# US 5,699,649 A · Metering and packaging device for dry powders > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,699,649 A - Document ID: US5699649A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/677,340 - Filed: 1996-07-02 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1996-07-02 - Inventors: Andrew L. Abrams; Anand V. Gumaste - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699649A ## CPC - B65B 1/04: Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles - G03G 15/04045: {for exposing image information provided otherwise than by directly projecting the original image onto the photoconductive recording material, e.g. digital copiers (G03G15/041, G03G15/043 take precedence)} - G03G 15/221: {Machines other than electrographic copiers, e.g. electrophotographic cameras, electrostatic typewriters} - Y10S 141/01: Magnetic - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined charge and area on said carrier surface are estimated, said estimated electrostatically charged area is then exposed to said powder of opposite charge and the amount of powder attracted to said predetermined area is measured, thereafter necessary adjustments to the amount of charge and/or the area is made to attract the predetermined desired amount of powder to said "image" area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, where a high velocity air stream is used to deaggregate and aerosolize the powder particles and a holding chamber is used to control the particle size distribution in the air stream using particle settling times. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein means are provided for controlling particle size distribution of particles in the powder deposited on the charge "image". ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the charge "image" is produced by an ion beam whose intensity and/or area can be varied. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the charge "image" is produced by a photon beam whose intensity and/or area can be varied. ### Claim 7 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for placing the electrostatic "image" on the carrier surface is adjustable both in intensity and area so that the exact amount of electrostatic charge and area thereof can be controlled. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, which additionally includes a means to control the powder particle size distribution to ensure repeatability and accuracy of powder metering. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, where a high frequency vibrator such as a piezo crystal, electromagnetic, mechanical or other means is used to deaggregate the powder and an electrostatic potential is used to aerosolize the particle size distribution of interest. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the charge "image" is produced by an ion beam whose intensity and/or area can be varied. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the charge "image" is produced by a photon beam whose intensity and/or area can be varied.