EP2303706B1 - Metering device and method for operating said metering device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering device for fine grained powder (1), in particular for medicinal powder (1) for pulmonary administration, and to a method for operating the metering device. The metering device comprises a powder pump and a metering mechanism (3), wherein the metering mechanism (3) comprises a continuous powder passage (4) and at least one metering chamber (5) with an outlet valve (6). The metering chamber (5) branches off from the powder passage (4) at an angle. The metering chamber (5) has a larger cross section than the powder passage (4). The powder (1) is conveyed through the powder passage (4) by means of the powder pump, the at least one metering chamber (5) being filled with the powder (1) in a self-levelling manner. The conveying by means of the powder pump is then interrupted, and at least one target container is filled from the metering chamber (5) with the outlet valve (6) being opened and a residual quantity of powder (1) remaining in the metering chamber (5).

Description

The invention relates to a metering device for fine-grained powder, in particular for medical powder for pulmonary administration, and to a method for operating this metering device.

Due to the increase in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inhaled dosage forms of drugs are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of these diseases. The pulmonary administration is - in addition to injection or infusion - also an alternative for many drugs that can not be applied perorally, because the substances in the gastrointestinal tract would be destroyed or have a poor bioavailability. Powders for inhalation have the advantage of better drug stability compared to solutions for nebulization, but are more difficult to process because all drug particles must have a size of <5 microns in order to reach the target site, the alveoli. Individually packaged dose powder inhalers are preferred for better stability and higher metering accuracy.

Small amounts of such powders, which are in the range of 0.2 mg to 50 mg when used medicinally, must be metered very precisely and filled into the target vessel. Due to the small particle size of these powders agglomerate very strong, the mass of individual agglomerates may be greater than the allowable dosing tolerance. this leads to lack of dosing accuracy in conventional volume dosing. If these agglomerates are retained during dosing and inhalation, the material can only reach the alveoli to a limited extent. The aim is therefore to dissolve the agglomerates during the metering process to fill the powder as fine as possible in the target container and thereby achieve a high degree of accuracy.

From the US 4,472,091 is a metering device for fine-grained, dry powder is known in which the powder is kept in a closed, funnel-shaped reservoir. The funnel-shaped reservoir has on its underside an opening which is closed by means of an outlet valve. The valve body of the exhaust valve is axially displaceable by means of piezoelectric elements, and can be opened, closed and also vibrated in this way. In the reservoir and also in a space arranged below each open an air passage to produce a powder-air mixture, which is passed through the exhaust valve to the target container. The vibration movement of the valve body contributes to a loosening of the powder and to an improved discharge from the reservoir.

The disadvantage here is that a dissolution of agglomerates in the powder is not reliably ensured. In particular, a complex sensor and a corresponding process control is required to maintain a sufficient level of the powder in the reservoir. When falling below the minimum required level, the container must be opened and refilled, which affects the economy of the arrangement. The order is complicated in construction. The piezoelectric drive of the valve body is in the powder flow and must therefore be protected from contamination and contamination of the powder.

Other metering devices for fine-grained powder are from GB-A-871651 and the DE-A-3310452 known.

The invention has for its object to provide a metering device for fine-grained powder, which allows a simple and cost-effective and accurate metering of the powder with a simple structure and low operating costs.

This object is achieved by a metering device having the features of claim 1.

The invention is further based on the object of specifying a method for operating the metering device, with which the powder can be metered accurately and economically with the dissolution of agglomerates.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 11.

A metering device for fine-grained powder, in particular for medicinal powder for pulmonary administration, is proposed, wherein the metering device comprises a powder pump for conveying the powder and a metering device supplied with the powder by the powder pump. The doser comprises a continuous powder channel and at least one metering chamber with an outlet valve, wherein the metering chamber branches off at an angle from the powder channel, and wherein the metering chamber has a larger cross section than the powder channel.

The outlet valve comprises a valve needle which extends into the interior of the metering chamber and which carries at least one radially protruding bulging projection for the powder. The axial movement of the valve needle contributes by means of Auflockerungsvorsprungs to loosen up the powder and agglomerates formed there.

