G01F11/40

SLIDE MEASURING SYSTEM FOR FILLING POUCHES AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

Systems and methods for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is configured to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the second position.

Doser assemblies, apparatuses including a doser assembly, methods of making the same, and/or methods of operating the same

A doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive filler material, a vibration transmission assembly coupled to the hopper assembly, and a paddle in a hopper opening that extends through the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly includes a shaft that is configured to rotate around a central rotation axis, an eccentric that is fixed to the shaft and has a center that is radially offset from the central rotation axis, a connecting rod that is pivotably connected to the center of the eccentric, and a bracket that is pivotably connected to the connecting rod. A first end of the paddle is pivotably coupled to the hopper assembly at a paddle pivot joint. The paddle is fixed to the bracket of the vibration transmission assembly separately from the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly is configured to cause the paddle to reciprocatingly pivot around the paddle pivot joint.

Doser assemblies, apparatuses including a doser assembly, methods of making the same, and/or methods of operating the same

A doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive filler material, a vibration transmission assembly coupled to the hopper assembly, and a paddle in a hopper opening that extends through the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly includes a shaft that is configured to rotate around a central rotation axis, an eccentric that is fixed to the shaft and has a center that is radially offset from the central rotation axis, a connecting rod that is pivotably connected to the center of the eccentric, and a bracket that is pivotably connected to the connecting rod. A first end of the paddle is pivotably coupled to the hopper assembly at a paddle pivot joint. The paddle is fixed to the bracket of the vibration transmission assembly separately from the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly is configured to cause the paddle to reciprocatingly pivot around the paddle pivot joint.