US 12,439,953 B2
Machine for wrapping a smokable material in a wrapper, a feeding device for the machine, and a smokable product therefrom
Jim Stronski, Jacksonville, FL (US); and Johnny David Collum, Jacksonville, FL (US)
Assigned to SWISHER INTERNATIONAL, INC., Jacksonville, FL (US)
Filed by Swisher International, Inc., Jacksonville, FL (US)
Filed on Apr. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/245,461.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/018,051, filed on Apr. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0337858 A1, Nov. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. A24C 5/18 (2006.01); A24C 5/28 (2006.01); A24C 5/39 (2006.01); A24D 1/18 (2006.01); A61K 36/185 (2006.01)
CPC A24C 5/1871 (2013.01) [A24C 5/1807 (2013.01); A24C 5/1857 (2013.01); A24C 5/28 (2013.01); A24C 5/399 (2013.01); A24D 1/18 (2013.01); A61K 36/185 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A feeding device for feeding a smokable material to a garniture in a machine for wrapping the smokable material in a wrapper, comprising:
a first conveyor having an upper section on which the smokable material is supported, the first conveyor being actuatable to move the smokable material in a feed direction toward a downstream side of the first conveyor;
a holding container having a bottom defined at least partially by the first conveyor;
a feed configured to transport the smokable material to the holding container so that an amount of smokable material in the holding container is maintained within a range including a predetermined minimum amount and a predetermined maximum amount;
a metering device configured to meter the amount of smokable material that is moved by the first conveyor from the holding container toward the garniture,
wherein the metering device includes a roller, an axis of rotation of the roller is perpendicular to the feed direction of the first conveyor, and a distance between the roller and the first conveyor is adjustable to meter the amount of smokable material that is moved by the first conveyor from the holding container to the garniture.