In the associated method according to the invention, the powder is conveyed through the powder channel by means of the powder pump, wherein the at least one metering chamber is filled with the powder. The volume flow of the powder conveyed by the powder pump, of a powder-air mixture or of a powder-gas mixture has a certain speed in the powder duct of the dosing unit as a consequence of its cross section. At the branching points of the at least one or more metering chambers with an enlarged cross section, the flow cross section increases overall, whereby the flow rate is reduced. As a result, the pumped powder can fall out of the powder channel or out of its carrier air flow out into the metering chamber, whereby it is filled with the powder. In the filled state, however, the extension of the free flow cross section in the powder channel is no longer present, so that a reduction in the flow rate no longer takes place. As a result, no further powder drops into the metering chamber, so that a self-leveling filling of the metering chamber with the powder takes place without overfilling.

A level control of the dosing is not required. Rather, only the lapse of a time interval is waited by the self-leveling filling of the dosing has taken place. Thereafter, the promotion of the powder is interrupted by means of the powder pump.

There then takes place a filling of at least one target container from the metering chamber with opening of the outlet valve and while maintaining a residual amount of powder in the dosing chamber. The volume of the metering chamber is preferably dimensioned such that several and in particular four target containers can be filled directly one behind the other from a single metering chamber without the powder supply in the metering chamber being exhausted.

After filling the target container and closing the exhaust valve finally the promotion of the powder is resumed by means of the powder pump until again a self-leveling filling of the dosing has taken place, whereupon further filling of target containers and other self-leveling fillings of the dosing take place.

The arrangement is simple in construction and requires neither special devices nor process steps for a controlled refilling of the dosing. Rather, a self-leveling refilling takes place without monitoring sensor, whereby a high process reliability can be achieved with little design effort. Preferably, several and in particular six metering chambers branch off from the continuous powder channel. In connection with the sequential filling of a plurality, in particular four target containers from a respective dosing chamber, target containers, for example in the form of hard gelatine capsules, so-called vials, and other target containers can be filled in a matrix-shaped frame for receiving a multiplicity of target containers. The time required to replace this frame with the target containers after filling can be used for the self-leveling refilling of the metering chambers by means of the powder pump, so that thereby no time delay occurs. The metering device and the associated method can be used with a correspondingly high efficiency.

In a preferred development of the powder channel is arranged horizontally in operation, while the at least one dosing branched off at right angles from the powder channel and is arranged vertically with its longitudinal axis. By utilizing the effective weight, this ensures a reliable diversion of the powder from the powder channel into the metering chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the powder pump, a supply line leading from the powder pump to the doser, the powder channel and a return line returning from the metering device to the powder pump form a closed circuit for the powder. As a result, the powder can be conveyed with excess, but without losses through the powder channel and back to the powder pump, as a result of the self-leveling described above, the amount required for filling the metering chamber is automatically separated from this powder stream. Even with a large number of dosing chambers, which branch off sequentially from the powder channel, it is ensured that each individual dosing chamber reaches the required level.

It has proven to be expedient that the cross section of the metering chamber in the connection region to the powder channel is at least twice as large and in particular at least three times as large as the cross section of the powder channel. As a result, a sufficient flow delay in the said connection area is ensured, which is an automatic fall out of the powder particles from the promoted volume flow into the metering chamber into it.

The outlet valve is preferably a particular conical, to the outside of the metering chamber opening valve. In the open state, the exiting powder flows around the outside of the valve seat, the valve body raised to the outside and is thereby deflected by this, which contributes to the loosening of the powder. A subsequent closing movement of the valve body against the exiting powder flow avoids that residual powder is compressed at the valve seat in an undesirable manner.

Suitably, the loosening projection is arranged at an axial distance from the valve seat of the outlet valve in the interior of the dosing chamber. Due to the spatial distance between the loosening projection and the valve seat, a reliable fluidization of the powder upstream of the valve seat is ensured, so that it can emerge undisturbed through the outlet valve in its entirety. The loosening protrusion may take various suitable forms. Suitably, it is designed as a valve needle rotating around the plate, whereby the loosening movement of the valve needle is uniformly transmitted to the surrounding powder.

In a preferred embodiment, a first drive for the valve needle for opening and closing the exhaust valve and a second, in particular connected in series with the first drive second drive for an oscillating movement of the valve needle is provided. In an associated method step, the correspondingly large stroke for opening or closing the exhaust valve is carried out with the first drive designed for this purpose. For the loosening of the powder, a lesser, but high-frequency stroke is required, which is performed by means of the second, specially designed drive, whereby an open outlet valve by means of this second drive an executed especially in the longitudinal axis of the valve needle oscillating movement to loosen the powder is brought about , Due to the specialization of the two drives in their different areas of responsibility on the one hand fast, delay-free opening and closing and on the other hand, the loosening of the powder and thus an agglomerate-free exit of the powder from the metering chamber reliably ensured.

