Slide measuring system for filling pouches and associated method

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 10888108
APP PUB NO 20170029142A1
SERIAL NO

15224186

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

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.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC6601 WEST BROAD STREET RICHMOND VA 23230

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Chalkley, Jarrod W Mechanicsville, US 19 25
Evans, James D Chesterfield, US 51 563
Garthaffner, Travis M Midlothian, US 22 250
Longest, Herbert C Midlothian, US 3 2
Meyers, Leah A Midlothian, US 6 21
Murrell, Tamika S Richmond, US 15 64
Straight, Jeremy J Midlothian, US 27 101

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
3.5 Year Payment $1600.00 $800.00 $400.00 Jul 12, 2024
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Jul 12, 2028
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Jul 12, 2032
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 3.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00