US1386193A - Apparatus for dispensing dental materials - Google Patents

Description

C. W. MEGUIAR.

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DENTAL MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED FEBLB191?.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET C. W. MEGUIAR.

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DENTAL MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- B- I917- Z %Mi/mv Z L m w m mm W W m 4 SM; M m. a 1 a M 3 o/ v h w .IAO W1 m z. W k w J17 f9 C. W. MEGUIAR.

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DENTAL MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED FEBQB, I917- 1,386,193. PatentedAug. 2,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES WILBUR MEGUIAR, OF SONORA, KENTUCKY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

Application filed February 8, 1917. Serial No. 147,511.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known. that I, CHARLES WVILBUR Mn- GUIAR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sonora, in the county of Hardin and State of Kentucky,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Dispensing Dental Materials, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus, which while not limited to such use, is adapted more particularly for the use of dentists in the mixing of mercury and alloys to form amalgams.

Considerable difliculty has heretofore been experienced by dentists in gaging the proper proportions of mercury and alloy to obtain the desirable and proper results, the more usual or common practice being to pour from bottles or the like, a certain quantity of mercury and alloy, the relative proportions of which being largely guess work on the part of the operator. Both dental alloys and mercury are very difficult materials to handle and control, and frequently improper mixtures are obtained with unsatisfactory results. Again if too much of one material or the other is discharged from the containers, it is quite difficult as well as unsanitary to replace the same in tle containers. In an effort to obtain a proper mixture of the materials. intricate and delicatc scales or balances have at times been resorted to, but in view of the expense, time consumed, and the required necessary skill in the manipulation and use of the scales, the same have not been generally adopted or gone into extensive use.

Attempts have been made to provide a satisfactory substitute for scales whereby proper mixtures of the alloys and mercury may be obtained. but in no single instance with which I am familiar have the means or devices gone into use or proven practical or given satisfactory results. largely owing to inaccuracy in operation and other objections, more particularly due to the particular character of the material operated upon, the susceptibility of the alloys to cling to the surfaces and compact at the point of discharge, etc, which would revent the alelivery of defined predetermined and uniform quantities of the material.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a novel, efficient, and thoroughly practical dispensing apparatus, which will overcome the various objections heretofore recognized, and to make possible a true and accurate balance of the materials, and at the same time so protect the materials in the mixing and measuring operations that they will be substantially free from dust, dirt, or other impurities or contaminations.

In carrying out the invention, it is proposed to provide in operative association a container for the mercury, and a receptacle or receptacles for one or more alloys with novel means for discharging predetermined quantities of the material at will, such means in the preferred embodiment of the invention being of a character wherebythe discharge from the container and receptacle may be simultaneously controlled.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in operative association, the containers for the mercury and alloy, and means for supporting the same in position, whereby any accidental discharge of the material is largely avoided, and in order to more thoroughly protect the parts from outside influence or accidental operation, it is also preferred to provide a suitable inclosing casing permitting of ready access to the operating parts as desired.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a container for mercury or the like, and a receptacle for alloy or the like, the one constituting a support or carrying medium for the other and all of the parts being arranged in a novel and compact form.

A further object of the invention is to provide in operative association with the mercury and alloy containers at common discharge member, and a suitable mixing tube to receive the materials to the end that so soon as discharged, the materials will be delivered to the mixing tube or receptacle without intermediate hand manipulation or the like or exposing the materials to outside influence.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel and improved means for accu at ly d te m ni g the relative proportions of mercury and alloy to be discharged, and means whereby this relative proportion of the materials may be accurately varied.

Another feature of the invention resides in means whereby in adjusting the relative proportions of the materials to be d1scharged, the operator will be guided" by an indicator of novel and improvedtype.

Another feature of the invention resides in means whereby the container for the alloys will be supported whereby to pre vent accidental discharge of the alloys, and means whereby measured 'quantities of the alloys may be delivered at will, together with means for preventing compacting of the alloys at the point of discharge, which might interfere with an accurate and uniform discharge.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a movable receptacle for alloys or the like and novel means for actuating the receptacle to discharge predetermined amounts of the alloy at will.

