US4817822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indicating device
Assignee: Glaxo Group Ltd
•
Filing: 1987-04-24
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Granted: 1989-04-04
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Expires: 2007-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A device is described for indicating the number of doses dispensed from an aerosol container (2, 102) having an outlet valve member (4, 104) movable relative to the body of the container to dispense its contents in measured doses. Relative movement between the aerosol container body and the outlet member are detected by a ratchet wheel (14, 114) and ratchet driving member (11A, 111) which move with the body and outlet member respectively or vice versa. The ratchet wheel may in turn drive an indicating member in the form of a linear rack (20, 119, 120) or rotatable wheel (116).
Inventors
- 👤 Paul K. Rand
- 👤 Carole A. Osterweil
- 👤 Robert E. Newell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/22; A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0065; A61M15/0068; A61M15/007; A61M15/0071; A61M15/0075; A61M15/009; G06M1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
An aerosol dispenser comprising: (a) a housing in which an aerosol container can be located, an outlet leading from the housing and a support in the housing arranged to receive an outlet member of the aerosol container and having a passage through which the contents of the aerosol container may pass to the outlet, the outlet member being held stationary in the housing support and the body of the container moveable relative to the outlet and housing to dispense its contents in measured doses; and (b) a dose indicating device for indicating and number of doses dispensed from, or remaining in, the container, the said device comprising (i) a linearly movable indicator means mounted externally of the said housing and moveable relative to said housing and said container; (ii) a movement detecting member movable by movement of the body of the contaienr relative to the outlet member and housing and (iii) means mechanically interconnecting the movement detecting member and the indicator means and responsive to movement of the movement detecting member relative to the housing to initiate movement of the indicating means incrementally.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
An aerosol dispenser comprising: (a) a housing in which an aerosol container can be located, an outlet leading from the housing and a support in the housing arranged to receive an outlet member of the aerosol container and having a passage through which the contents of the aerosol container may pass to the outlet, the outlet member being held stationary in the housing support and the body of the container moveable relative to the outlet and housing to dispense its contents in measured doses; and (b) a dose indicating device for indicating and number of doses dispensed from, or remaining in, the container, the said device comprising (i) a linearly movable indicator means mounted externally of the said housing and moveable relative to said housing and said container; (ii) a movement detecting member movable by movement of the body of the contaienr relative to the outlet member and housing and (iii) means mechanically interconnecting the movement detecting member and the indicator means and responsive to movement of the movement detecting member relative to the housing to initiate movement of the indicating means incrementally.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the indicating means carries no numbers, letters, or like characters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
An aerosol dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dose indicating device comprises an indicator compartment disposed on a wall of the container-receiving housing, the movement detecting member comprising an actuator member mounted on, and carried by, the body of the aerosol container so as to be displaceable with respect to the outlet member, and hence with respect to the container-receiving housing, the said actuator member carrying an arm which extends into the said indicator compartment to operate the said mechanical means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An aerosol dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the said actuator member is arranged to be so mounted on the body of the aerosol container that it cannot be removed therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the movement detecting member comprises a ratchet wheel movable with one of the aerosol container and outlet member, and a ratchet wheel driving member is provided which is movable with the other of the aerosol container and outlet member and arranged to rotate the ratchet wheel through a predetermined step upon relative movement of the aerosol container and outlet member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein the indicator means comprises a toothed rack, and said mechanical means comprises a spur gear on said ratchet wheel which meshes with the toothed rack and drives it.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein the indicator means comprises an indicator rack having a row of projections, and said mechanical means comprises a worm on said ratchet wheel which engages the row of projections and drives the rack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device according to claim 1, comprising an actuator member adapted to be removably mounted on the body of the aerosol container so as to be displaceable with respect to the outlet member, the actuator member comprising a further member which, during at least a portion of the movement of the actuator member, is held stationary with respect to the outlet member
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the said further member is arranged to be held stationary with respect to the outlet member by abutment with said housing in which the aerosol container is received and in which the outlet member is supported during relative movement of the container body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the actuator member comprises a ring-shaped cap adapted to be mounted on an end of the body of the aerosol container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 8 comprising means for resetting the indicator means to zero.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-03 | 1992-10-03 | 1993-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-03 | 1996-10-03 | 1997-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-03 | 2000-10-03 | 2001-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |