CA2604067A1 - Indicating device for use with a dispensing device - Google Patents
Indicating device for use with a dispensing device Download PDFInfo
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- CA2604067A1 CA2604067A1 CA002604067A CA2604067A CA2604067A1 CA 2604067 A1 CA2604067 A1 CA 2604067A1 CA 002604067 A CA002604067 A CA 002604067A CA 2604067 A CA2604067 A CA 2604067A CA 2604067 A1 CA2604067 A1 CA 2604067A1
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- housing
- indicator
- container
- indicating device
- dispenser
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Abstract
An indicating device for use with a dispensing device that dispenses metered dosages of a medicament from a container (100) having a valve moveable between an open and closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the container (100) is reciprocally moveable within the housing (10) along a longitudinal axis. The housing (10) preferably has a well (18) adapted to receive a valve stem (110) and an exhaust port (26). The well (18) communicates with the port (26) such that the metered dosage of medicament is dispensed through the port (26) when the valve is moved to the open position. An indicator assembly comprises an indicator member (50) that includes dosage indicia (66) visible to a user. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator assembly is provided in an indicator module (120). A method for dispensing measured dosages is also provided, along with a kit capable of being assembled as an inhalation device. A delivery system having a key member (300) and a key entry passageway is also provided.
Claims (83)
1. An indicating device for indicating the number of metered dosages of a medicament dispensed from or remaining in a container disposed within a dispenser housing having a cavity, the container having a valve moveable between a closed position and an open position, said container dispensing said metered dosage when said valve is moved to the open position, said indicating device comprising:
an indicator module comprising:
a module housing shaped to be received within the cavity of the dispenser housing; and at least one indicator member moveably mounted in said module housing, said at least one indicator member comprising indicia indicating the number of metered dosages dispensed from or remaining in the container, said at least one indicator member adapted to be moved within said module housing in response to the successive dispensation of metered dosages of medicament so as to indicate the number of metered dosages dispensed from or remaining in the container.
an indicator module comprising:
a module housing shaped to be received within the cavity of the dispenser housing; and at least one indicator member moveably mounted in said module housing, said at least one indicator member comprising indicia indicating the number of metered dosages dispensed from or remaining in the container, said at least one indicator member adapted to be moved within said module housing in response to the successive dispensation of metered dosages of medicament so as to indicate the number of metered dosages dispensed from or remaining in the container.
2. The indicating device of claim 1 further comprising said dispenser housing having said cavity, wherein said dispenser housing comprises a support block and a wall spaced apart from said support block so as to form a space therebetween, said space defining at least a portion of said cavity, said support block having a well dimensioned to receive a valve stem extending from the container, wherein said module housing is received in the space between said wall and said support block.
3. The indicating device of claim 1 wherein said module housing further comprises a viewing window, said indicia on said at least one indicator member visible to a user through the module housing viewing window.
4. The indicating device of claim 2 wherein said dispenser housing further comprises a viewing window, said indicia on said at least one indicator member visible to the user through the dispenser housing viewing window.
5. The indicating device of claim 1 wherein said module housing comprises a first and second member joined to form an enclosure.
6. The indicating device of claim 1 further comprising a key member adapted to be mounted to the container and wherein said module housing has a passageway formed therein, said key member shaped to be received in said passageway so as to permit the container to be operably connected to the dispenser housing.
7. The indicating device of claim 6 wherein said indicator module further comprises an actuator member positioned in said module housing and extending into said passageway, wherein said key member engages said actuator member when received in said passageway, said actuator operatively and selectively connected to said at least one indicator member so as to move said at least one indicator member in response to the successive dispensation of metered dosages of medicament.
8. The indicating device of claim 7 wherein said module housing comprises an upper surface and wherein said actuator member is substantially flush with said upper surface when disengaged from said key member.
9. The indicating device of claim 6 wherein said passageway comprises a slot.
10. The indicating device of claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator member comprises a plurality of indicator members.
