MODULAR APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING A CONSUMABLE UNIT FOR AN INHALATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RECONFIGURING SAID APPARATUS

Abstract

A modular apparatus for performing a sequence of assembly operations on components of an inhalation device, the apparatus including a set of workstations, each workstation being configured to perform a different assembly operation of the sequence of operations; wherein each workstation includes a machine tray support to locate a machine tray in which components for assembly are received, the machine tray support being configured to guide the machine tray located in the machine tray support into a predetermined position in the workstation.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2021/051956, filed Jul. 29, 2021, which claims priority from GB Application No. 2011797.4, filed Jul. 29, 2020, each of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a consumable unit for an inhalation device, in particular but not limited to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a tobacco pod that contains a particulate tobacco material for use in an inhalation device. The present invention also relates to a consumable unit for an inhalation device, for example a consumable unit containing a particulate tobacco material for use with an inhalation device.

BACKGROUND

JP2011182710A discloses apparatus for filling a small container with tobacco material, the small container being a consumable unit for an inhalation device. The filling apparatus includes an auger screw to dose the tobacco material into a funnel, and a pipe that guides the tobacco material from the funnel into an open end of the container. A suction pipe is provided at the opposite end of the container to draw air from the container, ensuring that the tobacco material enters the container.

There exists a need to reliably and quickly fill pods with particulate tobacco material to provide efficient manufacture of consumable units for inhalation devices.

SUMMARY

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a modular apparatus for performing a sequence of assembly operations on components of an inhalation device, the apparatus comprising:

• • a set of workstations, each workstation being configured to perform a different assembly operation of the sequence of operations;
  • wherein each workstation comprises:
    • a machine tray support to locate a machine tray in which components for assembly are received, the machine tray support being configured to guide the machine tray located in the machine tray support into a predetermined position in the workstation.

Each workstation may further comprise:

• • a platform slidably mounted relative to the machine tray support for movement into an engaged position in which an assembly operation is carried out on components received in the machine tray located in the predetermined position;
  • wherein the platform of each workstation is configured to mount a different assembly mechanism so that, when the platform is in said engaged position in a workstation, the assembly mechanism of that workstation performs one of the assembly operations of the sequence on the components received in the machine tray located in the predetermined position in that workstation.

The platform of each workstation may be configured to slide between the engaged position and a disengaged position, in which a machine tray is insertable into, or is removable from, the machine tray support of the workstation.

The platform of each workstation may be mounted on a pillar for linear movement between the engaged and disengaged positions.

The platform of each workstation may be supported by four pillars arranged around the machine tray support.

Each machine tray support may comprise one or more rails configured to support opposing sides of a machine tray so that the machine tray can be inserted into the predetermined position by sliding the machine tray along said rails.

Each machine tray support may include a stop against which a machine tray abuts when inserted into the predetermined position.

At least one workstation of the set of workstations may comprise an actuator configured to move the movable shelf between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Each machine tray support may further comprise a proximity switch to determine if a machine tray is located in the predetermined position.

Each workstation may comprise an interface unit and wherein the modular apparatus further comprises a controller configured to control each workstation via said interface units.

Each workstation may comprise a wireless tag reader to detect information identifying a unique wireless tag associated with a machine tray inserted into the workstation, wherein said information is communicated to the controller by the interface unit.

Each workstation may comprise a set of stop/go lights to indicate to an operator of the workstation whether to proceed to perform an assembly operation on components received in a machine tray inserted into the workstation, wherein said stop/go lights are configured to provide said indication to the operator on receipt of instructions from the controller.

Each interface unit may be further configured to communicate to the controller a completion status of an assembly operation carried out on said components, wherein a positive completion status indicates that said assembly operation was successfully carried out, and wherein the controller is configured to record said completion status and associate said completion status with information identifying the unique wireless tag of said machine tray.

At least one workstation of the set of workstations may comprise an inspection unit configured to generate an inspection status, said inspection status comprising information about the condition of components received in a machine tray located in the at least one workstation; wherein the interface unit of the at least one workstation is further configured to communicate to the controller the inspection status of said components; and wherein the controller is configured to record said inspection status and associate said inspection status with information identifying the unique wireless tag of the machine tray in which said components are received.

The set of workstations may comprise first and second workstations for performing first and second assembly operations, respectively, the components being subject to the first assembly operation before being subject to the second assembly operation, and wherein the controller is configured to instruct the stop/go lights of the second workstation to indicate to an operator of the second workstation to proceed only when the unique wireless tag of a machine tray inserted into the second workstation is associated with a positive completion status for the first assembly operation.

The wireless tag may comprise an RFID tag.

The set of workstations may be configured to perform a first sequence of assembly operations to assemble a first type of component for an inhalation device and wherein the set of workstations can be reconfigured to perform a second sequence of assembly operations, different to the first sequence of operations, to assemble a second type of component for an inhalation device.

Reconfiguring the set of workstations may comprise repositioning workstations relative to one another and/or removing one or more workstations and/or adding one or more further workstations.

Reconfiguring the set of workstations may comprise replacing the assembly mechanism of at least one workstation of the set of workstations, said assembly mechanism being configured to carry out a first assembly operation on components of an inhalation device, with a different assembly mechanism configured to carry out a second assembly operation on components of an inhalation device, different from the first assembly operation.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a workstation for use in a modular apparatus configured to assemble components of an inhalation device, wherein the workstation is configured to perform an assembly operation on said components, and wherein the workstation comprises: a machine tray support to locate a machine tray in which components for assembly are received, the machine tray support being configured to guide the machine tray located in the machine tray support into a predetermined position in the workstation.

The workstation may further comprise a platform slidably mounted relative to the machine tray support for movement into an engaged position in which an assembly operation is carried out on components received in the machine tray located in the predetermined position; wherein the platform is configured to mount an assembly mechanism so that, when the platform is in said engaged position, the assembly mechanism performs an assembly operation on the components received in the machine tray located in the predetermined position.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method of reconfiguring a modular apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19, comprising repositioning workstations relative to one another and/or removing one or more workstations and/or adding one or more further workstations.

The method of reconfiguring a modular apparatus may comprise replacing the assembly mechanism of at least one workstation of the set of workstations, said assembly mechanism being configured to carry out a first assembly operation on components of an inhalation device, with a different assembly mechanism configured to carry out a second assembly operation on components of an inhalation device, different from the first assembly operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an inhalation device that includes a consumable unit;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a consumable unit of the inhalation device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A shows the consumable unit of FIGS. 2A and 2B, with the closure removed;

FIG. 3B shows a schematic drawing of the consumable unit of FIG. 3A being provided with a particulate material and a closure;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of apparatus for manufacturing the consumable unit of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a machine tray for supporting consumable units through the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a dosing station for providing consumable units with particulate material;

FIGS. 7A to 7C show a dosing mechanism of the dosing station of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a closure positioning station for positioning a closure on each consumable unit;

FIG. 9 shows a closure support web for use with the closure positioning station of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 10 shows a punch of the closure positioning station of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 11 shows a closure securing station for securing the closure to the consumable unit;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of operation of a first example of the closure securing station of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of operation of a second example of the closure securing station of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 shows an example workstation; and

FIG. 15 shows a modular assembly apparatus 150 comprising a set of workstations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This patent specification discloses apparatuses and methods for manufacturing components of inhalation devices. In particular, this patent specification discloses apparatuses and methods for manufacturing components of a device for the delivery of vapor generated without combustion.

