U.S. patent application number 09/801381 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-26 for dental capsule or cartridge with frangible end seal.
Invention is credited to Dragan, William B., Rowe, Gordon.
Application Number | 20010009754 09/801381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26884340 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010009754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dragan, William B. ; et
al. |
July 26, 2001 |
Dental capsule or cartridge with frangible end seal
Abstract
A dental capsule or cartridge for packing, storing and
dispensing a dental filling material and the like having a body
portion for containing a predetermined amount of dental material
having a discharge nozzle connected at one end of the body portion
and having the other end opened and sealable by a displaceable
piston. A sealing cap is integrally formed at the discharge end of
the discharge nozzle and is connected thereto by a frangible or
weakened portion whereby upon the application of a breaking force,
the sealing cap is readily separated from the discharge end of the
nozzle to expose or form the discharge orifice. The sealing cap may
also be provided on one end thereof with a cavity or sealing spike
by which the discharge orifice may be resealed, if desired. A vent
is also provided adjacent the open end of the capsule to facilitate
the filling of the capsule, and which is sealed by the seating of
the displaceable piston in the open end.
Inventors: |
Dragan, William B.; (Easton,
CT) ; Rowe, Gordon; (Wallingford, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Arthur T. Fattibene
Fattibene and Fattibene
2480 Post Road
Southport
CT
06490
US
|
Family ID: |
26884340 |
Appl. No.: |
09/801381 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09801381 |
Mar 7, 2001 |
|
|
|
09188650 |
Nov 9, 1998 |
|
|
|
09188650 |
Nov 9, 1998 |
|
|
|
08982951 |
Dec 2, 1997 |
|
|
|
6135771 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/288 20130101;
A61M 5/31511 20130101; A61C 5/62 20170201; B05C 17/00593 20130101;
B05C 17/00516 20130101; A61M 2005/31506 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/89 |
International
Class: |
A61C 005/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A unit dose dental capsule molded of a suitable plastic material
comprising: a capsule body portion defining a reservoir for
containing a predetermined amount of dental material, a discharge
nozzle having a discharge orifice connected to one end of said body
portion, said body portion having an open end opposite said
discharge nozzle, means for sealing said discharge orifice, said
means for sealing said discharge orifice including a sealing cap
integrally formed and connected to said discharge nozzle and
extending beyond said discharge nozzle, a frangible portion
circumscribing said discharge nozzle adjacent the end thereof to
facilitate the separation of said sealing cap from said discharge
nozzle, said frangible portion being spaced slightly inwardly from
the end of said discharge nozzle to define said discharge orifice
upon the separation of said sealing cap from said discharge nozzle,
a displaceable piston for sealing said open end of said body
portion, and means for venting said capsule body portion.
2. A unit dose dental capsule as defined in claim 1 wherein said
venting means includes at least one groove formed within said body
portion and longitudinally disposed adjacent the open end of said
capsule body whereby said groove is sealed when said piston is
seated to seal said end opening.
3. A unit dose dental capsule as defined in claim 2 wherein said
piston includes a cylindrical rear portion having an outer
circumference corresponding to the internal circumference of said
open end, and a connected forward portion shaped generally to
conform to the internal shape of said capsule adjacent said
discharge nozzle.
4. A unit dose dental capsule as defined in claim 3 wherein the
longitudinal length of said rear portion of said piston is slightly
greater than the longitudinal length of said venting groove whereby
said piston seals said venting groove when said piston is seated in
said open end to seal said open end.
5. A unit dose dental capsule as defined in claim 1 wherein said
capsule body is cylindrical and having a closed end, said discharge
nozzle being angularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis
of said capsule body adjacent said closed end, and a laterally
outwardly extending flange circumscribing the said open end.