11. The indicating device of claim 10 further comprising an actuator member adapted to operatively engage the container, said actuator member moveable within said module housing and selectively engaged with at least one of said plurality of indicator members to move said at least one indicator member in response to the movement of said valve between said closed and open positions.
12. The indicating device of claim 11 further comprising a spring disposed within said module housing and engaging said actuator member so as to bias said actuator member upwardly within said module housing.
13. The indicating device of claim 10 wherein said plurality of indicator members are coaxially mounted within said module housing.
14. The indicating device of claim 13 wherein said module housing further comprises at least one engagement member and wherein said plurality of coaxially mounted indicator members comprises at least a first and second indicator member, wherein at least one of said first and second indicator members comprises an advancement member and at least the other of said first and second indicator members comprises a plurality of teeth, wherein said at least one engagement member is adapted to selectively engage said advancement member so as to bias said advancement member into operable engagement with at least one of said plurality of teeth of said other of said first and second indicator member as said first indicator member is rotated relative to said second indicator member, whereby said advancement member causes said second indicator member to rotate an incremental amount.
15. The indicating device of claim 14 further comprising an actuator member mounted in said module housing, and wherein said first indicator member comprises a plurality of teeth, said actuator member adapted to selectively engage at least one of said plurality of teeth on said first indicator member so as to advance said first indicator member an incremental amount in response to the movement of the valve.
16. The indicating device of claim 14 further comprising a third indicator member coaxially mounted in said module housing with said first and second indicator members, wherein at least one of said second and third indicator members comprises an advancement member and at least the other of said second and third indicator members comprises a plurality of teeth, and said module housing further comprising at least a second engagement member, wherein said second engagement member is adapted to selectively engage said advancement member of at least one of said second and third indicator members so as to bias said advancement member into operable engagement with at least one of said plurality of teeth of said other of said second and third indicator member as said second indicator member is rotated relative to said third indicator member, whereby said advancement member causes said third indicator member to rotate an incremental amount.
17. The indicating device of claim 14 wherein said module housing further comprises at least one non-return member selectively engaged with at least one of said plurality of said teeth of at least one of said plurality of indicator members.
18. The indicating device of claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator member comprises an indicator wheel having a circumferential surface, wherein said indicia are applied to said circumferential surface of said indicator wheel.
19. The indicating device of claim 14 wherein said at least one of said plurality of indicator members further comprises a ratchet gear coaxially mounted with said indicator wheel and attached thereto, said ratchet gear comprising said plurality of teeth.
20. The indicating device of claim 1 further comprising:
a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in said module housing; and a worm rotatably mounted in said module housing along a first rotation axis, said worm connected to said ratchet wheel such that rotation of said ratchet wheel causes said worm gear to rotate about said first rotation axis; and wherein said at least one indicator member comprises a gear engaging said worm, said gear mounted in said module housing about a second axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the worm.
a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in said module housing; and a worm rotatably mounted in said module housing along a first rotation axis, said worm connected to said ratchet wheel such that rotation of said ratchet wheel causes said worm gear to rotate about said first rotation axis; and wherein said at least one indicator member comprises a gear engaging said worm, said gear mounted in said module housing about a second axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the worm.
21. The dispensing device of claim 20 further comprising an actuator member moveably mounted in said module housing, said actuator member selectively engaged with said ratchet wheel so as to rotate said ratchet wheel in response to the dispensation of metered dosages of medicament.
22. The indicating device of claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator member comprises an indicator wheel having a planar face, said indicia applied to said planar face of said indicator wheel so as to be visible to the user.
23. The indicating device of claim 2 wherein said dispenser housing cavity has a longitudinal extent, and further comprising said container, wherein said container comprises 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, said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along the longitudinal extent of said cavity such that said valve stem is moved between said open and closed position by engagement with said support block at said well;
and wherein said indicator module is operatively engaged with said container whereby said at least one indicator member is moved in response to the reciprocal movement of said container relative to said dispenser housing.
and wherein said indicator module is operatively engaged with said container whereby said at least one indicator member is moved in response to the reciprocal movement of said container relative to said dispenser housing.
