Manufacturing machine and method for disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes

Abstract

A manufacturing machine (8) and manufacturing method for producing disposable cartridges (1) for electronic cigarettes comprises a manufacturing drum (13) mounted to rotate in steps around a first vertical rotation axis (14) and supporting at least one group (15) of a plurality of sheets (16), each sheet (16) being designed to contain a corresponding cartridge (1) having a tubular casing (2) containing an aromatic product (5) and a lid (7) coupled to one end of the tubular casing (2); and at least one control unit (22) configured to control at least a portion of the cartridges (1) carried by the sheets (16) stationary in the area of ​​the control unit (22). The control unit (22) comprises a pneumatic device (24) configured to be coupled to at least a portion of the ends of the cartridges (1) carried by a sheet (16) stationary in the area of ​​the control unit (22), and thus applying pneumatic stress to the cartridges (1); and a sensor device (25) configured to measure the pressure present in the area of ​​each end of the cartridges (1) while the pneumatic stress is being applied.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Reference to Related Applications) This patent application claims the priority of the specification of Italian Patent Application No. 102023000007113 filed on April 13, 2023, and the entire disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, disposable (i.e., single-use) cartridges for electronic cigarettes have been proposed, which include a casing made of a tubular plastic material having a bottom wall with fine holes, and inside which there is tobacco powder covered with a filter pad. The casing is closed at its upper end (i.e., on the opposite side of the bottom wall with fine holes) by a lid, which is coupled to the casing itself.

[0003] These cartridges can be manufactured using the manufacturing machines described in Patent Documents 1-5. This machine is designed to fill each casing with a regulated amount of tobacco powder, slightly press the tobacco powder inside the casing to achieve the desired density, and attach the filter pad and the lid to the open upper end to close the casing.

[0004] Conventionally, cartridges are measured individually, the amount of tobacco powder contained in each cartridge is checked, and incompatible cartridges containing an insufficient or excessive amount of tobacco powder inside are discarded.

[0005] When the cartridges are manufactured, they are inserted into a sealed package, usually a blister pack.

[0006] Typically, the amount of tobacco powder in each cartridge is measured non-contact using a microwave sensor sensitive to the water contained in the tobacco powder. However, if the cartridge contains metal materials, the microwave sensor cannot be used because the metal materials interfere with the microwave-based measurement system and completely distort the measurement results. Therefore, if the cartridge contains metal materials, a scale must be used to weigh each cartridge. However, since the manufacturing machines operate in parallel and produce tens of dozens of cartridges per cycle, tens of dozens of scales must be used, which results in high costs and major construction problems due to the unavoidable large overall dimensions. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 043662(A1) [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 043663(A1) [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2019 / 043664(A1) [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2019 / 043665(A1) [Patent Document 5] International Publication No. 2020 / 031138(A1) [Overview of the project]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing machine and method for disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes, which can evaluate the amount of tobacco powder in each cartridge quickly, accurately, and reliably, while also being easy to implement and low-cost.

[0009] According to the present invention, a machine and method for manufacturing disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes are provided, as described in the appended claims.

[0010] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention that form part of this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] The present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention. [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view along the length of a disposable cartridge for e-cigarettes. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the manufacturing machine used to produce the e-cigarette cartridges shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the control unit of the manufacturing machine shown in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a disposable cartridge for an e-cigarette as a whole. The cartridge 1 comprises a tubular casing 2 made of plastic or metal material, having a finely perforated (i.e., fluid-permeable) bottom wall 3 and substantially cylindrical side walls 4. Inside the tubular casing 2 are tobacco powder 5 (in contact with the bottom wall 3) and a filter pad 6 (in an alternative embodiment, the filter pad 6 may not be present) is placed over it. Finally, the cartridge 1 comprises a finely perforated (i.e., fluid-permeable) lid 7 that is forcibly fitted (interference-fitted) to the upper end of the tubular casing 2.

[0013] In Figure 2, reference numeral 8 indicates a manufacturing machine for producing the cartridge 1 as a whole. The manufacturing machine 8 has intermittent movement, meaning its conveyor periodically alternates between operating and resting phases.

