Abstract: A drive device for advancing an advancing element (2; 33) relative to a housing (1; 30) over a entire advancing distance (G) comprises a tensioning device having a tensioning element (3; 39) for tensioning a spring device (4). A predetermined distance (A) between the tensioning element (39) and the advancing element (33) or between the counter element (7) and the tensioning element (3) that engages with advancing element can be set according to the advancing of the advancing element (2; 33) by a partial advancing distance that is less than the entire advancing distance (G). According to a method for discharging a fluid product from a container (16) via an outlet (17), a plunger (18) is displaced inside the container (16) by means of a drive device provided with an advancing element (2; 33) and with a spring device (4), whereby the spring device (4) is tensioned by a tensioning device according to the advancing of the advancing element (2; 33) by a partial advancing distance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for programming a pump used to inject medicaments. Said pump comprises two connectable units, namely: (i) a cartridge unit (12) which contains the liquid to be injected and which comprises an electronic memory unit (36) that is intended to contain data relating to the treatment that the patient is to receive and (ii) a pump unit (10) comprising actuation means (18) which act on the aforementioned cartridge unit (12) in order to convey the liquid outwards and a microprocessor which is used to control said actuation means using the data contained in the memory unit (36). The inventive device comprises (a) a computer (46) which is used to produce the above-mentioned data and (b) a first interface (50) which can be connected to the computer in order to receive said data and designed to be connected to the cartridge unit (12) in place of the pump unit (10) in order to introduce the data into the memory unit (36).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for programming a pump used to inject medicaments. Said pump comprises two connectable units, namely: (i) a cartridge unit (12) which contains the liquid to be injected and which comprises an electronic memory unit (36) that is intended to contain data relating to the treatment that the patient is to receive and (ii) a pump unit (10) comprising actuation means (18) which act on the aforementioned cartridge unit (12) in order to convey the liquid outwards and a microprocessor which is used to control said actuation means using the data contained in the memory unit (36). The inventive device comprises (a) a computer (46) which is used to produce the above-mentioned data and (b) a first interface (50) which can be connected to the computer in order to receive said data and designed to be connected to the cartridge unit (12) in place of the pump unit (10) in order to introduce the data into the memory unit (36).

Abstract: A self-contained postage meter does not have a base separable from a main body. The single secure housing contains everything that would be in the main body of a prior art postage meter and everything that would be in a prior art meter base. Despite containing all these things, the single secure housing is small enough and light enough in weight to permit the entire meter to be readily transported to the post office for inspection or resetting. Within the single secure housing are the print rotor with value wheels, all the mechanisms for setting the print wheels, the descending and/or ascending register and associated microprocessor, and all the mechanisms for transport of the mail piece through the meter. Only a handful of controlled elements are required, chiefly a single inexpensive DC motor for franking and value wheel setting and a few electromagnets.