US 6,202,897 B1 · Unit dose liquid dispensing and packaging for dental application

Abstract

An nozzle for storage and application of liquid dental material, such as primer or adhesive, to a preparation site at a patient's teeth, gums or mouth. The nozzle includes a hollow nozzle for containing the liquid dental material. The hollow nozzle can include a flocked, open tip through which the liquid dental material is dispensed. The nozzle also includes a storage block having a plurality of cavities formed therein. A plurality of hollow nozzles can be inserted into the cavities to form substantially air-tight seals between the open tips of the hollow nozzles and the exterior of the cavities. An end of the hollow nozzles opposite from the open tip and exposed above the block includes a breakable seal. Accordingly, the hollow nozzles can be stored in the block for an extended period of time. To apply the liquid dental material to a preparation site, an applicator can be attached to the end of the hollow nozzle exposed above the block. The applicator is adapted to break the breakable seal and force the liquid dental material from the interior of the hollow nozzle through the open tip and onto an application site.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A nozzle for storing therein a quantity of liquid material and for attachment to a driver so that the liquid material can be dispensed and applied to a preparation site, the nozzle having a passage defined from an inlet at one end thereof to an outlet at a tip on another end thereof, the inlet providing access to the passage within the nozzle for a driver device when attached to a driver, the passage sized for containing a predetermined quantity of liquid material, and the outlet permitting dispensing of liquid material from the passage, wherein the nozzle further comprises a liquid application mechanism that includes a liquid retaining structure that extends outwardly from a surface provided at the tip within which liquid material that is to be provided through the outlet can be dispersed and retained over at least a portion of the surface of the tip that is located adjacent to the outlet so that liquid material can be applied to a preparation site by a surface area of the tip that is greater than an opening area of the outlet;

and the nozzle in combination with a packing construction comprising a storage block having a cylindrical cavity within which the nozzle is removably positioned so as to create an overall seal surrounding the passage from approximately the inlet to the outlet.

A package construction for a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined quantity of liquid material stored therein, the package construction comprising:

a plurality of nozzles having therein a quantity of liquid material and having a means for attachment to a driver so that the liquid material can be dispensed and applied to a preparation site, each nozzle having a passage defined from a sealed inlet at one end thereof to a tip on another end thereof, the inlet providing access when its seal is opened to the passage within the nozzle for a driver device when attached to a driver, the passage sized for containing the predetermined quantity of liquid material, and the outlet permitting dispensing of liquid material from the passage,
a storage block having an external surface with plural openings that provide access to a plurality of cavities that extend within a depth of the storage block within which a plurality of the nozzles are provided with their respective attachment means accessible for connection to a driver without first removing the nozzles from the storage block, said nozzles being unattached to a driver and removably positioned within the cavities so as to create an overall effective seal therewith so as to allow the liquid material to be stored in the passages of the unattached nozzles for a relatively extended period of time.

A package construction for a plurality of nozzles for containing a predetermined quantity of liquid material therein, the package construction comprising:

a plurality of nozzles having therein a quantity of liquid material and having a means for attachment to a driver so that the liquid material can be dispensed and applied to a preparation site, each nozzle having a passage defined from a sealed inlet at one end thereof to a tip on another end thereof, the inlet providing access when its seal is opened to the passage within the nozzle for a driver device when attached to a driver, the passage sized for containing the predetermined quantity of liquid material, and the outlet permitting dispensing of liquid material from the passage, each nozzle also having a shoulder between their inlet and outlet ends that extends from each nozzle;
a storage block having an external surface with plural openings that provide access to a plurality of cavities that extend within a depth of the storage block within which a plurality of the nozzles are provided with their respective attachment means accessible for connection to a driver without first removing the nozzles from the storage block, said nozzles being unattached to a driver and removably supported within the cavities as positioned by the shoulder of each unattached nozzle that limits an inward position of each unattached nozzle within a cavity of the storage block by abutment of the shoulder of an unattached nozzle with a surface of the storage block.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Unit dose liquid dispensing and packaging for dental application

Life of this patent

Unit dose liquid dispensing and packaging for dental application

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34