Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06M1/00—Design features of general application
  • G06M1/04—Design features of general application for driving the stage of lowest order
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
  • A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
  • A61M15/007—Mechanical counters
  • A61M15/0071—Mechanical counters having a display or indicator
  • A61M15/0075—Mechanical counters having a display or indicator on a disc
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
  • A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
  • A61M15/0081—Locking means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06M1/00—Design features of general application
  • G06M1/04—Design features of general application for driving the stage of lowest order
  • G06M1/045—Design features of general application for driving the stage of lowest order for dial, pointer, or similar type indicating means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
  • A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a counter, and more particularly to a dose counter for indicating to the user the number of doses dispensed or remaining to be dispensed from a fluid or powder dispensing device.
• meters or indicators are well known in the field of fluid dispensers, particularly in the pharmaceutical field. These counters or indicators are used in particular with MDI (Metered Dose Inhalers) type distribution devices, in which a reservoir containing fluid and a propellant gas is movably mounted in a body, the displacement of said reservoir causing the actuation of a metering valve mounted on said reservoir for dispensing a dose of product.
• MDI Metal Dose Inhalers
• a first family of meters provides for setting the counter on the bottom of the tank projecting from the body, and on which the user presses to dispense a dose. This type of meter, however, has the disadvantage of interfering with the actuation of the dispensing device, the user having to press the counter to actuate the device.
• a second family of counters comprises counters arranged inside the body being attached to either the body or the mobile reservoir in said body.
• This type of counter has the particular disadvantage of a complex assembly and requires substantial modifications of the various constituent parts of the dispensing device. The problem of assembly arises especially when this assembly is carried out at the manufacturer of the pharmaceutical product and not at the manufacturer of the dispensing device, forcing the manufacturer of the product to install complex assembly machines in his factory.
• a third family of meters plans to have the meter laterally outside the body, a projection of said counter passing through an opening of the body to cooperate with the reservoir or a part integral therewith.
• This type of meter also usually requires a substantial modification of the body in order to receive the meter.
• the presence of a counter on the external lateral face of the body substantially modifies the external appearance of the device, in particular because of the thickness of said counter, which can also have a negative effect on the maneuverability of the device.
• several constraints rely on meters used with product distribution devices, including pharmaceuticals. Thus, to avoid any risk of under-counting, it is generally required that the operation of the meter is performed at the very beginning of the actuating stroke of the valve or the pump, to prevent partial actuation distributes a partial or complete dose, but not counted by the meter.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a counter, more particularly a dose counter for a fluid or powder dispensing device, which does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.
• the present invention is intended to provide such a counter which has a minimum thickness.
• the present invention also aims to provide such a counter that can be pre-assembled before delivery to the manufacturer of the product pharmaceutical, the latter then having only to perform a simple step of mounting the meter on the body of the dispensing device, without complex assembly of the constituent parts of said counter.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide such a counter which guarantees actuation of the counter regardless of the length of the actuating stroke of the pump or valve used in the device.
• the present invention also aims to provide such a counter which is simpler and therefore less expensive to manufacture and assemble, and more reliable operation.
• the present invention also aims to provide such a counter that optimizes the display of the count for the user.
• the subject of the present invention is therefore a dose counter for counting the number of doses of fluid or powdered product dispensed or still to be dispensed from a fluid dispenser device, said counter comprising a basic body, a component of rotary count being assembled in said base body on a stud forming the axis of rotation, said rotary counting element cooperating with an actuating member adapted to rotate said rotary counting element each actuation of said actuating member, characterized in that said actuating member comprises means for fastening to the base body, arranged on a first side of said stud, and a substantially rigid support portion, disposed on a second side of said stud, said support portion supporting a actuating element, so that at each actuation, said actuating element is moved in translation, said support portion being ant connected to said fixing means by an elastically deformable portion surrounding said stud, said support portion extending towards said stud by a substantially straight flexible arm supporting a pin adapted to cooperate with said one counting element each actuation.
• said fixing means comprise a projection penetrating into a hole of said basic body.
• said elastically deformable portion comprises two substantially symmetrical sides extending on each side of said pad, each side comprising an upper deformable arc, a lower deformable arc, said arcs being connected by a deformable baffle.
• the deformation of the elastically deformable portion during actuation causes an inclination of the lug of the flexible branch radially inwards.
• said actuating member comprises a second guide branch, substantially parallel to said flexible branch, for guiding the translational movement of said actuating member.
• said second branch cooperates with two projections of the base body, sliding in translation between said projections during movement of the actuating member.
• the free end of the flexible arm which supports the lug cooperates in the non-actuated position with a stop of the base body.
• said counter comprises a first rotary counting element provided with a first peripheral edge portion comprising counting indices, such as one or more series of digits from 0 to 9, in particular two series of digits from 0 to 9, distributed on said periphery, and provided with a first toothing, a second rotary counting element provided with a second peripheral edge portion having counting indicia, such as the numbers from 00 to 20, distributed over said periphery, and provided with a third toothing, the actuating member being movable between a first position and a second position, said flexible branch being adapted to cooperate with said first toothing of said first counting element to rotate said first counter element when said element actuation moves from its first position to its second position, said first counting element comprising at least one oins a deformable finger movable between a non-deformed position and a deformed position adapted to cooperate in deformed position with said third toothing of said second counting member for rotating said second counting member, said base body supporting said actuating member and said first and said first
• said second peripheral edge portion of said second counting element is coplanar with and radially outwardly of said first peripheral edge portion of said first counting element, said first and second counting elements being non-concentric and biased in contact with each other. from one another at a display area and / or common count.
• said first counting element is provided with two diametrically opposed deformable fingers cooperating with a cam arranged radially on the outside, so that when a deformable finger cooperates with said cam, it is deformed radially inwards in its position. deformed to engage said third toothing of said second counting member.
• said base body comprises fixing means, such as latching lugs, for holding the actuating member and the first and second counting elements assembled on said base body, said counter being able to be pre-assembled for forming a counter unit, said counter unit having means for attachment to a body of a fluid dispensing device.
• fixing means such as latching lugs
• the present invention also relates to a fluid or powder dispenser device comprising a reservoir, a dispensing member, such as a metering valve, mounted on said reservoir, and a body incorporating a dispensing orifice, said reservoir being movable in said body for dispensing fluid or powdery material, said dispensing device having a counter as described above.
• a fluid or powder dispenser device comprising a reservoir, a dispensing member, such as a metering valve, mounted on said reservoir, and a body incorporating a dispensing orifice, said reservoir being movable in said body for dispensing fluid or powdery material, said dispensing device having a counter as described above.
• said counter is attached laterally to the body, the actuation of said device being performed by an axial manual pressure of the user on the reservoir and the actuation of said counter being realized by said axial displacement of said reservoir which cooperates with said actuating element of the actuating member.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view from the front of a counter according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but seen from behind;
• FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view partially cut away of two rotary counting elements according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 4a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the counter of Figure 3;
• Figure 4b is a view similar to that of Figure 3, partially cut to another section plane;
• FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the actuating member of the counter according to an advantageous embodiment, assembled in the base body;
• FIGS. 6a and 6b are front and rear perspective views of the actuating member of FIG. 5;
• FIGS. 7a and 7b show diagrammatic front and rear views, respectively, of the second rotary counting element, according to an advantageous variant embodiment
• FIGS. 8a and 8b show schematic front and rear views, respectively, of the first rotary counting element, according to an advantageous variant embodiment
• FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the actuating element cooperating with the rotary counting element.
• the counter of the present invention is applicable to all types of fluid or powder dispensers, but it applies more particularly to an MDI type distribution device (not shown), in particular on its front side face.
• This type of device generally comprises a body provided with a mouthpiece defining a dispensing orifice.
• a tank is assembled in said body, said tank having a metering valve mounted on its opening.
• This metering valve cooperates inside said body with an expulsion channel leading into the mouthpiece.