In an embodiment disclosed herein, an inhalation device comprises: an operating unit of a size and shape suitable to be held by an adult consumer; an atomizer cartridge that is removably attachable to the operating unit, the atomizer cartridge having an atomizer for atomizing a consumable liquid held in the cartridge; a tobacco pod that is removably attachable to the cartridge, the tobacco pod having a container and a mouthpiece, the container containing a charge of aerosolizable material, for example a particulate tobacco material; and a closure for retaining the particulate tobacco material within the container.

The user is able to change the atomizer cartridge and the tobacco pod individually when they need replacement, i.e. when the consumable liquid runs out, or when tobacco in the tobacco pod runs out.

In use, the operating unit delivers energy to the atomizer cartridge under the control of the consumer as the consumer draws air through the inhalation device. The liquid in the atomizer cartridge is atomized to form an aerosol and the particulate tobacco material in the tobacco pod is volatilized, releasing volatile flavors. The air inhaled from the inhalation device therefore delivers an aerosol of atomised liquid from the atomizer cartridge to the consumer together with the vapor generated by heating the particulate tobacco material in the tobacco pod. The compositions of the vaporizable tobacco material and the consumable liquid may be selected to deliver a wide combination of flavours that appeal to the consumer.

By way of example, this specification describes apparatus and methods for manufacture of the tobacco pod for the inhalation device, as described above. The tobacco pod is herein referred to as a consumable unit 4.

Referring to FIG. 1, the inhalation device 1 has three hollow sections of moulded plastics materials: a body 2, containing an operating system and mechanism for device, an atomizer cartridge 3, containing a volatilizable liquid flavorant, and a consumable unit 4 containing a dose of particulate material which generates an aerosol when heated. The three sections are removably connected to each other so that the atomizer cartridge 3 and the consumable unit 4 can each disconnect from each other and the body 2, to allow replacement consumable units 4 and atomizer cartridges 3 to be fitted to the body 2.

The body 2 is of a generally cylindrical shape that is elongated in an axial direction and flattened so as to be held comfortably in the hand of an adult consumer. The body 2 is formed from two axially-aligned, hollow moulded sections, an upper section 2a and a lower section 2b. The upper section 2a of the body 2 has an open upper end and a closed lower end wall 5 that define a recess for receiving the atomizer cartridge 3. The lower section 2b of the body is closed off from the upper section 2a by the lower end wall 5 of the upper section 2a to provide a firewall. The lower section 2b of the body 2 contains a battery, an electronic circuit board, a puff sensor and other operating components, not illustrated here, which may be activated by an operating button 6 in one face of the body 1. Electrical lights housed in apertures in the body 2 indicate the state of operation of the inhalation device 1.

The atomizer cartridge 3 is removably connected to the body 2 by a push fit connection into the recess in the upper body section 2a, and tapers in the axial direction away from the body 2 towards an upper outlet 3a of the atomizer cartridge 3. The atomizer cartridge 3 contains a reservoir filled with volatilisable liquid flavorant and a heating element for volatilising the liquid to which the supply of electricity may be controlled from the battery in the body 2 by the operating button 6.

The consumable unit 4 is removably connected to the atomizer cartridge 3 by a push fit connection into the upper outlet 3a of the atomizer cartridge 3. The external surface of the consumable unit 4 forms a skirt that continues the tapering shape of the atomizer cartridge 3 in the axial direction towards a vapor outlet 7, which is shaped to be held comfortably in the mouth of the consumer.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the consumable unit 4 comprises a mouthpiece 8 and an axially-extending open-ended container 9. In this example, the container 9 has an elliptical radial cross-section. One end of the container 9 lies within a skirt 10 of the mouthpiece 8 and terminates in a spigot 11, which is received within a socket 12 of complimentary shape formed on the interior surface of the mouthpiece 8 upstream of the vapor outlet 7.

The mouthpiece 8 may be connected to the container 9 by ultrasonic welding, induction welding or any other suitable method. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 8 and container 9 may be integrally formed, for example by injection moulding.

An inner perforated screen 13, which in this embodiment is moulded integrally with the container 9, extends radially across the container 9 to define a vapor permeable partition across the container 9 a short distance upstream of the vapor outlet 7. As shown in FIG. 2B, the inner perforated screen 13 extends across the inner end of the container 9. The other end 15 of the container 9 projects from the skirt 10 of the mouthpiece 8 and is provided with a closure 14. In this example, the closure 14 is in the form of a perforated screen. The closure 14 is composed for example of a mesh or foil or a moulding of plastics material.

In alternative examples, the inner perforated screen 13 is integrally moulded to the mouthpiece 8, and is positioned across the end of the container 9 when the mouthpiece 8 and container 9 are combined.

The inner perforated screen 13 and the closure 14 define end walls of a chamber 16 within the container 9 in which a dose of particulate material is held. Perforations in the inner perforated screen 13 and the closure 14 allow vapor to pass in the axial direction downstream through the chamber 16 towards the mouthpiece 8 and vapor outlet 7. The perforations are of a size that is selected in relation to the particle size of the particulate material to prevent particles from falling from the container 9, or being drawn into the mouthpiece 8 with inhaled vapor.

In use, the consumer switches on the inhalation device 1 using the operating button 6, sucks through the mouthpiece 8 and inhales the vapor drawn from the inhalation device 1. When activated, the electronic system within the body 2 heats the air in the inhalation device 1 and the liquid in the atomizer cartridge 3 sufficiently to cause atomization. The heated air volatilizes flavorants from the particulate material within the container 9 and also entrains atomized liquid flavorant from the atomizer cartridge 3. A combination of flavorants is thereby delivered to the consumer as an aerosol for inhalation.

The method of manufacturing the consumable unit 4 includes receiving the empty consumable unit illustrated in FIG. 3A, in which the chamber 16 is empty and the closure 14 is not present, so that the end 15 of the chamber 16 is open. The method, schematically illustrated in FIG. 3B, includes providing the chamber 16 with a dose of particulate material 17 through the open end 15 of the chamber 9, positioning a closure 14 over the end 15 of the chamber 16, and then securing the closure 14 to the container 9. As shown in FIG. 3A, the container 9 includes a plurality of stakes 18 that initially protrude axially from the end 15 of the container 9. The closure 14 is received between these stakes 18, and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the stakes 18 are then bent over onto the closure 14 to secure the closure 14 to the container 9.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, the container 9 that defines the chamber 16 comprises an end 15 and the stakes 18 protrude axially from a radial edge 19 of the end 15 such that a lip 20 is defined at the end of the container 9. As shown in FIG. 2B, the closure 14 is positioned against the lip 20, and the stakes 18 are bent over onto the outside of the closure 14, thereby securing the closure 14 to the container 9.

As illustrated, the stakes 18 are spaced apart about the radial edge 19 of the container 9, and the gaps between the stakes 18 allow them to be folded over without clashing. The stakes 18 can have different sizes (widths). Narrower stakes 18 are preferably positioned at parts of the radial edge 19 of the container 9 with a smaller radius, so that the stakes 18 can more easily be bent over, as there will be lower stress and strain at the point where the stakes 18 are bent.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of apparatus 21 for manufacturing the consumable unit 4 described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 3B, in particular the consumable unit 4 that includes a mouthpiece 8 and a container 9 that holds a particulate material 17. The illustrated apparatus 21 includes apparatus for carrying out the following method steps:

• • dosing particulate material 17 into the chamber 16 of a consumable unit 4,
  • positioning a closure 14 on the container 9 of the consumable unit 4, and
  • securing the closure 14 to the container 9.

