SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dental capsule for dispensing a dental substance characterised by comprising a nozzle and a container portion arranged to contain a dental substance, the container portion having an open end arranged to receive a plunger, and wherein the container portion includes at least one air conduit such that, in use, when the plunger is received in the open end of the container portion and moved toward the dental substance, air within the container portion between the plunger and the dental substance is displaced by the plunger and expelled from the container portion through the or each air conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a dental capsule in accordance with the present invention ; Figure 2 is a cut away perspective view of a first end of the dental capsule of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3a is an end view of the first end of a dental capsule in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3b is an end view of the first end of an alternative embodiment of a dental capsule in accordance with the present invention ; and Figure 3c is an end view of the first end of a further alternative embodiment of a dental capsule in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the Figures, there is shown a dental capsule 10 having a nozzle 12, a container portion 14 and a plunger 16.

The container portion 14 is enclosed at a second end 24 thereof by a part spherical end portion 26 and is open at a first end 22. The container portion 14 has an exterior surface 18 which is substantially cylindrical in cross sectional shape from the first end 22 of the container portion 14 to the part spherical end portion 26. A dental substance 25 can thus be stored within the container portion 14 in a region extending from the second end 24 towards the first end 22.

The exterior surface 18 includes a flange portion 28 adjacent the first end 22 of the container portion 14. The flange portion 28 allows the dental capsule 10, in use, to be held within an applicator of known type (not shown).

The nozzle 12 is substantially tubular, and extends from the second end 24 of the container portion 14 in a direction approximately 45° to a longitudinal axis of the container portion 14. The nozzle 14 is substantially circular in cross section, and extends from the part spherical end portion 26 of the container portion 14 to an outer end 30

remote from the container portion 14. The nozzle 14 is of substantially constant external cross section along a length of the nozzle 14 extending from the container portion 14, and includes a dispensing region 32 with a reduced cross sectional dimension adjacent the outer end 30. Preferably the nozzle 14 has an internal diameter less than 0.6mm, and a length greater than 10mm.

The container portion 14 has an inner surface 20 which generally follows the shape of the exterior surface 18, having a substantially cylindrical portion extending from the first end 22 to the part spherical end portion 26.

The inner surface 20 of the part spherical end portion 26 of the container portion 14 also includes a substantially planar portion 34 at the second end 24 of the container portion 14. The substantially planar portion 34 is oriented in substantially the same direction as the nozzle 12. Other forms of the invention may include an inner surface 20 which is part spherical at the second end 24, with no planar portion 34.

The inner surface 20 of the container portion 14 further includes at least one air conduit 36 in the form of a groove or grooves extending longitudinally from the first end 22 of the container portion 14 to a location 38 adjacent, in use, the dental substance 25. The groove or grooves may be rectangular, part circular or triangular in cross section as shown in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c respectively.

The plunger 16 is substantially cylindrical, and has an external cross sectional shape arranged to engage with the internal surface 20 of the container portion 14 such that, in use, the plunger 16 substantially seals against the inner surface 20 of the container portion 14 between the location 38 and the part-spherical end portion 26. The end of the

plunger 16 arranged to be inserted into the container portion 14 may be part spherical in shape.

In use, the container 14 is filled with a dental substance 25 from the second end 24 to around the location 38. The plunger 16 is then introduced into the first end 22 of the container portion 14. Whilst the plunger travels between the first end 22 and the location 38, any air located between the plunger 16 and the dental substance 25 is displaced by the plunger, and is exhausted through the air conduits 36. Once the plunger has contacted with the dental substance 25, further pressure applied by a user causes the dental substance to be expelled through the outer end 30 of the nozzle 12.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. In particular, it is to be appreciated that the configuration of the air conduits may be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention.