US 12,077,336 B2
Method and apparatus for producing pouched tobacco product
Martin T. Garthaffner, Richmond, VA (US); and Barry S. Smith, Hopewell, VA (US)
Assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc., Richmond, VA (US)
Filed by Philip Morris USA Inc., Richmond, VA (US)
Filed on Jun. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/327,242.
Application 15/967,222 is a division of application No. 12/979,426, filed on Dec. 28, 2010, granted, now 9,957,075, issued on May 1, 2018.
Application 18/327,242 is a continuation of application No. 17/831,640, filed on Jun. 3, 2022, granted, now 11,691,775.
Application 17/831,640 is a continuation of application No. 17/034,463, filed on Sep. 28, 2020, granted, now 11,383,873, issued on Jul. 12, 2022.
Application 17/034,463 is a continuation of application No. 15/967,222, filed on Apr. 30, 2018, granted, now 10,807,753, issued on Oct. 20, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/291,119, filed on Dec. 30, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2023/0303286 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. B65B 61/00 (2006.01); B65B 9/20 (2012.01); B65B 9/213 (2012.01); B65B 37/08 (2006.01); B65B 61/20 (2006.01); B65B 61/24 (2006.01); B65B 51/16 (2006.01); B65B 51/26 (2006.01); B65B 63/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 61/24 (2013.01) [B65B 9/2028 (2013.01); B65B 9/213 (2013.01); B65B 37/08 (2013.01); B65B 61/20 (2013.01); B65B 51/16 (2013.01); B65B 51/26 (2013.01); B65B 63/026 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of making a pouch product, the method comprising:
enclosing a discrete caplet within a pouch;
compressing the discrete caplet into a particulate material after the enclosing to form the pouch product; and
retaining the pouch during the compressing, the retaining including engaging the pouch with a clamp.