Method and apparatus for transporting a fine powder

(19)

(11)

EP 1 354 795 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	29.10.2003 Bulletin 2003/44

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	22.10.2003 Bulletin 2003/43

(21)	Application number: 03075990.6

(22)	Date of filing: 06.10.1998

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B65B 1/36, B65B 37/04

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

10.10.1997 US 949047

(62)	Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
	98950964.1 / 1021335

(71)	Applicant: Nektar Therapeutics
	San Carlos, CA 94070 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Stout, Gordon CA 94706 Albany (US) Pham, Xuyen Fremont, CA 94539 (US) Rocchio, Michael J. Hayward CA 94541 (US) Naydo, Kyle A Mountain View, CA 94041 (US) Parks, Derrick J Belmont, California 94002 (US) Reich, Patrick Castro Valley, CA 94546 (US)

(74)	Representative: McLeish, Nicholas Alistair Maxwell et al
	Boult Wade Tennant Verulam Gardens 70 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8BT London WC1X 8BT (GB)

(54)	Method and apparatus for transporting a fine powder

(57) The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a hopper (12) having an opening (18). The hopper (12) is adapted to receive a bed of fine powder (20). At least one chamber (24), which is moveable to allow the chamber to be placed in close proximity to the opening (18), is also provided. An element (28) having a proximal end and a distal end (29) is positioned within the hopper (12) such that the distal end (29) is near the opening. A vibrator motor (26) is provided to vibrate the element (28) when within the fine powder.

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