Metering and packaging device for dry powders
OwnerAndrew L. Abrams, Anand V. Gumasteinventors
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Abstract
Electrostatic phototechnology is used to package microgram quantities of fine powders such as drugs. An electrostatic "image" having a given size and charge density is exposed to ionized drug powder to attract a known amount of drug to the image. The resultant drug "image", is then transferred to a package.
Claims12
The method of packaging powder comprising the steps of developing a predetermined electrostatic charge having a predetermined "image" area on a powder carrier surface, contacting said carrier surface with a sufficient amount of powder to neutralize said charge, moving said powder and said surface to a transfer station, transferring said powder to a package and sealing said package to contain said amount of transferred powder.
Apparatus for packaging for powder comprising:
- a source of powder,
- a powder carrier surface;
- means for applying a predetermined electrostatic charge to a predetermined area of said carrier surface, to create a charge "image" on said surface,
- means for applying to said powder an electrostatic charge opposite to that of said electrostatic charge on said carrier surface;
- means for exposing said charged area of said area on said carrier surface to charged powder to create a powder "image" on said carrier surface,
- means for transferring said powder adhering to said carrier surface to a transfer system and neutralizing said electrostatic charge on said carrier surface to cause the powder to transfer into a package, therefor, and;
- means for sealing said package.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.