Meter for a device for distributing a fluid or powder product

A dose counter for counting the number of doses of fluid or powder that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from a fluid dispenser device, said counter including a first rotary counter element (110) forming a units wheel, and a second rotary counter element (120) forming a tens wheel, said first and second counter elements co-operating with each other to define and to display, in a viewing window, said number of doses, said first counter element co-operating with an actuator member (130) that is adapted to cause said first counter element to turn each time said actuator member is actuated, said counter including an intermediate rotary element (140) that is adapted to cause said second counter element to turn on every tenth actuation of said actuator member, said first and second counter elements turning about a common first pivot pin (161), and said intermediate element turning about a second pivot pin (162) that is offset and parallel to said first pivot pin.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/FR2009/052708 filed Dec. 28, 2009, claiming priority based on French Patent Application No. 08 59140, filed Dec. 30, 2008, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to a counter, and more particularly to a dose counter, for indicating to the user the number of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from a fluid or powder dispenser device.

The use of counters or of indicators is well known in the field of fluid dispensers, in particular in the field of pharmaceuticals. In particular, such counters or indicators are used with dispenser devices of the metered dose inhaler (MDI) type, in which a reservoir containing fluid and a propellant gas is movably mounted in a body, movement of said reservoir actuating a metering valve mounted on said reservoir, so as to dispense a dose of fluid. A first family of counters envisages fastening the counter on the bottom of the reservoir, projecting out from the body, and on which the user presses in order to dispense a dose. However, that type of counter presents the drawback of interfering with the actuation of the dispenser device, with it being necessary for the user to press on the counter in order to actuate the device. In the event of poorly controlled or partial actuation, problems of over- and/or under-counting and/or of incomplete or faulty dispensing may thus occur. A second family of counters comprises counters that are disposed inside the body, being fastened either to the body or to the movable reservoir in said body. In particular, that type of counter presents the drawback of a complex mounting, and requires substantial modifications to the various component parts of the dispenser device. The assembly problem occurs in particular when assembly is performed by the manufacturer of the pharmaceutical, as opposed to by the manufacturer of the dispenser device, with that requiring the manufacturer of the pharmaceutical to install complex assembly machines in its own factory. A third family of counters envisages arranging the counter on an outside face of the body, a projection of said counter passing through an opening in the body, so as to co-operate with the reservoir or a portion that is secured to said reservoir. That type of counter also generally requires substantial modification to the body in order to receive the counter. In addition, the presence of a counter on the outside main face of the body substantially modifies the external appearance of the device, in particular because of the thickness of said counter, and that may also have a negative effect on the handling of the device. In addition, the counters used on dispenser devices for dispensing fluids, in particular pharmaceuticals, need to comply with several constraints. Thus, in order to avoid any risk of under-counting, it is generally required that the counter is actuated at the very beginning of the actuation stroke of the valve or the pump, so as to avoid partial actuation, causing a partial or complete dose to be dispensed without any dose being counted by the counter. In this situation, a problem that occurs is that the actuation stroke is generally very short, and that the manufacturing tolerances of the device tend to reduce even further the distance available to perform the actuation in effective manner. The use of a complex mechanism is generally required in order to provide counting that is functional and safe. In general, assembling counters, in particular counters including a plurality of rotary elements that are interleaved in one another, is found to be complex and thus not only costly, but also a source of malfunctions. Documents WO 2007/104964, WO 2007/077450, and WO 2005/114563 describe prior-art devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide a counter, more particularly a dose counter, for a fluid or powder dispenser device, that does not reproduce the above-mentioned drawbacks.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide such a counter that presents minimum thickness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a counter that can be pre-assembled prior to being delivered to the manufacturer of the pharmaceutical, said manufacturer thus needing only to perform a single step of mounting the counter on the body of the dispenser device, without any complex assembly of the component parts of said counter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a counter that guarantees actuation of the counter independently of the length of the actuation stroke of the pump or of the valve used in the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a counter that is simpler and thus less costly to manufacture and to assemble, and that is more reliable in operation.

The present invention thus provides a dose counter for counting the number of doses of fluid or powder that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from a fluid dispenser device, said counter including a first rotary counter element forming a units wheel, and a second rotary counter element forming a tens wheel, said first and second counter elements co-operating with each other to define and to display, in a viewing window, said number of doses, said first counter element co-operating with an actuator member that is adapted to cause said first counter element to turn each time said actuator member is actuated, said counter including an intermediate rotary element that is adapted to cause said second counter element to turn on every tenth actuation of said actuator member, said first and second counter elements turning about a common first pivot pin, and said intermediate element turning about a second pivot pin that is offset and parallel to said first pivot pin.

Advantageously, said first counter element includes: a first peripheral set of teeth, which set, on each actuation, co-operates with at least one actuator tab of the actuator member; and a second peripheral set of teeth, which set, on each actuation, co-operates with said intermediate element.

Advantageously, said first set of teeth is radially inside the second set of teeth, the teeth of the first set of teeth being oriented axially, and the teeth of the second set of teeth being oriented radially outwards.

Advantageously, said first counter element is substantially in the shape of a disk provided with a central through opening that is adapted to be engaged around its pivot pin, the top face of said disk including a first radially-outer peripheral edge portion that receives counter indices, such as one or more series of numbers from 0 to 9, in particular three series of numbers from 0 to 9, distributed over said periphery, and the bottom face of said disk including said first and second peripheral sets of teeth.

Advantageously, the top face of said first counter element includes a central portion that surrounds the central opening and that is extended radially outwards by an intermediate portion that is raised axially relative to said central portion, said intermediate portion being extended radially outwards by said first peripheral edge portion that is raised axially relative to said intermediate portion.

Advantageously, said second counter element includes a third peripheral set of teeth, which set, on every tenth actuation of the actuator member, co-operates with said intermediate element.

Advantageously, said second counter element is substantially in the shape of a disk provided with a central orifice, in particular a blind orifice, that is adapted to be engaged around its pivot pin, the top face of said disk including a second radially-outer peripheral edge portion that receives counter indices, such as numbers from 00 to 20, distributed over said periphery, the top face of said disk also including said third peripheral set of teeth, disposed radially inside said second outer peripheral edge portion, said third peripheral set of teeth being raised axially relative to said second outer peripheral edge portion.

Advantageously, after assembling the first and second counter elements around their common pivot pin, said second outer peripheral edge portion of said second counter element is disposed radially inside, and substantially in contact with, said first outer peripheral edge portion of said first counter element, the top surfaces of said first and second peripheral edge portions being substantially in alignment, so as to form a display zone.

Advantageously, said intermediate element includes a fourth peripheral set of teeth, which set, on each actuation of the actuator member, co-operates with a second peripheral set of teeth of said first counter element.

Advantageously, said intermediate element includes at least one radial projection that, on every tenth actuation of the actuator member, co-operates with a third peripheral set of teeth of the second counter element.

Advantageously, said at least one radial projection is formed on a radial rod portion of said intermediate element.

Advantageously, said intermediate element includes a central axial hollow sleeve, in particular a blind hollow sleeve, that defines a central orifice that is adapted to be engaged around its pivot pin, said fourth set of teeth and said radial rod portion being offset relative to each other along said sleeve, defining between them a gap for receiving a first outer peripheral edge portion of the first counter element, and a second outer peripheral edge portion of the second counter element.

Advantageously, said radial rod portion comprises two diametrally-opposite radially-outer projections that are interconnected by a curved rod zone having side edges that are in the shape of circular arcs facing in substantially opposite directions, such that in an appropriate orientation, the first and second counter elements may be assembled on their common pivot pin, after the intermediate element has been assembled on its own pivot pin.

Advantageously, the counter includes a base body and a lid, said base body incorporating the two pivot pins and an opening, and said lid incorporating a viewing window.

Advantageously, said counter may be pre-assembled so as to form a counter unit, said counter unit including fastener means for fastening to a body of a fluid dispenser device.

Advantageously, said actuator member is assembled in said base body, said actuator member including an actuator element that is movable in translation in said opening, and two flexible tabs that are movable in translation, a first flexible tab co-operating with said first set of teeth of the first counter element so as to cause said first counter element to turn in a counting direction each time the actuator element is moved from a rest position to an actuated position, and a second flexible tab co-operating with said first set of teeth of said first counter element so as to cause said first counter element to turn in the same counting direction when the actuator element returns from its actuated position to its rest position.

Advantageously, on each actuation, the first flexible tab pushes a respective first tooth of the first set of teeth of the first counter element, and the second flexible tab pulls on a respective second tooth of the first set of teeth of said first counter element.

Advantageously, the first and second teeth of the first set of teeth are substantially diametrally opposite in the first set of teeth.

