A counter for counting objects placed therethrough into a collecting device is provided. The counter comprises a holding structure having an opening disposed therein. The opening is adapted for enabling placement of the objects therethrough into the collecting device. A counting device is mounted to the holding structure in proximity to the opening such that the counting device advances a count of the objects by one when one of the objects is moved through the opening.

A fluid dispenser comprising a body (1), a fluid reservoir (2), a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir (2), and a dose indicator device for indicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said reservoir, the dispenser being characterized in that said dose indicator device includes a first safety system for actuating the dose indicator device once the dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete actuation stroke.

The present disclosure relates to a dose indicator for a pressure-actuated metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device. In an embodiment, the dose indicator comprises a chassis element having a viewing portion, a display element located within the chassis element, a resilient deformable element, and an indexing element having an axis, translation of the indexing element along its axis from a first position to a second position causing deformation of the resilient deformable element in the same direction as translation of the indexing element resulting in generally greater displacement of portions of the resilient deformable element nearer to the axis relative to portions thereof further from the axis, the displacement of the portions of the resilient deformable element in the same direction as translation of the indexing element inducing indexing of the display element from a current position to a subsequent position relative to the viewing portion of the chassis element.

The invention describes a novel method of transducing a force input into a perpendicularly directed advance of a geared component. This simple mechanism allows for the implementation of latches, accelerometers, tilt sensors, and counters that are uniquely inexpensive, robust, compact, and easy to implement, since they are able to rely on purely mechanical operation.

A cleaning management apparatus manages bedside cleaning for an endoscope connected to an examination apparatus. After an examination is completed, a measurement unit measures the operation time of a predetermined operation button of the endoscope. A recording control unit records that a preliminary cleaning has already been performed when the operation time that has been measured satisfies a completion condition. A notification unit gives notice of a message indicating that the preliminary cleaning is completed when the measured operation time satisfies the completion condition.

A device has a latching mechanism including a catch element having at least two catches, and a pawl configured to engage in a catch interstice between two catches. The catch element is movable in relation to the pawl in a freewheeling direction, and a movement of the catch element in relation to the pawl in a blocking direction may be blocked by means of the pawl. The device further includes a deflectable actuator configured to move the catch element and the pawl relative to each other on a catch-by-catch basis in the freewheeling direction by means of deflection. According to the invention, the device also includes an electric component configured to change its electric property as a function of the catch-wise movement of the catch element in relation to the pawl.

A device for dosing or counting objects includes: a plate with a plurality of recesses, each suitable for receiving a single object and arranged in at least two series of at least two rows in parallel along a longitudinal axis, such that the recesses in a first row of one series are offset longitudinally relative to the recesses in the second row of the same series by a non-zero pitch; and a pull element arranged to slide relative to the plate along the longitudinal axis and comprising at least two adjacent tongues, each designed to cover or reveal a corresponding series of rows and arranged to slide relative to one another over a distance equal to the pitch and coupled by a drive mechanism such that the sliding of the pull element along the longitudinal axis over a distance greater than the pitch causes the simultaneous movement of two tongues.

A dose counting mechanism for indicating the quantity of dosage available within a metered dose inhaler having a canister with an aerosol fluid and a housing body for housing the canister, wherein a wall of the housing body includes formations to support a resilient element, a wheel formation, a elongate threaded element, and a threaded formation including a pointer. The depressing of the canister to release aerosol fluid displaces the resilient element which engages with the wheel formation to rotate the wheel formation. The elongate threaded element engages with the wheel formation such that the rotation of the wheel formation causes rotational movement of the elongate element. The threaded formation engages with the elongate element whereby the rotational movement of the elongate element causes the linear displacement of the threaded formation and the pointer, whereby the position of the pointer indicates the quantity of fluid within the canister.

A fluid dispenser comprising a body (1), a fluid reservoir (2), a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir (2), and a dose indicator device for indicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said reservoir, the dispenser being characterized in that said dose indicator device includes a first safety system for actuating the dose indicator device once the dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete actuation stroke.

A temperature actuated mechanical counter is provided. The counter includes a top plate or cover, a base, and an index plate interposed between the top plate and the base. The index plate includes a deflectable plate of a bimetallic material configured to deflect when it reaches a first temperature and configured to revert to an undeflected state when it reaches a second temperature. When the deflectable plate deflects, the index plate moves relative to the top plate and the base and rotates about an axis thereof to a new index location.