# US 2021/0329975 A1 · Apparatus and method for assembling a heater assembly for a non-nicotine pod assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0329975 A1 - Document ID: US20210329975A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/856,291 - Filed: 2020-04-23 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-23 - Assignees: Altria Client Services LLC - Applicants: Altria Client Services LLC - Inventors: Gregory L. NELSON; Bipin PATIL; Craig GUNN; Rangaraj S. SUNDAR - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210329975A1 ## CPC - A24F 40/70: Manufacture - A24F 40/42: Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors - A24F 40/44: Wicks - A24F 40/46: Shape or structure of electric heating means - B23P 19/001: {Article feeders for assembling machines (screws or nuts being carried by a disposable strip or disc B25B23/045)} - B25B 11/02: Assembly jigs - A24F 40/10: Devices using liquid inhalable precursors - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M 2207/10: Device therefor - A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a non-nicotine pod assembly includes a base, a wick feed, a slide, and a holder. The wick feed extends toward the base and defines a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. The slide is configured to move along a plane on a top face of the base. The holder is disposed on the top face of the base. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a non-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 non-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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a wick retainer extending parallel and adjacent to the wick feed for retaining the wick in the channel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a cutter having a blade configured to slide along a top surface of the slide to cut the wick. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wick feed is configured to rotate relative to the base. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a block fixed to the base, wherein the wick feed is rotatably attached to and supported by the block. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder is configured to receive a support of the heater assembly therein, the holder being configured to fix the support relative to the base for inserting the wick. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the channel in the wick feed is configured to guide the wick into alignment with a heater on the support. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wick feed extends orthogonally to the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a locking finger configured to engage a support of the heater assembly and retain the support within the holder. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wick feed includes a plate and a retainer, the plate is disposed orthogonal to the base and defines the channel, and the retainer is disposed orthogonal to the base and adjacent to the plate, the retainer and the plate defining a slot for guiding the wick. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a block fixed to the base, wherein the plate is rotatably attached to and supported by the block. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the retainer is fixed to the plate such that the retainer and the plate are configured to rotate relative to the base and the block. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder is configured to secure a support of the heater assembly and to lock a position of the support relative to the base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the holder includes a locking finger configured to engage the support and retain the support within the holder. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a blade configured to slide along a top surface of the slide. ### Claim 17 A method of assembling a heater assembly for a non-nicotine pod assembly, the method comprising: securing, with a holder, a support of the heater assembly relative to a base; aligning, with a guide plate mounted to the base, a wick strip in a heater of the support, the wick strip structured to draw a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action; cutting, with a blade configured to slide relative to the base, a portion of the wick strip; clamping, with a slide configured to slide relative to the base, a portion of the heater around the portion of the wick strip; and releasing, with the holder, the support from the base. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the securing the support relative to the base includes locking the support in the holder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the aligning the wick strip in the heater of the support includes inserting the wick strip into a channel in the guide plate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the aligning the wick strip in the heater of the support includes inserting the wick strip into a gap defined by a channel in the guide plate and a retainer plate fixed to the guide plate.