Abstract:
A hand-held device for apportioned delivery of sprayable substances, in particular inhaler medicaments, having a cartridge which is displaceable by pressing in a housing into the open position for delivery, and an indexing mechanism which is moved along by the cartridge during the opening stroke of the cartridge for registering and displaying delivery actuations which have been carried out, which indexing mechanism is disposed in a housing centrally below the opening-side end wall of the cartridge, overlappingly with respect to the valve tube of the cartridge. In order to configure a hand-held device of the type in question in a spatially advantageous manner with a simplified construction and such that it is more reliable in terms of handling, it is proposed to displace plate-shaped housing as a whole with the cartridge, except for a step-by-step indexing finger star disposed therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a division of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/747,051, filed May 10, 2007, which in turn is a continuation of International patent application PCT/EP2005/054138 filed on Aug. 23, 2005 which designates the United States and claims priority from German patent applications Nos. 10 2004 054 179.5 filed on Nov. 10, 2004 and 10 2005 033 398.2 filed on Jul. 18, 2005. All prior applications are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a hand-held device according to the preamble of the main claim. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hand-held devices of the type in question are used in particular in medicinal aerosol therapy for the treatment of respiratory complaints. The pressurized cartridge mounted in the housing of the hand-held device contains the medicament to be inhaled, with, in order to release or to eject the same, an axial displacement of the cartridge in the housing of the hand-held device being required. For this purpose, the cartridge is equipped with a valve for discharging a predetermined quantity of medicament. The housing of the hand-held device, which generally virtually completely surrounds the cartridge, furthermore has in conventional manner a mouthpiece and/or an adapter for inhalation through the nose. It is necessary to provide the user with a counting device which displays the consumed quantity of medicament or the quantity of medicament still present in the cartridge. Since a defined quantity of medicament is discharged upon each actuation of the cartridge, it is known to couple the counting device to the axial displacement of the cartridge in the inhaler housing for delivery of medicament. For each opening stroke of the cartridge, an annular scale is rotated. If the scale disk turns about an axis which is perpendicular to the stroke of the cartridge (U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,168), the lateral surface that carries the numerical values and faces the viewing window may be only very small, on account of the only limited space underneath the cartridge. The solution also already known is therefore more advantageous, to provide a scale ring which turns about an axis that coincides with the axis of the cartridge (US 2004/0144798). The plane of rotation of the scale ring is then fixed and is in front of a viewing window of the housing of the hand-held device. 
     It is an object of the invention to improve a solution of this kind, in particular in respect of its technical usage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This problem is solved by the invention specified in the main claim. 
     As a result of this configuration, the user, for example on first use or after an extended period of non-use of the inhaler, can check, by gentle pressure on the cartridge, if the main elements are in order. The invention makes use of the standard that applies to all of these cartridges, that all of these cartridges only open, i.e. dispense a dose, when a full stroke has been completed. The travel executed according to the invention by the scale ring behind the viewing window is easy to recognize; a partial rotation of the scale ring would not be, the more so since for reasons of space on the lateral surface of the scale ring, it is not possible to apply too many scale markings, even though a numerical indication is to come up at specific spacings and/or also even though a step-down drive is to be inserted into the scale ring rotation. Advantageously, the viewing window is located on the side of the holding housing on which the mouthpiece is also present. 
     A step-action indexing mechanism is provided, which on account of the arrangement selected for the various indexing members, may have an advantageous and space-saving construction. Further space-saving optimization is also achieved by the clearance present beneath the cartridge in the housing of the hand-held device being functionally incorporated into the operating control. 
     The subject matters of the rest of the claims are explained below in relation to the subject matter of claim  1 , but may also be important in their independent formulation. 
