AU2016203166A1 - Container for the mixing of components - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) for the mixing of components having a mixing chamber (17) having a distal end (26) with a frangible membrane (38) mounted thereto. The container (10) is designed to mix powder and liquid components in the mixing chamber (17). The powder component is contained initially in the mixing chamber (17) and the liquid component is contained initially in a liquid receptacle (16). The liquid receptacle (16) has an inner wall (22) with a weakened portion (24). A plunger (18) is mounted in an end of the liquid receptacle (16). Depression of the plunger (18) causes the weakened portion (24) to rupture to enable the powder and liquid to be mixed. Subsequently, the resultant of mixture may be accessed by a device inserted through the frangible membrane (38) for application such as in a dental procedure. 14 10 14 lo 12 26 --- 20 22 38 _ 40 Fig 1 14 10 12 26 --------- -- 22 38 40 24 21 r 30 Fig. 2

Description

2016203166 16 May 2016

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO: LODGED: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED: ACCEPTED: PUBLISHED: RELATED ART: NAME OF APPLICANT: SDI Limited ACTUAL INVENTOR: Joshua James Cheetham ADDRESS FOR SERVICE; LORD AND COMPANY,

Patent arid Trade Mark Attorneys, ofPO Box 530, West Perth,

Western Australia, 6872, AUSTRALIA. INVENTION TITLE: “CONTAINER FOR THE MIXING OF COMPONENTS” DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO’S:

Australian Provisional Patent Application Number 2015901838 filed on 20 May 2016

The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2016203166 16 May 2016

TITLE “CONTAINER FOR THE MIXING OF COMPONENTS” [0001 ] The present inven tion relates to a. container for the mixing of components.

[0002] In accordance with one aspect of the present Invention there is provided a container for mixing of components, comprising a mixing compartment, a proximal liquid receptacle having a front portion and a plunger sealingly engaged with the liquid receptacle, the mixing compartment having a distal end wall which is frangible so as to provide access for an applicator device after mixing has been undertaking and the plunger having a front face provided with a forwardly projecting sharp projection such that upon the plunger- being depressed the sharp projection pierces the front portion of the liquid receptacle to enable liquid in the liquid receptacle to be pushed into the mixing chamber, [0003] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, In which:

Figure 1 i s a sectional view of an empty container in accord ance with the present invention in an initial condition; and

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the container of Figure 1 in an activated condition.

[0004] Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a container 10 for the mixing of components. The container 10 comprises a body 12 which is cylindrical in section and has a main mixing chamber 17. Mounted within a proximal end 14 of the body 12 is a liquid receptacle 16. A plunger 18 is engaged with and mounted within the interior of the liquid receptacle 16. The liquid receptacle 16 is sealed by the plunger 18 by seal means located on the plunger 18 or on an internal surface 20 of the liquid receptacle 16. The liquid receptacle 16 has a front portion comprising an inner wall 22 which contains a centrally disposed weakened portion 24. 2 2016203166 16 May 2016 [0005] A distal end 26 of the body 12 has an end cap 28 mounted thereto. The end cap 28 is annular and contains a central aperture 30. The end cap 28 has a circumferential flange 32 which extends over the distal end 26. The flange 32 has an inwardly projecting annular rib 34 which engages with an annular recess 36 in the body 12 adjacent the distal end 26. A thin frangible membrane 38 is mounted between the distal end 26 and the end cap 28. The thin frangible membrane 38 may be retained in place by any convenient means such as adhesive. Further, the end cap 28 has an inwardly projecting annular lip 40. As can be seen in Figure 1 the receptacle 16 has a rear outwardly extending annular flange 42 which engages with an annular recess 44 on an internal face of the body 12.

[0006] Further, the plunger 18 has a front face 19 provided with a forwardly projecting sharp projection 21.

[0007] Referring to Figure 2 there is shown the condition of the container 10 when activated. In this condition plunger 18 has been depressed into the liquid receptacle 16. When folly depressed the front face 19 of the plunger 18 is engaged with the wall 22 of the liquid receptacle 16. As shown, during the depression movement the projection 21 pierces the weakened portion 24. Thus, liquid 46 in the liquid receptacle 16 is pushed from within the liquid receptacle 16 by the front face 19 into the main mixing chamber 17 through the pierced weakened portion 24 to allow mixing with powder in the main mixing chamber 17. The engagement of the flange 42 with the recess 44 prevents the receptacle 16 from being pushed into the body 12. A further optional flange located on the body 12 may also be used to prevent the liquid receptacle 11 from being pushed into the body 12.

[0008] In use, the powder and liquid components are loaded into the appropriate sections of the body 12 and the liquid receptacle 16. The user then takes the container 10 and applies pressure to the plunger 18. Pressure applied to the plunger 18 causes the projection 21 to pierce the portion 24 of the wall 22. This enables the front face 19 of the plunger 18 to push the liquid through the pierced weakened portion 24. The user 3 2016203166 16 May 2016 continues to apply pressure to the plunger 18 causing it to displace liquid until the front face 19 of the plunger engages with the inner wall 22 of the liquid receptacle 16. The liquid is thus forced from the liquid receptacle 16 into the main mixing chamber 17 and the liquid and the powder are placed together within the main mixing chamber 17.

[0009] The container 10 is then placed into a mixer of a known type, for example a vibrating mixer. After sufficient mixing has occurred the liquid and the powder will form a paste, [0010] The user then takes the container 10 and forces an applicator with an absorbent end, or a brush, both commonly known, through the frangible membrane 38 causing the membrane 38 to puncture. The paste is then collected on the known applicator device for application by the user. To ensure excess paste is not removed the lip 40 is used to wipe excess material from the applicator without contamination.

[0011 ] The container of the present invention is particularly envisaged for use in mixing of dental m ateri a] but it is to be understood that it is of general applicability, [0012] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. 4

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS ί. A container for mixing of components, comprising a mixing compartment, a proximal liquid receptacle arranged to contain liquid initially and having a front portion, a plunger sealingly engaged with the liquid receptacle, the mixing compartment having a distal end wall which is frangible so as to provide access for an applicator device after mixing has been undertaken, the mixing compartment being arranged to contain a powder initially, the plunger having a front face provided with a forwardly projecting sharp projection such that upon the plunger being depressed the sharp projection pierces the front portion of the liquid receptacle to enable liquid in the liquid receptacle to be pushed into the mixing chamber.
2. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the front portion of the liquid receptacle comprises an inner wall containing a weakened portion which is arranged to be pierced in use by the sharp projection.
3. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mixing compartment is contained in a body, the body having a distal end cap mounted thereto, the end cap being annular and extending over the distal end of the mixing compartment, the frangible end of the mixing compartment being formed by a frangible membrane mounted between the distal end of the mixing compartment and the distal end cap of the body.
4. 4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the frangible membrane is retained in place by means of adhesive.
5. 5. A container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the end cap has a circumferential flange having an inwardly projecting annular rib which engages with an annular-recess in the body adjacent the distal end of the mixing compartment,
6. 6. The container according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein means is provided for limiting ingress of liquid receptacle into tire mixing compartment to a predetermined extent.