Investment institutions

Abstract

The dosing mechanism includes a cylindrical shell, an auger conveyor, and a check valve. The cylindrical shell includes a hollow cylinder and an end plate. The hollow cylinder defines an interior enclosure extending at least partially between a first end and a second end of the hollow cylinder, a first opening at the first end, and a second opening through a thickness of the hollow cylinder. The end plate covers the second end. The auger conveyor includes an auger extending at least partially through the first end and through the interior enclosure. The check valve has a valve member configured to selectively cover the second opening. The check valve is responsive to a magnitude of force applied to the valve member from the interior enclosure through the second opening to move the valve member between a rest position and an open position to cover or expose the second opening.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the division of granular materials, including powder materials, and more particularly to the division of granular materials to provide rapid, economical and efficient division of the granular material to provide ("manufacture") portions ("instances") of the granular material having controllable volumes. [Background technology]

[0002] Some products, including some consumer goods, include packaged portions ("portions") of granular ingredients (also referred to herein simply as "ingredients"). In some cases, such portions may be produced ("provided," "manufactured," etc.) based on packaging (e.g., dividing) and / or supplying a relatively large ("bulk") portion of the ingredient into multiple smaller portions and packaging the portions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some exemplary embodiments, the dosing mechanism may include a cylindrical shell including a hollow cylinder and an end plate. The hollow cylinder may extend between opposing first and second ends. The hollow cylinder has an outer cylinder surface and an inner cylinder surface opposite the outer cylinder surface. The inner cylinder surface may at least partially define an interior enclosure having a central longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends of the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder may at least partially define a first opening to the interior enclosure at the first end of the hollow cylinder, such that the central longitudinal axis intersects with the first opening. The hollow cylinder may further at least partially define a second opening to the interior enclosure through a thickness of the hollow cylinder between the inner and outer cylinder surfaces. The second opening may have a central axis different from the central longitudinal axis. The end plate may cover the second end of the hollow cylinder. The loading mechanism may include an auger conveyor including an auger extending at least partially through the internal enclosure between the first end and the second end and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the auger. The loading mechanism may include a check valve coupled to the cylindrical shell and having a valve member configured to selectively cover the second opening. The check valve may be configured to cause the valve member to cover the second opening from outside the loading mechanism in response to the valve member being in a resting position and to move the valve member from the resting position to an open position to expose the second opening to outside the loading mechanism in response to a force applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening.

[0004] The valve member may be a reed valve.

[0005] The valve member may be a movable gate configured to rotate about a pin attached to a cylindrical shell.

[0006] The check valve can include a spring applying a spring force spring-biasing the valve member to the rest position, such that the check valve is configured to move the valve member from the rest position to the opening in response to a force applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening being greater than the spring force.

[0007] The check valve can include an actuator coupled to the drive motor and configured to adjustably move the valve member between a rest position and an open position based on operation of the drive motor.

[0008] The check valve may be configured to move the valve member to a rest position based on a weight of the valve member being greater than a force exerted on the valve member from the inner enclosure through the second opening.

[0009] The valve member may include a cover plate having an inner cover surface configured to cover the second opening in response to the valve member being in the rest position.

[0010] The inner cover surface may have a surface contour complementary to a surface contour of a portion of the outer cylinder surface such that in response to the valve member being in a rest position, the inner cover surface of the cover plate becomes flush with the outer cylinder surface.

[0011] The dosing mechanism may further include a sheath structure overlapping the second opening and the check valve in a first vertical direction along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The sheath structure may further overlap the second opening and the check valve in an opposite horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical axis. The second opening may be configured to direct material moving through the second opening to move at least partially in the first vertical direction. The sheath structure may be configured to redirect material moving at least partially in the first vertical direction through the second opening to move at least partially in a second vertical direction opposite the first vertical direction.

[0012] The auger conveyor may include a twin auger conveyor including two augers extending parallel to one another through an internal enclosure, where the two augers are configured to rotate in counter-rotational directions about their respective longitudinal axes.

[0013] The two augers may be aligned along a horizontal axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The central axis of the second opening may be inclined at a first angle, between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees, relative to the horizontal axis. The first angle may be between about 45 degrees and about 60 degrees. The first angle may be between about 60 degrees and about 85 degrees.

[0014] According to some exemplary embodiments, the packaging machine may include a dosing mechanism. The packaging machine may include a material reservoir. An auger conveyor of the dosing mechanism may be configured to draw material from the material reservoir. The packaging machine may include a packaging material feeder configured to feed a strip of packaging material folded to define an open enclosure having an enclosure opening. The dosing mechanism may be configured to feed the material into the open enclosure through the enclosure opening to at least partially fill a distal portion of the open enclosure with a specific amount of material. The packaging machine may include a sealing device configured to join opposing sides of the folded strip of packaging material to isolate the distal portion of the open enclosure from a remainder of the open enclosure including the enclosure opening and establish a sealed enclosure, the isolated distal portion of the open enclosure including the specific amount of material within the folded strip of packaging material. The packaging machine may include a cutting device configured to separate the sealed enclosure from a remainder of the folded strip of packaging material to establish a packaged article including the specific amount of material.

[0015] The packaging machine may include a plurality of input mechanisms, the plurality of input mechanisms being configured to supply separate respective quantities of material in parallel. The packaging material supply device may be configured to supply a plurality of strips of packaging material in parallel to the plurality of input mechanisms, the plurality of strips of packaging material including the strips of packaging material.

[0016] According to some exemplary embodiments, a method for feeding a quantity of material through a dosing mechanism can include controlling an auger conveyor to operate such that the material moves through a first opening into an internal enclosure, moves through the internal enclosure along a central longitudinal axis from the first end toward a second end, and moves out of the internal enclosure through a second opening at the second end, such that the material moved through the second opening exerts a force on a valve member of a check valve to move the valve member from a rest position to an open position to allow the material to exit the dosing mechanism through the second opening. The method can include controlling the auger conveyor to stop operation such that the valve member of the check valve moves to a rest position to restrict movement of the material out of the internal enclosure through the second opening.

[0017] Controlling the auger conveyor to stop operation may be responsive to determining that the auger conveyor has been operated for a particular period of time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] Various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein will become more apparent from a consideration of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Various dimensions of the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an input mechanism, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0020] [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the input mechanism of FIG. 1 along section line II-II', according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0021] [Figure 3A] 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the dosing mechanism of FIG. 1 along section line III-III' with the valve member in a rest position and an open position, respectively, according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 3B] 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the dosing mechanism of FIG. 1 along section line III-III' with the valve member in a rest position and an open position, respectively, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0022] [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dosing mechanism and a granular material reservoir according to some illustrative embodiments.

[0023] [Figure 5A] 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E are cross-sectional views of the dosing mechanism of FIG. 1 along section line III-III' with various check valves according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 5B] 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E are cross-sectional views of the dosing mechanism of FIG. 1 along section line III-III' with various check valves according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 5C] 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E are cross-sectional views of the dosing mechanism of FIG. 1 along section line III-III' with various check valves according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 5D] 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E are cross-sectional views of the dosing mechanism of FIG. 1 along section line III-III' with various check valves according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 5E]5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E are cross-sectional views of the dosing mechanism of FIG. 1 along section line III-III' with various check valves according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0024] [Figure 6A] 6A, 6B, and 6C are perspective and cross-sectional views of an injection mechanism including a sheath, according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 6B] 6A, 6B, and 6C are perspective and cross-sectional views of an injection mechanism including a sheath, according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 6C] 6A, 6B, and 6C are perspective and cross-sectional views of an injection mechanism including a sheath, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0025] [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging machine including an input mechanism, according to some example embodiments.

[0026] [Figure 8A] 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E are enlarged perspective views of areas A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, of the packaging machine of FIG. 7, according to some example embodiments. [Figure 8B] 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E are enlarged perspective views of areas A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, of the packaging machine of FIG. 7, according to some example embodiments. [Figure 8C] 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E are enlarged perspective views of areas A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, of the packaging machine of FIG. 7, according to some example embodiments. [Figure 8D] 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E are enlarged perspective views of areas A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, of the packaging machine of FIG. 7, according to some example embodiments. [Figure 8E]8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E are enlarged perspective views of areas A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, of the packaging machine of FIG. 7, according to some example embodiments.

[0027] [Figure 9] 8 is a perspective view of area C of the packaging machine of FIG. 7 according to some illustrative embodiments.

[0028] [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an input mechanism, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0029] [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a packaging machine including an input mechanism, according to some illustrative embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Several detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing the exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to only the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0031] Thus, while exemplary embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the exemplary embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0032] When an element or layer is referred to as "on," "connected," "coupled," or "overlying" another element or layer, it should be understood that it may be directly on, connected to, coupled, or overlying the other element or layer, or that there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly," "directly connected," or "directly coupled" over another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout this specification. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0033] In this specification, terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, regions, layers, and / or sections, but it should be understood that these elements, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section described below may be referred to as a second element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0034] Spatially relative terms (e.g., "below," "down," "below," "up," "above," etc.) are used herein for ease of description and may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as shown in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were turned over, an element described as "below" or "below" the other element or feature would be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be in other orientations (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein would be interpreted accordingly.

[0035] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing various exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that as used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and / or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0036] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exemplary embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations are expected as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Thus, exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include, for example, deviations in shapes that result from manufacturing.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. Furthermore, terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this specification.

[0038] It will be understood that elements and / or features that are referred to as being "vertical," "parallel," "flush," etc. with respect to other elements and / or features (e.g., structures, surfaces, orientation, etc.) may also be "vertical," "parallel," "flush," etc., or may be "substantially vertical," "substantially parallel," "substantially flush," etc., respectively, with respect to other elements and / or features.

[0039] An element and / or its features (e.g., structure, surface, orientation, etc.) that is "substantially perpendicular" with respect to other elements and / or features is understood to be "perpendicular" with respect to other elements and / or features within manufacturing and / or material tolerances, and / or has a magnitude and / or angle deviation from "perpendicular" with respect to other elements and / or features that is equal to or less than 10% (e.g., a tolerance of ±10%).

[0040] An element and / or its characteristic (e.g., structure, surface, direction, etc.) that is "substantially parallel" with respect to other elements and / or its characteristics is understood to be "parallel" with respect to the other elements and / or its characteristics within manufacturing and / or material tolerances, and / or the deviation in magnitude and / or angle, etc. from "parallel" with respect to the other elements and / or its characteristics is equal to or less than 10% (e.g., ±10% tolerance).

[0041] An element and / or its feature (e.g., structure, surface, orientation, etc.) that is "substantially flush" with respect to other elements and / or features is understood to be "flush" with respect to the other elements and / or features within manufacturing and / or material tolerances, and / or to have a deviation in magnitude and / or angle, etc. from "flush" with respect to the other elements and / or features that is equal to or less than 10% (e.g., a tolerance of ±10%).

[0042] It will be further understood that elements and / or properties described herein as "identical" or "equal" to other elements may also be "same", "equal" or "equal" to other elements and / or properties, and may be "substantially identical", "equal" or "equal" to other elements and / or properties. Elements and / or properties that are "substantially identical", "substantially the same", or "substantially equal" to other elements and / or properties are understood to include elements and / or properties that are identical, the same, or equal to other elements and / or properties, within manufacturing and / or material tolerances. Elements and / or properties that are identical or substantially identical to other elements and / or properties and / or elements and / or properties that are identical or substantially identical to other elements and / or properties may be structurally identical or substantially identical, functionally identical or substantially identical, and / or compositionally identical or substantially identical.

[0043] It will be understood that elements and / or characteristics described herein as being "substantially" identical and / or identical encompass elements and / or characteristics having relative magnitude differences equal to or less than 10%. Furthermore, it will be understood that whether or not an element and / or its characteristic is modified as "substantially," these elements and / or its characteristics should be interpreted as including manufacturing or operating tolerances (e.g., ±10%) around the described element and / or its characteristic.

[0044] When the terms "about" or "substantially" are used herein in connection with a numerical value, the associated numerical value is intended to include a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numerical value. When a range is stated, the range includes all values ​​therebetween, such as in increments of 0.1%.

[0045] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an input mechanism according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the input mechanism of Figure 1 along section line II-II' according to some exemplary embodiments. Figures 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the input mechanism of Figure 1 along section line III-III' with the valve member in a rest position and an open position, respectively, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0046] 1, 2, and 3A-3B, the dosing mechanism 100 includes a cylindrical shell 110, an auger conveyor 120, and a check valve 130. The dosing mechanism 100 is configured to controllably convey (e.g., supply, feed, move, urge, discharge, flow, etc.) granular material (also referred to herein simply as “material”) from a first opening 180-1 into an enclosure 102e of the cylindrical shell 110 (also referred to herein as an inner enclosure of the cylindrical shell 110, an inner open enclosure of the cylindrical shell 110, etc.). The dosing mechanism 100 is further configured to convey (e.g., supply, feed, move, force, discharge, flow, etc.) the granular material from the first opening 180-1 through the enclosure 102e toward a second opening 180-2 proximate an opposite end of the cylindrical shell 110 from the first opening 180-1. The dosing mechanism 100 is further configured to convey (e.g., supply, feed, move, force, discharge, flow, etc.) the granular material through the second opening 180-2 and thus out of the dosing mechanism 100. Movement, i.e., conveyance, of the granular material through the dosing mechanism 100 and through the second opening 180-2 may be controlled based on controlled (e.g., selectively activated and / or deactivated) operation of at least the auger conveyor 120, as further described below, to cause the dosing mechanism 100 to deliver a particular amount (e.g., volume and / or mass) of granular material (also referred to herein as an “index” or “dose” of granular material) that may be enclosed in packaging (e.g., packaging articles) to provide discrete and consistently sized quantities of granular material within each package.

[0047] Additionally, the check valve 130 of the feeding mechanism 100 exerts a force 380 on the movable valve member 132 (e.g., its inner surface 132i) of the check valve 130, moving the granular material 308 in the enclosure 102e adjacent to the second opening 180-2 from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 based on whether the auger conveyor 120 is operating (e.g., whether one or more augers 122 of the auger conveyor 120 are rotating 390). The check valve 130 may thus at least partially cover the second opening 180-2 and exert an opposing force on the granular material within the enclosure 102e and the second opening 180-2, creating a backpressure that at least partially retains the granular material 308 within the enclosure 102e and / or the second opening 180-2, and thus at least partially restrict discharge of the granular material 308 from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 when the auger conveyor 120 is not operating (e.g., when its one or more augers 122 are not rotating 390). As a result of the check valve 130 at least partially retaining the granular material 308 within the dosing mechanism 100 based on the auger conveyor 120 not being operated (e.g., in an "off" operational state), the dispensing (e.g., discharge) of the granular material 308 from the dosing mechanism 100 can be more controllably coordinated with the operational state of the auger conveyor 120, allowing for greater consistency, precision, and accuracy in the amount of granular material dispensed by the dosing mechanism 100 based on the operation of the auger conveyor 120. Thus, the check valve 130 may enable the dosing mechanism 100 to dispense a particular amount (e.g., index, dose, etc.) of granular material with greater consistency, precision, and accuracy.

[0048] 1, 2, and 3A-3B, the cylindrical shell 110 includes at least a hollow cylinder 102 and end caps 104 (also referred to herein as end plates), which collectively define an interior open enclosure, referred to herein as enclosure 102e, defined by at least an interior cylinder surface 102i of the hollow cylinder 102 (and further defined in some exemplary embodiments by an interior surface 104i of the end cap 104). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hollow cylinder 102 may extend between opposing first and second ends 102-1, 102-2, and the hollow cylinder 102 may have an exterior cylinder surface 102o and an interior cylinder surface 102i opposite the exterior cylinder surface 102o. The inner cylinder surface 102i at least partially defines an interior open enclosure, referred to as enclosure 102e, having a central longitudinal axis 199 extending between the first end 102-1 and the second end 102-2 of the hollow cylinder 102.

