Abstract:
Systems and methods for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is configured to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the second position.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is configured to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the second position.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a pouring device includes a storage section having a fill opening, a storage cavity, and a wall formed with a passage extending between an inner surface of the wall and an outer surface of the wall, includes a guide unit attached to the storage section, and includes a sliding unit configured to block the storage cavity, wherein the passage is configured to receive the sliding unit horizontally as it is moved along a first axis.
Abstract:
Handheld solid powder sampling and dispensing devices and methods thereof are disclosed. The handheld device has an ergonomically contoured outer surface to be held by a user. Actuation of an outer member of the device causes a predetermined quantity of a powder to be loaded within the device. Actuation of a plunger mechanism causes the predetermined quantity of powder to be dispensed. The outer member and the plunger mechanism are independently operable. Advantageously, the target delivery quantity of powder can be varied by a device adjustment mechanism.
Abstract:
An apparatus for repetitively conveying a measured volume of loose material from a supply hopper and discharging the material at a selected site has a shuttle with a cavity for holding the material. The bottom of the cavity is a slide plate or a pair of slide plates that are retracted to discharge the contents of the cavity. Rapid retraction of the plate or plates is effected by mechanical means such as pneumatic pistons which are reversible to close the bottom of the cavity. The shuttle is moved reciprocatingly on a track extending between the supply and discharge sites by mechanical means such as pneumatic pistons. The shuttling apparatus is preferably combined with a supply hopper having a discharge gate in the form of slide plates like those at the bottom of the cavity.
Abstract:
A coffee machine, for measuring and dispensing a desired quantity of coffee material, comprising a coffee bin, for holding coffee material, the coffee bin having a bin nozzle. A measuring disk is mounted below the bin nozzle, the measuring disk having a plurality of measuring cavities--each measuring cavity corresponding to a quantity of coffee material. A selector knob allows a user to align a specific measuring cavity directly below the bin nozzle. An upper solenoid selectively allows and prevents the flow of coffee material from the bin nozzle to the measuring cavity directly below the bin nozzle. A lower solenoid selectively allows the flow of coffee material from the measuring cavity directly below the bin nozzle, and prevents coffee material flow from that measuring cavity to allow it to fill with coffee material.