The valve needle is expediently guided through the dosing chamber in the longitudinal direction, with the two drives acting on the valve needle on the side opposite the outlet valve. In a single-drive version, the same applies mutatis mutandis. The drives and their connection to the valve needle are thus not in the flow of the emerging from the metering powder, so that here independent protective measures are not required. The individual metering chambers, including their drives in coaxial design can be made very slim, so that they are close to each other in the same Grid as the target container can be arranged. The simultaneous, parallel filling of target containers is thereby possible in a simple manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the filling amount of the powder received by the target container is determined by means of a weighing cell for the target container, wherein the outlet valve is controlled or regulated by means of the measurement result of the load cell. During the filling process of the target container, ie with the outlet valve open, a weighing of the quantity taken up by the target container is continuously carried out. When the predetermined target quantity is reached, the outlet valve is closed. In conjunction with the structural features described above and the agglomerate-free powder preparation achieved thereby, very fast reaction times can be achieved, as a result of which a surprisingly high dosing accuracy can be achieved.

Fig. 1

in einer Seitenansicht eine erfindungsgemäße Dosiereinrichtung mit einer Pulverpumpe, mit einem Dosierer, und mit einem geschlossenen Kreislauf für das Pulver;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Dosierers nach Fig. 1 mit Einzelheiten seiner konstruktiven Ausgestaltung;

Fig. 3

eine Längsschnittdarstellung des Dosierers nach den Fig. 1 und 2 mit Details der gegenseitigen Anordnung von Pulverkanal, Dosierkammern, Zielbehältern und Wägezellen;

Fig. 4

eine vergrößerte Detaildarstellung der Anordnung nach Fig. 3 mit Einzelheiten zur Ausgestaltung der Ventilnadel und des Auslassventils.

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a side view of a metering device according to the invention with a powder pump, with a doser, and with a closed circuit for the powder;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the doser after Fig. 1 with details of its structural design;

Fig. 3

a longitudinal sectional view of the meter according to the Fig. 1 and 2 with details of mutual Arrangement of powder channel, dosing chambers, target containers and load cells;

Fig. 4

an enlarged detail of the arrangement according to Fig. 3 with details of the configuration of the valve needle and the exhaust valve.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a metering device according to the invention for fine powder 1, in the illustrated embodiment for medical powder 1 for pulmonary administration with a particle size of ≤ 5 microns. The metering device comprises a powder pump 2 for conveying the powder 1, as indicated by arrows, and one fed by the powder pump 2 with the powder 1 metering 3. The metering device 3 is provided with at least one, in this example six in Fig. 3 shown metering chambers 5 for simultaneous metering of the powder 1 and filling the same number of target containers 13 provided. It can also be a different number of metering chambers 5 appropriate. The target containers 13 may be hard gelatin capsules, vials or other target vessels which are used in an inhalation device, not shown, with the appropriate amount of powder. The target container 13 are each on a load cell 14, via which the degree of filling of the target container 13 is determined.

Through the doser 3 runs in the longitudinal direction in the Fig. 2 to 4 shown powder channel 4, which together with the powder pump 2, one leading from the powder pump 2 to the metering supply line 8 and a back from the metering unit 3 to the powder pump 2 return line a forms closed circuit for the powder 1 according to the arrows shown there.

