Method and apparatus for transporting fine powder

A method for transporting a fine powder (20), comprising: placing the fine powder (20) into a hopper (12) having a bore (18) therein; vibrating a vibrating element (28) within the fine powder (20) in the vicinity of the orifice (18); vibrating the vibratory element (28) in an up and down motion relative to the powder (20) in the hopper (12); and capturing at least a portion of the fine powder (20) exiting from the orifice (18) within a chamber (24), wherein the captured powder (20) is sufficiently uncompacted so that it can disperse after leaving chamber (24).