US 11,718,429 B2
Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container
James D. Evans, Chesterfield, VA (US); Herbert Cary Longest, Midlothian, VA (US); Tamika S. Murrell, Richmond, VA (US); Robert V. Powell, Jr., Midlothian, VA (US); Jeremy Straight, Midlothian, VA (US); and Jarrod Chalkley, Mechanicsville, VA (US)
Assigned to Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed by Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed on May 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/330,726.
Application 16/863,269 is a division of application No. 15/730,528, filed on Oct. 11, 2017, granted, now 10,654,597, issued on May 19, 2020.
Application 15/730,528 is a division of application No. 13/967,187, filed on Aug. 14, 2013, granted, now 9,845,170, issued on Dec. 19, 2017.
Application 17/330,726 is a continuation of application No. 16/863,269, filed on Apr. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,021,278, issued on Jun. 1, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/683,034, filed on Aug. 14, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2021/0276741 A1, Sep. 9, 2021
Int. Cl. B65B 5/10 (2006.01); B65B 29/00 (2006.01); B65B 35/30 (2006.01); B65B 39/00 (2006.01); B65B 43/54 (2006.01); B65B 65/00 (2006.01); B65B 1/46 (2006.01); B65B 5/06 (2006.01); B65B 5/08 (2006.01); B65B 1/24 (2006.01); B65B 37/10 (2006.01); B65B 9/20 (2012.01)
CPC B65B 5/101 (2013.01) [B65B 1/24 (2013.01); B65B 1/46 (2013.01); B65B 5/061 (2013.01); B65B 5/08 (2013.01); B65B 29/00 (2013.01); B65B 35/30 (2013.01); B65B 39/007 (2013.01); B65B 43/54 (2013.01); B65B 65/006 (2013.01); B65B 9/20 (2013.01); B65B 37/10 (2013.01); B65B 2220/18 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a support element configured to support a plurality of containers during tamping, the support element including,
a plurality of protrusions on a first side of the support element, the plurality of protrusions configured to conform to a size and a shape of an exterior surface of each of the plurality of containers, and
at least one inclined surface on a second side of the support element opposite the first side;
a slide bar having at least one inclined surface that abuts the at least one inclined surface on the second side of the support element; and
an actuator connected to the slide bar, the actuator configured to move the support element between a retracted position and an extended position.