GB2253388A

GB2253388A - Dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2253388A
Application number: GB9201256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan Dennis Mcnally; Bryan David Mcnally
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-02-01
Filing date: 1992-01-20
Publication date: 1992-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-20
Also published as: BE1004138A6; IE65786B1; IE904492A1; GB9201256D0; GB2253388B

Abstract

Dispensing apparatus (1) for dispensing a liquid into a bottle comprises a housing (2). An impeller pump (10) mounted on the housing (2) dispenses the liquid through a nozzle (15) into a bottle mounted on a platform (20). An electric motor (27) Figure 2, in the housing (2) drives the pump (10), and is controlled by a motor controller (32), Figure 2, to dispense the liquid at two dispensing rates. The liquid is dispensed at a first relatively fast dispensing rate for a first dispensing period -until the bottle is nearly full, and then the remainder of the liquid is dispensed into the bottle at a slower rate to avoid splashing. Counters (38) and (39) mounted on the housing (2) control the volume of liquid dispensed during the first and second dispensing periods. Knobs (35) and (36) on the housing (2) operate potentiometers for controlling the motor (27) which determines the dispensing rates of the pump (10) during the first and second dispensing periods. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing flowable material into a container and in particular though not limited to dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid into a container, such as, for example, a bottle, can or the like. Such apparatus are sometimes referred to as filling apparatus.

Where it is desired to dispense a liquid or other flowable material into a bottle, can, container or the like on a continuous mass production basis, it is normal to provide dispensing apparatus on a conveyor line which dispenses a predetermined volume of liquid into the bottle or can. The cans or bottles are conveyed to and away from the dispensing apparatus by the conveyor.

Where relatively small batch quantities of bottles are to be filled, in general, the bottles are presented by hand to suitable dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus is provided with a dispensing nozzle, and a predetermined volume of liquid is dispensed into the bottle through the dispensing nozzle. However, it has been found that, in general, such dispensing apparatus are inefficient and relatively slow and in particular, cause considerable loss of liquid. It has been found that as each bottle is almost full, the liquid being dispensed into the bottles causes splashing, thus leading to considerable loss.

There is therefore a need for a dispensing apparatus which overcomes this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such dispensing apparatus.

According to the invention, there is provided dispensing apparatus for dispensing a predetermined volume of a flowable material into a container, the dispensing apparatus comprising delivery means for dispensing the material, control means for controlling the volume of material dispensed by the delivery means during a dispensing cycle, and for controlling the dispensing rate at which the delivery means dispenses the material during the dispensing cycle, the control means controlling the delivery means to dispense at a first predetermined dispensing rate for a first dispensing period of the dispensing cycle, and to dispense at a second predetermined dispensing rate for a second dispensing period of the dispensing cycle, the second predetermined dispensing rate being less than the first predetermined dispensing rate.

In one embodiment of the invention the control means controls the delivery means to dispense a first predetermined volume of the material in the first dispensing period and to dispense a second predetermined volume of the material in the second dispensing period.

In another embodiment of the invention the second predetermined volume of the material is less than the first predetermined volume of the material.

In one embodiment of the invention the first predetermined volume constitutes in the range of 60% to 99% of the total volume of liquid dispensed. Preferably, the second predetermined dispensing rate is in the range of 10% to 75% of the first predetermined dispensing rate.

Advantageously, the second dispensing rate is in the range of 10% to 25% of the first predetermined dispensing rate.

In one embodiment of the invention the delivery means comprises a pump. Preferably, the pump is an impeller pump. Advantageously, the pump is driven by an electrically powered motor.

In a further embodiment of the invention the control means comprises a controller for controlling the speed of the motor for controlling the first and second predetermined dispensing rates. Preferably, the control means comprises means for controlling the number of revolutions of the motor shaft for controlling the first and second predetermined volumes. Advantageously, first selecting means for selecting the first and second predetermined dispensing rates is provided, and second selecting means for selecting first and second predetermined volumes is also provided, the control means being responsive to the first and second selecting means.

Preferably, the first selecting means comprises a pair of potentiometers for selecting respective speeds of the motor during the first and second dispensing periods. In one embodiment of the invention the control means comprises counter means for counting the number of revolutions of the motor shaft for determining the volume of material dispensed. Preferably, the second selecting means comprises means for entering respective predetermined numbers of revolutions corresponding to the number of revolutions to which the counting means is to count during the first and second dispensing periods.