The invention further includes means for accurately determining the amount of mercury to be delivered, and means whereby this amount may be varied or adjusted at will.

Again, the invention includes a novel type of container for the mercury and the like, and novel means for normally closing said container and permitting a refilling of the same at will.

More particularly, the invention includes a container for mercury 61' the like and one or more alloy receptacle carriers mounted upon said container and plunger actuating means for discharging from the container and receptacles the mercury and alloy either together or separately.

Many other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention will be understood from the description to follow, which for a clear understanding of the invention is to be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed, for the purpose of illustration, convenient and satisfactory embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus with the casing, supporting means, and discharging member removed.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section view, the inclosing casing being removed.

F ig. 4 is a vertical section of the actuating means for one of the movable receptacles, said section being taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2.:

F 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus, parts being shown in section, and broken away.-

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the apparatus, parts being broken away, said section being taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. l. v

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of a slightly modified construction of mixing tube, the inner and outer surfaces of the wall 63 tapering.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 is a suitable supporting base conveniently having a rearward extension 1 with a downwardly offset supporting flange 1. adapted to be detachably secured in place as by screws or bolts 2 engaging a support 3 broken away and conveniently of a character adapted to be applied to a wall or the like. In this connection, it is understood of course that the supporting flange 1* may be directly secured to the wall or the like. Positioned upon the base 1, conveniently centrally of the latter and detachably secured thereto as by bolts or screws 3 is a container for mercury or the like comprising a front wall 4, side walls 5, rear wall 6 and a bottom wall 7 the said walls surrounding a cylindrical chamber for the mercury, and the front wall having one or more transparent portions, two being shown at 7 whereby to constitute sight openings, that the condition of the contents may at all times be observed from a point without the container. The bottom wall 7 of the container has a Suitable downwardly extending central projection 8 positioned within a central aperture 9 of the base 1 and projecting slightly thereb'elow, the said projection S surrounding a discharge opening 10 through the bottom of the container.

The opening 10 connects with an enlarged annular recess 10* in the bottom wall. The outer surface of the lower end of the projection 8 is conveniently tapered at 8 where by to form a knife edge at its lower terminal, to facilitate the discharge of the mercury and avoid clinging tendency of the latter. It is quite important that accurate discharges of the mercury in uniformly measured quantities be provided for and to this end a novel construction of valve mechanism and actuating means therefor is provided which conveniently takes the form of a closure valve or stopper 11 of substantially the diameter of the opening 10, whereby to effectively close the same while permitting of longitudinal slidable movement of the closure 11 in said opening. The closure valve is provided with an annular recess or groove 12 adapted in the upward movement of the valve to receive a supply of mercury, dependent upon the size of the groove and in the lowering movement of the valve to carry the mercury downwardly to a point beyond the knife edge 8 that the same vmay be discharged, and to assist the ready discharge from the valve, the lower end of the latter has preferably a coneshaped recess 18 whereby to provide a knife edge 13. lVhile the valve as thus far described will be found to be quite useful in the discharge of measured quantities of the mercury, at the same time, it is found quite convenient and desirable to provide means whereby the amount of mercury to be discharged may be varied at will, since the relative proportions of mercury and alloy are different according to the desired uses, or according to the particular character of alloy employed. lVith this in view, one wall of the annular groove 12 is preferably provided by an offset shoulder let connecting the head of the valve with asuitable stem 15 whereas the opposite wall of said groove is preferably provided by the lower edge 16 of a sleeve 17 surrounding said stem, the said walls 1% and 16 being relatively adjustable in a manner to be now described.

The sleeve 17 projects above the top of the container and is provided with a threaded portion of reduced diameter 18 adapted to be engaged by an interiorly threaded portion 19 of a surrounding sleeve 20, which latter connects with a head or finger engaging disk 21. The stem 15 of the valve has a shouldered portion 22 connecting with an upwardly projecting rod or stem part 23 terminating at a point above the upper end of the sleeve 17 and within a central recess of the surrounding sleeve 20. Said surrounding sleeve has a threaded recess 24: adapted to receive a screw pin 25, the pin of which latter is adapted to engage a suitable recess in the rod or stem extension 23, whereby said rod or stem 23 will have imparted thereto a rotatable or lengthwise movement according as to whether the operating disk 21 is rotated or moved lengthwise. Any suitable means may be employed to prevent rotatable movement of the sleeve 17 during the rotation of the stem 23 in the lengthwise adjustment of the valve 11, the said means in the illustrated embodiment herein taking the form of a guide pin 26 adapted to engage a vertically extending guide groove 27 in the inner surface of the rear wall 6 of the container. It will be observed that as the operator grasps the engaging disk 21 and imparts rotation thereto, the valve 11 will be adjusted vertically in one direction or the other because of the threaded engagement of the sleeve 20 with the sleeve 17 which latter as just described is fixed from rotation. Any lengthwise ilhjllSiIllQHt of the valve 11 will in turn any the depth of the groove 12. In order to avoid accidental rotation of the disk 21 and connected parts, a suitable spring 28 is conveniently mounted upon the rod or stem 23 adapted to engage an abutment formed by a reduced portion of the sleeve 17 and the shoulder 22 formed by the stem part 15 of the valve. The said spring 28 tends to maintain the valve from accidental rotation by frictional engagement as will be obvious. The top wall 29 of the container is preferably adjustable and removable at will, the same having a hollow depending annular flange 30 having a threaded periphery to engage the internal threads on the wall of the container. The said flange 30 is provided with one or more openings 31, which in one position of the top 29 will be closed by the surrounding wall of the container and which in the vertical upward adjustment of the top 29 will be exposed above the top of the body of the container, whereby mercury or the like may be fed into the chamber of the container through said openings 31, as by a funnel or an ordinary medicine dropper. The upper surface of the adjustable top 29 is provided with an annular recess 32 adapted to receive the lower end of a suitable helical spring 33, the upper end of which is fixed in an apertured portion of the sleeve 17 as at 34. The tendency of the-spring is to exert upward pressure on the same connected tothe actuating disk 21 and associateo parts, the upward movement under the action of the spring being limited by an abutment 35 adapted to engage the undersurface of the adjustable top 29. It will be appreciated in this connect ion that should the top 29 be adjusted vertically by reason of its threaded connection,a sufficient distance, the valve 11 under the action of the spring 33 will likewise be elevated to an extent whereby to be positioned above the bottom wall 7 of the container with the result that an unrestricted outlet for the mercurywould be provided, and in order to obviate this possi bility. a suitable set screw or the like is provided to limit the upward adjustable movement of the top 29 in the filling of the container through the opening- 31. This set screw is indicated at 36, the same having an adjustable threaded engagement at 36 with the top wall of the body of the container and the head of the screw being adapted to overlie the upper surface of the adjustable top 29, and when properly adjusted will permit of the upward movement of the said top 29 a sufiicient distance to allow for filling through the openings 31 but not a sufiicient distance to position the lower end of the valve 11 above the outlet opening in the bottom of the container.

