Device for dosing a powder

The device addresses the challenge of cleaning complex powder dosing devices by employing a multi-part housing with annular sealing elements and internal fastening, ensuring thorough and easy cleaning, particularly for HPAPIs.

DE102024124889A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-03-05SYNTEGON TECHNOLOGY GMBH
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102024124889
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-30
Publication Date
2026-03-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing powder dosing devices are difficult to clean thoroughly, especially when switching between different powders, particularly those containing highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs), due to complex geometries and hard-to-reach gaps that trap powder.

Method used

A multi-part housing design with annular sealing elements and external access for cleaning, featuring a movable metering control element and a drive unit protected within the housing, along with internal fastening elements to facilitate easy and thorough cleaning, especially wet cleaning.

Benefits of technology

The device ensures thorough cleaning by preventing powder entrapment in gaps and allowing easy access to sealing elements, enhancing hygiene and safety when handling different powders, especially HPAPIs.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for dispensing a powder, the device comprising: a storage container (12) which has a storage chamber for storing the powder; a movable dispensing control element (14) which, in a release position, releases the dispensing of powder from the storage chamber and, in a locking position, locks it; a drive unit (16) which is configured to move the dispensing control element; and a housing (18), wherein at least the drive unit is at least partially arranged in a housing interior (20) of the housing, wherein the housing has at least two housing parts (22) which are sealedly connected to each other at a circumferentially closed housing joint (24), and wherein the housing joint has an external sealing element (26) which abuts the housing parts in such a way that a respective contact surface between the sealing element and the housing parts is annular.
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Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for dosing a powder, in particular a powdered pharmaceutical.

[0002] A device for dispensing a powder typically comprises a reservoir with a storage chamber for the powder to be dispensed. The powder can be dispensed from the storage chamber through a dispensing opening, for example, to fill one or more target containers with the powder. To facilitate controlled dispensing of the powder, a movable dispensing control element is typically provided, which, in a release position, enables the dispensing of powder from the storage chamber and, in a locking position, prevents the dispensing of powder from the storage chamber. A drive unit may be provided to move the dispensing control element between the release and locking positions. The device also includes a housing in which the drive unit and, optionally, other components of the device are arranged.A device designed as described above for dosing a powder is known, for example, from European patent application EP 4 036 350 A1.

[0003] Such a device can be used, for example, in pharmaceutical research to fill highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) such as hormones, painkillers, or cancer treatment drugs. Often, the active ingredients are dosed directly, meaning no dilution takes place. The powders to be filled may also be new compounds whose effects and / or toxicity have not yet been fully researched.

[0004] The present disclosure is based on the objective of providing a device for dosing a powder that can be cleaned easily and thoroughly. In particular, the device should be designed such that wet cleaning of the device is easily possible.

[0005] This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The device according to the invention comprises a storage container which has a reservoir for storing a powder. The storage container also includes a metering opening for dispensing the powder from the reservoir into a target container to be filled. The reservoir is thus connected to the outside of the container via the metering opening. Preferably, the storage container is cartridge-shaped.

[0007] The device according to the invention also comprises a movable metering control element. In a locked position, the metering control element prevents the dispensing of powder from the storage chamber. This can be achieved, for example, by the metering control element closing the metering opening in the locked position. In a released position, the metering control element releases the dispensing of powder from the storage container. Consequently, the dispensing of powder from the storage chamber can be controlled by moving the metering control element. The metering control element can be moved, for example, by a rotary or a translational movement between the released and locked positions.

[0008] The device according to the invention also comprises a drive unit configured to move the metering control element between the release position and the locked position. The drive unit can, for example, comprise an electric motor.

[0009] The device according to the invention also comprises a housing. The drive unit is at least partially arranged inside the housing. This arrangement protects the drive unit from external influences. In addition to the drive unit, one or more further components of the device, in particular one or more sensors, can be arranged inside the housing.

