Method and apparatus for compacting product
AssigneeFrito-Lay North America, Inc.
InventorsPatrick Joseph Bierschenk, Jerry Mike Reaves
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims12
An apparatus for compacting a product slug, said apparatus comprising:
- a weigher;
- a product delivery cylinder downstream from the weigher;
- and
- a settling device located between said weigher and said product delivery cylinder;
- and
- wherein the settling device comprises at least two settling chambers that are vertically aligned one above the other, wherein each of the at least two settling chambers comprises a separate gate that maintains product within their respective settling chambers for at least a period of time, wherein an upstream settling chamber partially settles the product to form a partially settled product slug, and wherein a downstream settling chamber receives the partially settled product slug and further settles the partially settled product slug, wherein the product slug is formed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.