[0014] The manufacturing machine 8 includes a manufacturing drum 9, which is positioned horizontally and mounted to rotate in steps around a vertical pivot axis 10. In other words, the manufacturing drum 9 is rotationally driven in an intermittent motion, i.e., a discontinuous motion that periodically alternates between an operating phase in which the manufacturing drum 9 is moving and a resting phase in which the manufacturing drum 9 is stationary. The manufacturing drum 9 supports 12 groups 11 of sheets 12, each suitable for receiving and holding a corresponding tubular casing 2. In particular, each group 11 contains 42 sheets 12 aligned along three parallel straight lines (with 14 sheets 12 on each of the three straight lines), and the 12 groups 11 are arranged on the surface of the manufacturing drum 9 to define a regular polygon (i.e., a dodecahedron) in a plane.

[0015] The manufacturing machine 8 further includes a manufacturing drum 13, which is positioned horizontally next to the manufacturing drum 9 and mounted to rotate in steps around a vertical rotation axis 14 parallel to the rotation axis 10. In other words, the manufacturing drum 13 is rotationally driven in an intermittent motion, i.e., a discontinuous motion that periodically alternates between an operating phase in which the manufacturing drum 13 is moving and a resting phase in which the manufacturing drum 13 is stationary. The manufacturing drum 13 supports 12 groups 15 of sheets 16, each suitable for receiving and holding a corresponding tubular casing 2. In particular, each group 15 contains 42 sheets 16 aligned along three parallel straight lines (with 14 sheets 16 on each of the three straight lines), and the 12 groups 15 are arranged on the surface of the manufacturing drum 13 to define a regular polygon (i.e., a dodecahedron) in a plane.

[0016] The manufacturing machine 8 includes a supply station S1, where a supply unit 17 inserts empty tubular casings 2 corresponding to each sheet 12 of a stationary group 11. In particular, the supply unit 17 inserts 42 empty tubular casings 2 simultaneously into 42 sheets 12 of the stationary group 11 at the supply station S1. Downstream of the supply station S1, with respect to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 9, three filling stations S2 are arranged in sequence, each having a filling unit 18 that supplies tobacco powder 5 corresponding to each tubular casing 2 carried by the sheets 12 of the stationary group 11. In particular, each filling unit 18 supplies 14 tobacco powders 5 simultaneously into 42 sheets 12 of the stationary group 11 at the supply station S2. The filling unit 18 at the first supply station S2 supplies 14 tobacco powders 5 to the innermost row of sheets 12 of the group 11 stationary at the first supply station S2; the filling unit 18 at the second supply station S2 supplies 14 tobacco powders 5 to the middle row of sheets 12 of the group 11 stationary at the second supply station S2; and the filling unit 18 at the third supply station S2 supplies 14 tobacco powders 5 to the outermost row of sheets 12 of the group 11 stationary at the third supply station S2.

[0017] Downstream of the filling station S2 (i.e., downstream of the final filling station S2), a feed station S3 is located with respect to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 9, where a supply unit 19 supplies filter pads 6 corresponding to each tubular casing 2 carried by the stationary group 11 sheets 12. In particular, the supply unit 19 simultaneously supplies 42 filter pads 6 to the 42 stationary group 11 sheets 12 at the feed station S3. Of course, in embodiments of the cartridge 1 that lack filter pads 6, the feed station S3 does not exist.

[0018] Downstream of the feed station S3, a transport station S4 is arranged with respect to the rotation direction of the production drum 9, and a transport unit 20 transports the tubular casing 2 (including each tobacco powder 5 and, optionally, the filter pad 6) from the sheet 12 of one group 11 of the production drum 9 to the sheet 16 of one group 15 of the production drum 13. In particular, the transport unit 20 simultaneously transports 42 tubular casings 2 from the 42 sheets 12 of group 11 that are stationary at the transport station S4 to the 42 sheets 16 of group 15 that are stationary at the transport station S4. At the transport station S4, the two production drums 9 and 13 partially overlap, and the sheet 12 of group 11 of the production drum 9 is vertically aligned with the sheet 16 of group 15 of the production drum 13. Therefore, at the transport station S4, the transport of the tubular casing 2 is performed by a linear and vertical movement (i.e., the casing 2 rises when the production drum 9 is arranged below the production drum 13, and the casing 2 descends when the production drum 9 is arranged above the production drum 13).

