Abstract: A powder capsule loading system and apparatus for preparing and loading a gelatin capsule with a powder product for testing of the product in a magnetometer. The system includes a gelatin capsule which is readily available, such as those used in the pharmaceutical industry, and a sample tool including a handle section and a cup section which includes an aperture sized to receive part of a capsule portion and holds the capsule portion therein by friction fit. Initially, a top portion of the capsule and a bottom portion of the capsule are each received and held on different sample tools. The capsule portions received within the sample tools are dipped into a sample container of powder product to fill the respective portions with the powder product, followed by assembly of the capsule. The assembled capsule containing a substantially predetermined amount of powder therein is then weighed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining both the breakdown voltage and the conductivity of a particulate material, such as a developer material, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for determining breakdown voltage comprises a breakdown cell for storing a preselected quantity of the particulate material and a voltage breakdown ("VB") autometer, the VB autometer being adapted to apply a first voltage across at least portions of the preselected quantity of the particulate material. The VB autometer is capable of progressively varying the magnitude of the first voltage. A measuring circuit, for measuring a second voltage, is coupled to the voltage breakdown cell. When the second voltage substantially equals a preselected reference voltage, the first voltage substantially equals the breakdown voltage of the particulate material.