine comprises:

[0010] a first assembly drum, rotating about a first axis of rotation and having at least a first seat designed to house the tube and a second seat, the first seat being axially aligned with the first seat and designed to house a support of the heating device;

[0011] a first feeding station in which the tube is fed into the first seat;

[0012] a second feeding station, in which the support of the heating device is fed into the second seat; and

[0013] A first welding station, arranged downstream of the first and second feeding stations, and provided with first welding means for connecting, by means of a welded joint, the pipe carried by the first seat to a support carried by the second seat.

[0014] In addition, the present invention also provides a manufacturing method for producing electronic cigarette cartridges.

[0015] The cigarette cartridge comprises: a heating device, provided with a core, an electric coil wound into a spiral shape around the core, and a support member, wherein the support member has two "U"-shaped cavities for accommodating the core inside; two conductor elements, each of which has an inner end connected to a corresponding end of the electric coil; and a tube connected to the support member of the heating device;

[0016] The manufacturing method comprises the following steps:

[0017] rotating an assembly drum having at least a first seat designed to house the tube and a second seat axially aligned with the first seat and designed to house a support of the heating device about a first axis of rotation;

[0018] In a first feeding station, the tube is fed into a first seat;

[0019] In a second feeding station, feeding the support of the heating device into the second seat; and

[0020] In a first welding station, arranged downstream of the first and second feeding stations, the tube carried by the first seat is welded to a support carried by the second seat by means of welding means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show non-limiting examples of embodiments, in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an e-cigarette cartridge;

[0023] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a cigarette cartridge with a removable cover removed;

[0024] - Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge of Figure 1 with the removable cover removed;

[0025] - Figure 4 is manufactured according to the present invention for producing Figure 1 A plan view of a cigarette cartridge manufacturing machine;

[0026] - Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a front view of a manufacturing machine;

[0027] - Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of an initial portion of a manufacturing machine;

[0028] - Figure 7 yes Figure 6 an enlarged view of the initial portion of the assembled drum;

[0029] - Figure 8 yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of another assembled drum of the initial portion of the;

[0030] - Fig. 9 yes Figure 4 A plan view of the middle part of the manufacturing machine;

[0031] - Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A schematic perspective view of a middle portion of an assembled conveyor with a movable plate;

[0032] - Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 A perspective schematic diagram of a core feeding station in the middle portion of FIG.

[0033] - Fig.12 and Fig.13 yes Fig.11 Schematic diagram of two side views of the feeding station at two different operating moments;

[0034] - Fig.14 is Fig.11 A perspective schematic diagram of a core being removed from a feeding station;

[0035] - Fig.15 is Fig.11 A perspective schematic diagram of a conveying core in a feeding station;

[0036] - Fig.16 yes Fig.11 A perspective schematic diagram of a feeding trolley of a feeding station;

[0037] - Fig.17 yes Fig.16 A schematic side view of a feeding trolley;

[0038] - Fig.18 yes Fig. 9 A perspective schematic diagram of a cigarette holder feeding station in the middle part;

[0039] - Fig.19 yes Fig. 9A perspective schematic diagram of a station for feeding absorbent pads in the middle portion of FIG.

[0040] - Fig. 20 and Fig.21 yes Fig.19 Schematic diagrams of two different perspective views of a feeding station portion;

[0041] - Fig. 22 and Fig.23 yes Fig.19 Schematic diagram of two side views of the feeding station at two different operating moments;

[0042] - Figures 24 to 35 yes Fig.19 Schematic diagrams of multiple side views of a movable plate at rest in a feeding station at different operating moments;

[0043] - Fig.36 yes Fig.19 A schematic side view of a feeding trolley of a feeding station;

[0044] - Fig.37 yes Figure 4 A schematic front view of the final part of the manufacturing machine;

[0045] - Fig.38 yes Fig.37 A perspective view of the two seats of the first assembled drum of the final part;

[0046] - Fig.39 yes Fig.38 A perspective view of an insertion station for a first assembly roller;

[0047] - Fig.40 yes Fig.37 A perspective view of the final portion of the second assembly of two drum seats;

[0048] - Fig.41 yes Fig.40 A perspective view of a bending station of a second assembly roller;

[0049] - Fig.42 yes Fig.37 A perspective view of the two seats of the third assembled drum of the final part;

[0050] - Fig.43 yes Fig.42 A perspective view of an insertion station for a third assembly roller; and

[0051] - Fig.44 yes Fig.37 A perspective view of the insertion station of the fourth assembly drum of the final section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] In FIGS. 1 and 2 , numeral 1 generally indicates a disposable cartridge of a known type of electronic cigarette (ie, disposable, so the cartridge is used only once and then replaced).

[0053] The electronic cigarette comprises a reusable component in the shape of a parallelepiped, which can be used multiple times and further comprises a battery (providing energy required for the operation of the electronic cigarette) and an electronic processor for monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette; a new disposable cartridge 1 is connected to the reusable component to be used (i.e., to be "smoked"), and after use it is thrown away to be replaced with a new disposable cartridge 1.

[0054] The cartridge 1 comprises a body 2 of a generally parallelepiped shape, which, in use, is connected to an electronic cigarette via two electrical contacts 3 arranged at the lower base of the body 2, receiving power supply from the electronic cigarette. In addition, the cartridge 1 comprises a cover 4, which slides on the body 2 to cover the area where the two electrical contacts 3 are arranged.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the main body 2 of the cigarette cartridge 1 is mainly composed of a can body 5, which is basically in the shape of a parallelepiped and is hollow inside to accommodate a certain amount of viscous liquid substance therein, wherein the viscous liquid substance contains nicotine and any flavor suitable for being heated and evaporated.

[0056] The cartridge 1 comprises a heating device 6, which is inserted into the tank body 5 at one end of the tank body 5 (arranged near the cover 4) and is electrically connected to the two electrical contacts 3. In particular, the heating device 6 comprises a core 7 and an electrical winding (i.e., an electric coil 8), the core 7 is cylindrical and made of a suitable heat-resistant plastic material (therefore electrically insulating), the electric winding is formed by a thin wire of a conductive material (usually copper), and an electrically insulating enamel layer is provided on the outside; the electric coil 8 (forming a thermal resistance) is wound in a spiral around the core and has two opposite ends (i.e., the starting end and the end of the electric coil 8), which protrude perpendicularly to the core 7 and are electrically connected to the two electrical contacts 3. Preferably, the heating device 6 comprises a support 9, which is shaped like a "fork" and has two "U"-shaped cavities, and the core 7 of the heating device 6 is arranged in the "U"-shaped cavity.

[0057] The cigarette cartridge 1 includes two conductor elements 10, which are inserted into the tank body 5 at one end of the tank body 5 (arranged near the cover 4), are made of conductive material, and each conductor element 10 has an outer end and an inner end, the outer end protrudes from the tank body and defines a corresponding electrical contact 3, and the inner end is connected to the corresponding end of the electric coil 8 of the heating device 6.

[0058] The cartridge 1 comprises a plug 11 made of elastic material (eg silicone rubber), which is inserted into the end of the can body 5 opposite to the cover 4 (ie opposite to the electrical contact 3) to seal the can body 5, and the plug 11 has a central through hole.

[0059] The cartridge 1 comprises a tube 12, which is arranged to pass through the plug 11 of the tank body 5 (i.e., through the through hole of the plug 11) so that the interior of the tank body 5 is connected to the exterior of the tank body 5; in particular, the support 9 of the heating device 6 comprises a through-pipe (i.e., passing through the support 9 from one side to the other side), wherein the through-pipe is connected to the tube 12 (i.e., it forms a continuation of the tube 12 passing through the support 9).

[0060] The cartridge 1 comprises a mouthpiece 13 which, in use, is designed to be inserted into the mouth of a user, is partially mounted around the tank body 5 on the side opposite to the cover 4 (i.e. on the side opposite to the electrical contacts 3), and is connected to a tube 12; through the tube 12, the user can inhale steam from the mouthpiece 13, the steam being formed inside the tank body 5 due to the evaporation of the liquid caused by the heat generated by the heating device 6.

[0061] Finally, the cartridge 1 comprises two absorbent pads 14 made of hygroscopic material, which are arranged inside the mouthpiece 13 in direct contact with the can 5 and are capable of absorbing and thus retaining any traces of liquid that should pass through the tube 12 to the mouthpiece 13 (thereby preventing the user from inhaling the liquid together with the vapor by inhaling from the mouthpiece 13).