24. The indicating device of claim 23 further comprising a key member mounted to said container and wherein said module housing has a passageway formed therein, said key member shaped to be received in said passageway so as to permit said container to be moved relative to said dispenser housing such that said valve stem of said container is in the open position.
25. The indicating device of claim 24 wherein said indicator module further comprises an actuator member positioned in said module housing and extending into said passageway, wherein said key member engages said actuator member when received in said passageway, said actuator operatively and selectively connected to said at least one indicator member.
26. A dispenser for dispensing metered dosages of medicaments from 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 aerosol dispenser comprising:
a housing adapted to support said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along a longitudinal axis, said housing having a well adapted to receive said valve stem and an exhaust port, said well communicating with said exhaust port such that said metered dosage of medicament is dispensed through said exhaust port when said valve stem is moved to the open position;
a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in said housing and adapted to be responsive to the reciprocal movement of said container in said housing along said longitudinal axis such that said longitudinal movement of said container causes said ratchet wheel to rotate;
a worm rotatably mounted in said housing along a first rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the movement of the container within the housing, said worm connected to said ratchet wheel such that rotation of said ratchet wheel causes said worm gear to rotate about said first rotation axis; and an indicator member comprising a circular gear engaging said worm, said circular gear mounted in said housing about a second axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the movement of the container within said housing and to the first rotation axis of the worm, said indicator member comprising indicia visible to the user and indicating the number of metered dosages dispensed from or remaining in the container.
a housing adapted to support said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along a longitudinal axis, said housing having a well adapted to receive said valve stem and an exhaust port, said well communicating with said exhaust port such that said metered dosage of medicament is dispensed through said exhaust port when said valve stem is moved to the open position;
a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in said housing and adapted to be responsive to the reciprocal movement of said container in said housing along said longitudinal axis such that said longitudinal movement of said container causes said ratchet wheel to rotate;
a worm rotatably mounted in said housing along a first rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the movement of the container within the housing, said worm connected to said ratchet wheel such that rotation of said ratchet wheel causes said worm gear to rotate about said first rotation axis; and an indicator member comprising a circular gear engaging said worm, said circular gear mounted in said housing about a second axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the movement of the container within said housing and to the first rotation axis of the worm, said indicator member comprising indicia visible to the user and indicating the number of metered dosages dispensed from or remaining in the container.
27. The dispenser of claim 26 further comprising an actuator member moveably mounted in said housing, said actuator member adapted to move in response to the movement of the container within said housing along said longitudinal axis and to operably engage said ratchet wheel so as to rotate said ratchet wheel in response to the longitudinal movement of the container within said housing.
28. The dispenser of claim 27 wherein said actuator member comprises an arm adapted to selectively engage and rotate said ratchet wheel.
29. The dispenser of claim 28 wherein said actuator member further comprises a ring adapted to engage the container, said ring moveably mounted in said housing, wherein said arm extends longitudinally from said ring.
30. The dispenser of claim 27 further comprising a spring biasing said actuator member away from said operable engagement with said ratchet wheel.
31. The dispenser of claim 30 wherein said actuator member comprises a post having an end adapted to operably engage said container and an arm adapted to selectively engage said ratchet wheel, said spring disposed about and engaging said post so as to bias said actuator member away from said selective engagement with said ratchet wheel.
32. The dispenser of claim 26 wherein said indicator member further comprises an indicator wheel coaxially mounted with said circular gear, said indicator wheel having said indicia applied to a planar face of said indicator wheel so as to be visible to the user.
33. The dispenser of claim 26 wherein said housing further comprises a viewing window, said indicia visible to the user through said viewing window.
34. The dispenser of claim 26 wherein said ratchet wheel and said worm are coaxially mounted within said housing.
35. The dispenser of claim 26 further comprising an indicator module comprising a module housing, said module housing disposed in said housing, wherein said ratchet wheel, said worm and said indicator member are rotatably mounted within said module housing.
