A powder supply apparatus includes a feeder, which has a supply passage for supplying powder material to a molding hole of a die, and a hopper, which is separate from the feeder and has an accumulation passage for supplying the powder material into the supply passage. The supply passage extends in a vertical direction throughout an entire extent of the supply passage. A shape of a cross section of the supply passage coincides with a shape of a cross section of the molding hole.

A flavouring dispenser for dispensing doses of flavouring is disclosed. The flavouring dispenser comprises a flavouring chamber for containing flavouring; a dosing member having a dosing volume for receiving flavouring from the flavouring chamber, the dosing member defining an opening to the dosing volume through which flavouring is received from the flavouring chamber. A reciprocating member is movable relative to the dosing member between a closed position, at which the opening is isolated from the flavouring chamber by the reciprocating member, to a first open position, at which the opening is partially exposed to the flavouring chamber such that an amount of flavouring may enter into the dosing volume via the opening, and back to the closed position, such that the flavouring may be dispensed by the dosing member. The first open position of the reciprocating member is adjustable such that degree to which the opening is exposed to the flavouring chamber may be changed so as to adjust the amount of flavouring received in the dosing volume.

A flavouring dispenser for dispensing doses of flavouring is disclosed. The flavouring dispenser comprises a flavouring chamber for containing flavouring; a dosing member having a dosing volume for receiving flavouring from the flavouring chamber, the dosing member defining an opening to the dosing volume through which flavouring is received from the flavouring chamber. A reciprocating member is movable relative to the dosing member between a closed position, at which the opening is isolated from the flavouring chamber by the reciprocating member, to a first open position, at which the opening is partially exposed to the flavouring chamber such that an amount of flavouring may enter into the dosing volume via the opening, and back to the closed position, such that the flavouring may be dispensed by the dosing member. The first open position of the reciprocating member is adjustable such that degree to which the opening is exposed to the flavouring chamber may be changed so as to adjust the amount of flavouring received in the dosing volume.

A filling device for dosing a defined amount of loose-type material with a filling unit including a basic body and a control device. The basic body rotates symmetrically around an axis of rotation and the control device has two controlling arms. The basic body includes at a first end a first intake unit for a storage receptacle for loose-type material arranged on the filling unit and at an end opposite the first end, a second intake unit for an intake receptacle for loose-type material arranged on the filling unit. The basic body also possesses two controlling arm guides for accommodating the controlling arms displaceable in the controlling arm guides of the controlling device.

A filling device for dosing a defined amount of loose-type material with a filling unit including a basic body and a control device. The basic body rotates symmetrically around an axis of rotation and the control device has two controlling arms. The basic body includes at a first end a first intake unit for a storage receptacle for loose-type material arranged on the filling unit and at an end opposite the first end, a second intake unit for an intake receptacle for loose-type material arranged on the filling unit. The basic body also possesses two controlling arm guides for accommodating the controlling arms displaceable in the controlling arm guides of the controlling device.

An improved system and device for dispensing a cleaning agent is provided. The system can include a dispenser and a removable chemical container having the cleaning agent. The dispenser can include a storage portion, a dispensing portion, and a metering chamber associated with the dispensing portion. The metering chamber can be configured to receive a metered amount of the cleaning agent from the storage portion and dispense the metered amount to an outlet associated with a channel. The metering chamber can be removable and/or selectively interchangeable with another metering chamber configured to dispense a different metered amount. A dispenser includes an inlet gate and an outlet gate adapted to be selectively opened and closed to permit the cleaning agent to enter and exit the metering chamber. The inlet gate can open simultaneously as the outlet gate closes. The device can be hand-held.

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

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

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

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