• the user presses on the bottom of the tank it slides the latter axially inside the body along the longitudinal axis of said body, causing the actuation of the valve and the expulsion of a dose of fluid product.
• the meter may be interposed between the front side face of said body and a cover member having a window, and which can be used to fix the counter on the body.
• the counter comprises an actuating element 1435 (visible in FIGS. 1, 2, 4b, 6a, 6b and 9) which projects out of said counter, and which is adapted to penetrate inside the body through an opening provided for for this purpose, to cooperate with the tank or an integral part thereof. In this way, each actuation of the dispensing device, the axial displacement of the reservoir in the body causes the displacement of the actuating element.
• the counter comprises an actuating member 1430.
• the actuating member 1430 which comprises the actuating element 1435, is designed to transform an axial displacement along the longitudinal axis of the body of the body. a portion of the dispensing device, generally the reservoir, in a rotational movement of the counting element 410 with which it cooperates.
• the meter is disposed substantially vertically and laterally relative to the body of the dispensing device when it is in its normal use position, and the actuating member 1430 then transforms an axial displacement of the reservoir along the longitudinal axis of the body in a rotational movement of the counting element 410 about its axis of rotation.
• the axis of rotation of the counting element 410 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.
• the counter operation cycle can start at the very beginning of the tank stroke, so that the counter is actuated before the product is dispensed.
• the counter preferably comprises a base body 460, to which a cover (not shown) can be associated.
• Said base body forms the stud 461 forming the axis of rotation of the counting element 410, and has an opening 465 for passing the actuating element 1435.
• the cover may comprise a viewing window allowing the user to see the display area formed on the counting member 410.
• the base body 460 may include fastening means 467, such as snap tabs, adapted to secure the outer edge of the clip member. counting 410, without limiting its ability to rotate about its axis.
• the counting element 410 holds the actuating member 1430 in the base body 460.
• said counter may advantageously be pre-assembled to form a counter unit, said counter unit possibly including means for fixing to the body. fluid dispensing device.
• said actuating member 1430 is assembled in said base body 460.
• Said actuating member 1430 comprises fixing means 14301 to the body 460, for example a projection 14301 which enters a hole 466 of the body 460 This projection 14301 is disposed on a first side, in particular above in the position shown in FIG. 5, of the stud 461 forming the axis of rotation A of the counting element 410.
• Said actuating member 1430 comprises also a substantially rigid support portion 1436 disposed on a second side of said stud 461, in particular below in FIG. 5.
• Said support portion 1436 supports the actuating element 1435 which cooperates with the reservoir or can of the device on which the meter is assembled, so that each actuation, said actuating member 1435 is moved in translation along the longitudinal axis of the body.
• Said support portion 1436 is connected to said projection 14301 by an elastically deformable portion 14341, 14342, 14343 surrounding said stud 461, and forming a spring.
• This elastically deformable portion may comprise two sides, advantageously approximately symmetrical, which connect said projection 14301 to said support portion 1436, respectively on each lateral side of said stud 461, in the position of FIG. 5.
• Each side may comprise an upper deformable bow 14341 connected to said projection 14301 and a lower deformable arc 14343 connected to said support portion 1436. These arcs can be connected by a deformable baffle 14342.
• Said support portion 1436 extends towards said stud 461 by a substantially rectilinear flexible branch 1431 supporting a pin 14310 adapted to cooperate with said counter element 410 at each actuation.
• the actuating member 1430 thus surrounds the counting element 410, and in particular a first toothing 411 thereof. This implementation ensures particularly reliable actuation, in particular accurately defining the vertical and horizontal positions of the actuating member 1430, and ensuring optimal meshing of the pin 14310 in the first set of teeth 411.
• the lower part of the actuating member 1430 has a downward movement generated by the support of the reservoir on the actuating element 1435.
• This vertical movement down along the longitudinal axis of the body causes the pin 14310, carried by the branch 1431 which ensures the traction of this pin.
• This pin 14310 then drives the counting element 410 in rotation about its axis of rotation by meshing with the first toothing 411.
• the terms “vertical” and “horizontal” used in the present description refer to the positions of FIGS. 2 and 6. , that is to say with a longitudinal axis of the substantially vertical body and an axis of rotation of the substantially horizontal counter element.
• the shapes of the actuating member 1430 and the material constituting it cause that during downward vertical movement, the pin 14310 is driven in an equivalent vertical component movement.
• the branch 1431 is flexible in order to allow the escape of the pin 14310 behind the next tooth of the first toothing 411 during the ascent of the actuating member 1430 to return to its initial non-actuated position.
• This flexibility of the branch 1431 is adjusted by controlling its width in order to maintain sufficient rigidity so that the pin 14310 drives the counting element 410 to the rotation required for the counting of a unit during the descent of the actuating member.
• the projection 14301 allows the vertical positioning of the actuating member 1430 in the body 460. In association with the upper end of the branch 1431 which cooperates with an abutment 462 of the body 460, this projection 14301 also ensures the precise position by height of the pin 14310 relative to the first toothing 411.
• a second vertical guide branch 1432 is guided in vertical translation in the body 460, for example by cooperating with one or more suitable projections 4650 and 4651.
• the second branch 1432 slides between two projections 4650 and 4651 of the body 460.
• This second branch 1432 ensures the horizontal positioning of the actuating member 1430, especially during its movement. It also defines the horizontal initial position of the pin 14310 relative to the first toothing 411.
• the projection 14301 remains fixed in the body 460, the arcs 14341 and 14343 are deformed, as well as the baffles 14342. These deformations remain in proportions which make it possible to avoid any plastic deformation and ensures in this way that the actuator 1430 returns to its shape and its initial position when the bearing on the actuating element 1435 is released.
• the dimensions of the arcs 14341, 14343 and 14342 baffles are also adjusted to ensure sufficient capacity to return to shape and initial position to take into account the constraints braking this return generated by the bending of the branch 1431 during the passage of the ergot 14310 behind the next tooth of the first set of teeth 411.
• connection zone 1439 between the support portion 1436 and the flexible branch 1431 are designed to ensure that when the actuating member 1430 is pulled vertically downward by pressing on the element 1435 actuation, the deformation of the arcs 14341 causes inclination of the branch 1431 to the stud 461. This inclination of the branch 1431 helps the pin 14310 to mesh well with the first toothing 411 and to avoid unwanted premature escape of this meshing during the descent of the actuator 1430.
• the deformable portion 14341, 14342, 14343 of the actuating member 1430 allows the continuation of the axial displacement of the tank until its end. Moreover, this system makes it possible to operate the meter before the start of the distribution of the product.
• the invention applies to meters having only one rotary counting element 410.
• the following description will relate to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, in which there are two rotary counting elements, namely a first rotary counting element 410, shown in detail in FIGS. 8a and 8b, and a second rotary counting element 420, shown in detail in FIGS. 7a and 7b.
• rotary elements 410, 420 When there are two rotary elements 410, 420, they can rotate about a common axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. Alternatively, the two rotary members 410, 420 can rotate about two axes of rotation A and B parallel but slightly offset from each other, as shown in Figure 4a.
• the first rotary counting element 410 forms the wheel of the units and the second rotary counting element 420 forms the tens wheel, said first and second counting elements cooperating to define a zone together.
• display and / or common count which is visible in a viewing window (not shown).
• This counting zone may display the number of doses of fluid dispensed or still to be dispensed from said reservoir.
• this common display and / or counting area is formed at the number 200.
• the dose number is displayed horizontally in the display area when the dispensing device is in its position. normal use, wherein the body is substantially vertical with the mouthpiece disposed at the bottom.
• Said first counting element 410 cooperates with the actuating member 1430 which is adapted to rotate said first counting element 410 each actuation of said actuating member, as described above.
• Interconnection means are adapted to rotate said second counting element 420 every ten actuations of said actuating member 1430, and therefore every ten rotations of said first counting element 410.
• the two counting elements are advantageously rotatably assembled around two axes of rotation A and B offset from one another.
