Abstract: A system for performing a processing step on device parts of simulated smoking devices, such as electronic cigarettes, system comprising a processing station to perform the processing step on the device parts, product carriers to hold the device parts during the processing step, a first transport device and a second transport device to move the product carriers along at least part of a processing trajectory extending through the processing station.

Abstract: A system for processing device parts of simulated smoking devices, such as cartridges of electronic cigarettes, said system comprising a processing station to perform a processing operation on each of the device parts of a batch of device parts, which batch has a batch number of device parts being larger than one, an evaluation station to evaluate the result of the processing operation on each device part of the batch, which evaluation station is configured to provide an evaluation signal for each device part of the batch, a transport device to move the device parts of the batch along a production trajectory, which production trajectory extends through the processing station, the evaluation station and an isolating station, and a controller which is in communication with the evaluation station and the isolating station.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing vaporizers of electronic cigarettes is disclosed. Each vaporizer comprises a heating element, and electric terminals for electrically powering the heating element. The testing apparatus comprises a holding construction part with multiple movable vaporizer holding units. A contact construction part is provided with multiple electric contact members each associated with a respective holding unit, and electrically contacting at least one electric terminal of a vaporizer in the associated holding unit. A supply construction part conducts electric power to each contact member. A measuring part measures at least one electric quantity representative of an electric resistance and/or inductance of the heating element, compares the measured quantity with a pre determined range and, if the measured quantity is outside the range, outputs a rejection signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pick-and-place device constructed for picking and placing multiple objects simultaneously, the pick-and-place device comprising: a base frame, a coupling device, a support unit which is connected to the base frame via the coupling device, wherein the support unit supports a plurality of arms, wherein the support unit is movable relative to the base frame, wherein the support unit comprises: support unit base, at least one cam track body which is connected to the support unit base, wherein multiple cam tracks are defined in the at least one cam track body, wherein the at least one cam track body is rotatable relative to the support unit base, wherein the coupling device couples the rotation of the at least one cam track body relative to the support unit base to the movement of the support unit relative to the base frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reorienting device for reorienting simulated cigarette parts which are carried by a product carrier, wherein the device comprises: a main vertical rotation axis; a first cam track extending at least partially around the main vertical rotation axis; a rotary carrousel configured to rotate about the main vertical rotation axis, the rotary carrousel comprising: a rotary support frame, a plurality of reorienting units connected to the rotary support frame, each reorienting unit comprising an engagement member, wherein each engagement member is configured to engage the simulated cigarette part and to reorient it about a vertical product axis, a plurality of transmission mechanisms connected to the rotary support frame, each transmission mechanism being associated with a respective reorienting unit, each transmission mechanism comprising a cam which moves along the first cam track during the rotation of the rotary support frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filling station for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes with a liquid, the filling station defining a plurality of filling positions for a plurality of cartridges, the filling station being configured for simultaneously filling the cartridges which are in the filling positions, the filling station comprising: a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles are grouped in a first group of first nozzles and a second group of second nozzles, wherein each filling position is associated with a first nozzle from the first group and a second nozzle from the second group, an up-down actuator for moving the nozzles downward into upwardly oriented filling openings of the cartridges in the filling positions in order to insert at least a first nozzle and a second nozzle into each cartridge, and a distance actuator for changing a horizontal distance between each first nozzle and second nozzle.

Abstract: Transfer system for transferring items, which transfer system comprises a first transfer device for receiving the items, a second transfer device for discharging the items, and a buffer device for buffering items between the first transfer device and the second transfer device, wherein the first transfer device comprises a first transfer rotator and the second transfer device comprises a second transfer rotator and the transfer system is configured to adjust at least one of a first transfer speed of the first transfer rotator and a second transfer speed of the second transfer rotator.

Abstract: A filling device, in particular for filling liquid containers of electronic cigarettes with a liquid, includes: a rotary carrousel configured to rotate about a main axis of rotation, a pump cam track extending about the main axis, where the rotary carrousel includes multiple hose pumps arranged in an annular configuration about the main axis, where each hose pump includes: a hose, a rotary pump device, the rotary pump device including: a roller rotor including a number of rollers which are configured to engage the hose and urge the liquid through the hose, a cam rotor including a number of pump cams which are configured to engage the pump cam track, the cam rotor being coupled to the roller rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pick-and-place device constructed for picking and placing multiple objects simultaneously, the pick-and-place device comprising: a base frame, a coupling device, a support unit which is connected to the base frame via the coupling device, wherein the support unit supports a plurality of arms, wherein the support unit is movable relative to the base frame, wherein the support unit comprises: support unit base, at least one cam track body which is connected to the support unit base, wherein multiple cam tracks are defined in the at least one cam track body, wherein the at least one cam track body is rotatable relative to the support unit base, wherein the coupling device couples the rotation of the at least one cam track body relative to the support unit base to the movement of the support unit relative to the base frame.

Abstract: A filling station for filling containers includes a number of container holders defining respective container positions; a number of filling assemblies, each filling assembly being associated with a container holder, where each filling assembly includes a reciprocating nozzle assembly which makes a first reciprocating movement from a retracted nozzle position in which a nozzle is retracted from the container to an inserted nozzle position in which the nozzle is inserted into the container, where the nozzle moves through an opening in a lid member of a reciprocating lid assembly to be inserted into the container for filling the container with liquid; where the reciprocating lid assembly makes a second reciprocating movement towards a filling opening of the container in the container holder and back in a direction away from the filling opening, where the reciprocating lid assembly is under pretension in the direction of the container holder.

