Glaxo Group Limited

Meridica Limited

Pfizer Corporation

Ian Joseph Smith

David Andrew Wyatt

Peter C Burt

Donald Bruce Atherton MacMichael

Donald Bruce Atherton Macmichael

An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprises a hopper () provided with a sieve () at a bottom portion thereof, the hoper defining a powder-containing zone () above the sieve which in use contains powder to be dispensed therefrom trough 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, 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 () disposed in the powder-containing zone ().

Apparatus and method of dispensing small quantities of particles

A valve is provided for dispensing metered doses from an aerosol container, which contains a substance to be dispensed suspended in a liquid propellant. The valve comprises a valve body (2, 3), first and second valve seals (6,7) at opposite ends of the valve body (2,3), and a valve stem (5) having an outlet (18) and a transfer port (19) extending from the exterior of the valve stem (5) to the outlet (18). A metering chamber (4) is defined by the internal wall of the valve body (2,3), the first and second valve seals (6,7) and the portion of the valve stem (5) within the cavity. The valve stem (5) is biased to a position in which, when the container is orientated with the valve at the bottom, liquid can enter the metering chamber through at least one orifice (12) which communicates with the interior of the container at a location which, when the container is orientated with the valve at the bottom, is an appreciable distance above the nearest surface which is horizontal or has an appreciable horizontal component. The orifice (12) is directed transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the valve stem (5).

Valve for aerosol container

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Harston, United Kingdom

Ian Joseph Smith