[0002] The invention relates to cartridges having an inner chamber and a passage from a chamber into a nozzle. The invention provides improved cartridges having a passage from a chamber a widened nozzle. The nozzle is wider than the passage from the chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0003] FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of an ejector holder for supporting a capsule-like cartridge in accordance with the invention.

[0004] FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the holder and cartridge shown in FIGURE 1.

[0005] FIGURE 3 is a top view of a cartridge in accordance with the invention.

[0006] FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the cartridge shown in FIGURES 3 through 6.

[0007] FIGURES 4A and 4E are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridge shown in FIGURES 3 through 6.

[0008] FIGURE 4B is a partial cross-sectional side view along line L of the nozzle entrance passage of the cartridge shown in FIGURES 3 through 6.

[0009] FIGURES 4C and 4D are partial cross-sectional side views along lines corresponding to line L, and showing alternative slopes for the nozzle entrance passage of the cartridge shown in FIGURES 3 through 6.

[0010] FIGURE 5 is a side view of the cartridge shown in FIGURES 3 through 6.

[0011] FIGURE 6 is a rear view of the cartridge shown in FIGURES 3 through 6.

[0012] FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a cap for use in the cartridge shown in FIGURES 1 through 6.

[0013] FIGURE 8 is an end view of the cap shown in FIGURE 7.

[0014] FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a plug for use in the cartridge shown in FIGURES 1 through 6.

[0015] FIGURE 10 is a side view of the plug shown in FIGURE 9.

[0016] FIGURE 11 is an end view of the plug shown in FIGURE 9.

[0017] FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a plug for use in the cartridge shown in FIGURES 1 through 6.

[0018] FIGURE 13 is a side view of the plug shown in FIGURE 12.

[0019] FIGURE 14 is an end view of the plug shown in FIGURE 12.

[0020] FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional side view of a cartridge having a bead around its nozzle and with a piston inserted in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Esnbodimezt [0021] The invention is now described with more particular reference to FIGURES 1 though 14. With more particular reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, is seen capsule-like cartridge 2 in accordance with the invention being held in operative position in ejector holder 1. Holder 1 has a barrel 10 with an interior bore 12 extending from the rearward end 14 of the barrel toward the forward end 16 thereof for receiving a plunger 18 of the same diameter as that of the interior bore 12 for the major portion of the length of the plunger, the forward end of the plunger has a smaller diameter extension 20. The rearward end 14 of the barrel 10 extends through and is fixed to a handle member 22 with which the barrel 10 is perpendicular. Pivotally connected to the handle 22 is an operating lever 24, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of handle 22 by a pivot pin 26. The upper end 28 of operating lever 24 is offset laterally to facilitate operation of the lever 24 with respect to the outer end of plunger 18 which terminates in a button 30 engageable by the inner surface 32 of operating lever 24.

[0022] With more particular reference to FIGURES 3 through 6, is seen capsule-like cartridge 2. Cartridge 2 includes elongated body 46, nozzle 64, and piston 68. Elongated body 46 is molded from rigid plastic material and has a cylindrical body wall 48. Cylindrical body wall 48 has an inner chamber wall 50, which is generally cylindrical, and has a predetermined length, a uniform interior diameter, a uniform exterior diameter and a central axis. One end of the cylindrical body wall is open and formed at the extremity thereof with an annular relatively short circular exterior flange 52. Flange 52 is adapted to be detachably mounted within a complementary seat in an ejector type holder. The opposite end of the body is closed by an end wall 54 having a hemispherical exterior surface 56 and an arcing interior surface 58. End wall 54 has substantially greater thickness than cylindrical body wall 48.

Preferably, the thickness of the thickest cross-section of end wall 54 is at least 20 percent greater than the average cross-sectional thickness of cylindrical body wall 48. More preferably, the thickness of the thickest cross-section of end wall 54 is at least 30 percent greater than the average cross-sectional thickness of cylindrical body wall 48. Preferably, the thickest cross-section of end wall 54 is on the opposite side of the central axis of cylindrical body wall 48 from nozzle 64. Preferably, end wall 54 is generally semi-circular in cross- section on the opposite side of the central axis of cylindrical body wall 48 from nozzle 64.

[0023] Nozzle 64 is molded integrally with and extends from end wall 54 at an obtuse angle to the central axis of cylindrical body wall 48. Nozzle 64 is adapted to direct the discharge of viscous dental material M from cartridge 2 to a tooth in the interior of the oral cavity of a patient. Nozzle 64 has an inner channel wall 65 enclosing nozzle channel 66. Inner channel wall 65 is effectively uniformly cylindrical. Inner channel wall 65 has channel wall exit orifice rim 67. Nozzle 64 has nozzle entrance passage 71, through the end wall 54 to inner channel wall 65. Inner channel wall 65 has an effectively uniform diameter. Nozzle entrance passage 71 extends from chamber wall exit port rim 59 to nozzle entrance passage rim 60.

Chamber wall exit port rim 59 has a chamber wall exit port rim diameter D1. Nozzle entrance passage rim 60 has a nozzle entrance passage rim diameter D2. Nozzle entrance passage rim 60, and inner channel wall 65 effectively have the same diameter: D2. Nozzle entrance passage rim diameter Da is substantially greater than chamber wall exit port rim diameter D1.

[0024] Piston 68 has cylindrical outer side wall 72, which is closely complementary to inner chamber wall 50 and inserted into the open end of cartridge 2 to form a combination closure and ejector. Viscous dental material M enclosed by cylindrical inner cartridge body wall 50 is forced by piston 68 into the opening of chamber wall exit port rim 59 through nozzle entrance passage 71, through the opening of entrance passage rim 60 then into nozzle channel 66 enclosed by inner channel wall 65 and then out channel wall exit orifice rim 67.

Preferably, channel wall exit orifice rim 67 is positioned adjacent to a natural dental tooth while viscous dental material M is being forced therefrom.

[0025] In use dental material M is extruded from the nozzle of capsule-like cartridge 2.

The nozzle has an inner channel wall 65, and a channel wall exit orifice rim 67. Inner chamber wall 50 opens through chamber wall exit port rim 59, into nozzle channel 66, which is enclosed by inner channel wall 65. Chamber wall exit port rim 59 has a chamber wall exit port rim effective diameter Dl. Inner channel wall 65 has an inner channel wall effective diameter D2. Inner channel wall effective diameter Dz is effectively substantially greater than the chamber wall exit port rim effective diameter D1.

[0026] Preferably, the cylindrical chamber wall has a cylindrical chamber wall effective diameter D3. Preferably, the cylindrical chamber wall effective diameter D3. is greater than the inner channel wall effective diameter D2.

[0027] Preferably, the diameter of chamber wall exit port rim 59 of nozzle entrance passage 71 is at least 3 percent less than, the diameter of inner channel wall 65 (and the diameter of entrance passage rim 60 of nozzle entrance passage 71). More preferably, the diameter of chamber wall exit port rim 59 of nozzle entrance passage 71 is at least 5 percent less than, the diameter of inner channel wall 65 (and the diameter of entrance passage rim 60 of nozzle entrance passage 71). Most preferably, the diameter of chamber wall exit port rim 59 of nozzle entrance passage 71 is at least 10 percent less than, the diameter of inner channel wall 65 (and the diameter of entrance passage rim 60 of nozzle entrance passage 71). Preferably, the length of entrance passage 71 is less than 20 percent of the diameter of chamber wall exit port rim 59.