As shown in FIG. 4, a first step is an input 22 of empty consumable units 4. The consumable units 4 at input 22 are in the form illustrated in FIG. 3A. In particular, an empty consumable unit 4 at input 22 comprises a mouthpiece 8 and a container 9 having an open end 15. The container 9 includes stakes 18 that protrude as shown in FIG. 3A, for securing the closure 14 after particulate material 17 has been placed in the chamber 16. The consumable units pass through a set of workstations comprising a dosing station 23, a closure positioning station 24 and a closure securing station 25.

After input 22 of the empty consumable units 4 the dosing station 23 provides a dose of particulate material 17 to the chamber 16 of the consumable unit 4. Next, the closure positioning station 24 positions a closure 14 over the end 15 of the container 9. Then, the closure securing station 25 secures the closure 14 to the container 9. In particular, the closure securing station 25 bends the stakes 18 over against the closure 14 to secure the closure 14 to the container 9 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Complete consumable units 4, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, with particulate material 17, and then output 26 from the apparatus 21.

In the described apparatus 21 the dosing station 23, closure positioning station 24, and closure securing station 25 are each separate and arranged adjacent to each other, and the consumable units 4 can moved sequentially between the stations 23, 24, 25. The consumable units 4 may be moved manually, or they may be moved on a conveyor. Use of conveyor may allow automated manufacture. The conveyor may, for example, be a so-called ‘smart conveyor’ that allows independent control of individual vehicles along a track of the conveyor. An example of such a conveyor is the XTS range of conveyors from Beckhoff. In examples that employ use of a conveyor, the dosing station 23, closure positioning station 24, and closure securing station 25 can be arranged such that the consumable units 4 move in a straight line through the dosing station 23, the closure positioning station 24, and the closure securing station 25.

In other examples, the dosing station 23, closure positioning station 24, and closure securing station 25 can be arranged around a single location where the consumable units 5 are placed, and each station 23, 24, 25 can perform its function on the consumable units 4 sequentially. In yet further examples, one or more of the stations 23, 24, 25 may be combined so that a single station has tooling to perform one or more of the processes described with reference to FIG. 4. For example, tooling for one or more of the dosing station 23, closure positioning station 24, and closure securing station 25 may be arranged on a rotating turret and the consumable units 4 placed beneath the turret, which rotates to align each part of the tooling.

Each of the dosing station 23, closure positioning station 24, and closure securing station 25 will now be described in further detail.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate a machine tray 27 that holds a plurality of consumable units 4. The machine tray 27 is provided with a plurality of empty consumable units 4 at the input 22 of the apparatus 21, and the machine tray 27 is then moved through the apparatus 21 described with reference to FIG. 4 so that the consumable units 4 are provided with a dose of particulate material 17 and the closures 14 are positioned and secured while the consumable units 4 are held in the machine tray 27.

The machine tray 27 holds the consumable units 4 in an upright orientation, with the open end 15 of the containers 9 directed vertically upwards so that they can be provided with particulate material 17 and the closure 14 can be positioned and secured. As shown in FIG. 5A, the machine tray 27 includes an array of supporting recesses 28, each of which is shaped to receive and support a consumable unit 4. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5B, each supporting recess 28 is shaped to receive and support the mouthpiece 8 of a consumable unit 4 so that the open end 15 of the container 9 is directed upwards.

Optionally, the machine tray 27 may include one or more handles for manual lifting and moving of the machine tray 27. Alternatively, if the apparatus 21 includes a conveyor, as previously described, the machine tray 27 may be mounted to the conveyor for movement through the apparatus 21. The machine tray 27 may be detachably mounted to such a conveyor.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the dosing station 23 that doses particulate material 17 into each of the containers 9 of the consumable units 4.

The dosing station 23 includes a machine tray support 29 that comprises rails 30 to support the machine tray 27 shown in FIG. 5A, along with a plurality of consumable units 4. The machine tray 27 can be inserted into the dosing station 23 by sliding the machine tray 27 onto the rails 30, which support opposing sides of the machine tray 27.

The machine tray support 29 also includes a stop against which the machine tray 27 abuts when inserted into the machine tray support 29. The machine tray support 29 ensures that the machine tray 27, and the consumable units 4, are accurately and reliably positioned and supported within the dosing station 23.

The dosing station 23 may include a proximity switch that confirms that the machine tray 27 has been properly positioned on the machine tray support 29. An alignment pin may additionally or alternatively be provided to ensure correct positioning.

The dosing station 23 also includes a movable shelf, or platform, 31. The movable shelf 31 is slidably mounted on pillars 33 via slide bearings 34 so that the movable shelf 31 can move up and down relative to the machine tray support 29, and relative to the machine tray 27 and consumable units 4. An actuator (not shown) can be provided to move the movable shelf 31, or it can be manually moved, for example by handles 32. The moveable shelf 31 is positioned above the machine tray support 29. The moveable shelf 31 includes a dosing mechanism 35 for dosing particulate material into the containers 9 of the consumable units 4 on the machine tray 27, as explained further below. The moveable shelf 31 can move between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the engaged position the moveable shelf 31 is proximate to the machine tray 27 and consumable units 4, in a position for dosing particulate material 17 into the containers 9. In the disengaged position the moveable shelf 31 is spaced from the machine tray 27 and consumable units 4 so that the machine tray 27 can be inserted or removed from the machine tray support 29.

The dosing station 23, in particular the dosing mechanism 35, doses particulate material 17 into a plurality of the containers 9 on the machine tray 27 simultaneously, preferably the dosing station 23 doses particulate material 17 into all of the containers 9 on the machine tray 27 simultaneously.

The dosing mechanism 35, shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, is embedded in the movable shelf 31, also visible in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As shown, the dosing mechanism 35 includes a hopper member 36 that includes a hopper 37 where particulate material 17 is received. The hopper 37 has a planar lower wall 38 that includes an array of openings 39 that extend through the lower wall 38. The array of openings 39 in the hopper 37 corresponds to the array of consumable units 4 being held in a machine tray 27, as shown in FIG. 5A. The hopper 37 includes sloped surfaces 40 between the openings 39 so that particulate material 17 is directed towards the openings 39. A vibrator 41, shown in FIG. 6B, may be attached to the hopper member 36 or the movable shelf 31 to vibrate the hopper member 36 and ensure that the particulate material 17 does not jam or bridge, and encourage the particulate material 17 to move into the openings 39.

The lower wall 38 of the hopper 37 is planar, and below the lower wall 38 is a doser, in this example a dosing plate 42. The dosing plate 42 is slidably mounted and can slide linearly between the positions shown in FIG. 7A and the position shown in FIG. 7C, via the position shown in FIG. 7B. The dosing plate 42 includes an array of dosing cavities 43 that correspond to the openings 39 in the hopper 37 and the array of consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27. An actuator 44 for moving the dosing plate 42 is shown in FIG. 6B. The actuator 44 is arranged to move the dosing plate 42 in the plane of the dosing mechanism 35 and movable shelf 31, parallel to the machine tray 27 held in the machine tray support 29 below the movable shelf 31.

An alignment member 45 is disposed below the dosing plate 42. The alignment member 45 also has an array of openings 46 that correspond to the openings 39 in the hopper 37, the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42, and the array of consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27. The openings 46 in the alignment member 45 are aligned with the containers 9 of the consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C. The alignment member 45 is in a fixed position on the movable shelf 31 and does not move with the dosing plate 42. As shown, the openings 46 in the alignment member 45 are offset from the openings 39 in the hopper 37 so that, depending on the position of the dosing plate 42, the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42 are aligned either with the openings 39 in the hopper 37— as shown in FIG. 7B—or with the openings 46 of the alignment member 45—as shown in FIG. 7C—but cannot be aligned with both openings 39, 46 of the hopper 37 and alignment member 45 simultaneously.