[0049] 1-2, the hollow cylinder 102 may at least partially define a first opening 180-1 into the enclosure 102e at a first end 102-1 of the hollow cylinder 102 such that a central longitudinal axis 199 intersects the first opening 180-1. As shown at least in FIG. 2, the central longitudinal axis 199 may extend through a center of the first opening 180-1 and may be the same as the central axis of the first opening 180-1.

[0050] As shown at least in FIGS. 1-2, the first end 102-1 of the hollow cylinder 102 may be coupled (e.g., welded, bolted, glued) to a bracket plate 190 that is itself attached (e.g., via bolts extending through bolt holes 192 in the bracket plate 190) to a granular material reservoir (an example is shown in FIG. 4). This places the first opening 180-1 in open fluid communication (e.g., directly or indirectly exposed) with the interior of the reservoir to allow granular material to be drawn from the reservoir into the enclosure 102e via the first opening 180-1. In some exemplary embodiments, the bracket plate 190 may itself include an opening 194 configured to overlap the first opening 180-1 when the hollow cylinder 102 is coupled to the bracket plate 190 such that granular material may be drawn into the enclosure 102e via the overlapping first opening 180-1 and opening 194. In some exemplary embodiments, the bracket plate 190 may be omitted and the hollow cylinder 102 may be configured to be attached directly to the granular material reservoir such that the first opening 180-1 is in open fluid communication (e.g., directly or indirectly exposed) with the interior of the reservoir.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the end cap 104 is attached (e.g., bolted, welded, glued, etc.) to the second end 102-2 of the hollow cylinder 102 so as to cover (e.g., close, seal, etc.) the second end 102-2 of the hollow cylinder 102 and isolate the enclosure 102e from the exterior of the cylindrical shell 110 via the second end 102-2 of the hollow cylinder 102. As a result, migration of the particulate material 308 out of the enclosure 102e through an opening in the second end 102-2 intersecting the central longitudinal axis 199 is reduced or prevented. The enclosure 102e may be defined by at least the hollow cylinder 102 and the end cap 104 in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis 199 (e.g., the Z direction as shown in FIGS. 1-3B) such that it is open at the first end 102-1 and closed at the second end 102-2.

[0052] In some exemplary embodiments, the hollow cylinder 102 and the end caps 104 may be constructed from one or more materials including one or more metallic materials (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), one or more plastic materials (e.g., Nalgene®, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) plastic, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), acetal, etc.), etc. In some exemplary embodiments, the hollow cylinder 102 and the end caps 104 may be constructed from any metallic material. In some exemplary embodiments, the hollow cylinder 102 and the end caps 104 are constructed from the same material (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, etc.).

[0053] 1, 2, and 3A-3B, the hollow cylinder 102 may further define a second opening 180-2 into the enclosure 102e through a thickness 102t of the hollow cylinder 102 between the inner cylinder surface 102i and the outer cylinder surface 102o. Because the second opening 180-2 is defined by a conduit extending through the thickness 102t of the hollow cylinder 102, the second opening 180-2 defined by the hollow cylinder 102 thus has a central axis 302 that is different from the central longitudinal axis 199. In particular, as shown, the central axis 302 of the second opening 180-2 may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis that is parallel (e.g., coaxial) to the central longitudinal axis 199, and thus the central axis 302 may be perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 199.

[0054] As a result, granular material traveling through the enclosure 102e between the first opening 180-1 and the second opening 180-2 may undergo a 90 degree rotation from traveling along the central longitudinal axis 199 (e.g., coaxially and / or concentrically) to traveling along the central axis 302 (e.g., coaxially and / or concentrically) in order to exit the enclosure 102e via the second opening 180-2.

[0055] 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the auger conveyor 120 may include one or more augers 122 (which may include shafts 122a and helical screw flights 122b) that extend at least partially through the enclosure 102e between the first end 102-1 and the second end 102-2 in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis 199. As shown in FIGS. 1-3B, the one or more augers 122 may include multiple augers 122-1 and 122-2 that extend in parallel through the enclosure 102e, although example embodiments are not limited thereto and in some example embodiments, only one auger 122 (e.g., only one of augers 122-1 or 122-2) may be present in the enclosure 102e.

[0056] The one or more augers 122 can have one or more varying diameters of shaft 122a and / or helical screw flight 122b and can be constructed from any material including stainless steel, plastic (e.g., Nalgene®, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) plastic, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), acetal, etc.), and the like.

[0057] As shown in at least FIG. 3A, the inner cylindrical surface 102i of the hollow cylinder 102 can define a plurality of separate cylindrical portions (e.g., lobes 180) of an enclosure 102e having respective central longitudinal axes that are coaxial or substantially coaxial with the respective augers 122. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, if the auger conveyor 120 includes two separate augers 122-1 and 122-2 that extend parallel or substantially parallel along respective longitudinal axes 129 through the enclosure 102e, the inner cylindrical surface 102i of the hollow cylinder 102 can define a bilobed enclosure 102e having two separate at least partially cylindrical spaces ("lobes" 180) that are at least partially merged in the X and Y directions. 3A-3B, at the center of enclosure 102e in the X-direction, at the boundary extending in the Y-direction through central longitudinal axis 199), each separate longitudinal axis (e.g., the center of curvature of each lobe 180 extending axially in the Z-direction) is coaxial or substantially coaxial with each separate longitudinal axis 129 of a particular auger 122-1 or 122-2 extending in the Z-direction through each "lobe" 180 of enclosure 102e.

[0058] As shown in at least Figures 3A-3B, one or more augers 122 may have a diameter that occupies a majority of the cross-sectional area (X-direction and Y-direction) of a respective lobe 180 of an enclosure 102e in which the one or more augers 122 are disposed. For example, with reference to Figures 3A-3B, the outer diameter of a given auger 122 in the XY plane, which may be the outer diameter of the helical screw flight 122b of the given auger 122, as shown in Figures 3A-3B, may occupy about 50% to about 90% of the diameter of a lobe 180 of the enclosure 102e having a center of curvature extending in a Z-direction axis that is coaxial or substantially coaxial with a longitudinal axis 129 of the given auger 122.

[0059] 2, the one or more augers 122 may extend through the enclosure 102e along the entirety or substantially the entirety of the distance 202 between the first end 102-1 and the second end 102-2, although example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the one or more augers 122 may extend from the first end 102-1 coaxially (e.g., along) the central longitudinal axis 199 along about 90% of the distance 202 between the first end 102-1 and the second end 102-2, about 95% of the distance 202 between the first end 102-1 and the second end 102-2, about 99% of the distance 202 between the first end 102-1 and the second end 102-2, or the like.

[0060] The one or more augers 122 may further extend from the enclosure 102e through the first opening 180-1 to the exterior of the cylindrical shell 110. As shown, the auger conveyor 120 may include a drive motor 124 and a drive transmission 126. The one or more augers 122 may be mechanically coupled to the drive motor 124 (e.g., an electric motor such as a servo motor) via the drive transmission 126 (e.g., a gear box, a drive belt, a set of gears, etc.). As a result, the auger conveyor 120 is configured to rotate 390 the augers 122 (e.g., counter-rotate as shown in FIG. 3A ) about their respective longitudinal axes 129 (which may extend parallel to the central longitudinal axis 199) based on the operation of the drive motor 124. The drive motor 124 may include a servo motor. In some exemplary embodiments, the drive transmission 126 is absent from the auger conveyor 120 such that the drive motor 124 is mechanically coupled directly (e.g., as a direct drive) to at least one of the one or more augers 122. In some exemplary embodiments, the drive transmission 126 is mechanically coupled between the one or more augers 122 and the drive motor 124 and configured to transmit rotation of a drive shaft of the drive motor 124 to the one or more augers 122 via the drive transmission 126. In some exemplary embodiments, the drive transmission 126 is configured to transmit rotation of a drive shaft of the drive motor 124 to each of the augers 122 (e.g., to both augers 122-1, 122-2) to cause each of the augers 122 to rotate 390 (e.g., rotations 390-1, 390-2 rotate synchronously and counter-rotating to each other as shown in FIG. 3A ) via the drive transmission 126.

[0061] As shown at least in FIGS. 1-2, one or more augers 122 may extend out of enclosure 102e through first opening 180-1. Rotation 390 of one or more augers 122 about their respective longitudinal axes 129 (e.g., rotation 390-1 of auger 122-1 in one rotational direction and counter rotation 390-2 of auger 122-2 in an opposite rotational direction) may cause one or more augers 122, and thus auger conveyor 120, to move (e.g., move) granular material from a location (e.g., a granular material reservoir as described herein) external to cylindrical shell 110 through first opening 180-1 into enclosure 102e, and further move granular material from first opening 180-1 through enclosure 102e toward second end 102-2 of hollow cylinder 102 (which is covered by end cap 104). As a result, the auger conveyor 120 may be configured to operate (e.g., based on being in an “on” operating state in which one or more augers 122 have rotated 390 degrees (e.g., rotating in reverse) about their respective longitudinal axes 129) to move granular material from the first opening 180-1 through the enclosure 102e toward the second opening 180-2.

[0062] It will be appreciated that the drive motor 124 may be communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or wireless electronic communication link) to a controller as described herein (e.g., controller 790 shown in FIG. 7). The controller may be configured to control the drive motor 124 (e.g., control the activation / deactivation timing, duration, number, and / or speed of drive shaft rotation of the drive motor 124) to control operation of the auger conveyor 120, such as to selectively activate and deactivate the rotation 390 of one or more augers 122 at particular times and further to control the speed of the rotation 390 of one or more augers 122 to control the timing and / or speed of movement, feeding, etc. of granular material by the dosing mechanism 100. In some exemplary embodiments, the controller configured to control the drive motor 124 may be considered to be part of the dosing mechanism 100. In some exemplary embodiments, the controller may be considered to be separate from the dosing mechanism 100.

[0063] In some exemplary embodiments, the drive motor 124 may be a servo motor (which will be understood to have a drive shaft that can be controllably rotated) controlled by a controller (e.g., controller 790 shown in FIG. 7 ) described herein. Switching the auger conveyor 120 to an “on” operational state at a particular time causes the one or more augers 122 to each rotate 390 at a particular rotational speed for a particular period of time (e.g., a particular duration) and then stopping the rotation 390 (e.g., switching the auger conveyor 120 to an “off” operational state) such that the one or more augers 122 move (e.g., discharge) a particular amount of granular material from the second opening 180-2 for a particular time period following the particular time the auger conveyor 120 was first switched to the “on” operational state and ending the next time the auger conveyor 120 was switched to the “off” operational state. Such a particular amount of granular material may be considered an “index” or “dose” of granular material dispensed by the dosing mechanism 100. The operation of the drive motor 124 to cause the feeding mechanism 100 to feed a particular amount of granular material (e.g., an “index” or “dose” of granular material) from the second opening 180-2 due to rotating one or more augers 122 at their respective particular rotational speeds for a particular period of time 390 (e.g., based on causing the drive motor 124 to rotate its drive shaft at a particular rotational speed for a particular period of time), may be referred to as causing the feeding mechanism 100 to perform an “index” operation.

[0064] In some exemplary embodiments, drive motor 124 may be a servo motor that may be controlled by a controller as described herein (e.g., controller 790 as shown in FIG. 7) to rotate its drive shaft a particular number of times at a particular rotational speed, to rotate its drive shaft at a particular rotational speed for a particular period of time. Such controlled rotation of the drive shaft of drive motor 124 may correspond to causing one or more augers 122 to rotate each 390 a particular number of times at a particular rotational speed, to rotate each 390 at a particular rotational speed for a particular period of time, etc.

[0065] Such controlled rotation of the drive shaft of the drive motor 124 may thus correspond to causing the auger conveyor 120, and thus the dosing mechanism 100, to feed a particular amount of granular material. The relationship between the drive shaft rotation time, rotation speed, number of revolutions, amount and / or rate of power supplied to the drive motor, and the resulting amount of granular material delivered by the dosing mechanism 100 may be stored in a database (e.g., an empirically generated look-up table). The controller may be configured to access the database (e.g., the database stored in the controller's memory) to enable the controller to drive the drive motor 124 to control the dosing mechanism 100 to feed a particular amount of granular material at a particular time, for a particular period of time, etc. As a result, the amount of granular material moved by the auger 122 through the enclosure 102e and through the second opening 180-2 may be more precisely controlled based on controlling the operation of the drive motor 124.

[0066] 1 and 2, the second opening 180-2 may be positioned in a position proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the second end 102-2 of the hollow cylinder 102 such that granular material transported through the enclosure 102e from the first opening 180-1 to the second opening 180-2 proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the second end 102-2 of the hollow cylinder 102 may travel through the entire, substantially the entire, or most of the length of the enclosure 102e along the central longitudinal axis 199 between the first end 102-1 and the second end 102-2 of the hollow cylinder 102 (where the length may be the same as the distance 202 between the first end 102-1 and the second end 102-2). For example, the second opening 180-2 may be spaced apart from the first end 102-1 by a distance along the central longitudinal axis 199 that is, for example, about 55% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1, 102-2, about 60% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1, 102-2, about 65% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1, 102-2, or about 70% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1, 102-2. approximately 75% of the distance 202 between 102-1 and 102-2, approximately 80% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1 and 102-2, approximately 85% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1 and 102-2, approximately 90% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1 and 102-2, approximately 95% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1 and 102-2, approximately 99% of the distance 202 between the first and second ends 102-1 and 102-2, etc.

[0067] 2, the second opening 180-2 may be disposed at a location within the hollow cylinder 102 that is a first distance 204-1 from the first end 102-1 along the central longitudinal axis 199 and a second distance 204-2 from the second end 102-1 along the central longitudinal axis 199. In some exemplary embodiments, the magnitude of the first distance 204-1 may be less than or equal to the magnitude of the distance 202, e.g., about 99% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 95% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 90% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 85% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 80% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 75% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 70% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 65% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 60% of the magnitude of the distance 202, about 55% of the magnitude of the distance 202, etc. In some exemplary embodiments, the magnitude of the first distance 204-1 may be greater than the magnitude of the second distance 204-2 such that the second opening 180-2 is closer to the second end 102-2 than to the first end. In some exemplary embodiments, the ratio of the magnitude of the first distance 204-1 to the magnitude of the second distance 204-2 may be approximately 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, etc.

[0068] In some exemplary embodiments, distance 202 is about 5 inches, first distance 204-1 is about 4.39 inches, second opening 180-2 has a diameter of about 0.5 inches, and first opening 180-1 (and enclosure 102e) has a diameter of about 802 / 1000 inches. In some exemplary embodiments, first opening 180-1 (and enclosure 102e) has a diameter of about 0.5 inches. In some exemplary embodiments, each auger 122-1, 122-2 has a diameter (e.g., in the XY plane) between opposing ends of the helical screw flights 122b of each auger 122-1, 122-2 is about 0.5 inches.

[0069] 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the check valve 130 includes at least a valve member 132 coupled to the cylindrical shell 110 (e.g., attached via welding, bolting, adhesive, etc.) and configured to move relative to the cylindrical shell 110 (e.g., movable relative to the cylindrical shell 110 to selectively cover or expose the second opening 180-2 to an exterior of the dosing mechanism 100 based on the valve member 132 being in a rest position 306-1 (e.g., a closed position) or an open position 306-2 (e.g., a bent position), respectively). FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B illustrate the check valve 130 as including the valve member 132, which is a movable gate configured to rotate about a mounting structure 134, which is a pin or hinge attached to the cylindrical shell 110. However, as further described below with reference to at least Figures 5A-5E, the exemplary embodiments of check valve 130 are not so limited, and the description herein regarding check valve 130 in Figures 1, 2, 3A, and 3B may apply to some or all of the exemplary embodiments of check valve 130.

