US 11,958,645 B2
Direct to container system with on-line weight control and associated method
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 Dec. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/065,778.
Application 18/065,778 is a continuation of application No. 17/199,742, filed on Mar. 12, 2021, granted, now 11,655,059, issued on Dec. 20, 2022.
Application 17/199,742 is a continuation of application No. 16/291,136, filed on Mar. 4, 2019, granted, now 10,981,682, issued on Apr. 20, 2021.
Application 16/291,136 is a continuation of application No. 13/967,181, filed on Aug. 14, 2013, granted, now 10,220,969, issued on Mar. 5, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/683,034, filed on Aug. 14, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2023/0115614 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. B65B 5/10 (2006.01); B65B 1/24 (2006.01); B65B 1/46 (2006.01); B65B 5/06 (2006.01); B65B 5/08 (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 9/20 (2012.01); B65B 37/10 (2006.01)
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)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for manufacturing and inserting a desired number of products into containers, the system comprising:
a product providing system including a plurality of lanes; and
a conveyor system configured to transport and align a plurality of containers with the plurality of lanes, the conveyor system including,
a carousel,
a plurality of funnel cups pivotally attached to the carousel, each of the plurality of funnel cups configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, and
a controller configured to control movement of the plurality of funnel cups into alignment with the plurality of lanes and control distribution of product from the product providing system.