Method and Apparatus for Loading a Container with a Product

Apparatus for loading a defined quantity of a powdered medicament formulation into a container for use in an inhalation device, comprising:

• a perforated plate which has a first side on which powdered medicament formulation is, in use, disposed, a second side and a perforation having a first opening in the first side and a second opening in the second side,
• a closing member located at the second side of the perforated plate for closing the perforation at the second opening to enable filling of the perforation with a defined quantity of powdered medicament formulation through the first opening,
• at least one leveler non-contactingly spaced from the first side of the perforated plate for directing powdered medicament formulation located on the first side into the perforation through the first opening, the at least one leveler having a leveling face oriented at an acute angle to the first side of the perforated plate,
• a wiper located at the first side of the perforated plate for wiping away powdered medicament formulation overlying the first opening of the perforation, and
• a compacting pin insertable into the perforation through the first opening to compact and eject powdered medicament formulation in the perforation;
• wherein the apparatus is configured and arranged to provide for relative movement of the perforated plate, the closing member, the at least one leveler, the wiper and the compacting pin to successively effect:
• i) a filling mode, in which the closing member closes the second opening of the perforation and relative movement is provided between the at least one leveler and the wiper, on the one hand, and the perforated plate, on the other hand, which results in successive movement of the at least one leveler and the wiper over the first opening of the perforation to fill the closed perforation with a defined quantity of a powdered medicament formulation which is located on the first side of the perforated plate on the relative path of movement of the at least one leveler and the wiper,
• ii) a compacting mode, in which the compacting pin is inserted through the first opening of the perforation so as to compact the defined quantity of powdered medicament formulation in the closed perforation from the filling mode, and
• iii) a loading mode, in which the closing member opens the second opening and the compacting pin ejects the compacted powdered medicament formulation from the compacting mode through the second opening for loading a container for an inhalation device in registration with the second opening.