| abstract |
An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprising a hopper provided with a sieve at a bottom portion thereof, the hopper in use containing powder to be dispensed therefrom through the sieve, a support for the hopper, the support holding a portion of the hopper so that the hopper can in use be held above a container into which the dispensed powder is to be received, and at least one actuator for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, wherein the at least one actuator is arranged to deliver impact energy to the hopper from different directions and/or at different locations on the hopper. There is also provided a method of dispensing small quantities of particles, the method comprising the steps of: disposing in a hopper provided with a sieve at a bottom portion thereof a powder to be dispensed therefrom through the sieve; supporting the hopper by holding a portion of the hopper with a support so that the hopper is held above a container into which the dispensed powder is to be received; and delivering impact energy to the hopper by at least one actuator thereby to cause powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, the at least one actuator being arranged to deliver impact energy to the hopper from different directions and/or at different locations on the hopper. |