Flow assessment apparatus and method for quantitatively assessing the flow properties of particulate material

摘要

A flow assessment apparatus 10 is provided for quantitatively assessing the flow properties of particulate material, such as pharmaceutical formulations and constituent powders. The apparatus 10 includes a vibratory feed device 12 having an inclined dispensing member 16. Particulate material is induced to flow along the inclined member 16 onto a watch glass 18 positioned on a top pan balance 20. The mass of material dispensed onto the watch glass 18 is recorded over a given time period, for example a set time period of 1 minute, or a visually assessed time period where it is deemed that sufficient material has been dispensed. The mass and time data is used to calculate a value representative of a relative flow property of the material, which can be used in the development of pharmaceutical formulations.