Slide measuring system for filling pouches and associated method

Abstract

Systems and methods for metering a granular material 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 structured and arranged 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 structured and arranged to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas when the tube is in the second position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A metering system for loose material, the metering system comprising:
 a base at least partially defining a storage region, the storage region configured to hold a loose material, the base at least partially defining a cavity;   a movable component defining a passage; and   an actuator configured to move the movable component between a first position and a second position,   when the movable component is in the first position, the cavity is in fluid communication with the storage region such that the cavity is configured to receive a portion of loose material from the storage region, and   when the movable component is in the second position, the cavity is in fluid communication with the passage such that the passage is configured to receive the portion of the loose material from the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The metering system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pressure source configured to be fluidly connected to the cavity, the pressure source configured to facilitate movement of the portion of the loose material from the cavity through the passage.   
     
     
         3 . The metering system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of walls cooperating with the base to define the storage region.   
     
     
         4 . The metering system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of walls includes a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall, and a pair of end walls, each of the pair of end walls between the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         5 . The metering system of  claim 4 , wherein positions of the first wall and the second wall are fixed with respect to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The metering system of  claim 4 , wherein the pair of end walls is configured to move to cause motion of the loose material within the storage region. 
     
     
         7 . The metering system of  claim 6 , wherein the actuator is connected to the pair of end walls. 
     
     
         8 . The metering system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a slide configured to slide in the storage region, the slide connected to the movable component and the pair of end walls.   
     
     
         9 . The metering system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a tube carrier connecting the slide to the movable component.   
     
     
         10 . The metering system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vacuum source configured to be fluidly connected to the cavity and facilitate movement of the portion of the loose material from the storage region to the cavity when the movable component is in the first position.   
     
     
         11 . The metering system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a pressure source configured to be fluidly connected to the cavity; and   a three-way valve fluidly connected to the cavity, the pressure source, and the vacuum source.   
     
     
         12 . The metering system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to selectively communicate pressurized gas from the pressure source or vacuum to the cavity.   
     
     
         13 . The metering system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes an electric motor or a pneumatic actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The metering system of  claim 13 , wherein the base defines a first cavity and a second cavity, the first cavity including the cavity. 
     
     
         15 . The metering system of  claim 14 , wherein in the first position, the passage of the movable component is in fluid communication with the second cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The metering system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the base defines a through hole,   the metering system further comprises a pin at least partially in the through hole, and   the pin cooperates with a wall of the through hole to define the cavity.   
     
     
         17 . The metering system of  claim 16 , wherein the pin is configured to be moved to modify a volume of the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The metering system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a screen between the cavity and the pin.   
     
     
         19 . The metering system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable component is configured to move excess of the loose material within the storage region during movement from the first position to the second position such that the portion of the loose material remains in the cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The metering system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a source of atomized water configured to be fluidly connected to the cavity.