Indicating device

• US 9,649,455 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2015
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• 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: Schmidt, James N., Blacker, Richard, Engelbreth, Daniel K.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US14/596,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20150320946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 222 36- 38, 222 48, 222 23, 12820023, 12820523, 12820315
• 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

An indicating device for a dispenser that dispenses metered dosages of a medicament from a container having a valve moveable between a closed position and an open position. The indicating device includes an indicator housing having a first cover with a first vertical wall and a second cover with a second vertical wall. One of the first or second covers includes a base defining a lower surface of the indicator housing, and the other of the first or second covers includes a top defining an upper surface of the indicator housing. The first and second covers are joined with the first and second vertical walls and the base and the top defining an interior space therebetween. An indicator is rotatably disposed in the interior space of the indicator housing, with the indicator including dosage indicia. A dispensing device includes a dispenser housing and an indicating device.

Claims

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

a dispenser housing having an interior surface defining a cavity, said dispenser housing comprising a support block having a well, said support block defining a longitudinal axis and having an outer surface;

an indicator housing comprising a first cover comprising a first vertical wall disposed adjacent said interior surface of said dispenser housing and a second cover comprising a second vertical wall disposed adjacent said outer surface of said support block, wherein one of the first or second covers comprises a base defining a lower surface of said indicator housing, and the other of the first or second covers comprises a top defining an upper surface of said indicator housing, wherein said first and second covers are joined with said first and second vertical walls and said base and said top defining an interior space therebetween; and

an indicator rotatably disposed in said interior space of said indicator housing, said indicator comprising dosage indicia.

2. The dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising said container having a valve stem disposed in said well, wherein said container holds a medicament.

3. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said first vertical wall comprises an outer convex surface.

4. The dispensing device of claim 3 wherein said second vertical wall comprises an outer concave surface.

5. The dispensing device of claim 4 wherein said outer concave surface mates with said outer surface of said support block.

6. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said first and second cover members are joined with a snap fit.

7. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said first vertical wall comprises a first viewing window, wherein said dosage indicia of said indicator are visible through said first viewing window.

8. The dispensing device of claim 7 wherein said dispenser housing comprises a second viewing window aligned with said first viewing window, wherein said dosage indicia of said indicator are visible through said second viewing window.

9. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said indicator is coupled to at least one of said first and second covers with a snap fit.

10. An indicating device for a dispenser that dispenses metered dosages of a medicament from a container having a valve moveable between a closed position and an open position, said indicating device comprising:

an indicator housing comprising a first cover comprising a first vertical wall and a second cover comprising a second vertical wall, wherein one of the first or second covers comprises a base defining a lower surface of said indicator housing, and the other of the first or second covers comprises a top defining an upper surface of said indicator housing, wherein said first and second covers are joined with said first and second vertical walls and said base and said top defining an interior space therebetween; and

an indicator rotatably disposed in said interior space of said indicator housing between said first and second vertical walls, said indicator comprising dosage indicia.

11. The indicating device of claim 10 wherein said first vertical wall comprises an outer convex surface.

12. The indicating device of claim 11 wherein said second vertical wall comprises an outer concave surface.

13. The indicating device of claim 10 wherein said first and second cover members are joined with a snap fit.

14. The indicating device of claim 10 wherein said first vertical wall comprises a first viewing window, wherein said dosage indicia of said indicator are visible through said first viewing window.

15. The indicating device of claim 10 wherein said indicator is coupled to at least one of said first and second covers with a snap fit.