PARTICULATE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING A LAYER OF PARTICULATES ON A MOVING SUPPORT

摘要

An apparatus (10) for selectively dispensing granular or powdered materials comprises a container (20) defining an interior region for retaining particulates, and a moveable mesh web (50) disposed under the container. The apparatus also includes one or more planar blades (30) which extend into the container and contact material to be dispensed. Active or passive vibration may be used to promote dispensing. To form a layer of particulates on a moving support (60), particulates are dispensed from the container (20), through the moving mesh web (50) and onto the moving support (60) to thereby form a layer of particulates.