Handheld device for dispensing of a pharmaceutical substance and counter for such handheld device

Abstract

A handheld device for dispensing a pharmaceutical substance has a housing in which a storage container with the pharmaceutical substance and a counter are arranged. The storage container dispenses the pharmaceutical substance by pressure actuation by a user after a specified displacement path has been traversed, and the counter carries out an action in order to rotate a counter wheel of the counter on the basis of the displacement path being traversed. The counter additionally has a drive part rotates the counter wheel, and the counter wheel is rotatably attached to a mounting part. The mounting part is formed independently of the housing, and the drive part is directly attached to the mounting part. The handheld device advantageously dispenses a pharmaceutical substance in that the action is first carried out on the counter wheel of the counter upon the pressure actuation, and the pharmaceutical substance is then dispensed.

Claims

1. A handheld device for dispensing a pharmaceutical substance, comprising: a housing; a receptacle disposed in the housing and containing the pharmaceutical substance and being configured for dispensing the pharmaceutical substance upon pressure activation after going through a predetermined displacement path against a spring arranged in the receptacle, and a counter having a counter wheel that turns based on movement of the receptacle in the displacement path, wherein the counter comprises a driving part for turning the counter wheel and a holding part on which the counter wheel is rotatably arranged, the receptacle also moving the counter longitudinally along a direction of a longitudinal axis of the housing when moving in the displacement path during dispensing of the pharmaceutical substance, and a restoring spring configured for a back movement of the counter after an actuation of the receptacle, the restoring spring having an engagement part for cooperation with the driving part, wherein the holding part is independent from the housing and the driving part is arranged immediately on the holding part, wherein upon force actuation the counter wheel is turned and the pharmaceutical substance is dispensed thereafter, wherein the restoring spring runs in a direction of a longitudinal axis thereof below the counter, between the counter and a bottom of the housing and wherein a linear shift of one section of the restoring spring causes a movement at the same time in an opposite direction of another section of the restoring spring having the engagement part, whereby the engagement part on a side of a spring arm end is raised essentially opposite to a direction of movement of the receptacle and the counter upon a pressing downward of the receptacle, and approaches the driving part.

2. A counter for a handheld device having a housing and a receptacle for dispensing a pharmaceutical substance, the counter comprising: at least one counter wheel having readable characters and being configured to be longitudinally movable along longitudinal axis of the housing by movement of the receptacle during dispensing of the pharmaceutical substance when the counter is arranged in the housing, a driving part configured for turning the counter wheel, a restoring spring configured for a back movement of the counter after an actuation of the receptacle, the restoring spring having an engagement part for cooperation with the driving part, wherein the restoring spring is lever-like and pivots upon actuation around a pivot axis, wherein in a cross section in which a largest distance between the engagement part and the pivot axis is given, the restoring spring has, seen from the counter, a concave course, wherein the restoring spring runs in a direction of a longitudinal axis thereof below the counter, between the counter and a bottom of the housing, and wherein a linear shift of one section of the restoring spring causes a movement at the same time in an opposite direction of another section of the restoring spring having the engagement part, whereby the engagement part on a side of a spring arm end is configured to be raised essentially opposite to a linear direction of movement of the counter upon a pressing downward of the receptacle, and approaches the driving part.

3. The counter according to claim 2, further comprising a locking part configured for engagement with the driving part, wherein the locking part is disposed inside a holding part of the counter.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings that, however, merely show an exemplary embodiment. In these drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a for example perspective exterior view of an exemplary handheld device with a receptacle arranged therein and a counter;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the object of FIG. 1 along the plane II-II; concerning an unloaded basic position of the receptacle and the counter mechanism;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the region in FIG. 2, the counter being shown in an outer view;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 3, related to an in between position during actuation of the handheld device;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a following representation concerning FIG. 4, concerning the actuation end position;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the counter in a perspective single representation;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the counter in a perspective explosive view; and

(9) FIG. 8 the counter in an outer view;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 3, concerning a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(11) Shown and described is, compare especially FIG. 7, a counter 1 composed of a counter wheel 2, a mounting part 3 and a drive part 4.

