Apparatus and method for dosing a fluid formulation into a polymeric material

Apparatus for dosing a fluid formulation into a polymeric material, the apparatus comprising:

• (i) a container (A) for containing the fluid formulation, wherein said container (A) includes an outlet for fluid formulation;
• (ii) a reservoir assembly for containing fluid formulation transferred from container (A), wherein said reservoir assembly includes an inlet for receiving fluid formulation transferred from container (A):
• wherein said outlet of said container (A) is arranged to deliver fluid formulation across an air gap into said reservoir assembly;
• wherein said reservoir assembly includes a second pump for pumping liquid formulation from said reservoir assembly, wherein said reservoir assembly comprises a reservoir and said second pump and wherein no pipe extends between an outlet of said reservoir and said second pump.

Apparatus for dosing a fluid formulation into a polymeric material, the apparatus comprising:

• (i) a container (A) for containing the fluid formulation, wherein said container (A) includes an outlet for fluid formulation;
• (ii) a reservoir assembly for containing fluid formulation transferred from container (A), wherein said reservoir assembly includes an inlet for receiving fluid formulation transferred from container (A);
• wherein said outlet of said container (A) is arranged to deliver fluid formulation across an air gap into said reservoir assembly;
• wherein a CPU associated with the apparatus for dosing is arranged to receive an input related to a rate of injection of said fluid formulation into polymeric material which may be present in a melt-processing apparatus associated with said apparatus;
• and/or
• a CPU associated with the apparatus for dosing is arranged to receive an input related to a let-down-ratio (LDR).

Apparatus for dosing a fluid formulation into a polymeric material, the apparatus comprising:

• (i) a container (A) for containing the fluid formulation, wherein said container (A) includes an outlet for fluid formulation;
• (ii) a reservoir assembly for containing fluid formulation transferred from container (A), wherein said reservoir assembly includes an inlet for receiving fluid formulation transferred from container (A);
• wherein said outlet of said container (A) is arranged to deliver fluid formulation across an air gap into said reservoir assembly;
• wherein container (A) includes a first pump which is a positive displacement pump, wherein said first pump is arranged to operate as a closure means for container (A) when fluid is not being pumped from container (A);
• wherein said outlet of container (A) is vertically aligned with said inlet of said reservoir assembly;
• wherein said reservoir assembly has a substantially constant internal cross-sectional area over a length L, wherein L is at least 25 mm and is less than 400 mm;
• and/or the volume of fluid which can be contained within said substantially constant cross-sectional area is at least 500 cm3 and less than 20000 cm3,
• wherein said apparatus includes a level sensor for assessing the level of fluid formulation in said reservoir assembly, wherein said level sensor is arranged to communicate level information to a CPU;
• wherein said apparatus includes a first weighing means for monitoring the weight of said reservoir assembly and its contents wherein said first weighing means is arranged to communicate information relating to the weight of said reservoir assembly over time to a CPU;
• wherein said reservoir assembly includes a second pump for pumping liquid formulation from said reservoir assembly, wherein said reservoir assembly comprises a reservoir and said second pump and wherein no pipe extends between an outlet of said reservoir and said second pump.