The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 29, 2025
Filed:
Aug. 30, 2023
Altria Client Services Llc, Richmond, VA (US);
Herbert C. Longest, Midlothian, VA (US);
Jarrod W. Chalkley, Mechanicsville, VA (US);
Tamika S. Murrell, Richmond, VA (US);
Jeremy J. Straight, Midlothian, VA (US);
Travis M. Garthaffner, Midlothian, VA (US);
Leah A. Meyers, Midlothian, VA (US);
James D. Evans, Chesterfield, VA (US);
ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC, Richmond, VA (US);
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.