US 12,103,726 B2
System adapted to promote re-utilization of a rejected container loaded with content
Loren Duvekot, Goochland, VA (US); and James D. Evans, Chesterfield, VA (US)
Assigned to Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed by Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/297,930.
Application 17/569,726 is a division of application No. 16/708,990, filed on Dec. 10, 2019, granted, now 11,242,171, issued on Feb. 8, 2022.
Application 16/708,990 is a division of application No. 15/359,984, filed on Nov. 23, 2016, granted, now 10,518,921, issued on Dec. 31, 2019.
Application 18/297,930 is a continuation of application No. 17/569,726, filed on Jan. 6, 2022, granted, now 11,623,779, issued on Apr. 11, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/259,915, filed on Nov. 25, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0242299 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65B 69/00 (2006.01); B65B 29/00 (2006.01); B65B 55/24 (2006.01); B65B 65/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 69/00 (2013.01) [B65B 29/00 (2013.01); B65B 55/24 (2013.01); B65B 65/003 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system configured to promote re-utilization of a rejected container loaded with content, the system comprising:
an inspection station configured to generate a signal when a filled container fails to meet a specification; and
a rejection station responsive to the signal; and a reclamation station, the rejection station configured to direct the filled container that fails to meet the specification to the reclamation station, the reclamation station configured to receive the filled container that fails to meet the specification, and expel content from the filled container that fails to meet the specification so as to form a first output of expelled content and a second output including an empty container, the reclamation station including,
a pair of rotating flexible discs, and
a continuous feed mechanism configured to feed the filled container that fails to meet the specification to a first location between the pair of rotating flexible discs, an open end portion of the filled container that fails to meet the specification being oriented in a radially outward relation with respect to the pair of rotating flexible discs, the pair of rotating flexible discs configured to grip the filled container that fails to meet the specification at the first location and to rotate the filled container that fails to meet the specification beyond the first location so as to expel content from the filled container.