     Thus it is further provided that the step-action indexing mechanism has a rotary ring that is concentric with the valve tube and has an external scale, the scale being rotated in a stepwise manner via a planet-gear drive by a rotary toothed rim which is likewise concentric with the valve tube and is driven by an opening stroke of the cartridge. In the event of possible removal of the step-action indexing mechanism from the housing of the hand-held device—e.g. for cleaning purposes—the absence then of the supporting portion for the indexing finger means that an inadvertent, cartridge-independent actuation of the step-action indexing mechanism is not possible. The planet-gear mechanism preferably passes on the angle of rotation to the scale ring in stepped-down form. For example, 200 or 300 stroke actions can accordingly be shown on the scale ring to match the volume of the cartridge. It is further preferred for the graduated scale of the scale ring, which is disposed on the outer lateral surface of the scale ring and extends in front of a viewing window of the housing, to correspond in each case to a number of individual rotary steps of the planet gear. In this respect, it proves to be advantageous, furthermore, for, as far as the step-down transmission is concerned, an individual rotary step of the planet gear to take place following completion of a number of individual rotary steps of the sun gear. The planet gear, furthermore, is in engagement, in the radially outward direction, with a toothed rim. The latter has at least one slot which extends, directed obliquely upwards, from the lower peripheral edge, for entry of the step-action indexing finger, in order to predetermine thereby the indexing direction of the finger for rotating the disk on the sun gear further in a stepwise manner. The housing for the step-action indexing mechanism with the further indexing components is displaced relative to the step-action indexing finger star, this with movement of the step-action indexing finger in the plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which effects the further step-action of the counting mechanism. The gone down scale is a kind of element for indicating that functioning is taking place correctly. After the cartridge is released, it moves back quickly into its basic position on account of the integrated valve spring, this effecting a speedy return action of the step-action indexing mechanism, there being no longer any bias by the housing of the step-action indexing mechanism. This is achieved by the prestressed step-action indexing finger, which automatically assumes again its original position, directed obliquely upwardly, and thereby urges the indexing members as well as the housing of the step-action indexing mechanism into their original position. Accordingly, the step-action indexing mechanism is uncoupled from the cartridge in respect of the return movement into its basic position, but it is controllable by the turning scale. It is controlled by a return spring formed by the step-action indexing finger. The axial length of the entire step-action indexing mechanism is furthermore preferably matched to the length of extent of the valve tube; accordingly, the latter furthermore remains surrounded in a protected position by the housing of the step-action indexing mechanism in the position in which it has been removed from the housing of the hand-held device. As an alternative, the housing of the step-action indexing mechanism, the housing being configured as a flat plate, may be latched in the housing in such a manner that it can still be displaced inwards by the opening stroke. Thus, for example during a first assembly of the hand-held device, the step-action indexing mechanism can be pushed, together with the cartridge, into the housing of the hand-held device, whereupon the housing of the step-action indexing mechanism finally engages behind a catch provided in the housing. The step-action indexing mechanism can furthermore be displaced inwards from this basic position via the stroke movement of the cartridge. In a development of the subject matter of the invention, a double latching of the housing of the step-action indexing mechanism, the housing being configured as a flat plate, is provided in such a manner that, in addition to the latching to the collar of the cartridge, a second stronger latching takes place in the housing of the hand-held device. Before using for the first time, it is necessary to fit the housing of the hand-held device to the cartridge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawing, which merely illustrates various exemplary embodiments and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows, in exploded perspective illustration, the step-action indexing mechanism for the hand-held device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-section through the step-action indexing mechanism; 
         FIG. 3  shows, in longitudinal sectional illustration, the hand-held device in a first embodiment, with a schematically illustrated step-action indexing mechanism latched on a cartridge; 
         FIG. 4  shows a sectional illustration corresponding to  FIG. 3 , but relating to a second embodiment, in which the schematically illustrated step-action indexing mechanism is latched on a housing; 
         FIG. 4   a  shows a third embodiment in a sectional illustration according to  FIG. 4 , in the case of which the cartridge in the housing of the hand-held device is blocked against being pulled out; 
         FIG. 5  shows, in longitudinal sectional illustration, the hand-held device in a further embodiment, following separation of an upper housing part from a mouthpiece. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The hand-held unit  1  which is shown in schematic sectional illustration in  FIG. 3  serves for apportioned delivery of sprayable substances, in particular inhaler medicaments. 
     For this purpose, the hand-held unit  1 , in first instance, has a hand-held-unit housing  2  into which a cartridge  3  containing the sprayable substance can be inserted. This cartridge  3  is axially displaceable in the housing  2 . 
     In conventional manner, the cartridge head  4  has a central valve tube  5 , which extends coaxially in relation to the cartridge  3 . A delivery of medicament is achieved via this valve tube by an axial relative movement between the cartridge  3  and housing  2  of the hand-held unit. 
     The housing  2  of the hand-held device is in two parts and comprises substantially two annular parts  6  and  7  which are disposed one above the other and of which the upper annular part  6  is formed as a passageway and the lower annular part  7  has a mouthpiece  8  oriented approximately transversely to the extent of the passageway. This mouthpiece can be closed by a covering cap (not illustrated). 
     The valve tube  5  of the cartridge  3  is supported in an associated tubular supporting portion  9  within the lower annular part  7 , it being possible for the cartridge  3  to move axially within the passage-form annular part  6 , which surrounds the cartridge  3 . 