In another embodiment of the invention an outlet nozzle for dispensing the material is connected to the delivery means downstream thereof.

In a further embodiment of the invention a platform for supporting a container to be filled is mounted on the dispensing apparatus below the outlet nozzle.

Advantageously, the outlet nozzle is movably mounted on the apparatus relative to the platform.

Preferably, outlet nozzle is slidably mounted on a substantially vertically disposed elongated guide means.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of dispensing apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a block representation of a circuit of the dispensing apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of dispensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated dispensing apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for dispensing a flowable material into a container (not shown). In this embodiment of the invention, the dispensing apparatus is particularly suitable for dispensing a liquid, such as, for example, a shampoo, cream, soft drink, beer or the like into a bottle, can or the like. The dispensing apparatus 1, as will be described below, may be set to dispense a predetermined volume of the liquid into a bottle during a dispensing cycle at two different predetermined dispensing rates, namely, a first predetermined dispensing rate during a first dispensing period of the dispensing cycle, and a second predetermined dispensing rate during a second dispensing period of the dispensing cycle.The second dispensing period follows sequentially after the first dispensing period. The second dispensing period is shorter than the first dispensing period, and the second predetermined dispensing rate is less than the first predetermined dispensing rate. By choosing the predetermined dispensing rates and first and second dispensing periods appropriately, as will be described below, splashing of the liquid at the end of the dispensing cycle is avoided, and the overall time of a dispensing cycle is relatively short.

The dispensing apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 of sheet metal material having a base 3, front and rear walls 4 and 5 extending upwardly from the base 3 joined by side walls 6 also extending from the base 3. A top wall 7 extends between the front and rear walls 4 and 5 and the side walls 6. Delivery means for dispensing the liquid comprises an impeller pump 10 mounted on the front wall 4 of the housing 2. An outlet 11 from the pump 10 is connected by a flexible tube 12 to an outlet nozzle 15 downstream of the pump 10 for dispensing the liquid into the bottle. The outlet nozzle 15 comprises an elongated tubular portion 16 for extending into the bottle. A mounting bracket 18 slidably mounts the outlet nozzle 15 on a substantially vertically disposed guide means, namely a guide rod 19 mounted on the front wall 4 of the housing 2.A platform 20 for supporting a bottle during filling extends from the front wall 4 of the housing 2 below the outlet nozzle 15 and adjacent the base 3. The guide rod 19 extends between the platform 20 and a mounting member 21 extending from the front wall 4. The mounting bracket 18 is clamped onto the outlet nozzle 15 and a bore 22 extending through the mounting bracket 18 slidably engages the guide rod 19 so that the relative position of the nozzle 15 above the platform 20 is adjustable. A flexible tube 23 connected to an inlet 24 of the pump 10 delivers the liquid to be dispensed into the pump 10 from a reservoir (not shown). The reservoir may be a suitable tank mounted in any convenient location. In general, it is envisaged that the reservoir would be mounted beneath the housing 2.A non-return valve (also not shown) is connected to the end of the tube 23 for retaining the pump 10 primed.

The pump 10 is driven by an electrically powered AC motor mounted within the housing 2. The motor is not shown in Fig. 1 but is illustrated in block representation in the circuit diagram of Fig. 2 and indicated by the reference numeral 27. A shaft 28 extends from the motor 27 and drives the impeller (not shown) of the impeller pump 10.

In this embodiment of the invention, the motor shaft 28 is directly coupled to the impeller pump 10 so that for each one revolution of the motor shaft 28, the impeller (not shown) of the impeller pump 10 makes one revolution.

By virtue of the fact that the pump 10 is an impeller pump, the volume of liquid dispensed by the pump is directly proportional to the number of revolutions or increments of a revolution made by the impeller of the pump 10. Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the motor shaft 28 is directly coupled to the impeller (not shown) of the pump 10, the volume of liquid dispensed by the pump 10 is directly proportional to the number of revolutions and increments of a revolution made by the motor shaft 28.

