Patent ID: 6732597
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
An apparatus for precisely dispensing a desired weight of a particulate material supplied by a material source, said apparatus comprising:a) a trap chamber for collecting an initial weight of particulate material that is less than said desired weight of the particulate material, said trap chamber having an upper surface with an inlet in communication with said material source and a lower surface with a trap chamber outlet, wherein the surface area of said inlet is smaller than the surface area of said trap chamber outlet; b) a dispensing valve having a closed position covering said trap chamber outlet and an open position uncovering said trap chamber outlet; c) a flow meter for measuring said initial weight of particulate material, plus a measured fill weight of particulate material dispensed from said trap chamber following the dispensing of said initial weight; and d) an actuator in communication with said dispensing valve to close said valve, responsive to a signal generated by said flow meter when said initial weight plus said fill weight equals a predetermined value.