[0062] exist Figure 4 In the figure, number 15 generally represents a manufacturing machine for producing the above-mentioned electronic cigarette cartridge 1.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, the manufacturing machine 15 includes an assembling section 16 and a feeding section 17 . In the assembling section 16 , materials forming the cigarette cartridge 1 are assembled to manufacture the cigarette cartridge 1 . In the feeding section 17 , materials forming the cigarette cartridge 1 are received and sorted to the assembling section 16 .

[0064] like Figure 5As shown, the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15 includes an initial part A, an intermediate part B and a final part C. In the initial part A, the tube 12 is initially connected to each support 9, and then the conductor element 10 is connected to each support 9. In the intermediate part B, the core 7 is connected to each support 9 provided with an electric coil 8 wound into a spiral shape, and two absorbent pads 14 are connected to each mouthpiece 13. In the final part C, the support 9 provided with the core 7 and the tube 12 is initially connected to each tank body 5, and then the plug 11 is connected to each tank body 5, and the mouthpiece 13 is connected to each tank body 5, thereby completing the formation of the cigarette cartridge 1 that only lacks the cover 4 (which is applied downstream of the manufacturing machine 15 after the tank body 5 is filled with a certain amount of viscous liquid substance containing nicotine).

[0065] The manufacturing machine 15 comprises a support 18 (ie a frame) which rests on the ground by means of legs 19 and has a vertical wall at the front on which the operating members of the three parts A, B and C are mounted. Figure 4 As shown, the manufacturing machine 15 comprises a protective shell 20 which encloses the support body 18 in its interior, the protective shell 20 being provided with a transparent window and with a door which must be kept closed during use and which can be opened when the manufacturing machine 15 is in a paused state.

[0066] like Figure 6 As shown, the initial part A comprises a first assembly drum 21 arranged vertically, which is mounted to rotate around a first horizontal rotation axis 22, so as to rotate around the first rotation axis 22 in an intermittent motion (i.e., in a stepwise manner by cyclic alternation of movement steps and stationary steps). The first assembly drum 21 has a plurality of first suction seats 23 and a plurality of second suction seats 24, each first seat 23 being designed to accommodate a tube 12, each first seat 23 being axially aligned with a corresponding second seat 24 and being designed to accommodate a support 9 of a heating device 6.

[0067] A first feeding station S1 is provided, in which the tube 12 is fed into each first seat 23 of the first assembly roller 21, and a second feeding station S2 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the first feeding station S1 relative to the rotation direction of the first assembly roller 21, and in which the support member 9 of the heating device 6 is fed into each second seat 24 of the first assembly roller 21.

[0068] A first welding station S3 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the first feeding station S1 and the second feeding station S2 and is provided with a first welding device 25 (operated for example by ultrasound) which connects by welding the tube 12 carried by the first seat 23 to the support 9 carried by the corresponding second seat 24. Figure 7As shown, the first welding device 25 includes a "U"-shaped welding body 26 to partially surround the tube 12 carried by the first seat 23 and the support member 9 carried by the corresponding second seat 24; in addition, the first welding device 25 includes an actuator 27, which causes the welding body 26 to radially move between a static position and a working position relative to the first rotation axis 22, in which the welding body 26 is (relatively) away from the first assembly roller 21 (when the first assembly roller 21 rotates around the first rotation axis 22), and in the working position, the welding body 26 is close to the first assembly roller 21 (when the first assembly roller 21 is static).

[0069] According to a possible embodiment, in the second feeding station S2, the support 9 of the heating device 6 is fed to the second seat 24 to contact the tube 12 carried by the corresponding first seat 23; in other words, in the second feeding station S2, the support 9 of the heating device 6 accommodated in the second seat 24 has been placed (contacted) on the tube 12 carried by the corresponding first seat 23. Figure 7 In the alternative embodiment shown, in the second feeding station S2, the support member 9 of the heating device 6 is fed to the second seat 24 at a given axial distance (not equal to zero) from the tube 12 carried by the corresponding first seat 23; in this embodiment, the feeding station S4 is arranged between the second feeding station S2 and the first welding station S3, relative to the rotation direction of the first assembly roller 21, and the feeding station S4 is provided with a pushing device 28, which moves the tube 12 axially inside each first seat 23 so as to place the tube 12 on the support member 9 carried by the corresponding second seat 24.

[0070] like Figure 7 As better shown, the initial part A comprises a feed roller 29 mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation 30 parallel to the first axis of rotation 22, the feed roller 29 rotating with intermittent movement about the second axis of rotation 30, with a plurality of third seats 31 for suction, each third seat 31 being designed to receive a tube 12 and being tangential to the first assembly roller 21 in the region of the first feed station S1. Upstream of the first feed station S1 relative to the direction of rotation of the feed roller 29, an input station S5 is arranged along the feed roller 29; a series of tubes 12 are fed to the input station S5 by a conveyor (for example pneumatic) and in which each tube 12 is inserted axially into a corresponding third seat 31 of the stationary feed roller 29. According to a different embodiment not shown, the input station S5 is provided with a cutting device which separates the tubes from the tubular body by transverse cutting. In use and when the feed drum 29 is stationary, in the first feed station S1 , the tube 12 is transferred from the third seat 31 of the feed drum 29 to the first seat 23 of the first assembly drum 21 .

[0071] like Figure 6As shown, the initial part A comprises a second assembly drum 32, which is rotatably mounted about a third rotation axis 33 parallel to the first rotation axis 22, rotating about the third rotation axis 33 in an intermittent motion (i.e. in a stepwise manner by cyclic alternation of movement steps and stationary steps). The second assembly drum 32 has a plurality of fourth seats 34, each of which is designed to accommodate a support 9 (provided with a tube 12) of the heating device 6. In a first transfer station S6, the second assembly drum 32 is tangential to the first assembly drum 21, and when both the first assembly drum 21 and the second assembly drum 32 are stationary, the support 9 is transferred from the first seat 23 of the first assembly drum 21 to the fourth seat 34 of the second assembly drum 32. A first coupling station S7 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the first transmission station S6 with respect to the direction of rotation of the second assembly drum 32, and in which the conductor element 10 is coupled to the support 9 carried by the fourth seat 34 of the second assembly drum 32.

[0072] Furthermore, the initial part A comprises a transfer roller 35 which is rotatably mounted about a fifth axis of rotation 36 parallel to the first axis of rotation 22 so as to rotate about the fifth axis of rotation 36 in an intermittent motion, i.e. in a stepwise manner by cyclic alternation of movement steps and stationary steps. The transfer roller 35 has a plurality of fifth seats 37, each fifth seat 37 being designed to accommodate a support 9 (provided with a tube 12) of the heating device 6. In the second transfer station S8, the transfer roller 35 is tangential to the second assembly roller 32, and the support 9 is transferred from the fourth seat 34 of the second assembly roller 32 to the fifth seat 37 of the transfer roller 35 when both the second assembly roller 32 and the transfer roller 35 are stationary.

[0073] The initial part A comprises a third assembly drum 38 which is rotatably mounted about a fourth axis of rotation 39 parallel to the first axis of rotation 22 so as to rotate about the fourth axis of rotation 39 in an intermittent motion, i.e. in a stepwise manner by cyclic alternation of movement steps and stationary steps. The third assembly drum 38 has a plurality of seats 40, each of which is designed to accommodate a support 9 (provided with a tube 12) of the heating device 6. In a third transfer station S9 (arranged downstream of the second transfer station S8 with respect to the direction of rotation of the transfer drum 35), the third assembly drum 38 is tangential to the transfer drum 35, wherein the support 9 is transferred from the fifth seat 37 of the transfer drum 35 to the seat 40 of the third assembly drum 38 when both the transfer drum 35 and the third assembly drum 38 are stationary. A second coupling station S10 is provided which is arranged downstream of the third transfer station S9 with respect to the direction of rotation of the assembly drum 38 and in which a further (second) conductor element 10 is coupled to the support 9 carried by the seat 40 of the third assembly drum 38. Finally, a transfer station S11 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the second connection station S10 relative to the direction of rotation of the third assembly drum 38, and when the third assembly drum 38 is stationary, the support 9 of the heating device 6 (provided with the tube 12 and the two conductor elements 10) leaves the seat 40 of the third assembly drum 38.

