Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for constructing a 3D preform from carbon fibre tow (10), in which the tow is deposited by an AFP head (2400) onto a membrane (2204) which is conveyed to a forming cell (114) for diaphragm forming. Active tension control is provided with an offwind (102) combined with an accumulator (106) and compensator (108). The invention also provides a method of manufacture.

Abstract: A sealed condom pack containing a condom (10) and a liquid or gel (9) which is isolated from the condom by a barrier. The barrier can be breached by external manipulation of the pack without disturbing the integrity of the outer sealed wall. The pack may comprise a moulded tray (1) having a deformable portion (5) in its base and may be surrounded by a trough. The deformable portion (5) may snap into the deployed configuration to expel the liquid or gel onto the condom. Alternatively, the pack may be a folded foil pack with the liquid or gel retained in the fin seal (33, 34). A further alternative may be a conventional foil pack with a bulge (42) in one wall to retain the liquid or gel, the bulge being off-set from the centre of the pack.

Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus is disclosed in which the apparatus includes a drum assembly 2. The drum assembly includes a support portion 10 and a foil 14 which are linearly movable relative to one another. The foil 14 has a plurality of through-apertures 25, and the support portion 10 includes a corresponding number of apertures 20. The base of each aperture 20 in the support portion is closed off by a piston 24. The apertures 25, 20 are aligned at a filling position where powder can fill a compartment. The foil 14 is then translated relative to the support portion 10 in order to close the compartments. The drum 2 can be rotated through 180° to a dispensing position. The foil 14 is moved so that the apertures 25, 20 are aligned and the pistons 24 can be used to dispense powder into a receptacle.