[0070] 1, 3A, and 3B, the valve member 132 of the check valve 130 is configured to move 306 between a rest position 306-1 (also referred to herein as a returned, closed, and / or relaxed position of the valve member) as shown in FIG 3A and an open position 306-2 (also referred to as a flexed position) as shown in FIG 3B to selectively cover or expose the second opening 180-2 to an exterior of the input mechanism 100. In some exemplary embodiments, when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1 and covers the second opening 180-2, the valve member 132 can at least partially obscure (e.g., isolate) the second opening 180-2 from an exterior of the input mechanism 100. In some exemplary embodiments, when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1 and covering the second opening 180-2, the inner surface 132i of the valve member 132 can be in contact with at least a portion 102os of the outer cylinder surface 102o of the hollow cylinder 102 that is adjacent (e.g., adjacent) to and / or surrounding the second opening 180-2. In some exemplary embodiments, when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1 and covering the second opening 180-2, the inner surface 132i of the valve member 132 can be in flush contact with at least a portion 102os of the outer cylinder surface 102o of the hollow cylinder 102 that is adjacent (e.g., adjacent) to and / or surrounding the second opening 180-2.

[0071] In some exemplary embodiments, such as the exemplary embodiments in which the valve member 132 is a movable gate as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the check valve 130 is coupled (e.g., mounted) to the cylindrical shell 110 such that when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1, the valve member 132 rests on at least a portion of the outer cylindrical surface 102o of the hollow cylinder 102, such as an inner surface 132i of the valve member 132 configured to rest in contact with a portion of the outer cylindrical surface 102o of the hollow cylinder 102. When the valve member 132 rests on the portion of the outer cylindrical surface 102o, the weight of the valve member 132, i.e., a structural load, may be transferred to the hollow cylinder 102 via the portion of the valve member 132 that contacts the portion of the outer cylindrical surface 102o.

[0072] 3A, the valve member 132 may be configured to move 306 to a rest position 306-1 in the absence of an external force other than gravity (e.g., the weight of the valve member 132 itself) acting on the valve member 132, and to move 306 from the rest position 306-1 toward the open position 306-2 based on an external force 380 acting on the valve member 132 from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2. Such a valve member 132 may be referred to as a "trap door" gate, and a check valve 130 including such a valve member 132 may be referred to as a "trap door valve" or a "trap door mechanism." The external force 380 may be applied by a flow of granular material 308 flowing from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 based on the operation of the auger conveyor 120 (e.g., the augers 122-1 and 122-2 counter-rotating 390-1 and 390-2 about their respective longitudinal axes 129), causing the granular material 308 to move from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 as supplied granular material 310 and contact the valve member 132 (e.g., contact the inner surface 132i). For example, a flow of granular material 308 exiting the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 as a fed granular material 310 may be driven by the auger conveyor 120 (e.g., based on one or more augers 122 rotating 390 about their respective longitudinal axes 129) to exert a force 380 on the valve member 132 of the check valve 130 to move the valve member 132 to the open position 306-2 such that the granular material 308 is conveyed by the auger conveyor 120 and exits the dosing mechanism 100 as the fed granular material 310, and thus is "fed" by the dosing mechanism 100. It will be understood that the fed granular material 310 may refer to the granular material 308 exiting the dosing mechanism 100 through the second opening 180-2.

[0073] The auger conveyor 120 may be in an operating state or in a stopped state (also referred to herein as an “on” operating state and an “off” operating state, respectively, where an “operating state” may be interchangeably referred to as an “operating mode”). In an “on” operating state, the auger conveyor 120 is at least partially moving (e.g., one or more augers 122 may rotate 390 about their respective longitudinal axes 129) and the auger conveyor 120 is operable to apply a force to the granular material 308 to move the granular material 308 at least through the enclosure 102e to the second opening 180-2. The rotating one or more augers 122 can cause an increase in pressure of the granular material 308 in at least a portion of the enclosure 102e proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the second opening 180-2, thereby causing the granular material 308 to apply (e.g., exert) a force 380 (e.g., pressure) on the valve member 132 of the check valve 130 through the second opening 180-2 based on the auger conveyor 120 being in the operating configuration. In the "off" operating state, the auger conveyor 120 is at least partially not moving (e.g., one or more augers 122 may not be rotating 390 about their respective longitudinal axes 129) and therefore is not operating to apply a force to the granular material 308 to move the granular material 308 through the enclosure 102e, and therefore the granular material 308 may not apply force 380 or may stop applying force 380 to the valve member 132 in response to the auger conveyor 120 being in the "off" operating state.

[0074] 3A and 3B, the check valve 130 may be configured to cause the valve member 132 to cover the second opening 180-2 from the exterior of the hollow cylinder 102 in response to the valve member 132 being in the rest position 306-1, as shown in FIG. 3A. The check valve 130 may be configured to cause the valve member 132 to move 306 from the rest position 306-1 to the open position 306-2 (e.g., causing the check valve 130 to open) to at least partially expose the second opening 180-2 to the exterior of the dosing mechanism 100 in response to operation of the auger conveyor 120 moving the granular material 308 through the second opening 180-2 through the enclosure 102e (e.g., being in an “on” operating state, switching from an “off” operating state to an “on” operating state, etc.). This causes the granular material 308 to exert a force 380 on the valve member 132 through the second opening 180-2, thereby "pushing" the valve member 132 (e.g., overcoming the force of the weight of at least a portion of the valve member 132) to the open position 306-2, as shown in FIG. 3B, to expose the second opening 180-2.

[0075] The check valve 130 can be configured to cause the valve member 132 to move 306 from an open position 306-2 to a rest position 306-1 (eg, closing the check valve 130) to at least partially cover the second opening. For example, in response to the force 380 being removed or reduced in magnitude from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 on the valve member 132, pushing 180-2 from outside the dosing mechanism 100. The auger conveyor 120 ceases operation (e.g., is in an "off" operational state, switches from an "on" operational state to an "off" operational state, etc.), which causes the valve member 132 to return (e.g., relax) to the rest position 306-1 to at least partially cover the second opening 180-2, as shown in FIG.

[0076] Covering (e.g., blocking, closing, etc.) the second opening 180-2 may include establishing a partial or complete sealing of the second opening 180-2 such that, as a result of the valve member 132 being in the resting position 306-1, the flow of the granular material 308 out of the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 may be partially or completely restricted.

[0077] 3A and 3B, when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1, the valve member 132 may cover the second opening 180-2 such that the valve member 132 at least partially blocks a cross-sectional area of ​​fluid communication between the enclosure 102e and the outside through the second opening 180-2 such that potential flow of the granular material 308 from the enclosure 102e to the outside of the dosing mechanism 100 through the second opening 180-2 is partially or completely impeded by the valve member 132 in the rest position 306-1. Coverage of the second opening 180-2 by the valve member 132 in the rest position 306-1 may be partial such that a complete sealing of the second opening 180-2 by the valve member 132 is not achieved, but instead a partial sealing sufficient to limit or prevent the escape of the granular material 308 from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 is achieved.

[0078] As shown at least in FIG. 3B, when the auger conveyor 120 is in an “on” operating state, for example, the drive motor 124 rotates 390 the one or more augers 122 about their respective longitudinal axes 129 to move the granular material 308 through the enclosure 102e from the first opening 180-1 toward the second opening 180-2. The auger conveyor 120 can apply a force 380 to the valve member 132 to move the valve member 132 from a rest position 306-1 as shown in FIG. 3A to an open position 306-2 as shown in FIG. 3B. Such movement of the valve member 132 from the resting position 306-1 to the open position 306-2 may open or enlarge the cross-sectional area of ​​fluid communication between the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 and the outside of the feeding mechanism 100, and may therefore allow the granular material 308 to exit the enclosure 102e and be supplied outside the feeding mechanism 100 through the second opening 180-2 as supplied granular material 310.

[0079] As further shown in Figures 3A-3B, when the auger conveyor 120 is in an "off" operating state, the drive motor 124 does not transmit power to, and therefore does not cause, the one or more augers 122 to rotate 390 about their respective longitudinal axes 129. As further shown in Figures 3A-3B, when the auger conveyor 120 is in an "off" operating state such that the drive motor 124 is not transmitting power to, and therefore does not cause, the one or more augers 122 to rotate 390 about their respective longitudinal axes 129, movement of the granular material 308 through the enclosure 102e by the auger conveyor 120 may be inhibited or reduced, and a force 380 exerted by the granular material 308 on the valve member 132 may be stopped or reduced in magnitude such that the valve member 132 may move from the open position 306-2 shown in Figure 3B to the rest position 306. 3B to the rest position 306-1 shown in FIG. 3A in response to cessation or reduction of the applied force 380. In some exemplary embodiments, the check valve 130 is configured to exert a biasing force that moves the valve member 132 to the rest position 306-1 (e.g., biases the valve member 132 to the rest position 306-1). The biasing force may include one or more of a weight of at least a portion of the valve member 132 and / or a force exerted on the valve member 132 by an element of the check valve (e.g., a spring force exerted by a spring of the check valve 130 described below with reference to FIG. 5E). In the absence of an opposing force 380 of sufficient magnitude to at least partially overcome the biasing force acting on the valve member 132 to move the valve member 132 at least partially away from the rest position 306-1, the valve member 132 may return to and / or remain at the rest position 306-1.

[0080] 3A-3B, as the one or more augers 122 rotate about their respective longitudinal axes 129, the internal pressure of the granular material 308 adjacent to the second opening 180-2 (e.g., adjacent to the second opening 180-2) may be increased to form a pressure gradient across the second opening 180-2 between the enclosure 102e and the exterior of the dosing mechanism 100, and the granular material 308 is caused to move from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 as fed granular material 310 by the rotating one or more augers 122 due to the pressure gradient.

[0081] 3A-3B, when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1, a biasing force on the valve member 132 (e.g., the weight of the valve member, a spring force applied to the valve member 132 by the spring of the check valve 130, etc.) may cause the valve member 132 to exert a force (e.g., an opposing force) against, oppose and / or resist the flow of the granular material 308 from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2. Thus, the valve member 132 in the rest position 306-1 may create a "back pressure" against the flow of the granular material 308 through the second opening 180-2 sufficient to overcome the pressure gradient of the granular material from the enclosure 102e across the second opening 180-2 to the exterior of the dosing mechanism 100. As a result, the valve member 132 in the rest position 306-1 may restrict or inhibit the flow of the granular material 308 through the second opening 180-2 such that the valve member 132 causes the granular material 308 to be retained within the enclosure 102e.

[0082] The check valve 130 may be understood to be configured to move the valve member 132 between the rest position 306-1 and the open position 306-2 to cover or expose the second opening 180-2 in response to a magnitude of force 380 applied to the valve member 132 from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2; for example, in response to the magnitude of the force 380 overcoming or not overcoming a biasing force on the valve member 132, such biasing force may include at least a portion of the weight of the valve member 132 and / or a spring force of the check valve 130, acting on the valve member 132 to "bias" the valve member 132 to move to the rest position 306-1 in the absence of a sufficient magnitude of opposing force 380.

[0083] The check valve 130 may be configured to selectively cover (e.g., at least partially seal) or expose the second opening 180-2, thereby selectively restricting or allowing flow of the granular material 308 out of the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2. Based on whether the auger conveyor 120 is operating (e.g., in an "on" operating state), the check valve 130 may move the granular material 308 from the first opening 180-1 toward the second opening 180-2 through the enclosure 102e, thereby exerting a force 380 on at least a portion of the valve member 132 to cause movement 360 of the valve member 132 from the rest position 306-1 to the open position 306-2. Additionally, the check valve 130 may be configured to selectively cover the second opening 180-2 in response to the auger conveyor 120 being in an “off” operating state (e.g., one or more augers 122 are not rotating, not moving granular material 308, etc.).

[0084] In some exemplary embodiments, the dosing mechanism 100 including the check valve 130 may be configured to reduce or prevent the discharge of the granular material 308 from the enclosure 102e (and thus from the dosing mechanism 100) via the second opening 180-2, thus retaining the granular material 308 within the dosing mechanism 100 when the auger conveyor 120 is in an "off" operational state. As a result, by controlling the dosing mechanism 100 to operate (e.g., rotate 390 the one or more augers 122) at a particular speed (e.g., a particular rotational speed of the drive shaft of the drive motor 124 and / or the one or more augers 122) for a particular period of time to deliver a particular amount (e.g., an "index," "dose," etc.) of granular material (e.g., a particular amount of granular material 310 delivered), the precision, accuracy, and consistency of the amount of granular material delivered in each indexing operation may be improved. For example, the movement 306 of the valve member 132 to the rest position 306-1 in response to the auger conveyor 120 switching to an “off” operational state at the end of the indexing operation (e.g., based on one or more augers 122 ceasing rotation 390 such that the magnitude of the force 380 is reduced) may cause a rapid restriction or inhibition of the flow of the granular material 308 exiting the dosing mechanism 100 through the second opening 180-2, thereby reducing or inhibiting the gradual “tapering” of the flow of the granular material 308 exiting the dosing mechanism 100 in response to the one or more augers 122 ceasing rotation 390 at the end of the indexing operation. Such a reduction or inhibition of the tapering of the flow of the granular material 308 through the second opening 180-2 may improve control over the accuracy, precision, and consistency of the amount of granular material dispensed in the indexing operation (e.g., as a result of the dosing mechanism 100 performing and / or being controlled to perform the indexing operation).

[0085] In some illustrative embodiments, the improved accuracy in feeding of granular material (e.g., fed granular material 310) by the dosing mechanism 100 enabled by the check valve 130 may further reduce the likelihood of the granular material spilling into one or more mechanisms and / or equipment (e.g., one or more portions, mechanisms, and / or equipment of a packaging machine that includes the dosing mechanism), a plant work space, etc. when the auger conveyor 120 is in an "off" operational state. As a result, the dosing mechanism 100 may facilitate reduced maintenance requirements associated with the dosing mechanism 100 and / or a packaging machine that includes the dosing mechanism.

[0086] Still referring to Figures 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, in some exemplary embodiments, the auger conveyor 120 can include a twin auger arrangement of augers 122-1 and 122-2 that can extend coaxially about the central longitudinal axis 199 through the enclosure 102e, where both augers 122-1 and 122-2 rotate 390 (e.g., counter-rotate 390-1, 390-2) at respective rotational speeds (which may be the same or different in magnitude) to move the granular material 308 through the enclosure 102e from the first opening 180-1 toward the second opening 180-2 based on one or both of the augers 122-1 and / or 122-2 being driven by the drive motor 124 (e.g., via a drive transmission). In some exemplary embodiments, the augers 122-1 and 122-2 are independently mechanically coupled to a drive transmission 126 (e.g., a gearbox, a drive belt assembly, a mesh gear set, etc.) which is in turn mechanically coupled to the drive motor 124 via the drive transmission 126. The augers 122-1 and 122-2 may thus be driven by the drive motor 124 via the drive transmission 126. The drive transmission 126 (e.g., a gearbox) may synchronize the rotation (e.g., counter rotations 390-1, 390-2) of the driven augers 122-1 and 122-2 relative to one another (e.g., the same respective magnitude of rotational speeds, same or opposite rotational directions).

[0087] In some exemplary embodiments, both augers 122-1, 122-2 are independently mechanically coupled to a gearbox drive transmission 126 which is further mechanically coupled to a servo drive motor 124 such that the gearbox drive transmission 126 is mechanically coupled between each of the augers 122-1, 122-2 and the servo drive motor 124. An active servo drive motor 124 can drive the gearbox drive transmission 126 to drive each of the augers 122-1, 122-2 to rotate the augers 122-1, 122-2 simultaneously 390-1, 390-2 in the same or opposite rotational directions and / or synchronously with one another.

[0088] As shown, the two augers 122-1 and 122-2 may be aligned with each other (e.g., may overlap) in a horizontal direction (e.g., the horizontal direction may be the X direction as shown in FIGS. 1-3B) perpendicular to the direction of the central longitudinal axis 199. Thus, the two augers 122-1 and 122-2 may be aligned with each other (e.g., may be aligned such that the respective longitudinal axes of the augers 122-1 and 122-2 overlap) in a horizontal plane (e.g., a horizontal plane 300 as shown in FIGS. 1-3B, which may be understood to be a plane extending in the XZ direction). The central longitudinal axis 199 may also extend in the horizontal plane 300. The central longitudinal axis 199 may extend parallel to the horizontal plane 300.

