GB2546596A

GB2546596A - A dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2546596A
Application number: GB1619986.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cashman William
Original assignee: Cashman Eng Products Ltd
Current assignee: Cashman Eng Products Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-25
Filing date: 2016-11-25
Publication date: 2017-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-25
Also published as: IES86799B2; IE20160265A1; GB2546596B; GB201619986D0; IES20160266A2; IE87366B1

Abstract

A dispenser 100 and metering device 104 comprising a chamber 110 which receives granular material such as animal feed from a hopper 102. The chamber has a slidable plate 108 acting as a front wall, which can be moved to create an adjustable chamber opening 115 such that a predetermined amount of granular material will flow from the chamber, due to a sloped floor 112, into a rotatable dispensing bucket 114. The bucket rotates about an axle from a filling position to a dispensing position in order to dispense the preset amount of granular material. The bucket may have a single piece monoblock floor, and be biased towards the filling position. There may be two buckets forming part of a double dispensing apparatus.

Description

“A disposer”

Introduction

This idVShtieh relates to a dispenser, in particular, tie present invention is directed: towards a dispenser fdr dispensing preset amounts of granular materia! from a hqpper,:

Throughout this specification, the term “gidhdiar materia!" shit! be understabd to encompass any type of pellets or,||mins::ar:sW^ar types of dry particles which will iiow under gravity. Examples of granular materia! Inciude, inter alia, grain, diary nuts, pulp ndtaf ride, sugar crushed stone and the like.

Dispensers such as those; encompassed by the present invention are used in a variety of uses, such as dispensing animal feed, Anirpai feed is an ©sample of the type of granular materia! which the dispenser of the present invention is designed to operate with.

Many different types of animal feed dispensing apparatuses are;; known from the prior art. Typically, such prior art dispensing apparatuses are provided for dispensing animal feed to cattle, cows and oiler types of livestock, The; prior ad dispensers comprise a multitude of different designs and ponstrupldns.

Generally speaking, it is Important that the livestock receive the ©orrect amount: of feed Which is sufficient for their growth hut not too much feed such that the animal becomes unhealthy ahrt/dr such that the economic cost-to-benefii ratio: is affected. The amount of feed which an animal requires over their growth cycle can vary and various complicated designs for rationing feed to animais have been -considered over the years.

Given the enWfstirhen^: Which these dispensers have to operate in, it is felt that simpler apparatuses are more preferable as there are less components which ancf break, requiring replacement.

An ##rnj|ie of a prior art dispenser is disclosed in tip: Appiicanfs own U K, Patent Application Number GB 9213994.8; U.X, Patent Publication Number GB 2 266 878 (CASHMAN). The dispenser shown in this prior art uses a metering device beneath a hopper to dispense preset amount of granular material The metering-device is a rotatable and comprises an acutely· angled floor, A portion pi the floor is moveable so as to after the amount of granular material that is preset to fill Into the metering device. By altering the angle of one portion of the floor, relative to the other portion of the floor of the metering -device* more granular material or less granular material will be encouraged to flow into the metering device for subsequent dispensing. This cempllptedi design construction requires a. moveable first partition wall, a disc means, a Socking •means, ah adjustment lever and guide channel to operate teg-ether so as to provide the moveable portion of the floor. A further disadvantage;:#the design which comprises a hinged section on the floor of the metering detrice is that the hinged section can become clogged with granular mated# arid: restrict or entirely prohibit the movement of the portidh # floor which is supposed to be moveable. Regular cleaning and maintenance is required which is- costly arid onerous to the user, it is agoaifpf the present invention: to provide an apparatus trialoyaroomee:;:at least one Of the above mentioned problems through the provision of; a metering device, end/or i dispenser incorporating such a metering device, which# mere mbistandgf a simpler constructions than the dispensers ana metering devices which are known; form theiPtearf.

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The present invention Is directed to a dispenser comprising a hopper located above a metering device, the metering device being used to dispense preset amounts Of granular material from the hopper; the metenng device comprising a chamtsarnhd & rotatable dispensing bucket, whereby granular material from the hopper flows: through the chamber fc'tKf' Ihto the rotatable dispensing buck»!; the chamber IS formed by sidewalls, a rear wall, a sloped floor and a slidable plate acting as a idol wall, said slidable plate extending downwardly from the hopper and terminating above: fhe sloped floor so Os to create i Chamber opening, such that granular matedai which enters; Into the chamber will'be urged through the chamber opening by virtue of the sloped floor·;; the rotatable dispensing bucket rotates about ihtaxte from a filling position to a dispensing position: whereby, when the rptatabl® dispensing bucket is In the filing position, the granular material Which flows through the chamber opening will enter into the rotatable disp«hpio|i:#dii®t, and. when the rotatable dispensing bucket is transitioned to the dispensing: position, the granular material which: entered the rotatable: dispensing bucket through the chamber dpenir?! wlVbi dispensed; as the preset amount of graholaf material; wherein, the slap pfi the chamber opping can be altered liy moving the slidable plate and thus iltSf the preset amount;of granular material that will flow from the chamber into the rotatable dfspehstog bucket for subsequent dispensing;

The advantage of providing: the slidable plate Is that the ssze of the chamber opening can be changed to modify the amount of granular material that flows to fill up the rotatable dispensing bucket during a filling event, 'when the rotatable dispensing bucket is in the filing position. In this way a design which comprises a relatively simple ^nstn4otkm;: will permit different preset amounts of granular material to be delivered from the hopper. As just asingle moving pari Is used ip alter the amount of preset granuiar materiel, the design is considered to be relatively robust when compEmd with those of the prior art. This is important; as the environment in which the dispensers are typically found may be on farms and on sheds where sensitive equipment is less likely to continue: to function without trouble. The simple design is seen to be a: low maintenance designras it comprises only one moving part, which id a sliding plate,: and which Is believed to be quite robust and; suitable for the environment where it may have to operate.

The present invention is directed to a metering: device which is used to dispense preset amounts of granuiar material from an associated hopper; the metering device comprising archamber and a rotatable dispensing bucket,whemhy imnutor material from the associated hopper flows through tie chamber and into the rotatable dispensing bucket:; the; chamber is formed by sidewalls, a rear wall, a sloped floor and a slidable plate acting as a front wait, said slidable piate extending downwardly from fheihpgper and terminating above the sloped floor so as to create a chamber Opening:,· dubb that granular material which enters Into the chamber wilt be; urged through the chamber opening by virtue of the sloped; Sbor; the rotatable; dispensing bucket rotates;; about an: axie from a filling position to a dispensing position;:; whereby, whenfle rotatable dispensing bucket is in the filing position, the pabular material which fiows through1 the chamber opening will enter into the rotatable dispensing bucket, arid, when the rotatable dispensing bucket is transitioned to the dispensing position* the granular material: which entered the rotatable:dlspsnslbg;:bucket through the chamber opening wiil be dispensed as '.he preset amount ditpanniar material; wherein,: the size of the chamber opening can slidable plate and thus alter the preset amount of granular material; that will flow from the chamber into the rotatable dispensing bucket for subsequent dispensing.

The advantage Mpmvlbing the slidable plate is that the size of the chamber opening can be changed to modify the amount of granular material that flows to fill up the rotatable dispensing bucket during a filling event, when the rotatable dispensing bucket is in the filling position. As above, me simple design Is considered to be robust and easy to maintain,

Further embodiments of the present invention when directed tpwSfdS the dispenser and/or the metering device aloheers now considered,

