Material compression and portioning

US11213967B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Altria Client Services LLC · US

Inventors

• Dwight D. Williams · Powhatan, US
• James D. Evans · Austin, US
• Patrick S. McElhinney · Swift Creek Farms, US
• Jarrod W. Chalkley · Mechanicsville, US
• Christopher R. NEWCOMB · Richmond, US
• Robert V. Powell, Jr. · Richmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 14, 2019
• Grant date: Jan 4, 2022
• Expiry date: Jul 13, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B26D5/00
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus includes channel assemblies in a rotatable section, a cutting assembly, a discharge assembly, and a cleanout assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of compressible material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas into the lower channel of a channel assembly to discharge the lower material portion from the lower channel, based on radial alignment of a conduit assembly of the channel assembly with a conduit assembly of the discharge assembly. The cleanout assembly supplies a fluid through the conduit assembly of the channel assembly, based on radially alignment of the conduit assembly of the channel assembly with a conduit assembly of the cleanout assembly.