[0089] 3A-3B, the second opening 180-2 may be located in a portion of the hollow cylinder 102 (e.g., may extend through the thickness 102t) at an "upper side" of the hollow cylinder 102. The "upper side" of the hollow cylinder 102 may, in some exemplary embodiments, refer to a portion of the hollow cylinder 102 that is "above" (e.g., from the +Y direction) a horizontal plane 300 in the XZ direction through which the central longitudinal axis 199 extends, such that the second opening 180-2 may be understood to be located at an "upper" side of the hollow cylinder 102.

[0090] 3A-3B, based on the second opening 180-2 being located in the “upper” portion of the hollow cylinder 102, the central axis 302 of the second opening 180-2 intersects with a horizontal direction, the XZ plane (e.g., intersects with the longitudinal axis 129 of the proximal and / or adjacent auger 122-1), such that the central axis 302 defines an angle 304 with the horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), the longitudinal axis 129 of the proximal and / or adjacent auger 122-1, and / or the horizontal plane 300 (e.g., the XZ plane).

[0091] In some exemplary embodiments, for example, the second opening 180-2 may be located on an upper side of the hollow cylinder 102 (e.g., attached to a granular material reservoir as described herein, incorporated into a packaging machine as described herein, etc.) such that the central axis 302 of the second opening extends at least partially in a first vertical direction (e.g., +Y direction) opposite to the direction of gravity (e.g., −Y direction) when the dosing mechanism 100 is operating. As a result, the check valve 130 may be configured to allow the valve member 132 to be resting biased by at least gravity (e.g., gravity alone or gravity and an additional biasing force such as a spring force applied by a spring of the check valve 130) to the rest position 306-1 and at least partially cover the second opening 180-2 and / or to rest (e.g., directly) on the portion 102os of the outer cylinder surface 102o adjacent to and / or surrounding the second opening by at least gravity. The "upper side" of the hollow cylinder 102 may, in some exemplary embodiments, refer to the portion of the hollow cylinder 102 that is above (e.g., from the +Y direction) a horizontal plane 300 in the XZ direction that intersects the central longitudinal axis 199. As a result, the second opening 180-2 may be configured to direct the granular material 308 moved through the second opening 180-2 to move at least partially upward (e.g., in the +Y direction) against the force of gravity (e.g., in the -Y direction). The second opening 180-2 may be at least partially configured to mitigate discharge of the granular material 308 through the second opening 180-2 when the auger conveyor 120 is in an "off" operating state based on the second opening 180-2 being located on the upper side of the hollow cylinder 102.

[0092] The angle 304 can be between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 85 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 80 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 75 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 70 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 65 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 60 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 55 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 50 degrees, or any combination thereof.

[0093] The angle 304 can be between about 90 degrees and about 85 degrees, between about 90 degrees and about 80 degrees, between about 90 degrees and about 75 degrees, between about 90 degrees and about 70 degrees, between about 90 degrees and about 65 degrees, between about 90 degrees and about 60 degrees, between about 90 degrees and about 55 degrees, between about 90 degrees and about 50 degrees, between about 90 degrees and about 45 degrees, or any combination thereof.

[0094] Angle 304 can be between about 90 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 45 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 40 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 35 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 30 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 25 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 20 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 15 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 10 degrees and about 0 degrees, between about 5 degrees and about 0 degrees, or any combination thereof.

[0095] 1-3B, in some exemplary embodiments, the dosing mechanism 100 includes a piece of material, e.g., a plate 140, that is secured to the cylindrical shell 110. The check valve 130 may be coupled to the plate 140. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A-3B, a mounting structure 134 (e.g., a pin) of the check valve 130, including the gate valve member, may be fixed (e.g., welded, screwed, bolted, etc.) to the plate 140, and the valve member 132 may be rotatably coupled to the mounting structure 134 (e.g., a pin), such that the valve member 132 may rotate (e.g., swing) about the mounting structure 134 (e.g., a pin) to move between an open position 306-2 and a rest position 306-1, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, while remaining coupled to the cylindrical shell 110. In some exemplary embodiments, plate 140 is not present and check valve 130 may be directly coupled to cylindrical shell 110 (eg, via a welded attachment, bolted attachment, screw attachment, adhesive, etc.).

[0096] As described herein, a "granular material" can include a particulate substance made up of particles. The granular material can be a powdery substance that can flow freely when shaken or tilted. In some exemplary embodiments, the granular material can have a particle size (e.g., particle diameter) between about 0.1 μm and about 500 μm. In some exemplary embodiments, the granular material can have a particle size (e.g., particle diameter) between about 0.1 μm and about 200 μm. In some exemplary embodiments, the granular material can have a particle size between about 0.5 mm and about 1 mm, about 0.25 mm and about 0.5 mm, about 125 μm and about 250 μm, about 60 μm and about 125 μm, about 4 μm and about 60 μm, about 1 μm and about 4 μm, any combination thereof, and the like.

[0097] In some exemplary embodiments, the granular material may have an average particle size of about 50 μm. In some exemplary embodiments, the granular material may have an average particle size of about 200 μm. In some exemplary embodiments, the granular material may have an average particle size of about 400 μm.

[0098] The granular material may be composed, in part or in whole, of particles having a maximum diameter between about 0.1 μm and about 1 μm. The granular material may be composed, in part or in whole, of particles having a maximum diameter equal to or greater than 1 μm.

[0099] The particulate material may comprise and / or be partially or completely comprised of at least one substance, hi some exemplary embodiments, the at least one substance is a consumer product.

[0100] In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one substance and / or consumer product is an inert powder material. In some exemplary embodiments, the granular material may contain and / or be partially or completely comprised of a substance that is microcrystalline cellulose (MCC).

[0101] In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one substance and / or consumer product comprises an oral product (eg, consists partially or entirely of an oral product).

[0102] In some exemplary embodiments, the oral product is an oral tobacco product, an oral non-tobacco product, an oral cannabis product, or any combination thereof. The oral product may be in the form of a loose material (e.g., a loose cellulosic material), a shaped material (e.g., a plug or twist), a bagged material, a tablet, a lozenge, a chew, a gum, a film, other oral products, or any combination thereof.

[0103] Oral products include chewing tobacco, snus, moist snuff, dry snuff, other smokeless tobacco, non-tobacco products for oral ingestion, or combinations thereof.

[0104] When the oral product is an oral tobacco product, including a smokeless tobacco product, the smokeless tobacco product can include whole, shredded, cut, granulated, reconstituted, cured, aged, fermented, pasteurized, or otherwise processed tobacco. Tobacco may be present in whole or in part as leaves, flowers, roots, stems, extracts (e.g., nicotine), or combinations thereof.

[0105] In some exemplary embodiments, the oral product includes a tobacco extract, such as a tobacco-derived nicotine extract, and / or synthetic nicotine. The oral product can include nicotine alone or in combination with a carrier, such as a cellulosic material (e.g., white snus). The carrier can be a non-tobacco material (e.g., microcrystalline cellulose) or a tobacco material (e.g., tobacco fiber with reduced or removed nicotine content, which may be referred to as "excreted tobacco plant tissue or fiber"). In some exemplary embodiments, the excreted tobacco plant tissue or fiber can be processed to remove at least 25%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the nicotine. For example, the tobacco plant tissue can be washed with water or another solvent to remove the nicotine.

[0106] In other exemplary embodiments, the oral product may include cannabis, such as cannabis plant tissue and / or cannabis extract. In some exemplary embodiments, the cannabis material includes leaf and / or flower material from one or more species of cannabis plants, and / or extracts from one or more species of cannabis plants. The one or more species of cannabis plants may include Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and / or Cannabis ruderalis. In some exemplary embodiments, the cannabis may be in the form of fiber. In some exemplary embodiments, the cannabis may include cannabinoids, terpenes, and / or flavonoids. In some exemplary embodiments, the cannabis material may be cannabis-derived cannabis material, such as cannabis-derived cannabinoids, cannabis-derived terpenes, and / or cannabis-derived flavonoids.

[0107] Oral products (e.g., oral tobacco products, oral non-tobacco products, or oral cannabis products) can have a variety of moisture ranges. In some exemplary embodiments, the oral product is a dry oral product having a moisture content ranging from 5% to 10% by weight. In some exemplary embodiments, the oral product has a medium moisture content, such as a moisture content ranging from 20% to 35% by weight. In some exemplary embodiments, the oral product is a wet oral product having a moisture content ranging from 40% to 55% by weight.

[0108] In some exemplary embodiments, the oral product may further comprise one or more components such as a mouth-stable polymer, a mouth-soluble polymer, a sweetener (e.g., synthetic and / or natural sweeteners), a stimulant, a soothing agent, a stimulant, a plasticizer, a mouth-soluble fiber, an alkaloid, a mineral, a vitamin, a dietary supplement, a colorant, an amino acid, a chemical aesthetic agent, an antioxidant, a food emulsifier, a pH adjuster, a botanical, a tooth whitening agent, a pH adjuster, a stearate, a wax, a stabilizer, a disintegrant, a lubricant, a preservative, a filler, a flavoring agent, a flavor masking agent, a bitter receptor site blocker, a receptor site enhancer, other additives, or combinations thereof.

[0109] In some exemplary embodiments, the particulate material may include any product or substance, for example, the particulate material may include a confectionery product, a food product, a pharmaceutical product, or other product.

[0110] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a dosing mechanism and a granular material reservoir according to some exemplary embodiments. The dosing mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 4 may be a dosing mechanism according to any of the exemplary embodiments, including the dosing mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 4, in some exemplary embodiments, the dosing mechanism 100 may be coupled (e.g., attached, fixed, connected, etc.) to a reservoir 400 (also referred to herein as a granular material reservoir, material reservoir, etc.). It may include a reservoir structure 402 (e.g., a reservoir bin) having one or more inner sidewall surfaces 402i at least partially defining an open reservoir enclosure 402e (also referred to as a reservoir space, etc.) having an open top end 402s configured to receive the granular material 404 within the reservoir enclosure 402e. The reservoir 400 further has an outlet opening 406 extending through a thickness 402t of the sidewall of the reservoir structure 402 between its inner sidewall surface 402i and an opposing outer sidewall surface 402o, independent of the open top end 402s, to establish fluid communication between the reservoir enclosure 402e and an exterior of the reservoir 400.

[0112] 4, the input mechanism 100 may be coupled to the reservoir 400 (e.g., based on the hollow cylinder 102 and / or bracket plate 190 being attached to one or more portions of the reservoir structure 402) such that the first opening 180-1 of the cylindrical shell 110 is in fluid communication with the reservoir enclosure 402e via the outlet opening 406. As shown, the first opening 180-1 may be aligned (e.g., horizontally, in the Z direction) directly adjacent to and overlapping the outlet opening 406. The input mechanism 100 may be coupled to the reservoir 400 via welding, bolting, adhesives, etc.

[0113] Still referring to FIG. 4, at least a portion of the auger conveyor 120, specifically at least a portion of its one or more augers 122, may extend from the enclosure 102e of the cylindrical shell 110, through the first opening 180-1, through the exit opening 406, and into the reservoir enclosure 402e when the feeding mechanism 100 is coupled to the reservoir 400. In such a configuration, the auger conveyor 120 is configured to operate one or more augers 122 (e.g., rotate one or more augers 122 390 about their respective longitudinal axes 129) to move at least a portion of the granular material 404 in the reservoir enclosure 402e from the reservoir enclosure 402e through the outlet opening 406 and the first opening 180-1 into the enclosure 102e as granular material 308, to move the granular material 308 further through the enclosure 102e from the first opening 180-1 to the second opening 180-2, and to move the granular material 308 further out of the feeding mechanism 100 through the second opening 180-2 as supplied granular material 310. Although the check valve 130 is not shown in FIG. 4, it will be understood that the dosing mechanism 100 as shown in FIG. 4 may be any of the exemplary embodiments of a dosing mechanism and may include any of the exemplary embodiments of the check valve 130 such that the dispensed granular material 310 is dispensed due to the granular material 308 exerting a force 380 that moves the valve member 132 to the open position 306-2 (e.g., due to the granular material 308 being pressurized within the enclosure 102e in close proximity and / or adjacent to the second opening 180-2).

[0114] As further shown in FIG. 4, based at least in part on the second opening 180-2 being located on the upper side of the hollow cylinder 102, such that the central axis 302 of the second opening 180-2 extends at least partially in the +Y direction and has an angle 304 of at least between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, relative to the horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and / or horizontal plane (e.g., XZ plane), the granular material 310 dispensed through the second opening 180-2 may fall along the outer cylinder surface 102o and further fall away from the dosing mechanism 100 in the direction of gravity “g” (e.g., −Y direction).

[0115] 4, the drive motor 124 may be mechanically coupled to the one or more augers 122, either directly or via a drive transmission 126, at either or both of a first end 122-a of the one or more augers 122 proximate the first opening 180-1 or a second end 122-b of the one or more augers 122 proximate the second opening 180-2. The drive motor 124 may be mechanically coupled to the one or more augers 122 via the drive transmission 126, which may be a gearbox, a drive shaft, a drive belt, a meshing gear set, or the like. When the drive motor 124 is coupled to the second end 122-b of the one or more augers 122, the drive transmission 126 may extend through the end cap 104 (e.g., via an opening extending through a thickness of the end cap 104) and / or through the hollow cylinder 102 (e.g., via an opening extending through a thickness 102t of the hollow cylinder 102). In some exemplary embodiments, the drive transmission 126 may include a flex coupler.

[0116] 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E are cross-sectional views of the input mechanism 100 of FIG. 1 along section line III-III' with various check valves according to some exemplary embodiments. The input mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 5A-5E may be the input mechanism according to any of the exemplary embodiments, including the input mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0117] 5A, in some exemplary embodiments, unlike the exemplary embodiments shown in at least FIGS. 1-3B, the input mechanism 100 may include an auger conveyor 120 including a single auger 122-1 (e.g., auger 122-2 is not present) instead of a multiple auger arrangement as shown in at least FIGS. 1-3B. The hollow cylinder 102 may be shaped to surround the single auger 122-1 such that the single auger 122-1 extends coaxially or substantially coaxially with a central longitudinal axis 199 within the enclosure 102e (e.g., the central longitudinal axes 129 and 199 may be coaxial), as shown in, for example, FIG. 5A. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the single auger 122-1 may extend coaxially with the central longitudinal axis 199 along separate parallel longitudinal axes 129.

[0118] 5B , in some exemplary embodiments, the check valve 130 may include a valve member 132 that is a reed valve 532 configured to deflect upon application of a force 380 to an inner surface 532i thereof for movement 306 between a rest position 306-1 and an open position 306-2. As shown, the reed valve 532 may have a proximal end 532-1 secured to the cylindrical shell 110 via a mounting structure 134 that is a fastener 534, which may be a weld, bolt, adhesive, or the like, that secures the proximal end 532-1 of the reed valve 532 to the cylindrical shell 110. As further shown, the reed valve 532 is opposite the proximal end 532-1, which is a free end that at least partially covers the second opening 180-2 when the reed valve 532 is in the resting position 306-1, and in response to a force 380 applied to the distal end 532-2 of the reed valve 532 (e.g., by granular material 308 being moved from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2 by the auger conveyor 120), the distal end 532-2 deflects to move the reed valve 532 to the open position 306-2. In response to an absence or reduction of force 380 on the distal end 532-2, the reed valve 532 may relax from the open position 306-2 to the rest position 306-1 to at least partially cover the second opening 180-2 and thus at least partially mitigate the discharge of particulate material from the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2.

[0119] The reed valve 532 may be constructed from a resilient material configured to at least partially reversibly flex and relax in response to the application and removal of a force 380 to the distal end 532-2 of the reed valve 532. Such resilient materials may include, for example, carbon fiber materials, metals (e.g., stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, etc.), plastic materials, polymer composite materials, fiberglass materials, etc.

[0120] 5C-5D, in some exemplary embodiments, the valve member 132 may include a cover plate 542 having an inner cover surface 542i (which may be at least a portion of the inner surface 132i of the valve member 132) and an outer cover surface 542o opposite the inner cover surface 542i. The cover plate 542 may be configured to cover the second opening 180-2 such that the inner cover surface 542i is proximate to the second opening 180-2 relative to the outer cover surface 542o in response to the valve member 132 being in the rest position 306-1, as shown in FIG.

