Drive mechanism for an indicating device
First Claim
1. An indicating device comprising:
- a drive member rotatable about a first rotation axis, said drive member having a convex surface extending at least partially circumferentially about said first rotation axis, and a recess opening radially inwardly from said convex surface, said drive member comprising an engagement member; and
a driven member rotatable about a second rotation axis, said driven member having a plurality of concave surfaces successively engaged by said convex surface of said drive member, wherein said driven member is immobilized non-rotatably about said second rotation axis by said successive engagement of said convex surface with said plurality of concave surfaces as said drive member rotates about said first rotation axis, and wherein said driven member further comprises a plurality of protrusions formed between adjacent ones of said plurality of concave surfaces, wherein said plurality of protrusions are successively received in said recess as said engagement member engages said driven member and rotates said driven member about said second rotation axis; and
wherein said driven member comprises dispensing indicia.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An indicating device includes a drive member and a driven member. The driven member is non-rotatably immobilized by the successive engagement of a convex surface on the drive member with a plurality of concave surfaces on the driven member. The driven member further includes a plurality of protrusions that are successively received in a recess of the drive member as an engagement member engages the driven member and rotates the driven member. The driven member has dispensing indicia. In another aspect, an indicating device includes an indicator member having dispensing indicia. A stop member is selectively engaged with successive ones of a plurality of stop surfaces on the indicator member such that the indicator member is non-rotatable. Methods for indicating the amount of substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container are also provided.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An indicating device comprising:
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a drive member rotatable about a first rotation axis, said drive member having a convex surface extending at least partially circumferentially about said first rotation axis, and a recess opening radially inwardly from said convex surface, said drive member comprising an engagement member; and a driven member rotatable about a second rotation axis, said driven member having a plurality of concave surfaces successively engaged by said convex surface of said drive member, wherein said driven member is immobilized non-rotatably about said second rotation axis by said successive engagement of said convex surface with said plurality of concave surfaces as said drive member rotates about said first rotation axis, and wherein said driven member further comprises a plurality of protrusions formed between adjacent ones of said plurality of concave surfaces, wherein said plurality of protrusions are successively received in said recess as said engagement member engages said driven member and rotates said driven member about said second rotation axis; and
wherein said driven member comprises dispensing indicia. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for indicating the amount of substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said method comprising:
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rotating a drive member about a first rotation axis, wherein said drive member has a convex surface extending at least partially circumferentially about said first rotation axis, and a recess opening radially inwardly from said convex surface; engaging a driven member with said drive member and thereby rotating said driven member an incremental amount about a second rotation axis, wherein said driven member has a plurality of concave surfaces and a plurality of protrusions formed between adjacent ones of said plurality of concave surfaces; disposing one of said plurality of protrusions in said recess as said driven member is engaged and rotated said incremental amount by said drive member; slidably engaging one of said concave surfaces of said driven member with said convex surface of said drive member and thereby preventing said driven member from rotating about said second rotation axis; and displaying dispensing indicia on said driven member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An indicating device comprising:
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an indicator member comprising dispensing indicia, wherein said indicator member is rotatable about a first rotation axis, and wherein said indicator member comprises a plurality of stop surfaces; and a stop member rotatable about a second rotation axis, wherein said stop member is selectively engaged with successive ones of said plurality of stop surfaces, wherein said indicator member is non-rotatable about said first rotation axis when said stop member is selectively engaged with one of said plurality of stop surfaces, wherein said stop member comprises a convex surface and wherein said plurality of stop surfaces each comprise a concave shaped to slidably mate with said convex surface, wherein said stop member is rotatable relative to said indicator member about said second axis while maintaining said indicator member in a stationary position non-rotatable about said first rotation axis. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification