Abstract: A mouthpiece for use in an inhaler for a particulate medicament, the mouthpiece having: an inlet and an outlet for the particulate medicament; a number of abutments which extend across the mouthpiece and which are arranged in a staggered configuration such that, in use, medicament is caused to break up as the medicament passes through the mouthpiece; wherein the abutments are blades having an elongate cross section in the direction of travel of the medicament.

Abstract: Mouthpieces for particulate inhalers typically have either stationary particle deflectors or rotatable devices for changing the flow of particulate material through the mouthpiece. However, these mouthpieces do not prevent the build up of particulate drug on the walls of the mouthpiece. Thus, there is provided a mouthpiece (10) for use in an inhaler for particulate medicament, the mouthpiece having an inlet (12) and an outlet (13) for particulate medicament, a helical member (15) disposed between the inlet and the outlet for, in use, imparting a rotational movement to an air flow which is drawn through the mouthpiece and in which medicament is entrained, wherein the helical member (15) is, in use, axially movable between a first position and a second position such that it restricts the build up of medicament on the inside of the mouthpiece (10).

Abstract: A dispenser for a gaseous, gas borne or droplet substance contained in a source thereof, the dispenser including: a body (1) with a mouthpiece; (2) a junction member in the body for the substance source: and a breath actuable valve, (8) for controlling the release of the gas or liquid containing or comprising the substance, the valve comprising: a flexible tube for receiving the said gas or liquid, the tube extending from a valve inlet connected to the junction member and having a portion (21) which is kinkable for closure of the valve and movable to an open position in which the tube is un-kinked for opening of the valve; and a member arranged for movement in the body by inhalation to un-kink the valve: the tube being kinked to an obturating extent when the movable member is in a ready position and un-kinked when the movable member is moved on inhalation for release of the gas or liquid; wherein: the movable member is or includes a flap (7) arranged in the body for action of breath on it on inhalation: the j

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the application of aqueous paints. The paint is supplied in a flexible container compressible by an adjacent inflatable bag. Paint travels from the container via a long delivery tube to a brush, roller or pad applicator. The container is compressed horizontally by means of a foldable base when compressed by the inflatable bag. The length of the tube is 1 to 3 m, and the inner diameter of the tube is 5 to 15 mm, to provide a steady delivery of paint to the applicator.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting elongate objects, for example capsules of medicament, comprises a passage for receiving an individual capsule in a preferred orientation, a container for holding a bulk supply of capsules, and a ramp surface which directs a capsule towards the passage when the device is positioned such that the passage extends vertically downwardly from the container. It has been found that by appropriate choice of ramp angle, passage diameter and container diameter there is a high probability that a single capsule will be loaded into the dispensing passage when the apparatus is inverted to place the dispensing passage below the bulk supply. The apparatus is particularly useful in a dry medicament dispensing apparatus comprising, in addition to the orienting apparatus, a chamber for receiving capsules from the dispensing passage, means for piercing the ends of the capsule, and a mouthpiece for drawing air through the capsule and to entrain the medicament.

Abstract: A new inhalation device, which during operation causes an aerosol to be formed inside a chamber such as a capsule (4) which occludes one end (3) of the inhalation tube (1), the capsule having holes at its extremities (7,8) which admit airflow. The airflow causes the powder contained inside the capsule to be surprisingly transported to the capsule extremity contrary to the direction of inhalation, that is towards the air entry holes in the capsule, and then to form an aerosol until all powder has been removed from the capsule or chamber through the tube (1), the during of inhalation being chiefly regulated by the size and proportion of the capsule holes. The tube (1) has air inlets downstream of the capsule to permit a balanced airflow that will transport the finely suspended powder into the lungs, maximizing the fraction of medicament deposited therein.