Equipment and method for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly

Abstract

The fixture (10) for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly includes a base (14), a wick feed (234), a slide (22), and a holder (30). The wick feed (234) extends toward the base (14) and defines a channel (242) configured to receive a wick structured to draw a nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. The slide (22) is configured to move along a plane on the upper surface of the base (14). The holder (30) is positioned on the upper surface of the base (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to equipment used for the preparation and assembly of a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly.

Background Art

[0002] A nicotine electronic vaping device or a nicotine e-vaping device includes a heating element that vaporizes a nicotine pre-vapor formulation to produce a nicotine vapor.

[0003] A nicotine e-vaping device includes a power source (such as a rechargeable battery) disposed within the device. The power source is electrically connected to the heater. The power source provides power to the heater such that the heater heats to a sufficient temperature to convert the nicotine pre-vapor formulation into a nicotine vapor. The nicotine vapor exits the nicotine e-vaping device through a mouthpiece that includes at least one outlet.

[0004] This section provides a general overview of the present disclosure and is not an exhaustive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] At least one exemplary embodiment relates to equipment for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly, including a base, a wick feed, a slide, and a holder. The wick feed extends towards the base and defines a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw out a nicotine pre-vapor formulation through capillary action. The slide is configured to move along a plane on the upper surface of the base. The holder is disposed on the upper surface of the base.

[0006] The exemplary equipment may include a wick retainer that extends parallel to and adjacent to the wick feed to hold the wick within the channel.

[0007] The exemplary facility may include a cutter having a blade configured to slide along the upper surface of the slide to cut the wick.

[0008] The wick feed within the exemplary facility may be configured to rotate relative to the base.

[0009] The exemplary facility may include a block fixed to the base. The wick feed may be rotatably attached to and supported by the block.

[0010] The holder of the exemplary facility may be configured to receive a support for the heater assembly therein, and the holder is configured to fix the support relative to the base for inserting the wick.

[0011] The channel within the wick feed of the exemplary facility may be configured to guide the wick to align with the heater on the support.

[0012] The wick feed of the exemplary facility may extend at a right angle to the base.

[0013] The holder of the exemplary facility may include locking fingers configured to engage a support for the heater assembly and hold the support within the holder.

[0014] The holder of the exemplary facility may be configured to fix a support for the heater assembly. The slide may include a front face perpendicular to the upper surface of the base. The slide may be configured to contact a finger of the heater on the support and move the finger to a vertical position to compress the wick.

[0015] The wick feed of the exemplary facility may include a plate and a retainer. The plate may be disposed perpendicular to the base and may define a channel. The retainer may be disposed perpendicular to the base and adjacent to the plate. The retainer and the plate may define slots for guiding the wick.

[0016] The exemplary facility may include a block fixed to the base. The plate may be rotatably attached to and supported by the block.

[0017] The retainer of the exemplary facility may be fixed to the plate, whereby the retainer and the plate are configured to rotate relative to the base and the block.

[0018] The holder of the exemplary facility may be configured to fix the support of the heater assembly and lock the position of the support relative to the base.

[0019] The holder of the exemplary facility may include locking fingers configured to engage the support and hold the support within the holder.

[0020] The exemplary facility may include a blade configured to slide along the upper surface of the slide.

[0021] At least one exemplary embodiment relates to a method of assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly, and using a holder to secure a support of the heater assembly to a base, and using a guide plate attached to the base to align a wick strip within the heater of the support, wherein the wick strip is structured to draw a nicotine pre-vapor formulation through capillary action, and using a blade configured to slide relative to the base to cut a portion of the wick strip, and using a slide configured to slide relative to the base to clamp a portion of the heater around the portion of the wick strip, and using a holder to release the support from the base.

[0022] Securing the support to the base of the exemplary method may include locking the support within the holder.

[0023] Aligning the wick strip within the heater of the support of the exemplary method may include inserting the wick strip into a channel within the guide plate.

[0024] Aligning the wick strip within the heater of the support may include inserting the wick strip into a gap defined by a channel within the guide plate and a retainer plate fixed to the guide plate.