Operatively associated with the mercury container are one or more auxiliary containers or receptacles for alloy, two being shown for the purpose of illustration and a description of one will suflice for both, it be ing understood that these receptacles are preferably arranged one upon each side of the mercury container. While various types of receptacles may be employed in connection with the supporting frame to be now described, it is desirable and preferable to employ a receptacle of the character illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the same taking the form of a cylindrical tubular transparent body part having a conical closed upper end and an apertured lower end, the aperture having a surrounding tube projecting upwardly within the body portion, to a point adjacent the terminal of the conical end, whereby to provide a restricted inlet at this point and whereby in the movement of the receptacle, to deliver measured quantities of the alloy through said tube. The inlet end of the tube being slightly spaced from the conical closed end of the receptacle, it will be noted that in one movement of the receptacle the material will find its way into the space between the inlet end of the tube and the conical end of the receptacle, and in the opposite movement of the receptacle the said material will be discharged through the tube from the receptacle. This receptacle constitutes the subject-matter of a divisional application filed concurrently herewith. 41 is a carrying frame conveniently tubular and having at one or more edges, spring fingers 42 adapted to yieldably engage the peripheral wall of the container and frictionally hold the same in place. In this connection however, it is somtimes desirable to positively secure the container in position, and with this in view, a retaining screw 43 is provided. This screw is threaded through the frame 41 and has a pointed inner terminal which, assuming that the receptacle is formed of gelatin or other penetrable material will penetrate the wall of the container to not only secure the same firmly in place but to prevent subsequent reuse of the container by an unscrupulous person who might seek to refill the same with an inferior product. A gear wheel 44 is fixed upon a projection 41 of the annular frame 41, said projection having a collar 45 at a point to the inner side of said gear wheel, the side walls 5 of the mercury container are provided with annular recesses for the reception of the collar 45 and gear 44 of each frame for the alloy receptacles as well as a vertically extending slot 46 adapted for the reception of slidable plungers 47 and 48 respectively one for each of the frames 41. Each of the plungers 47 and 48 is provided with a rack portion 49 adapted to engage the teeth of the gear 45 to impart rotatable movement to said gear.

. The downward movement of the plungers is limited by the lower end of the rack contacting with the base plate 1, whereas the upward movement is limited by the upper end of the rack portion of the plunger engaging an abutment 50 formed by the wall surrounding the slot 46. The upper ends of the plungers 4748 are provided with detachable extensions 47 and 48 respectively having preferably screw threaded engagement with the body portion of the plungers as illustrated at 51 and terminating at the upper end in finger engaging disks or heads 47 and 48 respectively. Suitable spiral springs 52 are interposed between the topof the mercury container and a shouldered portion 52 provided by the lower end of the detachable extension members 47 48 said springs being sleeved upon each of the plungers 47-48, whereby to normally exert upward pressure on the plungers. It will be observed that in the normal position of the receptacles 40, the coneshaped closed end will be positioned uppermost in the frames 41, the arrangement of the rack and gear being such that when the plungers 47 and 48 are in elevated position under the action of the springs 52, the tubu lar frames 41 are in substantial vertical alinement with the side walls 5 of the noon cury container;

Should it be desired at any time to remove either the plungers 47-48 of the receptacle frames 41, it is only necessary to detach the threaded extensions 47 48 and the springs 52, when the rack end of the plungers may beremoved from the lower end of the container. The racks 49 being in overlapped relation with the collars 45 serve to retain the gear wheels in place and so soon as the racks are removed, the gears as well as the frames 41 may be likewise removed. The gear wheels 44 are provided with a gearless or stripped portion 44 to facilitate the application and removal of the plungers into and through the slotted portions 46 of the container.

The parts are constructed and arranged whereby in the normal position thereof, all of the actuating disks or plunger heads 21, 47 and 48 are arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane and immediately adjacent to one another to the end that the various plungers may be actuated by a finger or fingers of the single hand of the operator at will either independently or simultaneously.

The base 1 is preferably provided with an annular groove adapted for the reception of the lower end of a suitable globe or inclosing housing, conveniently of glass as illustrated at 61, Fig. 5, the said globe being open at the top thereof at a point below the plunger heads or disks whereby the same may be readily operated without removal of the globe. When not in use, a removable closure or top 62 of any desired construc tion is fitted to the top of the globe and together with said globe constitutes a protecting housing to prevent the entrance of dust, etc., to the apparatus.

It is desirable to protect the mixture from u si e influe c s nd t deliver he same directly into what may be termed a mixing chamber 63 conveniently formed of glass and having a normally closed conical lower end 6i with the inner surface of said cham ber gradually tapering outwardly from said conical portion toward the upper end thereof. The tubular mixing chamber may take the conical formation illustrated in Fig. Y, if desired. This tubular mixing chamber or receptacle is adapted to be rapidly agitated, preferably through the medium of a mechanism which constitutes the subject-matter of a divisional application filed concurrently herewith by myself and in the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated is adapted to be frictionally engaged and held by a metallic coupling 65 having a yieldable engaging surface or surfaces 66. The upper portion of the coupling member 65 is adapted to be fitted in any desired manner to the lower tubular terminal 67 of a discharge chute or funnel GT, conveniently of glass and detachabl y held in position as by headed screws or bolts 68 projecting from the undersurface of the base 1 and adapted to overlie the outer surface of the funnel or chute at the top thereof. Other securing means may in this connection be provided.

