System for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article and associated method
First Claim
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1. A system configured to assemble a plurality of cartridges for an aerosol delivery device, the system comprising:
- a plurality of assembly substations collectively configured to assemble a base and a plurality of additional components together, the base extending between an inner end configured to receive the additional components during assembly of the cartridges and an attachment end defining an internal surface configured to engage a control body during usage of the aerosol delivery device;
a track extending between the assembly substations; and
a carriage configured to engage the track and to cooperate therewith to move between the assembly substations, the carriage comprising an engagement head defining a plurality of sections configured to engage the internal surface of the attachment end of the base via an interference fit to provide the assembly substations with access to the inner end of the base to attach the additional components thereto.
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.
364 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system configured to assemble a plurality of cartridges for an aerosol delivery device, the system comprising:
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a plurality of assembly substations collectively configured to assemble a base and a plurality of additional components together, the base extending between an inner end configured to receive the additional components during assembly of the cartridges and an attachment end defining an internal surface configured to engage a control body during usage of the aerosol delivery device; a track extending between the assembly substations; and a carriage configured to engage the track and to cooperate therewith to move between the assembly substations, the carriage comprising an engagement head defining a plurality of sections configured to engage the internal surface of the attachment end of the base via an interference fit to provide the assembly substations with access to the inner end of the base to attach the additional components thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An assembly method, comprising:
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providing a base and a plurality of additional components collectively configured to form a plurality of cartridges for an aerosol delivery device, the base extending between an inner end configured to receive the additional components during assembly of the cartridges and an attachment end defining an internal surface configured to engage a control body during usage of the aerosol delivery device; providing a plurality of assembly substations, a track, and a carriage comprising an engagement head defining a plurality of sections, the track extending between the assembly substations, and the carriage being configured to engage the track and to cooperate therewith to move between the assembly substations; engaging the internal surface of the attachment end of the base with the sections of the engagement head via an interference fit to provide the assembly substations with access to the inner end of the base; transporting the carriage by way of the track between the assembly substations; and assembling the additional components with the inner end of the base at the assembly substations. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification