Dose indicating device

An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:

• a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
• a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
• a shaft mounted to one of said cap member and said base member, said shaft defining an axis;
• and
• an indicator member rotatably mounted on said shaft, said indicator member rotatable about said shaft in at least a first direction;
• wherein one of said shaft and said indicator member comprise a helical groove and the other of said shaft and said indicator member comprises a follower disposed in said groove, wherein said indicator member is moveable relative to said shaft along said axis as said indicator member is rotated in said first direction;
• and
• wherein the other of said cap member and said base member comprises at least one pawl and wherein said indicator member comprises a ratchet gear, wherein said at least one pawl selectively engages said ratchet gear and rotates said indicator member an incremental amount in said first direction as said cap member is moved relative to said base member along said axial path.

A method for indicating the number of metered dosages of substance dispensed from or remaining in a container comprising:

• providing a base member adapted to be mounted to the container, a cap member moveably connected to said base member, a shaft mounted to one of said cap member and said base member, said shaft defining an axis, and an indicator member rotatably mounted on said shaft, said indicator member rotatable about said shaft in at least a first direction, wherein one of said shaft and said indicator member comprise a helical groove and the other of said shaft and said indicator member comprises a follower disposed in said groove;
• reciprocally moving said cap member relative to said base member along an axial path;
• rotating said indicator member about said shaft in a first direction;
• moving said follower in said groove;
• and
• translating said indicator member relative to said shaft along said axis while said rotating said indicator member about said shaft.

A method for indicating the number of metered dosages of substance dispensed from or remaining in a container comprising:

• providing a base member adapted to be mounted to the container, a cap member moveably connected to said base member, a shaft mounted to one of said cap member and said base member, said shaft defining an axis, and an indicator member rotatably mounted on said shaft, said indicator member rotatable about said shaft in at least a first direction, wherein one of said shaft and said indicator member comprise a helical groove and the other of said shaft and said indicator member comprises a follower disposed in said groove;
• moving said cap member relative to said base member along an axial path;
• rotating said indicator member about said shaft in a first direction;
• moving said follower in said groove;
• and
• moving said indicator member relative to said shaft along said axis;
• wherein the other of said cap member and said base member comprises at least one pawl and wherein said indicator member comprises a ratchet gear, and wherein said rotating said indicator member comprises selectively engaging said ratchet gear with said at least one pawl.

A dispensing device including an indicating device suitable for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said dispensing device comprising:

• a housing having a longitudinally extending cavity shaped to receive the container;
• said container comprising first and second longitudinally spaced ends;
• a valve stem extending longitudinally away from said first end of said container in a direction opposite said second end, said valve stem coupled to said housing;
• an indicator member disposed in said cavity and having a longitudinally extending wall surrounding at least a portion of the container between said first and second ends of said container, said indicator member rotatably mounted within said housing and rotatable relative thereto about a longitudinal axis, said indicator member comprising a driven gear;
• a drive gear disposed in said housing and comprising a drive portion selectively engaged with said driven gear;
• and
• an actuator adapted to move with the container, said actuator selectively engaged with said drive gear.

An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of metered dosages of a substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container, said indicating device comprising:

• a base member adapted to be mounted to the container;
• a cap member moveably connected to said base member, said cap member reciprocally moveable relative to said base member along an axial path;
• a first indicator member comprising first primary dosage indicia and a second indicator member comprising second primary dosage indicia, wherein said first and second primary dosage indicia are adapted to indicate the number of dosages of substance that have been dispensed from or remain in the container, said first indicator member comprising a plurality of first driven teeth and a plurality of driving teeth, said second indicator member comprising a first advancement member selectively engaged with at least one of said plurality of said first driven teeth;
• a third indicator member comprising secondary dosage indicia, wherein said secondary dosage indicia is adapted to indicate that less than a minimum predetermined number of dosages of substance remain in the container, said third indicator member comprising a plurality of second driven teeth;
• wherein said first, second and third indicator members are rotatably mounted in one of said cap member and said base member, and wherein said one of said cap member and said base member comprises a first engagement member selectively engaged with and biasing at least one of said plurality of second driven teeth into engagement with at least one of said plurality of said driving teeth on said first indicator member, and wherein said one of said cap member and said base member comprises a second engagement member selectively engaged with and biasing said first advancement member into selective engagement with said at least one of said plurality of said first driven teeth.