[0074] The initial part A comprises a feeding moving device 41, which moves a metal sheet strip 42 supporting a plurality of conductor elements 10 through a first connection station S7 and a second connection station S10. In particular, in the first connection station S7, the metal sheet strip 42 partially surrounds the second assembly roller 32, and in the second connection station S10, the metal sheet strip 42 partially surrounds the third assembly roller 38. A first connection device 43 is arranged in the first connection station S7, which picks up the conductor elements 10 from the metal sheet strip 42 and inserts the conductor elements 10 into the support 9 carried by the fourth seat 34 of the second assembly roller 32; similarly, a second connection device 44 is arranged in the second connection station S10, which picks up the conductor elements 10 from the metal sheet strip 42 and inserts the conductor elements 10 into the support 9 carried by the seat 40 of the third assembly roller 38.

[0075] like Figure 8 As can be seen better, the sheet metal strip 42 has a series of guide holes 45 extending therethrough; the moving device 41 comprises two toothed guide rollers 46 having a plurality of teeth 47, each tooth 47 being designed to engage a corresponding guide hole 45 of the sheet metal strip 42. Figure 6As shown, a guide roller 46 is coaxial with the second assembly roller 32, arranged beside the second assembly roller 32, and rotates synchronously with the second assembly roller 32; similarly, another guide roller 46 is coaxial with the third assembly roller 38, arranged beside the third assembly roller 38, and rotates synchronously with the third assembly roller 38. The guide roller 46 guides the movement of the metal sheet strip 42 by engaging the guide holes 45 of the metal sheet strip 42 with its teeth 47; the function of the toothed guide roller 46 is to ensure perfect spatial synchronization between the conductor elements 10 formed in the metal sheet strip 42 and the second coupling device 44. According to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the through guide holes 45 formed in the edge of the metal sheet strip 42 are circular, and the teeth 47 of the toothed guide roller 46 are hemispherical; thereby, the teeth 47 of the toothed guide roller 46 are "self-centering" in the through guide holes 45 formed in the edge of the metal sheet strip 42.

[0076] According to one possible embodiment, the metal sheet strip 42 is initially completely smooth and a processing device is provided upstream of the first joining station S7, which cyclically performs cutting of the metal sheet strip 42 in order to obtain conductor elements 10 in the metal sheet strip 42, making a portion of each conductor element 10 in contact with the rest of the metal sheet strip 42 (i.e. in contact with the edge of the metal sheet strip 42). In other words, the processing device cyclically performs cold working of the metal sheet strip 42, the cold working consisting in separating determined geometric shapes by using appropriately designed punches and dies and inserting them into a more complex structure defining a mold. According to a preferred embodiment, the punches and dies of the processing device are shaped so as to also perform shaping of the metal sheet strip, so that some portions of each conductor element 10 are bent (e.g. Figure 8 In other words, the processing equipment also bends some parts of each conductor element 10 to give the conductor element 10 a desired shape (such as Figure 8 ).

[0077] According to one possible embodiment, when the processing device forms the guide hole 45 in the edge of the metal sheet strip 42, it also forms transversely arranged cuts that can increase the flexibility of the metal sheet strip 42, thereby facilitating subsequent processing; the through cuts are generally aligned with the guide holes 45 and lead to the guide holes 45, however, alternatively, the through cuts (or at least a portion of them) may not be aligned with the guide holes 45 and / or may not lead to the guide holes 45.

[0078] Downstream of the first joining station S7 and the second joining station S10 , the remaining part of the metal sheet strip 42 is processed in a shredding device in order to shred it, and then collected and removed (and completely recycled).

[0079] like Figure 6As shown, at the first connecting station S7, the moving device 41 moves the metal sheet strip 42 so as to arrange the conductor element 10 of the metal sheet strip 42 to be radially aligned with the support 9 carried by the fourth seat 34 of the second assembly roller 32; the first connecting device 43 includes a pushing element 48, which performs a radially oriented working stroke to push the conductor element 10 from the metal sheet strip 42 to the support 9 carried by the fourth seat 34 of the second assembly roller 32 in the first connecting station S7.

[0080] According to a preferred embodiment, the first coupling device 43 comprises a push-in roller 49 rotatably mounted about a sixth axis of rotation 50 parallel to the third axis of rotation 33 , supporting the push-in element 48 and tangential to the second assembly roller 32 at the first coupling station S7 .

[0081] According to a preferred embodiment, in the first connection station S7, the first connection device 43 causes the metal sheet strip 42 to be cut at the joining area of ​​the conductor element 10 and the remaining metal sheet strip by pushing the conductor element 10. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, in the first connection station S7, the first connection device 43 is designed to bend the conductor element 10 by inserting the conductor element 10 into the support 9 carried by the fourth seat 34 of the second assembly drum 32.

[0082] Similarly, at the second connection station S10, the moving device 41 moves the metal sheet strip 42 to arrange the conductor element 10 of the metal sheet strip 42 to be radially aligned with the support 9 carried by the seat 40 of the third assembly roller 38; the second connection device 44 includes a pushing element 51, which performs a radially oriented working stroke to push the conductor element 10 from the metal sheet strip 42 to the support 9 carried by the seat 40 of the third assembly roller 38 in the second connection station S10.

[0083] According to a preferred embodiment, the second connecting device 44 is completely similar to the first connecting device 43 and includes a push-in roller 52, which is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis 53 parallel to the fourth rotation axis 39, supports the push-in element 51, and is tangential to the fourth rotation axis 39 and tangential to the third assembly roller 38 at the second connecting station S10.

[0084] According to a preferred embodiment, in the second connection station S10, the second connection device 44 causes the metal sheet strip 42 to be cut at the joining area of ​​the conductor element 10 and the remaining metal sheet strip 42 by pushing the conductor element 10. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, in the second connection station S10, the second connection device 44 is designed to bend the conductor element 10 by inserting the conductor element 10 into the support 9 carried by the seat 40 of the third assembly roller 38.

[0085] According to one possible embodiment, a second welding station S12 is provided, which is arranged between the first coupling station S7 and the second conveying station S8 along the second assembly drum 32 (i.e., it is arranged downstream of the first coupling station S7 relative to the rotation direction of the second assembly drum 32) and is provided with a second welding device 54, which connects the conductor element 10 to the support 9 carried by the fourth seat 34 of the stationary second assembly drum 32 by welding. Similarly, according to one possible embodiment, a welding station S13 is provided, which is arranged between the second coupling station S10 and the conveying station S11 along the third assembly drum 38 (i.e., it is arranged downstream of the second coupling station S10 relative to the rotation direction of the third assembly drum 38) and is provided with a welding device 55, which connects the conductor element 10 to the support 9 carried by the seat 40 of the stationary third assembly drum 38 by welding.

[0086] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the middle part B of the manufacturing machine 15 comprises a plurality of movable plates 56, in each movable plate 56 there are provided three sixth seats 57 and three seventh seats 58, each sixth seat 57 being designed to accommodate the support 9 of the heating device 6, and each seventh seat 58 being axially aligned with the corresponding sixth seat 57 and being designed to accommodate the mouthpiece 13. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, each movable plate 56 has three sixth seats 57 and three corresponding seventh seats 58; according to other embodiments not shown, each movable plate 56 has a different number of sixth seats 57 and seventh seats 58 (generally from a minimum of one sixth seat 57 and one seventh seat 58 to a maximum of six / eight sixth seats 57 and corresponding six / eight seventh seats 58). The middle part B of the manufacturing machine 15 includes an assembly conveyor 59, which cyclically moves each movable plate 56 along a circular assembly path in an intermittent (step-by-step) motion, and the intermittent (step-by-step) motion provides cyclically alternating movement steps and stationary steps, in which the assembly conveyor 59 moves the movable plate 56 and in which the assembly conveyor 59 keeps the movable plate 56 stationary.

