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

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

A sensor apparatus may include a channel structure configured to couple with an external element and a fluid conduit, such that the channel structure may receive a fluid, at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment, and direct the fluid through the fluid conduit. A sensor may generate sensor data indicating a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on monitoring a variation in a pressure at a location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and in relation to an ambient pressure of the ambient environment. The sensor apparatus may enable generation of improved topography information associated with flows of fluid drawn from the external element based on measuring a local pressure at the location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and determining the ambient pressure based on monitoring the local pressure over time.

A sensor apparatus may include a channel structure configured to couple with an external element and a fluid conduit, such that the channel structure may receive a fluid, at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment, and direct the fluid through the fluid conduit. A sensor may generate sensor data indicating a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on monitoring a variation in a pressure at a location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and in relation to an ambient pressure of the ambient environment. The sensor apparatus may enable generation of improved topography information associated with flows of fluid drawn from the external element based on measuring a local pressure at the location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and determining the ambient pressure based on monitoring the local pressure over time.

The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.

The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.

A thermal measurement system includes a thermocouple configured to couple to a location of a heating element of an electronic smoking article. The thermocouple is structured to measure a surface temperature of the location. A thermocouple data module is operatively connected to the thermocouple and is structured to receive data of the surface temperature from the thermocouple. A pneumatic system is configured to connect to an end of the electronic smoking article and draw an air flow through the electronic smoking article. The pneumatic system includes a solenoid valve having an open state that causes air to flow through the electronic smoking article. The solenoid valve has a closed state that prevents air flow through the electronic smoking article. An infrared camera is disposed over the viewing window. The infrared camera is configured to measure a wire temperature of a heating element wire of the electronic smoking article.

A thermal measurement system includes a thermocouple configured to couple to a location of a heating element of an electronic smoking article. The thermocouple is structured to measure a surface temperature of the location. A thermocouple data module is operatively connected to the thermocouple and is structured to receive data of the surface temperature from the thermocouple. A pneumatic system is configured to connect to an end of the electronic smoking article and draw an air flow through the electronic smoking article. The pneumatic system includes a solenoid valve having an open state that causes air to flow through the electronic smoking article. The solenoid valve has a closed state that prevents air flow through the electronic smoking article. An infrared camera is disposed over the viewing window. The infrared camera is configured to measure a wire temperature of a heating element wire of the electronic smoking article.

A sensor apparatus may include a conduit structure including an inner surface defining a conduit extending through an interior of the conduit structure, an inlet structure coupled to an end of the conduit structure, and a plurality of sensor devices in hydrodynamic contact with the conduit. The inlet structure may couple with an outlet end of an external tobacco element to hold the outlet end of the external tobacco element in fluid communication with an inlet opening of the conduit structure, such that the conduit structure may receive a generated aerosol from the external tobacco element at the inlet opening, and draw an instance of aerosol through the conduit towards an outlet opening. The instance of aerosol may include at least a portion of the generated aerosol. Each sensor device may generate sensor data indicating a pressure of the instance of aerosol through a separate portion of the conduit.

A heater for a vaporizer with air preheating element includes a casing, a tunnel with a perforated bottom, which is a cylindrical heating chamber for placing a cigarette, a heating element of a resistive type, a heat exchanger, including air channels for circulation and preheating of air by a heater, a top end and a bottom end, an air intake hole made in the top end. Outlet holes are communicated with exits of air channels of the heat exchanger for intake of air preheated by the heater in the tunnel. The casing is made in the form of a tape of a thin-film dielectric heat-resistant material, on which a thin layer of resistive material with contacts is applied on the end of one side, forming the heating element, and on the other side a top and bottom spacers are fixed and inclined toward the middle, as well as the edging, which are made of flexible heat-resistant material. The above mentioned tape with a heating element, located on its external side, is rolled into a cylinder and forms a tunnel, and is additionally coiled into several interconnected spiral coils, and forms a spiral casing with the top and bottom ends so that the top and bottom spacers and the edging located on the inside form a spiral heat exchanger comprising the top and bottom and the middle spiral air ducts for spiral and labyrinth circulation and preheating of air, and at the bottom there is an additional inlet hole for air intake.