(12) These few parts, preferably only three parts, are essential to this counter. It is particularly important that the mounting part is realized integrally with additional functions and functional parts, preferably in one piece materially unified.

(13) The counter 1 is arranged in a handheld device 5 of the type illustrated in principle in FIG. 1.

(14) The cross section according to FIG. 2 furthermore shows that a receptacle 6 containing the pharmaceutical substance to be dispensed can be arranged in the handheld device 5. The handheld device 5 particularly is an inhalation device.

(15) The handheld device 5 furthermore features a housing 7 that comprises a section, which extends vertically during the intended use and in which a receptacle 6 is accommodated, as well as a mouthpiece 8 that angularly protrudes from this vertical section, e.g. at a right angle or obtuse angle referred to a longitudinal axis x of the vertical section. The mouthpiece 8 may be covered with a cap 9 when the handheld device is not in use.

(16) The entire counter 1 is accommodated in the housing 7 of the handheld device 5.

(17) According to FIG. 2, the counter 1 particularly may be arranged underneath the receptacle 6, the lower side of which is realized in a stepped fashion in a longitudinal cross section, particularly such that the mounting part 3 can come in direct contact with a step surface, preferably an outer step surface 10 of the receptacle 6. The receptacle 6 is actuated by being pressed downward against a not-shown spring that is arranged in the receptacle itself, namely relative to a stationary receiving and dispensing stub 11 in the housing 7.

(18) In this case, the mounting part 3 and the counter wheel 2 accordingly are jointly pressed downward against a restoring spring 12 that is preferably realized on the mounting part as well. While the mounting part and the counter wheel are pressed downward, the drive part 4 interacts with the counter wheel 1 in order to rotationally drive this counter wheel 1 about a central axis a thereof, which may also be a cylinder axis as discussed further below.

(19) The described counter 1 particularly is not designed for individually counting each actuation of the handheld device 5. However, it may also be realized in the form of an individual counter. The counter preferably only displays a new numeral (completely) after a certain number of actuations, for example after 5, 10 or 20 respective actuations.

(20) The counter wheel 2 apparently features corresponding readable characters 13, particularly on an outer circumferential surface of the preferably cylindrical counter wheel 2.

(21) The characters 13 can be read through a window 30 in the housing 7.

(22) The counter wheel 2 is mounted on the mounting part 3. To this end, the mounting part 3 can engage behind the counter wheel 2 with mounting fingers and/or a mounting wall. The mounting fingers may be realized such that they can be elastically deflected. The lower side of the counter wheel 2 may be seated on a step surface 14 of the mounting part 3. The mounting part 3 preferably also features a bottom 15. Furthermore, the bottom 15 preferably features a mounting opening, by means of which the counter 1 may be snap-mounted on the receiving/dispensing stub 11 of the housing 7 in the installed state; see FIG. 2.

(23) Furthermore, the bottom 15 is preferably realized approximately at the height of the step surface 14.

(24) Snap-in fingers may also be realized in the mounting opening in order to promote the potential mounting of the counter on the receiving/dispensing stub 11 of the housing of the device.

(25) To this end, the mounting stub 11 features a circumferential groove, into which such snap-in fingers can engage. In the course of an actuation, the bottom 15 and the counter mechanism 1 can altogether move relative to the housing 7 and especially relative to the receiving/dispensing stub 11 for the vertical height (width) of the groove.

(26) The lower side of the counter wheel 2 is realized with an engagement toothing 16. This engagement tooting makes it possible to act upon the counter mechanism 1 in order to realize its rotation.

(27) The engagement toothing 16 is acted upon by the drive part 4.