In a further embodiment of the present Invention, a planar fippr farms part; of the rotatable dispensing bucket* in 3 further embodiment of the present:: invention, a single piece, mondbibc floor form part of the rotatable;; dispensing bucket As the floor of the rotatable dispensing; bucket will not contain any hinge, as is the case with the closest prior art, the device cannot become slogged with material as was the case with the prior art. This obviates all of the issues that anse through; clogging a part of; the dispensing device, such as maintenance needs and costs, device dpwnrtinm end reduction in operational lifespan.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the axle is offset relative to a central point of the floor of the rotatable dispensing bucket so that the rotatable dispensing bucket is urged and biased towards the filling position. in a further embodirnent: of the present: invention, a ram or a piston may bo used to tension the rotatabie; idfspensing bucket form the filling position to the dispensing position. in a further embodiment of the present invention, two rotatable dispensing buckets form pad; of fhe metering device and create a double dispensing apparatus.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, pi slidable plate eanbe locked at different positions to form different:pm^eterminedmhsm^ This; maybe useful for prepefermlning preset teed amounts for different animals, different pad types for the: same animal, different ages of the same animai and/or any cdmbihatiohdherebf:.;.

In :a further embodiment: of the present invention,: tog stoppers am provided within the metering device td restrict the angle of rotation of the rotatable :d!spehiihg bucket. in a further embodiment of the present invention, a fling position ipg etopppr anl a dispensing position lug stopper are provided. in a fisfibif embodiment of the present invention, the angle of mtatton of the ;rg^ialfe;: dispensing: bucket intermediate the; filing; position and the dispensing; position; is in the: range of 40" to 110". in a: further embodiment:; of the peasant invention, the angid:of rotation of the rotatable; dispensing bosket intermediate the filling position and the dispensing position is ip the tango of 60“ to in a fcrtber embodiment of the present invention, the angle of rotation of the mfafabie dispensing bucket intermediate the filling posiltdh and the dispensing position:, is: approximately 70\ In a further embodiment of fhe present invention, the angli of rotation: pf ihe; rotatable dispensing bucket iniernfedlafe the filling position and #a dispensing position Is 10s.

The present invention is directed to a dispenser comprising a hopper located above a metering device, the metering device being used for dispensing preset amounts of granular material from the hopper; the metering device comprising a chamber formed by sidewalls, a tear wail: a sloped floor and a slidable plate acting as a front wait, said sildabie plate extending downwardly from the hopper and terminating above the sloped floor sp as to creati: a chamber opening through which granular material can flow; the metering device further: comprises e rotelable dispensing Bucket which rotates about an axle, from a rilling position to: a dispensing position, whereby in the filing position granular material is capable: of flowing from the hopper into the chamber and from the chamber, through the chamber opening into the rotatable dispensing bucketf eddh that the size ©flhe chamber opening can be altered by moving:1 the slidable: plate and:: altering the preset amount of papular material that will be dispensed on each occasion ibaf the rotatable: dispensing bucket is rotated from the filling position to the dispenelhg ppsitlgri.

The advantage of providing the slidable plate is that the size of the chamber opening can be: ©hanged to modify the amponf of granular material: that Hows to fill up the rdtatabie dispensing: bucket during a filing event; when the rotatable dispensing buckeiis in the fling position.

Otefalled Description of Embodiments

The invention wiil be more ejeariy understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only* with reference: to the: accompanying drawlhgSj.fri:Which: frigure i is a diaimmmatlp cut-fhrough side view of a dispenser in accordance with the present Invention, with a dispensing bucket in the filling position;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cul4hrou|h Side View of the riispenserof Figure 1, with the dispensing bucket in the dispensing position;

Figure 3a ;s avblagremmaiic cut-through side vieW:W the diiijpii^h 3R§ur# 1, showing granular particles flowing into the dispensing luciet in the filling posidfefrom a fnc>pp@r;

Figure lb is a: diagrammatic out-through sideiview of the dispenser of Figure: 1.,. showing granular particles flowing out the dispensing: buetet. in the dispensing position;;

Figure $ i& a partially put-through perSpeetlye view of s dispenser in eoddthanee: with an embodiment of the present invention. comprising two: dispensing duckets;:·

Figure 5a is a tap down perspective view of a dispensing bucket as used in the presant inveh&n· and, ii|ure: 5h is: a bmtorn up perspective view of the dispensing bucket of Figure Sa.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a dispenser indicted generally by relerenee numeral 100. The dispenser 100 comprises a hopper 102 which Is located above a metering device indicated generallyby reference numeral 104.

The meteri ng device 104 is used to dispense preset s mounts of granuiar material fnet showdi from fee hopper 102. The hopper 102 converges and narrows towards an outlet indicated generally by reference numeral 106 which is positioned at a lowermost part of theTppper 102. The granular;:mafei|ai which Bows out feroughthe outlet 106 enters a fee metering device 104 which comprises a chamber indicated generally by reference number 110. The chamber 110 comprises a rear wall 111, a sloped floor 1:12. side wails 113 (only one of which is shown^ dnd, a slidable plate 108 which forms a front wall and which is slidably connected to a wail of the hopper 102. The slidable plate 108 does not extend fully down to abut with the sloped floor 112, but rather terminates above the Sloped floor 112 and thus a chamber Cpehfhg Indicated genorsljy by reference numeral 115 is created adjacent the sloped floor 11E which flows from the hopper 102 and Into the chamber 112 wii b# urged: thropp the chamber opening 115 by virtue of the sloped floor 112. As described supra, the camber 110 comprises a chamber opening 115, such that granular material: which enter#: Info the chamber 110 will be urged though: the bhafhbemopehihg 115 by virtue of a slopec floor 112 in the chamber Ί10 although alternative: means· for urging the granular maieoal out of the chamber i io are also: considered to be within the scope of the present invention, such as vibrating plates: and the like. The chamber opening 115 may be enlarged or reduced so as to alter the preset amount of granular material which Is allowed through the chamber opening 115 and onward to a rotatable dispensing bucket indicated generally by reference numenai 114.

The rotatable dispensing bucket: 114 is mounted within the mefering device 104, The rotatable; dispensing bucket 114 rotates about an axle 120, informediate a filling position and a dispensing posbion 1 lie aide 120 is joumated on the side Wails: 113 of the chamber 110 of the metering device 104 so as to permit bucket 114 to transition between the filing positon and the dispensing position;.

The rgfaiafeie dispensing; bucket 114 isisbowhitpIbO'fiilingppsieo in Figure ;1 add the : dispensing positionlhf Figure 2,

Thesrotatible dispensing bucket;:111:emprises e::SPbstaritisliy planar monobioc floor 116, The axle 120 is positioned beneath the floor and!$: offset from a centra! point along the length of the floor such fhailhe rotatable dispensing bucket 114 Is biased toward the filling position (of Figure 1). The rotatable dispensing bucket 114 comprises arched; sidewals 118 and a curved rear wail 124: The planar monobioc floor 116 extends between the arched sidewalls 118, and, the curved rear wail 124 extends bepfeen the arched sidewalls TIB, thus forming a bucketed space to receive granular material. The construction of the rotatable dispensing bucket 114 is best seen in Figures la end 5b. Returning to Figures 1. and 2, a tug stopper 122 is used to restrict the angle of rotation of the rotatable dispensing bucket 114. as the lug stopper 1.22; will abut against an underside of the rotatable dispensing bucket 114 when the rotatable dispensing bucket 114 has rotated backward into its filling position to a fullest extent. The: angle of rotation: from the filling position t0;|he:dtapen$ng position

Is approjUmaiely 70°. It will also be understood feat ih alfemaSve embodiments the angle: Of fetation from the filling position to the dispensing position may be in the range of 40' to 110 '. it will be further understoodstha! in different embodiments pipe: present irpsntica fee:angi©...of mtation fem; the filling position to the dispensing position maty be in the range of 60° to 85