Advantageously, the actuator member includes an elongate opening that is engaged around a projection of said base body, the co-operation between said projection and the edges of said elongate opening, while the actuator member is being actuated, defining the limits of the axial movement of said flexible tabs.

Advantageously, the actuator member includes an elastically-deformable portion that supports the actuator element, such that said actuator element is movable in translation over a greater distance than the flexible tabs.

Advantageously, said base body includes two shoulders that co-operate with two resilient means of the actuator member, said resilient means forming a return spring for the actuator member.

Advantageously, said lid includes a flexible tab that co-operates with a third set of teeth of said second counter element, so as to prevent said second counter element from turning while the actuator member is being actuated, the intermediate element not co-operating with said second counter element, said flexible tab deforming resiliently so as to make it possible for said second counter element to turn when said intermediate element co-operates with said second counter element, on every tenth actuation of said actuator member.

The present invention also provides a fluid or powder dispenser device comprising a reservoir, a dispenser member, such as a metering valve, that is mounted on said reservoir, and a body incorporating a dispenser orifice, said reservoir being movable in said body so as to dispense the fluid or powder, said dispenser device including a counter as described above.

Advantageously, said counter is fastened on a face of the body, said device being actuated by the user pressing axially on the reservoir, and said counter being actuated by said axial movement of said reservoir that co-operates with said actuator element of the actuator member.

The present invention also provides a method of assembling a counter, said method comprising the steps of: providing a base body that is provided with two parallel projections and with an opening; assembling an actuator member in said base body, said actuator member including an actuator element that extends out from said base body through said opening of the base body; assembling an intermediate rotary element on a first of said two projections of said base body; assembling a first rotary counter element on a second of said two projections of said base body; assembling a second rotary counter element on said second projection of said base body; and assembling a lid on said base body, so as to form a pre-assembled counter unit.

FIG. 1shows a dispenser device of the MDI200type, including, on its front main face, a dose counter100that corresponds to a particular embodiment of the present invention. The device includes a body201that is provided with a mouthpiece202that defines a dispenser orifice203. A reservoir (not shown) is assembled in said body201, said reservoir including a metering valve that is mounted on its opening. Inside said body201, the metering valve co-operates with an expulsion channel that leads into the mouthpiece202. When the user presses on the bottom of the reservoir, said reservoir slides axially inside the body201, causing the valve to be actuated and a dose of fluid to be expelled. The operation of such an MDI-type device is well known to the person skilled in the art, and is therefore not described more fully below. The counter100may be interposed between the front main face of said body201and a covering member250that includes a window251, and that may serve to fasten the counter100on the body. Naturally, this embodiment is only an example, and, by way of example, the counter could be fastened directly to the body201, independently of the presence of a covering member. The counter includes an actuator element135(not visible inFIG. 1, but clearly shown inFIG. 2b) that projects out from said counter, and that is adapted to penetrate inside the body201through an opening210that is provided for this purpose, so as to co-operate with the reservoir or with a portion that is secured to said reservoir. In this way, each time the dispenser device is actuated, the axial movement of the reservoir in the body201causes the actuator element135to move axially.

The counter of the invention includes: two rotary counter elements, namely a first rotary counter element110and a second rotary counter element120; an actuator member130; and an intermediate rotary element140. The actuator member130that includes the actuator element135, is for transforming an axial movement of a portion of the dispenser device200, generally the reservoir, into a turning movement of the first counter element110.

In a preferred variant embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the counter is disposed on a face of the body201of the dispenser device200, and the actuator member130thus transforms an axial movement of the reservoir into a turning movement of the first counter element110. In this configuration, the three rotary elements110,120,140of the counter turn about pivot pins161,162that are substantially perpendicular to the axial movement. Advantageously, the actuation cycle of the counter may start at the very beginning of the stroke of the reservoir, such that the counter is actuated before any fluid is dispensed.

The first rotary counter element110forms the units wheel, and the second rotary counter element120forms the tens wheel, said first and second counter elements co-operating with each other to define and to display, in a viewing window151, the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said reservoir. Preferably, this number is formed by a display zone in which the number is displayed horizontally when the dispenser device200is in its normal working position, shown inFIG. 1, in which the body201is substantially vertical with the mouthpiece202disposed at the bottom. Said first counter element110co-operates with the actuator member130that is adapted to cause said first counter element110to turn each time said actuator member is actuated. The intermediate rotary element140is adapted to cause said second counter element120to turn on every tenth actuation of said actuator member130, and thus on every tenth turn of said first counter element110. In the invention, said first and second counter elements110,120turn about a common first pivot pin161, and said intermediate element140turns about a second pivot pin162that is offset and parallel to said first pivot pin161.

