EP1590765B1 - Dosage indicator for a device dispensing a fluid product - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dose indicator, as well as to a fluid dispenser device having such an indicator.

In the field of fluid dispensing devices for dispensing several doses, and in particular in the field of sprayers, numerous systems for indicating the number of doses dispensed or the number of doses remaining to be dispensed have been developed.

Most of these systems have many disadvantages. Thus, they are generally designed by means of several gears forming gears, the number of which depends on the quantity of doses to be counted. Therefore, these meters or indicators can become very complex, bulky, and therefore expensive to manufacture and assemble. On the other hand, the indication is generally given by numbers, which are often difficult to read for the user, particularly when the dispensing devices are intended to distribute a large number of doses, for example up to 200 doses. . Similarly, all current metering or dose indication systems are not usable by people with vision problems, including the blind. Another major drawback lies in the fact that existing meters generally require an assembly procedure of the dispensing device which is modified by the presence of the counter, and which therefore differs from the usual assembly procedure. This increases the complexity of the device, and therefore involves a higher cost. The documents GB-1336014 , WO 96/39337 and WO 01/37909 describe devices of the prior art.

The present invention aims to provide a dose indicator for a fluid dispenser device, which does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

In particular, the present invention aims to provide a dose indicator which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, and which can in particular be applied to all existing fluid dispensing devices without involving a modification of the procedure. assembly.

The present invention also aims to provide a dose indicator which is small, regardless of the number of doses contained in the dispensing device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dose indicator which forms a complete and separate unit, and which notably comprises the means for actuating the indicator.

The present invention also aims to provide a dose indicator which is easy to read for the user, and which can also be used by people with vision problems, including the blind.

The present invention also aims to provide a dose indicator that avoids any risk of under-counting (not taking into account a distributed dose). More particularly, the present invention aims to provide a dose indicator that counts during the first part of the actuating stroke of the dispensing device with which it is associated.

The present invention therefore relates to a dose indicator for a fluid dispenser device as described in claim 1. Advantageous variants are described in the dependent claims.

Advantageously, said rotary counting wheel and said translational member are arranged in a cover comprising a viewing window cooperating with the viewing opening of the translational member.

Advantageously, said rotary counting wheel is a thin disc having a toothing, said toothing cooperating with actuating means adapted to rotate said rotary disc.

Advantageously, said actuating means comprise a drive element secured to a ring surrounding said toothing, said drive member cooperating with said toothing each time a dose is dispensed.

Advantageously, said ring comprises non-return means, preventing said rotating disk from rotating in the opposite direction to that induced by said driving element.

Advantageously, said actuating means comprise at least one flexible tab.

Advantageously, said actuating means comprise a transmission element adapted to cooperate with said fluid product dispensing device at each actuation thereof, said transmission element cooperating with said drive element to rotate said rotary disc.

Advantageously, said transmission element is a shoulder integral with said drive element, and cooperating with a portion of the fluid dispenser device which is movable during actuation.

Advantageously, the rotary counting wheel, the translational member, the actuating means and the cover form a unit, which can be assembled in a fluid dispensing device.

Advantageously, the actuating means comprise a flexible tab having a first flexible tab portion and a second flexible tab portion that is stiffer than the first tab portion, the first tab portion supporting an actuating tooth adapted to cooperate with the first tab portion. toothing of said rotary counting wheel at each actuation of the device.

The present invention also relates to a fluid dispenser device, comprising a product reservoir and a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir, and a dose indicator as defined above.

Advantageously, the dose indicator is actuated by a part of the reservoir which is displaced during the actuation of the device, and which cooperates with a transmission element of said indicator.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de côté partiellement découpée d'un dispositif de distribution de produit fluide comportant un indicateur de doses selon un mode de réalisation avantageux de la présente invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de face, similaire à celle de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue éclatée d'un indicateur de doses selon un mode de réalisation avantageux de l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3, prise selon un autre angle de vue,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique de derrière de l'indicateur des figures 3 et 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique de devant de l'indicateur des figures 3 et 4.
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique partiellement découpée qui représente le compteur lorsqu'il reste 10 doses,
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à la figure 7 qui représente le compteur lorsqu'il ne reste aucune dose,
• la figure 9 est une vue schématique de la roue de comptage des figures 3 à 8, et
• la figure 10 est une vue schématique d'une roue de comptage selon une variante de réalisation de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of a particular embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and on which,

