摘要 |
The present invention is an apparatus for precisely dispensing a desired weight of a particulate material from the outlet of a material hopper. The apparatus is made up of a trap chamber for collecting an initial weight that is less than the desired weight of the particulate material. The trap chamber includes an upper surface with an inlet in communication with the hopper outlet and a lower surface including an outlet. The surface area of the inlet is smaller than the surface area of the trap chamber outlet. The invention also includes a dispensing valve having a closed position covering the trap chamber lower outlet opening and an open position uncovering the trap chamber lower outlet opening. Other components include a flow meter for measuring an initial weight of particulate material comprising most of the desired weight, plus a measured fill weight of particulate material equal to the difference in the desired weight and the initial weight and an actuator in communication with the dispensing valve to open and close the valve. The actuator is responsive to a signal generated by the flow meter.
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