EP4792240A1 - Counter and device for dispensing a sprayable pharmaceutical substance - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a counter, for counting dispensing actions in a device for dispensing a sprayable pharmaceutical substance, the counter (6) has a counter housing with an upper and a lower housing part (11, 20), a counter wheel (24) with a cylindrical wheel wall (27) and an inner flange (28) merging into the wheel wall (27), in order to have an improved counter, the proposal is that the flange (28) is in overlap to an edge (72) of a ring gear of the planet gear, that the wheel wall (27) extends radially outside to the edge (72), that the wheel wall (27) is in overlap to a teeth region of the ring gear, in direction of the vertical axis(x), providing an angled gap (73) between a circumferential lower surface area of the flange (28), an inner circumferential surface of the wheel wall (27) and the edge region and that the wheel wall (27) does extend over the flange (28) in the vertical direction on both sides. The disclosure relates also to a device for dispensing sprayable pharmaceutical substances having such counter.

Description

Description

Counter and device for dispensing a sprayable pharmaceutical substance

Field of disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure relates first to a counter, for counting dispensing actions in a device for dispensing a sprayable pharmaceutical substance, the counter comprising a counter housing with an upper and a lower housing part, a counter wheel with a cylindrical wheel wall and an inner flange part merging into the wheel wall, the wheel wall having readable indicia on its outer side, further a sun gear, a planet gear and a hub part having resilient arms for driving the sun gear stepwise, the hub part providing a central opening for receiving a valve tube of a cartridge of the device and to be received on a support of the device, the planet gear having a shaft, the shaft being rotatable received in the flange part, the hub part being held movable in the housing, along a vertical axis, between an actuated position of the counter and a starting position, the resilient arms driving the sun gear when moving from the starting position into the actuated position, an insert part, received in the lower housing part, with an insert housing wall having a first upper outer surface, an upper teeth region providing a ring gear, and an upper circumferential edge, the planet gear meshing with the sun gear and the ring gear.

[0002] The disclosure relates second to a device for dispensing a sprayable pharmaceutical substance, with a housing, a cartridge containing the substance, the cartridge having a valve tube, and a counter as mentioned before.

Background

[0003] Counters and devices with respective counters are known in various embodiments. They are typically produced in a high number and need there- fore a rational manufacturability and assemblability. Since further the devices with such counters are medical devices, the counters need to be highly reliable and secure to function over the prospected lifetime. This also as far as possible irrespective of the area or climate conditions a user may live in or encounter. The function of the counter is to indicate to an user how many dispensing actions have been done or remain. A good readability of respective indicias, especially numbers, is therefore also a requirement.

[0004] At a counter known from US 7827984 B2, the counter wheel is running on the upper edge of the insert part. Any particles from outside which might enter between the counter wheel and said upper edge may easily go further into the gear area. This may cause functional failures. Also, the space available for the counter wheel in the vertical direction is comparatively small.

[0005] US 2019/ 0 201 641 Al does disclose a counter with a counter wheel having a comparatively large extension in vertical direction. However the gear is outside to the counter wheel and not encapsulated within a counter housing.

[0006] In use, the counter is arranged between the cartridge and a support of the device housing. Often, the device housing is a standard housing and not to change, the outer dimensions of the counter therefore need to be generally maintained.

[0007] Starting from a state of the art given by US 7827984 B2, object is to disclose a counter and a device with such counter which is more effectively protected against functional failures over the lifetime as well as having a greater usefulness. Summary of the invention

[0008] This object is solved in view of the counter by the features combined in claim 1, wherein is focused on that the flange part is in overlap to the edge, that the wheel wall extends radially outside to the edge, that the wheel wall is in overlap to the teeth region, in direction of the vertical axis, providing an angled gap between a closed circumferential lower surface area of the flange, an inner circumferential closed surface of the wheel wall and the upper circumferential edge and that the wheel wall does extend over the flange part in the vertical direction on both sides.

[0009] This object is also solved in view of the device by the features of claim 12.

[0010] The flange part being in overlap to the edge combined with the wheel wall extending in overlap to the teeth region provides the angled gap opening downwards. Any particles may be coming from outside up to the gap cannot or nearly not ingress into the gap. Even if that would happen, the angled design of the gap provides a further hindrance for further ingress.

[0011] The extension of the wheel wall in overlap to the teeth region which on the one hand provides the gap allows at once to provide a broader surface in the vertical direction for the indicia. A better readability for the user is possible.

[0012] The housing of the counter providing outer surfaces is essentially given by the upper housing part and the lower housing part.

[0013] According to a possible further embodiment, the lower housing part, in a section view along the vertical axis, can be cup-like formed with a circumfer- entially running outwardly protruding receiving flange. The receiving flange is preferably running on different heights due to the further design of the counter.

[0014] According to a possible further embodiment, a lower surface, making up for a lower rim, of a circumferential housing part wall of the upper housing part, abuts over more than half of its circumference against the receiving flange. Preferably, the upper housing part and the lower housing part are sealingly engaged with each other. More preferably, this is accomplished by welding. The receiving flange is well suited for such sealingly engagement. In view of welding it allows e. g. a good accessibility.

[0015] According to a possible further embodiment, the insert part has a step formation with an upper first outer surface and a lower second outer surface, both surfaces facing radially outward, and a step surface, making up for a transition between the first and second surface, the step surface extends across to the first and second surface. An adaption to the receiving flange configuration of the lower housing part is possible.

[0016] According to a possible further embodiment, the first surface is having a greater outer diameter than the second surface. The outer diameter of the first surface may match or nearly match with an inner surface of the counter wheel.

[0017] According to a possible further embodiment, the first surface has one or more extension formations, extending radially outward. The extension formations may first give support radially inward to the upper housing part. An extension formation may be formed rib-like. The extension formation, in the section view, may emerge from the first surface, below the teeth region, and maybe widening radially outside by an oblique first sector merging into a sec- ond sector parallel to the vertical axis. The extension formations may second provide a receiving space e. g. for particles.

Brief description of the drawings

[0018] The disclosure is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is merely an example of an embodiment. It shows:

Fig. 1 a perspective view of a device for dispensing a sprayable pharmaceutical substance;

Fig. 2 a horizontal section of the device according to Fig. 1, along the line II-II in Fig.l; Fig. 3 a part of a vertical section of the device according to Fig. 1, along the line III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 a section according to Fig. 3, in a plane turned 90° compared to Fig. 3 corresponding to the line IV - IV in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 an explosion view of the parts of the counter, seen inclined from above;

Fig. 6 an explosion view according to Fig 5, seen inclined from below;

Fig. 7 a view according to Fig. 5, with the parts in section;

Fig. 8 a section through the counter of Fig. 4, along line VIII-VIII; Fig. 9 a perspective view of a hub part, combined with an insert part, seen inclined from above; and

Fig. 10 a perspective view according to Fig. 8, seen inclined from below.

A detailed description of the illustrated embodiments [0019] Described is with reference to Fig. 1 a device 1 for dispensing sprayable pharmaceutical substances.

[0020] As far as reference is made to "vertical"," upper", "lower" and similar this is made in view of the representation in the drawings.

[0021] The device 1 has a device housing 2 in which the cartridge 3 is received. The cartridge 3 provides a storage room for the pharmaceutical substance.

[0022] Further with reference to Fig. 3 and 4 a counter 6 is provided within the housing 2. The counter 6 has a generally cylindrical design.

[0023] As further evident from Fig. 3 and 4, the counter 6 is arranged between a lower surface 7 of the cartridge 3 and circumferential to a valve tube 4 of the cartridge 3 as well as a support 8 of the housing 2. The support 8 has a flow channel 9 merging into a nozzle 10, also part of the housing 2, for dispensing the substance upon actuation.

[0024] When the cartridge 3 is pressed down, e. g. by pressing on its upper end 5, the substance is dispensed through the valve tube 4. The valve tube 4 has also an own restoring force. In this respect, reference is made e. g. to EP 2275

479 Al.

[0025] Subject to the disclosure is the device 1 with the counter 6 as well as a counter 6 as such.

[0026] With reference to Fig. 5 to 7, the parts of the counter 6 are shown in explosive views in more details.

[0027] There is first, above, in Fig. 5, an upper housing part 11, which provides an upper ceiling 12, see Fig. 3, 4, of the counter 6, and a through opening 13 for the valve tube 4. The upper housing part 11 does also provide a window 14.

[0028] The ceiling 12 may be step like configured, namely downward to the through opening 13. In Fig. 3, 4 a step wall 15 and a lower horizontal ceiling part 16 is visible.

[0029] The window 14 is provided in a circumferential housing part wall 17. The housing part wall 17 is closed except for the window 14. The housing part wall 17 may have at its lower edge 18 a first recess 19. The recess 19 may serve to correctly position the upper housing part 11 with respect to a lower housing part 20. The housing part wall 17 may also have a second recess 19a, see e.g. Fig. 6, at its lower edge 18. Also the second recess 19a may serve to correctly position the upper housing part 11 with respect to the lower housing part 20.

[0030] As it is shown in Fig. 6, an inner surface of the upper ceiling 12 of the upper housing part 11 may be provided with a circumferential rib like structure 21. Ribs 22 or valleys respectively may be oriented radially. The ribs 22 or the valleys respectively may serve to cooperate with a non-return finger 23 (see e.g.

Fig. 3, 4, 5, 7) on a counter wheel 24 as described in more detail below.

[0031] The housing part wall 17 may also have orientation ribs 25 provided on an outside of the upper housing part wall 17. The orientation ribs 25 may serve to cooperate with internal ribs 26 of the housing 2 to have an alignment of the counter 6 within the housing 2 when assembling the counter 6 to the housing 2, see Fig. 2.

[0032] In the assembled state of the counter 6, the counter wheel 24 is received within the upper housing part 11, see Fig. 3 and 4. As it is conceivable from figures 5 to 7, as well as from Fig. 3 and 4, the counter wheel 24 has a circumferential wheel wall 27. On the outside of the wheel wall 27 indicia 27a might be provided for, giving the user an indication on possible dispensing actions left or already done.

[0033] Inside to the wheel wall 27 a circumferential flange 28 is provided for. The flange 28 is merging, preferably one part, into the wheel wall 27 from inside. As visible from Fig. 3 and 4, the wheel wall 27 is extending in a vertical direction, which is along the axis x - x in Fig. 1, on both sides over the flange 28.

[0034] In the flange 28 a planet gear 29 is rotatable journaled. To this end, there might be not only an opening 30 (see e.g. Fig. 6) within the flange 28 but also flexible arms 31 (see e.g. Fig. 5) engaging a shaft 32 of the planet gear 29. The flexible arms 31 combined with a non-round surface of the shaft 32 serve to have a stable rotating of the planet gear 29 when actuated. The planet gear 29 itself is, when assembled, below the flange 28, the shaft 32 is going through the flange 28. [0035] The flange 28 has further a cut out 33 which allows to mold preferably one part with the flange 28 and therefore with the counter wheel 24 the already mentioned non-return finger 23. The flange 28 may also be provided with a stop configuration 34. The configuration 34 does provide a stop of the turning of the counter wheel 24 once a highest number is reached. The configuration 34, see e.g. Fig. 6 may be engaged by a counter stop configuration 35 (Fig. 6) on the upper housing part 11.

[0036] When assembled, the planet gear 29 is meshing with a sun gear 36 and a ring gear 37. The sun gear 36 is provided with sun gear teeth 38. The sun gear teeth 38 are preferably provided on the sun gear 36 with such circumferential distance, that not each rotational movement of the sun gear 38 does also rotate the planet gear 29. The sun gear teeth 38 are provided on an inner cylinder part 39 of the sun gear 38, facing radially outward. A lower part of the sun gear 38 is a gear disc 40. On a surface 41 of the gear disc 40, see also Fig. 6, which has when assembled a lower surface on which radially extending ribs 42 are provided. By means of the ribs 42, upon a dispensing actuation, resilient arms 43, provided on a hub part 44, do drive the sun gear 36 stepwise as further explained below.

