US 12,138,881 B2
Gas-based material compression and portioning
Thien Nguyen, Glen Allen, VA (US); Sean Sundberg, Richmond, VA (US); Jeremy Straight, Midlothian, VA (US); Berina Yerkic-Husejnovic, Richmond, VA (US); Jarrod W. Chalkley, Mechanicsville, VA (US); James D. Evans, Chesterfield, VA (US); Christopher R. Newcomb, Powhatan, VA (US); Robert V. Powell, Jr., Midlothian, VA (US); and Gregory L. Nelson, Chester, VA (US)
Assigned to Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed by Altria Client Services LLC, Richmond, VA (US)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/476,563.
Application 18/476,563 is a continuation of application No. 16/911,838, filed on Jun. 25, 2020, granted, now 11,794,436.
Prior Publication US 2024/0025139 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65B 1/04 (2006.01); B29C 31/04 (2006.01); B29C 33/00 (2006.01); B29C 33/46 (2006.01); B29C 43/02 (2006.01); B29C 43/40 (2006.01); B30B 12/00 (2006.01); B30B 15/00 (2006.01); B30B 15/02 (2006.01); B30B 15/30 (2006.01); B65B 1/16 (2006.01); B65B 1/24 (2006.01); B65B 1/26 (2006.01); B65B 1/36 (2006.01); B65B 9/02 (2006.01); B65B 37/20 (2006.01); B65B 57/08 (2006.01); B65B 61/28 (2006.01); B29C 43/32 (2006.01)
CPC B30B 12/00 (2013.01) [B29C 31/04 (2013.01); B29C 33/0022 (2013.01); B29C 33/46 (2013.01); B29C 43/02 (2013.01); B29C 43/40 (2013.01); B30B 15/0052 (2013.01); B30B 15/028 (2013.01); B30B 15/30 (2013.01); B65B 1/04 (2013.01); B65B 1/16 (2013.01); B65B 1/24 (2013.01); B65B 1/26 (2013.01); B65B 1/36 (2013.01); B65B 9/023 (2013.01); B65B 37/20 (2013.01); B65B 57/08 (2013.01); B65B 61/28 (2013.01); B29C 2043/3222 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a fixed assembly including a first gas manifold and a dispensing container, the first gas manifold including a first manifold outlet, the dispensing container defining a dispensing conduit extending between a dispensing conduit inlet and a dispensing conduit outlet; and
a reciprocating assembly including a first channel assembly and a second gas manifold, the first channel assembly defining a first channel conduit extending between a first channel conduit inlet and a first channel conduit outlet, the second gas manifold including a second manifold outlet,
wherein the reciprocating assembly movable along a longitudinal axis, in relation to the fixed assembly, between each position of
a first position to expose the first channel conduit inlet and to cover the first channel conduit outlet with at least a first portion of the fixed assembly,
a second position to expose the first channel conduit inlet to the first manifold outlet, expose the first channel conduit outlet to the dispensing conduit inlet, and cover the dispensing conduit outlet, and
a third position to expose the second manifold outlet to the dispensing conduit inlet and expose the dispensing conduit outlet to an exterior of the apparatus.