In preferred embodiments, the alignment member 45 engages the containers 9 of the consumable units 4, in particular the ends 15 of the containers 9 where the stakes 18 are located, as shown in FIG. 3A. After the machine tray 27 is inserted into the machine tray support 29 the moveable shelf 31 can move downwards into the engaged position so that the alignment member 45 engages the containers 9. The lower side of each opening 46 in the alignment member 45 can comprise a recess to engage the containers 9. Preferably, the openings 46 are smaller (e.g. smaller diameter) than the containers 9, so that flow of the particulate material 17 is directed into the containers 9 and does not catch on an edge of the containers 9. Alternatively, the openings 46 in the alignment member 45 may be larger than the containers 9 so that the containers 9 are inserted into the openings 46. Alternatively, the alignment member 45 is positioned closely adjacent to the containers 9 in the engaged position of the movable shelf 31.

FIGS. 7A to 7C schematically illustrate the dosing mechanism 35. It will be appreciated that the plates (hopper plate 36, dosing plate 42, alignment member 45) would abut each other in use, or the plates 36, 42, 45 would be closely adjacent to each other, and so there would not be a gap as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C.

Operation of the dosing mechanism 35 will now be described. FIG. 7A illustrates an initial position of the dosing plate 42 when the machine tray 27 and consumable units 4 are first inserted into the dosing station 23. As explained above, particulate material 17 is placed in the hopper 37 and moves down into the openings 39 due to gravity and optionally helped by vibrations from the vibrator 41. In the initial position of FIG. 7A the particulate material 17 is prevented from leaving the openings 39 in the hopper 37 by the dosing plate 42 because the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42 are not aligned with the openings 39 in the hopper 37.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the dosing plate 42 is moved by the actuator (44, see FIG. 6B) so the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42 are aligned with the openings 39 in the hopper 37. In this position, the particulate material 17 can move down in the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42. It will be appreciated that the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42 will be completely filled with particulate material 17 from the hopper 37. Vibrations from the vibrator (41, see FIG. 6B) can ease and encourage movement of the particulate material 17 into the dosing cavities 43 of the dosing plate 42.

Once the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42 are filled with particulate material 17 the dosing plate 42 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 7C. In this position the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42 are aligned to the openings 46 in the alignment member 45, allowing the particulate material 17 to fall through the openings 46 in the alignment member 45 into the containers 9. In this way, particulate material 17 is dosed into the containers 9.

As the dosing plate 42 returns from the position shown in FIG. 7C to the position shown in FIG. 7A it passes the position shown in FIG. 7B, and some particulate material 17 may move into the dosing cavities 43 of the dosing plate 42. At the start of the next dosing process the dosing plate 42 is moved to the position of FIG. 7B, as described above. This arrangement may be advantageous as it ensures that a full dose of particulate material 17 is provided to the dosing cavities 43 of the dosing plate 42 as the dosing cavities 43 are exposed to the hopper 37 two times to fill with particulate material 17.

In an alternative arrangement the dosing plate 42 is moved between the position shown in FIG. 7B, where a dose of particulate material 17 is received in the dosing cavities 43, and the position shown in FIG. 7C, where the particulate material 17 is transferred to the consumable units 4 through the openings 46 in the alignment member 45. That is, the dosing plate 42 does not necessarily have to move to the position shown in FIG. 7A.

In some examples, the dosing plate 42 is moved a small distance from the position shown in FIG. 7C, and then moved back to the position shown in FIG. 7C. This action can ensure that the particulate material 17 is shaken or tapped out of the dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42. The dosing plate 42 may be tapped against a hard stop to tap out the particulate material 17. Such a tapping action may be beneficial if the particulate material 17 includes tobacco, as particulate tobacco material can have variable particle size, can be sticky and can be liable to clumping.

The volume of each dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42 may match the volume of particulate material 17 to be dosed into each container 9 of the consumable units 4. In this way, one movement cycle of the dosing plate 42 provides the desired dose of particulate material 17 to each consumable unit 4. Alternatively, the volume of each dosing cavities 43 in the dosing plate 42 may be a half of the volume of particulate material 17 to be dosed into each container 9 of the consumable units 4, and the dosing process repeated twice for each tray of consumable units 4 inserted into the dosing station 23. In other examples, the volume may be one third or one quarter, requiring three or four doses, respectively. The thickness of the dosing plate 42 can be changed to provide different volume of dose.

In some examples, the size (e.g. diameter) of the dosing cavities 43 is larger than the size (e.g. diameter) of the openings 39 in the hopper 37. This can prevent any edges of the dosing plate 42 impeding flow of particulate material 17 into the dosing cavities 43. Similarly, the openings 46 in the alignment member 45 can be larger (e.g. have a larger diameter) than the dosing cavities 43, so that flow of particulate material 17 from the dosing cavities through the openings 46 in the alignment member 45 is not impeded.

In some examples, the number of openings 39, dosing cavities 43 and openings 46 is doubled, and they are arranged at half pitch of the movement of the dosing plate 42 between the position shown in FIG. 7B and the position shown in FIG. 7C. In this way, there are two sets of openings 39, dosing cavities 43 and openings 46 spaced one half pitch from each other. Therefore, when one set of openings 39, dosing cavities 43 and openings 46 is in the position shown in FIG. 7B, the other set of openings 39, dosing cavities 43 and openings 46 is in the position shown in FIG. 7C. In this way, more containers 9 can be dosed with particulate material 17 in fewer operations.

An inspection unit may be provided on the dosing station 23 for inspecting the consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27. In one example, an optical scanning system may take height measurements across the machine tray 27 as the machine tray 27 is removed from the dosing station 23 after dosing of particulate material 17, and an inspection system can determine the filling height of particulate material 17 in each container 9 to ensure that sufficient particulate material 17 has been dosed into each container 9.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the closure positioning station 24. The closure positioning station 24 positions a closure 14 on each consumable unit 4, on the lip 20 and between the stakes 18, as shown in FIG. 3A.

The closure positioning station 24 includes a machine tray support 29 similar to the machine tray support 29 of the dosing station 23, described above. In particular, the machine tray support 29 comprises rails 30 to support the machine tray 27 shown in FIG. 5A, along with a plurality of consumable units 4. The machine tray 27 can be inserted into the closure positioning station 24 by sliding the machine tray 27 onto the rails 30, which support opposing sides of the machine tray 27. The machine tray support 29 also includes a stop against which the machine tray 27 abuts when inserted into the machine tray support 29. The machine tray support 29 ensures that the machine tray 27, and the consumable units 4, are accurately and reliably positioned and supported within the closure positioning station 24.

The closure positioning station 24 may include a proximity switch that confirms that the machine tray 27 has been properly positioned on the machine tray support 29. An alignment pin may additionally or alternatively be provided to ensure correct positioning.

The closure positioning station 24 also comprises a movable shelf 31 similar to the movable shelf 31 of the dosing station 23. In particular, the movable shelf 31 is slidably mounted on pillars 33 via slide bearings 34 so that the movable shelf 31 can move up and down relative to the machine tray support 29, and relative to the machine tray 27 and consumable units 4. An actuator 47 can be provided to move the movable shelf 31, or it can be manually moved, for example by handles. The moveable shelf 31 is positioned above the machine tray support 29.

The moveable shelf 31 of the closure positioning station 24 includes a closure positioning mechanism 48 that positions a closure 14 on each container 9 on the machine tray 27, as explained further below. The moveable shelf 31 can move between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the engaged position the moveable shelf 31 is proximate to the machine tray 27 and consumable units 4, in a position for positioning a closure 14 on each container 4. In the disengaged position the moveable shelf 31 is spaced from the machine tray 27 and consumable units 4 so that the machine tray 27 can be inserted into and removed from the machine tray support 29.