[0025] Additional applicable fields will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description in this summary and the specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments of this specification may become more apparent when the detailed description is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the "claims". The accompanying drawings are not considered to be drawn to scale unless otherwise specified. For clarity purposes, the various dimensions in the drawings may be exaggerated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

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[0028] Some detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein are merely typical for the purpose of describing the exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in numerous alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to only the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0029] As a result, while the exemplary embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, the exemplary embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the exemplary embodiments to the specific forms disclosed, and on the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0030] A nicotine electronic vaping device or a nicotine e-vaping device includes a heating element that vaporizes a nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation to produce a nicotine vapor. The nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation may be enclosed within a housing or a nicotine pod assembly. The nicotine electronic vaping device includes a power source (such as a rechargeable battery) disposed within the device. The power source is electrically connected to a heater assembly for the nicotine pod assembly. The power source provides power to the heater assembly such that the heater assembly heats to a temperature sufficient for the nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation within the nicotine pod assembly to be converted into a nicotine vapor. The nicotine vapor exits the nicotine electronic vaping device through a mouthpiece that includes at least one outlet.

[0031] The nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation is a material or combination of materials that can be transformed into a nicotine vapor. For example, the nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation may include a liquid, solid, or gel formulation. These may include, for example, water, oil, emulsion, beads, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, nicotine, natural or artificial flavors, vapor formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and any other ingredients that may be suitable for vaping, and are not limited thereto. During vaping, the nicotine electronic vaping device is configured to heat the nicotine pre-vaporizer formulation to produce a nicotine vapor. Nicotine vapor, nicotine aerosol, and nicotine dispersion are used interchangeably and refer to substances produced or output by the disclosed devices, the devices of the claims, and their equivalents, and such substances contain nicotine. The nicotine e-vaping device may be regarded as an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS).

[0032] Figures 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views of a facility or apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly according to at least one exemplary embodiment. The facility, as described herein, prepares and assembles a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly and, in at least one exemplary embodiment, may be used in conjunction with a cutter illustrated in FIG. 10 and a slicing guide and blade illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the facility or apparatus 10 includes a base 14, a guide 18, a slide 22, a wick guide 26 (or nicotine wick guide), a holder 30, and a block 34.

[0034] In at least one exemplary embodiment, a detailed illustration of the base 14 is shown in FIG. 3. The base 14 may include a longitudinal channel 38 having side walls 42, 46. Each side wall includes steps 50, 54 that increase the width of the longitudinal channel 38. The longitudinal channel 38 may have a first width W1 at the base or bottom 58 of the longitudinal channel 38 and a second width W2 at the upper portion 62 of the longitudinal channel 38 above the steps 50, 54, and the second width W2 is greater than the first width W1.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 3, for example, the base 14 may include a transverse channel 66, and side walls 70, 74 define the transverse channel 66. The transverse channel 66 may extend perpendicular to and intersect the longitudinal channel 38. One of the side walls 70 of the transverse channel 66 may include a step 78, while the other of the side walls 74 is flat. The step 78 may increase the width of the transverse channel 66. The transverse channel 66 may have a first width LW1 at the base or bottom 82 of the transverse channel 66 and a second width LW2 at the upper portion 86 of the transverse channel 66 above the step 78, and the second width LW2 is greater than the first width LW1.

[0036] The side wall 70 may include a notch 88 at the position of the holder 30. Thus, the notch 88 may separate the side wall 70 into two parts 70(a) and 70(b).

[0037] In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 3, for example, the base 14 may include a plurality of openings 90, 94, 98 that extend perpendicularly through the base 14. The opening 90 may receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt, screw, or other fastener) for fixing the guide 18 onto the upper surface 100 of the base 14. The opening 94 may receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt, screw, or other fastener) for fixing the holder 30 to the base 14. The opening 98 may receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt, screw, or other fastener) for fixing the block 34 to the base 14. A slot 102 may also be defined by the base 14 between the openings 98. The slot 102 may receive a portion of the block 34.

[0038] The base 14 may additionally include a longitudinal channel 38 for receiving the holder 30 and a holder notch 106 that is aligned with the opening 94. The holder notch 106 may correspond in width to the width of the holder 30, thus simplifying the assembly of the holder 30 on the base 14.

[0039] At the intersection between the longitudinal channel 38 and the transverse channel 66, a support notch 110 may be defined by the base 14. The support notch 110 may provide a track or guide for inserting components of a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly into the holder 30. The width SW of the support notch may be smaller than the width W1 of the longitudinal channel 38 and the width HCW of the holder notch 106. The support notch 110 may extend from the intersection between the longitudinal channel 38 and the transverse channel 66, beyond the plane of the side wall 70, into the notch 88, and into the section of the base 14 having the holder notch 106.