6. A dental capsule molded of a suitable plastic material
comprising: a capsule body portion defining a reservoir for
containing a predetermined amount of material, a discharge nozzle
defining a discharge orifice connected to one end of said capsule
body portion, said capsule body portion having an open end opposite
said discharge nozzle, a venting groove formed internally of said
capsule body portion adjacent said open end and extending
longitudinally inwardly thereof, a displaceable piston for sealing
said open end and venting groove when said piston is fully seated,
a sealing cap integrally connected to said discharge nozzle to seal
said discharge orifice, a frangible groove circumscribing said
discharge nozzle adjacent said sealing cap to facilitate the
separation of said sealing cap from said discharge nozzle to form
said discharge orifice.
7. A dental capsule as defined in claim 6 wherein said sealing cap
is flattened to provide ease of gripping so that with a minimum of
force the sealing cap may be broken at said frangible groove.
8. A dental capsule as defined in claim 6 whereby said discharge
nozzle is angularly disposed relative said capsule body
portion.
9. A dental capsule as defined in claim 6 wherein said sealing cap
is conically shaped to define an apex end and a base end, said apex
end being integrally connected to said discharge nozzle, and said
base end having a recess formed therein whereby said discharge
orifice may be resealed by said recess being fitted to said
discharge nozzle to seal said discharge opening subsequent to the
separation of said sealing cap.
10. A dental capsule as defined in claim 6 wherein said sealing cap
having a finger grip portion and a connected spike extends
outwardly therefrom, said finger grip portion being integrally
connected to said discharge nozzle, and said spike being insertable
into said discharge orifice to effect the resealing thereof upon
the separation of said sealing cap.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of patent
application Ser. No. 09/188,650 filed Nov. 9, 1998 for Dental
Capsule Or Cartridge With Frangible End Seal, which is a
continuation-in-part application of patent application Ser. No.
08/982,951 filed Dec. 12, 1997 for Dental Cartridge Having An
Attachable Delivery System, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,771.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to dental capsules or cartridges, and
more specifically to a dental capsule or cartridge having a
discharge nozzle initially sealed by a frangible break away sealing
or end closure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the field of dentistry, the dispensing of various dental
materials, e.g. composite resin, cements, sealants and the like,
directly to a tooth surface to effect a tooth restoration has been
known for some time. Reference is made to the placement of such
materials, e.g. filled composite resin material, directly to the
site of the restoration using a syringe technique, as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,518,399; 3,900,954 and 4,198,756. These patents
disclose the syringing technique of utilizing a capsule filled with
a dental material, e.g. a composite material, from which the
material was extruded by the displacement of a piston within the
capsule by means of a syringe or syringe gun.
[0004] Subsequently, others have adopted the technique of syringing
dental materials, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,330,280 and
4,384,853. As the syringing technique and the use of capsules for
dispensing such dental materials has gained recognition as the
preferred method of placing dental materials, others followed with
other capsule configurations, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,391,590; 4,619,613; 4,767,326; 4,963,093; 4,969,816; 5,100,320;
5,322,440 and 5,460,523, to cite a few. While the syringing
technique and the use of preloaded capsules of the various known
constructions proved satisfactory for the placement of various
dental materials, difficulty has been encountered in effectively
sealing the discharge end of the nozzle to protect the contents of
the capsules from contaminants such as dirt, dust, moisture, light
and/or the like.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,399 issued to William B.
Dragan disclosed an embodiment of a capsule having its discharge
nozzle initially sealed during the molding of the capsule.
Protecting the contents of the capsule that has its discharge
nozzle initially sealed thus required a dentist to sever the sealed
end with a cutting tool, e.g. a scissor or knife. However, once the
sealed end was severed, it could not be readily resealed, if need
be.
[0006] The other known dental capsules, as indicated in the
exemplary patents cited herein, are formed with a discharge nozzle
which is opened at the discharge end, and which open end is
subsequently sealed with a relatively small sealing cap to protect
the content of the capsule, e.g. as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,391,590; 4,963,093 and 5,100,320 to cite a few. However, the
difficulty and/or disadvantages that are encountered in utilizing
these small sealing caps to seal the end of a capsule's discharge
nozzle are that a considerable amount of time and tedious labor is
required to place such small sealing caps on the discharge end of
the nozzle during the manufacture and filling of such capsule. A
further disadvantage that has been noted is that frequently in the
shipping and handling of such sealed capsule, there is a likelihood
of the sealing cap becoming inadvertently separated from the
capsule, thereby exposing the contents to contaminants such as air,
dirt, dust, moisture, light and the like.
[0007] The inadvertent separation of the sealing cap from the
nozzle end of the capsule is further aggravated if the sealing cap
is color coded to the material placed within the capsule, and/or if
the material within the capsule is light cured as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,391,590. In such an event, the dentist would be unable
to know the color of the material within the capsule and/or the
material, if light activated, will become prematurely cured within
the capsule.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of this invention is to provide a dental capsule
or cartridge with a discharge nozzle which is sealed by an
integrally molded sealing cap which is constructed and arranged to
be readily broken away to define the nozzle discharge orifice.
[0009] Another object is to provide a dental capsule or cartridge
having a discharge nozzle sealed by an integrally formed sealing
cap formed with a frangible portion whereby the sealing cap can be
readily separated from the nozzle to define a discharge orifice
from which the material in the capsule or cartridge may be
extruded.
[0010] Still another object is to provide a dental capsule or
cartridge having a discharge nozzle with an integrally molded
sealing cap having a frangible portion to facilitate the removal of
the sealing cap to define a discharge orifice and which end cap
includes means for resealing the discharge orifice in the event it
is desirable to reseal the discharge orifice.
[0011] Another object is to provide a dental capsule or cartridge
having a discharge nozzle formed with an integrally formed sealing
cap defining an end seal for the discharge nozzle and which capsule
includes a vent adjacent the other open end of the capsule or
cartridge through which the capsule or cartridge is filled with a
dental material.
[0012] It is an advantage that the dental cartridge is able to be
sealed by the insertion of a piston or plug without causing a build
up of pressure within the capsule or cartridge.
[0013] The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are
attained by a capsule or cartridge having a body portion defining a
reservoir for containing a predetermined amount of material and
having a discharge nozzle connected to one end of the body portion
and having the opposite end open, through which the material is
placed or loaded into the capsule or cartridge. In accordance with
this invention, the end of the discharge nozzle is initially
integrally sealed with an attached sealing cap during the molding
of the capsule or cartridge. The arrangement is such that the
integrally formed sealing cap is provided with a readily frangible
portion whereby the sealing cap can be readily separated from the
end of the discharge nozzle by breaking the sealing cap at the
frangible portion to form the discharge orifice through which the
contents of the capsule can be extruded or dispensed.
[0014] To facilitate filling of the capsule or cartridge with
material during a filling operation, a vent is provided adjacent
the open end to evacuate any air being displaced during filling.
Subsequent to the filling or loading of the capsule, the open end
of the capsule and associated vent are sealed by the displaceable
piston when seated in the open end.
[0015] To reseal the discharge orifice subsequent to "breaking off"
of the integrally formed sealing cap, the sealing cap is provided
with either a cavity or a spike by which the sealing cap may be
used to reseal the nozzle discharge orifice, if so desired.
IN THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental capsule or
cartridge embodying the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the capsule of
FIG. 1 illustrating a detail of construction.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the discharge nozzle
and integrally formed sealing cap.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded view illustrating the
"breaking" of the sealing cap to effect the separation of the
sealing cap.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of the
discharge nozzle with discharge orifice formed by the separation of
the sealing cap.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the opened end of
the capsule and sealed by a displaceable piston.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 on FIG.
1.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a modified form of the
invention illustrating an integrally formed sealing cap capable of
being used to reseal the nozzle discharge orifice.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail view of the discharge nozzle
of FIG. 8 in a resealed portion.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another modified form of the
invention.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary detail sectional view of the
discharge nozzle of FIG. 10 illustrating the frangible sealing cap
in a resealing position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a dental capsule
or cartridge 20 which can be suitably sized to form a single dose
or multiple dose capsule or cartridge. As shown in FIG. 1, the
illustrated capsule or cartridge 20 includes a body portion 21
defining a reservoir 22 for containing a dental material, e.g.
composite resin, cement, sealant and the like. Connected to one end
of the body portion 21 is a discharge nozzle 23. As shown, the
discharge nozzle 23 tapers inwardly toward the outlet end 23A.
