US 12,351,351 B2
Doser mechanisms
Dwight David Williams, Powhatan, VA (US)
Assigned to Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed by Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed on Sep. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/463,644.
Application 18/463,644 is a continuation of application No. 17/466,460, filed on Sep. 3, 2021, granted, now 11,858,673.
Prior Publication US 2023/0415932 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65B 3/30 (2006.01); B65B 3/08 (2006.01); G01F 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 3/305 (2013.01) [B65B 3/08 (2013.01); G01F 13/005 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A doser mechanism, comprising:
a cylindrical shell defining an internal enclosure having a central longitudinal axis that extends between opposite first and second ends, the cylindrical shell further defining a first opening into the internal enclosure at the first end and a second opening into the internal enclosure proximate to the second end, the second opening having a central axis that is different from the central longitudinal axis;
an auger conveyor at least partially extending through the cylindrical shell; and
a check valve coupled to the cylindrical shell and having a valve member configured to selectively cover the second opening, the check valve configured to cause the valve member to move between a rest position that covers the second opening and an open position that exposes the second opening to an exterior of the doser mechanism in response to an applied force being applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening,
wherein the check valve is configured to cause the valve member to move to the rest position based on a weight of the valve member being greater than the applied force applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening, and
wherein the second opening is on an upper side of the cylindrical shell such that at least the central axis of the second opening extends at least partially in a direction that is opposite the direction of gravity, such that the valve member is at least partly biased to move to the rest position by gravity.