[0040] Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of the assembled base 14 and guide 18 of the facility or instrument 10 shown in Figure 1A. As previously described, the guide 18 may be fixed to the base 14 at the opening 90 in the base 14. The guide 18 may include a corresponding first opening 114 that is aligned with the opening 90 in the base 14 and receives a fastener for fixing the guide 18 to the base 14.

[0041] The guide 18 may include a second opening 118, a third opening 122, and a slot 126. The slot 126 may be positioned longitudinally along the center of the guide 18 above the channel 38 in the base 14. The second opening 118 may be positioned along each side surface 130, 134 of the slot 126 and at the front end 138 of the slot 126. The second opening 118 may receive a pin, rod, or screw extending through the second opening 118 to apply a light pressure to the slide 22 and ensure that the movement of the slide 22 is controlled by the actuation of the pin 150. The third opening 122 may receive a pin, rod, or screw to set the functional transfer distance of the slide 22, and may be positioned at the lateral center of the front surface 142 of the guide 18 and extend through the front end 138 of the slot 126.

[0042] Figures 4A and 4B are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of the assembled base 14 and slide 22 of the facility or instrument 10 shown in Figure 1A. The slide 22 is slidable within the longitudinal channel 38. The slide 22 may include a plate 146 and a pin 150 extending from its upper surface 154. The plate 146 may be placed on the upper surfaces 158, 162 of each step 50, 54 and may be slidable. The front end 166 of the plate 146 may include a tab or protrusion 170 having a front surface 174 that is slidable within the notch 88 in the base 14.

[0043] Pin 150 may extend perpendicular to plate 146 and may be received within slot 126 in guide 18, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Slot 126 may function as a guide track for pin 150 and as a stop. In the full forward position, pin 150 is adjacent (e.g., in contact) to the forward end 138 of slot 126, and the plane along the front face 174 of tab 170 on slide 22 is aligned with the plane along side wall 70 of lateral channel 66. In the full rearward position, pin 150 is adjacent (e.g., in contact) to the rearward end 178 of slot 126, and the plane along the rear face 182 of plate 146 of slide 22 is aligned with the plane along the rear face 186 of base 14.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the facility or apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1A is illustrated with the guide removed. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 5, for example, wick guide 26 may be secured onto base 14 by block 34. As previously described, block 34 may be secured to base 14 by fasteners at opening 98 and at slot 102. Additionally, return spring 190 may be secured to the front face 194 outside of block 34 and the front face 198 of base 14, align the plane along front face 194 with the plane along front face 198, and limit the movement of the front face 194 of block 34 from protruding beyond the front face 198 of base 14.

[0045] The wick guide 26 may be fixed to the block 34 by a fastener such as a shoulder screw 202, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1A and 8A-9B. In some exemplary embodiments, the fastener 202 (FIG. 8C) may include an upper portion 206 and a body 210 having a smooth portion 214 and a threaded portion 218. The threaded portion 218 may engage threads within an opening 222 in the block 34 (FIG. 8B). The opening 222 may be a countersunk opening having a large diameter portion 226 that mates with a portion of the smooth portion 214 of the fastener 202 and a small diameter portion 230 that threads and mates with the threaded portion 218 of the fastener 202. The upper portion 206 of the fastener 202 may be knurled, serrated, or both knurled and serrated for easy insertion into and removal from the opening 222.

[0046] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the wick guide 26 may include a wick feed 234 (or nicotine wick feed) and a wick retainer 238 (or nicotine wick retainer). The wick feed 234 may be a plate or a channeled plate having a channel or slot 242 formed therein. The channel 242 may extend across the width of the wick feed 234 and may be wide enough to accommodate a wick configured to draw out a nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action (discussed in more detail below). For example, the channel 242 may have a width in the range of 0.0625 inches to 1 inch, more specifically in the range of 0.125 inches to 0.5 inches. Although exemplary widths are provided, it is understood that the width of the channel 242 may be set to different sizes to accommodate wicks of various sizes configured to draw out a nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action.

[0047] The wick retainer 238 may be a flat plate that aligns with (and is fixed to) the wick feed 234 into which a wick for sucking out nicotine during assembly is inserted to define a guide or track 246 having a channel 242 within the wick feed 234 (described in more detail below). The wick retainer 238 may include an opening 250 that aligns with an opening 254 (FIG. 1B) within the wick feed 234 to receive a fastener therein for fixing the wick retainer 238 to the wick feed 234. A fastener or pin extending through one of the openings 250 may extend beyond the wick feed 234 and fit into a track 258 within the block 34, thereby allowing the wick feed 234 to pivot relative to the block 34. Additionally, the smooth portion 214 of the fastener 202 is received within an opening within the wick guide 26, providing a pivot point about which the wick guide 26 may rotate.

