An indicating device for indicating the number of metered doses of
medicaments that have been dispensed from or remain in a container having
a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and moveable between an
open and closed position. The indicating device includes a base member
adapted to be mounted to the container, a cap member moveably connected to
the base member, one or more indicator members rotatably mounted to the
cap member and an indicating mechanism adapted to rotate the indicator
member an incremental amount upon a predetermined number of axial
movements of the cap member relative to the base member. A preferred
embodiment of the indicating device includes a ratchet wheel, a drive
member selectively engaging the indicating member, a pawl selectively
engaging the ratchet wheel, and a non-return member adapted to selectively
engage the ratchet wheel so as to maintain a unidirectional rotation of
the ratchet wheel. In one embodiment, the indicating device also includes
a usage indicator member having usage indicia that indicates the number of
usage cycles completed or remaining for the indicating device. A method
for indicating the number of metered doses dispensed from or remaining in
the container comprises moving the cap member toward and away from the
base member, engaging the ratchet wheel with the pawl and engaging the
indicating member with the drive member. A method of assembling an
inhalation device including an indicating device is also provided.