Patent ID: 11927507
Assignee: PHARMA AND NUTRACEUTICAL PD PTY LTD
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  B | IPC B  G

Claim 0:
1. A sampling device, including:
an elongate separating member having a sampling side and a non-sampling side, the elongate separating member having a central hub and a plurality of elongate vanes extending outwardly from the central hub; wherein
a first vane of the plurality of elongate vanes extends outwardly from the central hub along a radial plane of the central hub, the first vane having a thickness; and wherein
a second vane of the plurality of vanes extends outwardly from the central hub along a respective offset plane which is parallel to a respective radial plane of the central hub, wherein the respective offset plane is offset from the respective radial plane of the central hub by a distance equal to approximately half the thickness of the first vane; wherein
each elongate vane has a height which substantially corresponds to a height of the elongate separating member; wherein
at least two adjacent vanes of the plurality of elongate vanes have a flat smooth sampling side surface extending substantially over a full height of an associated vane, thereby to define the sampling side of the elongate separating member; wherein
the elongate separating member has one or more through openings extending from the sampling side to the non-sampling side, the elongate separating member being adapted for insertion into a reservoir of particulate material, thereby to define a sampling zone and a non-sampling zone within the reservoir;
a shaft operably associated with the separating member, the shaft positioned away from the sampling side and selectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis; and
one or more sample capturing scoops attached to the shaft so that the one or more sample capturing scoops is aligned with one or more openings in a one to one correspondence with the one or more sample capturing scoops, the one or more sample capturing scoops having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a cavity for receiving a sample of particulate material; wherein
a rotation of the shaft about the longitudinal axis causes a corresponding rotation of the one or more sample capturing scoops between a first position in which the leading edge of an associated one of the one or more sample capturing scoops is located within a respective opening such that the respective opening is effectively closed and a remainder of the one or more sample capturing scoops projects away from the sampling side such that the sampling side of the separating member is free of protuberances during insertion into the reservoir, and a second position in which the one or more sample capturing scoops is positioned on the sampling side and the leading edge of an associated one of the one or more sample capturing scoops bears against the sampling side of the elongate separating member, thereby to enclose the sample of particulate material by the rotation of the scoop towards the second position.