Control means for controlling the volume of liquid dispensed by the pump 10 during a dispensing cycle and for controlling the dispensing rate at which the liquid is dispensed by the pump 10 comprises an electrical control circuit which is illustrated in block representation in Fig. 2 and indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. The control circuit 30 is mounted in the housing 2 and is powered by a 220 Volts AC mains supply which is stepped down to appropriate control voltages by a transformer (not shown). Such step down transformers will be well known to those skilled in the art. A motor controller 32 controls the rotational speed of the shaft 28 of the motor 27 for controlling the dispensing rate of the pump 10.First selecting means for selecting the first and second predetermined dispensing rates during the respective first and second dispensing periods of a dispensing cycle comprise first and second potentiometers 33 and 34, respectively, which permit the voltage to be applied to pins 1 and 2, respectively, of the controller 32 to be varied for controlling the speed of the motor 27. The first potentiometer 33 controls the voltage on the pin 1 of the controller 32 for controlling the speed of the motor 27 during the first dispensing period. The second potentiometer 34 controls the voltage on the pin 2 of the controller 32 for controlling the speed of the motor 27 during the second dispensing period of the dispensing cycle.First and second knobs 35 and 36, respectively, extend through the front wall 4 of the housing 2 and are connected to the first and second potentiometers 33 and 34, respectively, to facilitate varying the resistance of the potentiometers 33 and 34 for in turn varying the voltage on the pins 1 and 2, respectively, of the controller 32.

Second selecting means for selecting the first and second predetermined volumes which are to be dispensed by the pump 10 during the respective first and second dispensing periods of the dispensing cycle comprise counting means, in this case a pair of counters, namely, a first counter 38 and a second counter 39 for counting the number of revolutions and increments of a revolution of the motor shaft 28 during the respective first and second dispensing period of the dispensing cycle. An encoder 42 connected to the shaft 28 counts the number of revolutions and increments of a revolution of the shaft 28. In this embodiment of the invention the encoder delivers thirty pulses for each one revolution of the shaft 27. The time period between each pulse corresponds to an increment of a revolution of one thirtieth of a full revolution of the shaft 28.Signals from the encoder 42 are delivered to the counters 38 and 39 which count the number of revolutions and increments of a revolution of the shaft 28. The first and second counters 38 and 39 comprise means for permitting the counters to be set to count a predetermined number of revolutions and increments of a revolution of the shaft 28. In this embodiment of the invention the counters 38 and 39 may be manually set as will be described below.

On each counter 38 and 39 having counted to the entered predetermined number of revolutions and increments of a revolution each counter transmits a signal to the controller 32 which is delivered through a main bank of relays illustrated in block representation indicated by a reference numeral 43 for selecting the potentiometer to control the controller 32. The output signal from the first counter 38 is delivered to a pin 3 of the controller 32 which selects the voltage on the pin 1 for controlling the controller 32 for, in turn, controlling the speed of the motor 27. The output signal from the second counter 39 is delivered to a pin 4 of the controller 32 which selects the voltage on the pin 1 for controlling the controller 32 and, in turn, controlling the speed of the motor 27.

A timer 46 for timing a dwell time period between dispensing cycles as will be described below is connected through the relay bank 43 to the first and second counters 38 and 39 for resetting the first and second counters 38 and 39 to zero at the beginning of the first period of the dispensing cycle, and initiating a dispensing cycle after the timer 46 has timed out. The output from the first counter 38 is also connected to an input on the second counter 39 for transferring control from the first counter 38 to the second counter 39. An input signal to the timer 46 for activating the timer 46 to commence timing a dwell time period is derived from the output of the second counter 39 through the relay bank.

Each counter 38 and 39 comprises two display panels 52 and 53. The display panel 52 of each counter 38 and 39 displays the number of revolutions and increments of a revolution through which the shaft 28 of the motor 27 has rotated during the respective first and second dispensing periods of the dispensing cycle. The display panel 53 of each counter 39 permits a predetermined number of revolutions and increments of a revolution to be entered into the counters 38 and 39 for setting the predetermined number of revolutions and increments of a revolution to be counted by the respective counters 38 and 39 during the respective first and second dispensing periods of the dispensing cycle.

