Patent ID: 7426815

Claim:
A method of loading a defined quantity of a powdered medicament formulation into a container for use in an inhalation device, which method comprises: a) i) providing a perforated plate which has first and second sides and a perforation having a first opening in the first side and a second opening in the second side, and ii) closing off the perforation at the second opening by locating a closing member at the second side of the perforated plate; b) providing at least one leveler blade which is non-contactingly spaced from the first side of the perforated plate and presents a forward acute angle to a sweeping path which the at least one leveler blade is to follow relative to the perforated plate; c) directing powdered medicament formulation from a reservoir thereof, which is disposed on the first side of the perforated plate, through the first opening into said closed-off perforation onto the closing member by moving the at least one leveler blade through the reservoir along the sweeping path relative to the perforated plate to fill the closed-off perforation with the defined quantity of powdered medicament formulation and leave an excess of the powdered medicament formulation on the first side of the perforated plate overlying the filled perforation; d) removing the excess powdered medicament formulation from the first side of the perforated plate by the action of a wiper; e) introducing a compacting pin into the first opening of the perforation and compacting the defined quantity of powdered medicament formulation in the perforation between the compacting pin and the closing member; and f) transferring the content of the perforation to said container by: i) moving the closing member to reopen the second opening of the perforation, ii) placing the container in registration with the second opening, and iii) moving the compacting pin in the perforation towards the second opening.