# US 10,308,379 B2 · Method and apparatus for compacting product > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,379 B2 - Document ID: US10308379B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/036,262 - Filed: 2013-09-25 - Published: 2014-01-23 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-23 - Assignees: Frito-Lay North America, Inc. - Applicants: Frito-Lay North America, Inc. - Inventors: Patrick J. Bierschenk; Frank M. Brenkus; Jerry M. Reaves; Amelinda Melanson; Leon J. Krause; Ronald M. Gust - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308379B2 ## CPC - B65B 1/20: Reducing volume of filled material - B65B 9/20: the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles - B65B 37/18: by weighing {(devices or methods for controlling the quantity of material or liquid fed or filled into a container by weighing B65B1/32, B65B3/28)} - B65B 39/001: {with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves} - B65B 41/16: by rollers - B65B 1/32: by weighing (check-weighing of filled containers or receptacles B65B1/46) - B65B 63/02: for compressing or compacting articles or materials prior to wrapping or insertion in containers or receptacles - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for compacting a product slug, said apparatus comprising: a weigher; a product delivery cylinder; a settling device; and a fast acting gate; wherein said settling device is located between said weigher and said product delivery cylinder, wherein said gate is located upstream from said product delivery cylinder, wherein said product delivery cylinder comprises a forming collar, and wherein said product delivery cylinder comprises at least one vacuum relief hole located above said forming collar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one vacuum relief hole is located three inches from the top of said product delivery cylinder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fast acting gate is located upstream from said product delivery cylinder, wherein said fast acting gate can be completely open in less than about 50 milliseconds. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said settling device comprises a settling chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said settling chamber is acted upon to facilitate and speed up a settling of product received and retained therein. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said settling chamber is characterized by an open top and an open bottom. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said settling chamber has a height of about 0.5 to 2.5 times a height of a package of packaged product. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said settling device comprises two settling chambers, wherein said gate positioned at a bottom of each settling chamber of said two settling chambers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each settling chamber of said two settling chambers is acted upon to facilitate and speed up a settling of product received and retained therein. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said settling device comprises two settling chambers, each settling chamber of said two settling chambers positionable in relation to said gate to permit selective passage of a slug therefrom. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a funnel, said funnel intermediate said gate and said product delivery cylinder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said funnel has a diameter larger than a diameter of a settling chamber of said settling device but smaller than a diameter of said product delivery cylinder.