The hStaiaPe dispensing bucket 114 does not comprise any front wait intermediate the arched side wails 118 and thus a mouth indicated; genersity by refemnee numeral 126 Is provided in the rotatable dispensing bucket 114 so that granular material dan ^dispensed fferh the roiaiabledispensing bucket 114 when the rotatable dispensing bucket 114 is rotated pie Pe: dispensing position (as rn Figure 2), Reference arrow A shows the: direction m which the granular maferial is dispensed from the rotatable dispensing bucket 114. A waii 128 forming part of fee metering device 104 is provided to direst : fee granular material dispensed: out of the rotatable dispensing bucket 114 down towards the outlet 130 of the motoring device 104. An important aspect of the present invention is that the curved rear wall 124 vv® rise up, by yidue of the rotation of the rotatabie dispensing bucket 114, and Iffeek off the chamber opening 115 such that no granular material will flow Out Of the Chamber 110 when the rdfetabietoispenslrig bucket 114is ittfee dispensing position, fence the: rotatibie dispensing bucket; 114 has been emptied, it is rotated back to fee filng: position. As the rotatable: dispensing bucket 114 is biased towards the filling fPSipp, a ram: or piston may only be required: to .rotate fee rotafebie; dispensing bucket 1:14 bpm the filling position to the dispensing position. It ss foreseen to use a ram or piston to also totafe the rotatabie dispensing bucket 114 from the dispensing position back to the fling position.

Figures 3a and 3b are provided ip show the flow of granular materia! when the rotatabie dispensing bucket 114 is in the filling position and the dispensing position respectively. In Figure 3a. the granular material 300 is Ί 02::3111¾ preset:: amount of granufar material 302 flows under gravity through the chamber iOpehlhg 115 Into the fotatable dispensing bucket: 114. The rotatable dispensing bucket 114 can be manually rotated, although it; is mere Iskely :to be autbfeaticaiiy iiptafed; by rant or piston:: or motor (not shown). When rotated to the dispensing position as shown $n Figure 3b, the preset amount of granular material 302 flows out of the rotatable dispensing bucket 114. The curved rear wail 124 blocks off the chamber opening 115 and prevents any spillage of granular material 300 from the hopper 102 and/or chamber 110 when the preset amdunt is; being dispensed from the rotatable dispensing bucket 1:14,

Referring now fd Figure: 4, wherein like parts .previously discussed have been accorded the same; pfethriPi numeml, there is provided a double dispenser apparatus iridipated geheiiit^ b| reference numeral 400, A hopper 482 narrows towards an outlet Indicated geherSiiy by reference numeral 408. The Side: Walls of the metering device, t#ibh houseslhe: double dispensers, have: been removed to aid the understanding nf 4be doublebiepenserapparatys· 400,. A slidable plate 108 is provided and functions as with the embodiment discussed: hereinbefore so that a preset amount: dftgfSridtar material can be delivered tom the: hopper into the dispensers which areformed by two rptatable dl&pensihp: buckets 404A, 4848, An inverted vee-shaped floor 488 urges the granular material which flows out of the outlet 406 to either of the rotatable dispensing buckets 404A, 4048 through the chamber openings formed between a lowermost edge of the slidable plate 100 (only one of which is shown) and the Inverted vee-shaped floor 408. It will be understood that an important aspect of the present invention is the simplicity with which; the preset amount of granular material can; be selected by movement of the slidable plate 108, The construction off he rotatable dispensing buckets 404A, 4848 is as previously desctiped and will not be repeated here.

It will be noted that in addition to tie filling position lug stoppers 122. dispensing position lug stoppers 414 are also provided in this embodiment. It wifi be readily understood that: the; dispensing position lug stoppers 414 stop any further rotation of the rotatable dispensing buckets 4Q4A, 404B once they have: reached their dispensing;; position, if will be understood that the: dispensing position lug stoppers may also be used in the earlier descnhed emhodiments of the present invention, mm chutes 410A. 4188 are provided to direct the granular material as It is dispensed from the buckets 4Q4A, 404B. Catch frays 412 are .posiphed: benaath the inverted v®#shaped floor 488 and the: rotatable: dispensing buckets 40M, 404B ίο .catch any granular material which :fa|js Out or the metering device.