[0087] The assembly path comprises a straight operating section extending from a transfer station S11 (forming the end of the initial part A and the beginning of the intermediate part B) to a transfer station S14 (forming the end of the intermediate part B and the beginning of the final part C) in which the support 9 of the heating device 6 (provided with the tube 12 and the conductor element 10) is cyclically fed from the seat 40 of the third assembly drum 38 to the sixth seat 57 of the movable plate 56, and in which the support 9 of the heating device 6 (provided with the core 7 of the electric coil 8 has been added to the support) leaves the sixth seat 57 of the movable plate 56, and the mouthpiece 13 (provided with the absorbent pad 14) leaves the seventh seat 58 of the movable plate 56. In addition, as Figure 5As shown, the assembly path includes a straight return section parallel to and in the opposite direction of the straight operating section and two semicircular connecting sections connecting the operating section and the return section to each other.

[0088] like Fig.10 As shown, the assembly conveyor 59 includes an annular guide 60 (i.e., closed in a loop on itself) arranged in a fixed position along the assembly path; in particular, the annular guide 60 is formed by a single fixed rail (i.e., immovable) arranged along the assembly path. In addition, the assembly conveyor 59 includes a plurality of sliders 61, each slider 61 supporting a corresponding movable plate 56 and being coupled to the guide 60 so as to slide freely along the guide 60. Finally, the assembly conveyor 59 includes a linear motor 62 that moves the slider 61 carrying the movable plate 56 along the assembly path; the linear motor 62 includes an annular stator 63 (i.e., a fixed primary) arranged in a fixed position along the guide 60 of the guide rail and a plurality of movable sliders 64 (i.e., a movable secondary), each slider 64 being electromagnetically coupled to the stator 63 to receive a driving force from the stator 63 and being rigidly connected to the corresponding slider 61.

[0089] The stator 63 of the linear motor 62 comprises a ferromagnetic armature with a series of slots that house coils designed to be passed through by a time-varying current to generate a corresponding stator magnetic field (time-varying); each slider 64 of the linear motor 62 comprises a ferromagnetic armature in which at least one permanent magnet is arranged, which generates a rotor magnetic field (constant in time) that interacts with the stator magnetic field to generate a driving force with an electromagnetic origin on the slider 64. In each slider 61, the slider 64 is mounted very close to the stator 63 (indicated as 1-2 mm) to minimize the air gap existing between the ferromagnetic armature of the slider 64 and the ferromagnetic armature of the stator 63.

[0090] A control device is provided which drives the linear motor 62 by applying a variable voltage to the coils of the stator 63. Preferably, the control device controls the position of each slider 64 (and therefore each slider 61) using a closed-chain control system (i.e., in a feedback manner). Therefore, the control device must know the actual position of each slider 64 (and therefore each slider 61) along the assembly path in real time and with high precision; for this purpose, the control device can reconstruct the actual position of each slider 64 along the assembly path through an estimation algorithm based on the electrical signal present at the end of the coil of the stator 63, or the control device can receive detection from a special position sensor arranged along the assembly path. For example, the position sensor includes a measuring ring made of magnetostrictive material arranged along the assembly path, and a corresponding permanent magnet arranged near the measuring ring for each slider 64.

[0091] According to a different embodiment not shown, the assembly conveyor 59 is a belt conveyor and comprises (at least) a flexible belt supporting the movable plate 56 and closed in a loop around two end pulleys, at least one of which is motorized.

[0092] like Fig. 9 As shown, along the assembly path (i.e. between the transfer station S11 and the transfer station S14), two double feeding stations S15 (i.e., substantially identical) are arranged in series (i.e., one after another) and are completely independent of each other. The two feeding stations S15 are obviously arranged downstream of the transfer station S11 with respect to the feeding direction of the assembly conveyor 59, one is completely autonomous with respect to the other, and differ from each other only in different positions, i.e., one feeding station S15 is arranged upstream of the other feeding station S15 with respect to the moving direction of the assembly conveyor 59. In each feeding station S15, a core 7 provided with a corresponding electric coil 8 is connected to a corresponding support 9 carried by the sixth seat 57 of a plurality of stationary movable plates 56; in particular, in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in each feeding station S15, twelve cores 7 provided with corresponding electric coils 8 are connected to twelve corresponding supports 9 carried by the twelve sixth seats 57 of four movable plates 56 arranged side by side (as shown in FIG. 1 ). Fig.11 better shown).

[0093] According to one possible embodiment, the two feeder stations S15 operate in parallel, i.e. the two feeder stations S15 work simultaneously, thereby halving the operating speed of each feeder station S15 relative to the operating speed of the manufacturing machine 15. In one embodiment, the two feeder stations S15 are redundant and only one feeder station S15 is used at a time, while the other feeder station S15 is stationary, so that maintenance and / or supply can be performed even when the manufacturing machine 15 is working. According to a different embodiment, not shown, only one single feeder station S15 is provided, instead of two paired and consecutive feeder stations S15.

[0094] like Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, in each feeding station S15, a moving device 65 is provided, and the moving device 65 moves a plurality of first strips 66 (especially twelve first strips 66) through the feeding station S15, and the first strips 66 are parallel to each other and arranged side by side with each other, and each first strip 66 is provided with a plurality of absorbent bags 67 (one of which is in Fig.14 ), the absorbent bag 67 contains the corresponding core 7, each core 7 is provided with an electric coil 8. In addition, according to Fig.12 and Fig.13As shown, in each feeding station S15, a feeding device 68 is provided, which picks up a plurality of cores 7 (especially twelve cores 7 in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings), each core being provided with an electric coil 8, from the same number of absorbent bags 67 of twelve first strips 66, and inserts each core 7 provided with the electric coil 8 into a support 9 supported by a corresponding sixth seat 57 of a movable plate 56 stationary in the feeding station S15.

[0095] like Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, each feeding device 68 comprises a feeding roller 69 which is rotatably mounted about a horizontal rotation axis 70 so as to rotate about the rotation axis 70 in an intermittent motion (i.e. in a stepwise manner by cyclic alternation of movement steps and stationary steps). Each feeding roller 69 has a plurality of groups of gripping heads 71, each group of gripping heads 71 ​​being designed to accommodate a core 7 provided with an electric coil 8; in particular, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, each feeding roller 69 has two groups of gripping heads 71 ​​arranged at 180° to each other and each group of gripping heads 71 ​​having twelve gripping heads 71 ​​aligned with each other parallel to the rotation axis 70. Thus, each group (twelve) of gripping heads 71 ​​is designed to pick up twelve cores 7 from the absorbent bags 67 of the same number of first strips 66 and subsequently to insert the twelve cores 7 into the twelve supports 9 carried by the twelve sixth seats 57 of the four movable plates 56 stationary in the feeding station S15. In use, the rotation of the feed roller 69 about the rotation axis 70 cyclically brings each set of (twelve) gripper heads 71 ​​first to a pick-up position, close to the (twelve) first strips 66 to remove the (twelve) first strips 66 (such as Fig.12 The same number of absorbent bags 67 (as shown) pick up the (twelve) cores 7 each provided with an electric coil 8, and then each group of (twelve) gripping heads 71 ​​is brought into a release position adjacent to the four movable plates 56 stationary in the feeding station S15, so as to insert the (twelve) cores 7 into the supports 9 carried by the (twelve) sixth seats 57 of the four movable plates 56 (as shown). Fig.11 and Fig.13 as shown).

[0096] like Fig.14 and Fig.15As shown, each clamping head 71 has a centrally located body 72 (usually sucked), which is designed to engage with the core 7 provided with the electric coil 8, and has two side bodies 73, which are arranged on opposite sides of the body 72, can be moved relative to the body 72 in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis 70 of the feed roller 69, and are designed to engage with the two ends of the electric coil 8. In particular, each side body 73 has a slit (initially having a trumpet-shaped "funnel-like" shape for self-centering), and one end of the electric coil 8 is inserted into the slit.

[0097] like Fig.14 As shown, when the clamping head 71 picks up the core 7 provided with the electric coil 8 from the absorbent bag 67 of the first strip 66, initially the main body 72 of the clamping head 71 engages with the core 7, and the side bodies 73 of the two clamping heads 71 ​​are at a certain distance (non-zero) from the two ends of the electric coil 8; then, after the core 7 has been engaged with the main body 72, the two side bodies 73 of the clamping head 71 move relative to the main body 72 to engage the two ends of the electric coil 8.

[0098] like Fig.15 As shown, when the clamping head 71 connects the core 7 provided with the electric coil 8 with the support 9 supported by the sixth seat 57 of the movable plate 56 which is stationary in the feeding station S15, the main body 72 of the clamping head 71 initially places the core 7 in the support 9 and releases the core 7, and then the two side bodies 73 of the clamping head 71 move relative to the main body 72, so that the two ends of the electric coil are bent 90° against the support 9.