Abstract: A device for making tobacco pouches from a film includes a first folding station for receiving the film and providing a bottom fold in the film; a buffer station for buffering a length of film having the bottom fold; a second folding station for receiving the film having the bottom fold from the buffer station and providing a first fold; a second fold and a third fold in the film for defining the block-bottom, the first fold and third fold having a same fold direction and the second fold being located between the first and third fold and having a counter fold direction, where the first folding station is provided upstream of the buffer station and the second folding station is provided downstream from the buffer station.

Abstract: Transfer system for transferring items, which transfer system comprises a first transfer device for receiving the items, a second transfer device for discharging the items, and a buffer device for buffering items between the first transfer device and the second transfer device, wherein the first transfer device comprises a first transfer rotator and the second transfer device comprises a second transfer rotator and the transfer system is configured to adjust at least one of a first transfer speed of the first transfer rotator and a second transfer speed of the second transfer rotator.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to be moved along a rail includes rollers which in use engage the rail such that each roller has a contact area with which the roller is in contact with the rail. The contact areas of the rollers are positioned to define a beam with a longitudinal beam axis, a rectangular form in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal beam axis and a first beam side, a second beam side, a third beam side and a fourth beam side, in which the first and third beam side extend perpendicular to the second and fourth beam side, at least two rollers define the first beam side, two rollers define the second beam side, one roller defines the third beam side, and one roller defines the fourth beam side. An assembly includes the vehicle and a rail.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a housing having a wall defining an inner space, and an inlet and an outlet providing access to the inner space, a vaporizer to produce a vapour and being located in the inner space of the housing, an electrical power device to provide electrical power to the vaporizer and being located in the inner space of the housing. The electrical power device includes a first electrical contact member being electrically connected to one of an anode and a cathode of the electrical power device, and a second electrical contact member being electrically connected to the other of the anode and the cathode of the electrical power device. The vaporizer includes a vaporizer outer surface, a third electrical contact member located on the vaporizer outer surface, and a fourth electrical contact member located on the vaporizer outer surface.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing vaporizers of electronic cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes or parts thereof comprising the vaporizers, comprises a movable holding construction part provided with multiple holding units each for holding a vaporizer, or electronic cigarette or part thereof comprising the vaporizer. A channel construction part moves synchronously with the holding construction part and is provided with multiple first channels. An inlet opening of each first channel is in fluid communication with a vapor output of a vaporizer in an associated holding unit. The outlet openings of the first channels move along an outlet opening trajectory. A fluid duct has a stationary inlet port adjacent to the outlet opening trajectory. The fluid duct is connected to a fluid pump to create a fluid flow in the fluid duct in a direction away from the inlet port. A vapor sensor is arranged in the fluid duct.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette tubes individualizer apparatus individualizes tubes received from a first track without spacing and provides the tubes to a second track with a spacing. The apparatus includes a rotary carrousel configured to rotate about a rotation axis and provided with a guide extending with the longitudinal axis partially along a line substantially intersecting the rotation axis; a stationary cam track extending around the rotation axis; a carriage mounted to the carrousel for traveling in a reciprocating movement along the guide driven by a cam follower following the cam track while the carousel is rotating; and a receiver connected to the carriage for receiving the tube from the first track close to the rotation axis and delivering the tube to the second track further away from the rotation axis with a pitch.

Abstract: A tobacco processing system for processing tobacco includes a tobacco mixing device for mixing an additive in the tobacco, a tobacco supplier for supplying the tobacco to the mixing device, and an additive supplier for supplying the additive to the mixing device. The mixing device includes a mixing housing which encloses the tobacco and additive to form a mixing chamber in which the tobacco and additive are mixed and a gas stream unit which is operatively connected to the mixing housing and configured to provide a gas stream which moves the tobacco and additive through the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A gripper for holding an item formed from a pliable sheet material includes a body, a first contact member located a fixed position relative to the body, a second contact member which is movable into a closed position to fixate the sheet material between the first contact member and the second contact member, a first positioning member and a second positioning member located in a fixed position relative to the body. The second contact member is connected to a support movable along a trajectory to move the second contact member in the open position and in the closed position, the support including a third positioning member attached to the support to move along with the support, where the third positioning member is magnetically engaged by the first positioning member in the open position and by the second positioning member in the closed position.

Abstract: A self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material includes a bottom part forming a support foot to stand on a surface, a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to an entrance defined by an entrance rim, a curved or angled elongate shaping member, which is provided near or at a first rim part of the entrance rim to hold the first rim part in a curved or angled configuration. The shaping member has a bending stiffness which is larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material. The entrance rim includes a second rim part located opposite to the first rim part. The second rim part is positionable in a first position at a distance from the first rim part to form an opened entrance and in a second position located in contact with the first rim part to form a closed entrance.

Abstract: A tobacco dosing system (1) for providing doses of tobacco (4) includes a tobacco supply (3) constructed and arranged to supply tobacco (4), a dosing device (5) including at least one dosing cup (11, 12) for receiving the tobacco (4) to be dosed, a gas flow device (6) constructed and arranged to in use provide a gas flow (10) through the tobacco received by the at least one dosing cup (11, 12), a gas flow measuring (7) device constructed and arranged to measure a property of the gas flow (10), and a controlling device (8) operably connected to the dosing device (5) and the gas flow measuring device (7) to control the operation of the tobacco dosing system (1) on basis of the measured property.