• the figure 1 is a schematic partially cut-away side view of a fluid dispensing device having a dose indicator according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention,
• the figure 2 is a front view, similar to that of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is an exploded view of a dose indicator according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 , taken from another angle of view,
• the figure 5 is a schematic back view of the indicator of Figures 3 and 4 ,
• the figure 6 is a schematic front view of the indicator of Figures 3 and 4 .
• the figure 7 is a partially cut-out schematic view which represents the counter when 10 doses remain,
• the figure 8 is a view similar to the figure 7 which represents the counter when no dose remains,
• the figure 9 is a schematic view of the counting wheel of Figures 3 to 8 , and
• the figure 10 is a schematic view of a counting wheel according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

The dose indicator A of the present invention applies to all types of fluid dispensing devices. However, it applies more particularly to spraying devices, and advantageously to aerosol devices comprising a metering valve mounted on a container containing a product and a propellant.

The figures 1 and 2 schematically represent a dispensing device B to which the dose indicator A of the present invention is particularly suitable. This device comprises a body 50 and a reservoir 51 on which a metering valve 52 is assembled. The actuation of the device B being obtained by axial displacement of the reservoir 51 inside the body 50, this displacement resulting in a compression of the the valve 52 which causes the expulsion of a dose of product through a mouth orifice 55. Of course, the present invention also applies to other types of dispensing devices, including spraying devices of the type nasal, or devices having a pump instead of the valve.

The Figures 3 to 10 represent a dose indicator A which can in particular be used with a fluid dispensing device B described above. This dose indicator comprises a rotary counting wheel 10, preferably made in the form of a rotating disk, adapted to move in rotation about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to said disk 10. This rotary disk 10 is preferably thin and provided with a hollow profile 18, which can advantageously be achieved by means of a rib. The disc 10 also advantageously comprises a toothing 19, preferably made on its periphery, said toothing 19 being adapted to cooperate with actuating means which are adapted to rotate said disc 10, and which will be described more fully below. . The disk or counting wheel 10 also comprises indicating means 15, which may be numbers and / or symbols and / or colors, and which are intended to indicate the number of doses dispensed or still to be dispensed. These means of indication 15 advantageously follow at least partially said hollow profile 18. Any combination of different means of indication 15 is also conceivable.

The indicator A shown in the figures further comprises a translational member 20 adapted to move in translation. This translational member 20 comprises a projection 28, or any other equivalent means, which cooperates with said hollow profile 18 of the rotating disk 10. This translational member 20 is preferably made in the form of a thin plate, and comprises a viewing opening 25 intended to cooperate with the indication means 15 of the rotating disc 10.

Depending on the shape of the hollow profile 18, a rotation of the counting wheel 10 can cause a translation of the translational member 20. Advantageously, the profile 18 is made so that the indication is progressive and not regular. For example, the indicator of Figures 3 to 9 can be counted about 200 doses, the last 50 being displayed in increments of 5 in the viewing aperture 25 of the translational member 20. In this example, the hollow profile 18 is first spirally in the center of the disk 10, so that each rotation of said disk 10 causes a translation of said translational member 20. When only 50 remains doses to be dispensed, the profile 18 becomes cylindrical, so that the following rotations of the disc 10 no longer move the translational member 20. The indication digits 18 are then displayed in the viewing opening 25 as and when actuation of the device. After the last dose, a specific symbol 17 may indicate that no dose remains to be dispensed. figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment, wherein the indicator can be counted 120 doses, the progressive indication being effected by gap 10 between the first and the ^60th dose and at intervals of 5 then. Other progressions are also possible.