[0121] 5C-5D, in some exemplary embodiments, the outer cylindrical surface 102o of the shell 102 has an outer shape, curvature, or contour. For example, as shown in at least FIGS. 1 and 5C, the cylindrical shell 110 may have a cylindrical shape such that the outer cylindrical surface 102o has a contour, or curvature, about the central longitudinal axis 199.

[0122] 5C, in some exemplary embodiments, the inner cover surface 542i has a surface shape, contour, or curvature that is complementary to the surface shape, contour, or curvature of at least a portion of the outer cylindrical surface 102o adjacent to and / or surrounding the second opening 180-2. For example, in FIG. 5C, the inner cover surface 542i is curved with a concave curvature that is complementary to the convex curvature of the portion of the outer cylindrical surface 102o that is covered by the cover plate 542 when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1. As a result, and as shown in at least FIG. 5C , the inner cover surface 542i of the cover plate 542 can lie flush with a portion of the outer cylinder surface 102o in response to the valve member 132 being in the rest position 306-1, and as such, the cover plate 542 can establish a complete or substantially complete coverage and / or seal of the second opening 180-2 to at least partially mitigate or completely prevent the particulate material from exiting the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2.

[0123] 5D in particular, in some exemplary embodiments, at least the inner cover surface 542i is planar or has a surface shape, contour or curvature that is not complementary to the surface shape, contour or curvature of the portion of the outer cylinder surface 102o covered by the cover plate 542 when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1. As a result, the inner cover surface 542i of the cover plate 542 may not be flush with said portion of the outer cylinder surface 102o in response to the valve member 132 being in the rest position 306-1. However, the inner cover surface 542i may still establish at least a partial seal of the second opening 180-2 when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1 sufficient to generate the aforementioned back pressure to retain the granular material 308 within the enclosure 102e. As a result, when one or more augers 122 are not rotating 390 (e.g., when the auger conveyor is in an “off” operational state), the cover plate 542 can at least partially mitigate or completely prevent granular material from exiting the enclosure 102e through the second opening 180-2.

[0124] 5D , in some exemplary embodiments, the portion 102os of the outer cylinder surface 102o that may be in direct contact with at least a portion of the check valve 130 (e.g., the inner cover surface 542i of the cover plate 542) when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1 may be a flat planar surface, while the portion 102os of the outer cylinder surface 102o that is not in direct contact with a portion of the check valve 130 (e.g., the inner cover surface 542i of the valve member 132 when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1) when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1 may have a curved profile (e.g., a convex curvature). As a result, the flat, planar inner cover surface 542i of the valve member 132 shown in FIG. 5D may be flush with the planar portion 102os of the outer cylinder surface 102o when the valve member 132 is in the rest position 306-1.

[0125] 5E, in some exemplary embodiments, the check valve 130 may be a different type of check valve than the check valve having a swing gate "trap door" valve member 132 as shown in at least FIGS. 1 and 3A-3B, including, for example, a ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, a lift check valve, an in-line check valve, a reed valve, etc. As shown, for example, the check valve 130 may have a body 572 secured to the outer cylinder surface 102o of the hollow cylinder 102 surrounding the second opening 180-2 via a mounting structure 134, which may include welding, bolting, adhesives, etc., the body 572 having one or more surfaces defining an inner conduit 574 extending from the second opening 180-2 to the exterior of the dosing mechanism 100, and further including an inner step 576 extending into the inner conduit 574. The check valve 130 further includes a valve member 132 within an inner conduit 574 and is biased against an inner step 576 by a spring 570 to close the check valve 130 such that the valve member 132 is in a rest position 306-1. In response to application of a force 380 through a second opening 180-2 to the valve member 132, which may be a valve disc, where the magnitude of the force 380 exceeds the spring force applied to the valve member 132 by the spring 570, the valve member 132 may be moved away from the inner step 576 to open an annular passage from the second opening 180-2 to the inner conduit 574 to allow the granular material 308 to travel through the check valve 130 via the inner conduit 574 and out of the dosing mechanism 100. In response to the force 380 ceasing or becoming less than the spring force, the spring 570 can urge the valve member 132 against the inner step 576 to at least partially seal the second opening 180-2.

[0126] It will thus be appreciated that the check valve 130 may include various types of check valves 130 configured to expose (e.g., open) or cover (e.g., close) the second opening 180-2 based on whether the auger conveyor 120 is operating to cause granular material to move through the second opening 180-2 and apply a force 380 to the valve member 132.

[0127] 6A, 6B, and 6C are perspective and cross-sectional views of an injection mechanism 100 including a sheath structure 600 according to some exemplary embodiments. The injection mechanism 100 shown in Figures 6A-6C may be an injection mechanism according to any of the exemplary embodiments, including the injection mechanism 100 shown in Figures 1-5E.

[0128] 6A-6C, the dosing mechanism 100 may include a sheath structure 600 that overlaps the second opening 180-2 and the check valve 130 in at least a first vertical direction (e.g., +Y direction) along a vertical axis (e.g., Y axis) perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 199. As further shown, the sheath structure 600 may further overlap the second opening 180-2 and the check valve 130 in opposite horizontal directions (e.g., +X and -X directions) perpendicular to the vertical axis. Additionally, as shown, the sheath structure 600 may overlap the end cap 104 in the +Z direction such that the second end 102-2 of the hollow cylinder 102 is between the first end 102-1 and at least a portion of the sheath structure 600. Thus, the sheath structure 600, formed by side walls 620 and a top wall 610, and which may be further formed by a connecting plate 630, which may be a back wall, may establish (e.g., define) a partial enclosure 602e having a bottom opening 602s.

[0129] The sheath structure 600 may be secured to the remainder of the dosing mechanism 100 based on being secured to the cylindrical shell 110. For example, as shown at least in FIG. 6C, the sheath structure 600 may be connected to the plate 140 via a connecting plate 630, directly to the hollow cylinder 102 via a connecting plate 630, etc.

[0130] As shown at least in FIG. 6B, the sheath structure 600 can be configured to at least partially surround the check valve 130 such that when the valve member 132 is in the open position 306-2, the inner surface of the top wall 610 is spaced at least a constant spacing distance 640 in a vertical direction (e.g., in the +Y direction) from contact with the valve member 132.

[0131] 6A-6C, and particularly as shown in FIG. 6B, the second opening 180-2 may be configured to redirect the granular material 308 moving through the second opening 180-2 as the supplied granular material 310 to move at least partially in a first vertical direction (e.g., a +Y direction). The valve member 132, when in the open position 306-2, may redirect the supplied granular material 310 at least partially to an opposite second vertical direction (e.g., a -Y direction), while the sheath structure 600 may be configured to redirect the supplied granular material 310 moving at least partially in the first vertical direction (e.g., a +Y direction) through the second opening 180-2 to move at least partially in a second vertical direction (e.g., a -Y direction) opposite to the first vertical direction. As shown, the dispensed granular material 310 may travel through the second opening 180-2 in both the +Y and +X directions, and the sheath structure 600, alone or in combination with the valve member 132, may redirect the dispensed granular material 310 exiting the second opening 180-2 from traveling in the +Y and +X directions to traveling with reduced movement in the -Y, -X and +X directions. As a result, the sheath structure 600 may redirect the dispensed granular material 310 to travel in a particular direction for dispensing into a packaged article (e.g., an open enclosure defined by a packaging material), as will be further described with reference to Figures 7-11.

[0132] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a packaging machine 700 including at least one input mechanism, according to some example embodiments. Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E are enlarged perspective views of regions A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, of the packaging machine of Figure 7, according to some example embodiments.

[0133] 7 and 8A-8E, the input mechanism 100 according to any of the exemplary embodiments may be included in a packaging machine 700 configured to supply granular material to one or more articles of packaging material (e.g., one or more folded strips of packaging material defining separate respective open enclosures) and may include "n" parallel process streams (e.g., process streams 1-n) and thus "n" input mechanisms 702-1-702-n configured to supply the granular material 310 to separate, respective "n" articles of packaging in the separate, respective "n" parallel process streams, thereby enabling the packaging machine 700 to form packages of granular material in "n" parallel processes. Although n is shown to be equal to 5 in Figures 8A-8E and also in Figure 9, it will be understood that "n" may be any positive integer equal to or greater than 1 (e.g., n may be equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or any integer greater than 10 in a given packaging machine 700).

[0134] Each of the dosing mechanisms 702-1-702-n may be a dosing mechanism 100 according to any of the exemplary embodiments, including any of the exemplary embodiments of the dosing mechanism 100 as shown in Figures 1-6C. As further shown in Figure 7, the packaging machine 700 may include a reservoir 400, which may be the same as the reservoir 400 described with reference to Figure 4, and the auger conveyor 120 of each dosing mechanism 100 may be configured to draw granular material 404 from the reservoir 400, move through the respective dosing mechanism 100 as granular material 410, and be fed through the second opening 180-2 of the respective dosing mechanism 100 as fed granular material 310. In some exemplary embodiments, the packaging machine 700 may include multiple reservoirs 400 from which separate, respective sets of one or more dosing mechanisms 702-1-702-n are configured to draw granular material.

[0135] 7 and 8A-8B, packaging machine 700 may include a packaging feeder 710 configured to feed packaging articles (e.g., one or more strips of packaging material) that may define an open enclosure into which granular material is fed by dosing mechanism 100 as feed granular material 310. As shown, packaging feeder 710 may include a roll 712 of sheet-like packaging material 724, which may include a drive motor 716 (e.g., a servo motor) that may be configured to rotate roll 712 about its central axis (e.g., based on driving rotation of one or more rollers 718 of packaging feeder 710) and feed sheet-like packaging material 724 from roll 712. In some exemplary embodiments, sheet 724 of packaging material may include a sheet of any suitable packaging material, including a sheet of paper material (e.g., cellulose), a sheet of plastic material (e.g., low density polyethylene (LDPE / LLDPE), high density polyethylene HDPE, polypropylene), a sheet of metal foil, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the packaging material may be referred to as a "wrapper" material.

[0136] As shown, one or more rollers 718, or one or more other rollers of packaging machine 700, may be configured to redirect the sheet of packaging material 724 provided from roll 712 into movement to and contact with cutting assembly 720 such that the sheet of packaging material 724 is cut (e.g., cut lengthwise) in a local feed direction 727 into separate strips 726-1 through 726-n (n=5 in FIG. 8A ) of packaging material. As shown, cutting assembly 720 includes "n-1" blades 722-1 through 722-(n-1), which may be metal blades (e.g., steel blades) that are spaced apart from one another in a direction perpendicular to the local feed direction 727 of the sheet of packaging material 724 and that may be aligned such that their respective cutting edges face away from the local feed direction 727. As a result, blades 722-1 to 722-(n-1) can cut the sheet of packaging material 724 lengthwise into "n" strips 726-1 to 726-n as the sheet of packaging material 724 is fed from roll 712, and thus from packaging feeder 710, to other portions of packaging machine 700. As shown in at least FIG. 8B, each separate strip of packaging material 726-1 to 726-n can be manipulated by packaging machine 700 (e.g., by separate rollers 723) to be redirected into separate respective local feed directions 729-1 to 729-n into separate respective process streams 1 to n to form separate enclosures into which separate streams and / or amounts of separate granular material 310 can be fed by separate dosing mechanisms 702-1 to 702-n.

[0137] When "n" is equal to 1, the cutting assembly 720 (and thus the blades 722-1 through 722-(n-1)) may not be present in the packaging machine 700.

[0138] 7 and 8B, packaging machine 700 may include rollers 721 (e.g., multiple rollers 721 as shown in FIG. 7B ) configured to redirect the feed directions of the respective strips 726-1 to 726-n of packaging material into separate respective local feed directions 729-1 to 729-n for feeding into separate respective "n" process streams aligned with separate respective input mechanisms 702-1 to 702-n of packaging machine 700. As shown, packaging machine 700 may include multiple rollers 721 arranged to redirect (e.g., change the local feed direction 90 degrees in various directions) the separate strips 726-1 to 726-n to align (e.g., vertically overlap) with the separate respective input mechanisms 702-1 to 702-n of each process stream 1 to n of packaging machine 700.

[0139] 8C-8E, packaging machine 700 may be configured to define process streams 1 through n (where "n" is any positive integer) that may operate in parallel. Accordingly, although the elements of an "nth" process stream will be described in detail with reference to at least Figures 8C-8E, it will be understood that the elements of packaging machine 700 relating to the 1st through (n-1)th process streams may be identical or substantially identical to the elements of packaging machine 700 described with reference to the nth process stream with reference to at least Figures 8C-8E.

[0140] 7 and 8C, each separate strip of packaging material of strips 726-1 to 726-n is at least partially filled with a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of a supply of granular material 310 supplied by a separate dosing mechanism 702-1 to 702-n, which is folded by a separate folding device 730-1 to 730-n to form a folded strip 728-1 to 728-n defining an open enclosure 734 (e.g., forming an open wrapper, package, etc.).

[0141] Each separate folding device 730-1 to 730-n may be aligned (e.g., vertically aligned) with a separate one of the 1 to n process streams of the packaging machine 700. Thus, although only the nth folding device 730-n for the nth strip 726-n in the nth process stream is described, it will be understood that the elements of the folding devices 730-1 to 730-(n-1) for the strips 726-1 to 726-(n-1) in the 1st to (n-1)th process streams may be the same or substantially the same as the elements of the nth folding device 730-n described for the nth process stream.

[0142] Each separate input mechanism 702-1 to 702-n may be aligned (e.g. vertically aligned) with a separate one of the 1 to n process streams of the packaging machine 700, and is thus vertically aligned with a separate one of the 1 to n process streams of the packaging machine 700, and thus only the nth input mechanism 702-n for the nth strip 726-n of the nth process stream is described, however, it will be understood that the elements of the input mechanisms 702-1 to 702-(n-1) for the strips 726-1 to 726-(n-1) in the 1 to (n-1)th process streams may be the same or substantially the same as the elements of the nth input mechanism 702-n described for the nth process stream.

[0143] As shown in Figure 8C, the nth folding device 730-n is configured to fold an nth strip of packaging material 726-n provided to the nth process stream to form an nth folded strip of packaging material 728-n that defines an open enclosure 734 defined by one or more surfaces 733 of a given nth folded strip 728-n. As shown in Figure 8C, a given nth folding device 730-n may be configured to bring opposing side edges 731 of a given nth strip 726-n together and bond and / or seal the opposing side edges 731 such that the given nth strip 726-n moves through the nth folding device 730-n in an nth local feed direction 737-n, thereby forming a fin seal 732 of the opposing side edges 731 extending in the nth local feed direction 737-n. The nth folding device 730-n can include a device configured to contact and press opposing side edges 731 of the nth strip 726-n together as the nth strip 726-n moves through the nth folding device 730-n in the nth local feed direction 737-n to form the nth folded strip 728-n, at least partially facilitating the formation of a fin seal 732 extending in the nth local feed direction 737-n. The nth folding device 730-n can include a device configured to attach the opposing side edges 731 of the nth strip 726-n together (e.g., press the opposing side edges 731 together) to seal the opposing side edges 731 together to form a fin seal 732 that establishes the nth folded strip 728-n defining an open enclosure 734 therein. The nth folding device 730-n may include a heater (e.g., an electrically powered resistance heater) configured to heat (e.g., to about 300 F) a portion of the nth folding device 730-n in contact with at least a portion of the nth strip 726-n to heat the contacting opposing side edges 731 that are pressed together to seal the opposing side edges 731 together to facilitate formation of a fin seal 732 extending in the nth local feed direction 737-n.

[0144] As shown, the open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n may be closed in a lateral direction perpendicular to the nth local feed direction 737-n based on an established fin seal 732 extending parallel to the nth local feed direction 737-n along a side of the nth folded strip 728-n. The open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n may be open at a proximal end proximate the nth input mechanism 702-n and may be closed at a distal end distal from the nth input mechanism 702-n. 7 and 8C, the nth local feed direction 737-n is downward in the direction of gravity, and the open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n formed based on folding the nth strip 726-n to join its opposing side edges 731 is seen to be open at its top end and thus have a top opening 734o at the proximal end of the open enclosure 734. As will be further explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8D, the open enclosure 734 may be closed at a distal end opposite the top opening 734o (e.g., at the bottom of the open enclosure 734) by an end seal 748.