     The supporting portion  9 , which accommodates the valve tube  5  of the cartridge  3  with clamping action and is formed within the lower annular housing part  7 , is provided with a flow channel  10  which has a smaller diameter than a portion accommodating the valve-tube end and is connected to the valve tube  5  in terms of flow, that end of the flow channel  10  which is directed away from the valve tube  5  being oriented in the direction of the mouthpiece  8 . 
     The two annular parts  6  and  7  are connected to one another in a plug-in manner in the embodiment illustrated. As an alternative, the two parts may also be connected to one another by a thread, for example a coarse thread with a high pitch. 
     The arrangement of the cartridge  3  in the housing  2  of the hand-held device is selected so that the head  4  of the cartridge is positioned in the housing  2  approximately at the level of the connecting region between the annular part  6  and the annular part  7 . 
     A step-action indexing mechanism  11  is disposed centrally beneath the opening-side end wall of the cartridge  3 , so as to overlap the cartridge valve tube  5 . This indexing mechanism serves for registering and indicating the dispensing actuations which have been executed, in dependence on the opening strokes of the cartridge  3  which have been executed. 
     The step-action indexing mechanism  11  is shown in  FIG. 1  in an exploded perspective illustration. The central constituent part of the step-action indexing mechanism  11  is a planet-gear mechanism  12  consisting of a planet gear  13 , a sun gear  14 , which is seated on a disk  15  which is toothed on the underside, and a toothed rim  16 , which interacts with the planet gear  13 . This toothed rim is formed on the inner wall of a ring  17  which is in the form of a tube portion and is secured such that it cannot be rotated. The lateral wall  18  of the ring  17  has slots  19  passing through it in diametrically opposite regions, these slots extending, directed obliquely upward, in the indexing direction and opening out downward in the direction of the annular edge which is directed away from the toothed rim  16 . 
     The toothed rim  16  extends axially approximately over half the height of the ring  17 , the lateral wall  18  of which, being stepped in the direction of the annular end edge which is directed away from the toothed rim  16 , tapers radially. 
     Beneath the toothed rim  16 , a latching finger  20  is integrally formed on the inside of the lateral wall  18  of the ring  17 . This latching finger, as seen in a plan view of the ring, is offset radially inward in relation to the toothed rim  16 , and accordingly engages in a circular space located radially inside the toothed rim  16 . Furthermore, the arrangement of the latching finger  20 , which is of elastic formation approximately in the vertical direction, is selected such that this finger engages approximately in a horizontal plane defined by the lower peripheral edges of the toothed rim  16 . 
     The diameter of the disk  15 , which carries the sun gear  14 , is selected to be slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the ring  17  in the region of the toothed rim  16 . The sun gear  14  and disk  15  are preferably formed in one piece, from the same material. 
     The disk  15  is provided, on its underside, with a sawtooth formation  21  which runs around the periphery and in which the latching finger  20  of the ring  17  engages. 
     The sun gear  14  has a coarse toothing formation. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, eight sun-gear teeth  22  are distributed uniformly over the circumference of the sun gear  14 . As the sun gear rotates, these teeth  22  interact with the planet gear  13 , which is disposed in the same plane between the sun gear  14  and the toothed rim  16  of the ring  17 . 
     The planet gear  13  has an axial pin  23  which projects upward on one side, i.e. in the direction away from the disk  15  of the sun gear  14 . This axial pin is held in a rotatable manner in a bore  24  in the region of a collar  25  of a scale ring  26 , this collar being oriented radially inward in a disk-like manner. The scale ring  26  is provided, on its outer lateral wall, with an encircling graduated scale  27 , the graduated scale corresponding in each case to a number of individual rotary steps of the planet gear  13 , which moves the scale ring forward. 
     The stepwise displacement of the sun gear  14  and/or of the disk  15 , which is integrally formed therewith, takes place via step-action indexing fingers  28  which can yield resiliently approximately in the vertical direction. These fingers engage on the underside of the sawtooth formation  21  of the disk  15 . 
     The step-action indexing fingers  28  are located diametrically opposite one another in relation to the main axis x of the step-action indexing mechanism  11  as a whole. For this purpose, a cylindrical central body in the form of a hub  29  with a central axial through-bore  30  is provided in first instance. The diameter of this through-bore is slightly larger than the external diameter of the cartridge valve tube  5 , which is to pass through this through-bore  30 . 
     At the foot end, the hub  29  merges into a radially widened collar  31 . Radially projecting guide portions  32  are integrally formed diametrically opposite one another on this collar and, in the region of their free ends in each case, form a guide pin  33 , which is positioned in the associated slot  19  of the ring  17 . 