36. The dispenser of claim 35 further comprising a key member adapted to be mounted to the container, and wherein said module housing has a passageway formed therein, said key member shaped to be received in said passageway so as to permit the container to be operably connected to the housing.
37. An indicating device for indicating the number of metered dosages of a medicament dispensed from or remaining in a container, the container dispensing said metered dosage when said valve is moved to the open position, said indicating device comprising:
a housing comprising at least one engagement member;
a plurality of indicator members coaxially mounted in said housing and comprising at least a first and second indicator member, at least one of said indicator members having dosage indicia, at least one of said first and second indicator members comprising an advancement member and at least the other of said first and second indicator members comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said engagement member is adapted to selectively engage said advancement member so as to bias said advancement member into operable engagement with at least one of said plurality of teeth of said at least one indicator member as said first indicator member is rotated relative to said second indicator member, whereby said advancement member causes said second indicator member to rotate an incremental amount.
a housing comprising at least one engagement member;
a plurality of indicator members coaxially mounted in said housing and comprising at least a first and second indicator member, at least one of said indicator members having dosage indicia, at least one of said first and second indicator members comprising an advancement member and at least the other of said first and second indicator members comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said engagement member is adapted to selectively engage said advancement member so as to bias said advancement member into operable engagement with at least one of said plurality of teeth of said at least one indicator member as said first indicator member is rotated relative to said second indicator member, whereby said advancement member causes said second indicator member to rotate an incremental amount.
38. The indicating device of claim 37 further comprising an actuator member mounted in said housing and responsive to said movement of said valve, and wherein said first indicator member comprises a plurality of teeth, said actuator member adapted to selectively engage at least one of said plurality of teeth on said first indicator member so as to advance said first indicator member an incremental amount in response to said movement of said valve.
39. The indicating device of claim 38 further comprising a spring disposed in said housing and adapted to bias said actuator member into engagement with said container.
40. The indicating device of claim 37 further comprising a third indicator member coaxially mounted in said housing with said first and second indicator members, wherein at least one of said second and third indicator members comprises an advancement member and at least the other of said second and third indicator members comprises a plurality of teeth, and said housing further comprising at least a second engagement member, wherein said second engagement member is adapted to selectively engage said advancement member of at least one of said second and third indicator members so as to bias said advancement member into operable engagement with at least one of said plurality of teeth of said other indicator member as said second indicator member is rotated relative to said third indicator member, whereby said advancement member causes said third indicator member to rotate an incremental amount.
41. The indicating device of claim 37 wherein said housing further comprises at least one non-return member selectively engaged with at least one of said plurality of said teeth of at least one of said plurality of indicator members.
42. The indicating device of claim 41 wherein said engagement member and said non-return member are integrally formed as a single member.
43. The indicating device of claim 37 wherein said engagement member comprises a ramped surface.
44. The indicating device of claim 37 wherein said engagement member comprises a resilient arm member extending from said housing.
45. The indicating device of claim 37 wherein said housing comprises a module housing disposed in a dispenser housing, wherein said plurality of indicator members are mounted in said module housing and said at least one engagement member is positioned in said module housing and wherein said dispenser housing is adapted to support said container.
46. The indicating device of claim 37 wherein said housing comprises a dispenser housing adapted to support said container.
47. The indicating device of claim 37wherein said housing comprises a viewing window, said indicia exposed to the user in said viewing window.
48. The indicating device of claim 37 wherein at least one of said indicator members comprises an indicator wheel having a circumferential surface, said dosage indicia applied to said circumferential surface.
49. The indicating device of claim 48 wherein said at least one of said plurality of indicator members further comprises a ratchet gear coaxially mounted with said indicator wheel and attached thereto, said ratchet gear comprising said plurality of teeth.
50. The indicating device of claim 37 wherein at least one of said indicator members comprises an indicator wheel having a circumferential skirt.
51 51. The indicating device of claim 50 wherein said advancement member is formed from a portion of said circumferential skirt.
52. The indicating device of claim 50 wherein said advancement member is disposed radially inward from said circumferential skirt.
