Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means for mixing treating agent with respiratory gas
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-04
2001-05-22
Dawson, Glenn K. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Means for mixing treating agent with respiratory gas
C239S071000, C222S036000, C222S028000, C417S435000, C415S011000, C128S200230
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234168
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring doses of products dispensed by a fluid or powdery product dispenser. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus that allows for one or several no-load operations that are not counted.
2. Description of the Related Art
Document WO 95/34874 discloses a dosimeter that functions satisfactorily.
When using dispensing valves and also certain pumps it may, however, be preferable to actuate the apparatus once or twice before the first use under load. However, the apparatus disclosed in WO 95/34874 measures a dose each time the dispenser is actuated. It is therefore impossible to effectuate one or several no-load operations for example in order to prime the pump or to carry out trial operations before use. It is also impossible to guarantee dispensing of a complete dose at the first actuation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the present invention is therefore to build a system for measuring doses of products dispensed by a fluid or powdery product dispenser that does not have the above-mentioned disadvantage.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a dosimeter of this type that only counts the doses that have been dispensed after the dispenser has been actuated a predetermined number of times.
The aim of the present invention is also to provide an apparatus of this type that is simple and inexpensive to produce and to assemble.
It is also an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus of this type that can be used to measure the doses dispensed by a dispensing valve.
Another aim of the present invention is to provide a dosimeter of this type that is capable of being simply and inexpensively fitted to various dispensers, particularly to dispensers with various actuating device travels.
The object of the present invention is therefore an apparatus for measuring doses of products dispensed by a fluid or powdery product dispenser, the measuring apparatus comprising:
a first metering ring mounted to rotate about a rotation axis, and
drive means capable of co-operating with the first metering ring in order to drive it in rotation about the axis, the drive means being actuated each time the dispenser is actuated, the apparatus comprising interlocking means for engaging the drive means with the first metering ring after the dispenser has been actuated a predetermined number of times, the first metering ring being driven to rotate only as from when it is engaged with the drive means, such that the measuring apparatus only counts the doses that have been dispensed after the dispenser has been actuated the predetermined number of times.
Preferably, the drive means comprise a drive wheel that is mounted to rotate around the rotation axis of said first metering ring near to which the drive wheel is driven to rotate around the rotation axis each time the dispenser is actuated.
Advantageously, said interlocking means comprise a foot that is an integrated part of said drive wheel. The foot is more or less parallel to said rotation axis and co-operates with a slot provided in said first metering ring, said slot coming to bear on an end surface of said slot after the dispenser has been actuated said number of predetermined times.
Advantageously, said slot lies in the arc of a circle in said first metering ring. Each time the dispenser is actuated the drive wheel is driven to rotate around said rotation axis, said foot being simultaneously displaced in said slot without causing the first metering ring to rotate, eventually resulting in said foot coming to bear on the radial end surface of the slot. Any subsequent actions of the dispenser bring the foot of the drive wheel to drive said first metering ring to rotate around said rotation axis in order to count the doses of dispensed product. The length of the slot thus constitutes said predetermined number of times that the dispenser is actuated during which the metering ring does not turn.
In particular, said first metering ring and said drive wheel each comprise a respective anti-return device that prevents said first ring and said drive wheel from rotating in the opposite directions.
Preferably, the dispenser comprises an actuating device capable of being displaced between a rest position and an actuating position such that every time the dispenser is actuated said actuating device operates in conjunction with said drive wheel in order to rotate the drive wheel through a predetermined angle around said rotation axis.
Advantageously, the actuating device is displaced in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of said drive wheel and to said first metering ring.
Advantageously, said drive wheel comprises two rows of indentations that are arranged around the circumference and that project radially outwards. The indentations of the first row of indentations have a first oblique surface that operates in conjunction with the actuating device when the device is displaced from the rest position to the actuating position. The indentations of the second row have a second oblique surface that operates in conjunction with the actuating device when the device is displaced from the actuating position to the rest position, such that the drive wheel rotates through said predetermined angle during an actuating cycle of the actuating device.
In particular, said dispenser comprises a dispensing valve that is actuated by a push-button, said push-button including said actuating device such that when the user depresses the push-button to obtain a dose the drive wheel rotates through a section of said predetermined angle and when the push-button is brought back to its initial position said drive wheel rotates through the remainder of the predetermined angle.
The apparatus may also comprise a second metering ring mounted to rotate around said rotation axis and that is actuated to rotate by the first metering ring each time that said first metering ring has completed a 360° rotation around said rotation axis. In this example, the co-operation between the first metering ring and the second metering ring may be identical to that described in document WO 95/34874.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4817822 (1989-04-01), Rand et al.
patent: 5349945 (1994-09-01), Wass et al.
patent: 5392768 (1995-02-01), Johansson et al.
patent: 5611444 (1997-03-01), Garby et al.
patent: 5740792 (1998-04-01), Ashley et al.
patent: 684 047 (1995-11-01), None
patent: WO 95/34874 (1995-12-01), None
patent: WO 96/16687 (1996-06-01), None
Dawson Glenn K.
Patel Mital
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
Valois S.A.
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