In one example, a device to dispense a powder includes a hopper, an outlet from the hopper, a dispenser to dispense powdered build powder from the hopper through the outlet, and an agitator movable at the outlet intermittently at the urging of the dispenser.

This invention relates to a sampling device. The device includes an elongate separating member having a sampling side and a non-sampling side. One or more through openings extend from the sampling side to the non-sampling side of the elongate member. The separating member is adapted for insertion into a reservoir of particulate material so as to define a sampling zone and a non-sampling zone within the reservoir. A shaft is positioned away from the sampling side and operably associated with the separating member, wherein the shaft is selectively rotatable about its longitudinal axis. One or more sample capturing scoops are attached to the shaft so as to be aligned with a respective opening. The or each scoop has a leading edge, a trailing edge and a cavity for receiving a sample of particulate material. The device is configured such that rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis causes a corresponding rotation of the or each scoop between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the leading edge of the associated scoop is located within the respective opening such that the opening is effectively closed and the remainder of the scoop projects away from the sampling side such that the sampling side of the separating member is free of protuberances during insertion into the reservoir. In the second position, the scoop is positioned on the sampling side and the leading edge of the associated scoop bears against the sampling side of the elongate member, thereby to enclose the sample of particulate material by the rotation of the scoop towards the second position.

This invention relates to a sampling device. The device includes an elongate separating member having a sampling side and a non-sampling side. One or more through openings extend from the sampling side to the non-sampling side of the elongate member. The separating member is adapted for insertion into a reservoir of particulate material so as to define a sampling zone and a non-sampling zone within the reservoir. A shaft is positioned away from the sampling side and operably associated with the separating member, wherein the shaft is selectively rotatable about its longitudinal axis. One or more sample capturing scoops are attached to the shaft so as to be aligned with a respective opening. The or each scoop has a leading edge, a trailing edge and a cavity for receiving a sample of particulate material. The device is configured such that rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis causes a corresponding rotation of the or each scoop between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the leading edge of the associated scoop is located within the respective opening such that the opening is effectively closed and the remainder of the scoop projects away from the sampling side such that the sampling side of the separating member is free of protuberances during insertion into the reservoir. In the second position, the scoop is positioned on the sampling side and the leading edge of the associated scoop bears against the sampling side of the elongate member, thereby to enclose the sample of particulate material by the rotation of the scoop towards the second position.

The invention provides a metering system for distributing particulate material in which an inlet and/or outlet of a meter housing containing a metering wheel provides a projection extending into the opening of the inlet and/or outlet so that the flow of particulate material is optimized. This can provide even distribution of such material, including at low rotating speeds such as 5 RPM, while using a polyurethane metering wheel with straight vanes. In one aspect, projections extending into the inlet on opposing sides can substantially form an hourglass shape, and the outlet can comprise a substantially diagonal shape, analogous to a parallelogram, instead of more traditional rounded/rectangular shapes.

A dispenser includes a housing having an upper and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a storage compartment having a floor and retaining a granular substance. The lower portion includes a spout. A first outlet extends through the floor. A manually rotatable upper disc is disposed below the floor, and has a second outlet therethrough. A manually rotatable lower disc is disposed between the upper disc and the lower portion. The lower disc includes a third outlet therethrough. Rotation of the upper disc aligns the second outlet with the first outlet and the granular substance passes through the first to the second outlet. Rotation of the lower disc through one or more positions permits a variable amount of the granular substance to pass from the second to the third outlet. Further rotation of the lower disc aligns the third outlet with the spout to dispense the granular substance.

A dispenser includes a housing having an upper and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a storage compartment having a floor and retaining a granular substance. The lower portion includes a spout. A first outlet extends through the floor. A manually rotatable upper disc is disposed below the floor, and has a second outlet therethrough. A manually rotatable lower disc is disposed between the upper disc and the lower portion. The lower disc includes a third outlet therethrough. Rotation of the upper disc aligns the second outlet with the first outlet and the granular substance passes through the first to the second outlet. Rotation of the lower disc through one or more positions permits a variable amount of the granular substance to pass from the second to the third outlet. Further rotation of the lower disc aligns the third outlet with the spout to dispense the granular substance.

A dosing device for the continuous, gravimetric dosing of pourable material particularly rough fuels, wherein a flow of material Is conveyed from a charging opening to an emptying opening in a housing with a rotor which is driven about a vertical rotation axis, while determining the instantaneous load over a measuring section, and with a force measuring device which detects the instantaneous toad of the flow of material guided via the rotor comprising a plurality of ribs and a peripheral ring said ribs being attached to the peripheral ring, and said ribs defining a number of chambers inside the peripheral ring for carrying material during operation wherein an elastic peripheral sealing lip is arranged on the peripheral ring and engaging an upper housing wall such that an outer peripheral volume of the inside of the housing is sealed from a central volume of the housing.

A dosing device for the continuous, gravimetric dosing of pourable material particularly rough fuels, wherein a flow of material Is conveyed from a charging opening to an emptying opening in a housing with a rotor which is driven about a vertical rotation axis, while determining the instantaneous load over a measuring section, and with a force measuring device which detects the instantaneous toad of the flow of material guided via the rotor comprising a plurality of ribs and a peripheral ring said ribs being attached to the peripheral ring, and said ribs defining a number of chambers inside the peripheral ring for carrying material during operation wherein an elastic peripheral sealing lip is arranged on the peripheral ring and engaging an upper housing wall such that an outer peripheral volume of the inside of the housing is sealed from a central volume of the housing.

An apparatus (1) for continuous gravimetric metering of pourable material comprises a housing (2) comprising a first and a second spaced wall (5,6), a charging port (7) through the first wall (5), and a discharging port (8) through the first wall (5) displaced from the charging port (7) and a primary air port (10) with a primary outlet opening (9) through the second wall (6) opposite to the discharging port (8). In the second wall (6) a secondary air port (12) is provided with a secondary outlet opening (11) having a substantially smaller outlet area than the primary outlet opening (9) and being displaced from the primary outlet opening in opposite direction to the rotational direction of the rotor (3) and being arranged opposite to the discharging port (8), and where the primary and secondary air ports (10,12) are connected to a compressed air supply.

An apparatus (1) for continuous gravimetric metering of pourable material comprises a housing (2) comprising a first and a second spaced wall (5,6), a charging port (7) through the first wall (5), and a discharging port (8) through the first wall (5) displaced from the charging port (7) and a primary air port (10) with a primary outlet opening (9) through the second wall (6) opposite to the discharging port (8). In the second wall (6) a secondary air port (12) is provided with a secondary outlet opening (11) having a substantially smaller outlet area than the primary outlet opening (9) and being displaced from the primary outlet opening in opposite direction to the rotational direction of the rotor (3) and being arranged opposite to the discharging port (8), and where the primary and secondary air ports (10,12) are connected to a compressed air supply.