US 12,077,333 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 Jun. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/343,150.
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 18/343,150 is a continuation of application No. 17/330,726, filed on May 26, 2021, granted, now 11,718,429.
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 2023/0339633 A1, Oct. 26, 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 9/20 (2012.01); B65B 29/00 (2006.01); B65B 35/30 (2006.01); B65B 37/10 (2006.01); B65B 39/00 (2006.01); B65B 43/54 (2006.01); B65B 65/00 (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)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a support element configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, the support element including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plurality of protrusions spaced along a length of the support element, each of the plurality of protrusions configured to contact a plurality of containers in the extended position;
at least one tamp head adjacent the first surface of the support element and configured to align with each of the plurality of protrusions of the support element;
a slide bar configured to contact the second surface of the support element; and
an actuator coupled to the slide bar and configured to move the slide bar and the support element between the retracted position and the extended position.