Assembly for storing mixing and dispensing preparations such as dental materials
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of mixing and dispensing a preparation comprising the steps of:
- providing an ampule having walls defining a chamber at least partially filled with a first component;
opening an aperture in said walls;
introducing a second component through said aperture and into said chamber;
closing said aperture after said second component has been introduced into said chamber;
placing the ampule within a complementally configured compartment of a capsule to substantially enclose the ampule;
oscillating the capsule to mix said first component with said second component within said chamber and thereby form a preparation;
establishing an outlet opening through said walls; and
flexing at least certain portions of said walls to dispense said preparation through said outlet opening,wherein said step of establishing said outlet opening is carried out by re-opening said aperture.
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Abstract
A disposable, single chamber ampule is initially provided with a single reactive component, with additional component or components added to the ampule immediately prior to use. The ampule is placed within a capsule, and the capsule is then secured in a holding mechanism of a dental amalgamator for mixing the ingredients. The ampule has flexible wall portions and may be compressed by finger pressure or by use of a dispenser in order to expel the mixed contents directly to an application site.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of mixing and dispensing a preparation comprising the steps of:
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providing an ampule having walls defining a chamber at least partially filled with a first component; opening an aperture in said walls; introducing a second component through said aperture and into said chamber; closing said aperture after said second component has been introduced into said chamber; placing the ampule within a complementally configured compartment of a capsule to substantially enclose the ampule; oscillating the capsule to mix said first component with said second component within said chamber and thereby form a preparation; establishing an outlet opening through said walls; and flexing at least certain portions of said walls to dispense said preparation through said outlet opening, wherein said step of establishing said outlet opening is carried out by re-opening said aperture.
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2. A method of mixing and dispensing a preparation comprising the steps of:
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providing an ampule having walls defining a chamber at least partially filled with a first component; opening an aperture in said walls; introducing a second component through said aperture and into said chamber; closing said aperture after said second component has been introduced into said chamber; placing the ampule within a complementally configured compartment of a capsule to substantially enclose the ampule; oscillating the capsule to mix said first component with said second component with in said chamber and thereby form a preparation; establishing an outlet opening through said walls; and flexing at least certain portions of said walls to dispense said preparation through said outlet opening, wherein said step of flexing certain wall portions includes the step of shifting a plunger through a hole formed in the capsule for contact with said wall portions.
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3. A method of mixing and dispensing a preparation comprising the steps of:
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providing an ampule having flexible walls defining a chamber at least partially filled with a first component; opening an aperture in said walls; introducing a second component through said aperture and into said chamber; closing said aperture after said second component has been introduced into said chamber; placing the ampule within a complementally configured compartment of a capsule comprised of two capsule sections adapted for releasable coupling to each other; coupling the two capsule sections directly to each other in order to substantially enclose and surround the ampule; placing the capsule with the ampule therein in a holding mechanism of a dental amalgamator; oscillating the capsule by activating the amalgamator to mix said first component with said second component within said chamber and thereby form a preparation; establishing an outlet opening through said walls; and flexing to infold at least certain portions of said walls to dispense said preparation through said outlet opening. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An assembly for mixing and dispensing preparations comprising:
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an ampule having walls defining an internal chamber for receiving a quantity of a preparation, said ampule having a certain external configuration including externally convex opposite end portions, at least certain portions of said walls being flexible and selectively movable in a lateral direction; and a rigid capsule adapted to be securely held by a holding mechanism of a dental amalgamator, said capsule having a first capsule segment, a second capsule segment and means for releasably coupling said first capsule segment to said second capsule segment, said capsule having means defining an internal compartment having essentially the same configuration as the external configuration of said ampule, said compartment removably receiving said ampule in substantially surrounding relation thereto, said capsule having two externally convex end portions extending outwardly in opposite directions, said capsule end portions each having internally concave structure normally in snug, complemental engagement with said convex end portions of said ampule. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. An assembly for mixing and dispensing preparations comprising:
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an ampule having walls defining an internal chamber for receiving a quantity of a preparation, sail walls including an outlet opening; and a capsule having means defining an internal compartment generally complemental in configuration to the configuration of said ampule, said compartment removably receiving said ampule in substantially surrounding relation thereto, at least certain portions of said walls of said ampule being flexible and selectively movable in lateral directions for expelling at least a portion of said quantity of preparation through said outlet opening, wherein said ampule includes a first ampule portion and a second ampule portion integrally connected to said first ampule portion for swinging, pivotal movement relative to said first ampule portion, wherein said first ampule portion and said second ampule portion each include outwardly extending flanges disposed for contact with each other when said second ampule portion is pivoted relative to said first ampule portion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An assembly for mixing and dispensing preparations comprising:
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an ampule having walls defining an internal chamber for receiving a quantity of a preparation, said walls including an outlet opening, said ampule having opposite end portions with externally convex wall sections; and a capsule adapted to be securely held by a holding mechanism of a dental amalgamator, said capsule having two externally convex end portions extending outwardly in opposite directions, said capsule having means defining an internal compartment generally complemental in configuration to the configuration of said ampule, said compartment removably receiving said ampule in substantially surrounding relation thereto, said capsule end portions each having internally concave structure being normally in snug, complemental engagement with said convex wall sections of said ampule, at least certain portions of said walls of said ampule being flexible and selectively movable in lateral directions for expelling at least a portion of said quantity of preparation through said outlet opening. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification