US 12,439,975 B2
Apparatus and method for assembling a heater assembly for a non-nicotine pod assembly
Gregory L. Nelson, Chester, VA (US); Bipin Patil, Richmond, VA (US); Craig Gunn, Richmond, VA (US); and Rangaraj S. Sundar, Midlothian, VA (US)
Assigned to Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed by Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed on Dec. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/400,287.
Application 18/400,287 is a continuation of application No. 16/856,291, filed on Apr. 23, 2020, granted, now 11,882,883.
Prior Publication US 2024/0130440 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A24F 40/70 (2020.01); A24F 40/42 (2020.01); A24F 40/44 (2020.01); A24F 40/46 (2020.01); B23P 19/00 (2006.01); B25B 11/02 (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)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a non-nicotine pod assembly, the apparatus comprising:
a base defining a horizontal surface;
a wick feed defining a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action, the channel having a length, a width, and a height, the length being longer than both the width and the height and extending orthogonal to the horizontal surface of the base;
a slide configured to move along the horizontal surface of the base in a horizontal direction; and
a holder disposed on the horizontal surface of the base, the holder including a locking finger configured to engage a wire loop of the heater assembly and retain the heater assembly against the holder.