Mixing and discharge capsule

Abstract

A combination mixing and discharge capsule for storing separate ingredients which are to be mixed together prior to use and including a container body for one ingredient closed at one end by a slidable piston and the opposite end being displaceably received in a cup-shaped cap which forms a second compartment with a perforated wall of the container body opposite the end containing the piston for receiving a frangible pillow containing a liquid second ingredient to be mixed with the ingredient in the body. The cap has a discharge nozzle extending axially therefrom and when the cap is displaced farther onto the body the innermost wall of the pillow is burst to cause the discharge of the liquid ingredient through the perforated wall end into the container body for mixing with the ingredient therein. After mixing is completed, a puncturing rod is inserted into the nozzle to puncture the opposite wall of the pillow and, when the rod is withdrawn the piston is moved toward the perforated wall to effect discharge of the mixed ingredients through the nozzle.

Description

28 29 is to be effected, the cap 18 is displaced farther onto the container body 10 for purposes of decreasing the space or compartment 26 and thereby cause the gasket 22 to co-act with wall 14 to compress pillow 28 by moving the wall 32 toward wall 30. When pressure is sufficient, wall 30 will rupture adjacent perforation 15 and thereby cause discharge of the material 28 29 into the compartment which already contains materials 16, somewhat as in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 and in which the pillow 28 has been substantially completely compressed, but the wall 32 usually has not been penetrated at this time in the operation.

The preferred means to effect displacement of the cap 18 on body 10 are complementary threads respectively thereon but it is to be understood that other displacement means may be used in lieu of threads. To facilitate the rotation and threading of the cap 18 onto the container body 10, the initially open end of the cap 18 may be provided with an annular rim 34 which, if desired, may be serrated to effect desired gripping thereof. Also, the end of the container body 10 in which the piston 12 is mounted also preferably has another annualar rim or flange 36 formed thereon and, if desired, the periphery thereof may also be serrated to facilitate gripping the same for effecting relative rotation between the body 10 and cap 18. The flange 36 also suitably is used to abut a shoulder, for example in a discharging apparatus or tool 38 which, as specifically illustrated in FIG. 4, is of a manual type having ears 40 to receive for example two fingers of a human hand, while a thumb may be applied against the button 42 in order to force the plunger 44 against piston 12, as shown in FIG. 4.

In order to effect discharge of the mixed material 46 from the container body 10, attention is directed to FIG. 3 in which it will be seen that the nozzle 20 has had a piercing rod 48 projected therein, preferably for the full length, for example, in order to extend through the perforation 24 in gasket 22 and thereby pierce the disc or wall 32 of pillow 28, following which piercing rod 48 is removed and thereby clears the interior of nozzle 20 to receive the material 46 as it is forcibly ejected from nozzle 20 by inward movement of the piston 12, either by the exemplary type of apparatus 38 shown in FIG. 4 or some other manual or power-operated device, as desired.

Initially, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and particularly for purposes of convenience, the exemplary piercing rod 48 may be mounted within the nozzle 20 in partially extended position, as shown in said figure and in which the inner end of the piercing rod is only aligned with the central perforation 24 of gasket 22. By so providing the piercing rod in this manner, there is no need for a dentist or other operator to hunt for a piercing tool and all necessary parts of the capsule are assembled in operative position and ready for use such as in the initial positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 1.

When the capsule has been mounted in discharging position, as shown in FIG. 4 in exemplary manner, it will be seen that in the event that material 46 is of a filling type to be applied to a cavity 50 in tooth 52, the discharging material conveniently may be directly applied to the cavity. However, in the event the material is of a cement nature, with equal facility, it may be applied to a suitable area or surface where usage is needed. Other materials also are readily capable of being mixed within the capsule of the invention and discharged therefrom in a manner as described herein above.

The foregoing description illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention. However, concepts employed may, based upon such description, employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly, as well as in the specific forms shown herein.

Claims

1. A combination mixing and discharge capsule comprising in combination, a body adapted to contain a first ingredient and having a piston in one end and the opposite end having a perforated wall on the body, a cap displaceably connected over the end of the body having the perforated wall and forming therewith a separate compartment, said cap having a discharge orifice in the form of a nozzle extending outwardly away from the opposite end of said body, a frangible container enclosing a second ingredient and disposed in said separate compartment with a wall oriented toward said perforated wall, means operable to displace said cap towards said piston and farther onto said body until at least the wall of the container oriented toward said perforated wall is ruptured to permit discharge of the container contents through said perforation into said container body for mixing with the ingredient therein, means operable to puncture the opposite wall of said container comprising a piercing rod initially only partially inserted into said nozzle with the inner end out of contact with said container and the inner end of said rod being extendable through said perforation in said opposite wall to effect perforation of said container, and means to move said piston into said body to engage the mixed ingredients and force the same through said discharge nozzle on said cap.

2. The capsule according to claim 1 on which said means to displace said cap farther onto said body comprises complementary threads on said cap and body.

3. The capsule according to claim 1, in which said piston in said one of said container body also forms a closure therefor to prevent loss of the ingredient in the body of the capsule from said one end.

4. The capsule according to claim 1 further characterized by said frangible container comprising a pillow having a pair of opposite rupturable walls and the edges of said walls being sealed together to enclose said second ingredient therein, said second ingredient being liquid.

5. The capsule according to claim 4 in which one wall of said pillow is oriented toward said perforated wall of the body and disposed thereagainst, said one wall of the pillow being weaker and therefore more readily subject to rupture than the opposite wall thereof.

6. The capsule according to claim 4 in which one wall of the pillow is oriented toward said perforated wall and disposed thereagainst, said one wall of the pillow being thinner than the opposite wall of said pillow to tender it more readily subject to rupture.