• the first counting element 410 can be assembled on a stud 461 of the body 460, for example via a sleeve 4610, said stud forming the axis of rotation A of the first counting element 410
• the second count element 420 is assembled on the first counting element 410.
• this assembly is carried out by mounting a second peripheral edge portion 422 of the second counting element 420 around a first peripheral edge portion 412 of the first counting element 410.
• the inner diameter of the second peripheral edge portion 422 is greater than the outer diameter of the first peripheral edge portion 412.
• the body 460 includes radial biasing means, such as a resilient tab or leaf spring 4600, which push radially relative to each other.
• radial biasing means such as a resilient tab or leaf spring 4600, which push radially relative to each other.
• the second counting element 420 in contact with the first counting element 410 at a point of contact situated at the level of the display area and / or the common counting area.
• the two counting elements 410 and 420 are not coaxial or concentric, and rotate around axes of rotation A and B parallel and offset one. the other. This is particularly represented by the gap E which is visible in FIGS. 3 and 4a, and which is maximum at the point diametrically opposite to the point of contact.
• This gap E which should be as small as possible, is at least 0.1 mm, but advantageously it should be at least 0.2 mm, especially to take account of manufacturing tolerances, possible phenomena of ovalization of the counting elements and / or expansion gaps between the two counting elements.
• This implementation makes it possible to guarantee an optimal display and / or counting zone, where the two counting elements 410, 420 are in contact, with no space between the numbers, and with the figures perfectly aligned.
• This implementation also makes it possible to optimize the friction between the two counting elements. In particular, these rubs can not only be reduced, but they become more precisely controllable. This point of contact can also fulfill a non-return function for the second counting element 420.
• the base body forms the stud 461 forming the axis of rotation A of the first counting element 410.
• the viewing window enables the user to see the display area formed together by said first and second counting members 410, 420.
• the fastening means 467 such as latching tabs, are adapted to secure the outer edge of the second counting member 420, without, however, limiting its ability to turn around. its axis B.
• the second counting element 420 retains the first counting element 410, which itself retains the actuating member 1430 in the base body 460.
• said counter can advantageously be pre-assembled to form a counter unit, said counter unit may include means for attaching to the body of the fluid dispensing device.
• said first counting element 410 may comprise a first peripheral toothing 411 cooperating with each actuation with a flexible actuating tab 1431 of the actuating member 1430.
• the first counting element may also have a second peripheral toothing 414.
• Said first counting element 410 is advantageously substantially disk-shaped provided with a central through opening 415 defined by the sleeve 4610 and adapted to be engaged around the stud 461 forming its axis of rotation A
• the upper face of said disk comprises a first peripheral edge portion 412 receiving counting indicia 4120, such as one or more series of numbers from 0 to 9.
• FIGS. 1 and 8a shows two series of digits.
• the lower face of said disk comprises said first and second peripheral teeth 411, 414, as visible in FIG. 8b.
• the teeth of the second toothing 414 are oriented axially with respect to the axis of rotation to cooperate with nonreturn means 401, 402 provided in the body 460.
• these non-return means may comprise a deformable tab 401 supporting a non-return tooth 402, intended to cooperate with the second toothing 414.
• the upper face of said first counting element 410 may comprise a central flat part surrounding the central opening.
• the first peripheral edge portion 412 may extend radially with respect to the axis of rotation to the outside by an outer planar portion 413 which does not extend over the entire periphery, but which is interrupted by at least one, of preferably two flexible tabs 418, each having a lug 419 at its end.
• the flexible lugs 418 extend peripherally, and the lug 419 may extend perpendicularly to its respective lug 418, as shown in Figures 8a and 8b.
• said second counting element 420 may comprise a third peripheral toothing 421 adapted to cooperate every ten actuations of the actuating member 1430 with a lug 419 of said first counting element 410.
• said second counting element 420 is substantially ring-shaped, adapted to be disposed on said outer portion of said first counting member 410.
• the upper face of said ring has a second radially outer circumferential edge portion 422 with respect to the axis rotation receiving count indices 4220, such as the numbers from 00 to 20, distributed over said periphery.
