Abstract: A transfer valve for permitting fluent particulate materials to flow from a closed transport container, having a bottom wall with an outlet aperture, into a closed base container having a top wall with a sealed inlet aperture adapted for sealed engagement with the bottom wall of the transport container; the transfer valve permitting operation without exposure of an operator to contact with the fluent particulate materials, comprises a transfer valve member having provisions for occluding the outlet aperture of the transport container; a further provision for latching and disabling the transfer valve member in a closed position; and another provision on the sealed base container, for enabling the disabled transfer valve member when the base container is in sealed engagement with the transport container. The base container is also equipped for dispensing particulate material from the base container at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A system for transporting and dispensing fluent materials consists of a shipping container disposed with a supply of fluent material, and having a bottom wall with an outlet aperture, the outlet aperture being occluded by a normally disabled transfer valve; a base container adapted for sealed attachment to the bottom wall of the shipping container, the base container having a top wall equipped with a means for enabling the normally disabled transfer valve, when the base container is properly attached to the shipping container, and a bottom wall which tapers downwardly to an opening with a valve for dispensing particulate material at a controlled rate when the valve is opened. A remotely operable metering valve is also disclosed as a substitute for the valve in the base container opening.

Abstract: A metering device for controlling the flow of granular material from a container. The metering device includes an electromechanical solenoid connected to a pivoting metering bar. When the solenoid is energized, the metering bar is pivoted away from an outlet aperture, permitting the flow of material from the container. When the solenoid is de-energized, a spring causes the metering bar to pivot into contact with the outlet aperture, closing the outlet aperture and stopping the flow of material from the container.