Gas-based material compression and portioning

US11794436B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Altria Client Services LLC · US

Inventors

• Thien Nguyen · Glen Allen, US
• Sean Sundberg · Richmond, US
• Jeremy J. Straight · Midlothian, US
• Berina Yerkic-Husejnovic · Richmond, US
• Jarrod W. Chalkley · Mechanicsville, US
• James D. Evans · Austin, US
• Christopher R. NEWCOMB · Richmond, US
• Robert V. Powell, Jr. · Richmond, US
• Gregory L. Nelson · Chester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 25, 2020
• Grant date: Oct 24, 2023
• Expiry date: Mar 13, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29C2043/3222
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.