53. The indicating device of claim 37 wherein said advancement member includes a tooth portion adapted to engage said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said adjacent indicator member.
54. The indicating device of claim 37 further comprising a key member having a key portion, said key member adapted to be mounted to said container, and wherein said housing comprises a passageway shaped to receive said key portion.
55. An indicating device for indicating the number of metered dosages of a medicament dispensed from or remaining in a container, the 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 indicating device comprising:
a housing adapted to move relative to said container as said valve stem is moved between said open and closed positions;
a plurality of indicator members coaxially and rotatably supported in said housing, each of said indicator members comprising indicia applied to a circumferential surface thereof and visible to the user, said plurality of indicator members selectively and operably connected such that successive movements of said container relative to said housing causes at least one of said indicator members to rotate, whereby said indicia visible to the user is changed to indicate the dispensing of at least one metered dosage.
a housing adapted to move relative to said container as said valve stem is moved between said open and closed positions;
a plurality of indicator members coaxially and rotatably supported in said housing, each of said indicator members comprising indicia applied to a circumferential surface thereof and visible to the user, said plurality of indicator members selectively and operably connected such that successive movements of said container relative to said housing causes at least one of said indicator members to rotate, whereby said indicia visible to the user is changed to indicate the dispensing of at least one metered dosage.
56. The indicating device of claim 55 wherein said housing comprises a module housing disposed in a dispenser housing, said dispenser housing adapted to moveably support the container.
57. The indicating device of claim 55 wherein said housing comprises a dispenser housing adapted to support the container.
58. The indicating device of claim 55 wherein said plurality of indicator members comprises at least a first and second indicator member, said first indicator member selectively and operably engaged with said second indicator member upon successive rotations of said first indicator member so as to rotate said second indicator member an incremental amount for each successive rotation of said first indicator member.
59. The indicating device of claim 58 further comprising an actuator member adapted to be operably engaged with the container, wherein said actuator member is adapted to rotate said first indicator member an incremental amount in response to the movement of the container relative to said housing.
60. A delivery system for delivering a medicament to a user, said delivery system comprising:
a housing;
a container holding a medicament; and a key member disposed on one of said housing and said container, and the other of said housing and said container having a passageway;
wherein said container is capable of being operably connected to said housing when said key member is shaped to be received in said passageway, and wherein said container is prevented from being operably connected to said housing when said key member is not shaped to be received by said passageway.
a housing;
a container holding a medicament; and a key member disposed on one of said housing and said container, and the other of said housing and said container having a passageway;
wherein said container is capable of being operably connected to said housing when said key member is shaped to be received in said passageway, and wherein said container is prevented from being operably connected to said housing when said key member is not shaped to be received by said passageway.
61. The delivery system of claim 60 wherein said housing includes a dispenser housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a well, and wherein said container comprises a valve stem, said container operably connected to said dispenser housing when said valve stem is mounted in said well such that said container can be moved reciprocally longitudinally within said cavity.
62. The delivery system of claim 60 wherein said key member is disposed on said container and said passageway is formed on said housing.
63. The delivery system of claim 61 further comprising an indicator module comprising a module housing and at least one indicator member mounted in said module housing, wherein said module housing is disposed in said dispenser housing, wherein one of said key passageway and said key member is formed on said indicator module housing.
64. The delivery system of claim 61 wherein said key member is disposed on said housing and said passageway is formed on said container.
65. A kit having components capable of being assembled as a dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament from a container, the kit comprising:
a housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a well located at a bottom of said cavity;
said container comprising a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom, said container containing a plurality of metered dosages of said medicament, said valve stem adapted to be received in said well of said housing; and an indicator module comprising an indicator member, said indicator module adapted to be mounted in said bottom of said cavity of said housing below said container.
a housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a well located at a bottom of said cavity;
said container comprising a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom, said container containing a plurality of metered dosages of said medicament, said valve stem adapted to be received in said well of said housing; and an indicator module comprising an indicator member, said indicator module adapted to be mounted in said bottom of said cavity of said housing below said container.