[0048] Figures 6 - 7F illustrate detailed views of an exemplary embodiment of a holder of the apparatus or device 10 shown in FIG. 1A. The holder 30 may include a base 262, a lock 266, and an elastic member 270 (e.g., a spring). The base 262 may further include a slot 274 for receiving at least one finger of a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly (described further below) and at least one portion of the lock 266. The base 262 may also include an opening 278 that aligns with an opening 94 within the base 14 and is configured to receive a fastener for fixing the holder 30 to the base 14.

[0049] In some exemplary embodiments, the lock 266 may further include a toggle 282 and at least one locking finger 286. The lock 266 may be rotatably fixed to the base 262 at an opening 290 within the toggle 282. The opening 290 within the toggle 282 may be aligned with an opening 294 within the base 262 to receive a rod or pin therein. The rod or pin may provide a pivot point about which the toggle 282 may rotate. The toggle 282 may include a protrusion or lever 298 configured to be operated by an assembly technician to move the toggle 282 between a first forward position and a second rearward position. In the first position, the locking finger 286 may be in an open or unlocked position (further described below), and in the second position, the locking finger 286 may be in a closed or locked position (further described below).

[0050] The locking finger 286 may be fixed to the front face 302 of the toggle 282 and may rotate with the rotation of the toggle 282. In some exemplary embodiments, three locking fingers 286 may be fixed to the toggle 282. However, it is understood that any number of locking fingers 286 may be included. In some exemplary embodiments, each of the locking fingers 286 may be a plate including a rectangular body 306 and a hook 310 (FIG. 7F). The hook 310 may be defined by a recess 314 and a tip 318.

[0051] The tab 322 on the side opposite to the front surface 302 of the toggle 282 contacts an elastic member 270 (e.g., a spring). The elastic member 270 is a flat plate-like spring having a main body 326 and a tab or protrusion 330 extending from the main body 326. The main body 326 of the elastic member 270 is fixed to the base 262 at the opening 334 by a fastener (merely an example, such as a screw or a bolt). The opening 334 is aligned with the opening 278 within the base 262 and is configured to receive the fastener. The tab 330 extends in a manner similar to a cantilever beam and overlaps with the tab 322 of the toggle 282. The tab 330 of the elastic member 270 provides a reaction force on the toggle 282 to bias the toggle 282 to a second rearward position such that the locking finger 286 is biased to the locked closed position.

[0052] Figure 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cutter 338 that may be used with the facility or instrument 10 shown in Figure 1A. The cutter 338 includes a block 342 and a blade 346. The blade 346 may be positioned on the front surface 350 of the block 342. In some embodiments, the blade 346 may be fixed to the block 342 by one or more fasteners.

[0053] The cutter 338 may be slidable along the upper surface 154 of the slide 22 from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the cutter 338 may be disposed on the upper surface 154 of the slide 22 between the wick guide 26 and the guide 18. In the second position, the cutter 338 may be disposed on the upper surface 154 of the slide 22 with the blade 346 adjacent to the holder 30 and disposed under the wick guide 26.

[0054] Still referring to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-10, the facility or apparatus 10 and the cutter 338 may be used in a method 400 for preparing and assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly. The method 400 may begin at 404. In step 408, a wick pad 500 (FIG. 12) is covered with a slicing guide 504 (FIG. 13). For example, the slicing guide 504 may be set on the wick pad 500.

[0055] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the wick pad 500 (or nicotine wick pad) may include filaments (or threads) having the ability to draw out a nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. For example, the wick pad 500 may be a sheet of woven together glass (or ceramic) fibers or filaments. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the wick pad 500 may include any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, glass, ceramic-based materials, or graphite-based materials.