[0099] like Fig.14 As shown, each first strip 66 has a series of through guide holes 74 for moving the first strip 66; for this purpose, and according to Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, each moving device 65 has a plurality of toothed guide rollers 75 having a plurality of teeth, each tooth being designed to engage with a corresponding guide hole 74 of the first belt 66 .

[0100] like Fig.16 and Fig.17As shown, each mobile device 65 is housed in a feeder trolley 76 that is independent of the rest of the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15, that is, designed to be separable from the rest of the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15 (also in use); in other words, each feeder trolley 76 is designed to be quickly inserted or extracted from the rest of the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15. To this end, each feeder trolley 76 comprises its own "C"-shaped frame 77 and is provided with wheels 78 for sliding without friction on the floor on which the support 18 of the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15 is placed. The frame 77 of each feeding trolley 76 supports an unwinding station S16, which accommodates a plurality of reels 79 (especially twelve reels 79) that are arranged side by side and parallel to each other and are wound with new first strips 66 (that is, their absorption bags 67 are empty and therefore no longer contain corresponding cores 7 with electric coils 8); in addition, the frame 77 of each feeding trolley 76 supports a winding station S17, which accommodates a plurality of reels 80 (especially twelve reels 80) that are arranged side by side and parallel to each other, and the used first strips 66 are wound inside the reels 80 (that is, their absorption bags 67 are empty and therefore no longer contain cores 7 with electric coils 8 respectively). In use, each of the twelve first strips 66 is unwound from the reel 79 in the unwinding station S16, passes through the feeding station S15, in which the core 7 provided with the electric coil 8 is picked up from the corresponding absorbent bag 67, and finally wound on the reel 80 in the winding station S17.

[0101] According to a preferred embodiment, each first strip 66 is provided with a protective film 81 (usually made of a transparent plastic material), which closes the absorbent bag 67 at the top and is separated from the first strip 66 (to expose the absorbent bag 67) immediately upstream of the feeding station S15; in particular, each protective film 81 is wound in a reel 82 after being separated from the first strip 66, and the reel 82 is arranged in the winding station S18 (arranged above the first strip 66).

[0102] Fig.16 Twelve reels 79 on which twelve first strips 66 are unwound and twelve reels 82 on which twelve protective films 81 are wound are shown.

[0103] When two feeding stations S15 are used alternately, in the feeding station S15 that is not used at this time, the feeding trolley 76 can be removed from the assembly section 16, the used reel 79 and the full reels 79, 80 can be removed, and a new full reel 79 and new empty reels 79 and 80 can be inserted, thereby performing an update of the assembly material.

[0104] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the two feeding carriages 76 enter the assembly section 16 from the rear (ie, from the side opposite to the front of the machine); according to an alternative embodiment, the two feeding carriages 76 enter the assembly section 16 from the front (ie, from the front of the machine).

[0105] like Fig. 9 As shown, along the assembly path, relative to the moving direction of the assembly conveyor 59, a feeding station S19 is provided downstream of the two feeding stations S15, in which a feeding device 83 is arranged, which feeds the cigarette holder 13 into the seventh seat 58 of the stationary movable plate 56. Fig.18 As shown, the feeding device 83 includes a feeding conveyor 84, which is provided with a channel 85, along which the cigarette holder 13 falls under the action of gravity (pneumatic feeding can also be used); the middle part of the channel 85 is vertical, while the last part of the channel 85 (which is horizontal at the feeding station S19 and the two parts are connected by a curve). The last part of the channel 85 is arranged above the seventh seat 58 of the movable plate 56, which is stationary in the feeding station S19. A pusher 86 is arranged at the end of the channel 85, and the pusher 86 pushes the cigarette holder 13 from the channel 85 to the seventh seat 58 of the movable plate 56 stationary in the feeding station S19 through a vertical movement directed from top to bottom.

[0106] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, in the feeding station S19, only one cigarette holder 13 is fed into the seventh seat 58 of the stationary movable plate 56 at a time; according to an alternative embodiment not shown, in the feeding station S19, multiple cigarette holders 13 (for example, two or three cigarette holders 13 at a time) are fed into multiple seventh seats 58 of one stationary movable plate 56 or possibly even multiple movable plates 56 at a time.

[0107] like Fig. 9 As shown, along the assembly path, downstream of the feeding station S19 relative to the moving direction of the assembly conveyor 59, two double connection stations S20 (i.e., substantially identical to each other) are arranged in series (i.e., one after the other) and are completely independent of each other. The two connection stations S20 are completely independent of each other and differ from each other only in their different positions, i.e., the connection station S20 is arranged upstream of the other connection station S20 relative to the moving direction of the assembly conveyor 59. In each feeding station S20, pairs of absorbent pads 14 are connected to corresponding mouthpieces 13 carried by the seventh seats 58 of a plurality of stationary movable plates 56; in particular, in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in each connection station S20, twelve pairs of absorbent pads 14 are simultaneously connected to twelve corresponding mouthpieces 13 carried by twelve seventh seats 58 of four movable plates 56 arranged side by side with each other (e.g., Fig.19 better shown).

[0108] According to one possible embodiment, the two coupling stations S20 operate in parallel, i.e., the two coupling stations S20 work simultaneously, thereby halving the operating speed of each coupling station S20 relative to the operating speed of the manufacturing machine 15. According to an alternative embodiment, the two coupling stations S20 are redundant, and only one coupling station S20 is used at a time, while the other coupling station S20 is stationary, so that it can be maintained and / or supplied even when the manufacturing machine 15 is running. According to a different embodiment not shown, a single coupling station S20 is provided instead of two paired and consecutive coupling stations S20.

[0109] like Fig.19 As shown, a moving device 87 is provided in each coupling station S20, and the moving device 87 moves a plurality of second strips 88 (especially twelve second strips 88) through the coupling station S20, and the plurality of second strips 88 are parallel to each other and arranged side by side with each other, and each second strip 88 is provided with a plurality of pockets 89 (in Fig. 20 and Fig.21 In addition, Fig.19 As shown, a feeding device 90 is arranged in each coupling station S20, which picks up a plurality of pairs of absorbent pads 14 (particularly twelve pairs of absorbent pads 14 in the embodiment shown in the drawings) from the same number of bags 89 of the twelve second strips 88, and inserts each pair of absorbent pads 14 into the mouthpiece 13 carried by the corresponding seventh seat 58 of the movable plate 56 stationary in the coupling station S20.

[0110] Each feeding device 90 includes a plurality of suction gripping heads 91 (particularly twelve suction gripping heads 91) arranged side by side with each other and a plurality of (twelve) gripping heads 91 arranged side by side at a picking position (such as Fig. 22 as shown) and the release position (as Fig.23 A processing device 92 is provided for moving between the two movable plates 56 (as shown), in which, in the picking position, a group of (twelve) clamping heads 91 are designed to pick up twelve absorbent pads 14 from the same number of bags 89 of the second strip 88, and in the releasing position, a group of (twelve) clamping heads 91 are designed to place the twelve absorbent pads 14 in front of a plurality of mouthpieces 13 carried by the (twelve) seventh seats 58 of the four stationary movable plates 56.

[0111] Each feeding device 90 comprises a pusher 93 (which is single and common to all twelve seventh seats 58 of the four movable plates 56 stationary in the coupling station S20) designed to push each absorbent pad 14 into the mouthpiece 13 carried by the corresponding seventh seat 58 of the movable plate 56 stationary in the coupling station S20. In addition, each feeding device 90 includes a supporting plane 94 (which is single and common to all twelve seventh seats 58 of the four movable plates 56 stationary in the coupling station S20), which is arranged in front of the mouthpieces 13 carried by the seventh seats 58 of the four movable plates 56 stationary in the coupling station S20, and is designed to receive twelve absorbent pads 14 from the twelve suction clamping heads 91, and is designed to cooperate with corresponding pushing members 93, which push the twelve absorbent pads 14 resting on the supporting plane 94 into the same number of twelve mouthpieces 13 carried by the seventh seats 58 of the four movable plates 56 stationary in the coupling station S20.