Fig. 2 shows an external perspective view of the doser 3 after Fig. 1 with details of its structural design. The metering device 3 comprises a housing 15 extending in a longitudinal direction, through which the powder channel 4 passes axially parallel. In the housing 15 are several, here six in Fig. 3 Dosing chambers 5 shown in detail arranged, at the lower end in the direction of gravity in each case an outlet valve 6 is arranged. The outlet valves 6 each comprise a continuous valve needle 10, which are provided in the region of the outlet valve 6, each with a valve body 16 for opening or closing the respective outlet valve 6. The valve needles 10 are in their longitudinal direction through the metering chambers 5 (FIG. Fig. 3 ), protruding from the outlet valve 6 at its lower end by means of the respective valve body 16, and projecting beyond the housing 15 at its upper end opposite the outlet valve 6. At this, the outlet valve 6 opposite end are as shown in the Fig. 1 and 3 each a first drive 12 and a second drive 21 connected to the valve needle 10, so that all the valve needles 10 can be moved independently of one another according to a double arrow 17 axially. Three of the total of six valve needles 10 are shown in their closed position, with the associated valve bodies 16 resting tightly on their valve seat 20 formed in the housing 15, while the other three valve needles are pushed down so that the associated valve body 16 is downwardly from the valve seat 20 is lifted and the respective outlet valve 6 opens. The lifting movement between the closed and open positions described above in the direction of the double arrow 17 by means of the associated first drive 12. In addition, by means of the second drive 21, an oscillating stroke movement in the longitudinal direction of the valve needle 10 can be brought about in accordance with the double arrow 17.

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the metering device 3 after the Fig. 1 and 2 With details of the mutual arrangement of the powder channel 4, the metering chambers 5, the target container 13 and the load cells 14. It can be seen that the powder channel 4 is guided in the longitudinal direction through the housing 15, wherein the powder channel 4 in operation horizontally, ie transversely to Weight direction runs. From the powder channel 4 at least one metering chamber 5 branches off at an angle, wherein in the embodiment shown a plurality, here six total metering chambers 5 are provided. The metering chambers 5, like the powder channel 4, have a cylindrical shape, but extend along their longitudinal axis 7, which lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the powder channel 4 and is arranged vertically, ie in the direction of the weight force. In the connection region of the metering chambers 5 adjacent to the powder channel 4, the metering chambers 5 have a larger cross section than the powder channel 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross section of the metering chambers 5 in this connection region is at least twice as large and here at least three times as large as the cross section of the powder channel 4.

Each of the metering chambers 5 has at its lower end in the direction of gravity each a conically tapered Section, which is provided to the outside of the metering chambers 5 and to the outside of the metering unit 3, each with an outlet valve 6. The outlet valve 6 comprises a molded into the housing 15, in Fig. 4 illustrated valve seat 20 and a valve needle 10 with a molded valve body 16 which in the closed state at the valve seat 20 (FIG. Fig. 4 ) of the housing 15 and thereby closes the outlet valve 6. Three of the total of six valve needles 10 are shown pushed axially downward compared to the other three valve needles 10, wherein the valve body 16 of the molded in the housing 15 valve seat 20 (FIGS. Fig. 4 ) is lifted off. In this state, the respective exhaust valve 6 is opened. The axial opening movement of the valve needle 10 takes place in the opening direction against the biasing force of a compression spring 19 by means of the first, here pneumatic drive 12. Instead of the pneumatic drive 12 may also be an electromagnetic design or the like appropriate.

Between the first drive 12 and the upper shaft end of the valve needle 10, a second drive 21 is arranged. It is connected in series with the first drive 12 such that the second drive 21, together with the valve needle 10, carries out the stroke generated by the first drive 12. The second drive 21 is just like the first drive 12 designed as a linear drive, but deviating designed for a lower, but high-frequency stroke. For this purpose it is designed as a piezoelectric drive. But it may also be appropriate to deviate designs such as electromagnetic drives. By means of the second drive 21, the valve needle 10 can be offset, if necessary, in an axially oscillating stroke movement. Due to the series connection Both drives 12, 21 are superimposed on their two strokes, but can be switched on independently, controlled or regulated and also switched off.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged detail view of the arrangement according to Fig. 3 , wherein like features are provided with the same reference numerals. The valve body 16 lies on the outside of the housing 15 and, together with the associated valve seat 20, forms a valve which opens toward the outside of the metering chamber 5 or of the housing 15. The shape of the valve body 16 and the associated valve seat 20 is conical in the sealing area, which contributes to a fine distribution of the exiting powder 1. Incidentally, the valve body 16 is rounded.

