US 11,882,884 B2
Apparatus and method for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly
Gregory L. Nelson, Chester, VA (US); Bipin Patil, Richmond, VA (US); Craig Gunn, Richmond, VA (US); and Rangaraj S. Sundar, Richmond, VA (US)
Assigned to ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed by Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed on Apr. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/856,476.
Prior Publication US 2021/0329976 A1, Oct. 28, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A24F 40/70 (2020.01); B25B 11/02 (2006.01); B23P 19/00 (2006.01); A24F 40/46 (2020.01); A24F 40/44 (2020.01); A24F 40/42 (2020.01); A61M 11/04 (2006.01)
CPC A24F 40/70 (2020.01) [A24F 40/42 (2020.01); A24F 40/44 (2020.01); A24F 40/46 (2020.01); B23P 19/001 (2013.01); B25B 11/02 (2013.01); A61M 2207/00 (2013.01); A61M 2207/10 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly, the apparatus comprising:
a base;
a wick feed extending toward the base and defining a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw a nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action;
a slide configured to move along a plane on a top face of the base; and
a holder disposed on the top face of the base,
wherein the holder is configured to secure a support of the heater assembly, the slide includes a front face that is orthogonal to the top face of the base, and the slide is configured to contact a finger of a heater on the support to move the finger to a vertical position so as to compress the wick.