     The step-action indexing fingers  28  each have a horizontal portion rooted on the guide portions  32 , leaving the guide pins  33  to project radially outward beyond the horizontal portion. The step-action indexing fingers  28 , which project from the horizontal portions, extend directed obliquely upward, with the approximate inclusion of an angle of 45 degrees in relation to the horizontal, this angle being adapted to the slope of the slots  19  in the ring  17 . The step-action indexing-finger star thus formed is designated S. 
     The step-action indexing-finger star S, the ring  17 , which contains the inner toothed rim  16 , the disk  15 , which is integrally formed with the sun gear  14 , and the scale ring  26  are aligned concentrically in relation to one another along the axis x, the height of the ring  17  being selected such that both the step-action indexing-finger star S and the sun gear  14 , together with the disk  15 , are accommodated therein. 
     The entire planet-gear mechanism  12  as well as the step-action indexing-finger star S and the scale ring  26  are accommodated in a cup-like step-action indexing-mechanism housing  34  with an external diameter adapted to the external diameter of the cartridge  3 . 
     The housing  34  has a lateral wall  35 . The latter has a viewing window  36  through which it is possible to see the graduated scale  27  of the scale ring  26 . 
     The housing top  37  has a central aperture  38  which, in the embodiment which is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , is surrounded by resilient latching tongues  39  which taper conically in the direction of the housing interior in the embodiment  39  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The aperture diameter is adapted to a diameter of a waist portion  40  of a collar  41  which projects centrally beyond the opening-side end wall of the cartridge  3  and from which the valve tube  5  extends. 
     The housing base  42  is formed by a separate part. The latter is connected to the housing  34 , for example welded thereto or secured thereon via a press fit, with the above described individual parts of the step-action indexing mechanism being accommodated therein. 
     The plate-like housing base  42  has a central bore for the valve tube  5  to pass through. Furthermore, the housing base  42  has formed on it a latching component  44  which, for holding the ring  17  in an aligned position, engages in a window-like recess  45  correspondingly formed in the lateral wall  18  of the ring. 
     Over the same angle region in which the fitting component  44  is disposed on the base, the outer lateral wall of the housing base  42  has a cutout  46 . In the installed state, this is associated with the region of the outlet cross-section of the flow channel  10  in the lower annular housing part  7 . 
     Irrespective of the arrangement which is yet to be described basically with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the step-action indexing mechanism  11  functions as follows: 
     The indexing members (step-action indexing-finger star S, ring  17 , disk  15 , planet gear  13  and scale ring  26 ), as well as the housing  34  with the housing base  42  are disposed along axes which extend in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge  3 . Thus, with the exception of the planet gear  13 , all other components of the step-action indexing mechanism  11  are positioned along the longitudinal axis x-x of the cartridge. 
     The step-action indexing mechanism  11  is accordingly disposed concentrically within the housing  2 , within the cross-sectional profile of the cartridge  3 , specifically in the installation space left between the cartridge head  4  and supporting portion  9  of the housing  2  of the hand-held device. The step-action indexing mechanism  11  is supported on the end face of the supporting portion  9  of the inhaler housing  2  by way of the hub  29  of the step-action indexing-finger star S, this hub being mounted centrally in the indexing-mechanism housing  34 . The central axis x-x of the step-action indexing mechanism  11  is defined by the axis of the body of the cartridge  3 . The valve tube  5 , which passes through the hub  29 , provides for additional centering of the step-action indexing-mechanism unit as a whole. 
     Upon execution of an actuating stroke of the cartridge  3  and associated vertical displacement of the cartridge in the direction of the supporting portion  9 , the indexing-mechanism housing  34  is carried along via the cartridge head  4 , this taking place with displacement of the counting-mechanism housing  34 , of the planet-gear mechanism  12  and of the scale ring  26  relative to the step-action indexing-finger star S, which is supported on the supporting portion  9 . Consequently, the step-action indexing fingers  28 , as they are subjected to stressing, and further assisted by the step-action indexing-finger star S sliding upward with rotary action in the lateral-wall slots  19  of the ring  17 , cause a stepwise rotary advancement of the sawtoothed disk  15 . At the same time, the sun gear  14  rotates by the same angle. The step-action indexing fingers  28  thereby move out of the oblique position in the direction of a plane oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis x-x. 