The valve needle 10 extends through the interior of the metering chamber 5. The valve needles 10 may have a smooth shaft. Also, the valve needles 10 may be provided with various radially protruding loosening protrusions 11 for the powder. At least one such Aufklerungsvorsprung 11 is provided. It may be expedient to arrange several, in particular up to three loosening projections 11 on a single valve needle 10. These loosening projections 11 may be radially projecting teeth or the like and are designed in the illustrated embodiment as around the shaft of the valve needle 10 rotating plate, wherein preferably only one such Auflockerungsvorsprung is arranged on each of a valve needle 10. The loosening projections 11 are not in the immediate vicinity of the respective outlet valve 6, but at an axial distance from the Valve seat 20 in the interior of the respective metering chamber 5. The axial position of the respective loosening projection 11 is advantageous in the region of the conically tapered portion or in the transition region to the cylindrical portion of the metering chamber fifth

With simultaneous reference to the Fig. 1 to 4 the method according to the invention for operating the metering device will now be described. First, by means of the powder pump 2, the powder 1 is conveyed through the powder channel 4 in the form of the above-described closed circuit. If the metering chambers 5 are not or not completely filled with the powder 1, there is an extended flow cross-section in the connection area between the metering chambers 5 and the powder channel 4, in which by arrows 18 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) is delayed in the powder channel 4 indicated powder flow. As a result of this delay, part of the powder 1 falls from the powder channel 4 into the powder chambers 5, as a result of which the filling level thereof increases. Upon reaching a certain level, namely approaching the powder filling in the metering chambers 5 to the powder channel 4, this cross-sectional widening and the associated flow delay is no longer present, so that no further powder 1 falls into the metering chambers 5. It forms with running powder pump 2 and sustained flow of the powder 1 in the powder channel 4, a self-leveling level control of the powder 1 in the metering chambers 5.

The powder pump can continue to run as long as required without overfilling. In fact, however, it only has to run as long as required for filling the metering chambers 5 is. This period is used, the target container 13 ( Fig. 1 ) on the load cells 14 under the doser 3 to position. Depending on a target container 13 is in each case an outlet valve 6 with the associated metering chamber 5. After elapse of any time interval which is at least so large that a self-leveling filling of the metering chamber 5 has taken place, the promotion of the powder 1 is interrupted by the powder pump 2 , Thereafter, the valve needles 10 are pressed by their first drives 12 according to the double arrow 17 down so that the respective valve body 16 lifts from the associated valve seat 20. Accordingly fine-grained powder with a pronounced tendency to agglomerate formation does not automatically fall out of the metering chambers 5. Therefore, after opening the exhaust valves 6 and maintained open state, the second drives 21 are turned on, whereby the valve needles 10 are moved with open outlet valve 6 oscillating in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 and the double arrow 17, and wherein by friction between the shaft of the valve needle 10 and Powder 1 is brought about a loosening. This loosening dissolution of agglomerates in the powder 1 is supported by the oscillating loosening protrusions 11, so that a uniform flow of powder exits through the outlet valve 6 due to its own weight and falls into the target container 13.

Meanwhile, a continuous and individual weighing of the target containers 13 takes place by means of the associated weighing cells 14, whereby the filling quantity of the powder received by the target container 13 is determined. The exhaust valve 6 and the associated drives 12, 21 are by means of Measurement result of the load cell 14 is controlled or regulated in such a way that the second drive 21 is switched off when reaching the predetermined filling amount in the target container 13 with a high reaction rate. A slip of the powder 1 from the metering chambers 5 then stops immediately. Supporting immediately after switching off the second drives 21, a closing of the exhaust valves 6 by means of the associated first drives 12. The typical dosing mass for a single target container 13 is in a range of from 0.2 mg to 50 mg inclusive.

It may be appropriate to arrange exactly the same amount of target containers 13 in a row as dosing chambers 5 are present. After filling these target container 13 by means of a respective metering chamber 5 and closed exhaust valves 6, the promotion of the powder 1 is resumed by means of the powder pump 2 until again a self-leveling filling of the metering chamber 5 has taken place. During this time, a new series of still empty target containers 13 can be positioned below the metering chambers 5 for a subsequent filling operation, which then takes place again in the manner described above.

Alternatively, it may also be expedient to arrange a larger number of target containers 13 in a matrix-like manner, for example in a frame. The volume of the metering chambers 5 is dimensioned such that the powder reservoir accumulated therein is sufficient for the filling of several, here four target containers 13, wherein then after filling of four reservoirs 13 from each metering chamber 5 is still a residual amount of powder 1 in each Dosing chamber 5 remains. In this case, up to four target containers 13 are then filled sequentially between two successive fillings of the associated metering chambers 5. Only then is the powder pump 1 put back into operation to replenish the metering chambers 5, this refilling takes place during the replacement of the filled target container 13 against a new frame with empty target container 13.

