Indicating device for aerosol container
First Claim
1. An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:
- a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably-connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
an indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member; and
a drive member rotatably mounted to one of said cap member and said base member about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of said indicator member and wherein said drive member is selectively engaged with said indicator member upon a predetermined number of axial movements of said cap member relative to said base member so as to rotate said indicator member an incremental amount relative to said cap member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An indicating device for indicating the number of metered doses of medicaments that have been dispensed from or remain in a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between an open and closed position. The indicating device includes a base member adapted to be mounted to the container, a cap member moveably connected to the base member, one or more indicator members rotatably mounted to the cap member and an indicating mechanism adapted to rotate the indicator member an incremental amount upon a predetermined number of axial movements of the cap member relative to the base member. A preferred embodiment of the indicating device includes a ratchet wheel, a drive member selectively engaging the indicating member, a pawl selectively engaging the ratchet wheel, and a non-return member adapted to selectively engage the ratchet wheel so as to maintain a unidirectional rotation of the ratchet wheel. The indicating device can also include a usage indicator member having usage indicia to indicate the number of usage cycles completed or remaining for the indicating device. A method for indicating the number of metered doses dispensed from or remaining in the container comprises moving the cap member toward and away from the base member, engaging the ratchet wheel with the pawl and engaging the indicating member with the drive member. A method of assembling an inhalation device including an indicating device is also provided.
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Citations
102 Claims
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1. An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably-connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
an indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member; and
a drive member rotatably mounted to one of said cap member and said base member about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of said indicator member and wherein said drive member is selectively engaged with said indicator member upon a predetermined number of axial movements of said cap member relative to said base member so as to rotate said indicator member an incremental amount relative to said cap member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An inhalation device for dispensing metered dosages of medicaments from a container comprising:
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a housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a well located at a bottom of said cavity, said housing having a generally open end at a top of said cavity;
said container comprising a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between a closed position and an open position, said container containing a plurality of metered dosages of medicaments, said valve stem dispensing one of said plurality of said metered dosages when said valve stem is moved to the open position, said container disposed in said cavity of said housing such that said valve stem is received within said well and such that a bottom end of said container extends from the generally open end of said housing so as to be exposed to the user, said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along said longitudinal extent of the cavity such that said valve stem is moved between said open and closed position by engagement with said well; and
an indicating device comprising;
a base member mounted to the bottom end of said container extending from said generally open end of said housing;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along said longitudinal axis;
an indicator member rotatably mounted in said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal movement of said cap member relative to said base member and of said container relative to said housing, said indicator member comprising a plurality of teeth;
a drive mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted to one of said base member and said cap member about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal movement of said cap member relative to said base member and of said container relative to said housing, a drive member coaxially mounted with said ratchet wheel, and a pawl mounted on one of said base member and said cap member, said pawl selectively engaged with said ratchet wheel upon each longitudinal movement of said cap member relative to said base member so as to rotate said ratchet wheel and said drive member an incremental amount, and wherein said drive member is selectively engaged with at least one of said plurality of said indicator member teeth upon a predetermined number of longitudinal axial movements of said cap member relative to said base member so as to rotate said indicator member an incremental amount. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. The inhalation device of claim 20 further comprising an adapter member connected to said base member, said adapter member engaging said bottom end of said container.
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30-1. An indicating device for indicating the number of metered doses dispensed from or remaining in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member axially moveable relative to said base member;
an indicator member rotatably mounted in said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member; and
a drive mechanism comprising a means responsive to said axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member for rotating said indicator member an incremental amount upon a predetermined number of said axial movements.