[0037] The ring gear 37 is part of an insert part 45, received when assembled in the upper housing part 11 as well as in the lower housing part 19. The ring gear 37 has inwardly facing teeth, making up for an upper teeth region of the insert part 45. The insert part 45 may have below the ring gear 37 a radially inward protruding step surface 46. The step surface 46 may be rather small and may serve to give the sun gear 36 a first support when being assembled to the insert part 45. Further or in the alternative support might be given by a support block 49 (Fig. 5, 7) and/ ora further non-return finger 50, see below. In use, also support is given by the resilient arms 43. [0038] The window 14 extends in vertical direction from beneath an outer rim of the upper ceiling 12 into an overlap to the teeth region of the ring gear 37 (the section Fig. 3 goes through an indicating peak 74, see also Fig. 5, of a lower rim of the window). The configuration described allows such window dimension without having an negative impact on functional failures.

[0039] Further below to the step surface 46 an insert housing wall 47, see especially Fig. 3, 4 and 7, provides a cylindrical inner surface 48. The surface 48 can be interrupted by a support block 49, extending radially inward. The support block 49 can have a (second) non-return finger 50 which may also engage the lower surface of the sun gear. The surface 48 can be further interrupted by preferably two in part obliquely extending slots 51, 52. The slots 51, 52 may serve to guide the hub part 44, by means e. g. of radial arms 53, 54, upon an actuation of the device 1 in a turning manner relatively to the upper and lower housing parts 11, 20, being then combined. In detail, reference is also made to Fig. 9 and 10. The turning of the hub part 44 is translated by resilient arms 43 into a turning of the sun gear 36. The resilient arms 43 may extend from the radial arms 53, 54 emerging from the hub part 44. Outer knob protrusions 55, 56 may run in the slots 51, 52.

[0040] The insert housing wall 47 is in a sectional view provided with an outer step surface 57 (see especially Fig. 6). The step surface 57 provides a first upper outer surface 58 and a lower second outer surface 59, both surfaces 58, 59 facing radially outward. Further, it provides a step surface 60, as transition between the first and second surface. The step surface 60 extends across to the first and second surface 58, 59. The first upper outer surface 58 is running on a greater diameter than the lower second outer surface 59. (The section views Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 do show only in this respect sections through the registering extension 61 (see below) or the extension formation 65 (see also below)). [0041] Emerging from the upper outer surface 58, an extending radially outward from the outer surface 58, may be one or more registering extensions 61 (see e.g. Fig. 3, 6). They may be received in the corresponding second recess 19a of the upper housing part 11 and/ or a registering recess 62 of the lower housing part 20.

[0042] The step surface 60 is preferably in a radial overlap and protruding to a receiving or fastening flange 63 of the lower housing part 20 with the upper housing part 11, e.g. by welding. The step surface 60 allows to have a sufficient area for combining the lower housing part 20 with the insert part 45, e. g. by welding. Also in this respect an improved sealing is possible.

[0043] The first upper outer surface 58 may have further one or more extension formations 64, 65, extending also radially outward from the upper surface 58. An extension formation 64, 65 may be formed rib-like. The extension formation 64, 65, in a section view, may emerge from the first upper outer surface 58, below the teeth region.

[0044] The extension formation 64, 65 is widening radially outward by an oblique first sector 66, merging into a second sector 67 parallel to the vertical axis. The extension formations 64, 65 support the housing part wall 17 especially when assembling the counter 6. When assembling the counter, even for the outer housing part wall 17 first a precise positioning is of advantage in order to have a good welding between the upper and lower housing part 11, 20.

[0045] Received within the lower housing part 20 is the hub part 44. Upon an actuation of the device 1 for dispensing substance, the counter 6 is moved downward with and by the cartridge 3, but the hub part 44, being supported on the support 8, is standstill, thereby relatively moving to the upper and lower housing part 11, 20, in a vertical direction, from a starting position into an actuated position. When moving, the resilient arms 43 do extend and rotate thereby the sun gear 36 due to their interaction with the ribs 42. Since the vertical movement is limited, this is a stepwise rotation.

[0046] The hub part 44 is not only supported on the support 8, but has also central opening for receiving the valve tube 4 of the cartridge 3.

