Abstract: A device (2) for fitting to the neck of a deformable bottle (4) to give a metered dose of liquid when the bottle is squeezed. The liquid dispensed through outlet (30) has to pass through a metering chamber (34) in which it is directed around or through a freely-moving shuttle (8), movement of the shuttle (8) with the flow being resisted by the creation of a partial vacuum in the expanding control chamber (42) behind the shuttle, so that the rate at which the shuttle moves to the outlet end of the metering chamber (34) to close the outlet (30), and hence the amount of liquid dispensed, is controlled by the rate at which liquid can enter control chamber (42). Because it is configured so that all the liquid enters metering chamber (34) at its inward end, the chamber may fitted either inside or outside the neck of the bottle (4) and the dose may be adjusted by moving the outlet (30) closer to, or further from, the inlet.

Abstract: A fixed-nozzle dispenser pump suitable for large doses has a downwardly-directed nozzle tip (32) and an outlet valve arrangement (4) in a nozzle (3). A blocking element, such as a ball (41), of the outlet valve arrangement (4) is biased back along a close-fitting tubular draw path (43) in the valve after dispensing, so as to draw product back out of the nozzle tip and prevent dripping. A further feature is a subdivision of the nozzle tip and a flexible flap valve (35) blocking a resulting passage segment in the nozzle. This facilitates clearance of another nozzle passage (36) by the reverse suction. A further feature is a membrane (24) across the front of the piston plunger, advanceable relative to a piston seal (231) by pressure of a plunger head (21). This helps accomomodate the returned fluid and enables a spot-dosing action.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler comprises a housing that has a portion that receives a dose of powdered medicament, a patient port that is placed in fluid communication with a patient; an inhalation passageway in communication with the patient port, a deagglomerator that deagglomerates or assists in aerosolization of the dose of powdered medicament; an electric powered device that drives the deagglomerator; a patient-independent energy output source that drives the electric powered device, a detector that detects inspiratory flow through the inhalation passageway; and a controller for actuating the deagglomerator in response to detection of the inspiratory flow by the detector.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for a bottle has a tiltable closure cap (14) mounted on a special neck formation having a spherical surface zone (18, 20) on the inner and/or outer surfaces. The closure cap (14) has an upper portion (36), e.g. in the form of a cap, joined to a downward extension e.g. in the form of a sealing annulus (22) which is trapped below the restricted opening formed by the neck's overhanging convergent zone (18). The annulus (22) seals in the convergent zone. The closure is opened by tilting the cap (36), e.g. with one finger, thus tilting one side of the sealing annulus (22) up and out of sealing engagement to open up a flow passage. An exterior guide part (40) of the cap (36) slides down the outer spherical surface (20) of the neck to control the tilt movement. In an alternative embodiment the sealing periphery is at the upper, cap portion of the closure which may also have a discharge spout.

Abstract: An inhalation device for dry powder containing a chamber capable of receiving a dose of powdered medicament. The chamber is in communication with a patient port in the form of a mouthpiece or nasal adapter. The inhalation device also contains a deagglomeration/aerosolization apparatus capable of deagglomerating and/or aerosolizing a dose of powdered medicament and is operable by a patient-independent energy output source. The inhalation device further includes detection apparatus that ascertains patient inspiration through the patient port, and a control apparatus that actuates the deagglomeration/aerosolization apparatus in response to detection of patient inspiration.