[0019] Downstream of the input station S4, a supply station S5 is arranged with respect to the rotation direction of the production drum 13, and a supply unit 21 attaches a lid 7 corresponding to each tubular casing 2 carried by the stationary sheet 16 of group 15, thereby completing the formation of each cartridge 1 (i.e., downstream of the supply station S5, the cartridge 1 is completed and its production ends). In particular, the supply unit 21 simultaneously attaches 42 lids 7 to the 42 sheets 16 of group 15 that are stationary at the supply station S5 and simultaneously completes 42 cartridges 1. In other words, the cartridge 1 is completed at the supply station S5, i.e., downstream of the supply station S5, the cartridge 1 is completed and ready for use.

[0020] Downstream of the supply station S5, three control stations S6 are arranged in sequence with respect to the rotation direction of the manufacturing drum 13. Each has a corresponding control unit 22, which pneumatically controls each cartridge 1 to confirm its correct operation. In particular, it (indirectly) confirms that each cartridge 1 contains a desired amount of tobacco powder (i.e., it confirms that each tobacco powder 5 is composed of a desired amount of tobacco).

[0021] In particular, each control unit 22 simultaneously controls 14 cartridges 1 carried by the group 15 of sheets 16 stationary at each control station S6. The control unit 22 of the first control station S6 controls the 14 cartridges 1 on the sheet 16 of the group 15 stationary at the first control station S6. The control unit 22 of the second control station S6 controls the 14 cartridges 1 on the sheet 16 of the group 15 stationary at the second control station S6. The control unit 22 of the third control station S6 controls the 14 cartridges 1 on the sheet 16 of the group 15 stationary at the third control station S6.

[0022] In other words, three control units 22 are provided, each configured to control only the portion of the cartridges 1 carried by the group 15 of sheets 16 stationary at each control station S6 (i.e., within the area of the control unit 22). According to another embodiment, although not shown, only two or only one control unit 22 is provided.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the sheets 16 of each group 15 are arranged in multiple columns (specifically, three columns), and each control unit 22 is configured to control the cartridges 1 distributed across all three columns. That is, in an exemplary embodiment where each group 15 has 42 sheets 16, each control unit 22 is configured to control the cartridges 1 on 14 sheets 16, which are distributed 5 in one column, 5 in another column, and 4 in the remaining columns. Of course, the three control units 22 are configured to control each cartridge 1 only once, avoiding repeated control of the same cartridge 1.

[0024] Downstream from control station S6 (i.e., the last control station S6), in relation to the rotational direction of the manufacturing drum 13, is an extraction station S7 where an extraction unit 23 extracts a corresponding cartridge 1 from each sheet 16 of a stationary group 15. In particular, the extraction unit 23 simultaneously extracts 42 cartridges 1 from 42 sheets 16 of a stationary group 15 at extraction station S7.

[0025] From the above, all steps of the process for manufacturing the cartridge 1 included in the sheet 12 or 16 of the same group 11 or 15 (e.g., filling with tobacco powder 5, supplying the filter pad 6 (if provided), supplying the lid 7, controlling the cartridge 1) are performed simultaneously, that is, simultaneously for multiple (14 or 42) cartridges 1 included in the sheet 12 or 16 of the same group 11 or 15.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, each control unit 22 includes a pneumatic device 24, which is coupled to one end of a portion of a cartridge 1 carried by a seat 16 of group 15 stationary at each control station S6 (i.e., the area of ​​the control unit 22), and is configured to apply pneumatic stress to the cartridge 1. The pneumatic stress applied to each cartridge 1 is either excessive pressure (i.e., blowing compressed air) that generates an airflow through the cartridge 1 moving away from the pneumatic device 24, or conversely, reduced pressure (i.e., suction) that generates an airflow through the cartridge 1 moving toward the pneumatic device 24.

[0027] Furthermore, each control unit 22 includes a sensor device 25, which is configured to measure the pressure present in the region of the end of each cartridge 1 engaged by the pneumatic device 24 during the application of pneumatic stress. In particular, the sensor device 25 is configured to measure the counter pressure generated in the chamber near the end of each cartridge 1 during the application of pneumatic stress.

