Patent ID: 7323057

Claim:
A moisture-absorbent powder applicator, for applying said powder on cable elements ( 5 ), comprising: a hopper ( 2 ) designed to contain the powder ( 20 ), said hopper including a conical portion and a bottom portion having an opening therein; a mesh ( 9 ) closing off the opening of the hopper ( 2 ); and a mechanical powder stirrer located inside the hopper ( 2 ), the stirrer being placed in the hopper ( 2 ) so as to be able to make the powder ( 20 ) flow through the mesh under gravity and having a bottom end, wherein the stirrer is able to rotate relative to the hopper ( 2 ) about a rotation axis ( 10 ), wherein the stirrer comprises a first part and a second part, the first part including a solid plate located at the bottom end of the stirrer and moveable relative to the mesh ( 9 ) and in contact therewith so as to be able to scrape the mesh ( 9 ) and thereby help the powder pass through the mesh ( 9 ) under gravity, and the second part located in said conical portion of the hopper and including a trapezoidal-shaped plate which is received in the conical portion and has a complimentary shape, said trapezoidal-shaped plate having perforations therein.