Abstract: A method of barrier coating a porous substrate, the method comprising: coating a surface of the substrate with an intermediate layer, said intermediate layer filling pores at the surface of the substrate; and coating the intermediate layer with a non-polymer barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for taking into use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine is disclosed. The exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine. The method subsequently comprises detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack and executing an activation procedure. The activation procedure comprises repeating an activation cycle while detecting whether or not a liquid substance is present inside the dosing pump. The activation cycle comprises activating the dosing pump during a first period of time and at least partially deactivating the dosing pump during a second period of time. The activation procedure is completed when it is detected that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump. In addition, a beverage dispensing system and a computer program product are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for taking into use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine is disclosed. The exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine. The method subsequently comprises detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack and executing an activation procedure. The activation procedure comprises repeating an activation cycle while detecting whether or not a liquid substance is present inside the dosing pump. The activation cycle comprises activating the dosing pump during a first period of time and at least partially deactivating the dosing pump during a second period of time. The activation procedure is completed when it is detected that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump. In addition a beverage dispensing system and a computer program product are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A particulate sprayer includes a gas reservoir to hold a gas, a liquid reservoir to hold a product, and a low pressure section including an exit opening connected to the liquid reservoir. The product includes a liquid and solid particles. The low pressure section transports gas released from the gas reservoir over the exit opening. The product is drawn, pushed, or drawn and pushed from the exit opening into the transported gas to create a spray of the product to be sprayed from the particulate sprayer.

Abstract: A method for taking into use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine is disclosed. The exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine. The method subsequently comprises detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack and executing an activation procedure. The activation procedure comprises repeating an activation cycle while detecting whether or not a liquid substance is present inside the dosing pump. The activation cycle comprises activating the dosing pump during a first period of time and at least partially deactivating the dosing pump during a second period of time. The activation procedure is completed when it is detected that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump. In addition a beverage dispensing system and a computer program product are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A particulate sprayer includes a gas reservoir to hold a gas, a liquid reservoir to hold a product, and a low pressure section including an exit opening connected to the liquid reservoir. The product includes a liquid and solid particles. The low pressure section transports gas released from the gas reservoir over the exit opening. The product is drawn, pushed, or drawn and pushed from the exit opening into the transported gas to create a spray of the product to be sprayed from the particulate sprayer.

Abstract: Method and system of using a drinks device to provide a variety of different types of drink requiring respective mixes of components and water. Drinks containers are arranged to each house separately the required components of a respective drink. Each drinks container is provided with a respective delivery outlet for dispensing a mix of the respective housed components. The drinks device is used to act upon respective drinks containers so as to mix the separately housed components and dispense the mixed components from the respective delivery outlet in conjunction with water from a water dispenser of the drinks device.

Abstract: A particulate sprayer includes a gas reservoir to hold a gas, a liquid reservoir to hold a product, and a low pressure section including an exit opening connected to the liquid reservoir. The product includes a liquid and solid particles. The low pressure section transports gas released from the gas reservoir over the exit opening. The product is drawn, pushed, or drawn and pushed from the exit opening into the transported gas to create a spray of the product to be sprayed from the particulate sprayer.

Abstract: Various delivery devices and methods are disclosed, including a delivery device (200) for delivering a dose substance (110) in powdered form to an eye. The device can include a pocket (100A, 100B, 100C) for holding dose substance and a propulsion system (202, 204, 908, 1004, 1006) for propelling a dose consisting of a predetermined volume of said dose substance from said pocket towards said eye, wherein one or both of said pocket and said propulsion system are configured to inhibit propulsion of particles having a size greater than a predetermined threshold to said eye.

Abstract: Fluid packaging container of substantially rigid, or semi rigid construction. The container being configured to be operatively connectable to a beverage dispensing station. The fluid packaging container defines an interior space and contains a first volume of a liquid ingredient and a second volume of gas. In use the first and second volumes are each variable between a volume of substantially zero and a volume corresponding substantially to the interior space and being complementary to one another. Thereby the first and second volume together fill the interior space. The fluid packaging container in particular includes a fluid outlet arranged to communicate with the beverage dispensing station and pressure equalizing means for maintaining a predefined pressure in the second volume, irrespective of liquid withdrawn from the interior space.

Abstract: A treatment device and associated methods are disclosed, the treatment device comprising: a fluid dispenser comprising: a sealable reservoir for storing a fluid to be dispensed; a transfer body for carrying a predetermined volume of said fluid from said reservoir to a dispensing point outside of said reservoir; and a sliding seal for maintaining said reservoir in a sealed state while a portion of said transfer body carrying said predetermined volume of fluid and said predetermined volume of fluid are moved from a position inside of said reservoir to said dispensing point outside of said reservoir; and an applicator for applying a predetermined volume of fluid present at said dispensing point to a part of the human or animal body, wherein said applicator comprises means for dispersing said predetermined volume of fluid in a jet of gas directed towards said part of the human or animal body.

Abstract: A spray device for connection to a reservoir of fluid for spraying, the spray device includes a dosing chamber for holding fluid; a connector for fluidly connecting the dosing chamber to the reservoir; a piston moveable from a first end of the dosing chamber to a second end of the dosing chamber so as to draw into the dosing chamber fluid from the reservoir; a spring biasing the piston towards said first end; a plunger, actuable by a user, to move the piston towards said second end against the bias of the spring; a nozzle for spraying fluid; and a user-actuable valve for selectively fluidly connecting the dosing chamber to the nozzle.

Abstract: A powder delivery device for the delivery into a patient's nasal cavity of a physiologically active agent in powdered form. A closure restricts the unwanted ingress of moisture into the device when the device is not in use. The action of opening or closing this closure may be linked to charging an air reservoir with air and/or moving a fresh powder-containing receptacle into communication with a powder delivery passage.

Abstract: A powder delivery device for the delivery into a patient's nasal cavity of a physiologically active agent in powdered form. A closure restricts the unwanted ingress of moisture into the device when the device is not in use. The action of opening or closing this closure may be linked to charging an air reservoir with air and/or moving a fresh powder-containing receptacle into communication with a powder delivery passage.

Abstract: A device for chilling the contents of a beverage container (10, 74) comprising a shell, the interior of which is adapted to accommodate the container (10, 74) the contents of which are to be chilled, and the wall of which comprises an annular reservoir (16, 70) for liquified refrigerant gas under pressure, which surrounds the container. The reservoir (16, 70) is openable at (30, 76) to permit the liquefied refrigerant to escape therefrom and create a cooling effect on the wall of the container (10, 74), consequent on the change of phase from liquid to gas, and expansion of the gas, to chill the container (10, 74) and its contents. The outer surface of the shell is formed with a heat insulating layer (24, 78) so that the cooling effect is preferentially directed towards the interior. The reservoir (16, 70) may be vented at the top of the bottom or through a plurality of apertures (106, 108) distributed around the interior of the shell.

Abstract: A means of identification or document of value which includes a paper or polymer region, in particular, bank notes, passports, identification cards or any other document of sufficient value to make it liable to be copied or counterfeited, includes a watermark in the region and a liquid crystal material applied to the region and to at least a part of the watermark to produce optical effects which differ when viewed in transmitted and reflected light.