(28) The mounting part 3 is preferably also realized toroidal, particularly cylindrical, if applicable with different regions in a vertical direction of a cylinder axis, which preferably coincides with the central axis a. A functional section is preferably provided underneath the step surface 14. This functional section, which preferably also has an annular shape, particularly a cylindrical shape, is provided for with one or more formations that can fulfill one or more functions. A mounting formation 17 is initially provided for mounting the drive part 4. It may consist of snap-in openings for an axis of the drive part 4. Rib-like counter formations 18 for the mounting in the housing 7 of the handheld device 5 are furthermore provided. In addition, the functional section features the connection of the restoring spring 12. This restoring spring may extend from a lower end face of the functional section. Referred to the side view according to FIG. 2, in which the central axis a forms a line and the rotational axis d forms a point, the direction of extent of said restoring spring preferably includes an acute angle with the central axis a. The restoring spring 12 is preferably designed in a bow-like fashion (see FIGS. 6 and 7), particularly such that the bow with its two bow arms is in the aforementioned side view in overlap, so that in cross section or a corresponding view respectively, only the bow arm is visible.

(29) The restoring spring 12 is further preferably concerning the bow-like fashion provided for in a closed way. Two end regions of the bow are preferably on different places underside the holding part 3 as such (which means for this purpose viewed without the restoring spring 12) transforming into this holding part.

(30) Altogether there is seen from the counter 1 preferably a concave course K of the restoring spring 12 or bow arms thereof respectively lying overlapping to each other (see FIG. 3). Based on this, starting from the connection region on the functional section, whereby in this connection region a geometrical pivoting axis b is originating, a spring arm section 23 may result which in a section view is nearly running straight up to a section of a circular line inwards in direction to the enclosed acute angle concerning the functional section. This spring arm section 23 may run straight up to concave within the altogether convex course of the restoring spring 12.

(31) The spring arm section 23 extends up to a support section 24 over which the restoring spring 12 is supported altogether on the bottom of the housing 7. With reference to the section according to FIG. 2 the spring arm section 23 exceeds in this connection—starting from the connection area in the area of the pivot axis b—the middle axis a. Also the support section 24 may seat immediately on the housing bottom in the area of the middle axis a or also before this area.

(32) In an elongation of the spring section 23 over the support section 24 there may result a second spring section 25 which is in cross section straight running which may include in the area of the support section 24 with the first spring section 23 an angle α of about 120 to 140°.

(33) In an untensioned basic position according to the view in FIGS. 2 and 3 a support of the spring section 25 may be given over nearly the whole length of the spring section 25 on the housing bottom. Also the support may be given alone via the support section 24.

(34) In the area of the free end of the spring section 25 facing away from the support section 24 and extending free from the support section 24 is mounted an engagement part 21 designed for engagement of the drive part 4.

(35) According to another detail, the drive part 4 is realized in the form of a worm shaft, preferably a single-flight worm shaft. A helical pitch may be adapted to the spacing between two adjacent toothing projections of the counter wheel 2. The actual counting effect referred to one respective actuation can be adjusted due to this measure and due to the fact that the counter wheel is driven by a defined amount of a toothing projection during one revolution.

(36) One respective driving projection 20, which may simultaneously also serve as a tooth for acting upon the engagement part 21, particularly can engage between two driving projections 20 and drive the counter wheel 2 during a rotation due to the helical or screw-like design.

(37) The engagement part 21 is preferably realized on the restoring spring 12 and further preferably materially unified with the restoring spring 12. In view of the concave course K of the restoring spring 12 altogether the engagement part 21 is not regarded as part of the restoring spring.

(38) As it is moreover for example visible from FIG. 6, the engagement part 21 may be arranged on a region of the restoring spring which projects farest transverse to the rotational axis d and faresat away from the pivot axis b but once again preferably extending further cantilevered in the direction of the central axis a.

(39) The engagement part 21 is in a cross section across to the middle axis a preferably designed similar to a blade that extends straight. A certain curved or bent formation may also be provided on the free end on the upper side of the engagement part 21 (see FIG. 3).

(40) In the untensioned basic position shown in FIG. 3 results a greater distance c in direction of the longitudinal axis x viewed between the free end of the engagement part 21 and the pivot axis b of the restoring spring 12.

(41) At an actuation of the handheld device 5, also at the shown embodiment upon a down pressing of the receptacle 6 in the direction of the press downward actuation P shown in the figures, via the seesaw-like design of the restoring spring 12 with its support on the housing bottom in the area of the support section 24, the engagement part 21 on the side of the spring arm end is raised essentially counter to the movement direction of the receptacle 6 and the counter mechanism 1, coming nearer to the drive part 4.