66. A method for assembling a dispenser for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament from a container, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a dispenser housing comprising a support block and a wall spaced apart from said support block so as to form a space therebetween, said support block having a well;
inserting an indicator module comprising at least one indicator member for indicating the number of metered dosages remaining in or dispensed from said container into said dispenser housing in the space between said support block and said wall of said dispenser housing;
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 dispenser housing above said indicator module.
providing a dispenser housing comprising a support block and a wall spaced apart from said support block so as to form a space therebetween, said support block having a well;
inserting an indicator module comprising at least one indicator member for indicating the number of metered dosages remaining in or dispensed from said container into said dispenser housing in the space between said support block and said wall of said dispenser housing;
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 dispenser housing above said indicator module.
67. The method of claim 66 wherein said dispenser housing further comprises a viewing window, wherein said indicator member is visible to the user through the viewing window.
68. The method of claim 66 wherein said indicator module further comprises a module housing and an actuator member extending upwardly from said module housing and operably engaging said container.
69. A method for dispensing metered dosages of a substance from 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:
providing a housing having a well and an exhaust port, said well communicating with said exhaust port;
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;
moving said container along said longitudinal axis so as to move said valve stem to the open position and thereby discharge a measured dosage through said well and said port;
rotating a worm mounted in said housing a predetermined angular amount in response to said longitudinal movement of said container, said worm mounted along an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis of said movement of said container within said housing;
providing an indicator member mounted in said housing about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis and to said axis of said worm, said indicator member comprising a circular gear and indicia; and engaging said circular gear with said worm so as to rotate said circular gear about said axis transverse to said longitudinal axis and to said axis of said worm.
providing a housing having a well and an exhaust port, said well communicating with said exhaust port;
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;
moving said container along said longitudinal axis so as to move said valve stem to the open position and thereby discharge a measured dosage through said well and said port;
rotating a worm mounted in said housing a predetermined angular amount in response to said longitudinal movement of said container, said worm mounted along an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis of said movement of said container within said housing;
providing an indicator member mounted in said housing about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis and to said axis of said worm, said indicator member comprising a circular gear and indicia; and engaging said circular gear with said worm so as to rotate said circular gear about said axis transverse to said longitudinal axis and to said axis of said worm.
70. The method of claim 69 further comprising the steps of providing a ratchet wheel coaxially mounted to said worm in said housing and rotating said ratchet wheel so as to rotate said worm.
71. The method of claim 70 further comprising the steps of engaging an actuator member with said container such that actuator member moves in response to the movement of the container within the housing along said longitudinal axis, and engaging said ratchet wheel with said actuator member so as to rotate said ratchet wheel in response to the longitudinal movement of the container within the housing.
72. The method of claim 71 wherein said actuator member comprises an arm having an end adapted to selectively engage and rotate the ratchet wheel.
73. The method of claim 72 wherein said actuator member further comprises a ring adapted to engage the container, said ring moveably mounted in said housing and wherein said arm extends longitudinally from said ring.
74. The method of claim 71 further comprising a spring biasing actuator away from said selective engagement with said ratchet wheel.
75. The method of claim 74 further comprising a post member mounted within said housing, said spring disposed on said post member.
76. The method of claim 69 wherein said indicator member further comprises a indicator wheel coaxially mounted with said circular gear, said indicator wheel having said indicia applied to a face of the indicator wheel visible to the user.
77. The method of claim 69 wherein said housing further comprises a viewing window, said indicia visible to the user through said window.