Opposite the nozzle 23, the body portion is provided with an end
opening 24 for receiving the dental material to be packaged in the
body portion 21 of the capsule 20. An outwardly extending flange
24A circumscribes end opening 24 and a displaceable piston 25 is
inserted into the end opening 24 for sealing the dental material
within the capsule 20.
[0028] In accordance with this invention, the outlet end 23A of the
nozzle 23 is initially sealed by a sealing cap 26, which is
integrally formed as part of the capsule 20 during the molding
thereof, as such capsules are generally molded of a suitable
plastic material. The sealing cap 26 is formed with a frangible
portion 26A at a point where the sealing cap 26 joins the outlet
end 23A of the nozzle 23. The frangible portion 26A is defined by a
reduced thickness whereby the sealing cap 26 can be readily
separated or broken away by the application of a force sufficient
to fracture the frangible portion 26A, as illustrated in FIG. 2. It
will be noted that when the sealing cap 26 is fractured along the
frangible portion 26A, a discharge orifice 27 is formed at the
outlet end 23A of the nozzle 23. It will be understood that the
sealing cap can be variously shaped so as to provide a finger grip
whereby the fracturing force can be applied thereto. In the form of
the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the sealing cap 26 is in
the form of a flat blade to provide ease of gripping so that with
minimum force, the sealing cap 26 may be "broken" about the
frangible or weakened portion 26A.
[0029] In the form described, it will be noted that the capsule is
initially sealed at the discharge end of the nozzle 23. To
facilitate filling of the capsule 20 with a suitable dental
material, a venting groove 28 extends longitudinally of the body
portion 21 adjacent the end opening 24. It will be understood that
one or more venting grooves 28 are circumferentially spaced about
the interior surface of the end opening 24. In the illustrated
form, three such venting grooves 28 are circumferentially spaced as
best seen in FIG. 7. The venting grooves 28 have a limited length
as will be hereinafter described. The venting grooves 28 facilitate
the filling of the capsules by permitting the air being displaced
by the material being placed in the body of the capsule to be
vented to atmosphere via the venting groove 28 as the outlet end of
the nozzle is initially sealed by sealing cap 26.
[0030] Upon the filling of the capsule 20 with a predetermined
amount of dental material, the end opening 24 is sealed closed by
the insertion of the displaceable piston 25. As best seen in FIG.
6, the displaceable piston 25 is provided with a rear cylindrical
portion 25A sized and shaped to seal the end opening 24 and having
a predetermined length L which is rendered slightly greater than
the length "l" of the venting grooves 28. The portion 25B of the
piston 25 extending forwardly of the cylindrical portion 25A is
formed in a shape generally complimenting the interior shape of the
capsule body adjacent the discharge nozzle. The circumference of
the cylindrical portion 25A of the piston is sized so as to be
snugly received within the open end 24 to form a seal thereat.
[0031] As the length "L" of the piston portion 25A is greater than
length "l" of the venting grooves 28, the venting grooves 28 become
sealed when the piston 25 is fully seated, as best seen in FIG.
6.
[0032] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another form of the invention. In
this embodiment, the capsule 30 is of the "parallel wall" type,
wherein the body portion 31 is cylindrical in shape and is closed
at one end by either a hemispherically or conically shaped end wall
32. Angularly disposed adjacent the closed end wall 32 is a
discharge nozzle 33 through which the material contained within the
capsule 30 is extruded.
[0033] Opposite the closed end wall 32, the body portion is
provided with an open end 34 which is circumscribed by a laterally
outwardly extending flange or collar 35. Circumferentially spaced
about the interior surface of the body portion 31 are one or more
venting grooves 38, similar to those described and shown with
respect to FIGS. 1 and 6. A displaceable piston 35 is arranged to
be seated in the end opening 34 similar to that hereinbefore
described.