[0010] According to the invention, the housing comprises at least two housing parts. The housing is therefore multi-part. The preferably separately formed housing parts are connected to each other at a joint, preferably in a liquid-tight manner. The joint is closed in the circumferential direction, i.e., annular. According to the invention, the joint includes an external sealing element. In this context, this means that the sealing element is accessible from the outside of the housing when it is assembled. The preferably annular sealing element rests against the housing parts in such a way that each contact surface between the sealing element and the housing parts is annular. The sealing element thus rests against a first housing part of the housing parts in such a way that the contact surface between the sealing element and the first housing part is annular.Furthermore, the sealing element rests against a second housing part in such a way that the contact surface between the sealing element and the second housing part is also annular. The sealing element seals a gap, particularly an annular gap, between the housing parts. Preferably, the sealing element is held under tension between the housing parts. This increases the sealing effect of the sealing element and the housing joint.

[0011] The inventors have recognized that a housing joint designed as described above can be used to obtain a powder dosing device that is both thorough and easy to clean. In particular, the device can be wet-cleaned in the area of ​​the housing joint. The design of the housing joint (the sealing element is located externally, and the contact surfaces between the sealing element and the housing parts are each annular) avoids T-shaped gaps between three or more housing parts, at least in the area of ​​the housing joint. Such T-shaped gaps are difficult to seal and also difficult to clean. The claimed design of the housing joint prevents powder from becoming trapped in gaps between the housing parts. Thorough cleaning of the device is particularly important when the device is to be changed from one powder to another.

[0012] The contact surfaces between the sealing element and the housing parts are ring-shaped. A ring-shaped contact surface is a contact surface that is closed in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the contact surfaces are rectangular ring-shaped. However, other ring shapes are also possible. For example, the contact surfaces can also be circular or oval ring-shaped. A polygonal ring shape, deviating from a rectangular ring shape, is also possible.

[0013] The sealing element is preferably ring-shaped. A ring-shaped sealing element is a sealing element that is closed in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the sealing element is rectangular in shape. However, other ring shapes are also possible. For example, the sealing element can also be circular or oval in shape. A polygonal ring shape, deviating from a rectangular ring shape, is also possible.

[0014] The sealing element can be designed in various ways. Preferably, the sealing element is designed as a sealing ring. However, the sealing element can also be designed as a flat gasket or as a ring-shaped sealing cord.

[0015] The contact surfaces between the sealing element and the housing parts are each formed by a sealing surface on the housing part side and a sealing surface on the sealing element side. Preferably, the housing parts abut opposite end faces of the sealing element. The end faces of the sealing element thus form the sealing surfaces on the sealing element side.

[0016] Preferably, at least part, and in particular the entire outer circumferential surface of the sealing element is free or uncoated. The outer circumferential surface of a sealing element is the surface that radially delimits the sealing element. Depending on the design of the sealing element, the outer circumferential surface can be, for example, annular or cylindrical.

[0017] The housing comprises at least the two housing parts that are sealed together at the joint. In particular, the housing comprises only these two housing parts. Alternatively, the housing may have one or more additional housing parts. Increasing the number of housing parts allows for a housing with a more complex geometry without increasing the complexity of the individual housing parts. Furthermore, increasing the number of housing parts can simplify the assembly of the housing.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the housing parts are designed such that the sealing element extends two-dimensionally between them. The sealing element thus extends essentially only in a first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first. The extension in a third direction, perpendicular to both the first and second directions, is significantly less than the extension in the first and second directions. Such a design of the housing parts and the sealing element ensures a reliable sealing effect. A two-dimensional contact surface is formed both between the sealing element and the first housing part and between the sealing element and the second housing part.If the sealing element is designed as a sealing ring, for example, the thickness of the sealing ring just arranged corresponds to the extension of the sealing element in the third direction.