[0056] The wick pad 500 may have any suitable capillary drawing action to accommodate nicotine pre-vapor formulations having different physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension, and vapor pressure. The capillary drawing action is the movement of a nicotine pre-vapor formulation (e.g., a liquid having nicotine and other substances dissolved therein) within the space of the porous wick pad 500 material due to adhesive force, cohesive force, and surface tension. Capillary action occurs when the molecules of the liquid are attracted to and adhere to the inner surface of the porous structure (adhesion) and stay in close proximity to each other (cohesion). In particular, capillary action occurs when the adhesion of the liquid molecules to the walls of the structure is stronger than the intermolecular cohesive force. Since the nicotine pre-vapor formulation may contain various substances (such as water, oil, emulsion, beads, solvent, active ingredient, ethanol, plant extract, nicotine, natural or artificial flavor, vapor formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and any other components that may be suitable for vaping as described above, but not limited thereto), the suction material structured to draw out the nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be designed for a specific formulation. Accordingly, the material of the wick pad 500 may have at least one of different structures and different compounds to facilitate capillary action for a specific nicotine pre-vapor formulation. For example, the diameter of the pores, the dimensions of the interstitial spaces, or both the diameter of the pores and the dimensions of the interstitial spaces within the wick pad 500 material may be appropriately sized based on the physical properties of the formulation (e.g., surface tension) and the physical properties of the material (e.g., hydrophilicity) to facilitate the drawing out of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. For example, the size of the capillary space may need to increase as the density of the liquid increases. Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the wick pad 500 may be non-conductive.

[0057] Although the exemplary wick pad 500 is illustrated as a circular sheet in FIG. 12, it is understood that the wick pad 500 may take any shape, including a rectangular sheet, a square sheet, or a sheet of any other shape.

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the exemplary slicing guide 504 may include one or more slots or channels 508 that penetrate its thickness. Each of the channels 508 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the slicing guide 504 and may be aligned in the width direction of the slicing guide 504. The channels 508 may be equally spaced in the width direction such that strips of equal width are produced when the wick pad 500 is cut or divided.

[0059] The openings 512 may be at one end of each channel 508. In some embodiments, the openings 512 may be at alternating ends of the channels 508. The openings 512 at the ends of the channels 508 may facilitate the insertion of the blade 516 (further described below). Using the openings 512 at alternating ends of the channels 508, the blade 516 may be inserted through and sliced through each channel in a more efficient manner.

[0060] In step 412, the blade 516 or razor slices through each channel 508 in the slicing guide 504 to cut or divide the wick pad 500 into wick strips 520 (FIG. 16A). In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the blade 516 may include a cutting edge 522 and a grip 526. The cutting edge 522 may be a sharp edge used to cut or divide the wick pad 500 into wick strips 520 (or nicotine wick strips). The grip 526 may be, for example, a dulled edge of the blade 516 or an overmold on the edge of the blade 516 opposite the cutting edge 522 to provide a portion of the blade 516 for an assembly technician to grip.

[0061] As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the cutting edge 522 of the blade 516 is inserted into the opening 512 of each channel 508 of the slicing guide 504 and passed or sliced through the length of the channel 508. This movement of the blade 516 cuts or separates the wick pad 500 positioned under the slicing guide 504. The blade 516 then moves to the next channel 508 until slices are made within each channel 508 of the slicing guide 504.

[0062] In step 416, the slicing guide 504 is removed and the wick strip 520 is separated from the wick pad 500. As illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, when the slicing guide 504 is removed from the wick pad 500, the wick pad 500 is divided into a plurality of wick strips 520 corresponding to the positions of the channels 508. Each wick strip 520 may be separated from an adjacent strip 520.

[0063] In step 420, the wick strip 520 is inserted into the guide or track 246 of the wick guide 26. As illustrated in FIG. 17A, the width of the channel 242 defining the guide or track 246 is slightly larger than the width of the wick strip 520 to accommodate and guide the wick strip 520.

[0064] In step 424, the cutter 338 is used to remove the ends of the wick strip 520. As illustrated in FIGS. 17B and 18, to restrain the movement of the wick strip 520 during cutting, the slide 22 of the facility or instrument 10 is moved to a position that clamps the wick strip 520 against the holder 30. The cutter 338 is moved from a position where it does not contact the wick strip 520 to a position where it contacts the wick strip 520. Specifically, the blade 346 of the cutter 338 is moved to a position where it slices the wick strip 520, creating an edge that extends parallel to the plane on the upper surface 154 of the slide 22.

[0065] In operation 428, the wick guide 26 rotates about the fastener 202. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the wick guide 26 is rotatably fixed to the block 24 by the fastener 202. The body 210 of the fastener 202 extends through the wick retainer 238, the wick plate 234, and the opening 222 in the block 24. A protrusion or other portion extending from the rear side of the wick plate 234 may slide within the track 258 in the block 34 as the wick guide 26 rotates relative to the block 24. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the wick guide 26 may be rotated from a position where the longitudinal axis A of the wick guide 26 is parallel to the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14 to a position where the longitudinal axis A of the wick guide 26 intersects the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14. In some embodiments, the wick guide 26 is rotated clockwise so that the longitudinal axis A forms an angle with the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14 within the range of 45° to 90°, and more specifically within the range of 75° to 90°.