Advantageously, the counting route 10 and the translational member 20 are arranged in a cover 40, which is preferably also of thin structure, and which comprises a viewing window 45, cooperating with the viewing opening 25 of the organ 20 to allow the user to view the indication means 15 of the counting route 10

The actuation of the indicator A, and in particular the rotation of the rotary counting wheel 10 can advantageously be achieved by actuating means integrated into said indicator A. Thus, with reference to the Figures 3 to 10 these actuating means may advantageously comprise a drive element 31 integral with a ring 30 which surrounds said toothing 19 of the rotary disk 10. This drive element 31 is adapted to cooperate with said toothing 19 each time that a dose is dispensed, preferably by means of an actuating tooth 35. Advantageously, there is provided anti-return means 36, 37 for preventing said rotary disc 10 from rotating in the opposite direction to that given to it by the driving element 31 during actuation. These non-return means may comprise a flexible tab 36 supporting a non-return tooth 37 cooperating with the toothing 19.

The actuating means also advantageously comprise a transmission element 34 which is adapted to cooperate with the fluid product distribution device B, at each actuation thereof, said transmission element 34 cooperating with said element of the other part. 31 to rotate said rotary disk 10. In particular, as visible especially on the figure 1 , said transmission member 34 is a shoulder integral with the drive member 31 and which cooperates with a portion 54 of the fluid dispensing device B which is movable during actuation. In the example shown, it is the fixing ring 54 of the metering valve 52 on the tank 51. Of course, and more generally, any part that moves during the actuation of the device B is adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 34 to actuate the dose indicator A.

With reference to Figures 3 to 5 the actuating means comprise at least one flexible lug 31 forming the driving element, this flexible lug 31 being provided with two flexible portions 32 and 33 of different flexibility, the portion 32 being more flexible than the portion 33. For example, the portion 33 is wider than the portion 32. The flexible tab 31 supports said shoulder 34, and when the spraying device B is actuated, the fixing ring 54 of the reservoir first drives the more flexible portion 32 of the arm 31. to bend parallel to the rotating disc 10, which causes the rotation of said disc 10 by means of the actuating tooth 35 which cooperates with the toothing 19. The flexible tab 31 advantageously comprises a locking element 38 adapted to cooperate with a stop protruding 39 integral with the ring 30. The radial distance between the locking element 38 and the stop 39 corresponds advantageously to a tooth of the toothing 19. Thus, during actuation, the shoulder 34 is moved (downwards in the figures) by the dispensing device B, and the more flexible arm portion 32 bends (also downward in the figures), until the locking element 38 contact with the stop 39. This causes rotation on the equivalent of a tooth of the counting wheel 10. The more flexible arm portion 32 is then blocked, and a continuation of the actuating stroke of the dispensing device B is prevented. possible by bending the less flexible arm portion 33. In this way, actuation of the dose indicator is enabled in the first portion of said actuating stroke. This eliminates any risk of non-counting of a dispensed dose (partially or totally) in case of partial actuation of the dispensing device B, while allowing a continuation of the actuating stroke after counting. Stop 39 and the non-return means 36, 37 ensure that each dose is counted only once.

Advantageously, the cover 40 comprises guide means 41, such as rails or ribs, which cooperate with the translational member 20 to guide it in its displacement in translation.

The number of teeth on the toothing 19 and the shape of the hollow profile 18 of the counting wheel 10 therefore give the characteristics of the dose indicator, and in particular the number of doses that this indicator can count. So, in the example shown on the figure 3 to 9 a dosage indicator adapted to have about 200 doses is shown, the last 50 being digitally displayed at intervals of 5 in the display opening 25 of the translational organ. Of course, the maximum number of doses and the display mode can be varied as desired by modifying the structure of the profile 18, the indicating means, or the number of teeth on the toothing 19. The present invention therefore makes it possible to achieve dose indicators adapted to count any number of doses, without changing the geometry or size of said indicator. As already stated above, the dimensional structure of this indicator is particularly small, especially in the dimension of the thickness, and this indicator A can therefore very easily be integrated into the existing fluid dispensing devices B, as is visible on the figures 1 and 2 .

The dose indicator of the present invention makes it possible to display in a simple, inexpensive and progressive manner the number of doses dispensed or the number of doses remaining to be dispensed in the device. The structure of the indicator is very thin, regardless of the number of doses it must indicate, and it has no protruding part involving a modification of the device to which it is applied. As visible on the figure 1 , the dose indicator A of the present invention applies very easily to all existing devices, without these must be modified. The presence of the indicator A also does not modify the assembly process of the device B. The indicator can for example be put in place in the device B through a device. opening provided for this purpose on the front of the body 50 of the device. Another advantage of this indicator is that the actuator means of the indicator are integrated therein, so that the indicator forms a separate and autonomous unit which can be pre-assembled, and easily integrated into any which fluid dispensing device.

