Search All Applications in Z-ARCHIVE-Cannabis
Application US20190320709
Published 2019-10-24
Compaction Apparatus And Related Methods
A compaction apparatus for compacting a smokeable product in production of smoking articles includes: (a) a frame for removably receiving a cone pallet. The cone pallet includes a plurality of cavities. Each cavity holds a cone filled with a volume of the smokeable product. The apparatus further includes (b) a compaction mechanism including: (i) at least one pin alignable above an open upper end of a respective cone and movable from a retracted position, in which the pin is spaced apart from the smokeable product in the cone, toward an advanced position for inserting a lower portion of the pin into the volume of the smokeable product. The compaction mechanism further includes (ii) a vibratory drive coupled to the pin and operable to vibrate the pin when the lower portion of the pin is within the volume of the smokeable product for inducing settlement of the smokeable product.
Much More than Average Length Specification
View the Patent Matrix® Diagram to Explore the Claim Relationships
USPTO Full Text Publication >
- 1. A compaction apparatus for compacting a smokeable product in production of smoking articles, comprising:
a) a frame for removably receiving a cone pallet, the cone pallet including a plurality of cavities, each cavity holding a respective cone filled with a volume of the smokeable product, each cone having an open upper end; b) a compaction mechanism supported by the frame, the compaction mechanism including:
i. at least one pin extending along a pin axis and alignable above the open upper end of a respective cone, and when aligned, the pin movable vertically relative to the cone pallet from a retracted position, in which the pin is spaced apart from the smokeable product in the respective cone, toward an advanced position for inserting a lower portion of the pin into the volume of the smokeable product in the respective cone; and
ii. a vibratory drive coupled to the pin, the vibratory drive operable to vibrate the pin when the lower portion of the pin is within the volume of the smokeable product of the respective cone for inducing settlement of the smokeable product.
- 13. A method of compacting a smokeable product in a cone for production of smoking articles, the method comprising:
a) positioning a respective cone of a cone pallet in alignment with a pin, the cone containing a volume of the smokeable product and having an open upper end; b) advancing the pin into the volume of the smokeable product through the open upper end of the cone; and c) when the pin is in the volume of the smokeable product, vibrating the pin to induce settlement of the smokeable product in the cone.
- 33. A compaction apparatus for compacting a smokeable product in production of smoking articles, comprising:
a) a frame defining at least one station for removably receiving a cone pallet, the cone pallet including a plurality of cavities, each cavity configured to hold a respective cone filled with a volume of smokeable product; b) a compaction mechanism positionable above the cone pallet when the cone pallet is received in the station, the compaction mechanism including:
i. at least one pin extending along a pin axis and alignable with a respective cavity, and when aligned, the pin movable vertically relative to the cone pallet from a pin retracted position distal the cone pallet toward a pin advanced position proximate the cone pallet for inserting a lower portion of the pin into the volume of smokeable product in the cone in the respective cavity; and
ii. a vibratory drive coupled to the pin, the vibratory drive operable to vibrate the pin at least when the pin is in the pin advanced position.
