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US 12,503,258 B2Granted
Apparatuses and methods for dosing loose material
AssigneeAltria Client Services LLC
InventorDwight David Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
At least one example embodiment relates to an apparatus. In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus includes a shaft and a housing. The shaft is configured to rotate. The shaft defines a pocket. The housing includes a sidewall. The sidewall at least partially defines an interior region. At least a portion of the shaft is in the interior region. The sidewall defines a first opening to the interior region.
Claims23
An apparatus comprising:
- a shaft configured to rotate, the shaft defining a pocket and including, an axle, and
- a tubular collar at least partially surrounding the axle and defining the pocket;
- and
- a housing including,
- a sidewall at least partially defining an interior region, at least a portion of the shaft in the interior region, the sidewall defining a first opening to the interior region.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a shaft configured to rotate, the shaft defining a pocket, the shaft including,
- an axle, and
- a tubular collar at least partially surrounding the axle and defining the pocket;
- and
- a housing including,
- a cylindrical sidewall at least partially defining an interior region, at least a portion of the shaft in the interior region, the cylindrical sidewall defining a first opening to the interior region and a second opening to the interior region, the apparatus being configured such that as the shaft rotates, the pocket sequentially comes into fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- an axle configured to rotate through a first position and a second position;
- and
- a tubular collar coupled to the axle and configured to rotate together with the axle, the tubular collar defining a plurality of pockets, the plurality of pockets including,
- a first set of pockets, the first set of pockets angularly spaced apart at a first axial location, and
- a second set of pockets, the second set of pockets angularly spaced apart at a second axial location different from the first axial location.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a shaft configured to rotate, the shaft defining a plurality of pockets including,
- a first set of circumferentially-spaced pockets at a first axial location, the first set of circumferentially-spaced pockets including a pocket, and
- a second set of circumferentially-spaced pockets at a second axial location different from the first axial location;
- and
- a housing including,
- a cylindrical sidewall at least partially defining an interior region, at least a portion of the shaft in the interior region, the cylindrical sidewall defining a first opening to the interior region and a second opening to the interior region, the apparatus being configured such that as the shaft rotates, the pocket sequentially comes into fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.