Cartridge fluid filling system and method

A cartridge filling system for the cannabis and hemp industry, comprising:

• a main frame;
• a gas-pressurized sanitary reservoir sub-assembly attached to the main frame, the reservoir sub-assembly holding material to be dispensed and having
• one or more temperature sensors to observe a temperature level of the material;
• one or more heaters to impart thermal energy to the material, thereby enhancing its ability to flow;
• one or more mixers to homogenize the material;
• and
• one or more level sensors to detect a level of material in the reservoir;
• a spool valve sub-assembly in fluid communication with the reservoir sub-assembly, the spool valve sub-assembly having a spool valve, the spool valve sub-assembly receiving effluent material from the reservoir sub-assembly through a heated hose and having
• a material inlet port connected to the hose;
• a housing fluidly connected to the material inlet port within which a spindle may move to permit or block fluid flow;
• a metering rod region extending from the housing, the metering rod region including a chamber for receiving a metering rod, the metering rod region being in communication with an electric linear actuator for extending and retracting the metering rod, the metering rod region delivering precisely metered quantities of effluent material;
• and
• a material outlet port through which the effluent material may pass;
• a tray sub-assembly secured to the main frame for locating cartridges into which metered amounts of the effluent material may be delivered;
• a robot attached to the spool valve sub-assembly and the tray sub-assembly, the robot being adapted to position the tray in cooperation with the material outlet port of the spool valve sub-assembly, the robot having locating pins to locate the tray;
• and
• a human-machine interface including one or more controllers that
• receive signals from sensors located at positions selected from the group consisting of the reservoir sub-assembly, the spool valve sub-assembly, the metering rod region, the tray and the pneumatic cylinder;
• process such signals;
• and
• generate control signals for influencing process parameters associated with an assembly of locations selected from the group consisting of the reservoir sub-assembly, the spool valve sub-assembly, the metering rod region, the tray sub-assembly, heaters, and pressure regulators.

A method for filling cartridges used in e-cigarettes, comprising the steps of:

• providing a main frame;
• attaching a gas-pressurized sanitary reservoir sub-assembly to the main frame, the reservoir sub-assembly holding material to be dispensed and having one or more temperature sensors to observe a temperature level of the material;
• one or more heaters to impart thermal energy to the material, thereby enhancing its ability to flow;
• one or mixers to homogenize the material;
• and
• one or more level sensors to detect a level of material in the reservoir;
• connecting a spool valve sub-assembly in fluid communication with the reservoir sub-assembly, the spool valve sub-assembly having a spool valve, the spool valve sub-assembly receiving effluent material from the reservoir sub-assembly through a hose and having
• a material inlet port connected to the hose;
• a housing fluidly connected to the material inlet port within which a spindle may move to permit or block fluid flow;
• a metering rod region extending from the housing, the metering rod region including a chamber for receiving a metering rod, the metering rod region being in communication with an electric linear actuator for extending and retracting the metering rod, the metering rod region delivering precisely metered quantities of effluent material;
• and
• a material outlet port through which the effluent material may pass;
• securing a tray sub-assembly to the main frame for locating cartridges into which metered amounts of the effluent material may be delivered;
• attaching a robot to the spool valve sub-assembly and the tray sub-assembly, the robot being adapted to position a tray parallel in cooperation with the material outlet port of the spool valve sub-assembly;
• and
• installing a human-machine interface including one or more controllers that
• receive signals from sensors located at positions selected from the group consisting of the reservoir sub-assembly, the spool valve sub-assembly, the metering rod region, the tray and the pneumatic cylinder;
• process such signals;
• and
• generate control signals for influencing process parameters associated with an assembly of locations selected from the group consisting of the reservoir sub-assembly, the spool valve sub-assembly, the metering rod region, the tray sub-assembly, heaters, and pressure regulators.