Abstract: A filling head (20) for filling a container (22) includes a receptacle (24). The receptacle (24) includes an interior surface (26) configured to receive a powder (28) and having a plurality of openings (34) disposed therein to allow passage of the powder (28); and an exterior surface (52). The exterior surface (52) of the receptacle (24) has a plurality of raised surfaces (54), each of the plurality of raised surfaces having a plurality of openings (56) aligned with at least one of the plurality of openings (34) of the interior surface (26) to allow passage of the powder (28) from the receptacle (24) to the container (22). Methods of filling a container (22) are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprising a hopper (20) provided with a sieve at a bottom portion thereof, the hopper defining a powder-containing zone above the sieve which in use contains powder to be dispensed therefrom through the sieve, a support (25) for the hopper, the support holding a portion of the hopper so that the hopper can in use be held above a container into which the dispensed powder is to be received, at least one actuator (30) for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, and an element which is adapted to permit controlled vertical movement of the hopper relative to the support.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method which is capable of dispensing very small (typically less than 5 mg) quantities of particles to a high accuracy in a repeatable way and without undue wastage. Also, the need for advanced particle formulation is reduced. The apparatus comprises a closed loop control system which uses an electro-mechanical actuator to deliver impact energy to a supply of particles initially held on a sieve in a hopper. The impact energy causes a small number of particles to fall through the sieve and onto a weight measuring balance. The weight obtained is scrutinised by a processor to see if further actuations are required. In preferred embodiments, the energy of actuation is varied in accordance with the rate of dispensation calculated by the processor. Also, a correction amount can be obtained to take account of the fact that the balance can take a considerable amount of time to settle to its final value.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of powder into a receptacle, the apparatus comprising a hopper (1), the hopper in use containing powder to be dispensed therefrom, a support for the hopper whereby the hopper can in use be held above a receptacle (8) into which the dispensed powder is to be received, at least one actuator for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed therefrom and powder compaction means for enhancing the compaction of at least some of the powder in the receptacle.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method which is capable of dispensing very small (typically less than 5 mg) quantities of particles to a high accuracy in a repeatable way and without undue wastage. Also, the need for advanced particle formulation is reduced. The apparatus comprises a closed loop control system which uses an electro-mechanical actuator to deliver impact energy to a supply of particles initially held on a sieve in a hopper. The impact energy causes a small number of particles to fall through the sieve and onto a weight measuring balance. The weight obtained is scrutinised by a processor to see if further actuations are required. In preferred embodiments, the energy of actuation is varied in accordance with the rate of dispensation calculated by the processor. Also, a correction amount can be obtained to take account of the fact that the balance can take a considerable amount of time to settle to its final value.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method which is capable of dispensing very small (typically less than 5 mg) quantities of particles to a high accuracy in a repeatable way and without undue wastage. Also, the need for advanced particle formulation is reduced. The apparatus comprises a closed loop control system which uses an electromechanical actuator to deliver impact energy to a supply of particles initially held on a sieve in a hopper. The impact energy causes a small number of particles to fall through the sieve and onto a weight measuring balance. The weight obtained is scrutinised by a processor to see if further actuations are required. In preferred embodiments, the energy of actuation is varied in accordance with the rate of dispensation calculated by the processor. Also, a correction amount can be obtained to take account of the fact that the balance can take a considerable amount of time to settle to its final value.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus comprising a weighing pan for supporting on an upper surface thereof an object to be weighed, a support for the weighing pan, the support contacting a lower surface of the weighing pan and comprising an elongate member extending downwardly from the weighing pan, the elongate member extending through a hole provided in a floor, located beneath the weighing pan, of a weighing pan region of the apparatus, a weighing mechanism located beneath the floor of the weighing pan region in a weighing mechanism region of the apparatus, the elongate member connecting with the weighing mechanism, and a drive means for selectively moving the weighing pan between an upper position, at which the weighing pan is spaced from the floor, and a lower position, at which the weighing pan contacts the floor in a sealing relationship for preventing material in the weighing pan region from passing through the hole into the weighing mechanism region.