• the meter is able to count 200 doses.
• the lower face of said ring comprises said third peripheral toothing 421, disposed radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation, and extending axially downwards, and a fourth peripheral toothing 426, arranged radially with respect to the axis of rotation outside said lower face.
• This fourth toothing 426 is adapted to cooperate with at least one projection provided on the base body 460 to act as a non-return means.
• said second peripheral edge portion 422 of said second counting element 420 is disposed radially outwardly and substantially in contact with said first peripheral edge portion 412 of said first element 410, at the level of the counting area or display area.
• the upper surfaces of said first and second peripheral edge portions 412, 422 are substantially aligned and coplanar at the display area which will be visible through the viewing window.
• the first counting element 410 comprises at least one deformable finger 418, preferably two diametrically opposed fingers, the deformable finger (s) being (are) adapted to cooperate every ten actuations with a cam 4605 integral with the body 460.
• a cam 4605 integral with the body 460.
• the cam 4605 is about 90 ° of the elastic blade 4600 which biases the two counting elements 410, 420 in contact.
• this cam 4605 could be made close to, or even at the same location as said blade or elastic tab 4609. This would achieve the gear interconnection means where the gap E between the two counting elements is minimal, and thus allow to provide an upper offset between the two counting elements, without risk of malfunction of the interconnection means.
• the third toothing 421 of the second counting element 420 is intended to cooperate with the lug 419 of a deformable finger 418 of the first counting element each time it is moved towards its deformed position by said cam 4605.
• the cam provided in said base body is adapted to elastically deform a deformable finger 418 radially relative to the axis of rotation towards the inside, each time the lug 419 of said deformable finger 418 cooperates with said cam.
• said lug 419 does not cooperate with said third set of teeth 421.
• the first counting element 410 comprises two diametrically opposed deformable fingers 418, as well as two series of numbers 0 to 9 distributed over the periphery. Every ten actuations, one of the two deformable fingers 418 cooperates with said cam, preferably provided radially relative to the axis of rotation on the outside with respect to said fingers, to deform them inwardly and thus to enable said lug 419 to cooperate with the third toothing 421 of the second counting element 420.
• the second counting element 420 is then also rotated.
• the fourth toothing 426 of the second counting element 420 is intended to cooperate with non-return means, for example a projection which can be integral with the base body 460. It should be noted that the non-return means could also cooperate with the third toothing, in which case the second counting element 420 could have only one toothing.
• the second counting element 420 may comprise a locking tooth 429 projecting radially with respect to the axis of outward rotation, adapted to cooperate with a suitable shoulder 4609 of the body 460, visible in FIG. 4b.
• a suitable shoulder 4609 of the body 460 visible in FIG. 4b.
• An advantage of the meter of the present invention is that it allows the display in large size without increasing the size of the counter.
• the example shown allows for a counter of 200 doses, to display numbers (units on the one hand, tens on the other hand) having a height greater than 2 mm, preferably about 2.5 mm, and a width greater than 1.5 mm, preferably about 2 mm. This represents an increase in figure size up to 50% over existing meters.
• the indicator is adapted to indicate the number of doses remaining to be distributed so that the displayed figure decreases with each actuation.
• the opposite is of course also possible, namely a counter that counts the number of doses distributed.
• the counter of the invention by its components and the arrangement of these with respect to each other, thus makes it possible to produce a counter which can be pre-assembled to form a counter unit, and which presents in its pre-assembled state a very small thickness, typically less than or equal to 7 mm, preferably less than 6 mm and possibly even less than 5 mm.

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• 2009
  • 2009-04-28 FR FR0952760A patent/FR2944902B1/fr active Active
• 2010
  • 2010-04-26 US US13/266,668 patent/US9053415B2/en active Active
  • 2010-04-26 CN CN2010800277832A patent/CN102460485A/zh active Pending
  • 2010-04-26 EP EP10727036A patent/EP2425380A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-04-26 WO PCT/FR2010/050787 patent/WO2010125291A1/fr not_active Ceased
• 2012
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