In the art to which the invention more particularly relates, i. e. dentistry, it is the practice to utilize different characters of alloys at times, and it may be assumeed that two different characters of alloys are contained in the receptacles 10 and that it is desired to mix therewith a predetermined quantity of mercury. The relative proportion of mercury and alloy will differ according to the nature of the latter, and the mercury discharging means is preferably adustable for this purpose. It is quite essential in this connection that the operator be accurately guided in making the necessary adjustment and with this in view, cooperating guiding means is provided on the plunwhich guiding means conveniently takes the form of an annular series of indicating divisions G9 on the disk or head of the intermediate plunger 21, and a pointer in the form of a line or groove '70 on one or both of the disks or heads of the plungers t'?-t8. The plungers 47 and 18 being arranged to discharge predetermined quantities of alloy the relative proportional quantity of the mercury will be determined by rotatable movement of the head or disk 2] to bring the proper division of the series of indicating divisions 69 conveniently appropriately designated by numerals, in registration with the indicating slot 7.0. As has been seen, the rotation of this disk 21 will increase or decrease the size of the mencury seat .12 in the plunger valve 11.

in the operation of the device, assuming that a quantity of one or the other of the alla is desired the operator presses downwardly on the operating head of the particular plunger 47 or 48 which through the medium of the rack 49 will rotate the gear wheel 44;, whereby to invert the normal position of the receptacle 40 and position the alloy at the conical end of the receptacle and opposite the open end of the discharge tube. Thereupo'n, the operator releases the plunger which. under the action of the spring 52 will return the receptacle 40 to normal position and a measured quantity of the alloy will discharge through the internal tube and into the funnel or chute 67 whence to be delivered into the mixing tube 63; Assuming that it is desired to simultaneously deliver the mercury with the alloy the operator places the same or another finger on the opcrating head or disk 21 of the intermediate plunger and simultaneous with the lowering movement of one of the side plungers to control the discharge of the alloy a given quantity of the mercury which has found a seat in the groove 12 will be separated from the body of the mercury and forced downwardly until out of contact with the tubular projection 8, surrounding the central aperture in the base 1, said separated quantity of the mercury falling from out of said seat into the'funnel or chute and thence into the mixing tube 63.

It is understood of course that the base plate 1 is provided with openings 1 preferably elongated to allow for the discharge therethrough of the alloys from the receptacles 40 in the operation of the latter.

It is further understood that the casing which constitutes the mercury container is preferably formed of metal or material of a character to have no effect upon the mercury and of a character to be unaffected by the mercury, and conveniently the other parts associated with the casing are of metallic formation. 7

It has been appreciated that while the plungers 21 controlling the discharge from the mercury container and N -48 controlling the discharge from the alloy receptacles may be simultaneously operated to control at one operation the discharge of alloy and mercury, at the same time the discharge of mercury from its container is governed by a downward movement of the plunger 21 whereas the discharge from the receptacles a0 is governed by the releasing movement of the plungers 47 18 in the return operation thereof. This operation is of importance, 2'. e. the discharge of'the mercury slightly prior to the discharge of the alloy for the reason that when mercury contacts with a surface, it tends to break up and scatter, clinging to the adjacent walls in minute globules. In the present apparatus, the discharge for the alloy operating to permit the alloy to follow the mercury, the alloy acts as a brushing or cleansing instrumentality,

thereby forcing any adhering mercury globules from the walls of the container to a common center.

It will also be seen that since the base 7 of the mercury container is provided with a central annular recess 10 of less diameter than the body portion of the mercury chamber proper and of greater diameter than the plunger opening 10 in the base of the container, there will always be maintained in said recess a sufficient head or weight of mercury surrounding the annular recess 12 to be discharged by the latter even after the mercury falls to a point below the upper surface of the bottom wall of the container.

