Abstract: A weighing apparatus comprising a weighing pan (20) for supporting on an upper surface thereof an object (21) to be weighed, a support for the weighing pan (20), the support contacting a lower surface of the weighing pan and comprising an elongate member (23) extending downwardly from the weighing pan (20), the elongate member (23) extending through a hole (24) provided in a floor (36), located beneath the weighing pan (20), of a weighing pan region of the apparatus, a weighing mechanism (44) located beneath the floor (36) of the weighing pan region in a weighing mechanism region of the apparatus, the elongate member (23) connecting with the weighing mechanism, and a drive means (28) for selectively moving the weighing pan (20) between an upper position, at which the weighing pan (20) is spaced from the floor (36), and a lower position, at which the weighing pan (20) contacts the floor (36) in a sealing relationship for preventing material in the weighing pan region from passing through the hole (24) into the

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprises a hopper provided with a sieve at a bottom portion thereof, the hopper in use containing powder to be dispensed therefrom through the sieve, a support 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, and at least one actuator for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, wherein the at least one actuator is arranged to deliver impact energy to the hopper from different directions and/or at different locations on the hopper. There is also provided a method of dispensing small quantities of particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprises a hopper (20) provided with a sieve (21) at a bottom portion thereof, the hoper defining a powder-containing zone (42) above the sieve which in use contains powder to be dispensed therefrom trough the sieve (21), a support 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 for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, and a deagglomeration device (58) disposed in the powder-containing zone (42).

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprising a hopper provided with a sieve at a bottom portion thereof, the hopper in use containing powder to be dispensed therefrom through the sieve, a support 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, and at least one actuator for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, wherein the at least one actuator is arranged to deliver impact energy to the hopper from different directions and/or at different locations on the hopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manually actuated delivery device for the delivery of a dose of liquid comprising a housing (1) which includes an outlet through which liquid, in use, is delivered. An actuating member (2) is moveably disposed relative to the housing (1) between a first position and a second position, the user moving the actuating member (2) into the second position to actuate the delivery device. A liquid delivery assembly (3) is located at least partly within the housing (1) the liquid delivery assembly (3) comprising a liquid delivery unit (4) a carrier unit (5) for the liquid delivery unit (4) and a coupling member (6) which couples the movement of the actuating member (2) and the carrier unit (5). The movement of the carrier unit (5) activates a counting mechanism (7a, 7b) which indicates how many doses have been delivered.

Abstract: A dosing device comprising a dispensing means for dispensing a dose material, and a dose actuation mechanism, in which the dose actuation mechanism comprises a readily deflectable member, and a cascade of at least two pivoted elements, movement of one causing movement of the other, wherein the deflectable member is moveable by the user, and its movement is transferred to the first of the cascade of pivoted elements, so as to actuate the dispensing means. A first biasing means communicates with one pivoted element so that as movement is transferred between the pivoted elements, energy stored in the first biasing means is released to increase the force associated with the movement. A dose actuating mechanism for use in a dosing inhaler is also provided.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing between microorganisms having different attributes comprises the steps of: encapsulating one or more cells within a polymeric bead; incubating the cell(s) within the bead in a growth-supporting medium for a time period sufficient for multiplication of viable cells within the bead; then non-invasively physically examining the bead or the adjacent vicinity of the bead for physical characteristics associated with the differing attributes of cells within the bead. Various forms of apparatus for carrying out the process are descried.