[0112] As previously described, each cigarette cartridge 1 includes two absorbent pads 14 housed in a mouthpiece 13; therefore, by placing the support plane 94 at two different heights, each feeding device 90 feeds two absorbent pads 14 successively into each mouthpiece 13 carried by the seventh seat 58 of one of the four movable plates 56 stationary in the connection station S20.

[0113] refer to Figures 24 to 35 , describes the feeding of two absorbent pads 14 into a mouthpiece 13 housed in a seventh seat 58 of one of the four movable plates 56 stationary in the coupling station S20.

[0114] Initially, if Fig.24 As shown, when the four movable plates 56 are stationary in the coupling station S20, the pusher 93 and the support plane 94 are arranged one above the other in front of each mouthpiece 13 accommodated in the seventh seat 58 of one of the stationary four movable plates 56. Fig.25 As shown in FIG. 1 , the support plane 94 moves (translates) relative to the pusher 93 to leave from under the pusher 93. Fig.26 As shown, (twelve) clamping heads 91 place twelve absorbent pads 14 above a support plane 94. Then, as Fig. 27 As shown, the pusher 93 moves (translates) relative to the support plane 94 to push the twelve absorbent pads 14 into the same number of mouthpieces 13 carried by the seventh seat 58 of the four movable plates stationary in the coupling station S20. At the end of inserting the twelve absorbent pads 14 into the same number of mouthpieces 13, as shown in FIG. Fig.28 and Fig.29 As shown, the pusher 93 and the support plane 94 return to the initial position. Once the initial position is reached, as shown in Fig.30As shown, the pusher 93 and the support plane 94 (one above the other) are vertically lifted to reach a higher level, which is (immediately) higher than the level of the absorbent pad 14 that has been inserted into the mouthpiece 13, which is carried by the seventh seat 58 of the four movable plates 56 that are stationary in the coupling station S20. Fig.31 As shown, the support plane 94 moves (translates) relative to the pusher 93 to move away from below the pusher 93. Fig.32 As shown, (twelve) clamping heads 91 place twelve absorbent pads 14 above a support plane 94. Then, as Fig.33 As shown, the pusher 93 moves (translates) relative to the support plane 94 to push the twelve absorbent pads 14 into the same number of mouthpieces 13 carried by the seventh seat 58 of the four movable plates stationary in the coupling station S20 and above the twelve absorbent pads 14 previously inserted into the mouthpieces. When the twelve absorbent pads 14 are inserted into the same number of mouthpieces 13, as shown in FIG. Fig.34 and Fig.35 As shown, the pusher 93 and the supporting plane 94 return to their initial positions, thereby completing the insertion of a pair of absorbent pads 14 into each of the mouthpieces 13 of the twelve seventh seats 58 of the four movable plates 56 stationary in the coupling station S20; at this time, the four movable plates 56 stationary in the coupling station S20 begin to move along the assembly path, and four new movable plates 56 arrive at the coupling station S20 where they were located when they were stationary.

[0115] like Fig. 20 and Fig.21 As shown, each second strip 88 has a series of through guide holes 95 for moving the second strip 88; for this purpose, and according to Fig. 22 and Fig.23 As shown, each moving device 87 has a plurality of toothed guide rollers 96 having a plurality of teeth, each tooth being designed to engage with a corresponding guide hole 95 of the second belt 88 .

[0116] like Fig.36As shown, each mobile device 87 is housed in a feeding trolley 97 which is completely similar to the feeding trolleys 76 of the two feeding stations S15 and which is independent of the rest of the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15, i.e. it is designed to be separable from the rest of the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15 (even when in use); in other words, each feeding trolley 97 is designed to be quickly inserted into or extracted from the rest of the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15. To this end, each feeding trolley 97 comprises its own "C"-shaped frame 98 and is provided at the bottom with wheels 99 for sliding without friction on the floor on which the support 18 of the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15 rests. The frame 98 of each feeding trolley 97 supports an unwinding station S21, which accommodates a plurality of reels 100 (especially twelve reels 100) arranged side by side and parallel to each other, and a new second strip 88 is wound inside the reel 100 (i.e., the bag 89 of the second strip 88 contains the respective absorbent pad 14); in addition, the frame 98 of each feeding trolley 97 supports a winding station S22, which accommodates a plurality of reels 101 (especially twelve reels 101) arranged side by side and parallel to each other, and a used second strip 88 is wound inside the reel 101 (i.e., the bag 89 is empty and therefore no longer contains the respective absorbent pad 14). In use, each of the twelve second strips 88 is unwound from the reel 100 at the unwinding station S21, passes through the coupling station S20, where the absorbent pad 14 is picked up from the corresponding bag 89, and finally wound onto the reel 101 in the winding station S22.

[0117] According to a preferred embodiment, each second strip 88 is provided with a protective film 102 (usually a transparent plastic material), which closes the bag 89 at the top and is separated from the second strip 88 (to expose the bag 89) immediately upstream of the connection station S20; in particular, each protective film 102 is wound in a reel 103 after being separated from the second strip 88, and the reel 103 is arranged in the winding station S23 (arranged above the second strip 88).

[0118] When the two connection stations S20 are used alternately, at this time in the connection station S20, the unused feeding cart 97 can be separated from the assembly section 16 to remove the used reel 100 and the full reels 100 and 101 and insert new full reels 100 and new empty reels 100 and 101, that is, to perform the update of the assembly material.

[0119] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the two feeding carriages 97 enter the assembly section 16 from the rear (ie, the side opposite to the front of the machine); according to an alternative embodiment, the two feeding carriages 97 enter the assembly section 16 from the front (ie, from the front of the machine).

[0120] In the transfer station S14 arranged at the end of the assembly path, the support 9 (provided with the core 7 and the tube 12) and the mouthpiece 13 (provided with a pair of absorbent pads 14) are picked up simultaneously from the sixth seat 57 and the seventh seat 58 of the movable plate 56 stationary in the transfer station S14.

[0121] like Fig.37 As shown, the final part C of the manufacturing machine 15 comprises a vertically arranged assembly drum 104, which is mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation 105, so as to rotate about the axis of rotation 105 in an intermittent motion (i.e. in a stepwise manner by cyclically alternating steps of movement and steps of rest). Fig.38 As shown, the assembly drum 104 has a plurality of suction seats 106, a plurality of suction seats 107 and a plurality of suction seats 108, each suction seat 106 is designed to accommodate the support 9 of the heating device 6 (connected to the core 7 provided with the electric coil 8 and the tube 12), each suction seat 107 is axially aligned with the corresponding suction seat 106 and is designed to accommodate the can body 5, and each suction seat 108 is axially aligned with the corresponding suction seat 106 and the corresponding suction seat 107 and is designed to accommodate the mouthpiece 13.

[0122] like Fig.37 As shown, a feeding station S24 is provided, in which a feeding device 109 is provided, and the feeding device 109 feeds the can body 5 into the stationary suction seat 107. The feeding device 109 includes a feeding conveyor, which is provided with a vertical channel, along which the can body 5 descends under the action of gravity (pneumatic feeding can also be used); a pusher is arranged at the end of the channel, and the pusher pushes the can body 5 from the channel to the stationary suction seat 107 in the feeding station S24 through horizontal movement.

[0123] like Fig.37 As shown, the transfer station S14 is arranged downstream of the feeding station S24 relative to the rotation direction of the assembly drum 104; in the transfer station S14, the support member 9 of the heating device 6 is vertically transferred (moving from the bottom upward) from the sixth seat 57 of the stationary movable plate 56 to the suction seat 106 of the assembly drum 104, and at the same time, the mouthpiece 13 is vertically transferred (moving from the bottom upward) from the seventh seat 58 of the stationary movable plate 56 to the suction seat 108 of the assembly drum 104.

[0124] like Fig.39 As shown, an insertion station S25 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the conveying station S14 (and therefore also downstream of the feeding station S24) relative to the rotation direction of the assembly drum 104, and is provided with a pushing device 110; in use, when the assembly drum 104 is stationary, the pushing device 110 causes the support member 9 of the heating device 6 to move axially from the suction seat 106 to the suction seat 107, thereby inserting the support member 9 into the can body 5 supported by the suction seat 107.

