Dose Counter Priming Indicator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dose counters in pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) lack a clear and effective mechanism to distinguish priming actuations from actual dose dispensations, particularly when using rotatable indicator members that may complete multiple revolutions, leading to potential confusion for users about the device's readiness for use.
Innovation Solution
A dose counter with a priming indicator that initially obscures the dose indicia until priming actuations are completed, then moves out of the way to allow clear viewing of the dose count, utilizing co-operating formations such as legs and notches to couple and decouple with the indicator member, ensuring no separate motive force is required for the priming indicator's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a priming indicator is provided to prompt users to carry out priming actuations, then users can be clearly instructed to prime the device, but the priming indicator may interfere with viewing the dose indicia if not properly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The priming indicator is made movable relative to the indicator member, transitioning from an initial position where it obscures the dose indicia to a final position where it does not obscure them. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the indicator to serve its instructional function temporarily, then move out of the way to allow clear viewing of dose information.
Solution Approach 2:
The priming indicator is initially positioned to obscure the dose indicia as a preliminary action to prompt users to perform priming actuations. After the priming function is completed, the indicator moves to a position that no longer interferes with viewing the dose count, thus serving the preliminary instructional purpose without permanent interference.
2Device complexity
If the priming indicator is coupled to the indicator member to move with it during priming actuations, then the indicator can be moved without requiring separate motive force, but the coupling mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The priming indicator is coupled to the indicator member through co-operating formations (legs and notches) that integrate the priming indicator into the existing indicator mechanism. This merging allows the priming indicator to be moved by the same motive force that moves the indicator member, eliminating the need for separate actuators or power sources while maintaining functional independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator member serves a dual function: it displays dose information and simultaneously moves the priming indicator during priming actuations. The co-operating formations enable the indicator member to 'self-serve' by carrying the priming indicator along with it, reducing the overall system complexity and eliminating separate motive force requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the priming indicator initially obscures the dose indicia, then users are prompted to perform priming actuations, but users cannot view the dose count during the priming process
Solution Approach 1:
The priming indicator dynamically changes its position relative to the indicator member during operation. Initially, it obscures the dose indicia to prompt priming actuations. After priming is complete, it moves to a position that no longer blocks the view, allowing users to see the dose count. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making the obscuring temporary and purposeful rather than permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The priming indicator performs a periodic action of obscuring and then revealing the dose indicia. During priming actuations, it obscures the view; after priming is complete, it moves to reveal the dose count. This periodic switching between obscured and revealed states allows effective priming instruction while ultimately providing full visibility of dose information.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides dose counter for displaying a count indication of the number or quantity of doses dispensed from or remaining in a container associated, in use, with the dose counter, comprising an indicator member comprising dose indicia and a priming indicator for prompting a user to carry out one or more priming actuations of the container. The priming indicator is initially arranged to at least partially overly the indicator member to thereby at least partially obscure viewing of the dose indicia of the indicator member until the one or more priming actuations of the container have been completed. The priming indicator is movable after the one or more priming actuations have been completed into a disposition where it no longer obscures viewing of the dose indicia of the indicator member. The invention also provides a dispensing apparatus comprising the dose counter.