Apparatus and method for filling liquid into a cartridge for a vapor provision system

Abstract

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

1 . An automated method of filling a cartridge with liquid for a vapor provision system, the method comprising:
 inserting a compressible matrix into a filling tube;   injecting liquid into the compressible matrix within the filling tube using a liquid filling pump to produce a wetted matrix; and   pushing the wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the cartridge.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising compressing the compressible matrix in a lateral direction perpendicular to a main longitudinal axis of the compressible matrix prior to inserting the compressible matrix into the filling tube. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein tweezers are used to compress the compressible matrix in a lateral direction and to insert the compressible matrix into the filling tube. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the compressible matrix is held such that a portion of the compressible matrix is proud of the end of the tweezers during insertion of the compressible matrix into the filling tube. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling tube has an internal surface which is roughened. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the internal surface of the filling tube has a roughness value Ra in the range 2 to 5. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling tube has an open end, and the compressible matrix is inserted into the filling tube through the open end and pushed out of the filling tube into the cartridge through the open end. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the filling tube has a substantially vertical orientation, and the open end is at a bottom of the filling tube. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid filling pump is a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid filling pump is a syringe. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid filling pump has a bore of 0.5 ml or less. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid filling pump has a bore of 0.1 ml or less. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is injected into the compressible matrix within the filling tube by the liquid filling pump through one or more locations in a side of the filling tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the wetted matrix is pushed out of an open end of the filling tube, and wherein liquid is injected into a portion of the compressible matrix which is further from the open end of the filling tube than the center of the compressible matrix is. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wetted matrix is pushed out an open end of the filling tube into an open end of the cartridge, and wherein prior to pushing the wetted matrix out of the filling tube, the open end of the filling tube is located within an open end of the cartridge. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the open end of the filling tube is inserted a distance into the open end of the cartridge prior to pushing out the wetted matrix, wherein the distance is small compared to a depth of the cartridge. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a piston rod is used to push the wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the cartridge. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the piston rod makes a double hit to push the wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the cartridge. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible matrix comprises a block of foam. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible matrix is formed from a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus configured to perform an automated method of filling a cartridge with liquid for a vapor provision system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus configured to perform an automated filling of a cartridge with liquid for a vapor provision system, the apparatus comprising:
 a filling tube;   a mechanism for inserting a compressible matrix into the filling tube;   a liquid filling pump for injecting liquid into the compressible matrix within the filling tube to produce a wetted matrix; and   a piston mechanism for pushing the wetted matrix out of the filling tube into the cartridge.   
     
     
         23 . A set of multiple cartridges filled with liquid held in a matrix for use in a vapor provision system, wherein each cartridge in the set contains the same amount of liquid within a tolerance of ±1 percent. 
     
     
         24 . The set of cartridges of  claim 23 , wherein a number of cartridges in the set is selected from the group consisting of: 2 or more cartridges, 5 or more cartridges, 10 or more cartridges, 50 or more cartridges, and 100 or more cartridges. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the internal surface of the filling tube has a roughness value Ra in the range 3 to 4.