# US 8,740,014 B2 · Dose counter for dispensers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,014 B2 - Document ID: US8740014B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/596,325 - Filed: 2004-11-30 - Published: 2007-10-25 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2003-12-10 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: Graham R. Purkins; Lee A. Kristensen; Sarah Jones; David J. Greenleaf - Inventors: Graham R. Purkins; Lee A. Kristensen; Sarah Jones; David J. Greenleaf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740014B2 ## CPC - A61M 15/0065: {Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices (A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52)} - A61M 15/0073: {on a ring} - A61M 15/009: {using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans (pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08)} - G06M 1/041: {for drum-type indicating means} - A61M 15/0068: {Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses} - A61M 2202/064: Powder - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - G06M: COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A dose counter for use with an inhaler comprising a container for medicament equipped with a reciprocal actuation means to dispense a dose of medicament therefrom, the dose counter comprising: a fixed ratchet member, a trigger member constructed and arranged to undergo reciprocal movement coordinated with the reciprocal movement between the actuation means and the container, said reciprocal movement comprising an outward stroke and a return stroke, a counter member constructed and arranged to undergo a predetermined counting movement each time a dose is dispensed, the counter member being biased towards the ratchet and trigger members and being capable of counting motion in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of reciprocal movement of the trigger member, the counter member comprising: a first region for interaction with the trigger member which comprises at least one inclined surface which is engaged by the trigger member during its outward stroke causing the counter member to undergo counting motion, and a second region for interaction with the ratchet member which comprises at least one inclined surface which is engaged by the ratchet member during the return stroke of the trigger member causing the counter member to undergo further counting motion to complete said predetermined counting movement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dose counter for use with an inhaler comprising a container for medicament equipped with a reciprocal actuator to dispense a dose of medicament therefrom, the dose counter comprising: a fixed ratchet member, a trigger member constructed and arranged to undergo reciprocal movement co-ordinated with the reciprocal movement between the actuator and the container, said reciprocal movement comprising an outward stroke and a return stroke, a counter member in the form of a ring comprising inclined surfaces in the form of at least one set of teeth constructed and arranged to undergo a predetermined counting movement each time a dose is dispensed, the counter member being biased in one direction towards the ratchet and trigger members and being capable of counting motion in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of reciprocal movement of the trigger, the counter member comprising: a first region for interaction with the trigger which comprises at least one inclined surface which is engaged by the trigger during its outward stroke causing the counter member to undergo counting motion, a second region for interaction with the ratchet member which comprises at least one inclined surface which is engaged by the ratchet member during the return stroke of the trigger causing the counter member to undergo further counting motion to complete said predetermined counting movement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A dose counter as claimed claim 1 in which the ring comprises one set of teeth to interact with the trigger and a second set of teeth to interact with the ratchet member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A dose counter as claimed in claim 1 in which the ring comprises a single set of teeth which interact with both the trigger and the ratchet member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A dose counter as claimed in claim 2 in which there is a flat region between adjacent teeth. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A dose counter according to claim 1 in which the first region of interaction is longer than the second region of interaction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A dose counter according to claim 1 in which an incomplete part of the counting motion associated with the first region of interaction followed by reverse movement of the trigger does not result in a net counting motion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A dose counter according to claim 1 in which an incomplete part of the counting motion associated with the second region of interaction followed by reverse movement of the trigger does not result in counting motion beyond said predetermined counting movement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A dose counter according to claim 1 which comprises a second counting ring which undergoes counting motion in response to counting movement of the counter ring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A dose counter as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a housing to accommodate the counter member, said ratchet member being fixed to the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An inhaler incorporating a dose counter as defined in claim 1. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An inhaler as claimed in claim 10, in which the container of the inhaler contains a medicinal aerosol formulation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An inhaler as claimed in claim 10 in which the trigger is attached to the inhaler canister and/or valve ferrule.