[0066] In operation 432, the lever 298 on the toggle 282 of the lock 266 engages to move the locking finger 286 to a first position, whereby the finger is unlocked and in the open position. In some embodiments, the lock 266 may be rotatably fixed to the base 262 so as to rotate about a rod or pin within the opening 290 of the toggle 282. The locking finger 286 may rotate with the rotation of the toggle 282. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 20A, the lever 298 on the toggle 282 is pushed forward to move the locking finger 286 to the first position.

[0067] The tab 322 on the opposite side above the front surface 302 of the toggle 282 contacts the elastic member 270. The elastic member 270 is a flat plate-like spring having a main body 326 and a tab or protrusion 330 extending from the main body 326. The main body 326 of the elastic member 270 is fixed to the base 262. The tab 330 extends like a cantilever beam and overlaps with the tab 322 of the toggle 282. The tab 330 of the elastic member 270 provides a reaction force on the toggle 282 so as to bias the toggle 282 to a second rear position such that the locking finger 286 is biased to the locked closed position.

[0068] Therefore, when the lever 298 on the toggle 282 of the lock 266 engages to move the locking finger 286 to the first position, a force is applied to the elastic member 270 by the tab 322.

[0069] In step 436, a preliminary heater arrangement 524 (or preliminary nicotine heater arrangement) for the nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the holder 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the preliminary heater arrangement 524 for the nicotine pod assembly may include a base 528 and a heating element 532 having a wire loop or a wire extending in a serpentine shape forming the coil 536. The wire used to form the coil may be a metal. The first set 536a of wire loops may extend perpendicular to the upper surface 540 of the base 528. The second set 536b of wire loops may extend at an angle with respect to the first set 536a of wire loops and the upper surface 540. By way of example only, the second set 536b of wire loops may extend at an angle within the range of 30° to 60° with respect to the upper surface 540, and more specifically, may extend at an angle of 45° with respect to the upper surface 540.

[0070] The heating element 532 may extend completely or partially across the width of the base 528. In some exemplary embodiments, the heating element 532 may contact (e.g., directly contact) the assembled wick (further described below).

[0071] The holder 30 is disposed within the holder cutout 106 of the base 14 such that the notch 88 exists between the holder 30 and the base 14 at a location above the support cutout 110. Thus, when the pre-heater arrangement 524 of the nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the holder 30, the base 528 is inserted into the support cutout 110 and the notch 88 at a position at least partially below the holder 30.

[0072] The pre-heater arrangement 524 for the nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the holder 30 until the first set 536a of wire loops contacts the holder 30 at a location near the slot 274 on the holder 30.

[0073] In step 440, the lever 298 of the toggle 282 is released, whereby the toggle 282 returns to the second position. As previously described, the tab 330 of the elastic member 270 provides a reaction force on the toggle 282 to bias the toggle 282 to the second rear position such that the locking finger 286 is biased to the closed position where it is locked. As shown in FIG. 20B, when the toggle 282 moves to the second position, the locking finger 286 engages with the first set 536a of wire loops to hold the pre-heater arrangement 524 against the holder 30.

[0074] In operation 444, the wick guide 26 is rotated counterclockwise to a position where the longitudinal axis A of the wick guide 26 is parallel to the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14. As previously described, the wick guide 26 is rotatably fixed to the block 24 by the fastener 202. The body 210 of the fastener 202 extends through the wick retainer 238, the wick plate 234, and the opening 222 in the block 24. A protrusion or other portion extending from the rear side of the wick plate 234 may slide within the track 258 in the block 34 as the wick guide 26 rotates relative to the block 24. The wick guide 26 may be rotated from a position where the longitudinal axis A of the wick guide 26 intersects the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14 to a position where the longitudinal axis A of the wick guide 26 is parallel to the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14.

[0075] In operation 448, the wick strip 520 is slid into the channel 242 in the wick guide 26 to a position where it contacts the upper surface 540 of the base 528 of the pre - heater arrangement 524 for the nicotine pod assembly. As illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the wick strip 520 includes an edge 544 that extends parallel to the plane on the upper surface 154 of the slide 22. The edge 544 moves to a position where it contacts the upper surface 540 of the base 528 of the pre - heater arrangement 524. The wick strip 520 additionally contacts a first set 536a of wire loops.

[0076] In operation 452, the pin 150 of the slide 22 is moved to a full forward position where the pin 150 contacts the forward end 138 of the slot 126, and the plane along the front face 174 of the tab 170 on the slide 22 is aligned with the plane along the side wall 70 of the lateral channel 66.

[0077] As illustrated in FIGS. 21B and 21C, during movement of the slide 22 to its full forward position, the front surface 174 of the tab 170 on the slide 22 contacts the second set 536b of wire loops and bends the second set 536b of wire loops from a position angled with respect to the first set 536a of wire loops and the upper surface 540 to a position substantially parallel to the first set 536a of wire loops and in contact with the wick strip 520. In the full forward position, the front surface 174 of the tab 170 on the slide 22 clamps the first set 536a of wire loops and the second set 536b of wire loops together, compresses the wick strip 520, and secures the wick strip 520 with respect to the pre - heater arrangement 524 to form the heater assembly or heater - wick assembly 524'.

[0078] In step 456, the wick strip 520 is cut to create the wick 548 (or nicotine wick). In some embodiments, the ends of the wick strip 520 are removed using the cutter 338. As illustrated in FIG. 21D, the cutter 338 is moved from a position where it does not contact the wick strip 520 to a position where it contacts the wick strip 520. Specifically, the blade 346 of the cutter 338 is moved to a position where it slices the wick strip 520, creating an edge that extends parallel to the plane on the upper surface 154 of the slide 22. The resulting cut piece is the wick 548.

[0079] In step 460, the wick guide 26 is rotated clockwise. As illustrated in FIG. 22, the wick guide 26 is rotated about the fastener 202. The wick guide 26 may be rotated from a position where the longitudinal axis A of the wick guide 26 is parallel to the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14 to a position where the longitudinal axis A of the wick guide 26 intersects the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14. In some embodiments, the wick guide 26 may be rotated clockwise such that the longitudinal axis A forms an angle with the plane on the upper surface 100 of the base 14 within the range of 45° to 90°, and more specifically, within the range of 75° to 90°.

[0080] In operation 464, the pin 150 on the slide 22 is moved to release the heater assembly 524' (or nicotine heater assembly) for the nicotine pod assembly. In some embodiments, the pin 150 moves to a full rear position, as shown in FIG. 23. In the full rear position, the pin 150 may contact the rear end 178 of the slot 126, and the plane along the rear surface 182 of the plate 146 of the slide 22 may be aligned with the plane along the rear surface 186 of the base 14.

[0081] In operation 468, the lever 298 of the toggle 282 engages to release the lock 266. The engagement of the lever 298 moves the locking finger 286 to a first position, whereby the finger is unlocked and in the open position. In some embodiments, the lock 266 may be rotatably fixed to the base 262 so as to rotate about a rod or pin within the opening 290 of the toggle 282. The locking finger 286 may rotate with the rotation of the toggle 282. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 24, the lever 298 on the toggle 282 is pushed forward to move the locking finger 286 to the first position.

[0082] The tab 322 on the opposite side from the front surface 302 of the toggle 282 contacts the elastic member 270. The elastic member 270 extends like a cantilever beam and overlaps with the tab 322 of the toggle 282. The elastic member 270 provides a reaction force on the toggle 282 so as to bias the toggle 282 to a second rear position such that the locking finger 286 is biased to the closed position where it is locked. Thus, when the lever 298 on the toggle 282 of the lock 266 engages to move the locking finger 286 to the first position, a force is applied to the elastic member 270 by the tab 322.

[0083] In operation 472, the heater assembly 524' for the nicotine pod assembly is removed from the holder 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, the heater assembly 524' is removed from the holder 30 by sliding the heater assembly 524' within the notch 88 and the support cutout 110 away from the holder 30 until the heater assembly 524' passes over the edge of the holder 30. The heater assembly 524' for the nicotine pod assembly is then removed from the support cutout 110.

[0084] In operation 476, the lever 298 of the toggle 282 is released, whereby the toggle 282 returns to the second position. As previously described, the tab 330 of the elastic member 270 provides a reaction force on the toggle 282 to bias the toggle 282 to the second rearward position such that the locking finger 286 is biased to the closed position in which it is locked.

[0085] In operation 480, method 400 ends.