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprising a hopper (20) provided with a sieve at a bottom portion thereof, the hopper defining a powder-containing zone above the sieve which in use contains powder to be dispensed therefrom through the sieve, a support (25) for the hopper, the support holding a portion of the hopper so that the hopper can in use be held above a container into which the dispensed powder is to be received, at least one actuator (30) for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, and an element which is adapted to permit controlled vertical movement of the hopper relative to the support.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method which is capable of dispensing very small (typically less than 5 mg) quantities of particles to a high accuracy in a repeatable way and without undue wastage. Also, the need for advanced particle formulation is reduced. The apparatus comprises a closed loop control system which uses an electro-mechanical actuator to deliver impact energy to a supply of particles initially held on a sieve in a hopper. The impact energy causes a small number of particles to fall through the sieve and onto a weight measuring balance. The weight obtained is scrutinized by a processor to see if further actuations are required. In preferred embodiments, the energy of actuation is varied in accordance with the rate of dispensation calculated by the processor. Also, a correction amount can be obtained to take account of the fact that the balance can take a considerable amount of time to settle to its final value.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method which is capable of dispensing very small (typically less than 5 mg) quantities of particles to a high accuracy in a repeatable way and without undue wastage. Also, the need for advanced particle formulation is reduced. The apparatus comprises a closed loop control system which uses an electromechanical actuator to deliver impact energy to a supply of particles initially held on a sieve in a hopper. The impact energy causes a small number of particles to fall through the sieve and onto a weight measuring balance. The weight obtained is scrutinised by a processor to see if further actuations are required. In preferred embodiments, the energy of actuation is varied in accordance with the rate of dispensation calculated by the processor. Also, a correction amount can be obtained to take account of the fact that the balance can take a considerable amount of time to settle to its final value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manually actuated delivery device for the delivery of a volume of liquid. The delivery device comprises a housing (1a, 1b, 1c) which includes an outlet (4) through which liquid, in use, is delivered, a removable cover member which at least partly covers the outlet (4), an actuating member (3) and a liquid delivery assembly (5, 6).

Abstract: A particle dispenser and method of regulating the rate of dispensing of particles is disclosed in which particles are dispensed through a plurality of apertures having a variable effective area defined as the total area of apertures through which particles can be dispensed at any given time. The effective area is varied so as to provide a high dispense rate initially and a lower dispense rate later on in the dispense cycle. In this way, relatively larger quantities of particles can be dispensed accurately and in a reasonable amount of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manually actuated delivery device for the delivery of a volume of liquid comprising a housing (1) which includes an outlet (3) through which liquid, in use, is delivered, a liquid delivery unit (24) which is located within the housing (1) and an actuating means (2) which is moveable from a first position to a second position when acted upon by a user. The liquid delivery unit (24) is held by a locking mechanism (28) in a non-actuatable mode and the actuating means (2) cooperates with an interfering member (26) as it moves from the first position to the second position such that the interfering member (26) eventually releases the liquid delivery unit (24) from the locking mechanism (28) to enable delivery of the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manually actuatable delivery device for the delivery of a volume of liquid, comprising a housing (1a, 1b, 1c) which includes an outlet (2) through which liquid, in use, is delivered, a liquid delivery unit (5) which is located within the housing (1a, 1b, 1c) and a actuating means (1c) moveable from a first position to a second position when acted upon by a user. The liquid delivery unit (5) is held by a locking mechanism (17, 18) in a non-actuatable mode and the actuating means (1c) cooperates with an interfering member (7) as it moves from the first position to the second position such that the interfering member (7) eventually releases the liquid delivery unit (5) from the locking mechanism (17, 18) to enable delivery of the liquid.

Abstract: A manually-actuated device for the deliver of a volume of liquid which includes an outlet through which liquid is in use delivered and a cover member which is movably disposed relative to the housing between a first position in which the cover member at least partly covers the outlet and a second position in which the cover member acts as a lever which in use is acted upon by a user to actuate the delivery device.