Abstract: A container and lid assembly are provided. The lid assembly includes an upper lid and a lower lid that cooperate to define a dispensation chamber for product that is provided in the container.

Abstract: A feed system and related process are configured to continuously feed measured doses of source material to a vapor deposition apparatus wherein the source material is sublimated and deposited as a thin film on a substrate. The system includes a bulk material hopper, and an upper dose cup disposed to receive source material from the hopper. A lower dose cup is disposed in a vacuum lock chamber to receive a measured dose of source material from the upper dose cup. A transfer mechanism is disposed below the vacuum lock chamber to receive the measured dose of source material from the lower dose cup and to transfer the source material to a downstream deposition head while isolating the deposition conditions and sublimated source material within the deposition head.

Abstract: A powder feed system includes a housing that defines a feed chamber to hold powder, the feed chamber having a powder inlet and a powder outlet, at least one feed wheel in the feed chamber, the feed wheel rotating about a feed wheel axis, at least one agitator in the feed chamber positioned to move the powder from the feed wheel to the powder outlet of the feed chamber, the agitator rotating about an agitator axis, and a drive mechanism to rotate the feed wheel about the feed wheel axis and to rotate the agitator about the agitator axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing canister that improves dosing consistency and powder evacuation, particularly when dry powdered beverage-forming or food-forming material having poor intrinsic flowing properties are to be dispensed. The canister includes a reservoir having two terminal walls and two side walls, a rotatable volumetric dosing device longitudinally extending in the reservoir, and a main agitating wheel arranged to gear on the rotatable volumetric dosing device to rotate in the reservoir upon actuation of the rotatable dosing device. The secondary agitating wheel is arranged to gear on the main agitating wheel and the two wheels are vertically offset so that the main wheel is arranged to act in a downward rotation closer to a first terminal wall whereas the secondary wheel is arranged to act in a downward rotation closer to the second terminal wall.

Abstract: A method including: a particulate material source and receiver, and wherein the source contains a discharge feature; moving material in the source in the direction of a member located at least partially within the source, the member defining an adjustable restriction therein such that the particulate material clogs within the restriction; mechanically agitating the particulate material in the source, at least adjacent to the restriction to thereby unclog the particulate material within the adjustable restriction; and dispensing particulate material through the adjustable restriction, through the discharge feature, and into the receiver.

Abstract: A method for filling a powder container is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a discharge feature in the vessel, directing the powder in the vessel toward a member located at least partially within the vessel, the member defining a restriction therein such that the powder clogs within the restriction, mechanically exciting the powder at least adjacent the restriction to improve the flow properties of the powder so as to unclog the powder within the restriction, dispensing powder through the restriction, through the discharge feature and into the first container, stopping the mechanical excitation of the powder so as to clog the restriction with the powder, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Abstract: Volumetric dosage machine particularly for granulates, powders and loose products in general, including products that are not uniform or mutually compacted and have a very limited flow ability, comprising a hopper for loading a product to be metered that is provided with a bottom which has a plurality of dosage chambers and is movable to transfer the dosage chambers from a loading position to a discharge position spaced from the loading position, and/or vice versa. There is also a skimming unit interacting with the dosage chambers during the movement of the bottom.

Abstract: A dosing or metering feeding apparatus for precisely feeding a stream of powdered or fine grained loose bulk material includes a cylindrical container (1) for storing the loose material (3). A rotating turntable (4) essentially closing the bottom of the container (1). A discharge groove (6) is located in the turntable around the circumference of the turntable (4), whereby the discharge groove (6) opens radially outwardly. A stripper is arranged to reach into the discharge groove (6) for stripping the dosed material (3) from the discharge groove (6) and for discharging the dosed or metered material. This arrangement provides a clearly defined discharge rate of the loose material. The discharge rate may be simply adjusted to different desired feed rates by varying the rotational speed of the turntable (4). A high dosing or metering precision is achieved.

Abstract: A roller metering device comprises a roller, which has continuous elongate grooves longitudinally thereof spaced angularly around the periphery thereof, mounted in a hopper so that it grasps and forwards a volume of the particulate material within the hopper for each movement of a recess past a metering edge into a plurality of cups and venturis arranged along the length of the roller. A cleaning device for the roller is provided which is driven by the roller and comprises a plurality rods carried in angularly spaced arrangement around an axis of rotation of the cleaning device with each rod extending along the length of the roller. In one arrangement there are twelve recesses in the roller and six rods on the cleaning device with the cleaning device driven at a 2:1 ratio in speed relative to the roller.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine for uniformly spreading a powder onto a surface, working the powder into the surface and subsequently removing the powder and dirt is disclosed. The cleaning machine includes a powder dispenser attachable to a vacuum cleaner. The dispenser includes a hopper, a metering drum rotatably mounted within the hopper about a mandrel and a punch roller rotatably mounted within the metering drum. An air motor is operably connected to the metering drum. The vacuum cleaner includes an agitating brush, a suction nozzle, a suction passage and a source of vacuum connected to the suction passage. A blocking vane mounted within the housing and the suction passage alternately connects the suction nozzle to the source of vacuum or the air motor to the source of vacuum. A throttle valve carried in an air outlet tube of the air motor includes a lever which automatically interconnects with a control permanently mounted on the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The periphery of a bucket wheel sluice is provided with a plurality of vanes forming pockets for the reception and transport of material, the vanes and intervening spaces being shaped and arranged in an involute tooth configuration. A removal unit is provided to facilitate removal of material from the pockets, and comprises at least two spaced discs of involute tooth configuration in mesh engagement with the bucket wheel periphery, and having a plurality of elongated rods or blades extending between corresponding teeth of the spaced discs for passage through each of the bucket wheel pockets to mechanically remove any material entrapped therein.

Abstract: A metering device for plastic materials comprising a bin having a rotating feed disc at the bottom thereof. The feed disc has peripheral cogs which partially define a metering chamber. Facing the metering disc is an ejection disc having teeth meshing with the cogs for forcing material into the metering chamber and ejecting the material from the metering chamber through an opening in the side of the bin.