[0019] In some preferred embodiments, the sealing element extends along an outer edge of at least one of the housing parts. This further facilitates cleaning, particularly wet cleaning, of the housing joint. The affected housing part projects only slightly beyond the sealing element. Preferably, the sealing element extends along the outer edge of both housing parts.

[0020] In some preferred embodiments, at least one outer surface of one housing part adjacent to the joint is flush with an outer surface of the other housing part adjacent to the joint. Flush outer surfaces further facilitate cleaning, especially wet cleaning, of the housing. It is also possible for several outer surfaces of one housing part to be flush with a different outer surface of the other housing part.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments, a groove is formed in at least one of the housing parts, and the sealing element is arranged in the groove. Providing a groove facilitates the targeted positioning of the sealing element between the two housing parts. Preferably, the groove has a round cross-section. However, the groove can also have a square cross-section.

[0022] Preferably, the groove is designed as an edge groove. An edge groove is a groove formed in an edge of the relevant housing part. Preferably, the edge groove is formed in a radially outer edge of the relevant housing part. Two surfaces of a housing part meet at an edge. Since the edge groove is formed in the edge of the housing part, the two groove edges of the edge groove transition into the other surface of the two surfaces of the housing part. An edge groove, particularly in the radially outer edge of the housing part, has the advantage that the sealing element is easily accessible, which further facilitates cleaning, especially wet cleaning, of the sealing element and the contact points between the sealing element and the housing parts.

[0023] In some preferred embodiments, the groove is designed as an edge groove, and an outer edge of the edge groove engages the sealing element in such a way that the distance between the outer edge of the groove and the other housing part is less than the thickness of the sealing element. The edge groove, or a groove flank of the edge groove having the outer edge of the groove, then forms an effective anti-slip device for the sealing element. This anti-slip device prevents the sealing element from slipping radially outward out of the groove.

[0024] In some preferred embodiments, the housing parts are fastened together by at least one internal fastening element. This internal fastening element is located entirely inside the housing and is inaccessible from the outside when the housing is assembled. Positioning the fastening element inside the housing further facilitates cleaning, particularly wet cleaning. This is because the fastening element eliminates difficult-to-clean contact surfaces on the outside of the housing. The fastening element can, for example, be a screw. Preferably, the two housing parts are fastened together only by one or more fastening elements located inside the housing. Therefore, no external fastening elements are required to fasten the two housing parts together.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments, at least one of the housing parts is designed as a housing plate. A housing plate is a flat housing part used to close off the interior of the housing.

[0026] In some preferred embodiments, at least one of the housing parts is designed as a housing segment. A housing segment is a three-dimensional housing part that forms or contributes to the interior of the housing.

[0027] In particular, one of the housing parts is designed as a housing plate and the other as a housing segment. Alternatively, both housing parts can each be designed as a housing segment.

[0028] In some preferred embodiments, the housing comprises at least three housing parts, the housing parts being arranged in a series one behind the other, and immediately adjacent housing parts being sealed together at a circumferentially closed joint as described above. Thus, at least three housing parts and at least two joints are present, each joint having a sealing element that bears against the respective housing parts such that the contact surface between the sealing element and the housing parts is annular.

[0029] Preferably, at least the middle housing part of the housing parts arranged in series is designed as a housing segment. The two outer housing parts can optionally be designed as housing segments or as housing plates.

[0030] Particularly preferred are the three housing parts arranged in a row one behind the other, each designed as a housing segment and fastened to one another by internal fastening elements.

[0031] In some preferred embodiments, the housing parts arranged in series are vertically stacked one above the other when the device is assembled as intended. Preferably, the housing parts are designed such that the sealing elements of the housing joints extend in a respective horizontal plane.

[0032] In some preferred embodiments, one of the housing parts is a connection part with a feedthrough formed therein. A feedthrough is an opening through which one or more lines can be routed from the outside of the housing to the inside. For example, at least one gas line, at least one hydraulic line, at least one electrical supply line, and / or at least one data line are routed through the feedthrough into the inside of the housing.