WVhat I claim is 2- 1. A dispensing apparatus for dental use comprising a vertically disposed container for mercury or the like, a vertically disposed receptacle for alloy or the like, the receptacle for alloy being supported from the mercury container and adapted to be rotated from a position in which its discharge end is arranged uppermost to a position in which its discharge end is arranged lowermost whereby to discharge material therefrom, the mercury container having an outlet in the base thereof, a valve to control saidoutlet, and vertically movable actuating means to move said valve and rotate said receptacle whereby the mercury and amalgam may be simultaneously discharged.

2. A dispensing apparatus for dental use comprising a vertically disposed container for mercury or the like, a vertically disposed receptacle for alloy or the like, the receptacle for alloy being supported from the mercury containerand adapted to be rotated from a :position in which its discharge end isarranged uppermost to a position in which its discharge end is arranged lowermost whereby to discharge material therefrom, the mercury container having an outlet in the base thereof, a valve to control said outlet, and vertically movable actuating means to move said'valve and rotate said receptacle whereby the mercuryand amalgam may be simultaneously discharged, and a common discharge member adapted to receive the simultaneous discharge of mercury and amalgam.

3. A dental dispensing apparatus for discharging predetermined quantities of material such as amalgam and'mercury, comprising a fixed receptacle for one of such materials, a movable receptacle for the other of such materials, said receptacles being connected one to the other, whereby they constitute in effect a single unit, the first-mentioned receptacle having a measuringvalvecontrolled outlet, and actuating means adapted to beopera-ted independently or simultaneously, whereby to actuate the valve control to discharge material. from one of such receptacles and whereby to bodily move the cooperating receptacle to bring its outlet into discharging position.

4. In an apparatus for discharging measured quantities of the material for forming dental amalgams and the like, the c0mbination of a stationary container for mercury having a discharge outlet, means for delivering from the container a predetermined supply, a receptacle for alloy mounted for swinging movement upon the first mentioned container and having a measuring discharge outlet to discharge adjacent the first mentioned outlet, and means for moving said receptacle to discharge a measured quantity of the material therefrom, both of said means being adjacent one another whereby the same may be simultaneously operated by the single hand of the operator.

5. In a dispensing apparatus for dentists use, the combination of a container for one material, a receptacle for the cotiperating material connected thereto and relatively movable, said receptacle having a measuring discharge opening, a measuring valvecontrolled opening for the container, plunger-actuating means for moving said valve to discharge the one material and for moving said receptacle whereby to position its discharge to emit a predetermined amount of the cooperating material, and means for adjusting said measuring valve whereby the relative proportions of the materials discharged from the container and receptacle may be regulated.

6, In a dispensing apparatus of thecharacter described. the combination of a container for mercury or the like, a receptacle for alloys or the like connected therewith and'relatively movable, said receptacle having a measuring discharge opening, means for moving said receptacle to discharge a predetermined amount of material therefrom, a measuring valve controlled opening for the container, a plunger actuating device for said valve, and a plunger actuating device for the receptacle, said plungers being arranged adjacent to one another, for simultaneous operation or independent movement as desired.

7. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a con tainer for mercury or the like, a receptacle for alloys or the like connected therewith and relatively movable. said receptacle having a measuring discharge opening, means for moving said receptacle to discharge a predetermined amount of material therefrom, a measuring valve controlled opening for the container, a. plunger actuating device for said valve, a plunger actuating device for the receptacle, said plungers being arranged adjacent to one another for simultaneous operation'or independent movement as desired, and means whereby the discharge from the receptacle and the container may be relatively adjusted at will.

8. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle for alloy or the like having a discharging means adapted to by an oscillating movement of the receptacle discharge a predetermined quantity of its contents, a carrying frame for the receptacle, a container for mercury or the like, and a slid able plunger mounted on the container and operatively connected to the f ame to oscil late the same.

9. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle for alloy or the like having a discharging means adapted to by an oscillating movement of the receptacle discharge a predetermined quantity of its contents, a carrying frame for the receptacle, a container for mercury or the like, and a slidable plunger mounted on the container and operatively connected to the frame to oscillate the same, said plunger being spring held in one position to prevent accidental discharge of the material.

10. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle for alloy or the like having a. discharging means adapted to by an oscillatmg movement of the receptacle discharge .a predetermined quantity of its contents, a

carrying frame for the receptacle, acontainer for mercury or the like mounted on said frame, and a slidable plunger mounted on the container, said plunger having a rack surface and said frame having a connected pinion or gear to be actuated by the rack and thereby oscillate the receptacle. 11. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle for alloy or the like having a dis charging means adapted to by an oscillating movement of the receptacle discharge a predetermined quantity of its contents, a carrying frame for the receptacle, a container for mercury or the like mounted on said frame, and a slidable plunger mounted on the container, said plunger having a rack surface and said frame having a connected pinion or gear to be actuated by the rack and. thereby oscillate the receptacle, and spring means for actuating the plunger in one direction, and means for limiting the movement of the plunger in opposite directions. 12. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a container for mercury having a controllable discharge adjacent the lower end thereof, one of the side walls of the container having a recess therein, a gear mounted in said recess, a frame connected to said gear adapted to support a receptacle for alloy or the like having a discharge opening, and a vertically movable plunger slidably mounted in said Wall of the casing and having a rack to engage said gear.

13. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a casing having a chamber for mercury or the like, vertically movable plungers in opposite Walls of the casing, each plunger having a rack surface, a pinion to engage the racks, and an oscillating receptacle carrying frame ar ranged at opposite sides of the casing one for each rack, said oscillating frames being connected With said gear means.

14. In a dispensing apparatus of the char-- acter described, the combination of a casing having a chamber for mercury or the like, vertically movable plungers in opposite Walls of the casing, each plunger having a rack surface, a pinion to engage the racks, an oscillating receptacle carrying frame arranged at opposite sides of the casing one for each rack, said oscillating frames beingconnected with said gear means, a discharging chute connected to said casing and adapted to receive the discharge from said casing and the receptacles carried by said frames.

15. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a casing having a chamber for mercury or the like, vertically movable plungers in opposite walls of the casing, each plunger having a rack surface, a pinion to engage the racks, an oscillating receptacle carrying frame arranged at opposite sides of the casing one for each rack, said oscillating frames being connected With said gear means, a dis-- charging chute connected to said casing and adapted-to receive the discharge from said casing and the receptacles carried by said frames, and an oscillating vertically movaable plunger arranged between the f rst men'- tioned plungers on the casing having a measuring valve at the lower end thereof to control the discharge from the container formed by said casing.

16. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tubular receptacle of transparent penetrable material for alloy or the like, said receptacle having a measuring discharge outlet controllable by an oscillating movement of the receptacle, a movable supporting 'l'rame for the receptacle, and holding means on the frame adapted to puncture the receptacle and fixedly retain the same in place.

17. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a tubular receptacle for alley or the like, said receptacle having a closed end and an opposite apertured end, a discharge tube surrounding the aperture and projecing inwardly to a point adjacent the closed end whereby to permit of measured quantities of the material being discharged from the recepta-i-le upon a movement thereof, means for supporting the receptacle and maintain the same in upright position with the closed end uppermost, and means for positively and accurately moving said support to discharge a'measured quantity of the material from the receptacle.

18. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a tubular receptacle for alloy or the like, said receptacle having a closed end and an opposite apertured end, a discharge tube surrounding the aperture and projecting inwardly to a point adjacent the closed end whereby to permit of measured quantities of the material being discharged from the receptacle upon a movement thereof, and means for supporting the receptacle and maintain the same in upright position with the closed end uppermost, said supporting means for the receptade having means to puncture the receptacle to fixedly retain the same in place.

19. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a tubular receptacle for alloy or the like, said receptacle having a closed end and an opposite apertured end, a discharge tube surrounding the aperture and projecting inwardly to a point adjacent the closed end whereby to permit of measured quantities of the material being discharged from the receptacle upon a movement thereof. means for supporting the receptacle and maintaining the same in upright position with the closed end uppermost, means for oscillating said supporting means for the receptacle whereby to discharge measured quantities therefrom, said means comprising a movable plunger mounted on a casing, said plunger having a rack, and said supporting means for the receptacle having a gear to engage the rack.

20. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination of a tubular receptacle for alloy 01' the like, said receptacle having a closed end and an opposite apertured end, a discharge tube surrounding the aperture and projecting inwardly to a point adjacent the closed end whereby to permit of measured quantities of the material being discharged from the receptacle upon a movement thereof, means for supporting the receptacle and maintaining the same in upright position with the closed end uppermost, means for oscillating said supporting means for th receptacle whereby to discharge measuret quantities therefrom, said means comprising a movable plunger mounted on a casing, said plunger having a rack, said supporting means for the receptacle having a gear to engage the rack, the rack when in position constituting means for retaining the gear and the supporting means for the receptacle in place on the casing, and said rack being removable to permit of detachment of the receptacle frame.

21. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of connected containers, one of said containers having an outlet in the bottom wall thereof, a vertically movable plunger having an annular recess, said plunger being movable through the opening in the bottom of the receptacle, and means whereby upon movement of the plunger a measured quantity of the material will position itself in said recess and be ejected by the plunger through the bottom of the receptacle, and means whereby the size of said recess may be adjusted at will.

22. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vertically disposed receptacle for mercury or the like having an opening in the bottom wall thereof, a slidable valve for said opening, a vertically movable top wall for the con tainer, a vertically movable plunger for the valve projecting through the opening in the top wall of the container, said valve having a circumferential groove or recess adapted in the upper position of the plunger to rece ve a quantity of mercury and in the lowering movementof the plunger to discharge the mercury through the outlet opening in the container, and said top havinga dependmg flange with an inlet aperture therethrough adapted in the upper movement of the top tovbe exposed above the body of the container.

23. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vertically disposed receptacle for mercury or the like having an opening in the bottom wall thereof, .a slidable valve for said opening, a vertically movable top wall for the container, a vertically movable plunger for the valve projecting through the opening in the top wall of the container, said valve having a circiunferential groove or recess adapted In. the upper position of the plunger to recelve a quantity of mercury and in the lowering movement of the plunger to discharge the mercury through the outlet opening in the contain-er, and said top having a depending flange with an inlet aperture therethrough adapted in the upper movement of the top to be exposed above the body of the container, spring means interposed between the top and the plunger whereby to normally hold the same in elevated position, and means for limiting the upward movement of the top whereby when the inlet aperture is exposed the'valve for the outlet from the container will remain in closing position.

24. In a dispensing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receptacle for alloyi or the like, said receptacle being formed of penetrable material and having a restricted discharge opening, and means for supporting said receptacle in position whereby to prevent discharge of the material through said opening, said means permitting of a movement of the receptacle to discharge the material, and said means also being adapted to penetrate one wall of the receptacle substantially as and for the purpose described.

25. In an apparatus for dispensing dental materials, the combination of a support, a receptacle mounted for swinging movement on the support, said receptacle having aclosed end normally disposed uppermost and an open end with a discharge tube projecting upwardly to 'a point adjacent the closed end and within the receptacle, spring means for normally holding said receptacle in position with the closed end uppermost, and actuating means for moving the receptacle to a reverse position whereby to permit a given quantity of the material to find its way to the inlet end of the discharge tube.

26. In an apparatus for dispensing dental materials, the combination of a support, a receptacle mounted for swinging movement on the support, said receptacle having a closed end normally disposed uppermost and an open end with a discharge tube projecting upwardly to a point adjacent the closed end within the receptacle, spring means for normally'holding said receptacle in position with the closed end uppermost, and actuating means for moving the receptacle to a re Verse position whereby to permit a given quantity of the material to find its way to the inlet end of the discharge tube, a discharge chute adapted to receive said material as the spring returns the receptacle to normal position, and an auxiliary receptacle on said support adapted to simultaneously discharge to said discharge chute a given quantity of another material.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my I signature.

CHARLES WILBUR MEGUIAR.

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