Claims (15)

1. Metering device for fine-grained powder (1), in particular for medicinal powder (1) for pulmonary administration, comprising a powder pump (2) for conveying the powder (1) and a metering unit (3) supplied with the powder (1) by the powder pump (2), wherein the metering unit (3) comprises a full-length powder passage (4) and at least one metering chamber (5) with an outlet valve (6), wherein the metering chamber (5) branches off the powder passage (4) at an angle and wherein the metering chamber (5) has a larger cross-section than the powder passage (4), characterised in that the outlet valve (6) comprises a valve needle (10) which extends into the interior of the metering chamber (5) and which supports at least one radially projecting loosening projection (11) for the powder (1), wherein it is provided that the valve needle (10) performs an oscillating movement to loosen the powder when the outlet valve is open.
2. Metering device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the powder passage (4) is arranged horizontally in operation, and in that the at least one metering chamber (5) branches off at right angles from the powder passage (4), its longitudinal axis (7) being oriented vertically.
3. Metering device according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that several, and in particular six, metering chambers (5) branch off the full-length powder passage (4).
4. Metering device according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that the powder pump (2), a feed line (8) leading from the powder pump (2) to the metering unit (3), the powder passage (4) and a return line (9) leading from the metering unit (3) back to the powder pump (2) form a closed circuit for the powder (1).
5. Metering device according to any of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that the cross-section of the metering chamber (5) in the connecting region to the powder passage (4) is at least twice as large and in particular three times as large as the cross-section of the powder passage (4).
6. Metering device according to any of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that the outlet valve (6) is an in particular conical valve opening towards the outside of the metering chamber (5).
7. Metering device according to any of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that the loosening projection (11) is arranged at an axial distance from a valve seat (20) of the outlet valve (6) in the interior of the metering chamber (5).
8. Metering device according to claim 7,
   characterised in that the loosening projection (11) is configured as a disc surrounding the valve needle (10).
9. Metering device according to claim 7 or 8,
   characterised in that a first drive (12) for the valve needle (10) for opening and closing the outlet valve (6) and a second drive (21), which is in particular series-connected to the first drive (12), for an oscillating movement of the valve needle (10) are provided.
10. Metering device according to claim 9,
    characterised in that the valve needle (10) passes through the metering chamber (5) in the longitudinal direction, and in that the drives (12, 21) act on the valve needle (10) on the side opposite the outlet valve (6).
11. Method for operating a metering device with the features according to any of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following process steps:

    - the powder (1) is conveyed through the powder passage (4) by means of the powder pump (2), wherein the at least one metering chamber (5) is filled with the powder (1);

    - after a time interval in which the metering chamber (5) has been filled in a self-levelling manner, the delivery of the powder pump (2) is interrupted;

    - at least one target container (13) is then filled from the metering chamber (5), while the outlet valve (6) opens and a residual quantity of powder (1) is retained in the metering chamber (5);

    - finally, the delivery of the powder (1) by means of the powder pump (2) is resumed until the metering chamber (5) has once again been filled in a self-levelling manner, followed by further filling of target containers (13) and further self-levelling filling of the metering chamber (5);

    - characterised in that

    - during the filling operation from the metering chamber (5) the valve needle (10) performs an oscillating movement to loosen the powder (1) while the outlet valve (6) is open;

    - the outlet valve is closed on completion of the filling operation.
12. Method according to claim 11,
    characterised in that several, and in particular four, target containers (13) are filled from a single metering chamber (5) between two successive filling operations of the metering chamber (5).
13. Method according to claim 11 or 12,
    characterised in that the filling quantity of the powder (1) received by the target container (13) is determined by means of a weighing cell (14) for the target container (13), the outlet valve (6) being controlled in an open or closed loop by means of the measuring results of the weighing cell (14).
14. Method according to any of claims 11 to 13,
    characterised in that the outlet valve (6) is opened and closed by means of a first drive (12) for the valve needle (10), and in that an in particular axially oscillating movement of the valve needle (10) is provided by means of a second drive (21), which is in particular series-connected to the first drive (12), in order to loosen the powder (1).
15. Method according to claim 14,
    characterised in that the second drive (21) is only switched on after the opening of the outlet valve (6).

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