A run button switch 47 mounted on the front wall 4 of the housing 2 operates one of the relays (not shown) in the relay bank 43 for activating the apparatus to commence and run through one dispensing cycle only. A main button switch 48 on the front wall 4 of the housing 2 operates a relay (not shown) in the relay bank 43 for activating the apparatus to commence a dispensing cycle and to run continuously from one dispensing cycle to the next as will be described below. An emergency stop button 50 is mounted on the front wall 4 of the housing'2 and is connected to a relay (not shown) of the relay bank 43 for instantly stopping the apparatus 1 in the event of an emergency.

A dial 54 on the front wall 4 of the housing 2 is connected to the timer 46 to enable a desired dwell time between the dispensing cycles to be selected and inputted to the timer 46.

In use, where the dispensing apparatus is to be used for dispensing a liquid into a number of bottles of similar size sequentially, the dispensing apparatus is set to suit the bottles. The first and second predetermined volumes of liquid to be dispensed into bottle are set, and the first and second predetermined dispensing rates at which the liquid is to be dispensed from the pump 10 are also set. The first and second predetermined volumes and first and second predetermined dispensing rates are set as follows. A bottle similar to the bottles to be filled is placed on the platform 20. The nozzle 15 is adjusted on the guide rod 19 to accommodate the bottle.

The apparatus 1 is operated manually using the run button switch 47. The run button switch 47 is activated immediately zeroing the two counters 38 and 39 and activating the motor 27 to run to the first period of the dispensing cycle. During the first period of the dispensing cycle the voltage applied to pin 1 of the controller 32 by the potentiometer 1 is selected and controls the speed of the motor 27. The encoder 42 delivers signals in response to the rotation of the shaft 28 of the motor 27 to the counters 38 and 39. During the first dispensing period of the dispensing cycle the second counter 39 is disabled and the first counter 38 counts from zero.The apparatus continues to operate until it is determined that sufficient volume of liquid has been dispensed into the bottle to constitute the first dispensing period of the dispensing cycle, at which stage the apparatus 1 is deactivated by operating the emergency stop button switch 50. Activation of the emergency button switch 50 switches off the apparatus 1 and immediately causes the motor 27 to instantly stop rotating. However, the number of revolutions of the shaft 28 are recorded and displayed on the display panel 52 of the first counter 38. This number of revolutions and increments of a revolution is entered in the first counter 38 by selecting a corresponding number of revolutions and increments of a revolution on the display panel 53.During the first dispensing period of the dispensing cycle the desired dispensing rate of liquid from the nozzle 15 is selected by adjusting the voltage of the pin 1 of the controller 32 by adjusting the first potentiometer 33 using the first knob 35. When the desired flow rate has been achieved the knob 35 is left unaltered.

To set the second predetermined volume and the second predetermined dispensing rate for the second dispensing period the apparatus 1 is activated again by operating the run button switch 47. The controller 32 is now operating under the control of the potentiometer 2 and the dispensing rate of the nozzle 15 is controlled by varying the voltage on the pin 2 of the controller 32 by varying the second potentiometer 34 using the second knob 36. When the desired dispensing rate has been achieved the second knob 36 is left unaltered. During the second period of the dispensing cycle, the second counter counts the number of revolutions and increments of a revolution of the shaft 28.When the desired quantity of liquid has been dispensed into the bottle the apparatus 1 is again switched off by operating the emergency stop button switch 50 which instantly stops the motor 27 and holds the number of revolutions to which the shaft 28 has rotated during the second dispensing period on the display panel 52 of the second counter 39. The number of revolutions and increments of a revolution displayed on the panel 52 are entered manually on the panel 53 of the second counter 39, thereby setting the number of revolutions and increments of a revolution to which the second counter 39 is to count.The first and second predetermined volumes to be dispensed during the respective first and second periods of a dispensing cycle are thus set by the first and second counters 38 and 39, respectively, and the first and second predetermined dispensing rates at which the liquid is to be dispensed through the nozzle 11 are set by the first and second potentiometers 33 and 34. The desired dwell time between dispensing cycles is set by selecting the desired time on the dial 54.

To run the apparatus automatically a bottle is placed on the platform 20 and the main button switch 48 is operated. This zeros the first and second counters 38 and 39 and causes the controller 32 to operate the motor 27 in the first dispensing period of the dispensing cycle. In this dispensing period the controller operates under the voltage applied to pin 1 by the first potentiometer 33. The first counter 38 counts the number of revolutions of the shaft 28. On the first counter 38 having counted to the first predetermined set number, an output signal from the first counter 38 enables the second counter 39 to commence counting, and applies a signal to pin 4 of the controller 32 thereby selecting the voltage of pin 2 of the controller 32 from the second potentiometer 34 to control the speed of the motor 27.

