Indicating device

• US 8,505,773 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2012
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Inventors: Blacker, Richard, Engelbreth, Daniel K., Schmidt, James N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C
• Application Number:
  US13/431,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20120238963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 222/23, 222/32, 222/36, 222/38, 222/162, 222/183, 222/325, 222/402.1, 128/203.15, 128/203.23, 128/203.12, 128/200.12, 128/200.14, 128/200.18, 128/200.23, 128/205.23, 116284-285, 116/309, 116/311, 116/312, 116/315, 604/246
• US Class Current: 222/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• 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 15/0068 Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0071 having a display or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0075 on a disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0076 on a drum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/041 for drum-type indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/083 by mechanical means counting of stacked objects G06M9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/163 with drums

Abstract

A dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament from a container includes a dispenser housing having a support block defining a longitudinal axis and an indicator housing disposed at least partially around the support block. An actuator includes a central, cylindrical hub portion adapted to be engaged by the container and centered about the longitudinal axis. The actuator is moveable along the longitudinal axis relative to the indicator housing and includes a resilient arm. A drive gear is rotatably disposed in the indicator housing and is rotatable in response to successive engagements by the resilient arm. An indicator is rotatably disposed in the indicator housing and is rotatable in response to the rotation of the drive gear. The indicator includes dosage indicia. A dispensing system and indicating device are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament from a container:

a dispenser housing comprising a support block having a well, said support block defining a longitudinal axis;

an indicator housing disposed at least partially around said support block, said indicator housing engaged with said dispenser housing so as to be non-rotatable about said longitudinal axis;

an actuator comprising a central, cylindrical hub portion adapted to be engaged by the container and centered about said longitudinal axis, said actuator moveable along said longitudinal axis relative to said indicator housing, said actuator comprising a resilient arm;

a drive gear rotatably disposed in said indicator housing, wherein said drive gear is rotatable in response to successive engagements by said resilient arm of said actuator; and

an indicator rotatably disposed in said indicator housing, wherein said indicator is rotatable in response to said rotation of said drive gear, said indicator comprising dosage indicia.

2. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said drive gear comprises a first drive gear rotatably mounted in said indicator housing, and further comprising a second drive gear disposed between and said first drive gear and said indicator, wherein said first drive gear successively rotates said second drive gear.

3. The dispensing device of claim 2 wherein said second drive gear is mounted on said indicator.

4. The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising a non-return member interfacing between said indicator and said indicator housing so as to maintain one-way rotation of said indicator relative to said indicator housing.

5. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a spring adapted to bias said actuator along said longitudinal axis.

6. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said indicator housing comprises an opening formed in a top thereof, wherein said actuator extends through said opening so as to be engageable with the container.

7. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said resilient arm comprises a tooth engaging end portion, and wherein said drive gear comprises a plurality of teeth engageable by said tooth engaging end portion.

8. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said indicator housing comprises a first cover member coupled to a second cover member so as to define an interior space therebetween, wherein said indicator and drive gear are disposed in said interior space.

9. The dispensing device of claim 8 wherein said first cover member defines an upper surface of said indicator housing and said second cover defines a lower surface of said indicator housing.

10. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a key member.

11. A dispensing system for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament from a container:

a dispenser housing comprising a support block having a well, said support block defining a longitudinal axis;

a container of medicament disposed in said dispenser housing and comprising a valve stem engaged by said support block;

an indicator housing disposed at least partially around said support block, said indicator housing engaged with said dispenser housing so as to be non-rotatable about said longitudinal axis;

an actuator comprising a central, cylindrical hub portion engaged by the container and centered about said longitudinal axis, said actuator moveable with said container along said longitudinal axis relative to said indicator housing, said actuator comprising a resilient arm;

a drive gear rotatably disposed in said indicator housing, wherein said drive gear is rotatable in response to successive engagements by said resilient arm of said actuator; and

an indicator rotatably disposed in said indicator housing, wherein said indicator is rotatable in response to said rotation of said drive gear, said indicator comprising dosage indicia.

12. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein said drive gear comprises a first drive gear rotatably mounted in said indicator housing, and further comprising a second drive gear disposed between and said first drive gear and said indicator, wherein said first drive gear successively rotates said second drive gear.

13. The dispensing system of claim 12 wherein said second drive gear is mounted on said indicator.

14. The dispensing system of claim 11 further comprising a non-return member interfacing between said indicator and said indicator housing so as to maintain one-way rotation of said indicator relative to said indicator housing.

15. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein said actuator comprises a spring biasing said actuator along said longitudinal axis toward the container.

16. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein said indicator housing comprises an opening formed in a top thereof, wherein said actuator extends through said opening and is engaged with the container.

17. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein said resilient arm comprises a tooth engaging end portion, and wherein said drive gear comprises a plurality of teeth engageable by said tooth engaging end portion.

18. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein said indicator housing comprises a first cover member coupled to a second cover member so as to define an interior space therebetween, wherein said indicator and drive gear are disposed in said interior space.

19. The dispensing system of claim 18 wherein said first cover member defines an upper surface of said indicator housing and said second cover defines a lower surface of said indicator housing.

20. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein said actuator comprises a key member.

21. An indicating device for indicating a number of metered dosages of a medicament dispensed from a container:

an indicator housing having a longitudinally extending cavity adapted to receive a support block extending from a dispenser housing, said cavity defining a longitudinal axis;

an actuator comprising a central, cylindrical hub portion adapted to be engaged by a container disposed in said dispenser housing, said cylindrical hub portion centered about said longitudinal axis, said actuator moveable along said longitudinal axis relative to said indicator housing, said actuator comprising a resilient arm;

a drive gear rotatably disposed in said indicator housing, wherein said drive gear is rotatable in response to successive engagements by said resilient arm of said actuator; and

an indicator rotatably disposed in said indicator housing, wherein said indicator is rotatable in response to said rotation of said drive gear, said indicator comprising dosage indicia.

22. The indicating device of claim 21 wherein said drive gear comprises a first drive gear rotatably mounted in said indicator housing, and further comprising a second drive gear disposed between and said first drive gear and said indicator, wherein said first drive gear successively rotates said second drive gear.

23. The indicating device of claim 22 wherein said second drive gear is mounted on said indicator.

24. The indicating device of claim 21 further comprising a non-return member interfacing between said indicator and said indicator housing so as to maintain one-way rotation of said indicator relative to said indicator housing.

25. The indicating device of claim 21 wherein said actuator comprises a spring adapted to bias said actuator along said longitudinal axis.

26. The indicating device of claim 21 wherein said indicator housing comprises an opening formed in a top thereof, wherein said actuator extends through said opening so as to be engageable with the container.

27. The indicating device of claim 21 wherein said resilient arm comprises a tooth engaging end portion, and wherein said drive gear comprises a plurality of teeth engageable by said tooth engaging end portion.

28. The indicating device of claim 21 wherein said indicator housing comprises a first cover member coupled to a second cover member so as to define an interior space therebetween, wherein said indicator and drive gear are disposed in said interior space.

29. The indicating device of claim 21 wherein said actuator comprises a key member.