Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for dispensing materials into containers in precise amounts, which includes an adjustment mechanism for precisely controlling the volume of material dispensed. The dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing wheel having a plurality of dispensing chambers arranged in a radial manner on the wheel. Each chamber includes a mechanism for varying its volume and hence the quantity of the substance received and discharged. The adjustment mechanism includes an externally accessible toothed wheel which is rotatable in one direction to increase the volume of the chamber and is rotatable in the opposite direction to decrease the chamber volume. First and second actuators are disposed relative to the dispensing wheel and are selectively operated to engage the toothed wheel on opposite sides of its rotational axis. This engagement takes place while the dispensing wheel is revolving, and engagement of either of the actuator means causes the toothed adjustment wheel to rotate in the selected direction to increase or decrease the chamber volume. In an alternative embodiment, the externally accessible adjustment wheel is a gear member, and the actuator means comprises a gear member connected to a reversible motor that is employed while the dispensing wheel is at rest. With either embodiment, the volume of each chamber can be precisely controlled quickly and automatically.

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First Claim