(42) Upon an actuation of the handheld device 5 the engagement projection 21 meets a driving projection 20 of the driving part 4 and effects a turning of the worm-shaft around the pivot axis d of the drive part 4, even before a dispensing position of the receptacle 6 is reached (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The dispensing position means in this connection, especially in view of the shown embodiments, that a valve in the receptacle 6 is moved into an open position by the pressure actuation P and that such substance S may escape through the mouth piece out of the receptacle 6. In this position the smallest possible distance c between the free end of the engagement part 21 and the pivot axis b of the restoring spring 12 may result.

(43) A backward rotation of the drive part 4 is simultaneously prevented by means of a locking part 22. The locking part 22 also interacts with the worm shaft, particularly with the toothing projections of the drive part 4 that form the helical design.

(44) The drive part 4 interacts with the locking part 22 is on the opposite side of the corresponding interaction of the drive part 4 with the engagement part 21—referred to a side view according to FIG. 3, in which the rotational axis d of the drive part 4 forms a point.

(45) The locking part 22 and the engagement part 21 are preferably directed oppositely. They may respectively consist of flat parts that extend in the direction of the central axis a and approximately parallel thereto. The engagement part 21 and/or the locking part 22 may also feature a hook-shaped formation on the upper side on the respective free end in order to promote the interaction with a driving projection 20.

(46) The housing 7 of the handheld device may feature circumferentially distributed rib formations on its inner side. These rib formations 23 serve for securing the counter 1 against rotating. To this end, they may interact with the counter formations 18 on the mounting part 3. They may furthermore form a restricted guidance for the restoring spring 12.

(47) In FIG. 9 an alternative embodiment is shown at which the turning axis d of the drive part 4 runs outside of the counter wheel. This is given in view of a projection of the counter wheel 2 in the direction of the middle axis a of the counter wheel as well as in view of a projection of the turning axis d of the drive part cross directed to middle axis a.

(48) As further will be aware from the drawings, the longitudinal axis x of the housing 7 and the middle axis a of the counter 1 coincide preferably in view of the counter 1 mounted in the housing 7.

(49) The preceding explanations serve for elucidating all inventions that are included in this application and respectively enhance the prior art independently with at least the following combinations of characteristics, namely:

(50) A handheld device, which is characterized in that upon force actuation first there is an effect on the counter wheel 2 of the counter 1 and thereafter the dispensing of the pharmaceutical substance.

(51) A counter, which is characterized in that the restoring spring 12 is lever-like and does pivot upon actuation around a pivot axis b wherein in a cross section in which a largest distance between the engagement part 21 and the pivot axis b is given, the restoring spring 1{circumflex over ( )}2 has’, seen from the counter 1, a concave course.

(52) A counter which is characterized in that on the holding part 3 a locking part 22 is arranged for engagement to the driving part 4 and that the locking part 22 concerning the counter wheel 2 is provided for inside the holding part 3.

(53) All the disclosed features (by themselves or combined with one another) are essential to the invention. The disclosure of the application herewith also includes the disclosure content of the appurtenant/appended priority documents (copy of the prior application) in their full content, also for the purpose of incorporating features of these documents in claims of the present application. The subclaims characterize with their features independent inventive further developments of the prior art, in particular in order to make divisional applications on the basis of these claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS: (NOCH NICHT ÜBERARBEITET)

(54) 1 Counter 2 Counter wheel 3 Holding part 4 Drive part 5 Handheld device 6 Receptacle 7 Housing 8 Mouthpiece 9 Cap 10 Step surface 11 Receiving/dispensing stub 12 Restoring spring 13 Characters 14 Step surface 15 Bottom 16 Engagement toothing 17 Mounting formation 18 Counter formations 19 Window 20 Driving projection 21 Engagement part 22 Locking part 23 Spring section 24 Support section 25 Spring section a middle axis b pivot axis c Distance d Turning axis x longitudinal axis K Concave course P Force actuation S Substance α angle