     Because the sun gear  14  has merely eight teeth distributed uniformly over the circumference, it is not necessarily the case that every rotary stepping movement of the sun gear  14  results in a rotary movement of the planet gear  13 . Rather, the rotation of the planet gear  13  about its axis, and the accompanying rotary displacement of the scale ring  26 , takes place only after a number of individual rotary steps of the sun gear  14 . 
     According to the illustration in  FIG. 3 , the entire step-action indexing mechanism  11  can be secured with latching action, by means of the counting-mechanism housing  34 , on the collar  41  that projects from the cartridge head. In association with the viewing window  36  in the housing, the associated portions of the annular housing parts  6  and  7  then likewise have viewing windows  47 ,  48  which, by virtue of the position selected, directed toward the mouthpiece  8  of the housing  2 , are located within the field of vision of the user operating the hand-held unit  1 . For introducing the step-action indexing mechanism  11  in a positionally aligned manner, this mechanism is provided with a guide blade  49  which projects radially from the housing  34  and engages in a vertical groove, not illustrated in detail, in the interior of the housing  2  of the hand-held device, allowing the displacement movement during actuation of a stroke. 
     The latching between the step-action indexing mechanism  11  and the cartridge  3  in the region of the collar  41  at the head of the cartridge is selected so that, when the cartridge  3  is removed from the housing  2 , the step-action indexing mechanism  11  is also pulled out, remaining on the cartridge  3  in the process. 
     As an alternative, it is also possible, as is illustrated schematically in  FIG. 4 , for the step-action indexing mechanism  11  to be latched to the inhaler housing  2 . For this purpose, during initial assembly, the step-action indexing mechanism  11  passes over one or more radially inwardly projecting latching protrusions  51  of the housing  2 , following which collar portions  52 , that project radially from the indexing-mechanism housing  34 , grip beneath these latching protrusions  51 . 
     The latching protrusions  51  are positioned, as seen in the vertical direction, so as to ensure the vertical displaceability of the step-action indexing mechanism  11  upon stroke actuation of the cartridge  3 . 
     The arrangement selected results in the latching protrusions  51  forming holding-down means which keep the step-action indexing mechanism  11  in the housing  2  of the hand-held device when the cartridge  3  is pulled out. 
     The illustration in  FIG. 4   a  shows a further embodiment, which builds on the configuration which is shown in  FIG. 4 . Thus, in order to secure the cartridge  3  further—in addition to conventional clamping of the valve tube  5  in the supporting portion  9  in the housing of the hand-held-unit—provision is made for the cartridge  3  to be blocked in the region of the upper annular housing part  6 . Obliquely downwardly directed restraining fingers  55  thus project from the inner lateral wall of this upper annular housing part  6  and are formed integrally with the upper housing part  6 , from the same material. These restraining fingers  55  are positioned such that their free peripheral edges, positioned in relation to the cartridge  3 , pass with blocking action into the waist region of the cartridge  3  which is formed behind the cartridge head  4 , in order to thus block the cartridge  3 . 
     Furthermore, the restraining fingers  55  are formed such that, at least when the housing  2  is initially assembled with the cartridge  3 , the cartridge head  4  can pass over them. 
     The cartridge  3  is thus secured to the housing  2  of the hand-held device, in particular at the upper part  6  of the housing. 
     The illustration in  FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the cartridge  3  is also held on the upper housing part  6  by means of restraining fingers  55 . This upper housing part  6  can be released from the lower housing part  7 , which forms the mouthpiece  8 , the two housing parts  6  and  7  being separated approximately in the region where the plate-like step-action indexing-mechanism housing  34  is positioned. 
     When the two housing parts  6  and  7  have been put together, they are preferably latched, for which purpose one housing part has a latching nose and the other housing part has a correspondingly positioned latching recess. 
     As a result of this separation being possible, the mouthpiece  8 , in particular the angled portion which contains the step portion  9 , is easier to clean. This cleaning is further facilitated in that the entire step-action indexing mechanism  11 , which is in the form of a compact subassembly, can be removed extremely straightforwardly from the lower housing part  7  and thus brought for separate cleaning. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, no securing means is provided—such as for example latching protrusions  51  which interact with collar portions  52 . Rather, securing of the step-action indexing mechanism  11  as a whole in the lower housing part  7  is effected by interaction with the cartridge  3  in the use position, with the step-action indexing mechanism  11  being aligned between the supporting portion  9  and the facing end face of the cartridge head  4  (as is also illustrated with reference to the embodiment which is shown in  FIG. 4   a ). 
     It is also the case in this embodiment that the step-action indexing mechanism  11  is secured against rotary displacement about the axis x-x by a positive connection between the step-action indexing mechanism  11  and the lower housing part  7  of the hand-held device.