Of course, the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, shown in the drawings, but it is in no way limited to this particular embodiment. On the contrary, a person skilled in the art can make any modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. A dose indicator (A) for a fluid dispenser device (B), said indicator comprising a rotary counting wheel (10) that is displaceable in rotation, and a slide member (20) that is displaceable in translation, said counting wheel including indicator means (15), indicating the number of doses dispensed or the number of doses still to be dispensed, and co-operating with a display opening (25) provided in said slide member (20), said rotary counting wheel (10) including a hollow profile (18) co-operating with a projection (28) of said slide member (20), the shape of said hollow profile (18) being such that at least some rotations of said rotary counting wheel (10) cause said slide member (20) to be displaced in translation, thereby modifying the position of said slide member (20) relative to said counting wheel (10), characterized in that the indicator comprises actuator means comprising a flexible tab (31) comprising a first flexible-tab portion (32) and a second flexible-tab portion (33) that is more rigid than the first tab portion (32), said first flexible-tab (32) enabling said rotary counting wheel (10) to be rotated at the start of the actuation stroke of the dispenser device (B), and said second flexible-tab portion (33) enabling said actuation stroke to be continued after said counting wheel (10) has been rotated, said first tab portion (32) supporting an actuator pin (35) which is designed to co-operate with a set of teeth (19) of said rotary counting wheel (10) each time the device is actuated.
2. An indicator according to claim 1, in which said indicator means (15) follow said hollow profile (18) at least in part.
3. An indicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the shape of said hollow profile (18) is irregular so that dose indication is progressive.
4. An indicator according to any preceding claim, in which said hollow profile (18) is spiral-shaped at least in part.
5. An indicator according to any preceding claim, in which said rotary counting wheel (10) and said slide member (20) are disposed in a cover (40) including a display window (45) co-operating with the display opening (25) of the slide member (20).
6. An indicator according to any preceding claim, in which said rotary counting wheel (10) is a thin disk including a set of teeth (19), said set of teeth (19) co-operating with actuator means which are designed to cause said rotary disk (10) to turn.
7. An indicator according to claim 6, in which said actuator means include a drive element (31) secured to a ring (30) surrounding said set of teeth (19), said drive element (31) coming to co-operate with said set of teeth (19) each time a dose is dispensed.
8. An indicator according to claim 7, in which said ring (30) includes anti-return means (36, 37) preventing said rotary disk (10) from turning in the direction opposite to the direction in which it is turned by said drive element (31).
9. An indicator according to claim 7 or claim 8, in which said actuator means include at least one flexible tab (31).
10. An indicator according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which said actuator means include a transmission element (34) which is designed to co-operate with said fluid dispenser device (B) each time said device is actuated, said transmission element (34) also co-operating with said drive element (31) so as to cause said rotary disk (10) to turn.
11. An indicator according to claim 10, in which said transmission element (34) is a shoulder secured to said drive element (31), and co-operating with a portion (54) of the fluid dispenser device (B) which moves during actuation.
12. An indicator according to any one of claims 5 to 11, in which the rotary counting wheel (10), the slide member (20), the actuator means (31, 34, 35), and the cover (40) form a unit which can be assembled in a fluid dispenser device (B).
13. An indicator according to claim 7, in which said ring (30) includes an abutment (39) which is designed to co-operate with a blocking element (38) secured to said flexible tab (31) so as to limit the rotation of said rotary counting wheel (10).
14. An indicator according to claim 13, in which the more rigid, second tab portion (33) is designed to flex as soon as the blocking element (38) is blocked by the abutment means (39) of the ring (30).
15. An indicator according to any preceding claim, in which said indicator means (15) are numbers and/or symbols and/or colors.
16. A fluid dispenser device (B), comprising a fluid reservoir (51) and a dispenser member (52), such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir (51), said device being characterized in that it further comprises a dose indicator (A) according to any preceding claim.
17. A device according to claim 16, in which the dose indicator (A) is actuated by a portion (54) of the reservoir (51) which is displaced while the device (B) is being actuated, and which co-operates with a transmission element (34) of said indicator (A).

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