[0145] 7 and 8C, and further with reference to FIG. 8D, each given dosing mechanism 100 of the packaging machine 700 may be configured to perform an indexing operation to dispense a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material 310 through the second opening 180-2 based on the auger conveyor 120 of the given dosing mechanism 100 being in an "on" operational state at a particular speed for a particular period of time such that one or more augers 122 thereof rotate 390 at a particular respective rotational speed for a particular period of time. As shown in FIG. 7, 8C, and 8D, an nth dosing mechanism 702-n performing an indexing operation dispenses a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of dispensed granular material 310 from the nth dosing mechanism 702-n and into the open enclosure 734 of the nth folding strip 728-n.

[0146] As shown in Figures 7, 8C, and 8D, the nth feeding mechanism 702-n may be positioned (e.g., vertically aligned) to be located vertically above the top opening 734o at the proximal end 734a of the open enclosure 734 of the nth folding strip 728-n, such that a given nth feeding mechanism 702-n is configured to feed a supply of granular material 310 dropping from the nth feeding mechanism 702-n through the top opening 734o at the proximal end 734a of the open enclosure 734 of the nth folding strip 728-n, at its proximal end 734a, through the top opening 734o of the open enclosure 734 to the distal end 734b of the open enclosure 734 adjacent the end seal 748 that closes the distal end 734b of the open enclosure 734.

[0147] A given nth dosing mechanism 702-n may include a drive motor 124 as described with respect to the dosing mechanism 100, which may be a servo motor controlled by a controller (e.g., controller 790 described below) to rotate its drive shaft at a particular rotational speed for a particular period of time at a particular time interval and to cause one or more augers 122 of the nth dosing mechanism 702-n to rotate 390 at their respective rotational speeds for a particular period of time to perform an indexing operation that causes the nth dosing mechanism 702-n to deliver a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material to the open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n. Each distinct period of operation of the nth dosing mechanism 702-n to deliver a distinct index 752 of granular material may be understood to be a distinct indexing operation performed by the nth dosing mechanism 702-n. The nth input mechanism 702-n may be controlled (e.g., by the controller 790) to perform indexing operations, each having a particular start time, duration, end time, and / or associated rotational speed of the drive motor 124, with particular time intervals or “time spacing” between adjacent indexing operations.

[0148] When the auger conveyor 120 of a given nth input mechanism 702-n is stopped (e.g., in an "off" operating state at the end of and / or during an indexing operation), the check valve 130 of the given nth input mechanism 702-n can exert a force on the granular material 308 remaining in the enclosure 102e of the nth input mechanism 702-n to create a back pressure that retains the granular material 308 within the enclosure 102e, thereby stopping the supply of granular material from the nth input mechanism 702-n to the open enclosure 734 and mitigating or preventing the outflow of granular material 308 from the given nth input mechanism 702-n at the completion of and / or during an indexing operation. As a result, the nth input mechanism 702-n may be configured to better control the taper of the supply of granular material at the end of and / or during the indexing operation, thereby improving the accuracy and precision of the amount of granular material supplied into the open enclosure 734 of the nth folding strip 728-n during the indexing operation (the "index 752"), and reducing or preventing excess granular material from flowing into the end seal 748 and other portions of the packaging machine 700 based on mitigating the taper of the flow of granular material 310 supplied from the input mechanism 702-n upon completion of the indexing operation.

[0149] 7, 8C, and 8D, based on a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material 310 dispensed into an open enclosure 734 of an nth folded strip 728-n of packaging material by a given nth dosing mechanism 702-n, said open enclosure 734 may be at least partially filled at its distal end 734b by the index 752 of granular material. For example, as shown, the open enclosure 734 of a folded strip 728-n may be open (e.g., having an opening 734o) at a proximal end 734a (e.g., a top end) and sealed by an end seal 748 at a distal end 734b (e.g., a bottom end). A distal (e.g., bottom) portion of the open enclosure 734 adjacent the distal end 734b (e.g., adjacent to and at least partially defined by the end seal 748 that seals the distal end 734b of the open enclosure 734) may be at least partially filled with an index 752 of granular material supplied into the open enclosure 734 from the nth dosing mechanism 702-n.

[0150] As described herein, the nth feeding mechanism 702-n feeds a specific amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material into the open enclosure 734 of the folded strip 728-n through an opening 734o of a proximal end 734a of the open enclosure 734 at a specific time interval that can be controlled by the controller 790, where the indexing operation includes the controller 790 rotating the drive motor 124 of the nth feeding mechanism 702-n at a specific rotational speed for a specific period of time associated with one or more augers 122 of the nth feeding mechanism 702-n, such that a specific amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material is fed to a distal portion of the open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n adjacent its distal end 734b.

[0151] 7 and 8D. Referring now to FIG. 8D, packaging machine 700 may include a sealing device 740 configured to join opposing inner surfaces 739 defining opposing sides of open enclosure 734 of folded strips 728-1 to 728-n of packaging material to establish respective new end seals 748-2 isolating at least a distal portion 734-1 of open enclosure 734 adjacent a previously established end seal 748-1 from the remaining adjacent portions 734-2 of open enclosure 734 in a local feed direction 747-1 to 747-n, partitioning portions of open enclosure 734 of folded strips 728-1 to 728-n, each including an index 752 of granular material, into isolated sealed enclosures 750, each including a distinct specific amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material.

[0152] As shown, the sealing device 740 can include a set of first protruding devices 742-1-742-n coupled via a central rod 744 and a set of second protruding devices 743-1-743-n coupled via a separate central rod 745 that is mechanically coupled to the first protruding devices 742-1-742-n via meshing gears 749 to synchronize the rotation of the first protruding devices 742-1-742-n with the rotation (e.g., counter-rotation) of the second protruding devices 743-1-743-n. The central rod 744 can be further configured to be mechanically connected (e.g., directly or via a drive transmission such as meshed gears 749) to a drive motor 746 and thus rotate about its longitudinal axis based on operation of the drive motor 746 to rotate the first protruding devices 742-1-742-n about the longitudinal axis of the central rod 744. The central rod 745 may be mechanically connected to the drive motor 746 (e.g., directly or via a drive transmission such as a meshing gear 749) and thus configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis based on the operation of the drive motor 746 to cause the second protrusion devices 743-1 to 743-n to further rotate about the longitudinal axis of the central rod 745, e.g., in an opposite rotational direction to the first protrusion devices 742-1 to 742-n.

[0153] Each separate first projection device 742-1 to 742-n and second projection device 743-1 to 743-n may be aligned (e.g., vertically aligned and / or horizontally overlapping) with a separate nth process stream of the packaging machine 700, and thus, although only the portion of the sealing device 740 relating to the nth process stream is described, it will be understood that the elements of the sealing device 740 relating to the 1st to (n-1)th process streams may be the same or substantially the same as the elements of the sealing device 740 described with respect to the nth process stream.

[0154] 8D , the nth first and second projection devices 742-n and 743-n may be positioned to align (e.g., horizontally overlap) with opposite sides of the nth folded strip 728-n that defines the open enclosure 734 including an index 752 of granular material at a distal portion 734-1 thereof adjacent a distal end 734b of the open enclosure 734 that is closed by the end seal 748. The sealing device 740 may be positioned vertically below the nth input mechanism 702-n of the nth process stream such that the nth folded strip 728-n moves downward in an nth local feed direction 747-n from the nth input mechanism 702-n and the nth folding device 730-n toward the nth first and second projection devices 742-n and 743-n of the sealing device 740.

[0155] The nth first protruding device 742-n may include a plurality of pad protrusions 742a-n extending radially from a central axis of rotation of the nth first protruding device 742-n (e.g., may extend radially from a central rod 744). The nth second protruding device 743-n may include a plurality of pad protrusions 743a-n extending radially from a central axis of rotation of the nth second protruding device 743-n (e.g., may extend radially from a central rod 745).

[0156] The nth first protrusion device 742-n may include a heater (e.g., a resistive heater) configured to heat the pad protrusions 742a-n (e.g., to about 300 F). The nth second protrusion device 743-n may or may not include a similar or identical heater.

[0157] The pad protrusions 742a-n may be made of a metal material (e.g., stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, etc.), a rubber material, a plastic material, etc. The pad protrusions 743a-n may be made of a metal material (e.g., stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, etc.), a rubber material, a plastic material, etc. The pad protrusions 742a-n and 743a-n may be made of the same material (e.g., the pad protrusions 742a-n and 743a-n may both be made of stainless steel) or may be made of different materials (e.g., the pad protrusions 742a-n may be made of stainless steel and the pad protrusions 743a-n may be made of rubber).

[0158] 7 and 8D, the nth first and second projection devices 742-n and 743-n may rotate synchronously with each other (e.g., counter-rotate at synchronous rotational speeds) about their respective longitudinal axes as the nth folded strip 728-n is fed in the nth local feed direction 747-n proximate the nth first and second projection devices 742-n and 743-n. The speed of movement of the nth folded strip 728-n in the nth local feed direction 747-n may be synchronized with the rotational speed of the nth first and second projection devices 742-n, 743-n about their respective longitudinal axes. The first and second protrusion devices 742-n and 743-n may be configured to rotate synchronously in counter-rotational directions such that the opposing pad protrusions 742a-n and 743a-n of the nth first and second protrusion devices 742-n and 743-n move in the nth local feed direction 747-n after a particular (e.g., a fixed, constant, and / or predetermined) length of the nth folded strip 728-n has moved in the nth local feed direction 747-n beyond the nth first and second protrusion devices 742-n and 743-n.

[0159] 7 and 8D. As the nth first and second protruding devices 742-n and 743-n rotate their respective pad protrusions 742a-n and 743a-n to positions closest to each other and the nth folded strip 728-n, the adjacent pad protrusions 742a-n and 743a-n contact and press against opposing outer surfaces of the folded strip 728-n, joining (e.g., pressing) opposing inner surfaces 739 of the open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n and sealing them together in a direction different from the nth local feed direction 747-n. An end seal 748 (e.g., end seal 748-2) is formed extending across the width of the nth folded strip 728-n in a (e.g., vertical) direction, thereby partitioning (e.g., isolating) a feed direction 747-n leading the feed direction, thereby separating the feed direction leading portion (e.g., distal portion 734-1) of the open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n from the remaining, adjacent portion 734-2 (e.g., proximal portion) of the open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n. The nth first protrusion device 742-n may include a heater configured to heat the pad protrusions 742a-n (e.g., to about 300 F) so that when adjacent pad protrusions 742a-n and 743a-n press opposing inner surfaces 739 of the open enclosure 734 together, the heated pad protrusions 742a-n may cause the pressed inner surfaces 739 of the open enclosure 734 to seal against each other to form the end seal 748.

[0160] When the nth local feed direction 747-n of a given nth folded strip 728-n in the sealing device 740 is vertically downward, the feed direction leading portion (e.g., the distal portion 734-1 of the open enclosure 734) is the bottom portion of the open enclosure 734 that is below the nth first and second protrusion devices 742-n and 743-n when rotated so that their respective pad projections 742a-n and 743a-n are closest to each other, and the proximal portion 734-2 of the open enclosure 734 that is the nth folded strip 728-n and the remainder is the top portion of the open enclosure 734 that is above the sealing device 740 when rotated so that the respective pad projections 742a-n and 743a-n are closest to each other and to the nth folded strip 728-n. 8D may not be present such that distal portion 734-1 and proximal portion 734-2 are separate, continuous portions of a single open enclosure 734 that are not partitioned or sealed from one another before the respective pad projections 742a-n and 743a-n are rotated into closest proximity to one another and to the nth folded strip 728-n. As shown, distal portion 734-1 of open enclosure 734 may be adjacent to, and at least partially defined by, end seal 748-1 that defines distal end 734b-1 of open enclosure 734 before end seal 748-2 is formed. In some exemplary embodiments, when the opposing pad projections 742a-n and 743a-n are closest to each other and to the nth folded strip 728-n, the pad projections 742a-n and 743a-n may form an end seal 748-2 that separates the distal portion 734-1 (e.g., bottom portion) of the open enclosure 734 (including the index 752 of granular material) from the remaining, proximal portion 734-2 (e.g., top) of the open enclosure 734.

[0161] As a result, the open enclosure 734 of the nth folded strip 728-n may be partitioned at end seals 748-2 by the sealing device 740 into separate sealed enclosures 750 that are isolated (e.g., partitioned) from one another in the nth local feed direction 747-n by respective end seals 748. For example, the distal portion 734-1 and the proximal portion 734-2 may be partitioned from one another by end seals 748-2 such that the distal portion 734-1 forms a sealed enclosure 750-2, as shown in FIG. 8D , and the end seals 748-2 define a new distal end 734-b2 of the open enclosure 734, which may be empty or substantially empty of particulate material.

[0162] Each separate sealed enclosure 750 contains (e.g., contains, holds, etc.) a separate specific amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material and is closed at opposite ends in the nth local feed direction 747-n by separate end seals (e.g., sealed enclosure 750-2 is closed at opposite ends by end seals 748-1 and 748-2). The sealed enclosures 750 can have the same or substantially the same length in the nth local feed direction 747-n. As a result, each separate sealed enclosure 750 formed by the sealing device 740 can contain the same or substantially the same amount of granular material (e.g., same sized index 752).

[0163] The speed of movement of the nth folded strip 728-n in the nth local feed direction 747-n and the rotation speed of the nth first and second projection devices 742-n, 743-n can be synchronized with the interval and / or duration of the indexing action performed by the nth input mechanism 702-n, so that the nth input mechanism 702-n starts an indexing action to feed a single index 752 of granular material into the distal portion 734-1 of the open enclosure 734 after the nth first and second projection devices 742-n and 743-n form a first end seal 748-1 to divide (e.g. seal) the index 752 previously fed into the first sealed enclosure 750-1. Thus, the single index 752 is fed into the empty distal portion 734-1 of the open enclosure 734 having an open proximal end 734a and a distal end 734b-1 closed by the first end seal 748-1. The nth dosing mechanism 702-n terminates the indexing action before a particular length of the folded strip 728-n is moved beyond the nth first and second projection devices 742-n and 743-n. The nth first and second projection devices 742-n and 743-n can form a next end seal 748-2 above the fill line of the single index 752 in the distal portion 734-1 to seal the single index 752 to the next sealed enclosure 750-2 and establish a new closed distal end 734b-2 of the open enclosure 734 that is closed by the next end seal 748-2 and is free or substantially free of particulate material.

[0164] In some exemplary embodiments, the first through n-th second projection devices 743-1 through 743-n may not be present in the packaging machine 700.

[0165] 7 and 8E, the packaging machine 700 may include a cutting device 760 configured to separate the sealed enclosures 750 of each given folded strip 728-1 to 728-n of packaging material into separate packages 770 (also referred to herein as articles of packaging) each including a separate index 752 of granular material, where each index 752 may be the same or substantially the same amount of granular material.

[0166] As shown, the cutting device 760 can include a number of blades 762-1 through 762-n, also referred to herein as “blades,” connected via a central rod 764. The central rod 764 can be mechanically connected to a drive motor 766 (e.g., a servo motor) and thus configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis based on operation of the drive motor 766, thereby causing the blades 762-1 through 762-n to further rotate about the longitudinal axis of the central rod 764.

[0167] Each separate blade 762-1 to 762-n may be aligned (e.g., vertically and / or horizontally overlapping) with a separate nth process stream of the packaging machine 700, and thus, although only the portion of the cutting apparatus 760 relating to the nth process stream is described, it will be understood that the elements of the cutting apparatus 760 relating to the 1st to (n-1)th process streams may be the same or substantially the same as the elements of the cutting apparatus 760 described for the nth process stream.

