Patent ID: 6663276
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: B01F

Abstract:
A fluid metering device comprising:(a) a container having a longitudinal axis and including a lateral wall defining an inside wall surface and an outside wall surface and an outlet aperture; (b) an elongate valve member extending into the container and movable substantially along the longitudinal axis to alternately open and close the outlet aperture; and (c) an agitator assembly including a drive device and a movable agitator element, the agitator element including surfaces adapted to agitate a substance contained in the container, wherein the agitator is disposed in the container in non-contacting relationship with the valve member and is supported at a substantially constant axial position within the container at a distance from the outlet aperture; wherein the drive device is a magnetic drive device disposed adjacent to the outside wall surface of the lateral wall and the agitator element is supported solely by being magnetically coupled with the magnetic drive device for rotation about the longitudinal axis.