Solids handling apparatus and method

1. An apparatus for weighing and dispensing a mass of material, comprising:

a) a chamber having a first environment;

b) a receptacle disposed in the chamber for accepting a mass of material to be weighed, the receptacle including an internal environment having substantially the same environmental conditions as that of the first environment;

c) a scale operatively connected to the receptacle; and

d) a conduit disposed for accepting the mass of material from the receptacle, the conduit includes a portion that extends from the chamber and through a second environment, wherein the second environment has different environmental conditions to that of the first environment, and wherein the conduit serves to transfer the mass of material from the chamber without exposure to the second environment;

e) a valve connected to the receptacle, and

f) a valve actuator movable from a first position wherein the valve actuator is decoupled from the valve while weighing a batch of material to a second position wherein the valve actuator is coupled to the valve to discharge a batch of material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first environment is substantially moisture free.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first environment is substantially oxygen free.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is suspended from the scale.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the chamber includes a material supply line, and wherein the material supply line is spaced apart from a receptacle inlet.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a valve connected to the receptacle, and a valve actuator, wherein the valve actuator is movable from a first position wherein the valve actuator is decoupled from the valve to a second position wherein the valve actuator is coupled to the valve.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second receptacle disposed in the chamber for accepting a mass of a second material to be weighed, and wherein the material and the second material are mixed after they are weighed.

8. An apparatus for weighing and dispensing a mass of material, comprising:

a) an isolation chamber including a material supply line and a dispensing conduit;

b) a scale disposed in the isolation chamber; and

c) a receptacle disposed in the isolation chamber for accepting a mass of material to be weighed and being operatively connected to the scale, the receptacle including an inlet, an outlet, and a valve, wherein the receptacle inlet is in fluid communication with but physically unconnected from the material supply line, and the receptacle outlet is in fluid communication with but physically unconnected from the dispensing conduit; and

d) a valve actuator movable from a first position wherein the valve actuator is decoupled from the valve while weighing a batch of material to a second position wherein the valve actuator is coupled to the valve to discharge a batch of material.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the receptacle is suspended from the weighing scale.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising an actuator for operating the receptacle valve, the actuator being movable from a first position wherein the actuator is decoupled from the valve to a second position wherein the actuator is coupled to the valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the isolation chamber is substantially moisture free.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the isolation chamber is substantially oxygen free.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the isolation chamber has a controlled pressure environment.

14. An apparatus for weighing and dispensing a mass of material, comprising:

a) a closed chamber;

b) a scale disposed in the closed chamber; and

c) a receptacle disposed in the closed chamber for accepting a mass of material to be weighed, and being operatively connected to the scale, the receptacle including an inlet, an outlet, and a valve; and

d) an actuator for opening and closing the valve, the actuator being movable between a first position wherein the actuator is decoupled from the valve while weighing a batch of material and a second position wherein the actuator is coupled to the valve to discharge a batch of material.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the closed chamber has a controlled environment.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the closed chamber is substantially moisture free.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the closed chamber is substantially oxygen free.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the closed chamber has a material supply that is disposed above and spaced apart from the receptacle inlet.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the closed chamber has a dispensing conduit that is in fluid communication with but physically separated from the receptacle outlet.