[0125] like Fig.37 As shown, the final part C comprises an assembly drum 111 mounted to rotate about a rotation axis 112 parallel to the rotation axis 105, so as to rotate about the rotation axis 112 in an intermittent motion (ie in a stepwise manner by cyclically alternating steps of movement and steps of rest). Fig.40 As shown, the assembly drum 111 has a plurality of suction seats 113 and a plurality of suction seats 114, each suction seat 113 is designed to accommodate the can body 5 (with a support member 9 for the heating device 6 arranged inside), and each suction seat 114 is axially aligned with the corresponding suction seat 113 and is designed to accommodate the mouthpiece 13. Fig.37 As shown, in the transfer station S26, the assembly drum 111 is tangent to the assembly drum 104, wherein when the two assembly drums 104 and 111 are stationary, the can body 5 is transferred from the suction seat 106 of the assembly drum 104 to the suction seat 113 of the assembly drum 111, and the cigarette holder 13 is transferred from the suction seat 108 of the assembly drum 104 to the suction seat 114 of the assembly drum 111. Fig.41 As shown, a bending station S27 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the transfer station S26 with respect to the direction of rotation of the assembly drum 111, in which bending station S27, a bending device 115 bends two conductor elements 10 so as to be integral with the support 9 of the heating device 6, which is inserted into the tank 5 carried by the suction seat 113 stationary in the bending station S27. The bending device 115 includes two bending devices 116, which bend the two conductor elements 10 by 90° through radial movement (ie, perpendicular to the rotation axis 112).

[0126] like Fig.37 As shown, the final part C comprises an assembly drum 117 which is mounted to rotate about a rotation axis 118 parallel to the rotation axis 112 so as to rotate about the rotation axis 118 in an intermittent motion (i.e. in a stepwise manner by cyclically alternating movement steps and stationary steps). Fig.42 As shown, the assembly drum 117 has a plurality of suction seats 119, a plurality of suction seats 120 and a plurality of suction seats 121, each suction seat 119 is designed to accommodate the can body 5 (with a support member 9 for the heating device 6 arranged inside), each suction seat 120 is axially aligned with the corresponding suction seat 119 and is designed to accommodate the plug 11, and each suction seat 121 is axially aligned with the corresponding suction seat 119 and the corresponding suction seat 120 and is designed to accommodate the mouthpiece 13. Fig.37As shown, in the conveying station S28, the assembly roller 117 is tangent to the assembly roller 111. In the conveying station S28, when the assembly rollers 111 and 117 are both stationary, the can body 5 is conveyed from the suction seat 113 of the assembly roller 111 to the suction seat 119 of the assembly roller 117, and the mouthpiece 13 is conveyed from the suction seat 108 of the assembly roller 111 to the suction seat 121 of the assembly roller 117.

[0127] like Fig.37 As shown, a feeding station S29 is provided, which is arranged upstream of the transfer station S28 relative to the rotation direction of the assembly drum 117, and a feeding device 122 is provided therein, which feeds the plug 11 into the stationary suction seat 120. The feeding device 122 includes a feeding conveyor, which is provided with a substantially vertical channel, along which the plug 11 falls under the action of gravity (pneumatic feeding can also be used); a pusher is provided at the end of the channel, which pushes the plug 11 from the channel to the stationary suction seat 120 in the feeding station S29 by a movement inclined at 45° relative to the horizontal plane.

[0128] like Fig.43 As shown, an insertion station S30 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the transfer station S28 (and therefore downstream of the feeding station S29) relative to the rotation direction of the assembly drum 117 and is provided with a pushing device 123; in use, when the assembly drum 117 is stationary, the pushing device 123 causes the plug 11 to move axially from the suction seat 120 to the suction seat 119, thereby inserting the plug 11 into the can body 5 carried by the suction seat 119.

[0129] like Fig.37 As shown, the final part C comprises an assembly drum 124 which is mounted to rotate about a rotation axis 125 parallel to the rotation axis 118 so as to rotate about the rotation axis 125 in an intermittent motion (i.e. in a stepwise manner by cyclically alternating moving steps and stationary steps). Fig.44 As shown, the assembly drum 124 has a plurality of suction seats 126 and a plurality of suction seats 127, each suction seat 126 is designed to accommodate the can body 5 (with a support member 9 for the heating device 6 arranged inside), and each suction seat 127 is axially aligned with the corresponding suction seat 126 and is designed to accommodate the mouthpiece 13. Fig.37 As shown, in the conveying station S31, the assembly roller 124 is tangent to the assembly roller 117. At the conveying station S31, when both the assembly rollers 117 and 124 are stationary, the can body 5 is conveyed from the suction seat 119 of the assembly roller 117 to the suction seat 126 of the assembly roller 124, and the mouthpiece 13 is conveyed from the suction seat 121 of the assembly roller 117 to the suction seat 127 of the assembly roller 124.

[0130] like Fig.44 As shown, an insertion station S32 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the conveying station S31 relative to the rotation direction of the assembly drum 124 and is provided with a pushing device 128; in use, when the assembly drum 124 is stationary, the pushing device 128 causes the can body 5 to move axially from the suction seat 126 to the suction seat 127, thereby inserting the can body 5 into the mouthpiece 13 carried by the suction seat 127.

[0131] like Fig.37 As shown, the final part C includes a belt-type outlet conveyor 129, which is horizontally arranged below the assembly drum 124 and receives an almost complete cartridge 1 (only the cap 4 is missing) from the assembly drum 124. In particular, in the transfer station S33, the assembly drum 124 is tangent to the outlet conveyor 129, and in the transfer station S33, when the assembly drum 124 and the outlet conveyor 129 are stationary, the almost complete cartridge 1 is transferred from the inhalation seat 127 of the assembly drum 124 to the outlet conveyor 129.

[0132] According to a preferred but non-binding embodiment (in Fig.37 ), in a transfer station, the transfer of objects between two consecutive conveyors of an assembly section 16 of a manufacturing machine 15 provides for the intervention of a pusher and a follower (or counter-pusher), which are located in the transfer station and clamp the object to be transferred between each other; in other words, the pusher engages with the object to be transferred on one side and the follower engages with the object to be transferred on the other side so as to accurately control the position of the object during all the transfer steps.

[0133] The seats containing the objects in the assembly section 16 of the manufacturing machine 15 can retain the objects by suction (suction is interrupted when the object must leave the seat) or by a fixed shield that prevents the object from leaving the seat (ie only in the area where the object must remain in the seat).

[0134] like Figure 4 As shown, the feeding section 17 of the manufacturing machine 15 comprises a feeding device 130 for the supports 9 and the tubes 12 , which feeds the tubes 12 to the first feeding station S1 via a conveyor 131 and feeds the supports 9 to the feeding station S2 via a conveyor 132 .

[0135] like Figure 4 As shown, the feeding section 17 of the manufacturing machine 15 includes a feeding device 133, which feeds the cigarette holders 13 to the feeding station S19 (i.e., the feeding device 83 of the feeding station S19) through a conveyor 134. According to a possible embodiment, the feeding device 133 receives a large number of cigarette holders 13 in a disorderly manner (i.e., a large number of cigarette holders 13 arranged randomly) in a receiving tank with an opening at the top, and processes the cigarette holders 13 to arrange the cigarette holders 13 into an orderly sequence that is then fed by the conveyor 134.

[0136] like Figure 4 As shown, the feeding section 17 of the manufacturing machine 15 includes a feeding device 135, which feeds the can bodies 5 to the feeding station S24 (i.e., the feeding device 109 of the feeding station S24) through a conveyor 136. According to a possible embodiment, the feeding device 135 receives a large number of can bodies 5 in disorder (i.e., a large number of can bodies 5 arranged randomly) in a receiving tank with an opening at the top, and processes the can bodies 5 to arrange the can bodies 5 into an orderly sequence that is then fed by the conveyor 136.

[0137] like Figure 4 As shown, the feeding section 17 of the manufacturing machine 15 includes a feeding device 137 which feeds the stoppers 11 to the feeding station S29 (ie, to the feeding device 122 of the feeding station S29 ) via a conveyor 138 .

[0138] The metal sheet strip 42 is unwound from a reel arranged vertically in an unwinding station, which is arranged on the support body 18 of the assembly section 16, next to the initial part A (i.e., on the opposite side of the initial part A relative to the middle part B); preferably, the unwinding station for the metal sheet strip 42 is designed to perform automatic replacement of the reel and thus support two reels arranged side by side with each other.