[0086] Referring now to FIG. 25, an embodiment of the assembled heater assembly 524' for the nicotine pod assembly is illustrated. The wick 548 is clamped between a first set 536a of wire loops and a second set 536b of wire loops, whereby the wick 548 is secured to the heater assembly 524'. The exemplary heater assembly is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 696,007, filed November 26, 2019, entitled "NICOTINE POD ASSEMBLIES AND NICOTINE E-VAPING DEVICES", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0087] Of course, when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "covering" another element or layer, this may mean directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly covering the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, intervening elements or layers are absent. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0088] Of course, terms such as first, second, third, or the like may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, or sections, but these elements, components, regions, layers, or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0089] Spatial relationship terms (e.g., "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", and the like) may be used herein for the sake of brevity of description to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature when illustrated in the figures. Of course, the spatial relationship terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, an element described as "below" or "beneath" another element or feature will then be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both upward and downward orientations. The device may be oriented in another way (rotated 90 degrees or in some other orientation), and the spatial relationship descriptors used herein are to be interpreted accordingly.

[0090] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing various exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Further, of course, when used herein, the terms "includes", "including", "comprises", and "comprising" identify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and groups thereof.

[0091] The exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the exemplary embodiments. As such, for example, variations from the illustrated shapes as a result of, for instance, manufacturing techniques or tolerances are to be expected. Thus, the exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limiting the shape of the regions illustrated herein and should, for example, include departures from the shape resulting from manufacturing.

[0092] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. Further, of course, terms (including those defined in commonly used dictionaries) shall be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technical field, unless explicitly defined as such in this specification, and shall not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense.

[0093] Exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. Of course, other variations may be possible. Such variations should not be regarded as a departure from the scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following "claims".

Claims

1. Equipment for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly, comprising: a base, a wick feed defining a channel configured to receive a wick extending towards the base and structured to draw out a nicotine pre-vapor formulation through capillary action, a slide configured to move along a plane on the upper surface of the base, a holder disposed on the upper surface of the base, the holder being fixed so as to fix a support of the heater assembly, wherein the slide includes a front face perpendicular to the upper surface of the base, and the slide is configured to move the finger of the heater on the support to a certain position so as to contact the finger of the heater on the support and compress the wick.

2. The equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a wick retainer extending parallel to and adjacent to the wick feed for holding the wick within the channel.

3. The equipment according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cutter having a blade configured to slide along the upper surface of the slide to cut the wick.

4. The equipment according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the wick feed is configured to rotate relative to the base.

5. The equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a block fixed to the base, wherein the wick feed is rotatably attached to the block and supported by the block.

6. The equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holder is configured to receive the support of the heater assembly therein, and the holder is configured to fix the support relative to the base for inserting the wick.

7. The equipment according to claim 6, wherein the channel in the wick feed is configured to guide the wick to align with the heater on the support.

8. The equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wick feed extends perpendicular to the base.

9. The equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the holder includes a locking finger configured to engage with the support of the heater assembly and hold the support within the holder.

10. The wick feed includes a plate and a retainer, the plate is disposed at a right angle to the base and defines the channel, and the retainer is disposed at a right angle to the base and adjacent to the plate, and the retainer and the plate define a slot for guiding the wick. The facility according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Further comprising a block fixed to the base, The facility according to claim 10, wherein the plate is rotatably attached to the block and supported by the block.

12. The facility according to claim 11, wherein the retainer is fixed to the plate, whereby the retainer and the plate are configured to rotate relative to the base and the block.

13. The facility according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the holder is configured to fix a support of the heater assembly and lock a position of the support relative to the base.

14. The facility according to claim 13, wherein the holder includes locking fingers configured to engage with the support and hold the support within the holder.

15. The facility according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a blade configured to slide along an upper surface of the slide.

16. A method of assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly, the method comprising: Fixing a support of the heater assembly to a base using a holder; Aligning a wick strip within the heater of the support using a guide plate attached to the base, the wick strip being structured to draw out a nicotine pre-vapor formulation through capillary action; Cutting a portion of the wick strip using a blade configured to slide relative to the base. Using a slide configured to slide relative to the base, clamping a portion of the heater around the portion of the wick strip, the slide including a front face perpendicular to the upper surface of the base and the slide being configured to move the finger to a position such that the slide contacts a finger of the heater on the support and compresses the wick, the clamping; Releasing the support from the base using the holder, the method comprising.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein fixing the support relative to the base comprises locking the support within the holder.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein aligning the wick strip within the heater of the support comprises inserting the wick strip into a channel within the guide plate.

19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein aligning the wick strip within the heater of the support comprises inserting the wick strip into a gap defined by a channel within the guide plate and a retainer plate fixed to the guide plate.

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