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32. An indicating device for indicating the number of metered doses dispensed from or remaining in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
an indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member; and
a mechanism selectively engaged between said cap member and said indicator member wherein said mechanism rotates said indicator member an incremental amount upon a predetermined number of axial movements of said cap member relative to said base member, wherein said predetermined number of axial movements is greater than one. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An indicating device for indicating the number of metered doses dispensed from or remaining in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
an indicator member disposed in said cap member; and
an engagement member disposed on one of said indicator member and said cap member and engaging the other of said indicator member and said cap member so as to prevent axial movement between said cap member and said indicator member and such that said indicator member is rotatably mounted to said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial path defined by the movement of said cap member relative to said base member. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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41. An indicating device for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member;
an indicator member moveably mounted to one of said base member and said cap member;
a drive member selectively engaged with said indicator member; and
a reset member operably connected to said drive member, said reset member moveable relative to said cap member and operable to move said drive member and causes said indicator member to move relative to said cap member. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 74, 75, 76)
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47. An indicating device for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member;
an indicator member moveably mounted to one of said base member and said cap member, said indicator member moveable in response to a predetermined number of movements of said cap member relative to said base member; and
means for moving said indicator member relative to said cap member independent of said movement of said cap member relative to said base member, whereby said indicator member can be moved to a desired setting without moving the cap member relative to the base member. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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50. A method for indicating the number of metered dosages of medicaments dispensed from or remaining in a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between a closed position and an open position, said container dispensing said metered dosage when said valve stem is moved to the open position, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a housing having a well and an exhaust port, said well communicating with said exhaust port, said housing having a generally open end opposite said well;
providing said container filled with a predetermined number of measured dosages, said container moveably supported in said housing along a longitudinal axis, said container comprising a valve stem received within said well of said housing and moveable between a closed and open position as said container is moved longitudinally within said housing, said container adapted to discharge a measured dosage when said valve stem is moved to the open position, said container having a bottom end extending from the generally open end of said housing;
providing an indicating device comprising;
a base member mounted to the bottom end of said container extending from said generally open end of said housing;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along said longitudinal axis;
an indicator member rotatably mounted in said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal movement of said cap member relative to said base member and of said container relative to said housing, said indicator member comprising a plurality of teeth; and
a drive mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted to one of said base member and said cap member about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal movement of said cap member relative to said base member and of said container relative to said housing, a drive member coaxially mounted with said ratchet wheel, and a pawl mounted on one of said base member and said cap member;
moving said cap member towards said base member so as to move said container along said longitudinal axis and thereby move said valve stem to the open position so as to discharge a measured dosage through said well and said port;
moving said cap member away from said base member;
engaging said ratchet wheel with said pawl upon one of said steps of moving said cap member toward and away from said base member so as to rotate said ratchet wheel and said drive member; and
engaging said indicator member with said drive member so as to rotate said indicator member.
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51. A method for indicating the number of metered dosages of medicaments dispensed from or remaining in a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between a closed position and an open position, said container dispensing said metered dosage when said valve stem is moved to the open position, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a housing having a well and an exhaust port, said well communicating with said exhaust port, said housing having a generally open end opposite said well;
providing said container filled with a predetermined number of measured dosages, said container moveably supported in said housing along a longitudinal axis, said container comprising a valve stem received within said well of said housing and moveable between a closed and open position as said container is moved longitudinally within said housing, said container adapted to discharge a measured dosage when said valve stem is moved to the open position, said container having a bottom end extending from the generally open end of said housing;
providing an indicating device for indicating the number of metered doses that have been dispensed from a container, said indicating device comprising;
a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
an indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member; and
a mechanism selectively engaged between said cap member and said indicator member wherein said mechanism rotates said indicator member an incremental amount upon a predetermined number of axial movements of said cap member relative to said base member, wherein said predetermined number of axial movements is greater than one;
moving said cap member towards and away from said base member said predetermined number of axial movements; and
engaging said indicator member with said mechanism upon reaching said predetermined number of axial movements so as to move said indicator member said incremental amount.
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52. A method for assembling a device for dispensing metered dosages of medicaments from a container, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a housing comprising a support block and a wall spaced apart from said support block, said support block having a well and an orifice communicating with said well;
providing said container comprising a valve stem;
inserting said valve stem of said container into said well of said support block such that said container is disposed in said housing;
providing an indicating device comprising;
a base member;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along a longitudinal axis;
an indicator member rotatably mounted in said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal movement of said cap member relative to said base member; and
a drive member rotatably mounted to one of said base member and said cap member about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal movement of said cap member relative to said base member, said drive member selectively engaged with said indicator member; and
mounting said base member to said container. - View Dependent Claims (53)
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54. A kit having components capable of being assembled as an inhalation device for dispensing metered dosages of medicaments from a container, the kit comprising:
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a housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a well located at a bottom of said cavity, said housing having a generally open end at a top of said cavity;
said container comprising a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom, said container containing a plurality of metered dosages of medicament, said valve stem adapted to be received in said well of said housing; and
an indicating device comprising a base member adapted to be mounted to said container, a cap member moveably connected to said base member, wherein said cap member is moveable relative to said base member along an axial path, an indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member, and a drive member rotatably mounted to one of said cap member and said base member about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of said indicator member, wherein said drive member is selectively engaged with said indicator member upon a predetermined number of axial movements of said cap member relative to said base member, whereby said drive member rotates said indicator member an incremental amount relative to said cap member upon said predetermined number of axial movements.