On the second counter 39 having counted to the predetermined number of revolutions and increments of a revolution of the shaft 28 set on the second counter 39 the second counter 39 delivers an output signal. This instantly stops the motor 27 and activates the timer 46 to time the dwell time. The output signal from the second counter 39 also applies a signal to pin 3 of the controller 32 to switch control of the controller 32 from pin 2 to pin 1 for the first dispensing period of the next dispensing cycle. On the timer 46 having timed the predetermined dwell time, a signal is delivered from timer 46 to the first and second counters 38 and 39 which zeros the counters 38 and 39 and to the relay bank 43 for activating the controller 32 to operate the motor 27 and the next dispensing cycle commences.

In practice, it has been found that a dwell time in the range of one second to three seconds between dispensing cycles is adequate. It has been found that this gives sufficient time to an operator to replace the filled bottle with an empty bottle for the next dispensing cycle.

In practice, it is envisaged that the first predetermined volume of liquid which will be dispensed during the first predetermined dispensing period will be sufficient to fill the bottle to between 60% and 80% of its capacity.

Should the bottle be provided with a tapering neck, it is envisaged that the first predetermined volume will be sufficient to fill the bottle to the beginning of the taper of the neck. In practice, the first dispensing rate for the first dispensing period should be set as high as possible in order that the bottles are filled quickly and furthermore, the volume of liquid dispensed during the first dispensing period should also be maximised, likewise to ensure filling of the bottles quickly. The second dispensing rate should be maintained at a rate which avoids splashing of liquid from the bottle.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is illustrated dispensing apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 80 according to another embodiment of the invention for dispensing creams, pastes or other relatively high viscosity products into a container. This apparatus 80 is substantially similar to the apparatus 1 just described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 and similar components are identified by the same reference numeral.

The apparatus 80 is particularly suitable for dispensing a relatively viscous liquid into a container. In this embodiment of the invention, the impeller pump 10 is mounted so that the outlet 11 extends downwardly from the pump 10 and terminates in the nozzle 15. The inlet 2A to the pump 10 is connected to a hopper 81 supported on a bracket 82 above the pump 10. The bracket 82 is secured to the housing 2. In this embodiment of the invention, the platform 20 is slidably mounted on a guide rod 84 which is substantially vertically disposed. A pair of mounting members 85, only one of which is illustrated in Fig. 3, mounts the rod 84 to the front wall 4 of the housing 2. The platform 20 slidably engages the guide rod 84 by a mounting bracket 86 to facilitate movement of the platform 20 relative to the nozzle 15.

Otherwise, this dispensing apparatus 80 is similar to the dispensing apparatus 1 and its operation is also similar.

The advantages of the dispensing apparatus according to the invention are many. The main advantage of the invention is that splashing of the liquid being filled into a bottle or can is avoided. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the dispensing rate into the bottle is reduced during the second dispensing period when the bottle is nearly full. Accordingly, this advantage is achieved while at the same time the total filling time for filling a bottle is unaffected, and indeed, it has been found in many cases the total time to fill a bottle using the dispensing apparatus according to the invention is faster than the fill time on conventional apparatus.

This is largely achieved by virtue of the fact that the dispensing apparatus dispenses at two rates, namely a first predetermined dispensing rate and a second predetermined dispensing rate. By setting the first dispensing period so that the vast majority of liquid is dispensed into the bottle at the rapid first rate when splashing is unlikely to occur, the total fill time taken to fill a bottle is considerably reduced.

