Abstract: Apparatus 200 for applying particulate flowable super-absorbent or anti-odourant substance to an article comprises a metering component 202 rotatable about an axis. A plurality of circumferentially spaced metering chambers are provided in this component. The apparatus includes a feed device 18 for depositing the flowable substance successively in the chambers in a loading zone as the chambers move through the loading zone on rotation of the metering component so that each chamber contains a fixed quantity of the substance as it passes from the loading zone. The apparatus also includes a vacuum extraction device 50 for extracting the quantities of the substance successively from the chambers in a discharge zone spaced from the loading zone and an application device for applying the extracted quantities of substance to an article.