US 7,726,555 B2Granted

Slave wheel counter mechanism useable with an inhaler

AssigneeAventis Pharma S.A.

InventorsStephen J. Minshull, Duncan G. Young, Andrew J. Ledgeway, Simon P. Wells, Graham K. Lacy, Julian F. R. Swan

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Abstract

A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from the inhaler to the second indicator member when the inhaler is charged with a dose. A slave wheel, rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis, has a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face. The gear engages the second indicator member, the drive transfer wheel intermittently engages and rotates the first indicator member in response to rotary motion of the second indicator member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A counter actuatable in response to rotary motion, said counter comprising:

a support defining a central axis;
a first indicator member mounted on said support and rotatable about said central axis, said first indicator member comprising an outwardly facing transparent first side surface extending circumferentially therearound, counting indicia being positioned on said transparent first side surface;
a second indicator member having an outwardly facing second side surface extending circumferentially therearound and positioned coaxially within and adjacent to said transparent first side surface, said second indicator member being rotatable about said central axis, counting indicia being positioned on said second side surface and visible through said transparent first side surface;
a coupling engaging said second indicator member for transmitting rotary motion thereto;
and
a slave wheel mounted on said support and rotatable about an offset axis offset from said central axis and substantially parallel thereto, said slave wheel having a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face, said second indicator member engaging and rotating said slave wheel, said slave wheel engaging and rotating said first indicator member intermittently.

3 more elements

A slave wheel for incrementally rotating a first indicator member intermittently in response to rotation of a second indicator member, said slave wheel otherwise preventing rotation of said first indicator member and comprising:

a first face having a rotatory intermittent drive transfer wheel positioned thereon, said drive transfer wheel having a plurality of receptacles spaced circumferentially therearound;
a second face positioned opposite said first face and having a gear thereon;
and
a plurality of outwardly extending lobes positioned between said drive transfer wheel and said gear, each of said lobes being aligned with a respective receptacle on said drive transfer wheel.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/946,389Filed 28 Nov 2007 · division
Priority: 10 Oct 2002
Published: US 2008/0066750 A120 Mar 2008
Granted: 1 Jun 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G06M 1/163
Self-operating, e.g. by Geneva mechanism: with drums
A61M 15/0065
Inhalators: inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
A61M 15/0068
Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices: indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
A61M 15/0073
Having a display or indicator: on a ring

Family

Application60/417,534Us provisional application · filed 10 Oct 2002
Application10/665,873Parent of this division · filed 18 Sep 2003
US 2008/0066750 A1Pre-grant publication · published 20 Mar 2008
US 7,322,352 B2Parent of this division
US 2004/0211420 A1Published application
US 7,726,555 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.