[0028] Finally, each control unit 22 includes a processing unit 26. Alternatively, a single processing unit 26 common to all three control units 22 can be provided.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the processing unit 26 of each control unit 22 is configured to determine the mass (amount) of tobacco powder 5 in cartridge 1 in accordance with the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device 25 during the application of pneumatic stress. In other words, there is a (nonlinear) correlation between the mass (amount) of tobacco powder 5 in cartridge 1 and the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device 25 during the application of pneumatic stress. For example, the memory of the processing unit 26 of each control unit 22 may store a correlation law (experimentally determined or at least refined) that provides the mass (amount) of tobacco powder 5 in cartridge 1 in accordance with the pressure measured by the sensor device 25 during the application of pneumatic stress.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the processing unit 26 of each control unit 22 is configured to determine whether the cartridge 1 is defective based on the respective mass (amount) of tobacco powder 5. In particular, if the respective mass (amount) of tobacco powder 5 is too small (i.e., less than the minimum threshold) or too large (i.e., greater than the maximum threshold), the cartridge 1 is defective. The processing unit 26 of each control unit 22 may be configured to determine directly (not indirectly) whether the cartridge 1 is defective based on the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device 25 during the application of pneumatic stress. That is, if the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device 25 is less than the minimum threshold or greater than the maximum threshold, the processing unit 26 may be configured to determine that the cartridge 1 is defective.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the processing unit 26 of each control unit 22 is configured to adjust the mass (amount) of tobacco powder 5 supplied by the corresponding filling unit 18, based on feedback, depending on the mass (amount) of tobacco powder 5 determined according to the pressure measured by the sensor device 25. That is, each filling unit 18 should insert tobacco powder 5 having a predetermined mass (amount) into each casing 2 of the cartridge 1, and the measurement of the mass (amount) of tobacco powder 5 contained in the cartridge 1, performed by the control unit 22, is used to correct the adjustment of the filling unit 18 based on feedback.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the pneumatic device 24 of each control unit 22 is movable vertically (i.e., parallel to the rotation axis 14) between an operating position in contact with the cartridge 1 carried by the seat 16 of group 15, which is stationary at each control station S6 (i.e., the area of ​​the control unit 22), and a resting position away from the cartridge 1 carried by the seat 16 of group 15, which is stationary at each control station S6 (i.e., the area of ​​the control unit 22). The pneumatic device 24 of each control unit 22 is held in the resting position while the manufacturing drum 13 is rotating and is temporarily placed in the operating position only when the manufacturing drum 13 is stationary.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3, the pneumatic device 24 comprises a support 27 having a lower wall 28 facing the manufacturing drum 13, and a plurality of coupling elements 29, each fixed to the lower wall 28 of the support 27 and formed to be tightly coupled to each cartridge 1 carried by a sheet 16 stationary in the control station S6 (i.e., the area of ​​the control unit 22), and intersecting in the center by a duct 30 connectable to a pneumatic source 31. In particular, the support 27 includes a distribution chamber in the center, which is pneumatically connected to the duct 30 of all coupling elements 29 and connectable to the pneumatic source 31 (via a solenoid valve).

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3, each sensor device 25 includes a corresponding pressure transducer 32 (i.e., a pneumatic-electric transducer) for each coupling element 29 that measures the pressure in its respective duct 30. In this way, each pressure transducer 32 measures the counter pressure generated in the duct 30 of its respective coupling element 29 (in the chamber near the end of the corresponding cartridge 1) during use and while pneumatic stress is being applied.

[0035] Each end of the coupling element 29 may include a cap made of an elastic material. By (lightly) pressing the coupling element 29 against one end of the cartridge 1, a (sufficiently) sealed pneumatic connection can be obtained between the duct 30 of the coupling element 29 and the cartridge 1.

[0036] As described above, the pneumatic stress applied to each cartridge 1 can be either excessive pressure (i.e., blowing compressed air) that generates an airflow through the cartridge 1 moving away from the pneumatic device 24, or conversely, reduced pressure (i.e., suction) that generates an airflow through the cartridge 1 moving toward the pneumatic device 24. In the above embodiment, the sensor device 25 provides pneumatic (pressure) measurement for each cartridge 1 only on one side (end) of the cartridge 1 in the region where pneumatic stress is applied. That is, the pressure transducer 32 is located on the same side of the cartridge 1 to which pneumatic stress is applied. According to another embodiment, the sensor device 25 provides pneumatic (pressure) measurement for each cartridge 1 only on one side (end) of the cartridge 1 opposite to the region where pneumatic stress is applied. That is, the pressure transducer 32 is located on the opposite side of the cartridge 1 from the side to which pneumatic stress is applied (this allows measurement of the passage of air blown through the cartridge 1). In the above embodiment, each cartridge 1 contains tobacco powder 5, but instead, the tobacco powder 5 can be replaced with a tobacco-based aromatic product or a non-tobacco-based aromatic product (which can produce an inhalable aerosol when heated).