The double dispensers can; operate in tandem -m that both rotate from the fling position to the dispensing positions at the same time, or they can operate: alternatively such that as one rotates from the filling position into the dispensing position, the other will γοΙΑ back towards the filling position from lie dispensing position.

The ternis ’'comprise" and include'', and any vacates thereof repaired for grammatical reasons*, are to be considered as intemheppafeie end ascerded: the widest possible interpretation,

It will she anderstopd; that the ^components shown In any of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, end,· like parte shown in several drawings are designated the same reference numerals.

It will be further understood that features from any of the embodiments may be combined with slterTPtlve descnbed embodiments,: even if such a combination is not explicitly recited hereinbefore but; Would be understood to be technically feasible by the person skitled ih the art.

The Invention is net limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be vaheddh both bohshdeiioh ehd detai

Claims

CLASPS 1,: 1 dispenser {100, 400) comprising a hopper (1G2V located above ametering daviee (104), the metering device: (104) being used lb dispense preset amounts of granular matehai from the hopper (102); (fee metering device (104) comprising a chamber (110) and a rotatable dispensing bucket (114), whereby tgranuiar material from the hopper (102): flows through the chamber (110) end into the rotatable dispensing; bucket (114); the chamber (ill) Is formed: by sidewalls (113), »;:ίρ^:^ϊ:ρΐ%·;·3 sloped fleer (112) and a slidable plate (10¾ acting as a fmnf wall, said slidable plate (108) extending downwardly tarn the hopper (102) and terminating above the sloped floor (112) so as to create a chamber opening (11¾ such that granular material which enters into the chamber (110) will be urged through the chamber bperilng (11S) by virtue Of the; aldpad floor (112); the rotatable dispensing: bucket (114} rotates about an axle from a filling position to a dispensing position; whereby, when the rotatable dispensing bucket (114} is in the filing position, the granular material: which flows through the chamber opening (115) will enter into the rotatable dispensing bucket (114), and. when the rotatable dispensing bucket (11:4) is transitioned to the: dispensing position, the granular material which entered the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) through the chamber opening (115) will be dispensed m the preset amount of gronblar material; charapferised in; that, the diae of the chamber opening (115} may h® altered by moving the slidable plate (108) and thus alter the preset amount of granular material mat wilt flow from the: chamber (110) into the rotatabie dispensing bucket (114) for subsequehtdlspensing. 2". A dispenser {100; as claimed in Claim 1., wherein, a planar floor {106} forms part of the rotatable dispensing docket :(114),
3. A dispenser (IQO) as claimed In any of claims: 1 m 2, wherein, a single piece, monobioe liodr {1iOS| forms pad of the rotatable dispensing bucket (114). 4:. A dispenser (100) as claimed In any preceding claims, wherein, the axle is offset relative: i© a central point of the fiber (106} of the rotatable dispensing bucket :(114} so that the rotatable dispensing bucket (114} is urged and biased: β ng .
5. A dispenser (100) as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, a ram or a piston may be used to transition the rotatable dispensing: bucket (114) form the filling position to the dispensing position. :6, A dispenser (100) as dialmed In any preceding: claims, whefeth, two rotatable dispensing buckets p841:,: :4048} form, part bfths: metering device and create a double dispensing apparatus (400), ?. A dispenser (100) as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the slidable plate {108} can be locked at different positions to form different pgfr determined chamber openings {115} A dispenser (100) as claimed in, any preceding claims,, wherein, lug stoppers (122, 414} are provided within the; mofelng dovicoip testnot the angle of rotation of the rotatable dispensing bucket (114* 404A;,::4048), 0.: A dispenser { ; 00} as claimed in any preceding claims, whefeih, 0 filling: position lug stopper Π22; and a dispensing position lug stopper (414} are provided,
10. A dispenser (100} as claimed in any "preceding claims, wherein, the angfepf srotafon of the rotatable dispensing bucket {114} Intermediate the- filing position and the dispensing position is in the range of 40* ip 110® 11......A dispenser {100} as claimed in any preceding claim'#, wherein, the angle of rotation: ©i the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) intermediate the filling position and the dispensing position is in the rang© Of i0e to 8S?, lit A dispenser {100) as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the angle of rotation of the rotatable dispensing bucket {114) intermediate the filing position and the dispensing position is approximately 7Q'\ 13. A; dssponoer (100) as claimed In any the angle of rotation Of the rotatable dispensing lupliot (114) intermediate the filling position and the dispensing position is 70-,
14. A metering device (104) which is used to dispense preset; amounts of pabular mileriaf fmm an associated hopper (102); the metering deytce (104) comprising a chamber (110) and a rotatable dlspensthg Ipokei (114), whereby granular material from: the associated hopper |102| flows through the chamber {110;) and inf© the rotatable dispensing hbeket :(114); the chamber {110) is formed by sidewalls {113), a rear wail (111), a sloped floor (112) and a slidable plate (108) acting as a front wall, said slidable plate (108) extenilt^i dPI«iwa.rdi'y· Irpm- the hopper (102) and terminating above the sloped floor (1:12) so as to create a phamber opening (115), such that granular material Which enters into 'PI chamber (HQ) will be Mfged through the chamber opening (115) by virtue of the sloped floor {112}; the rdfefeble dispensing bucket (114) fpfates; about an axis isorh: a: filling position to a: dispensing position: whereby, when the rotatable:dispensing bucket {114) is in the filing position. the granular material which flows through the chamber opening (11 δ) wiii enter into the rotatable dispensing ducket (114). and, when the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) is transitioned to the; dispensing pdsitibn. thi; granular iiatehat: which entered the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) through;: the^ghember opening (115) wiii be dispensed as the preset amount of gmnblar material; characterised in that the ska of the chamber opening (115) can be: altered fey moving the slidable plate (IQS) and thus after the: preset amount of granular material that will flow from the chamber (110) into the rotatable dislmnslhg 14} for subsequentdlspensing. 1:51 A metering device (104) as claimed in claim 14, wherein, a planar floor (106) forms pa rt of the IMatable dispensing bucket (114|.
18. A metering: device (104} as claimed in claims 14 or 15, wherein, a single piece, mPhpbtbp: floor (114) forms part of the rotatable dispensing bucket (114).