As shown inFIGS. 3,5, and6, the counter preferably includes a base body160and a lid150. Said base body forms the pivot pins161and162, and includes an opening165through which the actuator element135is able to pass. The lid150includes a viewing window151enabling the user to see the display zone that is formed jointly by said radially-outer edge portions112,122. Thus, said counter may advantageously be pre-assembled so as to form a counter unit, said counter unit possibly including fastener means for fastening to the body201of the fluid dispenser device200.

As shown inFIGS. 7aand7b, said first counter element110may include a first peripheral set of teeth118, which set, on each actuation, co-operates with at least one, preferably two flexible actuator tabs131,132of the actuator member130. A second peripheral set of teeth111is for co-operating, on each actuation, with the intermediate element140. Advantageously, said first counter element110is substantially disk shaped, being provided with a central through opening115that is adapted to be engaged around its pivot pin161. The top face of said disk includes a first radially-outer peripheral edge portion112that receives counter indices1120, such as one or more series of numbers from 0 to 9. The example shown inFIG. 7bshows three series of numbers from 0 to 9, distributed over said periphery. The bottom face of said disk includes said first and second peripheral sets of teeth118,111, as visible inFIG. 7a. Preferably, the first set of teeth118is radially inside the second set of teeth111, the teeth of the first set of teeth118being oriented axially, while the teeth of the second set of teeth are oriented radially outwards. The first set of teeth118and the two flexible tabs131,132also form non-return means, preventing the first counter element110from turning in the opposite direction to the direction imparted thereto by the actuator member130. As visible inFIG. 7b, the top face of said first counter element110may include a central portion113that surrounds the central opening115and that is extended radially outwards by an intermediate portion114that is raised axially relative to said central portion113. Said intermediate portion114is thus extended radially outwards by said first peripheral edge portion112that is raised axially relative to said intermediate portion. This embodiment makes it possible to superpose the second counter element120on the first counter element with an overall thickness that is small.

As shown inFIGS. 8aand8b, said second counter element120may include a third peripheral set of teeth121, which set is adapted, on every tenth actuation of the actuator member130, to co-operate with said intermediate element140. Advantageously, said second counter element is also substantially disk shaped, being provided with a central orifice125that, in the example shown, is blind, and that is adapted to be engaged around its pivot pin161. The top face of said disk includes a second radially-outer peripheral edge portion122that receives counter indices1220, such as the numbers from 00 to 20, distributed over said periphery. In this example, the counter is thus capable of counting200doses. The top face of said disk also includes said third peripheral set of teeth121, disposed radially inside said second outer peripheral edge portion122, said third peripheral set of teeth121being raised axially relative to said second outer peripheral edge portion122. Advantageously, after assembling the first and second counter elements110,120around their common pivot pin161, said second outer peripheral edge portion122of said second counter element120is disposed radially inside, and substantially in contact with, said first outer peripheral edge portion112of said first counter element110, the top surfaces of said first and second peripheral edge portions112,122being substantially in alignment or coplanar, so as to form the display zone that is visible through the viewing window151.

As visible inFIGS. 9aand9b, said intermediate element140may include a fourth peripheral set of teeth141, which set, on each actuation of the actuator member130, co-operates with the second peripheral set of teeth111of said first counter element110. In this way, each actuation of the dispenser device200is transformed, by the actuator member130, into a turn of the first counter element110. Advantageously, said intermediate element140also includes at least one radial projection146that, on every tenth actuation of the actuator member130, co-operates with the third peripheral set of teeth121of the second counter element120. The radial projection146may be formed on a radial rod portion1460of said intermediate element140. Advantageously, said intermediate element140includes a central axial hollow sleeve143, that, in the example shown, is blind, and that defines a central orifice145that is adapted to be engaged around its pivot pin162. The fourth set of teeth141and said radial rod portion1460are offset relative to each other along said sleeve143, defining between them a gap that may receive the first outer peripheral edge portion112of the first counter element110, and the second outer peripheral edge portion122of the second counter element120. Advantageously, said radial rod portion1460comprises two diametrally-opposite radially-outer projections146that are interconnected by a curved rod zone having side edges that are in the shape of circular arcs facing in substantially opposite directions, as clearly visible inFIGS. 4 and 9a. Thus, in an appropriate orientation, shown inFIG. 4, the first and second counter elements110,120may be assembled one after the other on their common pivot pin161, after the intermediate element140has been assembled on its own pivot pin162. The present invention thus makes it possible to avoid two rotary elements of the counter needing to be assembled simultaneously around two offset pivot pins, as generally occurs with counters of this type.