Closures 14 are provided to the closure positioning station 24 in a closure support web 50, shown in FIG. 9. The closure support web 50 comprises a support structure 51 and a plurality of closures 14 arranged in an array. The closures 14 are removably attached to the support structure 51, for example via connecting tabs. As shown, individual closures 14 can be removed from the closure support web 50 by pushing a closure 14 out of the plane of the closure support web 50.

Preferably, the connecting tabs that attach the closures 14 to the support structure 51 are configured to break at the closure 14, rather than at the support structure 51. Therefore, when a closure is removed from the closure support web 50 the connecting tabs remain on the support structure. In one example, the connecting tabs are narrower at the closure than at the support structure 51.

The movable shelf 31 of the closure positioning station 24 includes a support surface 52 and a clamp 49 that together hold the closure support web 50, as shown in FIG. 10. The support surface 52 and the clamp 49 of the movable shelf 31 holds the closure support web 50 in a position above the consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27, such that a closure 14 in the closure support web 50 is aligned with each consumable unit 4 in the machine tray 27. In a preferred example, the movable shelf 31 includes alignment pins that engage with holes in the closure support web 50 as the movable shelf 31 moves towards the consumable units 4. This can ensure alignment between the closures 14 and the containers 9 of the consumable units 4.

The closure positioning station 24 also includes a punch 53 arranged to push closures 14 from the closure support web 50 into the consumable units 4, as shown in FIG. 10. The punch 53 comprises an actuator that moves a punch head 54. The punch head 54 comprises a plurality of protrusions 55 arranged in an array that matches the array of closures 14 in the closure support web 50, and also matches the arrangement of the consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27. The protrusions 55 push the closures 14 out of the closure support web 50 and into the consumable units 4. In this way, one movement of the punch head 54 can position a closure 14 in each of the consumable units 4 simultaneously.

In a preferred example, a closure support web 50 comprises two or more sets of closures 14, and after moving one set of closures 14 into the consumable units 4, the closure support web 50 is moved to align the other set of closures 14 with the next machine tray 27 of consumable units 4. This has the advantage of reducing the number of times the closure support web 50 needs to be replaced. It shall be appreciated that the number of closures 14 in each set is equal to the number of supporting recesses 28 in the machine tray 27.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, each protrusion 55 on the punch head 54 contacts a closure 14 in the closure support web 50 as the actuator moves the punch head 54 down, towards the consumable units 4. Movement of the punch head 54 separates the closure 14 from the closure support web 50 and pushes the closure 14 into the consumable unit 4. As explained previously with reference to FIG. 3A, the container 9 of each consumable unit 4 includes an end face 15 that defines a lip 20 and stakes 18 that protrude from the end 15. The closure 14 is positioned between the stakes 18, resting on the lip 20, as shown in FIG. 3A.

As shown in FIG. 10, the support surface 52 of the movable shelf 31 provides support below the closure support mesh 50, on the opposite side to the punch head 54. The support surface 52 may extend under the closure support mesh 50 only to the extent necessary to allow the clamp 49 to hold the closure support mesh 50 in position or, alternatively, the support surface 52 may extend further under the closure support mesh and include an array of openings 56 for the individual closures 14 to move through as the punch 53 pushes them from the closure support web 50 into the consumable units 4. Preferably, each protrusion 55 on the punch head 54 has a size and shape closely matched to the size and shape of the closures 14 and the openings 56 in the support surface 52 to help prevent flexing and movement of the closure support web 50 and closures 14 during operation. To prevent the punch head 54 from catching on the support surface 52, the tolerances for the size of the openings 56 in the support surface 52 and the size of the punch head 54 are set so that the punch head 54 is smaller than the openings 56.

As shown in FIG. 10, each opening 56 in the support surface 52 may include a recess 57 that engages the container 9, in particular the stakes 18, when the movable shelf 31 is in the engaged position. This can help to ensure that the closures 14 move smoothly from the closure support web 50 into the consumable units 4.

Similarly to the dosing station 23, as described previously, the closure positioning station 24 may comprise an inspection unit for inspecting the consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27 as they are removed from the machine tray support 29. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a scanner 58 may be positioned above the machine tray support 29 such that a laser/optical system of the scanner 58 can take height measurements across the machine tray 27 and the inspection system can check for the presence, and correct seating, of a closure 14 in each container 4.

FIG. 11 illustrates the closure securing station 25. The closure securing station 25 secures the closures 14 to the consumable units 4 by bending over the stakes 18, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The closure securing station 25 comprises a machine tray support 29 similar to the machine tray supports 29 of the dosing station 23 and the closure positioning station 24. In particular, the machine tray support 29 comprises rails 30 to support the machine tray 27 shown in FIG. 5A, along with a plurality of consumable units 4. The machine tray 27 can be inserted into the closure securing station 25 by sliding the machine tray 27 onto the rails 30, which support opposing sides of the machine tray 27. The machine tray support 29 also includes a stop against which the machine tray 27 abuts when inserted into the machine tray support 29. The machine tray support 29 ensures that the machine tray 27, and the consumable units 4, are accurately and reliably positioned and supported within the closure securing station 25.

The closure securing station 25 may include a proximity switch that confirms that the machine tray 27 has been properly positioned on the machine tray support 29. An alignment pin may additionally or alternatively be provided to ensure correct positioning.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the closure securing station 25 comprises a press 59. The press 59 bends the stakes 18 of the container 9 over against the closure 14 to secure the closure 14 to the container 9, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The closure securing station 25, as illustrated in FIG. 11, includes a movable shelf 31 similar to the movable shelves 31 of the dosing station 23 and the closure positioning station 24. In this example, the movable shelf 31 comprises a press head 60 of the press 59, described further below. The pillars 33 and slide bearings 34 of the movable shelf 31 guide the movable shelf 31 and press head 60, ensuring reliable and accurate operation of the press head 60. In other examples, the closure securing station 25 does not comprise a movable shelf 31, and the press head 60 is an independent component.

The press 59 comprises an actuator 61 that acts to move a press head 60 vertically, as shown in FIG. 11. The press head 60 has a plurality of individual presses arranged in an array matching the array of the consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27. In this way, multiple, or all, of the consumable units 4 can be processed simultaneously to bend the stakes 18 and secure the closures 14 to the consumable units 4.

In one example, the press head 60 comprises a first set of presses 62 for carrying out a first bending process, and a second set of presses 63 for carrying out a second bending process. The first and second sets of presses 62, 63 can each be arranged to occupy half of the press head 60. In an alternative arrangement, the first set of presses 62 is provided on a separate station to the second set of presses 63.

FIG. 12 shows the sequence of the first set of presses 62 and the second sets of presses 63 bending the stakes 18 over against the closure 14, moving from left to right. FIG. 12 shows the consumable unit 4 as it is received in the closure securing station 25, with the stakes 18 extending upwards and the closure 14 received in between the stakes 18.

As shown, a first press 64 of the first set of presses 62 comprises an angled pressing face 66 that bends the stakes 18 over partly. In particular, in this example the angled pressing face 66 is angled at 45 degrees from the horizontal so that the stakes 18 are bent over by 45 degrees in the first bending process. However, it shall be appreciated that angles other than 45 degrees may be used for the angled pressing face 66, as long as the angle is less than about 80 degrees and greater than about 20 degrees. In some embodiments the pressing face 66 may be concave, meaning that the angle of the pressing face 66 from the horizontal changes across the width of the pressing face 66.

Subsequently, a second press 65 of the second set of presses 63 comprises a flat pressing face 67 that bends the stakes 18 over the remainder to lie against the closure 14 and secure it to the container 9.

The arrangement of first and second sets of presses 64, 65, which bends the stakes 18 in two stages, helps to ensure that the stakes 18 are reliably bent over without breaking them.

In some examples the first and/or second presses 64, 65 are heated, or the entire press head 60 is heated, to ease bending of the stakes 18. In some examples in which the closures 14 are metal or include metal, an induction heating system can be arranged to cause the closures 14 to heat up, which in turn heats the surrounding parts of the container 9, including the stakes 18. It will appreciated that this depends on the material of the container 9 and the stakes 18. For example, if the stakes 18 are made of a thermoplastic then heated presses may ease the bending process.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative press in which a first press 68 and a second press 69 are arranged concentrically. As shown, in this example the first press 68 has an angled pressing face 70 and a central bore 71. Within the central bore 72 is the second press 69 that can move within the bore 71. In this way, as illustrated, the first press 68 can initially be moved to initiate bending of the stakes 18 by the angled pressing face 70. Subsequently, the second press 69 can be moved to bend the stakes 18 against the closure 14 to secure the closure to the container 9.

In the arrangement of FIG. 13 the press head 60 can comprise a first plate that comprises protrusions forming the first presses 68 and openings creating the bores 71 of the first presses 68, and a second plate can comprise protrusions forming the second presses 69 that extend through the openings in the first plate. The first and second plates can be arranged adjacent to each other and separate actuators can move the first and second plates to perform the process illustrated in FIG. 13. In this example, all of the consumable units 4 can be processed simultaneously by a single closure securing station 25.

In some examples the first and second presses 68, 69 are heated, or the entire press head 60 is heated, to ease bending of the stakes 18. It will appreciated that this depends on the material of the container 9, in particular the stakes 18. For example, if the stakes 18 are made of a thermoplastic then heated presses may ease the bending process.

In alternative arrangements, the closure securing station 25 may comprise alternative means for securing the closures 14 to the consumable units 4. For example, the closure securing station 25 may include a welding station, such as an ultrasonic welding station, that welds the closures 14 to the containers 9 of the consumable units 4. In other examples, the closure securing station 25 may comprise a press that pushes a closure 14 into the chamber 16 of the consumable unit 4 in a press fit to secure the closure 14 to the container 9 of the consumable unit 4.

Similarly to the dosing station 23 and the closure positioning station 24, as described previously, the closure securing station 25 may comprise an inspection unit for inspecting the consumable units 4 in the machine tray 27 as they are removed from the machine tray support 29. In particular, a scanner may be positioned above the machine tray support 29 such that a laser/optical system of the scanner can take height measurements across the machine tray 27, and the inspection system can check for the presence, and correct seating, of a closure 14 in each container 9 and the presence and correct positioning of the stakes 18, to ensure that the closures 14 are properly secured.

On removal from the closure securing station 25 manufacture of the consumable units 4 is complete. The consumable units 4 can then be removed from the machine tray 27 and moved on to packaging and distribution processes. The machine tray 27 can be returned to the beginning of the process and reused.

It will be appreciated that the set of workstations—the dosing station 23, closure positioning station 24 and closure securing station 25—have many common features. For example, each workstation 23, 24, 25 includes a machine tray support 29, and a movable shelf 31, or platform 31, mounted on pillars 33 for vertical movement. This allows the workstations 23, 24, 25 to be modularly arranged within larger apparatus, for example apparatus that packages the consumable units 4 and/or apparatus that assembles or forms the empty consumable units 4 illustrated in FIG. 3A.

Although the apparatus and methods described above relate to the assembly of a tobacco pod or consumable unit 4, it shall be appreciated that the apparatus can be adapted to manufacture other components of the inhalation device such as, for example, the atomizer cartridge 3 in addition, or alternatively to, the manufacture of the consumable unit 4.

The common features of each workstation 23, 24, 25 can be carried over to make an alternative set of workstations adapted to perform a different sequence of assembly operations on successive batches of components.

The moveable shelf 31 of each workstation can be adapted to support an alternative assembly mechanism to the dosing mechanism 35, closure positioning mechanism 48 or press head 60 of workstations 23, 24, 25. Additional workstations can also be added as required so that the set of stations comprises the number of workstations required for the particular component being assembled.

Likewise, the machine tray 27 can be adapted to hold components of different sizes and shapes. Importantly, the machine tray remains compatible with the machine tray support 29 common to each workstation. For example, the machine tray 27 may retain the same overall dimensions, irrespective of the component it is configured to hold.

Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide a modular assembly apparatus comprising a series or plurality of workstations. An example workstation 140 is shown in FIG. 14. Each workstation 140 comprises the common features described above which retain the same reference numbers and include the machine tray support 29. The machine tray support 29 locates a machine tray 27 for holding components of an inhalation device, and guides the machine tray 27 into a predetermined position to enable a particular assembly operation to be carried out on said components held by that machine tray 27. Each workstation 140 is also provided with the shelf 31, or platform 31, moveable between the disengaged position, in which the machine tray 27 can be located in or removed from, its predetermined position; and the engaged position, in which an assembly operation is carried out on said components whilst the machine tray 27 is in its predetermined position.

In FIG. 14 the moveable shelf 31 is concealed by safety cladding 141 to protect an operator of the workstation 140; however, it shall be appreciated that the moveable shelf 31 of each workstation of the invention is substantially as shown and described in connection with the workstations 23, 24, 25 described above. The purpose of FIG. 14 is merely to illustrate other features for enhancing the compatibility of example workstations 140 with a modular assembly apparatus that are not shown and described in connection with the workstations 23, 24, 25 described above. However, it shall further be appreciated that the example workstation 140 encompasses the workstations 23, 24, 25 and the consumable liquid filling station, described above. Therefore, any feature described in relation to the example workstation 140 may be applied to any of the other workstations described herein and vice versa.

In FIG. 14, two workstations 140 are shown in back to back relation. However, other configurations of workstations are envisaged.

A modular assembly apparatus 150 comprising a set of workstations 151 in accordance with the example workstation 140 is shown schematically in FIG. 15. In the illustrated example, the set of workstations 151 comprises three workstations 140, although it will be appreciated that the number of workstations 140 in the set of workstations 151 may vary in dependence on—amongst other things—the type of component being assembled.

Any of the workstations 140 described herein may be manually operated. That is to say, each workstation 140 may be operated by an individual human operator. Therefore, each workstation 140 is further provided with a bench 142 (as shown in connection with the example workstation 140 of FIG. 14) to allow a human operator to interact with the workstation in a standing or seated position.

Manual operation improves the flexibility of a modular assembly line 150 as workstations 140 can be added, removed or swapped without the need to integrate the changes with an automated conveyor. However, manual operation provides other challenges, such as ensuring that each machine tray 27 moves through the workstations 140 in the correct order for carrying out the correct sequence of assembly operations.

To further enhance the modular aspect of the apparatus 150, each workstation 140 comprises an interface unit 143 to communicate with a central controller 152. The controller 152 is configured to track the progress of machine trays 27 through the assembly apparatus 150 and ensure that assembly operations are being carried out in the correct order.

Each workstation further comprises a wireless tag reader 144 to detect information identifying a unique wireless tag (not shown) associated with a machine tray 27 inserted into the workstation 140, the wireless tag reader 144 being configured to read the wireless tag. The wireless tag may comprise any manner of wireless tag, such as an optical tag, a Bluetooth tag, or an RFID tag. An RFID tag is particularly preferred, as it may provide a unique wireless identification with reduced complexity and footprint, at minimal cost. Said information is communicated to the controller 152 by the interface unit 143. Therefore it is possible for the controller 152 to determine if a particular machine tray 27 has passed through a workstation 140.

