Patent ID: 6820658
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A filling apparatus for introducing into a container a suspension or solution of a substance, in particular a pharmaceutical substance, in a propellant under pressure, comprising:a main body including a passageway for communicating, in use, with a valve stem extending from a head of a body of a container, the container comprising a metering chamber selectively communicatable by the valve stem with the atmosphere and a storage chamber defined by the body; a fill actuator comprising a filling valve assembly in communication with the passageway for selectively introducing thereinto propellant under pressure containing a substance in a suspension or solution; an exhaust actuator comprising an exhaust valve assembly in communication with the passageway for selectively exhausting therefrom propellant under pressure containing substance; and a container-engaging body in communication with the passageway for receiving, in use, the head of the body of the container, the container-engaging body being movable relative to the main body so as thereby to cause the valve stem of the container to be selectively positioned in an extended closed position, a depressed open position or an intermediate position therebetween, in which intermediate position the metering chamber of the container is closed to the atmosphere said container engaging body including an annular seal disposed about a lower end of the chamber against which, in use, is abutted against the head of the body of the container which surrounds the valve stem thereof.