17, A metedPi device (1Q4) as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein, the akle Is offset relative to a central point of die floor (106! of the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) so that the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) is urged and biased: towards the fling position, 1.8.- A metering device (104) as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, wherein, a ram or a piston may be used to transition the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) form the fifing position to the dispensing position. if. A metering device {1Q4} as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, wherein, two rotatable dispensing buckets (404A, 4048} form part of the metering device and create a double dispensing apparatus (400).
20. A metering device (104) as claimed ltn any of: claims 14 to 19, wherein, the siklabie plate (108} can be locked at: different positions to form different pre- determined ehafafe#dbe0tngs (115).
21. A metering device fi;04pas claimed In any of biaims 14 to 20. wherein, lug stoppers (122, 414) are provided within the metering device (102) to restrldf the angle of rotation of the rotatable dispensing bucket(114). 22 A metering device (104) as claimed in arty of claims: 14 to 21, wherein, a lliing position: fag stopper (122) and a dispensing position fug stopper (414) areprovided.
23. A meterihi;: device (104) as claimed in any of claims 14 to 22, wherein, the angle of rotation of the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) Intermediate the ilfihgi posltidn and the dispensing position is In the range of 40° to 11fr,
24, A metering device (104) as claimed In any of claims 14 to 23, wherein, the angle of rotation of the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) Intermediate the filling position and the dispensing position is in the range of 60* to 85°. £S, A metering device (104) as claimed in any of claims 14 to 24, wherein, the ahgfe of rotation of the rotatable dispensing bucket (114) intermediate the filling position and the dispensing position: is approximately 70\ 2Cs. A metedag device (104} as claimed in any of claims 14 to 25, wherein, the angle of rotation of the; rotatable dispensing bucket (114): intermediate the filling position and the dSepeming pdsMidn is 70s.