Patent ID: 8256416

Claim:
A device for dispensing individual doses of powder from respective packets of a carrier, the device including: a first support for a first carrier having first and second side surfaces opposite each other, an array of cavities in which respective pockets are formed and a first lidding sheet sealed to the first side surface; a first prodger member moveable towards and away from the second side surface of a supported first carrier between a retracted and an extended position; a cam member adjacent to and moveable generally parallel with the second side surface of a supported carrier between a rest position and a primed position; wherein the cam member has a first cam surface for engaging with the first prodger member such that movement of the cam member from the rest position to the primed position moves the prodger member from the retracted position to the extended position so as to press on the second side surface of a supported first carrier and outwardly rupture the first lidding sheet of the supported first carrier; a second support for a second carrier having first and second side surfaces opposite each other, an array of cavities in which respective pockets are formed and a first lidding sheet sealed to the first side surface, the first and second carriers being supported with respective second side surfaces facing each other; and a second prodger member moveable towards and away from the second side surface of a supported second carrier between a retracted and an extended position; wherein the cam member has a second cam surface for engaging with the second prodger member such that movement of the cam member from the rest position to the primed position moves the second prodger member from the retracted position to the extended position so as to press upon the second side surface of a supported second carrier and outwardly rupture the first lidding sheet of the supported second carrier.