[0033] In some preferred embodiments, an annular clamping element is arranged in the feedthrough, and a hose is held in an annular gap formed between the connecting element and the clamping element. In this way, an effective seal of the feedthrough can be achieved. The aforementioned lines can be guided through the hose lumen into the interior of the housing. Preferably, the hose is a silicone hose. Preferably, the connecting element and the clamping element are designed such that the annular gap is conical. With a conical annular gap, the outer diameter of the annular gap decreases, particularly continuously, from one end of the annular gap to the other.A conical annular gap has the advantage that the clamping force acting on the hose can be adjusted by displacing the clamping part and the connecting part relative to each other along the through axis of the connecting part.

[0034] In some preferred embodiments, the gap width of the annular gap is reduced, particularly locally, in an end region of the annular gap adjacent to the outside of the housing. The gap width is the radially measured distance between the connecting part and the clamping part. A reduced annular gap in this end region allows the hose to be clamped effectively. To reduce the gap width, the connecting part or the clamping part can, for example, have a bulge. Alternatively, a clamping surface of the connecting part can be angled relative to a clamping surface of the clamping part.

[0035] In some preferred embodiments, the feedthrough is located in a vertically upper end region of the housing when the device is assembled as intended. Effective sealing of the feedthrough is more difficult compared to other areas of the housing. Therefore, arranging the feedthrough in the upper end region has the advantage that only a small amount of cleaning fluid reaches the feedthrough during wet cleaning of the device. In this context, the upper end region of the housing refers to the upper 25% of the housing when the device is assembled as intended. Preferably, the feedthrough is located entirely within the upper end region of the housing.

[0036] In some preferred embodiments, the housing joint, particularly the sealing element, extends obliquely to a horizontal plane and obliquely to a vertical plane when the device is assembled as intended. This orientation of the housing joint is preferred because any cleaning fluid can drain quickly from the joint. This is particularly advantageous in connection with the housing joint associated with the connecting part, because, as mentioned previously, effective sealing of the feedthrough is more difficult.

[0037] In some preferred embodiments, the device includes a vibration unit configured to vibrate at least a section of the storage container to assist in the dispensing of powder, with a vibration drive for the vibration unit being at least partially located inside the housing. Preferably, the drive unit and the vibration drive are each at least partially located in separate housing sections. In other words, the drive unit is located in a first section of the housing interior, defined by a first housing section, and the vibration drive is located in a second section of the housing interior, defined by a second housing section. This arrangement of the drive unit and the vibration drive facilitates vibration isolation between the drive unit and the vibration drive.

[0038] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures, whereby identical or functionally equivalent elements are only designated once by reference numerals. The description serves as an example and is not to be understood as limiting. The figures show Fig. 1 a perspective view of a device for dispensing a powder; Fig. 2 a sectional view of a housing of the in Fig. 1 device shown; Fig. 3 a detailed view of a housing joint between two housing parts of the housing; Fig. 4 a sectional view of a vertically upper area of ​​the in Fig. 1 device shown; and Fig. 5 another sectional view of the vertically upper area along the in Fig. 4 shown section line AA.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device 10 for dispensing a powder. The powder can be, for example, a powdered pharmaceutical.

[0040] The device 10 comprises a storage container 12, which has a storage chamber for the powder. The storage chamber is formed inside the storage container 12 and is in Fig. 1 is therefore not recognizable. The storage container 12 also has a dosing opening for dispensing the powder from the storage compartment. The dosing opening is also in Fig. 1 not identifiable. The dispensing opening can, for example, be located at a vertically lower end of the storage container 12. The powder can be dispensed through the dispensing opening, for example, into a target container to be filled, such as a capsule.