[0028] Preferably, the length of entrance passage 71 is more than 1 percent of the diameter of chamber wall exit port rim 59. More preferably, the length of entrance passage 71 is more than 3 percent of the diameter of chamber wall exit port rim 59. The length EPL of entrance passage 71 is about one half the change in diameter of the passageway while going from elongated body 46 to nozzle 64. For nozzle entrance passage in accordance with the invention, it is preferred that the length of entrance passage is from about one half to about equal to the change in diameter of the passageway while going from elongated body to nozzle.

[0029] With more particular reference to FIGURES 4C and 4D are seen alternative slopes for the nozzle entrance passage of the cartridge shown in FIGURES 3 through 6. A partial cross-section of nozzle entrance passage 171 is planar, as shown in FIGURE 4C. A line in the surface of nozzle entrance passage 171 intersects a line in the surface of arcing interior surface 158 at entrance port 159 at an acute angle. A line in the surface of nozzle entrance passage 171 intersects a line in the surface of cylindrical inner nozzle wall 165 at exit port 160 at an acute angle. A partial cross-section of nozzle entrance passage 271 is planar in the middle and curved at its ends, as shown in FIGURE 4D. A line in the planar portion of nozzle entrance passage 271 intersects a line in the surface of arcing interior surface 258 at entrance port 259 at an acute angle. A line in the planar portion of nozzle entrance passage 271 intersects a line in the surface of cylindrical inner nozzle wall 265 at exit port 260 at an acute angle.

[0030] With more particular reference to FIGURES 7 and 8 is seen cap 70. Cap 70 is cup- shaped to frictionally engage nozzle 64. Cap 70 and/or nozzle 64 may have threads formed therein or thereon to secure cap 70 on nozzle 64. Cap 70 seals the contents of cartridge 2, and may be color-coded for example, to indicate the weight, color, quantity, and/or setting time of material contained in cartridge 2.

[0031] With more particular reference to FIGURES 9 through 11 is seen piston 68. Piston 68 has cylindrical outer side wall 72, an inner chamber piston wall 74, flange 76 and a circular front face 78. Cylindrical outer side wall 72 is closely complementary to cylindrical inner cartridge body wall 50. Piston 60 is inserted into the open end of cartridge 2 (adjacent to flange 52) to form a closed cartridge 2.

[0032] With more particular reference to FIGURES 12 through 14 is seen piston 168.

Piston 168 is useful in place of piston 68 in cartridge 2. Piston 168 has a cylindrical outer wall 172, an inner chamber wall 174, flange 176 and a circular front face 178 on a hemispherical front end 180.

[0033] Cartridge 2 is preferably formed by molding rigid synthetic resin or plastic material.

Cartridge 2 is filled with a dental material, such as dental filling material, cement. Cartridge 2 includes a piston 68, which is very closely complementary in diameter to the interior of the cartridge 2, and the inner end 69 thereof also is hemi-spherical and complementary to the interior of the closed end 62 of the cartridge.

[0034] Also, the body of cartridge 2, cap 70 and piston 68 may all be molded from similar plastic material. They are preferably opaque to the transmission of ambient light, when light curable dental material is enclosed in cartridge 2.

[0035] A compule in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention has a 0.080 inch diameter exit port wall from the body into a nozzle with a 0.100 inch diameter nozzle inner wall has an extrusion force decrease of 20-30 percent compared to the same compule except with a 0.100 inch diameter exit port wall from the body into a nozzle, i. e. having no constriction in the feed passage into the 0.100 inch diameter nozzle.

[0036] With more particular reference to FIGURE 15 is seen cartridge 302 having bead 304 around nozzle 306. Bead 304 functions as a flange, rim or collar. Piston 368 is inserted into cartridge 302. Except for bead 304, cartridge 302 is the same as cartridge 2. Bead 304 circumscribes nozzle 306 and retains cap 370 on nozzle 306. Preferably bead 304 is positioned in the central region of the outer surface of nozzle 306. Preferably bead 304 is positioned within 30 percent of the midpoint of the length of the outer surface of nozzle 306.

[0037] The foregoing description illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention.

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