EP1369139A1 — Dose indicators and dispensing canister-indicator assemblies

USPTO Abstract

An annular dose indicator (50) for use with a dispenser comprising a dispensing canister (10) comprising a substantially cylindrical container (1) having a closed end (2) and an open end (3), said open end of the container being equipped with a dispensing means (4) that comprises an outlet member (5) movable between closed and discharge positions and an adaptor (20) comprising a support block (21) having a socket (22) adapted to receive the outlet member (5), the container and support block being reciprocally movable relative to each other to cause the outlet member to move to its discharge position thereby dispensing a dose, said annular dose indicator (50) comprising an annular housing (60) having an interior surface (64) defining a substantially circumferential cavity; a counter-ring (80), said counter-ring located in the cavity and being arranged to be moveable relative to the housing by rotation about an axis parallel or substantially parallel to linear reciprocal movement of container and support block; a driving member (90) mounted on the interior surface (64) of the housing, said driving member engaging the counter-ring (80) and being arranged to be selectively engaged during reciprocal movement of container and support block as to drive an incremental, rotational movement of the counter-ring; wherein said indicator (50) is arranged to be circumferentially mountable about the dispensing-canister (10), such that the first edge (51) of the indicator faces towards the closed end (2) of the container, the second edge (52) of the indicator faces towards the outlet (5) of the dispensing canister, so that at least the outlet member of the canister will extend beyond the second edge of the indicator.