[0168] 8E, the nth blade 762-n may be positioned to align (e.g., horizontally overlap) with the nth folded strip 728-n that defines at least one sealed enclosure 750 containing a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material. The cutting device 760 may be positioned vertically below the nth process stream sealing device 740 such that the nth folded strip 728-n moves in an nth local feed direction 767-n (e.g., downward) from the nth first and second projection devices 742-n and 743-n towards the nth blade 762-n of the cutting device 760.

[0169] As shown in at least FIG. 7 and FIG. 8E, the nth blade 762-n may rotate about the longitudinal axis of the central rod 764 as the nth folded strip 728-n is fed in the nth local feed direction 767-n (e.g., downward) adjacent to the nth blade 762-n. The speed of movement of the nth folded strip 728-n in the nth local feed direction 767-n may be synchronized with the speed of rotation of the nth blade 762-n about the central rod 764, and may rotate such that the nth blade 762-n is closest to the nth folded strip 728-n after a particular (e.g., fixed and / or predetermined) length of the particular strip 728-n. This may be the length of each sealed enclosure 750 between the opposing adjacent end seals 748, moving in the nth local feed direction 767-n beyond the cutting device 760. As a result, the packaging machine 700 may be configured to move the nth folded strip 728-n and further rotate the nth blade 762-n in synchronization with the movement, such that when the nth blade 762-n rotates into closest proximity with the nth folded strip 728-n, the nth blade 762-n contacts the end seal and cuts (e.g., bisects) the end seal 748 of the nth folded strip 728-n in the direction in which the seal 748 extends (e.g., perpendicular to the nth local feed direction 767-n). The aforementioned rotation and movement may be synchronized such that the nth blade 762-n cuts the centerline (or approximately the centerline) of each end seal 748 extending in a direction perpendicular to the nth local feed direction 767-n to precisely or substantially precisely (e.g., ±10%) cut the end seal 748 in half in a direction perpendicular to the nth local feed direction 767-n.The rotation of the nth blade 762-n may be further synchronized with the movement of the nth folded strip 728-n such that the nth blade 762-n contacts the end seal 748 of the nth folded strip 728-n only when the nth blade 762-n is closest to the nth folded strip 728-n such that each successive end seal 748 of the nth folded strip 728-n is contacted by the nth blade 762-n and the nth blade 762-n and strip 728-n move in synchronism with one another. For example, the movement of a given strip 728-n in the nth local feed direction 767-n may be synchronized with the rotation of the corresponding nth blade 762-n about the central rod 764 such that the distal edge 765 of the nth blade 762-n rotates in contact with the seal 748 of the nth folded strip 728-n. Each time the nth blade 762-n rotates around the central rod 764, a length of a single sealed enclosure 750 between adjacent sealed ends 748 of the strips 728-n moves past the cutting device 760 in the nth local feed direction 767-n during a single rotation of the nth blade 762-n around the central rod 764.

[0170] Still referring to Figures 7 and 8E, as the nth blade 762-n rotates to a position closest to the nth folded strip 728-n, the nth blade 762-n (e.g., its distal edge 765) can contact and sever the adjacent end seal 748 of the nth folded strip 728-n, separating the feed direction leading sealed enclosure 750 of the nth folded strip 728-n from the remainder of the nth folded strip 728-n as a discrete packaged article, referred to interchangeably herein as a package 770 including a discrete (e.g., specific) amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material.

[0171] For example, when the nth local feed direction 767-n of a given nth folded strip 728-n in the cutting device 760 is vertically downward, the feed direction leading sealing enclosure 750 is the bottom sealing enclosure 750 of the nth folded strip 728-n that is below the distal edge 765 of the nth blade 762-n when the nth blade 762-n is closest to the nth folded strip 728-n, and the remainder of the nth folded strip 728-n is above the distal edge 765 of the nth blade 762-n when the nth blade 762-n is closest to the nth folded strip 728-n. In such an exemplary embodiment, when the nth blade 762-n is closest to the nth folded strip 728-n, the nth blade 762-n can slit (e.g., bisect) the end seal 748 that joins the bottom sealed enclosure 750 to the remainder of the nth folded strip 728-n into two physically separate sealed portions, thereby separating the bottom sealed enclosure 750 as packaging 770 from the remainder of the nth folded strip 728-n.

[0172] As a result, the sealed enclosure 750 of the nth folded strip 728-n may be cut by a cutting device 760 into separate packages 770 (e.g., separate packaged articles) including separate respective indices 752 of granular material, where the separate packages 770 have the same or substantially the same length between opposing end seals 748 at their opposing longitudinal ends. As a result, each separate package 770 may include the same or substantially the same amount of granular material (e.g., indices 752).

[0173] 8E illustrates a single nth blade 762-n horizontally aligned with the nth process stream and rotating about a central rod 764, but example embodiments are not so limited. For example, similar to the nth protruding device 742-n illustrated in FIG. 8D, the cutting device 760 may include multiple nth blades 762-n radially extending from the central rod 764 and spaced apart (e.g., equally spaced) from one another, which may rotate about the central rod 764 to cut separate end seals 748 as the nth folded strip 728-n is fed into the cutting device 760 in the nth local feed direction 767-n.

[0174] 7 and 8E, each newly established (e.g., newly formed) package 770 separated from the remainder of the nth folded strip 728-n by the cutting device 760 may fall onto a conveyor 780 or a collection area / bin. In FIG. 7 and 8E, if the packaging machine 700 includes a conveyor 780, the packages 770 established by the cutting device 760 may fall onto an upper surface of the conveyor 780. As shown, the conveyor 780 may have a driven shaft 784 driven by a drive motor 786 (e.g., a servo motor) to rotate 782 and move the packages 770 thereon toward a collection area 788 (which may be a collection bin).

[0175] Thus, packages 770 including respective indices 752 of granular material may be formed by the packaging machine 700 in "n" process streams, each including a dosing mechanism 100 according to any of the exemplary embodiments, and the packages 770 may be formed with improved precision, accuracy, and consistency of the amount of granular material dispensed from each dosing mechanism 100 to form each separate index 752 in each separate package 770. As a result, the packaging machine 700 including said one or more dosing mechanisms 100 may be configured to reduce waste, improve precision, accuracy, and consistency of the amount of granular material included in each package 770, and / or reduce the risk of excess granular material spilling from one or more dosing mechanisms 100 and contaminating and / or degrading the operation of other parts of the packaging machine 700.

[0176] 7, the packaging machine 700 may include a controller 790 configured to control some or all of the packaging machine 700. As shown in FIG. 7, the controller 790 may be communicatively coupled to drive motors 716, 124, 746, 766, 786, which may be separate servo motors, and may operate various portions of the packaging machine 700. The controller 790 may control some or all of the drive motors of the packaging machine 700 to operate the packaging machine 700 to form packages 770, each including a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of the granular material.

[0177] In some demonstrative embodiments, the controller 790 is configured to control various drive motors of the packaging machine 700 to feed the sheets and strips of packaging material 726-1 to 726-n, 728-1 to 728-n through the packaging machine 700 at a particular speed of movement, to synchronize the rotation of the projection devices 742-1 to 742-n, 743-1 to 743-n of the sealing device 740 and the blades 762-1 to 762-n of the cutting device 760, and the interval between the indexing movements of the dosing mechanisms 702-1 to 702-n with the speed of movement of the sheets and / or strips of packaging material 726-1 to 726-n, 728-1 to 728-n through the packaging machine 700.

[0178] The controller 790 may control the dosing mechanisms 702-1-702-n to perform indexing operations at specific intervals synchronized with the operation of the packaging material moving and sealing device 740 such that the sealing device 740 feeds an index 752 of granular material to a newly formed open enclosure 734 by forming a new end seal 748 on the folded strip 728-n, sealing the previous distal portion 734-1 containing the previously fed index 752 into another sealed enclosure 750, establishing an empty distal portion 734-1 of the newly opened enclosure 734. The controller 790 may be configured to adjust the interval between indexing operations, the duration of each indexing operation, the rotational speed of one or more augers 122 of any of the dosing mechanisms 702-1-702-n during the indexing operation, etc., to control the amount of granular material in each index 752 and to control the time interval between the feeding of each index 752. The controller 790 may be configured to take into account different flow rates of different granular materials exiting the dosing mechanisms 702-1 to 702-n.

[0179] The controller 790 may store a look-up table, which may be established empirically, that associates different index 752 amounts of various types of granular material with corresponding operational parameters of the packaging machine 700, including the corresponding index rotational speed of the drive motor 124, the duration of the index, the time interval between indexes (e.g., the duration between adjacent indexes in time), the speed of travel of the sheet / strip of packaging material, the rotational speed of the protrusions 742 / 743 and / or blade 762, any combination thereof, etc. Operation of a drive motor may be represented based on the timing, amount, and / or speed of power applied (e.g., supplied) to the drive motor. Based on the determined amount of the determined type of granular material to be included in each index 752 (which may be provided to the controller 790 via a communications interface, a user interface such as a touch screen and / or keyboard interface, etc.), the controller 790 may access a look-up table, determine corresponding operating parameters associated with the determined index amount and type of granular material, and control one or more parts of the packaging machine 700, including, for example, the drive motor 124 of each dosing mechanism 702-1 to 702-n, but including some or all of the drive motor of the packaging machine 700, to ensure that the packaging machine produces packages 770 each containing a constant or substantially constant (e.g., ±10%) amount of granular material and / or an amount (e.g., index 752) that spans a range of the amount of the desired index 752.

[0180] In some exemplary embodiments, any part or all of the controller 790 may include, be included in, and / or be implemented by a processing circuit, such as hardware including logic circuits; a hardware / software combination, such as a processor executing software; or one or more instances (e.g., an article, piece, unit, etc.) of a combination thereof. For example, the processing circuit may more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other device or device capable of executing in response to instructions in a defined manner. As shown in FIG. 7, the controller 790 may include some or all of a processor 792 (e.g., CPU), a memory 794 (e.g., solid state drive, SSD), and a communication interface 796 communicatively coupled via a bus connection 798. It will be appreciated that any type of non-transitory computer readable storage device may be used as the memory 794 in addition to or in place of the SSD. In some demonstrative embodiments, the processing circuitry may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage device, or memory (e.g., memory 794), e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD), that stores a program of instructions, and a processor (e.g., processor 792). The processor is communicatively coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage device (e.g., via a bus connection 798) and configured to execute the program of instructions to implement some or all of the functionality of any of the devices and / or mechanisms. As described herein, an element (e.g., a processing circuit, a digital circuit, etc.) that is described as "implementing" an element (e.g., packaging machine 700) will be understood to implement the functionality of the element (e.g., the functionality of packaging machine 700) that it implements.

[0181] In Figures 7 and 8A-8E, the packaging machine 700 is shown to include multiple separate drive motors 716, 124, 746, 766, 786 coupled to separate respective portions of the packaging machine 700 equipment. However, exemplary embodiments are not so limited. In some exemplary embodiments, some or all portions of the packaging machine 700 may be driven by a single same drive motor (e.g., drive motor 124) controlled by a controller 790. In some exemplary embodiments, the packaging machine 700 is mechanically coupled (e.g., to each of the packaging feeder 710, the input mechanisms 702-1-702-n, the sealing device 740, the cutting device 760, and the conveyor 780 via one or more drive transmission mechanisms including one or more drive belts, interlocking gear sets, etc.) and configured to drive each of said devices under the control of the controller 790 and configured such that the operation of said devices (and the operation of its elements) are at least partially synchronized with respect to each other to enable the synchronization of operation of the various elements as described herein.

[0182] In some exemplary embodiments, one or more of the described devices of the packaging machine 700 may be absent. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the packaging machine 700 may move preformed open packages of packaging material defining respective opened enclosures 734 into alignment with separate respective dosing mechanisms 702-1-702-n to be filled with granular material by the dosing mechanisms 702-1-702-n, and the packaging machine 700 may include a sealing device 740 that seals the open enclosures 734 of the open packages to form packages 770 including respective indices 752 of granular material dispensed into the open enclosures 734 from one or more of the dosing mechanisms 702-1-702-n. Each of the dosing mechanisms 702-1-702-n may be controlled (e.g., based on controlling operation of the respective auger conveyor 120 via control of the drive motor(s) 124) such that each dosing mechanism 702-1-702-n may feed a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material to a separate opened package, each dosing mechanism 702-1-702-n may be controlled to begin feeding granular material from a respective second opening 180-2 for a particular period of time in response to an opened package being moved vertically below a given dosing mechanism, and / or not feed granular material when an opened packet is not vertically below a given dosing mechanism. In some exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the cutting device 760, the folding device 730-1-730-n, and the packaging feed device 710 may be absent from the packaging machine 700.

[0183] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of area C of packaging machine 700 of FIG. 7, according to some example embodiments.

[0184] In some exemplary embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 9 , “n” may be greater than one (e.g., equal to 5 in FIG. 9 ), and the packaging machine 700 may include multiple input mechanisms 702-1 to 702-n, each separate input mechanism configured to be aligned with a separate folded strip of packaging material 728-1 to 728-n, and each separate folding device 730-1 to 730-n configured to fold each aligned strip of packaging material 726 to form a separate open enclosure 734 vertically aligned with a respective input mechanism 702-1 to 702-n.

[0185] Thus, as shown in FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIGs. 7 and 8A-8E, the multiple input mechanisms 702-1-702-n may be configured to supply separate respective quantities (e.g., indexes 752) of the supplied granular material 310 in parallel "n" process streams, and the packaging supply apparatus 710 may be configured such that the multiple packaging articles (e.g., strips 726-1-726-n) are supplied in parallel to the multiple input mechanisms 702-1-702-n and are folded into a plurality of separate folded strips 728-1-728-n defining separate respective open enclosures 734 which can be filled in parallel with the supplied granular material 310 from the separate respective input mechanisms 702-1-702-n.

[0186] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an input mechanism to perform a single indexing operation, according to some exemplary embodiments. The method illustrated in FIG. 10 may be implemented with respect to any of the input mechanisms according to any of the exemplary embodiments, including, for example, a controller (e.g., controller 790) configured to control one or more portions of the input mechanism. It will be understood that the operations of the method illustrated in FIG. 10 may be performed in a different order than that shown in FIG. 10. Additionally, it will be understood that some operations illustrated in FIG. 10 may be omitted from the method in some exemplary embodiments, and / or some additional operations not shown in FIG. 11 may be added to the method.

[0187] In S1002, an auger conveyor of the input mechanism (e.g., auger conveyor 120) is controlled to be driven (e.g., based on control of the operation of its drive motor 124), e.g., to be "operating" and / or to be in an "on" operating state, to rotate one or more augers of the auger conveyor (e.g., one or more augers 122) to move granular material (e.g., from reservoir 400). In S1004, the auger conveyor, based on the driven rotation of its one or more augers, moves the granular material through a first opening (e.g., first opening 180-1) at a first end (e.g., 102-1) of the feeding mechanism into an internal enclosure (e.g., enclosure 102e) of the feeding mechanism, moves the granular material through a first opening (e.g., first opening 180-1) at the first end (e.g., 102-1) of the feeding mechanism to an internal enclosure (e.g., enclosure 102e) of the feeding mechanism, and further moves the granular material through the enclosure toward a second opening (e.g., second opening 180-2) closer to the opposite end of the feeding mechanism than the first opening is at the opposite end.

[0188] In S1006, the auger conveyor is controlled (e.g., based on controlling operation of its drive motor 124) to rotate one or more augers to move the granular material (e.g., 308) along a central longitudinal axis (e.g., 199) of the feeding mechanism from a first end (e.g., 102-2) of the feeding mechanism toward a second end (e.g., 102-2) of the feeding mechanism through the inner enclosure. In S1006, the rotating one or more augers further move the granular material from the inner enclosure through the second opening (e.g., 180-2) to exert (e.g., apply) a force or pressure (e.g., force 380) on a check valve member (e.g., 132) covering the second opening in a rest position (e.g., rest position 306-1). As the granular material is moved through the second opening by the auger conveyor, the granular material exerts a force or pressure (e.g., force 380) on the check valve member (e.g., 132) (e.g., based on increasing the pressure of the granular material 308 in the enclosure 102e proximate or adjacent to the second opening 180-2) pushing the check valve member from a rest position (e.g., 306-1) to an open position (e.g., 306-2) to at least partially expose the second opening to the exterior of the feeding mechanism, thereby allowing the granular material to move (e.g., flow) through the second opening and exit the feeding mechanism (e.g., exit the feeding mechanism through the second opening 180-2 as fed granular material 310).

[0189] In S1008, a determination is made as to whether to stop operation of the auger conveyor such that one or more augers of the auger conveyor are in an "off" operational state and are no longer moving and therefore not moving granular material. If not (S1008=NO), the method continues. If so (S1008=YES), in S1010, the auger conveyor is controlled (e.g., switched from an "on" operational state to an "off" operational state) to stop rotation of one or more augers (e.g., based on causing the drive motor 124 to stop rotating).

[0190] In some exemplary embodiments, the auger conveyor is determined to stop operating in S1008 based on determining whether the auger conveyor has been in an "on" state (e.g., drive motor 124 has been rotating its drive shaft) for at least a certain (e.g., threshold) period of time. For example, an operating timer for operation of the auger conveyor may be initialized and / or reset to t=0 seconds in S1002 when the auger conveyor is switched to an "on" operating state in S1002. The auger conveyor may be associated with a threshold operating time (e.g., t=1.2 seconds) that is stored in a controller (e.g., in memory 794 of controller 790) that controls the auger conveyor 120. The controller may determine in S1008 whether the elapsed time "t" since execution of S1002 equals or exceeds the threshold operating time (e.g., whether t≧1.2). If not, S1008=NO. If so, S1008=YES and the method proceeds to S1010 where the auger conveyor is stopped.

[0191] As described herein, the controller 790 may determine a particular duration of the indexing motion and / or rotational speed of one or more augers (e.g., based on operation of the drive motor 124) based on a determined (e.g., desired, commanded, etc.) granular material type and / or granular material index amount. The controller 790 may access a database (e.g., an empirically generated look-up table) to determine a particular duration of indexing operation (e.g., a threshold operating time) (e.g., the duration of rotation of the drive motor 124, which may be represented by the duration for which power is controlled to be supplied to the drive motor), the amount and / or speed of power supplied to the drive motor 124, and / or the determined (e.g., desired, commanded, etc.) type of granular material and / or indexed amount of granular material, and control the drive motor 124 in S1002-S1008 to operate at the determined speed and for the determined duration (e.g., supply power for the determined duration and in the determined amount and / or speed) to rotate the one or more augers at a particular corresponding speed for the determined duration and cause the dosing mechanism 100 to supply a particular amount of the index (e.g., 752) of granular material. The above-mentioned lookup table can be empirically generated using an input mechanism 100 including the same type of check valve 130 as the input mechanism 100 controlled by the controller 790 to perform the indexing operation, such that the index duration (e.g., drive motor operation duration) and drive motor rotational speed (e.g., supplied power amount and / or speed, drive shaft rotational speed, etc.) stored in the lookup table accurately correspond to the corresponding index amount and type of granular material.

[0192] At S1012, the auger conveyor may stop, thereby stopping or reducing the movement of granular material to and through the second opening, and the force or pressure exerted by the granular material through the second opening on the check valve member. As a result of such stopping or reducing the force or pressure exerted, the check valve member moves (e.g., relaxes) from an open position to a rest position to at least partially cover (e.g., block) the second opening and still partially or completely retain the granular material within the internal enclosure and / or second opening (e.g., based on creating back pressure on the granular material remaining within the internal enclosure and / or second opening while the auger conveyor is stopped), thus at least partially limiting or preventing the movement (e.g., draining) of the granular material through the second opening and out of the internal enclosure and thus out of the dosing mechanism.

[0193] As described herein, a check valve (e.g., check valve 130) may be in an “open” state when its valve member (e.g., valve member 132) is in an open position (e.g., open position 306-2), and a check valve may be in a “closed” state when its valve member (e.g., valve member 132) is in a rest position (e.g., rest position 306-1).

[0194] It will be appreciated that control of the auger conveyor (e.g., starting and / or stopping the auger conveyor) may be performed based on controlling the supply of power to a drive motor (e.g., 124) for transmitting power to an auger of the auger conveyor and / or controlling a drive transmission for controlling the transmission of power from the drive motor to one or more augers. Such control may be performed by a controller (e.g., 790), which may perform such control based on controlling (e.g., regulating, initializing, inhibiting, etc.) the supply of power to one or more drive motors and / or actuators associated with one or more drive transmissions.

[0195] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a packaging machine including one or more input mechanisms, according to some exemplary embodiments. The method illustrated in FIG. 11 may be implemented in conjunction with any of the packaging machines according to any of the exemplary embodiments (e.g., implemented by a controller that controls the packaging machine and / or the input mechanisms). The method illustrated in FIG. 11 may be implemented in conjunction with any of the packaging machines according to any of the exemplary embodiments, including, for example, a controller (e.g., controller 790) configured to control one or more portions of the packaging machine. It will be understood that the operations of the method illustrated in FIG. 11 may be performed in an order different from the order shown in FIG. 11. It will be further understood that some operations illustrated in FIG. 11 may be omitted from the method in some exemplary embodiments, and / or some additional operations not illustrated in FIG. 11 may be added to the method.

[0196] In S1102, a packaging material supply device of the packaging machine (e.g., packaging supply device 710) is operated (e.g., based on controlling a drive motor and / or drive transmission) to supply a sheet of packaging material (e.g., from a roll of packaging material).

[0197] In S1104, the sheet of packaging material is fed into contact with an array of cutting devices (e.g., blades 722-1 through 722-(n-1)), which may divide the sheet of packaging material into a plurality of separate strips of packaging material (e.g., strips 726-1 through 726-n).

[0198] In S1106-S1114, each separate strip of packaging material may be directed to be fed through a separate one of the "n" process streams of packaging machine 700. Step S1104 may be absent if packaging machine 700 includes a single process stream. Although steps S1106-S1114 may each be described with reference to an nth process stream, it will be understood that steps S1106-S1114 may be performed at least partially in parallel in process streams 1-n.

[0199] In S1106, each separate strip of packaging material may be folded, for example, by a separate folding device (e.g., 730-n) into a separate folded strip (e.g., 728-n) that defines an open enclosure (e.g., 734) having an opening (e.g., 734o) at a proximal end (e.g., 734a) and an end seal (e.g., 748) at a distal end (e.g., 734b). The strips may be fed to the folding device (e.g., 730-n) such that the nth folded strip defines an open enclosure bounded perpendicular to the local feed direction of the strip, open at a top end facing upwards as the folded strip continues to be fed in a given process stream, and closed (e.g., by end seal 748) at a bottom end.

[0200] In S1108, each separate input mechanism (e.g., 702-n) of the packaging machine may feed a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material into a separate open enclosure (e.g., 734) defined by a separate folded strip (e.g., 734) of packaging material (e.g., 728-n) through its open end to at least partially fill a distal end of the open enclosure of the folded strip (e.g., fill at least a distal portion of the open enclosure adjacent an end seal (e.g., 748) that closes the distal end of the open enclosure). As shown in Figures 7 and 8C, each input mechanism of each respective process stream may be at least partially vertically aligned (e.g., at least partially vertically overlapping) with the open top end of the separate open enclosure of the separate folded strip of packaging material. Each dosing mechanism may be controlled to perform an indexing operation to feed a flow of granular material (e.g., feed granular material 310) at a particular rate for a particular duration before ceasing the flow such that a particular amount (e.g., index 752) of granular material is fed into the open enclosure. Such control may be performed based on control of the duration, applied power, and / or rotational speed of the drive motor (e.g., servo motor) of the dosing mechanism.

[0201] In S1110, a folded strip having an open enclosure at least partially filled (e.g., at least distal portion 734-1 is filled) with an index (e.g., 752) of granular material fed from an input mechanism is fed in a local feed direction (e.g., downwards) and a sealing device (e.g., sealing device 740) seals at least the filled portion (e.g., distal portion 734-1) of the open enclosure to seal the distal portion (e.g., distal portion 734-1) of the open enclosure, and the index of granular material contained therein, to separate sealed enclosures (e.g., 750), also referred to as sealed packaged articles, sealed pouches, sealed packages, sealed packets, etc., defined extending between adjacent opposing end seals of the folded strip and containing a specified amount of granular material therein (e.g., index 752), the sealed enclosures being partitioned in an nth local feed direction by end seals (e.g., 748) formed by sealing opposing inner surfaces of the open enclosure. The packaging machine 700 may be configured to partition the folded strips 728-1 to 728-n into sealed enclosures 750 each including an index 752 of the same or substantially the same amount (e.g., dose) of granular material. Operation of the sealing device may be synchronized with operation of the dosing mechanism such that after completion of an indexing operation by the dosing mechanism and prior to initiation of a next indexing operation (e.g., while the dosing mechanism is in an "off" operational state and is not currently dispensing granular material), the sealing device forms an end seal to seal the predetermined distal portion of the open enclosure and the index contained therein. As a result, operation of the sealing device forms a new end seal that establishes a new distal end and distal portion of the open enclosure that is free (e.g., empty) or substantially free of granular material, prior to initiation of a new indexing operation by the dosing mechanism to at least partially fill the new distal portion of the open enclosure with a new index of granular material by sealing the predetermined distal portion of the open enclosure and the contained index from the proximal portion of the open enclosure.As a result, such synchronization may improve the accuracy and precision of each indexed amount of particulate material within each sealed enclosure and further reduce or prevent particulate material from becoming trapped within the formed end seals.

[0202] In S1112, each nth folded strip having a sealed enclosure separated (e.g., partitioned) by an end seal is fed in an nth local feed direction (e.g., downward) from the sealing device to a cutting device (e.g., cutting device 760) that cuts the end seal of each of the nth folded strips to separate the distal (e.g., bottom) sealed enclosure of the nth folded strip from the nth folded strip. In this way, packages (e.g., packages 770, also referred to herein as packaged articles) are established (e.g., formed), each containing a specific amount (e.g., index 752, dose, etc.) of granular material. In S1114, the packages are provided or fed to a collection area or bin. The packages may be dropped from the cutting device into the collection area or bin. The packages may be guided to a conveyor that transports the packages to the collection area or bin.

[0203] While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations are possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications that would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A throwing mechanism, a cylindrical shell, an auger conveyor, and a check valve; the cylindrical shell includes a hollow cylinder and end plates; the hollow cylinder extends between opposite first and second ends; the hollow cylinder has an outer cylinder surface and an inner cylinder surface opposite the outer cylinder surface; the inner cylinder surface at least partially defines an interior enclosure having a central longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end of the hollow cylinder; the hollow cylinder defines the first opening to the interior enclosure at least partially at the first end of the hollow cylinder such that the central longitudinal axis intersects the first opening; the hollow cylinder further defines, at least in part, a second opening to the interior enclosure by a thickness of the hollow cylinder between the inner cylinder surface and the outer cylinder surface; the second opening has a central axis that is different from the central longitudinal axis and that extends at least partially in a first perpendicular direction opposite to a direction of gravity; the end plate covers the second end of the hollow cylinder; the auger conveyor includes an auger extending at least partially through the internal enclosure between the first end and the second end and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the auger; the check valve includes a valve member coupled to the cylindrical shell and configured to selectively cover the second opening; The check valve is responsive to the valve member being in a rest position, causing the valve member to cover the second opening from outside the dosing mechanism; the dosing mechanism is configured to move the valve member from the rest position to an open position and expose the second opening to an exterior of the dosing mechanism in response to a force applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening, the applied force being a force at least partially acting upward against gravity through the second opening by the material within the internal enclosure based on material moved by the auger conveyor.

2. The insertion mechanism according to claim 1, The closing mechanism, wherein the valve member is a reed valve.

3. The insertion mechanism according to claim 1, The dosing mechanism wherein the valve member is a movable gate configured to rotate about a pin attached to the cylindrical shell.

4. The insertion mechanism according to claim 1, the check valve includes a spring applying a spring force biasing the valve member to the rest position, and the check valve is configured to move the valve member from the rest position to the opening in response to the applied force applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening being greater than the spring force.

5. The insertion mechanism according to claim 1, The dosing mechanism, wherein the check valve includes an actuator coupled to a drive motor and configured to adjustably move the valve member between the rest position and the open position upon actuation of the drive motor.

6. The insertion mechanism according to claim 1, The check valve is configured to move the valve member to the rest position based on a weight of the valve member being greater than the applied force applied to the valve member from the internal enclosure through the second opening.

7. The insertion mechanism according to claim 1, The valve member includes a cover plate having an inner cover surface configured to cover the second opening in response to the valve member being in the rest position.

8. The closing mechanism according to claim 7, the inner cover surface has a surface contour complementary to a surface contour of a portion of the outer cylinder surface, such that in response to the valve member being in the rest position, the inner cover surface of the cover plate becomes flush with the outer cylinder surface.

9. The insertion mechanism according to claim 1, Further, the sheath structure includes the sheath structure overlaps the second opening and the check valve in a first vertical direction along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; The sheath structure further overlaps the second opening and the check valve in a horizontal direction on the opposite side perpendicular to the vertical axis, wherein the second opening is configured such that material moving through the second opening moves at least partially in the first vertical direction; and the sheath structure is configured to redirect the material moving at least partially in the first vertical direction through the second opening to move at least partially in a second vertical direction opposite the first vertical direction.

10. The insertion mechanism according to claim 1, the auger conveyor comprises a twin auger conveyor including two augers extending parallel to one another through the internal enclosure, the two augers configured to rotate in counter-rotational directions about their respective longitudinal axes.

11. The insertion mechanism according to claim 10, the two augers are aligned along a horizontal axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis; The central axis of the second opening is inclined at a first angle between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to the horizontal axis.

12. The closing mechanism according to claim 11, The dosing mechanism, wherein the first angle is between about 45 degrees and about 60 degrees.

13. The closing mechanism according to claim 11, The dosing mechanism, wherein the first angle is between about 60 degrees and about 85 degrees.

14. A packaging machine comprising: the feeding mechanism according to claim 1; a material reservoir; a packaging supply device; a sealing device; and a cutting device; the auger conveyor of the dosing mechanism is configured to draw material from the material reservoir; the packaging dispensing device is configured to dispense a strip of packaging material folded to define an open enclosure having an enclosure opening, wherein the dosing mechanism is configured to dispense the material into the open enclosure through the enclosure opening to at least partially fill a distal portion of the open enclosure with a predetermined amount of the material; the sealing device is configured to join opposing surfaces of the folded strip of packaging material to isolate the distal portion of the open enclosure from a remainder of the open enclosure including the enclosure opening, the isolated distal portion of the open enclosure establishing a sealed enclosure containing the quantity of material within the folded strip of packaging material; The cutting device is configured to separate the sealed enclosure from the remainder of the folded strip of packaging material to establish a packaged article including the predetermined amount of the material.

15. 15. The packaging machine according to claim 14, Further, the device includes a plurality of insertion mechanisms; the plurality of input mechanisms includes the input mechanism, the plurality of dosing mechanisms are configured to deliver separate respective quantities of the ingredients in parallel; wherein the packaging supply device is configured to supply a plurality of strips of packaging material to the plurality of input mechanisms in parallel, the plurality of strips of packaging material including the strip of packaging material.

16. 10. A method for dispensing a predetermined amount of material via a dosing mechanism according to claim 1, comprising: The method is: controlling the auger conveyor to move the material; moving through the first opening into the inner enclosure; moving through the inner enclosure from the first end toward the second end along the central longitudinal axis; moving the material out of the inner enclosure through the second opening at the second end and through the second opening by applying the applied force to the valve member of the check valve to move the valve member from the resting position to the open position, thereby allowing the material to exit the dosing mechanism through the second opening; and controlling the auger conveyor to stop operation so that the valve member of the check valve moves to the rest position to restrict movement of the material out of the internal enclosure through the second opening.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, The method, wherein controlling the auger conveyor to stop operation is responsive to determining that the auger conveyor has operated for a predetermined period of time.

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