[0034] In this form of the invention, the sealing cap 36 initially
formed integral with the discharge end of nozzle 33 is illustrated
in the shape of a cone. As shown, the small end of the cone shaped
sealing cap 36 is initially integrally connected to the discharge
end of the nozzle 33 by a frangible or weakened portion 36A,
similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 6. Formed in
the base or enlarged end of the cone shaped sealing cap 36 is a
cavity or recess 37, which is sized and shaped to complement the
outer surface of the discharge end of the nozzle 33.
[0035] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, it will be noted that the
conical sealing cap 36 can be readily separated from the nozzle 33
by applying a force on the end cap 36 sufficient to cause a "break"
about the weakened or frangible portion 36A, as hereinbefore
described. The arrangement is such that when the sealing cap 36 has
been separated, a discharge orifice 39 is formed at the discharge
end of the nozzle. To effect a resealing of the discharge orifice
39, if desired, the cavity or recess 37 of the sealing cap 36 is
press fitted or friction fitted to the discharge end of the nozzle
33 to seal the discharge orifice 39, as best seen in FIG. 9. In all
other respects, the construction and operation of capsule 30 is
similar to that hereinbefore described. Piston 35 is provided with
a cylindrical portion 35A sized and shaped to seal both the open
end 34 and venting grooves 38, as previously described and having
its leading or forward portion 35B shaped and sized to complement
the interior surface of the closed end wall 32.
[0036] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of the
invention. In this form of the invention, the capsule 40 is
similarly constructed to that disclosed in FIGS. 8 and 9, with the
exception that the closed end wall 41 is generally conical in shape
and the sealing cap 42 is provided with a sealing spike 42A which
is adapted to be received within the discharge passageway 43 of the
discharge nozzle 44 for resealing purposes.
[0037] As best seen in FIG. 10, the sealing cap 42 is integrally
formed on the discharge end of nozzle 44 and connected thereto by a
frangible or weakened portion 45, similar to that hereinbefore
described. The sealing cap is also provided with a finger grip
portion 42B, to which an outwardly extending sealing spike or
projection 42A is connected. In this form of the invention, the
sealing cap 42 is removed or separated by applying a force on the
sealing cap sufficient to cause the weakened or frangible portion
to break, as previously described. To reseal the discharge orifice
46, the spike 42A is inserted into passageway 43 of the discharge
nozzle 44, as best seen in FIG. 11. It will be understood that the
shape and size of the spike is such that it will frictionally fit
and be retained within the passageway 43. In all other respects,
the structure and operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 is
similar to that hereinbefore described.
[0038] It will be understood that the shape and/or size of the
capsule or cartridge can be variously formed as long as the defined
shape includes a body portion forming a reservoir for containing a
predetermined amount of dental material, a connected discharge
nozzle and an opposite open end that is vented as herein described.
Whether the capsule is sized to contain a single dose or multiple
doses is not critical to the invention. The invention described
herein can be applied to "bulk type" cartridges designed to contain
multiple doses.
[0039] Forming the sealing cap so as to be integrally formed to the
end of the nozzle in sealing relationship, as herein described,
obviates the heretofore tedious and time consuming task of
individually placing a tiny sealing cap on the end of the discharge
nozzle to seal the same, and which for the most part constitutes a
tedious and time consuming manual operation. Further, the
integrally formed sealing cap, as herein described, obviates the
previously noted problems of sealing caps becoming inadvertently
separated from the capsule, which resulted in waste and/or
contamination of the dental material disposed within the capsule or
cartridge.
[0040] With the construction herein described, it will be noted
that the dentist or user can effect the separation of the
integrally formed sealing cap with or without the need of any type
of cutting tool. The sealing cap described herein can be readily
separated by simply applying a slight force sufficient to cause the
frangible or weakened portion to break at the end of the nozzle and
thereby expose the discharge orifice. Also, the same sealing cap
may be used to effectively reseal the discharge orifice if so
desired; which is especially desirable for those capsules or
cartridges containing relatively large amounts of material or
multiple doses.
[0041] While the present invention has been described with respect
to a several embodiments, modifications and variations may be made
without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.
* * * * *