# US 10,308,385 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 10,308,385 B2 - Document ID: US10308385B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/737,426 - Filed: 2013-01-09 - Published: 2013-05-23 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-23 - Assignees: Frito-Lay North America, Inc. - Applicants: Frito-Lay North America, Inc. - Inventors: Patrick Joseph Bierschenk; Jerry Mike Reaves - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308385B2 ## CPC - B65B 37/00: Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged (methods of, or means for, filling individual containers with such materials or articles B65B1/04, B65B3/04) - 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 1/22: by vibration - B65B 1/32: by weighing (check-weighing of filled containers or receptacles B65B1/46) - 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 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said at least two settling chambers comprises a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to the desired shape of the product slug. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said at least two settling chambers comprises a substantially oval cross-section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said at least two settling chambers comprises a top end having a top opening and a bottom end having a bottom opening, and wherein the top opening is smaller than the bottom opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said settling device further comprises a gate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an intermediate funnel located between said settling device and said product delivery cylinder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said intermediate funnel has straight walls. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said intermediate funnel has a larger diameter than each of said at least two settling chambers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said product delivery cylinder has a larger diameter than said intermediate funnel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said at least two settling chambers has a smaller diameter than said product delivery cylinder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said at least two settling chambers comprises an open top and an open bottom, and wherein said product delivery cylinder has a top end and a bottom end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said open top of each of said at least two settling chambers comprises a first diameter, and wherein said top end of said product delivery cylinder comprises a second diameter, and wherein said second diameter is larger than said first diameter.