[0037] In the above embodiment, the manufacturing drums 9 and 13 rotate around their respective axes 10 and 14 according to stepwise (intermittent) laws of motion. In another embodiment, although not shown, the manufacturing drums 9 and 13 rotate around their respective axes 10 and 14 according to continuous laws of motion.

[0038] The embodiments described herein can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. The above manufacturing machine 8 has many advantages.

[0039] First, the manufacturing machine 8 described above enables the rapid, accurate, and reliable evaluation of the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in each cartridge 1. In other words, it enables the evaluation of whether each tobacco powder 5 consists of the desired mass (amount) of tobacco. This is achieved by measuring the pressure drop (i.e., pressure difference) that occurs when a standard and predetermined air pressure stress is applied to each cartridge 1. In fact, since the pressure drop (i.e., pressure difference) caused by each cartridge 1 is proportional to the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in cartridge 1, the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in cartridge 1 can be evaluated (indirectly but very accurately) by (directly) evaluating the pressure drop.

[0040] In particular, it is important to note that during use, the user perceives the pressure drop (i.e., the pressure difference) at the end of cartridge 1, rather than the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in cartridge 1. This is because the user understands how difficult / easy it is to inhale cartridge 1. Therefore, while evaluating the pressure drop may allow for slightly (but still sufficiently) precise control of the mass (amount) of tobacco powder present in cartridge 1, it is possible to ensure very precise control of the sensation the user feels when using cartridge 1.

[0041] By evaluating the pressure drop of each cartridge 1, it is also important to identify cartridges 1 that are missing the filter pad 6 (if present) despite having the correct amount of tobacco powder, or cartridges 1 that are missing or partially blocked holes in the bottom wall 3 or lid 7 despite having the correct amount of tobacco powder. In other words, by evaluating the pressure drop of each cartridge 1, it is also possible to identify cartridges 1 that are defective due to reasons unrelated to the amount of tobacco powder.

[0042] Furthermore, the above-mentioned manufacturing machine 8 enables high productivity per unit of time while ensuring high quality standards.

[0043] The manufacturing machine 8 described above is particularly compact, allowing an operator near the machine to reach all parts of it without making unnatural movements. Finally, the manufacturing machine 8 can be implemented relatively simply and inexpensively. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1 disposable cartridge 2. Tubular casing 3 Bottom wall 4 side wall 5 Tobacco powder 6 filter pads 7 Lid 8 Manufacturing machinery 9. Manufacturing Drum 10 Rotation axis 11 groups 12 sheets 13 Manufacturing Drums 14 Rotation axis 15 groups 16 sheets 17 Supply Units 18 Filling Units 19 supply units 20 transport units 21 supply units 22 Control Unit 23 Extraction Units 24 Pneumatic equipment 25 Sensor device 26 Processing Unit 27 Support 28 Lower wall 29. Connecting elements 30 ducts 31. Air pressure source 32 Pressure transducer S1 Supply Station S2 Filling Station S3 Sending Station S4 Transport Station S5 Supply Station S6 Control Station S7 Extraction Station

Claims

1. A manufacturing machine (8) for producing disposable cartridges (1) for electronic cigarettes, A first manufacturing drum (13) is mounted to rotate around a first vertical rotation axis (14) and supports at least a first group (15) of a plurality of first sheets (16), each first sheet (16) being designed to house a corresponding cartridge (1) having a casing (2) containing an aromatic product (5), At least one control unit (22) configured to control at least a portion of the cartridge (1) carried by the first sheet (16) within the area of ​​the control unit (22), In a manufacturing machine (8) equipped with, The control unit (22) is A pneumatic device (24) is configured to be coupled to at least a portion of the end of the cartridge (1) carried by the first sheet (16) in the area of ​​the control unit (22), and applies pneumatic stress to the cartridge (1). A sensor device (25) configured to measure the pressure present in the end region of each cartridge (1) during the application of the aforementioned pneumatic stress, A manufacturing machine (8) characterized by being equipped with

2. The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (22) has a processing device (26) configured to determine the mass of the aromatic product (5) of the cartridge (1) in accordance with the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device (25) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

3. The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (22) has a processing device (26) configured to determine whether the cartridge (1) is defective in accordance with the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device (25) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

4. The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 3, wherein the processing device (26) is configured to determine that the cartridge (1) is defective if the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device (25) is less than a minimum threshold or greater than a maximum threshold.

