Abstract: A metering and/or feeding unit for fluid materials, particularly dry particulate materials and semifluid materials, is disclosed. An elastic-walled tube having an open feed end and an open discharge end is vertically oriented. A power-driven assembly, including tube rollers, are adapted to constrict the elastic tube, beginning at its upper end and progressively moving down the length of the tube. The material being metered or fed is introduced into the elastic tube at its upper end and is progressively moved down the length of the tube as the tube roller of the power-driven assembly moves down the length of the tube. A valve is provided to prevent entry of material into the feed end of the tube at periodic intervals and in coordination with constriction of the tube so that when a tube roller initially engages the tube near the feed end of the tube, that portion of the tube is substantially free of material.

Abstract: A metering and/or feeding device for materials is disclosed. A plurality of vertically oriented, elastic-walled tubes are arranged at equal distances from the axis of a rotatable helical rod which, as it rotates, sequentially engages and constricts each of the elastic-walled tubes, beginning at their upper portions and progressively moving down the length of the tubes. The material being metered and/or fed is introduced into the elastic-walled tubes at their upper ends. A cover member is provided to cover the infeed ends of the tubes at selected intervals to prevent entry of the material being fed and/or metered into the tube at the time that the helical member engages the upper portion of the tube to constrict the tube so that it is substantially free of material. A plenum, through which a stream of pressurized gas is discharged, communicates with the discharge ends of each of the tubes, the gas conveying the material entering the plenum from the tubes to a work location.