[0041] The device 10 also includes a movable metering control element 14, by which the dispensing of powder from the storage container 12 can be controlled. The metering control element 14 is movable between a release position and a blocking position. In the blocking position, the release of powder from the storage container 12 by the metering control element 14 is blocked. In the release position, the release of powder from the storage container 12 is enabled. The metering control element 14 can, for example, be designed such that it can be moved axially between the release position and the blocking position.

[0042] The device 10 also includes a drive unit 16 configured to move the metering control element 14 between the release position and the blocking position. The drive unit 16 can, for example, comprise an electric motor.

[0043] The device 10 also comprises a housing 18. The drive unit 16 is at least partially arranged in an interior 20 of the housing 18. In the present case, the drive unit 16 is arranged entirely within the interior 20 of the housing and is therefore in Fig. 1 not recognizable. The dosing control element 14 protrudes from the housing 18, in particular from a housing part 22b of the housing 18, into the outer part of the housing and into the storage container 12.

[0044] The following describes the construction of housing 18 with additional reference to Fig. 2 explained in more detail. Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the housing 18. The housing 18 is designed in multiple parts and therefore comprises several separately designed housing parts 22.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the multi-part housing 18 is formed by a vertically lower housing segment 22a, a middle housing segment 22b, a vertically upper housing segment 22c, a housing plate 22d, and a connecting part 22e. It should be noted that the embodiment of the housing 18 shown in the figures is preferred. However, a different number of housing parts 22 is also possible. For example, instead of the middle housing segment 22b and the upper housing segment 22c, a single housing segment 22 with a corresponding outer contour may be present.

[0046] Directly adjacent housing parts 22 are sealed together at a respective circumferentially closed housing joint 24. The design of the housing joints 24 is described below with additional reference to Fig. 3 explains in more detail where an enlarged cross-sectional view of the housing joint 24b between the middle housing segment 22b and the vertically upper housing segment 22c is shown as an example.

[0047] The in Fig. The housing joint 24b shown in Figure 3 comprises a sealing element 26b that seals a gap between the middle housing segment 22b and the vertically upper housing segment 22c. In this case, the sealing element 26b is designed as a rectangular sealing ring.

[0048] The sealing element 26b is an external sealing element. This means that the sealing element 26b is accessible from the outside of the housing 18 when it is assembled. One outer circumferential surface 28 of the sealing element 26b is free. This means that the outer circumferential surface 28 is not covered by any other component of the device 10. The sealing element 26b extends along the outer edge of both housing parts 22b and 22c.

[0049] As in Fig. As can be seen from Figure 3, the middle housing part 22b has an outer surface 30 adjacent to the housing joint 24b, which is flush with an outer surface 32 of the vertically upper housing part 22c adjacent to the housing joint 24b. Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 2, there are further flush terminations between outer surfaces of immediately adjacent housing parts 22.

[0050] The sealing element 26b rests against both housing parts 22b and 22c in such a way that each contact surface between the sealing element 26b and the housing parts 22b, 22c is annular. In this case, the sealing surfaces on the sealing element side are formed by the end faces 34 of the sealing element 26b. The housing parts 22b and 22c therefore rest against opposite end faces 34 of the sealing element 26b.

[0051] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the sealing surface 36 of the vertically upper housing segment 22c is formed by a flat surface of the housing segment 22c facing the middle housing segment 22b.

[0052] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a groove 38 is formed in the middle housing segment 22b. In this case, the groove 38 is formed in an outer edge, i.e., an edge facing the outside of the housing, of the middle housing segment 22b. The groove 38 is therefore an edge groove. The sealing element 26b is arranged in the groove 38, and the groove 38 forms the sealing surface of the middle housing segment 22b.

[0053] In the present case, the groove 38 is designed in the middle housing segment 22b such that an outer groove edge 40 of the groove 38, i.e., the groove edge of the groove 38 facing the outside of the housing, engages the sealing element 26b in such a way that the distance between the outer groove edge 40 and the other housing part 22c is less than the thickness of the sealing element 26b. The groove edge 40, or a groove flank of the groove 38 having the groove edge 40, thus forms an anti-slip device that prevents the sealing element 26b from slipping radially outwards.

[0054] The housing joint 24b, designed as described above, has the advantage of being easy and thorough to clean. In particular, the housing joint 24b can be cleaned with water. This is primarily due to the fact that the sealing element 26b is arranged externally and the contact surfaces between the sealing element 26b and the housing parts 22b, 22c are annular.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in the figures, immediately adjacent housing parts 22 are always sealed together by a circumferentially closed housing joint 24 as described above. Specifically, the vertically lower housing segment 22a is sealed to the middle housing segment 22b by a housing joint 24a. The middle housing segment 22b is sealed by the Fig. The housing joint 24b shown is sealedly connected to the vertically upper housing segment 22c. The vertically upper housing segment 22c is sealedly connected to the housing plate 24d via a housing joint 24c. Finally, the vertically upper housing segment 22c is sealedly connected to the terminal part 22e via a housing joint 24d.

[0056] Such a design of the housing 18 is preferred because it consistently avoids T-shaped contact points between three or more housing parts that are difficult to clean. However, at least one of the housing joining points 24 may also be designed differently.

[0057] The middle housing segment 22b is attached to the vertically lower housing segment 22a by several internal fastening elements 42, wherein in Fig. 2 only one of the fastening elements 42 is visible. An internal fastening element is a fastening element that is not accessible from the outside of the housing 18 when the housing 18 is assembled. The use of internal fastening elements facilitates the cleaning of the device 10. In this case, the fastening elements 42 are designed as screws.

[0058] The vertically upper housing segment 22c is attached to the middle housing segment 22b by several internal fastening elements 44, wherein in Fig. 2 only one of the fastening elements 44 is visible. In this case, the fastening elements 44 are designed as screws.

[0059] The housing plate 22d is attached to the vertically upper housing segment 22c by several external fastening elements 46. An external fastening element is a fastening element that is accessible from the outside of the housing when the housing 18 is assembled. In this case, the fastening elements 46 are designed as external hexagon screws. Screws of this type are relatively easy to clean.

[0060] The connecting part 22e is attached to the vertically upper housing segment 22c by several external fastening elements 48 (see Fig. 4) In this case, the fastening elements 48 are designed as external hexagon screws. Screws of this type are relatively easy to clean.

[0061] The following will be discussed with additional reference to the Fig. 4 and Fig. Section 5 explains the structure and function of the connection part 22e in more detail. A feedthrough 50 is formed in the connection part 22e. One or more cables can be routed through the feedthrough 50 into the interior of the housing 20.

[0062] A ring-shaped clamping element 52 is arranged in the feedthrough 50. A conical annular gap 54 is formed between the connecting element 22e and the clamping element 52. The outer diameter of the annular gap 54 decreases from an end of the annular gap 54 facing the inside 20 of the housing to an end of the annular gap 54 facing the outside of the housing.

[0063] A silicone tube 56 is arranged in the annular gap 54 and held clamped within it. The aforementioned cables can be guided through the lumen of the silicone tube 56 into the interior of the housing 20. The clamping force acting on the silicone tube 56 can be adjusted by tightening the fastening elements 48.

[0064] Preferably, the gap width of the annular gap 54, i.e., the radial distance between the connecting part 22e and the clamping part 52, is locally reduced in an end region of the annular gap 54 adjacent to the outside of the housing. This is achieved in the present case by ensuring that the angle between a clamping surface of the connecting part 22e that bounds the annular gap 54 and the through-axis 58 of the clamping part 52 is greater than the angle between a clamping surface of the clamping part 52 that bounds the annular gap 54 and the through-axis 58 of the clamping part 52. Alternatively, the connecting part 22e and / or the clamping part 52 can have a locally limited bulge in the end region of the annular gap 54 adjacent to the outside of the housing.

