Abstract: Device for dispensing a plurality of unitary doses (2) of dry powder, includes at least one support comprising conduits each defining a flow path for an airstream carrying one of the unitary dose (2), the support having first (26) and second (27) members secured to one another so that a first conduit portion (29) of the first member faces a second conduit portions (43) of the second member to define one of the conduits, and a first separation portion (30) of the first member faces a second separation portions (45) of the second member, the support comprising a plurality of barrier-forming elements (31, 46) each arranged between corresponding first (30) and second (45) separation portions to prevent dry powder from passing from one of the conduits to one of the adjacent conduits.

Abstract: Device for dispensing a plurality of unitary doses (2) of dry powder, comprising at least one support comprising conduits each defining a flow path for an airstream carrying one of the unitary dose (2), the support having first (26) and second (27) members secured to one another so that a first conduit portion (29) of the first member faces a second conduit portions (43) of the second member to define one of the conduits, and a first separation portion (30) of the first member faces a second separation portions (45) of the second member, the support comprising a plurality of barrier-forming elements (31, 46) each arranged between corresponding first (30) and second (45) separation portions to prevent dry powder from passing from one of the conduits to one of the adjacent conduits.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for protecting a device from water damage. The apparatus is capable of being repeatedly opened and then hermetically sealed even when the device has a wire that must be extended outside of the apparatus. The present invention comprises a housing having at least two members that, when juxtaposed and clamped, form a dry interior region. More specifically, each member includes a pair of gaskets that together define the dry interior region and substantially form a hermetic seal about a pouch or container. The apparatus includes a portal through which the wire may extend from a device inside the pouch or container to the outside and a slide mechanism that adjust a gasket around the wire to maintain the dry interior region. The slide mechanism forms a hermetic seal around the wire so that the opening in the pouch from which the wire extends is hermetically sealed. If no wire is present, the slide mechanism may be adjusted to maintain the hermetic seal.

Abstract: A valve mechanism is provided for use in an inhaler comprising a pressurized container, and a metering chamber, and a valve mechanism wherein the inlet and outlet valves are separate and can be operated independently. The pressure of the fluid in the canister is used to aid the opening of the outer valve so reducing the force to fire a dose. A variant of the valve mechanism allows the user to select from a range of dose volumes by appropriate orientation of the stem.

Abstract: A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler comprises actuator means (341), drive means (350) for driving a rotary gear (360) in step-wise fashion in response to displacement of said actuator means (341), said rotary gear (360) comprising a wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth (not shown) around its periphery. Means (364) are provided to prevent reverse rotation of the rotary gear (360). A flexible tape (368) is provided with a visible array of incrementing integers on its surface indicating the number of medicament doses remaining in the inhaler. The tape (368) indexes by a single integer in response to each step of the step-wise rotary motion of the rotary gear (360). A control surface (371) regulates the position of engagement and disengagement between the drive means (350) and the rotary gear (360). In an alternative embodiment (FIG. 6), the control surface (371) is omitted and the means for preventing reverse rotation comprise a stepless restraint (664).

Abstract: A cutting system for a printing device comprises a cutting blade (58) which has a cutting surface wherein there is defined a notch (58a). The cutting system also has an anvil (60) on which a printing medium such as heat shrink material is supported during cutting. The cutting surface of the blade (58) cuts through the printing medium leaving an uncut area at the notch (58a).