Metering material to promote rapid vaporization

1. Apparatus for vaporization of powdered or granular material, comprising:

(a) a container for holding powdered or granular material having at least one component;

(b) a vaporization structure; and

(c) a positive displacement mechanism spaced from the vaporization structure defining a chamber for receiving powdered or granular material from the container, and delivering such powdered or granular material to the vaporization structure, the positive displacement mechanism defining an orifice for delivering powdered or granular material from the chamber to the vaporization structure, an actuable member movable in first and second directions into the orifice and back from the orifice respectively therefrom for driving powdered or granular material from the chamber through the orifice for delivery to the vaporization structure and a vibratory diaphragm for fluidizing material in the chamber between the actuable member and the orifice.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the positive displacement mechanism includes a piston and wherein the repetition rate of the piston is selected to cause the fluidized material to be delivered through the orifice towards the vaporization structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the repetition rate of the piston is controllable.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the positive displacement mechanism includes an electrical coil, the actuable member is a metallic piston and current flows through the electrical coil causes forces to be exerted on the piston.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vaporization structure includes a heated plate for vaporizing material.