When a machine tray 27 is inserted into a workstation 140 it is supported by the rails of the machine tray support 29—as explained with reference to the stations 23, 24, 25. A proximity switch may be included which indicates that the machine tray 27 is located in a predetermined position to allow an assembly operation to be carried out. Therefore, when the proximity switch is triggered, the RFID tag reader 144 identifies the unique RFID tag of the machine tray 27 in the predetermined position. The interface unit 143 then conveys this information to the controller 152. It shall be appreciated that operation of the RFID tag reader 144 is not necessarily dependent on a proximity switch being triggered. In another embodiment, the RFID tag reader 144 is continuously monitoring for the presence of an RFID tag. In such embodiments, the RFID tag reader 144 may identify the unique RFID tag of a machine tray 27 located on the machine tray support 29, irrespective of whether the machine tray 27 is in the predetermined position.

The interface unit 143 is configured to communicate to the controller 152 a completion status of an assembly operation carried out on a machine tray 27 holding components for an inhalation device. A positive completion status indicates that said assembly operation was successfully carried out. The controller 152 is configured to record said completion status and associate said completion status with information identifying the unique RFID tag of the machine tray 27 of components.

Each workstation comprises a set of stop/go lights 145 (as shown in FIG. 14) to indicate to an operator of the workstation 140 whether to proceed to perform an assembly operation on a machine tray 27 of components inserted into the workstation 140. The stop/go lights 145 are configured to provide said indication to the operator on receipt of instructions from the controller 152.

The stop go lights 145 will now be explained with reference to first and second workstations 140a, 140b of the set of workstations 151. The first and second workstations 140a, 140b perform first and second assembly operations, respectively. The first assembly operation must be carried out prior to the second assembly operation. In this respect, the first and second assembly operations may be analogous to the assembly operations carried out at station 23 and station 24, respectively, to the consumable units 4.

The controller 152 is configured to instruct the stop/go lights 145 of the second workstation 140b to indicate to an operator of the second workstation 140b to proceed only when the unique RFID tag of the machine tray 27 inserted into the second workstation 140b is associated with a positive completion status for the first assembly operation. Therefore, the stop go lights 145 prevent the operator from carrying out the second assembly operation on a machine tray 27 of components that were not subject to the first assembly operation.

Each workstation 140 may further comprise an inspection unit 146 configured to generate an inspection status. Any suitable inspection 146 unit may be used. For example, the inspection unit 146 may be like any described in connection with stations 23, 24 and 25. The inspection status indicates whether any components in the machine tray 27 require rejection. A positive inspection status indicates that none of the components require rejection. A negative inspection status indicates that at least one component requires rejection.

The inspection status is communicated to the controller 152 via the interface unit 143. The controller 152 then records the inspection status and associates the inspection status with information identifying the unique RFID tag of said machine tray 27.

Therefore it is possible to prevent a machine tray 27 associated with a negative inspection status from undergoing any further assembly operations. Should a machine tray 27 associated with a negative inspection status be inserted into a further workstation 140, the controller 152 will identify the presence of the machine tray 27 by the unique RFID tag when, for example, the proximity switch is triggered. The controller 152 will then activate the stop/go lights 145 of the further workstation 140 to indicate to the operator that a further assembly operation should not be carried out. The operator may then remove the machine tray 27 from the assembly line 150.

To further verify that assembly operations carried out at each workstation 140 have been completed successfully, each workstation 140 may also comprise a second proximity sensor (not shown) for determining when the moveable shelf 31 is in the engaged position. The second proximity sensor is configured so that, when the moveable shelf 31 is moved into the engaged position, the second proximity sensor is triggered and sends a signal to the controller 152 to indicate that the moveable shelf 31 has been moved into the engaged position.

During operation of the workstation 140, the controller 152 will determine the presence of a machine tray 27 in the workstation 140 by the unique RFID tag as explained above. When the moveable shelf 31 is moved into the engaged position, the controller 152 associates the unique RFID tag with the signal from the second proximity sensor indicating that the machine tray 27 has been moved into the engaged position. If the moveable shelf 31 is not moved into the engaged position, the controller 152 will associate the unique RFID tag with an incomplete assembly operation. Therefore, it is not only possible to determine that a machine tray 27 has been received in a workstation 140, but also that the moveable shelf 31 was moved into the engaged position for carrying out the corresponding assembly operation. This is particularly advantageous when the moveable shelf 31 is manually moved by a human operator; such is the case in the example of the dosing station 23 described above.

Because the controller 152 records an incomplete assembly operation, it is possible to prevent a machine tray 27 associated with an incomplete assembly operation from undergoing subsequent assembly operations. In particular, when the same machine tray 27 is inserted into a subsequent workstation 140, the controller 152 will determine the presence of the machine tray 27 by the unique RFID tag. The controller 152 will further determine that the machine tray 27 is associated with an incomplete assembly operation and activate the stop/go lights 145 of the workstation 140 to indicate to the operator that a further assembly operation should not be carried out. The operator may then remove the machine tray 27 from the assembly line.

The controller 152 may also be configured to measure the duration of time between a machine tray 27 being received in a first workstation 140 and the same machine tray 27 being received in a subsequent, second, workstation 140 and to associate said duration of time with the unique RFID tag of the machine tray 27. This may be achieved by determining that a machine tray 27 has been received in the first workstation 140 and then measuring the duration of time until the machine tray 27 bearing the same unique RFID tag is received in the second workstation 140. The duration of time may be measured from when the proximity switch of the machine tray support 29 of the first workstation 140 is triggered until the proximity switch of the machine tray support 29 of the second workstation 140 is triggered. Alternatively, the duration of time is measured from when the second proximity switch of the first workstation 140 is triggered until the second proximity switch of the second workstation 140 is triggered. In the alternative, the duration of time is determined from when the moveable shelf 31 of the first workstation 140 is moved into the engaged position until the moveable shelf 31 of the second workstation 140 is moved into the engaged position.

The controller 152 may be further configured to compare the measured duration of time with a predetermined time and associate an error code with the unique RFID tag of the corresponding machine tray 27 if said measured time is greater than the predetermined time. This is necessary where, for example, a second assembly operation must be carried out within a predetermined time of the first assembly operation.

The stop/go light system 145 may be integrated with an automatic cut out that prevents an assembly operation being carried out at the respective workstation 140. Therefore, when the controller 152 determines a machine tray 27 has been inserted into the workstation 140 associated with a negative inspection status, or not yet subject to the required preceding assembly operations, the controller 152 may activate the automatic cut out to prevent operation of the workstation 140.

In a further example, a workstation 140 may be configured so that the machine tray 27 is actively drawn into the predetermined position when placed on the machine tray support 29. In such examples, the machine tray 27 may comprise a bush or other simple mechanical fixing designed to locate over a pin on the machine tray support 29. The pin is attached to a linear actuator to draw the machine tray into the workstation up to the predetermined position. Activation of the linear actuator may be automatic, that is to say, the linear actuator may be triggered when an operator places a machine tray 27 on the machine tray support 29. This can be achieved by, for example, providing the pin and the bush with electrical contacts that make an electrical connection when the bush is located over the pin. The electrical connection sends a signal to the controller 152 which in turn activates the linear actuator to draw the machine tray 27 into the workstation 140.