[0047] The lower housing part 20 is configured generally cup-like, with the upper radially protruding fastening flange 63. As it is visible in Fig. 5 and 7, the fastening flange 63 may have on its upper surface a circumferential rib 69. This rib however serves only for performing later welding to the upper housing part 11 or the insert part respectively. At the assembled counter 6, see Fig. 3 and 4, the fastening flange 63 extends directly beneath the step surface 60 of the insert part 45 and, outside to the registering extension 61, beneath a lower surface of the housing part wall 17. The lower housing part 20 may also have a further registering opening 68. The lower surface of the housing part wall 17 abuts over more than half of its circumference against the flange 63. Over an remaining part, a similar combination is given to a ceiling wall 75 of an indentation 70 (see below) and respective in between vertical wall parts. In Fig. 4, the circumferential rib 69 is no more given due to the fact that the circumferential rib 69 has been sacrificed for welding.

[0048] The lower housing part 20 has further over part of its circumference the indentation 70. When activating the device, the counter - except for the hub part 44 - moves downwards and the indentation 70 has the advantage that no interference with the substance dispensed from the nozzle 10 does occur. Additionally or in the alternative, the indentation 70, which is on its side and to above closed by respective wall parts, serves also to register with the first recess 19 in the upper housing part 11. The indentation 70 is in its remaining part closed by the hub part 44.

[0049] In the assembled state, as especially visible from Fig. 3 and 4, the flange part 28 is in overlap to an upper circumferential edge 72 of the insert part 45. The wheel wall 27 extends radially outside to the edge 72 and in its lower part in overlap to the teeth region of the insert part 45. The configuration is further such that an angled gap 73 between a closed circumferential lower surface area of the flange 28, an inner circumferential closed surface of the wheel wall 27, the edge 72 and the first upper outer surface 58 is given.

[0050] With reference to the Fig. 3 and 4, but also Fig. 5 to 7 and especially Fig. 8, is visible, that the first upper surface 58 together with one or more extension formations 65 does provide also a receiving space 71 below the wheel wall 27. In a circumferential direction, due to one or more extension formations 65, one or more receiving spaces 71 may be given. Any particle or dirt parts inadvertently infiltrated, e.g. through the window 14, may be collected in such receiving space 71. Due to the small extension of the space, especially in radial direction, a certain hindrance for further movement of such particles or parts is given.

[0051] The lower housing part 20 has a preferably, at least below the flange 63, smaller diameter d compared to the diameter D of the upper housing part 11, see Fig. 4. Since in some device housings 2 of such devices, the space in terms of diameter in a lower region can be reduced compared to space in the upper region, available for the counter, this allows to take advantage of the improvements described, especially concerning the counter wheel and the insert housing part but nevertheless to have an adaption to the space available. [0052] The reduction in diameter of the counter 6 might be comparatively small. The diameter d can be in the range of 85 to 95 % of the diameter D, preferably 91 to 92 % of the diameter D.

[0053] The height h of the counter having the diameter d compared to the height having the diameter D is preferably also comparatively small. The height h can be 25 to 35 % of the height H, preferably 31 to 32 % of the height H.

[0054] In order to further improve sealing against ingress from outside, sealing lips, such as sealing lip 76, between parts moving up relatively to each other may be provided as well. Not all possibly realized sealing lips are shown in the drawings.

[0055] The sun gear 38 is only lying freely rotatable within the insert part 45.

Therefore, it is preferred, that the resilient arms 43 do exert a higher biasing force on the sun gear 38 than possibly exerted by the non-return finger 23. The wheel wall can be somewhat pressed thereby against the ceiling 12 of the upper housing part 11, improving also sealing of the counter 6.

[0056] All the parts of the counter 6 and the housing 2 are preferably plastic parts.

List of reference signs

1 device 27 wheel wall

2 housing 27a indicia

3 cartridge 28 flange

4 valve tube 29 planet gear

5 upper end 30 opening

6 counter 31 flexible arm

7 lower surface 32 shaft

8 support 33 cut out

9 flow channel 34 stop configuration

10 nozzle 35 counter stop configuration

11 upper housing part 36 sun gear

12 upper ceiling 37 ring gear

13 through opening 38 sun gear teeth

14 window 39 inner cylinder part

15 step wall 40 gear disc

16 horizontal ceiling part 41 lower surface

17 circumferential housing part 42 ribs wall 43 resilient arm

18 lower edge 44 hub part

19 first recess 45 insert part

19a second recess 46 step surface

20 lower housing part 47 insert housing wall

21 rib like structure 48 cylindrical inner surface

22 ribs 49 support block

23 non-return finger 50 non-return finger

24 counter wheel 51 slot

25 orientation rib 52 slot

26 internal rib 53 radial arm radial arm knob protrusion D diameter knob protrusion d diameter step formation H height first upper outer surface h height second lower outer surface x axis step surface registering extension registering recess receiving flange extension formation extension formation first sector second sector fastening flange circumferential rib opening receiving space edge gap indicating peak ceiling wall sealing lip

Claims

Claims

1. Counter, for counting dispensing actions in a device for dispensing a sprayable pharmaceutical substance, comprising a counter housing with an upper and a lower housing part (11,20), a counter wheel (24) with a cylindrical wheel wall (27) and an inner flange (28) merging into the wheel wall (27), the wheel wall (27) having readable indicia on its outer side, further a sun gear (36), a planet gear (29) and a hub part (44) having resilient arms (43) for driving the sun gear (36) stepwise, the hub part (44) providing a central opening for receiving a valve tube (4) of a cartridge (3) of the device (1) , to be received on a support (8) of the device (1), the planet gear (29) having a shaft (32), the shaft (32) being rotatable received in the flange (28), the hub part (44) being held movable along a vertical axis (x), between an actuated position of the counter and a starting position, the resilient arms (43) driving the sun gear (36) when moving from the starting position into the actuated position, an insert part (45), received in the lower housing part (20), with an insert housing wall (47) having a first upper outer surface (58), an upper teeth region providing a ring gear (37), and an upper circumferential edge (72), the planet gear (29) meshing with the sun gear (36) and the ring gear (37), characterized in that the flange (28) is in overlap to the edge (72), that the wheel wall (27) extends radially outside to the edge (72), that the wheel wall (27) is in overlap to the teeth region, in direction of the vertical axis (x), providing an angled gap (73) between a circumferential lower surface area of the flange (28), an inner circumferential surface of the wheel wall (27) and the edge (72)and that the wheel wall (27) does extend over the flange (28) in the vertical direction on both sides.

2. Counter according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper housing part (11) has a window (14) for visibility of the indicia, the window being in overlap to the teeth region, in direction of the vertical axis(x).

3. Counter according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the lower housing part (20), in a section view along the vertical axis (x), is cuplike formed with a circumferentially running outwardly protruding receiving flange (63).

4. Counter according to claim 3, characterized in that a lower surface of the upper housing part (11) abuts over more than half of its circumference against the receiving flange (63).

5. Counter according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that, in a section view, the insert part (45) has a step formation with the upper first outer surface (58) and a lower second outer surface (59), both outer surfaces facing radially outward, and a step surface (60), as transition between the first and second outer surface (58, 59), the step surface (60) extends across to the first and second outer surface (58, 59).

6. Counter according to claim 5, characterized in that the first outer surface (58) is running on a greater diameter than the second outer surface (59).

7. Counter according to one of the claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the step surface (60) is in radial overlap to the receiving flange (63).

8. Counter according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the first outer surface (58) has one or more extension formations (64, 65), extending radially outward

9. Counter according to claim 8, characterized in that the extension formation (64, 65) is formed rib-like.

10. Counter according to one of the claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the extension formation (64, 65), in a section view, does emerge from the first outer surface (58), below the teeth region, and is widening radially outside by an oblique first sector (66) merging into a second sector (67) parallel to the vertical axis (x).

11. Counter according to one of the claims 8 to 10, characterized in that between the first outer surface (58), an inner surface of the circumferential housing part wall (17) and an extension formation (64, 65) a receiving space (71) is provided.

12. Device for dispensing a sprayable pharmaceutical substance, with a housing (2), a cartridge (3) containing the substance, the cartridge (3) having a valve tube (4), and a counter (6) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, for counting dispensing actions in view of the substance, the housing (2) having a support (8) with a flow channel (9), for receiving the valve tube (4) and allowing to dispense the substance.