Device for detecting the operation of a dispenser and the dispenser

• US 6,595,389 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aptar Radolfzell GmbH (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
• Inventors: Fuchs, Karl-Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cartagena, Melvin A
• Application Number:
  US10/021,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20020079326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 222/38, 222/39, 222/63, 222/333, 222/642, 222/644
• US Class Current: 222/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/108 Means for counting the number of dispensing strokes

Abstract

A device for detecting the operation of a dispenser (11) includes a medium container (12) for storing a dischargeable medium, a discharge mechanism (13) operated by a relative movement between an operating element (14) and the medium container, the operating element (14) containing a detecting device (20) for detecting operations which have taken place and for generating an electric counting signal in response thereto, the operating element (14) also containing a display element (22) for displaying a numerical value determined in the counting mechanism (21) as a function of the number of counting signals which have occurred and the display element (22) only being activated for a period of time.

Claims

1. Device for detecting the operation of a dispenser, comprising a medium container storing dischargeable medium, having a discharge means for discharging the medium from the container, the discharge means being operated by a relative movement between an operating element and the medium container, wherein the operating element contains a detecting device for detecting operations which have taken place and which generates an electric counting signal for detecting operations which have taken place;

the operating element containing a display element for displaying a numerical value determined in the counting mechanism as a function of the number of counting signals which have occurred; and

the display element being only activated for a given period of time.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the electric counting mechanism is located in the operating element.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the display element in an electrooptical display element.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the display element is constructed as a LCD display.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the counting mechanism is integrated into the control unit of the LCD display.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the display element and electric counting mechanism are constructed as a continuous component.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the display period is limited to a given time interval after the last signal modifying the displayed information.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the activation of the display element takes place through an operation of the operating element not leading to a medium discharge.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the operating element is constructed as a one-piece component incorporating the discharge opening of the dispenser.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the component is constructed as an applicator to be fitted at an administration point.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser dispenses a medium containing at least one pharmaceutical substance.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device dispenses a medium containing at least one pharmaceutical substance.

13. Device for detecting the operation of a dispenser, comprising a medium container storing a dischargeable medium, having a discharge means for discharging the medium from the container, the discharge means being operated by a relative movement between an operating element and the medium container, wherein the operating element contains a detecting device for detecting operations which have taken place and which generates an electric counting signal for detecting operations which have taken place;

the electric counting mechanism being located in the operating element and a protective cap being provided for protecting the dispenser during non-use periods, in which the placing of the protective cap on the dispenser brings about a deactivation of a display element and the removal of the protective cap from the dispenser brings about an activation of the display element.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the display element is constructed as a LCD display.

15. Device for discharge of media, having a container for storing dischargeable medium, an operating element for bringing about a discharge of medium from the medium container by a discharge means, an electrooptical display element being located in the operating element, the operating element containing an electric energy storage means for the energy supply of the display element, and the display element being only activated for a given period of time.

16. Device according to claim 15, wherein the display element has an evaluating unit, to which are supplied the signals of a sensor and in which the display of the display element is determined as a function of the sensor signals.

17. Device according claim 15, wherein the operating element contains an electric energy storage means for the energy supply of the display element and optionally the evaluating unit.

18. Device according to claim 15, wherein the display period is limited to a given time interval after the last signal modifying the displayed information.

19. Device according to claim 15, wherein the activation of the display element takes place through an operation of the operating element not leading to a medium discharge.

20. Device for discharge of media, having a container for storing a dischargeable medium, an operating element for bringing about a discharge of medium from the medium container by a discharge means, an electrooptical display element being located in the operating element, a protective cap being provided for protecting the dispenser during non-use periods, in which the placing of the protective cap on the dispenser brings about a deactivation of the display element and the removal of the protective cap from the dispenser brings about an activation of the display element.