By providing a controller 152 to track the progress of machine trays 27 through the assembly line, it is possible to ensure that assembly operations are being carried out in the correct order, notwithstanding the use of human operators. This provides for a flexible modular assembly line 150 in which workstations 140 can be added or removed without the need to integrate the changes with an automated conveyor. The use of workstations 140 comprising a high degree of commonality also contributes to the system's flexibility. Workstations 140 can be quickly adapted for performing additional or alternative assembly operations and can slot into a pre-existing set of workstations 140 without the need to adapt the other workstations 140. Human operators will also be instantly familiar with the new workstation and need minimal retraining. This combination of flexibility and reliability surpasses anything known to the applicant for assembly of components for inhalation devices.

As used herein, the term “aerosolizable material” means that, when heated, the aerosolizable material produces an aerosol. For example, the aerosolizable material may be or comprise a flavor substrate. The flavor substrate may comprise flavor, such as tobacco flavor or other flavor and/or may comprise glycerol or other additives or enhancers alternatively or additionally to glycerol. The flavor substrate, with or without glycerol or other additives, may be heated to produce an aerosol.

It may be noted that, in general, an aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas, where a colloid is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance. On the other hand, a vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that for example the vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature. It is to be understood that as used herein the term aerosol includes aerosol and/or vapor.

As explained previously, the aerosolizable material may comprise tobacco. For example, the aerosolizable material may be a particulate tobacco material.

As used herein, the terms “tobacco”, or “particulate tobacco material”, mean a material that includes tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The particulate material may also include a non-tobacco material. In some examples, the “particulate material” is powder-like, and in alternative examples the “particulate material” is formed by cutting of shredding a material into smaller particles. In some examples, the “particulate tobacco material” may include a so-called ‘cut rag’, which is formed by shredding or cutting tobacco into small particles. The particulate tobacco material may be produced by extruding a tobacco slurry and cutting the extruded material into particles.

It will be appreciated that the above described examples of a consumable unit may be used in devices other than the inhalation device described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, the inhalation device may be a device that releases compounds from the particulate material without burning, such as tobacco heating products. In one embodiment the inhalation device is a heating device which releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material, for example the particulate material. The particulate material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment the inhalation device is a tobacco heating device.

In another embodiment the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials, for example the contents of the atomizer cartridge and the particulate material in the consumable unit. The substrate materials in the atomizer cartridge, and the particulate material in the consumable unit, may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior method and apparatus for manufacturing a consumable unit for use with an inhalation device. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A modular apparatus for performing a sequence of assembly operations on components of an inhalation device, the apparatus comprising:

a set of workstations, each workstation being configured to perform a different assembly operation of the sequence of operations;

wherein each workstation comprises: a machine tray support to locate a machine tray in which components for assembly are received, the machine tray support being configured to guide the machine tray located in the machine tray support into a predetermined position in the workstation.

2. A modular apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each workstation further comprises:

a platform slidably mounted relative to the machine tray support for movement into an engaged position in which an assembly operation is carried out on components received in the machine tray located in the predetermined position;

wherein the platform of each workstation is configured to mount a different assembly mechanism so that, when the platform is in said engaged position in a workstation, the assembly mechanism of that workstation performs one of the assembly operations of the sequence on the components received in the machine tray located in the predetermined position in that workstation.

3. A modular apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the platform of each workstation is configured to slide between the engaged position and a disengaged position, in which a machine tray is insertable into, or is removable from, the machine tray support of the workstation.

4. A modular apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the platform of each workstation is mounted on a pillar for linear movement between the engaged and disengaged positions.

5. A modular apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the platform of each workstation is supported by four pillars arranged around the machine tray support.

6. A modular apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each machine tray support comprises one or more rails configured to support opposing sides of a machine tray so that the machine tray can be inserted into the predetermined position by sliding the machine tray along said rails.

7. A modular apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each machine tray support includes a stop against which a machine tray abuts when inserted into the predetermined position.

8. A modular apparatus according to any of claim 3, wherein at least one workstation of the set of workstations comprises an actuator configured to move the movable shelf between the engaged and disengaged positions.

9. A modular apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each machine tray support further comprises a proximity switch to determine if a machine tray is located in the predetermined position.

10. A modular apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each workstation comprises an interface unit and wherein the modular apparatus further comprises a controller configured to control each workstation via said interface units.

11. A modular apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each workstation comprises a wireless tag reader to detect information identifying a unique wireless tag associated with a machine tray inserted into the workstation, wherein said information is communicated to the controller by the interface unit.

12. A modular apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each workstation comprises a set of stop/go lights to indicate to an operator of the workstation whether to proceed to perform an assembly operation on components received in a machine tray inserted into the workstation, wherein said stop/go lights are configured to provide said indication to the operator on receipt of instructions from the controller.

13. A modular apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each interface unit is further configured to communicate to the controller a completion status of an assembly operation carried out on said components, wherein a positive completion status indicates that said assembly operation was successfully carried out, and wherein the controller is configured to record said completion status and associate said completion status with information identifying the unique wireless tag of said machine tray.

14. A modular apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one workstation of the set of workstations comprises an inspection unit configured to generate an inspection status, said inspection status comprising information about the condition of components received in a machine tray located in the at least one workstation; wherein the interface unit of the at least one workstation is further configured to communicate to the controller the inspection status of said components; and wherein the controller is configured to record said inspection status and associate said inspection status with information identifying the unique wireless tag of the machine tray in which said components are received.

15. A modular apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the set of workstations comprises first and second workstations for performing first and second assembly operations, respectively, the components being subject to the first assembly operation before being subject to the second assembly operation, and wherein the controller is configured to instruct the stop/go lights of the second workstation to indicate to an operator of the second workstation to proceed only when the unique wireless tag of a machine tray inserted into the second workstation is associated with a positive completion status for the first assembly operation.

16. A modular apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the wireless tag comprises an RFID tag.

17. A modular apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the set of workstations are configured to perform a first sequence of assembly operations to assemble a first type of component for an inhalation device and wherein the set of workstations can be reconfigured to perform a second sequence of assembly operations, different to the first sequence of operations, to assemble a second type of component for an inhalation device.

18. A modular apparatus according to claim 17, wherein reconfiguring the set of workstations comprises repositioning workstations relative to one another and/or removing one or more workstations and/or adding one or more further workstations.

19. A modular apparatus according to claim 17, wherein reconfiguring the set of workstations comprises replacing the assembly mechanism of at least one workstation of the set of workstations, said assembly mechanism being configured to carry out a first assembly operation on components of an inhalation device, with a different assembly mechanism configured to carry out a second assembly operation on components of an inhalation device, different from the first assembly operation.

20. A workstation for use in a modular apparatus configured to assemble components of an inhalation device, wherein the workstation is configured to perform an assembly operation on said components, and wherein the workstation comprises:

a machine tray support to locate a machine tray in which components for assembly are received, the machine tray support being configured to guide the machine tray located in the machine tray support into a predetermined position in the workstation.

21. A workstation according to claim 20 further comprising a platform slidably mounted relative to the machine tray support for movement into an engaged position in which an assembly operation is carried out on components received in the machine tray located in the predetermined position;

wherein the platform is configured to mount an assembly mechanism so that, when the platform is in said engaged position, the assembly mechanism performs an assembly operation on the components received in the machine tray located in the predetermined position.

22. A method of reconfiguring a modular apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising repositioning workstations relative to one another and/or removing one or more workstations and/or adding one or more further workstations.

23. A method of reconfiguring a modular apparatus as claimed in claim 2, comprising replacing the assembly mechanism of at least one workstation of the set of workstations, said assembly mechanism being configured to carry out a first assembly operation on components of an inhalation device, with a different assembly mechanism configured to carry out a second assembly operation on components of an inhalation device, different from the first assembly operation.