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55. A kit having components capable of being assembled as an inhalation device for dispensing metered dosages of medicaments from a container, the kit comprising:
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a housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a well located at a bottom of said cavity, said housing having a generally open end at a top of said cavity;
said container comprising a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom, said container containing a plurality of metered dosages of medicament, said valve stem adapted to be received in said well of said housing; and
an indicating device comprising a base member adapted to be mounted to said container, a cap member moveably connected to said base member, wherein said cap member is moveable relative to said base member along an axial path, an indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member, and a mechanism selectively engaged between said cap member and said indicator member wherein said mechanism rotates said indicator member an incremental amount upon a predetermined number of axial movements of said cap member relative to said base member, wherein said predetermined number of axial movements is greater than one.
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56. An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
a first indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member;
a second indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member;
wherein said first indicator member selectively engages said second indicator member upon completion of one usage cycle of said first indicator member so as to rotate said second indicator member an incremental amount. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
a first indicator member rotatably mounted to said cap member about an axis substantially parallel to the axial movement of said cap member relative to said base member;
a second indicator member rotatably mounted to one of said cap member and said base member about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of said first indicator member. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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77. An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:
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an indicating device housing adapted to be mounted to the container;
a dosage indicator member disposed in said housing, said dosage indicator member comprising dosage indicia visible to a user which indicate the number of dosages dispensed from or remaining in the container;
a usage indicator member disposed in said housing, said usage indicator member comprising usage indicia visible to the user which indicate the number of usage cycles completed by or remaining for said indicating device.
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78. A medicament dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of medicaments from a container comprising:
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said container having a first end and an opposite second end spaced from said first end along a longitudinal axis, said first end comprising a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between a closed position and an open position, said container containing a plurality of metered dosages of medicaments, said valve stem dispensing one of said plurality of said metered dosages when said valve stem is moved to the open position, said second end having an end surface and said container having an outer periphery at said second end, said outer periphery defining a first cross-sectional shape of said second end in a first plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and
an indicating device comprising a housing and an indicator member disposed in said housing, said housing mounted to said second end of said container and comprising a bottom surface disposed adjacent said end surface of said second end of said container, and wherein said housing has an outermost periphery defining a second cross-sectional shape of said housing in a second plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein said outermost periphery of said housing is substantially identical to the outer periphery of said second end and wherein no portion of said indicating device extends outwardly beyond said outermost periphery of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86)
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87. A medicament dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of medicaments from a container comprising:
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said container having a first end and an opposite second end spaced from said first end along a longitudinal axis, said first end comprising a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between a closed position and an open position, said container containing a plurality of metered dosages of medicaments, said valve stem dispensing one of said plurality of said metered dosages when said valve stem is moved to the open position, said container comprising a first cylinder defining said second end, wherein said second end has an end surface and said first cylinder has a first diameter; and
an indicating device comprising a housing and an indicator member disposed in said housing, said housing comprising a second cylinder having a bottom surface, wherein said housing is mounted to said second end of said container with said bottom surface disposed adjacent to said end surface of said second end of said container, and wherein said second cylinder has a second diameter, wherein said second diameter is not greater than said first diameter and wherein no portion of said indicating device extends laterally outwardly beyond said second diameter. - View Dependent Claims (88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95)
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96. A medicament dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of medicaments from a container comprising:
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an actuator housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a well located at a bottom of said cavity, said actuator housing having a generally open end at a top of said cavity;
said container having a first end and an opposite second end spaced from said first end along a longitudinal axis, said first end comprising a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between a closed position and an open position, said container containing a plurality of metered dosages of medicaments, said valve stem dispensing one of said plurality of said metered dosages when said valve stem is moved to the open position, said container comprising a first cylinder defining said second end, wherein said second end has an end surface and said first cylinder has a first diameter; and
an indicating device comprising a housing and an indicator member disposed in said housing, said housing comprising a second cylinder having a bottom surface, wherein said housing is mounted to said second end of said container with said bottom surface disposed adjacent to said end surface of said second end of said container, and wherein said second cylinder has a second diameter, wherein said second diameter is substantially the same as said first diameter, and wherein no portion of said indicating device extends laterally outwardly beyond said second diameter;
wherein said container is disposed in said cavity of said actuator housing with said valve stem inserted in said well, wherein said second end of said container with said indicating device mounted thereto extends from the generally open end of said actuator housing so as to be exposed to the user, said container and said indicating device reciprocally moveable within said housing along said longitudinal extent of the cavity such that said valve stem is moved between said open and closed position by engagement with said well. - View Dependent Claims (97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102)
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Specification