Abstract: A cartridge for use in a vapor provision system includes an inner container holding a reservoir of fluid to be vaporized, and an outer housing having a mouthpiece formed therein, wherein the outer housing extends in a longitudinal direction along the outside of the inner container for at least a substantial portion of the inner container. The inner container and outer housing are provided with a latch mechanism to retain the inner container within the outer housing.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for heating an aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol or gas. The apparatus includes a housing; a receptacle within the housing, the receptacle including one or more cavities, each cavity for containing an aerosol generating material; and a heating arrangement including one or more heater elements for heating aerosol generating material contained in the one or more cavities to generate an inhalable aerosol or gas. The one or more heater elements are located externally of the one or more cavities.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for heating an aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol and/or gas. The apparatus includes a housing; a receptacle within the housing, the receptacle including one or more cavities, each cavity for containing an aerosol generating material; and a heating arrangement including one or more heater elements for heating aerosol generating material contained in the one or more cavities to generate an inhalable aerosol and/or gas. The one or more heater elements are located externally of the one or more cavities.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in a vapor provision system includes an inner container holding a reservoir of fluid to be vaporized, and an outer housing having a mouthpiece formed therein, wherein the outer housing extends in a longitudinal direction along the outside of the inner container for at least a substantial portion of the inner container. The inner container and outer housing are provided with a latch mechanism to retain the inner container within the outer housing.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in a vapor provision system includes an inner container holding a reservoir of fluid to be vaporized, and an outer housing having a mouthpiece formed therein, wherein the outer housing extends in a longitudinal direction along the outside of the inner container for at least a substantial portion of the inner container. The inner container and outer housing are provided with a latch mechanism to retain the inner container within the outer housing.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for heating an aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol and/or gas. The apparatus includes a housing; a receptacle within the housing, the receptacle including one or more cavities, each cavity for containing an aerosol generating material; and a heating arrangement including one or more heater elements for heating aerosol generating material contained in the one or more cavities to generate an inhalable aerosol and/or gas. The one or more heater elements are located externally of the one or more cavities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the automated filling of a cartridge with liquid for a vapor provision system. The method includes inserting a compressible matrix into a filling tube; injecting liquid into the matrix within the filling tube using a liquid filling pump to produce a wetted matrix; and pushing the wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in a vapor provision system includes an inner container holding a reservoir of fluid to be vaporized, and an outer housing having a mouthpiece formed therein, wherein the outer housing extends in a longitudinal direction along the outside of the inner container for at least a substantial portion of the inner container. The inner container and outer housing are provided with a latch mechanism to retain the inner container within the outer housing.

Abstract: Heat sealing apparatus for packaging machinery and particularly suitable for form, fill and seal packaging machinery. The heat sealing apparatus is for forming a continuous lengthways extending seal (29) on a web (18) of packaging material to be fed past it. The apparatus comprises a nozzle (50) connectable to a hot gas producer (62) which produces a flow of hot gas having a substantially constant temperature. The nozzle is mounted on a carrier (52) which is connected with a servo motor drive (56). The servo motor is controlled by a control system (48) so that in use it moves the nozzle relative to the web in accordance with variations in web feed velocity such that the flow of hot gas from the nozzle can apply a substantially constant heat to the web to form the seal (29). The apparatus allows a hot air producer which outputs hot air at a constant temperature and volume flow rate to apply a constant heat along the seal area despite variations in the web feed speed.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) packaging machine comprising a pair of sealing jaws (12; 100; 200, 202; 302, 304) mounted directly or indirectly on parallel shafts (10; 102; 206, 208; 300) for rotation in opposite directions on opposite sides of the path of the packaging material (36; 118; 204, 308) so that the jaws engage the packaging material simultaneously on opposite sides to form successive horizontal seals, and stripping means comprising, in association with the sealing jaw on each side of the path of the packaging material, a pair of stripper carriers (22; 54; 66; 116; 222, 224, 226, 228; 314) mounted for rotation around the corresponding shaft at or near the respective ends thereof, or about an axis parallel to the shaft, a horizontal stripper bar (18B; 40A; 50A; 62; 110; 234; 310) mounted at its respective ends on the two stripper carriers and arranged to be movable with respect to the stripper carriers so that the stripper bar can engage the packaging film along a predetermined vertical strip

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) packaging machine comprising a pair of sealing jaws (12; 100; 200,202; 302,304) mounted directly or indirectly on parallel shafts (10; 102; 206,208; 300) for rotation in opposite directions on opposite sides of the path of the packaging material (36; 118; 204; 308) so that the jaws engage the packaging material simultaneously on opposite sides to form successive horizontal seals, and stripping means comprising, in association with the sealing jaw on each side of the path of the packaging material, a pair of stripper carriers (22; 54; 66; 116; 222,224,226,228; 314) mounted for rotation around the corresponding shaft at or near the respective ends thereof, or about an axis parallel to the shaft, a horizontal stripper bar (18B; 40A; 50A; 62; 110; 234; 310) mounted at its respective ends on the two stripper carriers and arranged to be movable with respect to the stripper carriers so that the stripper bar can engage the packaging film along a predetermined vertical stripping p

Abstract: A packaging (1) is provided, particularly for rolled smoking articles (8), comprising a rectilinear container (2), said container having a substantially flat wall with inner and outer surfaces, a compact disc carrying electronic data assembled with said container, and holding means (16, 7) for holding said compact disc (5) contiguous this inner or outer surface of said wall; wherein said compact disc (5) comprises a shape having an outer edge and an annular data-carrying zone (10) that is disposed wholly within said outer edge, and is arranged such that said outer edge is disposed wholly within the area of said inner or outer surface. A method of packaging a substance into a packaging (1) in accordance with the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming a bag having a bottom seal from a web of sealable sheet material which is formed into a tube (12) by sealing opposite longitudinal edge portions of the sheet material one to another.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for evacuating and sealing a bag (133) made of a sealable material and containing a charge (134) of a comminuted or other flowable product, such as roasted and ground coffee. The bag (133) is positioned with its open upper end around a sleeve (12) through which a hollow probe (14) can be extended. A pair of upper jaw members (UJ) close to form an outer temporary seal about an upper region of the bag above an intermediate region of the bag which is also above the level of the surface of the charge (134) in the bag (133) where a permanent seal is to be formed. A pair of lower jaw members (LJ) close to form an inner temporary seal about a lower region of the bag below the upper and intermediate regions and above the surface of the charge (134) in the bag (133). With the probe (14) extended through the sleeve (12) into the bag (133), the bag (133) is evacuated through the probe (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evacuating and sealing a bag (133) made of a sealable material and containing a charge (134) of a comminuted or other flowable product, such as roasted and ground coffee. The bag (133) is positioned with its open upper end around a sleeve (12) through which a hollow probe (14) can be extended. A pair of upper jaw members (UJ) close to form an outer temporary seal about an upper region of the bag above an intermediate region of the bag which is also above the level of the surface of the charge (134) in the bag (133) where a permanent seal is to be formed. A pair of lower jaws members (LJ) close to form an inner temporary seal about a lower region of the bag below the upper and intermediate regions and above the surface of the charge (134) in the bag (133). With the probe (14) extended through the sleeve (12) into the bag (133), the bag (133) is evacuated through the probe (14).

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal packaging machine has a pair of sealing jaws for forming horizontal seals across the tubular packaging material at regular intervals, and a stripping device comprising a pair of conveyors mounted separately from and at the side of the sealing jaws and carrying cooperating parallel stripping bars which are moved downwards by the conveyors, on opposite sides of the packaging material and ahead of engagement of the packaging material by the sealing jaws, to ensure that product being packaged drops down past the sealing jaws before the jaws act to form each seal.

Abstract: Transverse cuts are made in a web using a cutter/anvil combination which is subjected to high frequency vibration, preferable ultrasound. In one arrangement, particularly for cutting tea bag webs, a rotary cutter drum (4) cooperates with an ultrasonically-vibrated anvil 12. The web may be simultaneously sealed and cut by means of a modified drum (202) having sealer/cutter elements (208, 210). In other arrangements, particularly for cutting cork paper on a machine for assembling filter cigarettes, the paper is severed on a drum (106, 122, 192, 350) cooperating with an ultrasonically-vibrated anvil (110, 194, 312) or directly on an ultrasonically-vibrated drum (144, 160, 170, 180).