[0139] The embodiments described herein may be combined with each other without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0140] The manufacturing machine 15 described above has many advantages.

[0141] Firstly, the manufacturing machine 15 described above can achieve a high hourly production rate (ie the number of pieces produced per time unit) while ensuring a high quality standard of the cartridges 1 .

[0142] Secondly, since the above-described manufacturing machine 15 consists of structurally simple elements requiring only a few movements that are easy to perform, its manufacture is also easy and cheap.

[0143] Finally, the manufacturing machine 15 described above provides ample operating space around each component, so that both initial assembly of the components and subsequent maintenance of the components (from simple cleaning to replacement) are simplified.

Claims

1. A manufacturing machine (15) for producing a cigarette cartridge (1) for an electronic cigarette; The cigarette cartridge (1) comprises: A heating device (6) comprising a core (7), an electric coil (8) wound in a spiral shape around the core (7), and a support (9) having two "U"-shaped cavities for accommodating the core (7) inside; two conductor elements (10), each of which has an inner end connected to a corresponding end of the electric coil (8); and a tube (12) connected to the support (9) of the heating device (6); The manufacturing machine (15) comprises: a first assembly drum (21) rotating about a first axis of rotation (22) and having at least a first seat (23) designed to accommodate the tube (12) and a second seat (24), the first seat being axially aligned with the first seat (23) and being designed to accommodate a support (9) of the heating device (6); a first feeding station (S1) in which the tube (12) is fed into the first seat (23); a second feeding station (S2), in which the support (9) of the heating device (6) is fed into the second seat (24); and a first welding station (S3) arranged downstream of the first feeding station (S1) and the second feeding station (S2) and provided with a first welding device (25) for connecting the tube (12) carried by the first seat (23) to the support (9) carried by the second seat (24) by means of a welding joint; Wherein, the first welding device (25) comprises: a welded body (26) in a "U" shape to partially surround the tube (12) carried by the first seat (23) and the corresponding support (9) carried by the second seat (24); and An actuator (27) moves the welding body (26) radially relative to the first rotation axis (22) between a static position and a working position, wherein the welding body (26) is away from the first assembling roller (21) and the welding body (26) is close to the first assembling roller (21).

2. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 1, wherein: The first feeding station (S1) is arranged upstream of the second feeding station (S2) relative to the rotation direction of the first assembling drum (21).

3. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 1, further comprising: a feed roller, rotating about a second rotation axis (30) parallel to the first rotation axis (22), having at least one third seat (31), which is designed to accommodate a tube (12) and is tangential to the first assembly roller (21) in the region of the first feed station (S1); as well as An input station (S5) is arranged upstream of the first feeding station (S1) along the feeding roller relative to the direction of rotation of the feeding roller, in which the tube (12) can be inserted into the third seat (31).

4. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 1, wherein: In the second feeding station (S2), the support (9) is arranged at a given distance from the tube (12); and A pushing device is provided, which enables the tube (12) to move axially in the first seat (23) so that the tube (12) rests against the support (9).

5. A manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 4, wherein: The pushing device is arranged upstream of the first welding station (S3) relative to the rotation direction of the first assembly drum (21).

6. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 1, wherein: The first seat (23) and the second seat (24) are suction seats.

7. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 1, further comprising: a second assembly drum (32) rotating about a third rotation axis (33) parallel to the first rotation axis (22) and having at least one fourth seat (34) designed to accommodate a support (9) of the heating device (6); a first transfer station (S6) in which the support (9) is transferred from the first seat (23) of the first assembly drum (21) to the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly drum (32); and A first coupling station (S7) is arranged downstream of the first transfer station (S6) relative to the rotation direction of the second assembly drum (32) and wherein the first conductor element is coupled to a support (9) carried by the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly drum (32).

8. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 7, further comprising: a third assembly drum (38) rotating about a fourth rotation axis (39) parallel to the third rotation axis (33) and having at least one fifth seat (37) designed to accommodate a support (9) of the heating device (6); as well as A second coupling station (S10) in which a second conductor element is coupled to a support (9) carried by said fifth seat (37) of said third assembly drum (38).

9. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 8, further comprising: a conveying roller (35) rotating about a fifth rotation axis (36) parallel to the third rotation axis (33) and having at least one fifth seat (37) designed to accommodate a support (9) of the heating device (6); a second transfer station (S8) in which the support (9) is transferred from the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly drum (32) to the fifth seat (37) of the transfer drum (35); and A third transfer station (S9) in which the support (9) is transferred from the fifth seat (37) of the transfer roller (35) to the fourth seat (34) of the third assembly roller (38).

10. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 7, further comprising: A moving device moves the metal sheet strip (42) supporting a plurality of conductor elements (10) through the first connection station (S7); as well as A first coupling device (43), arranged in the first coupling station (S7), picks up a first conductor element from the metal sheet strip (42) and inserts the first conductor element into a support (9) carried by the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly roller (32).

11. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 9, further comprising: A moving device moves the metal sheet strip (42) supporting a plurality of conductor elements (10) through the first connection station (S7) and through the second connection station (S10); a first coupling device (43), arranged in the first coupling station (S7), picking up a first conductor element from the metal sheet strip (42) and inserting the first conductor element into a support (9) carried by the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly roller (32); as well as A second coupling device (44), arranged in the second coupling station (S10), picks up a second conductor element from the metal sheet strip (42) and inserts the second conductor element into a support (9) carried by the fourth seat (34) of the third assembly roller (38).

12. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 10, wherein: The metal sheet strip (42) has a series of through guide holes; and The moving device has at least one toothed guide roller having a plurality of teeth (47), each tooth being designed to engage a corresponding guide hole of the sheet metal strip (42).

13. A manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 12, wherein: The guide roller is coaxial with the second assembly roller (32), is arranged beside the second assembly roller (32), and rotates synchronously with the second assembly roller (32).

14. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 10, wherein: The moving device moves the metal sheet strip (42) in the area of ​​the first connection station (S7) so that the conductor elements (10) of the metal sheet strip (42) are radially aligned with the support (9) carried by the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly roller (32); and The first coupling device (43) comprises a push-in element covering a radially oriented working stroke to push a first conductor element from the sheet metal strip (42) to a support (9) carried by the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly drum (32).

15. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 14, wherein: The first coupling device (43) comprises a push-in roller which rotates about a sixth rotation axis (50) parallel to the third rotation axis (33), supports the push-in element and is tangential to the second assembly roller (32) in the region of the first coupling station (S7).

16. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 14, wherein: The first connecting device (43) cuts off the metal sheet strip (42) in the area where the first conductor element is connected to the rest of the metal sheet strip (42) by pushing the first conductor element.

17. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 10, wherein: The first coupling means (43) are designed to bend the first conductor element when it is inserted into a support carried by the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly drum (32).

18. The manufacturing machine (15) according to claim 7 further comprises a second welding station (S12), which is arranged downstream of the first connection station (S7) relative to the rotation direction of the second assembly roller (32) and is provided with a second welding device (54), which connects the first conductor element to the support (9) carried by the fourth seat (34) of the second assembly roller (32) by means of a welding joint.

19. A method for producing an electronic cigarette cartridge (1); The cigarette cartridge (1) comprises: A heating device (6) comprising a core (7), an electric coil (8) wound in a spiral shape around the core (7), a support (9) having two "U"-shaped cavities for accommodating the core (7) inside; two conductor elements (10), each having an inner end connected to a corresponding end of the electric coil (8); and a tube (12) connected to the support (9) of the heating device (6); The manufacturing method comprises the following steps: Rotating an assembly drum having at least a first seat (23) designed to accommodate a tube (12) and a second seat (24) axially aligned with the first seat (23) and designed to accommodate a support (9) of a heating device (6) around a first rotation axis (22); In a first feeding station (S1), the tube (12) is fed into the first seat (23); In a second feeding station (S2), the support (9) of the heating device (6) is fed into the second seat (24); and In a first welding station (S3) arranged downstream of the first feeding station (S1) and the second feeding station (S2), the tube (12) carried by the first seat (23) is welded to the support (9) carried by the second seat (24) by means of a first welding device (25), Wherein, the first welding device (25) comprises: The welded body (26) is U-shaped so as to partially surround the tube (12) carried by the first seat (23) and the corresponding support member (9) carried by the second seat (24).

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