[0065] The device 10 also includes a vibration device 60. The vibration device 60 is designed to vibrate at least a section of the storage container 12 to assist in the dispensing of powder. For this purpose, the vibration device 60 includes a vibration drive 62, which is at least partially located inside the housing 20. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive unit 16 and the vibration drive 62 are arranged in separate housing segments 22 of the housing 18. The drive unit 16 is located in the vertically upper housing segment 22c. The vibration drive 62 is located in the vertically lower housing segment 22a. This facilitates vibration decoupling of the drive unit 16 from the vibration drive 62. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 4 036 350 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Device (10) for dispensing a powder, in particular a powdered pharmaceutical, comprising: - a storage container (12) comprising a storage chamber for storing the powder and a metering opening for dispensing the powder from the storage chamber into a target container to be filled; - a movable metering control element (14) which, in a release position, enables the dispensing of powder from the storage chamber and, in a blocking position, blocks the dispensing of powder from the storage chamber; - a drive unit (16) configured to move the metering control element (14) between the release position and the blocking position; and - a housing (18), wherein at least the drive unit (16) is arranged at least partially in a housing interior (20) of the housing (18), wherein the housing (18) has at least two housing parts (22) which are sealedly connected to each other at a circumferentially closed housing joint (24), and wherein the housing joint (24) has an external sealing element (26), in particular a sealing ring, sealing cord or flat gasket, which rests against the housing parts (22) in such a way that a respective contact surface between the sealing element (26) and the housing parts (22) is annular. [2] Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sealing element (26) extends two-dimensionally between the housing parts (22). [3] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sealing element (26) extends along an outer edge of at least one of the housing parts (22). [4] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one outer surface (30) of one housing part (22b) adjacent to the housing joint (24) is flush with an outer surface (32) of the other housing part (22c) adjacent to the housing joint (24). [5] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a groove (38) is formed in at least one of the housing parts (22), and that the sealing element (26) is arranged in the groove (38). [6] Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the groove (38) is designed as an edge groove, and that an outer groove edge (40) of the groove (38) surrounds the sealing element (26) in such a way that a distance between the outer groove edge (40) and the other housing part (22) is less than a thickness of the sealing element (26). [7] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the housing parts (22) are fastened to each other by at least one internal fastening element (42). [8] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the housing parts (22) is designed as a housing plate (22d), and / or that at least one of the housing parts (22) is designed as a housing segment (22a,22b,22c). [9] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (18) has at least three housing parts (22), wherein the housing parts (22) are arranged in a row one behind the other, and wherein immediately adjacent housing parts (22) are sealed together at a circumferentially closed housing joint (24). [10] Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the housing parts (22) arranged in a row are arranged vertically one above the other when the device (10) is set up as intended. [11] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that one of the housing parts (22) is a connection part (22e) with a feedthrough (50) formed therein, in particular wherein at least one gas line, at least one hydraulic line, at least one electrical supply line and / or at least one data line is led through the feedthrough (50) into the interior of the housing (20). [12] Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that a clamping element (52), in particular annular, is arranged in the passage (52), and that a hose (56) is held clamped in an annular gap (54), in particular conical, formed between the connecting element (22e) and the clamping element (52). [13] Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that a gap width of the annular gap (54) is reduced in an end region of the annular gap (54) associated with the outside of the housing, in particular locally. [14] Device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by , that the feedthrough (50) is arranged in a vertically upper end region of the housing (18) when the device (10) is set up as intended. [15] Device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by , that the sealing element (26) extends obliquely to a horizontal plane and obliquely to a vertical plane when the device (10) is set up as intended. [16] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the device (10) has a vibration device (60) which is designed to vibrate at least a section of the storage container (12) to assist in the dispensing of powder, wherein a vibration drive (62) of the vibration device (60) is arranged at least partially inside the housing (20).

Citation Information

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