While the delivery means of the apparatus has been described as comprising an impeller pump, any other suitable pump may be used. For example, a geared pump may be used. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any other suitable delivery means besides a pump may be used. It will also be appreciated that other suitable nozzles may be used. For example, a pneumatically operated nozzle may be used, such as a positive shut-off nozzle having a valve which would be pneumatically operated may be used. Needless to say, other suitable means for operating the valve, for example, hydraulic, electrical or the like, may be used. Additionally, if desired, a diving nozzle may be used.Such nozzles will be known to those skilled in the art, in that prior to filling, the nozzle dives to the bottom of the container being filled, and the nozzle outlet rises in the container as the container is being filled. In general, the nozzle outlet is maintained just below the level of the liquid in the container. Such nozzles are particularly suitable for filling liquids into containers which tend to foam, such as, for example, beers, soap, and the like. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the nozzle may be dispensed with, and the liquid may be dispensed directly from the pump outlet. It will, of course, be appreciated that other suitable means for setting and selecting the first and second predetermined dispensing rates and first and second predetermined volumes could be used besides those described.

Furthermore, while the encoder has been described as delivering thirty pulses for each one revolution of the shaft, the encoder could deliver any desired number of pulses for each revolution of the shaft. For example, it is envisaged in certain cases that the encoder may deliver twenty-five pulses for each revolution of the shaft.

While the dispensing apparatus has been described for dispensing a liquid at two dispensing rates during two dispensing periods during a dispensing cycle, the apparatus may be provided to dispense at more than two dispensing rates for more than two dispensing periods during a dispensing cycle if desired.

Needless to say, while the apparatus has been described for dispensing a liquid, creams or pastes, it will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus may be used for dispensing any other flowable material.

While it is advantageous to provide a timer for timing the dwell time between dispensing cycles, this is not essential. It will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the dispensing apparatus could be operated manually for each dispensing cycle.

While an electrically powered AC motor has been described for driving the pump, any other suitable motor may be used. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a DC motor may be used.

While in the embodiment of the invention described the liquid to be filled into the bottles has been described as being stored in a tank, the liquid may be stored in any other suitable storing means, such as for example, a hopper and the like.

Claims

1. Dispensing apparatus for dispensing a predetermined volume of a flowable material into a container, the dispensing apparatus comprising delivery means for dispensing the material, control means for controlling the volume of material dispensed by the delivery means during a dispensing cycle, and for controlling the dispensing rate at which the delivery means dispenses the material during the dispensing cycle, the control means controlling the delivery means to dispense at a first predetermined dispensing rate for a first dispensing period of the dispensing cycle, and to dispense at a second predetermined dispensing rate for a second dispensing period of the dispensing cycle, the second predetermined dispensing rate being less than the first predetermined dispensing rate.

2. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the control means controls the delivery means to dispense a first predetermined volume of material in the first dispensing period and to dispense a second predetermined volume of material in the second dispensing period.

3. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the second predetermined volume of material is less than the first predetermined volume of material.

4. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 in which the first predetermined volume constitutes in the range of 60% to 99% of the total volume of liquid dispensed during a dispensing cycle.

5. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second predetermined dispensing rate is in the range of 10% to 75% of the first predetermined dispensing rate.

6. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 in which the second predetermined dispensing rate is in the range of 10% to 25% of the first predetermined dispensing rate.

7. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the delivery means comprises a pump.

8. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the pump is an impeller pump.

9. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which the pump is driven by an electrically powered motor.

10. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the control means comprises a controller for controlling the speed of the motor for controlling the first and second predetermined dispensing rates.

11. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 in which the control means comprises means for controlling the number of revolutions of the motor shaft for controlling the first and second predetermined volumes.

12. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11 in which first selecting means for selecting the first and second predetermined dispensing rates is provided, and second selecting means for selecting first and second predetermined volumes is also provided, the control means being responsive to the first and second selecting means.

13. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the first selecting means comprises a pair of potentiometers for selecting respective speeds of the motor during the first and second dispensing periods.

14. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 in which the control means comprises counter means for counting the number of revolutions of the motor shaft for determining the volume of material dispensed.

15. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 in which the second selecting means comprises means for entering respective predetermined numbers of revolutions corresponding to the number of revolutions to which the counting means is to count during the first and second dispensing periods.

16. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which an outlet nozzle for dispensing the material is connected to the delivery means downstream thereof.

17. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which a platform for supporting a container to be filled is mounted on the dispensing apparatus below the outlet nozzle.

18. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in Claim 17 in which the outlet nozzle is movably mounted on the dispensing apparatus relative to the platform.

19. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 18 in which the outlet nozzle is slidably mounted on a substantially vertically disposed elongated guide means.

20. Dispensing apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.