GAS-BASED MATERIAL COMPRESSION AND PORTIONING

Abstract: an apparatus configured to provide portioned instances of a compressible material includes a channel assembly, a gas source, a cutting assembly, and a discharge assembly. the channel assembly holds a bulk instance of the material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. the gas source supplies gas to compress the bulk instance. the cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. the discharge assembly directs gas to impinge on a lower face of the cutting assembly to discharge the lower material portion as a portioned instance. the channel assembly may be moveable, where operation of the gas source, cutting assembly, and/or discharge assembly are based on moving the channel assembly between various positions. the gas supply may be controlled based on a determined property of the portioned instance.

Inventor(s): Dwight David WILLIAMS, James David EVANS, Patrick Sean MCELHINNEY, Jarrod Wayne CHALKLEY

CPC Classification: B65B1/24 (MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars ; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound ; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers -; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles ; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers ))

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