78. The method of claim 70 wherein said ratchet wheel and said worm are coaxially mounted within said housing.
79. A method for dispensing metered dosages of a substance from a container, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a housing;
providing said container filled with a predetermined number of measured dosages of substance, said container supported in said housing, said container comprising a valve moveable between a closed and open position, said container adapted to discharge a measured dosage when said valve is moved to the open position;
moving said valve to the open position so as to thereby discharge a measured dosage;
moving said valve to the closed position;
rotating a first indicator member rotatably mounted in said housing a predetermined amount in response to at least one of said movements of said valve;
rotating a second indicator member a predetermined amount upon a predetermined number of movements of said valve and in response to the rotation of said first indicator member, said second indicator member coaxially mounted in said housing with said first indicator member; and providing indicia on at least one of said first and second indicator members.
providing a housing;
providing said container filled with a predetermined number of measured dosages of substance, said container supported in said housing, said container comprising a valve moveable between a closed and open position, said container adapted to discharge a measured dosage when said valve is moved to the open position;
moving said valve to the open position so as to thereby discharge a measured dosage;
moving said valve to the closed position;
rotating a first indicator member rotatably mounted in said housing a predetermined amount in response to at least one of said movements of said valve;
rotating a second indicator member a predetermined amount upon a predetermined number of movements of said valve and in response to the rotation of said first indicator member, said second indicator member coaxially mounted in said housing with said first indicator member; and providing indicia on at least one of said first and second indicator members.
80. The method of claim 79 wherein said housing comprises a well and an exhaust port, said well communicating with said exhaust port, and wherein said container comprises a valve stem received in said well of said housing, and wherein said moving said valve to the open position comprises moving said container relative to said housing so as to move said valve stem to the open position, and wherein said moving said valve to the closed position comprises moving said container relative to said housing so as to move said valve stem to the closed position, and wherein said rotating said first indicator member is in response to at least one of said movements of said container relative to said housing.
81. The method of claim 80 further comprising the steps of engaging an actuator member with said container such that actuator member moves in response to the movement of the container within the housing along a longitudinal axis, and engaging said first indicator member with said actuator member so as to rotate said first indicator member said predetermined amount in response to the longitudinal movement of the container within the housing.
82. The method of claim 81 wherein said actuator member comprises an arm having an end adapted to selectively engage and rotate the first indicator member.
83. The method of claim 79 wherein said first indicator member comprises an advancement member and said second indicator member comprises a plurality of teeth, and wherein said housing comprises at least one engagement member, and wherein said step of rotating said second indicator member further comprises rotating said first indicator member such that said engagement member biases said advancement member into engagement with at least one of said plurality of teeth of said second indicator member so as to rotate said second indicator member with said first indicator member.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2789270A CA2789270C (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-01-13 | A dispensing device for use in dispensing metered dosages |
| CA002635426A CA2635426C (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-01-13 | Indicating device for use with a dispensing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/008,184 US6142339A (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1998-01-16 | Aerosol dispensing device |
| US09/008,184 | 1998-01-16 | ||
| US09/149,708 | 1998-09-08 | ||
| US09/149,708 US6161724A (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1998-09-08 | Indicating device |
| CA002315777A CA2315777C (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-01-13 | Indicating device for use with a dispensing device |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002315777A Division CA2315777C (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-01-13 | Indicating device for use with a dispensing device |
Related Child Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2789270A Division CA2789270C (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-01-13 | A dispensing device for use in dispensing metered dosages |
| CA002635426A Division CA2635426C (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-01-13 | Indicating device for use with a dispensing device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2604067A1 true CA2604067A1 (en) | 1999-07-22 |
| CA2604067C CA2604067C (en) | 2012-11-20 |
Family
ID=38792390
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2604067A Expired - Lifetime CA2604067C (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-01-13 | Indicating device for use with a dispensing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2604067C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008015542A1 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2008-02-07 | Trudell Medical International | Dispensing device |
-
1999
- 1999-01-13 CA CA2604067A patent/CA2604067C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008015542A1 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2008-02-07 | Trudell Medical International | Dispensing device |
| US8141550B2 (en) | 2006-08-01 | 2012-03-27 | Trudell Medical International | Dispensing device |
| US9265901B2 (en) | 2006-08-01 | 2016-02-23 | Trudell Medical International | Dispensing device |
| US10950149B2 (en) | 2006-08-01 | 2021-03-16 | Trudell Medical International | Dispensing device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2604067C (en) | 2012-11-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20190114 |