Advantageously, said actuator member130is assembled in said base body160. The lid150may include a flexible tab158, visible inFIG. 4, that co-operates with the third set of teeth121of said second counter element120, so as to prevent said second counter element120from turning in either direction when the intermediate element140is not co-operating with said second counter element120. Naturally, said flexible tab158may deform resiliently so as to make it possible for said second counter element120to turn each time said intermediate element140co-operates with said second counter element120, i.e. on every tenth actuation of said actuator member130. Advantageously, abutment means are provided so as to form an abutment against axial movement of the flexible tabs131,132. The abutment means may advantageously be formed by the first projection161of the base body160that may co-operate with a window136of the actuator member130. Other abutment means could also be envisaged. Each of the tabs131and132supports a respective lug1310and1320that co-operates with the first set of teeth118of the first counter element110. The shapes of the lugs1310and1320are inverted such that the first lug1310pushes a tooth of the set of teeth118while the reservoir is descending in the body201, and such that the second lug1320pulls a tooth while the reservoir is rising in the body201. Advantageously, the flexible tabs131and132are substantially rigid axially and are flexible in a direction that is perpendicular to the axial movement of the actuator member130. This enables the resilient tab, that does not act to turn the first counter element110, to deform so as to slide over the set of teeth and engage in the next tooth. The two resilient tabs131and132also form the non-return means for the first counter element110. Advantageously, the actuator member130includes resilient means169, such as two resilient blades that co-operate with two appropriate shoulders168of the base body160, so as to form a return spring for the actuator member130. Preferably, the actuator member130further includes an axially deformable portion134that supports the actuator element135. This makes it possible to continue the axial movement of the actuator element135(and thus of the reservoir) after the abutment position defined by the projection161and by the window136has been reached. The abutment may be formed such that a turn through exactly half a tooth is obtained while the reservoir is descending (when the first lug pushes the set of teeth118), and such that the turn through the remaining half a tooth is obtained while the reservoir, and thus the actuator member130, is rising under the effect of the resilient means169(when the second lug pulls on the set of teeth118). Since the actuation of the valve generally requires a greater stroke, and thus a greater axial movement of the reservoir, the deformable portion134of the actuator member130makes it possible to continue the axial movement of the reservoir to its full stroke. In addition, the system makes it possible to actuate the counter before beginning to dispense the fluid.

In particular, the present invention makes it possible to simplify substantially the method of assembling a counter. Thus, the actuator member130is firstly assembled in said base body160, with the actuator element135extending out from said base body160through said opening165. Then, the intermediate rotary element140is assembled on its projection162of said base body. After appropriate orientation of said intermediate element in the assembled position shown inFIG. 4, the first rotary counter element110and then the second rotary counter element120may be assembled on their projection161. Finally, the lid150may be assembled on said base body160, so as to form a pre-assembled counter unit.

The counter of the invention also presents the advantage of being very thin, thereby enabling the outside dimensions of the device to be reduced, and the handling of the device to remain substantially unmodified. Typically, the thickness of the pre-assembled counter may be less than 7 mm, advantageously less than 6 mm, possibly even less than 5 mm.

In advantageous manner, the counter is actuated in two stages, a first stage prior to dispensing the fluid through the dispenser orifice203of the body201, and a second stage after the fluid has been dispensed. Advantageously, the counter does not operate while the fluid is actually being dispensed, and its safe and reliable operation is thus completely independent of the way in which the user actuates the device in order to dispense fluid.

Naturally, compared with the above description, the counter could be made in a manner that is different from the manner shown. In particular, the shapes and positions of the first and second flexible tabs131and132could be different. It could also be envisaged to invert the functions of the first and second flexible tabs131,132, i.e. the first flexible tab131could pull the first counter element110, while the second flexible tab132could push it. In addition, the shape of the deformable portion134that supports the actuator element135could be different from the shape shown inFIG. 3.

Other modifications may also be envisaged by a person skilled in the art, without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.