5. The manufacturing machine (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pneumatic device (24) is vertically movable between an operating position in which the pneumatic device (24) is in contact with the cartridge (1) carried by the first sheet (16) in the area of ​​the control unit (22) and a resting position in which the pneumatic device (24) is away from the cartridge (1) carried by the first sheet (16) in the area of ​​the control unit (22).

6. The aforementioned pneumatic device (24) is A support (27) having a lower wall (28) facing the first manufacturing drum (13), A plurality of coupling elements (29), each coupling element (29) fixed to the lower wall (28) of the support (27), formed to seal and engage each cartridge (1) carried by the first sheet (16) in the area of ​​the control unit (22), and having a duct (30) that can be connected to a pneumatic source (31) intersecting in the center, A manufacturing machine (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

7. The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 6, wherein the support (27) is pneumatically connected to all coupling elements (29) and has a distribution chamber that can be connected to the pneumatic source (31).

8. The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sensor device (25) has a corresponding pressure transducer (32) with respect to each coupling element (29).

9. A manufacturing machine (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having at least two, preferably exactly three, pairs of control units (22), the control units (22) being arranged in sequence and designed to control each portion of the cartridge (1) carried by the first sheet (16).

10. The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 9, wherein the first sheet (16) is arranged in a plurality of rows, and each control unit (22) is configured to control the cartridges (1) distributed to all rows.

11. The manufacturing machine (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pneumatic device (24) is configured to blow compressed air onto the cartridge (1).

12. A manufacturing machine (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, having a first supply unit (21), the first supply unit (21) being located upstream of the control unit (22), and configured to attach a lid (7) to each casing (2) carried by the first sheet (16) of the first group (15) in the area of ​​the first supply unit (21), thereby completing the formation of each cartridge (1).

13. A manufacturing machine (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, having at least one filling unit (18) configured to supply aromatic products (5) corresponding to each casing (2).

14. The manufacturing machine (8) according to claim 13, wherein the control unit (22) has a processing unit (26) configured to determine the mass of the aromatic product (5) of the cartridge (1) in accordance with the corresponding pressure measured by the sensor device (25), and is configured to adjust, based on feedback, the mass of the aromatic product (5) supplied by the filling unit (18) in accordance with the mass of the aromatic product (5) determined in accordance with the pressure measured by the sensor device (25).

15. A second manufacturing drum (9) is mounted to rotate around a second vertical rotation axis (10) and supports at least a second group (11) of a plurality of second sheets (12), each second sheet (12) designed to house a corresponding casing (2), and A second supply unit (17), wherein the second supply unit (17) is configured to insert each casing (22) into the second sheet (12) within the area of ​​the second supply unit (17), At least one filling unit (18), the filling unit (18) is located downstream of the second supply unit (17) and is configured to supply aromatic products (5) corresponding to each casing (2), A transport unit (20) is located downstream of the filling unit (18) and is configured to transport the casing (2) from the second sheet (12) of the second group (11) of the second manufacturing drum (9) to the first sheet (16) of the first group (15) of the first manufacturing drum (13), A manufacturing machine (8) comprising any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The manufacturing machine (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the sensor device (25) is configured to measure the counter pressure generated in a chamber near the end of each cartridge (1) during the application of the pneumatic stress.

17. A method for manufacturing a disposable cartridge (1) for an electronic cigarette, A step of housing multiple cartridges (1), each cartridge (1) comprising a casing (2) containing a fragrance product (5), which is a group (15) of multiple sheets (16) supported by a manufacturing drum (13), and the manufacturing drum (13) is mounted to rotate around a vertical rotation axis (14), A manufacturing method comprising the steps of controlling at least a portion of the cartridge (1) being carried by a first sheet (16) in the area of ​​the control unit (22) by at least one control unit (22), The steps include: connecting the pneumatic device (24) of the control unit (22) to at least a portion of the end of the cartridge (1) that is carried by the first sheet (16) in the area of ​​the control unit (22); The steps include applying pneumatic stress to the cartridge (1) using the pneumatic device (24), The control unit (22) includes a sensor device (25) that measures the pressure present in the end region of each cartridge (1) while the pneumatic stress is being applied, A manufacturing method that includes the following features.

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